My 9 year old Poulan has finally worn out. Looking for a saw in the $300 range for cutting enough wood each year for home heating. Looking for input on selecting my next saw.
My choices are:
- Stihl MS 250 18", $310
- Husqvarna 35222 18'', $330
- Echo CS-400 18", $290
- Poulan Pro PP4218AV 18", $180 (thrown into the mix because it's a very common saw)
get a sthil 290 farm boss worth the extra money. buy it with a 18 inch bar and see if they put a 3/8ths yellow chain and bar on there instead of the .325 green chain
I have a Stihl MS250 with a 16" bar. The MS250 is sort of an oddball model and it does not come highly recommended from the Stihl dealer. Mine has been so so. It can be a little hard to start and sometimes when you've been using it for awhile it just doesn't want to fire back up after you've shut it down. I would say avoid this model unless you got a super deal.
the MS250 is stihl's 1# selling home owner saw...I have one and it cuts great with a 18" bar and have NEVER had a problem with it...but I will say if you are using this to cut alot of fire wood spend the extra cash and get the ms 290 "farm boss". If you have more money to blow go with the ms310, which i have one of those as well and cuts even faster than the ms290. Overall I really like my ms250 for the small stuff and if I'm going to be cutting anything big I go with the ms310...both saws have never failed me ever and I'm happy with them both. Although i am thinking about selling my ms310 and getting a bigger one
I'm surprised nobody has anything to say about the Echo. In my reading, it sounded like the best overall unit. Keep the opinions coming. I'll probably end up purchasing a saw by the end of this week.
I've got a Husqvarna 36 w/ a full chisel chain. The chain makes the biggest diff. That saw is at least 10 yrs old and starts just like it did when it was brand new. Cuts fast w/ the full chisel chain.
The problem with the husky's imo is they are a high rpm saw. They have no bottom end torque. You get the stihl bogged down in a cut it will keep going, the husky won't! Plus if you pick the 2 up the stihl just feels higher qualitý. I still use my dads 20-30 year old stihls and they both run like champs! I wouldn't considor any othe saws on you list except stihl and husky and stihls imo are just better made saws.
If you're anywhere near G.R., my work is actually selling the 18'' Poulan Pro for about $105. They're "reconditioned", but they all come with the 1 year warranty and we're doing some special deal right now that gives you the extended warranty for free. I've bought the reconditioned tools from there a few times and I've got no complaints so far.
But as for which one is actually the best/longest lasting I'd have to go with the Stihl.
my neighbor has 2 echo saws and really likes them they are both light wieght and cut great he has had them for atleast 6 years and has no probs at all with either both start easy (within 2-3 pulls) and will work all day long . he also has a stihl 290 farm boss and prefers the echo over the stihl as they are quieter and cut just as well
Get the Stihl. Ive had mine now for just over a year, works great. Off hand I dont know model I bought, I think I paid just over $400 for it/ new. With the Stihl and Husky you can buy all the replacement parts, as needed if something breakes. I had a Poulan, it lasted for about 4 years. It didnt hold up for steady cutting and gave up the Ghost.
Of the given choices, I would lean towards the Echo, or the Stihl. I have used both saws, and they are great, but I prefer my Dolmar the best. It has both low and high end power, and I can out cut all of my family and friends Stihls any day.
BTW, I got my ms290 last year, with the 18" bar, two chains, 6 pk of stihl ultra and a couple other things for I'm thinking $370 out the door or so. (University lawn service)
well I would spend a couple extra bucks and get the farm boss, I use my saws around 50 days a year and can tell you sthil is the best. i also have a husky 455 rancher which is a good saw. If I use the Husky I use the stihl chains.just my 2 cents
Thanks for all the info everybody! Looks like the Poulan is the one:teehee: Just kidding. I just need to round up a few more bucks and I'll be headed to the Stihl dealer. :thumb:
I just rebuilt a stihl weed eater (fs44) at work and everything inside and out on that thing is top notch and I rebuilt it for only $27.00 all gaskets, ring and carb kit. (gotta love Walbro)
My dads stihl saw (avs 28 super or something like that) Has been awesome for 15 years. He just got an Echo weed eater and Echo hedge trimmer and both are extremely tight powerful little suckers. Too bad you live so far from me, I have a great used stihl avs 32 (I think) at the shop for $250
I bought a Husky last year and its been a great saw. Stihl is just as good. I had no prefernece to either when I shopped around but the Husky dealer around here was 10x better than the Stihl dealer.
I always try to run over the chain with a quick file after at least every other use and it seems to be holding up great.
Don't dirt the chain. Thats the most important tip.
Dolmars really are the best bang for the buck and a high class saw. Both Stihl and Husky are of course legendary.
I'll add one note: The Farm Boss 290 is Stihl's #1 selling saw and is utterly stupid considering the 310 and 390 are built on the same chassis. The 290 is just dead weight compared to the other two.
Stihl MS 250 is the high end of the 210/230/250 chassis and is a great saw for what it is. Personally, with a $300 budget I'd be looking for a good condition used Stihl MS260Pro or a Husky 346XP, both of which would do everything a homeowner needed and at a great weight.
I'll add one note: The Farm Boss 290 is Stihl's #1 selling saw and is utterly stupid considering the 310 and 390 are built on the same chassis. The 290 is just dead weight compared to the other two.
You should also mention the 310 and 390 require the user to don a tinfoil thong.
I simply can't pull that off, unless I'm in heels, hence my purchase of the 290. :thumb:
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