New chainsaw…Recommendations please

[Pointer]

Looking for a new petrol saw and would appreciate any recommendations. It is for clearing up on the shoot. Small trees, hedges, firewood etc. Looking to spend around £400. Rather spend a bit more and get something that lasts.

Stihl MS211 looks reasonable, so if anyone has one, would appreciate any feedback.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Save a little bit more money up and buy one of these

Notice – F.R. Jones & Son

www.frjonesandson.co.uk

I love my Husqvarna 550xpg but if I was buying again I would go for the 560xpg absolute power house.

 

[NullMac]

Yeah I have one of them. Used to for what you plan to and some much bigger cuts around the garden. Decent bit of kit. Chain oil leaks now and again, just needs a clean.

Transformed when I got one of these stihl chain sharpening tool. I would recommend that more !

 

[Brno2e]

I use a 211 for the same purpose and its ideal for the money.
Recommend.

 

[slider]

Consider a battery job. The Stihl MSA 120 is a great little bit of kit for the type of jobs you are looking at. I bought the kit with 2 batteries and each lasts 20 - 30 minutes. Lightweight and no phaffing about with 2 stoke and pull starts.
MSA 120 C-B Cordless Chainsaw

 

[slider]

Transformed when I got one of these stihl chain sharpening tool. I would recommend that more !

brilliant tools

 

[kes]

Further recommendation for Stihl MS211. I bought one with a 12 " bar to take down the odd tree and for firewood - its better than good and its v light compared to the 361 which I have for bigger jobs. After a lot of research, I rejected the husky (bit temperamental) for this and have no regretted it. My son uses a husky and they are I feel rather too high revving but the 211 with ergostart is a good sturdy saw.

 

[Utectok]

brilliant tools

There great

 

[Utectok]

I mean basically you need a husky or a stihl I was told by an old forester never buy under 50cc as they can’t handle the work really.. works for me ! I’ve a stihl 260s

 

[Skogsmannen]

Theres no doubt the 5 series huskys are good saws for full time pro use, but for what you want I'd tend to go stihl if you want it to last.

We have gotten to the stage where the huskys are almost disposable now - last count was 4 550's in bits under the bench and three of them all with the same problem (main bearing cages collapse and release the balls into the crankcase).

 

[nick.308]

think the stihl ms211 is what I have. Use it for general use and making firewood. It will happily run all day. It cuts through oak like a hot knife in butter. I cut up a whole oak tree minus the main trunk (it was too thick) and it coped fine. As others have said get the stihl sharpening tool. It makes sharpening easy and makes cutting a lot less effort with a sharp blade.

 

[Jon P]

Stihl MS 170 - have owned it over 10 years, has had lots of use, never failed to start. -

 

[MattJ]

I got a Stihl 181 CB-E two years ago for similar purposes as the OP. Light, easy to adjust chain tension and easy to start, I strongly recommend it.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Save a little bit more money up and buy one of these

Notice – F.R. Jones & Son

www.frjonesandson.co.uk

I love my Husqvarna 550xpg but if I was buying again I would go for the 560xpg absolute power house.

If you fancy that but do done fancy the price tag, buy a 555xp. Its essentially a de-tuned version of the above. In my opinion they're more durable for it and the difference in real terms isn't much. Never found my 555 wanting on a forestry site. The "g" in "xpg" is for heated handles. I've never bothered, they cost more...

Personally though I'd say buy a Stihl MS180. Very capable little saw, under your budget by a long shot. Steer clear of the 181, my experience of that series has been very poor. Others love them, but I've seen several that are plagued by poor starting/running issues almost from new.

A big saw (50-60cc) is nice to have, but even when you're used to it all day every day they start to feel heavy by the time you've done a bit of work.

 

[Nick703]

Stihl ms261, plenty of power an not to heavy,I’ve got bigger saws but that’s my every day work saw

 

[baguio]

I would go to your local machinery shop and see what they recommend. Explain what you want it for and they will give you an honest opinion. They know what comes back for repair and what doesn't. Don't dismiss battery either. No leaks in your vehicle and a lot of power these days! They have moved on a lot in the last few years!

 

[gixer1]

Be careful with Stihl if you don’t have a local dealer as they won’t sell parts online. Husqvarna have excellent customer service if you need anything and will send parts out.

my preference is husqvarna over Stihl as some of the Stihls had clamshell engine casings that were a pain in the butt to repair.

if you want a larger saw a 365xt takes a lot of beating but will be heavy for all day use. But they are husqy’s longest running model for a reason!

the 455 rancher is a good smaller saw for the money as well.

regards,
Gixer

 

[gixer1]

Its essentially a de-tuned version of the above. In my opinion they're more durable for it and the difference in real terms isn't much.

This is the same with a 365, it’s essentially a 372, all you need to do is grind out the fin on the transfer port covers.

regards,
Gixer

 

[Nick703]

Be careful with Stihl if you don’t have a local dealer as they won’t sell parts online. Husqvarna have excellent customer service if you need anything and will send parts out.

my preference is husqvarna over Stihl as some of the Stihls had clamshell engine casings that were a pain in the butt to repair.

if you want a larger saw a 365xt takes a lot of beating but will be heavy for all day use. But they are husqy’s longest running model for a reason!

the 455 rancher is a good smaller saw for the money as well.

regards,
Gixer

I only have stihl chainsaws,I’ve got 5, + stihl hedge cutters stihl pole saw and a stihl concrete saw,never had any problems ordering parts for any of them,usually next working day

 

[muddy42]

A lot of large heavy saws have been recommended above. Personally I would stick to light 35cc for small trees and hedges. An electric saw might be OK for branches and hedges but not really for tree felling. You get 30 minutes max per battery with an electric saw.