We have a bunch of chainsaws on our ranch, including at least one of each of the different companies you listed. Of all, BY FAR the most reliable/best are the 3 Stihl saws we have (16", 24" and i think a 36"? its huge i dunno exact size). Excellent chainsaws, i love them. We cut a ton of firewood every year, and because of harsh winters here at elevation, we do a lot of clearing brush every summer and we need hard working, reliable saws.

My vote goes to Stihl.

 

Spend the extra money and get either a Stihl or a Husqua with the longer bar. You will not regret it in the long run. You will use the Poulan for maybe a year and throw it in the garbage, no lie. Three years ago the wife was mad that I spent $400 on a Stihl Farmboss with a 20" bar. That was a few months before Hurricane Katrina and forty downed trees later. BTW, the saw is still going strong.

 

Poulan is junk! Believe me, I know! (LOL)! Go STIHL all the way!..........

 

Husqvarna makes a good saw if you buy the larger heavy duty models. I don't know about the cheaper models.

My dad has a fifteen-year-old Husqvarna that still runs great. After fifteen years of abuse, his Husqvarna runs smoother than my lightly-used Craftsman.

Grim

 

My old Craftsman chain saw is fine for the weekend yard maintenance duty.. If you are going to be using one to make a living with or cutting your own firewood every winter, then go for one of the big boys...

When I was a kid, we had a Stihl and that thing never skipped a beat! Used it for over 10 years.. Dad finally replaced it with another Stihl..

My Craftsman will start on the second or third pull and I will run it for a couple of minutes then put it away for months at a time. I will pull it out again and another 2-3 pulls, it starts right up.. Idles great and does what I need it to do..

Would I use it for everyday use? No way, but for trimming up the yard and the occasional branch that falls, it works for me...

Mitch

 

Well I just got back from TSC and ended up with the Husky 142 16" E series. I First stopped at Lowe's and they were completely clean out of them but had full stock of the Poulans (I think that tells the story right there!) We have had some pretty good storms lately so now I know what people are buying.

Anyways I was going to get the 18" bar but they did not have any in stock and the other nearest store only had 1 in stock of the 142 16", again probably because of all the recent storms. So that is what I ended up with but I am happy with what I got.

I also bought bar oil, sharping file, and a extra chain.

So far so good, started on the third pull, seems to be a well built solid unit. Tomorrow will be the real teat after I take down a oak and a ash tree along with trimming a few others.

I will let everyone know how it does after some work.


One question.....Do you let them sit right side up or tilted sideways?....i ask because if it is right side up and bar oil just drips out....

Heres a pic

 

Right side up. You shouldn't get more than a drop or two of bar oil.

Grim

 

Alright thanks, just wanted to make sure.

 

Good looking saw. I think you will be happy with it.

 

go back to the place man and either buy you a chain guard or a case for that saw.

it might cost a little, but you'll thank me in the future....

 

It did come with a chain guard...just did not have it on in the pic.



Anyways, Well I just finished bring my last load of limbs to the dump. Took down 3 trees total and trimmed 4 others. The ones I took down were about 30-40 foot high, only had to rope one that was over hanging a neighbors house, the rest I was able to let fall in place. As for the saw I was impressed on how well it cut through everything. There was one little thing....the saw would not want to staying running while it was just idling, kept dieing on me a few times....If the bar stop was engaged it would stay running....was starting to **** me off! Well after I felled a tree about 18"-20" running the saw at full throttle a couple of minutes I have not had it die on me again....I guess I needed to let it roar for a few


Here is the link to my gallery along with a few of them. There is also a short video in the link.

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/d...42%20ChainSaw/

 

Nice choice

 

You should have an idle adjustment screw on the side of the carb. You can adjust how fast it idles in order to keep it running.

Grim

 

Pwned.