Choosing a chainsaw

15 years ago

I'm shopping for a new chainsaw and would like some advice. I'm torn between being cheap or jumping into the better quality. Here's what I'm considering:

- Poulan Pro 4620, 46cc, 20 inch, $200 new

- Shindaiwa 488, 48cc, 20 inch, $290 new

- Makita DCS6401, 64cc, 20 inch, $225 used with maybe 60 OR 80 hours on it.

I'm not likely to take it into a shop to be fixed. If I can't fix it myself then buying a new cheap one is cheaper than paying hourly rates for repairs. But 30 years ago I could rebuild a VW engine so I understand basic engine repair.

I rarely fell trees. I'll use the chainsaw to clean up trees downed by storms and to cut firewood. I don't expect to ever cut a tree larger then 24". But I do scavenge trunks of trees being removed by tree services. I'm using about two full cords a year of hardwood cut down to stove size. Mostly I split it with a 20 pound maul but crotches and cross-grained parts that don't split smoothly will be chainsawed down to stove size.

Thanks in advance for your time.

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Comments (10)

ladylake
15 years ago
If you don't mind the extra wieght the Makita should cut good, Shindaiwa would nice too and light. With the Poulan you,ld get more practice fixing. Steve
davefr
15 years ago
It's a no brainer!! Go with the DCS-6401. You might also consider throwing on a 7900 jug and piston which will cost about $200.

The 488's are supposed to be good saws but Shindaiwa is really an orphan in the chain saw business. Getting parts could be tough.
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well, I got about 4 now and have had most models made. Yes some are build and engineered alot better than others for people that have to use them every day. For use that have owned and used chain saws for years any new saw will do light work if you know how to maintain the chain and clean it up AFTER every use. With that said I found a 14" green polan on sale for 59. bucks. Too cheap to pass up. This saw has done everything I have ask it to do from trimming limbs, cutting down small trees, and cutting out cedar stumps which IMO will tear up a saw quickly if you don't keep it out of the dirt and the chain sharp. Knowing how to sharpen the teeth, keep proper tension on the chain, and keeping the bar grooves and oil feeder holes clean it the key to any chain saw cutting ability. Even the most expensive saws will not cut it the chain is dull IMO this is why you need to hit the teeth three or four swipes after every use. I would not recommend 18" polans and there knockoffs. I have found that the bars are too thin and will bend easily causing the saw to not cut or cut crooked. I got a brand new Hus 345 that's never been out of the box, it's 4 years old. I haven't had a need yet to break it out. All I do anymore is maintain about 45 trees on 1.5 ac. I've cut down about 20 so far which includes the stumps beings I'm in soft sandy soil.
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Steve: Well I;am back . Sold the MS-260 for $450.00 US . with the saw box . Almost had to let go of my XP-346 my Buddy has been trying to get it back for 5 years . No Sale , he sold it to me from an old timer who needed a lite saw but his arthritis precluded him from using it after only 2 mths. So yep I went with the Cs-500P . He had one Demo unit left over from last fall $389.00 with 18" bar and extra chain.I got a saw box for xtra 30.00 . He looked at me rather sly since this is the second saw that he has introduced me to slightly been used . Although he had to goe to his competition to do so. I think he is a little upset that I went for the Dolmar 9000 Series recently he was set to sell me a Big Bore XP lol . Small world in Upper Michigan his Buddy has a Farm Equipment Dealership which stocks Echo Product line. I will check out the cutting in the field tomorrow. It test cut well , was impressed with its cutting rate . Compariable to the Husky 346 HP and nice and light . Don't know if it will out cut my Old Pioneer P-20 but will find out soon the old girl is a little long in the tooth 1967 . Thanks for the insight . P.S. My Buddies in Michigan says your right within your loyalties to the small engine echos apparently they fly off his inventory sheet quickly this time of year , at least within the UP . Thanks again Ty !
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The best brand chainsaw you can buy is a Stihl. Most professional use them but they also make lighter duty models (non-contractor grade) suited for homeowners as well (like me). I have one and love it. Very well made machine. Consumer reports also rates them at the top. I use it to cut down trees around my house for firewood. However, you can't buy them at Lowes or home depot, etc, and usually only sell at your local power equipment dealer (which is a better place to go buy this type of thing anyway). They can help you alot better in selecting a model suited for your particular needs because their are alot to choose from, even from the Stihl product line. My local place (a Stihl rep) has great service all around and helped me select a unit in my price range for what I wanted to use it for. After that good experience I've gone back to them to buy other equipment (like a brush cutter) as well when I was looking for one to use around my property. They know the equipment and models very well and it's also where the contractors go. They even show you how to use it, fill it gas and tossed in some saftey glasses. Don't go anywhere else to buy a chainsaw but a power store. Best advice I can give anyone buying a chainsaw or any power equipment after learning the hard way. You can start by visiting www.stihlusa.com and find your local rep and check out different models before going to the store. Hope this helps!
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I've generally found that one size smaller bar than the max recommended is the best bar for a chainsaw. That 345e is recommended for use with 13"-18" bars. It will likely be okay with an 18" but will probably work better with a 16".
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cciaffone
15 years ago
Not sure about that Poulan model, and am well aware
of the criticisms, buttt ... I have had a Poulan 2000
16 inch gas saw for about 15 years I would guess. It
has been thru several hurricanes and scary ice storms
here in North Carolina, mostly felling and cutting
up dead and/or broken trees, mostly really BIG pines
but also a few Maples and Oaks. Gotta keep on top of
the cheapo fuel line and clean the air filter.

I am finally looking to replace this saw only because
I really need a bit more power for some of the really
big, thick trunks. After 15 years this Poulan deserves
a break. Probably an Echo CS400.

chuck
ladylake
15 years ago
Nothing wrong with old Poulans or Macs or Homelites, the new management decided to make money by making the new ones cheaper. Steve
cciaffone
15 years ago
Any opinions on the Echo CS 400 (available locally
only thru HD so far as I can tell)??

chuck
artey
15 years ago
My vote is the Shindaiwa 488. Parts are readily available via "Edge & Engine" if you can't find them locally. I just picked up a great running 488 off e-bay for $63 delivered to the door. While they aren't as popular as Stihl or Husqvarna they have proven to be a good choice as I've been running Shindaiwa product for 25+ years with very little problems. You won't get the high rpms some saws turn out, but the torque in the cut makes up for it.
ladylake
15 years ago
If cutting mostly 16" and smaller I'd go with the 488 also, but if a lot of bigger trees the power of the 6401 would be nice. I'll agree with artey the 488 might not be the highest reving saw but with good torque it will cut just as fast and is more user friendly. Keep the chain sharp and the rakers at the right hieght to take advantage of the torque. The Echo CS400 (can be bought on Ebay for around $200) is a nice saw also but at 40cc will be a ways behind the 488 in power, more of a limbing saw. Steve
barbedwire
15 years ago
"Makita DCS6401, 64cc, 20 inch, $225 used with maybe 60 OR 80 hours on it."

Sounds like a Home Depot rental saw. You`re familiar with the concept of why rental companies get rid of equipment after a certain amount of usage, right? They`ve got it figured that it`s going to start costing them more money than it`s worth to keep that unit in the fleet, buyer beware. Furthermore, how much of that 60-80 hours is trenching dirt and rocks and then forcing a dull chain to cut those monster trees that the homeowners cheapy Poulan wouldn`t handle, thus necessitating the rental of a "big" saw.

I also find it entertaining that anyone would caution you about parts availability for the Shindaiwa, which probably will never need anything more than a sparkplug, and they not warn you about buying a Makita, which is ultimately a Dolmar.
Lim1
11 years ago
I bought a chainsaw this spring. This article helped me do my choice.

Here is a link that might be useful: how to choose a chainsaw
tom_nwnj
11 years ago
These saws are a pain to fix, and expensive to take to the dealer. I'm on the cheapo side, disposable.

On my second Poulan 16". Cut six cords with it last winter.
Tip: killed the last Poulan by getting it too close to the tuff, dirt got in the carb. Now it's a parts saw. Be careful about that.

Choosing a chainsaw

Comments (10)

ladylake

davefr

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