Chain Saw Recommendations Please

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Dear Countrymen

SWMBO has suggested we need a chainsaw. Bewdy! but what sort?

I would, no, we would appreciate some advice on a chainsaw having the following features (and any others an expoerienced "PP Lumberjack" may wish to add.

1. Compact. ie we are not considering full time logging in Tassy or WA. I am not after really small as I suffer from small man syndrome but it should be compact. In the words of SWMBO, performance matters and should not be compromised for a very small size (Bwhahaha)
2. Reliable. nuff said, don't want a Ozito budget brand crap
3. Low maintenance. All man tools need a little luvin, but I don't want to have to rebuild the thing after each use.
4. Safety features are important. It will be used in remote areas so the less chance of ripping of human bits the better.

Look forward to the recommendations Craigm, Ondaboat, Trekrider, Matty&Loz and the other usual suspects---> no remarks about my size, remember size is relative and I walk amongst giants

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Oh!
SWMBO will be reading this post regularly so restraint and manners is a must. (hmm, this is a wasted post, but please include some meaningful comments, out out of courtesy of course.)

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

I think the Stihls are half decent, the FarmBoss series are quite reliable, however they might be a little big. I think however if you went for any Stihl chainsaw you'd be on a winner.

[Darren253* Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253*]

I have a Sthil MS180 i think... 16" or 18" bar. It's from there cheaper range but has been very reliable. I use it on camping trips and about three time a year to go and collect fire wood from the DEC forest. Cost me $350 i think with a bag. It hasn't given me any trouble in 18months but you do need to ensure you clean the saw dust from the oil lube mech as this can clog up.

[footoo Member Find all posts View Profile Close footoo]

I have husqvarna 136 which has been an excellent and long lasting saw, the good thing about Huskies is they guarantee parts availability for 15 years. While the Stihl is a good saw imo they are over rated and expensive.

At the end of the day the Husqvarna is a very "manly saw" (said with a deep voice)...

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

I've had a small Sthil saw for about 8 years, and other than replacing chains and keeping good oil & fuel to it, it has never let me down and allways starts on the second pull. I doubt that a cheapy would last as long and be as reliable, given the work it's done.
Bazza

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Stick to Sthil or Husqvarna, they tend to not have as many complaints as the other brands.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

what about this badboy...

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Look forward to the recommendations Craigm, Ondaboat, Trekrider, Matty&Loz and the other usual suspects---> no remarks about my size, remember size is relative and I walk amongst giants

I'm crushed - shame on you to even suggest I might comment - and to go so far as to include me with those other reprobates, well!

I'd also go Sthil or Husqvana by reputation - only one I've ever owned was a Black & Decker electric one so not much use unless you have a very big inverter (sorry didn't mean to mention size - I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it).

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

i vote for husqvana

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Hi MLC

Have a look at the latest 2011GTG update there is a picture os LFAR using his Stihl Mini Boss, it comes in a neat case as well for transporting in the car. Stewy has a Husqi similar that he got for a very reasonable price (under $300 I believe), I have a HUGE Husqvarna, 61cc with 24" bar that I inherited over 20 years ago and still starts on the second pull, probably only serviced four times in the whole time I've owned it. It is too big so I will be looking at the smaller Husqvarna.

Regards, Richard.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

I inherited from my Dad his Shindaiwa Chainsaw which has been a great little unit. It would be about 10 -15 yrs old now and everytime I get it out she starts. The Stihl's and Husky's are probably the two main contenders and it'd obviously be handy to have a good case to carry it in (mine only has a cover for the blade), but I'm sure there plenty of accessories out there.

Also important, dont forget the PPE!

[eatlovelearn Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eatlovelearn]

stihl all the way.
and get a husky box for it so it wont get stolen , haha

[Derb Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Derb]

Hi Fellas. I have owned a Sachs Dolmar 18" 111i for over 20 years now and it went so well I went out and brought another - exactly the same! Now painted green and called a DCS520 as Makita brought the factory and are now producing the saws under their umbrella. These saws are every bit as good as a Stihl and Dolmar have been producing saws for longer. I was also given a 10" Dolmar by SWMBO's Dad (25 years old) and it is also a beauty. Don't discount a saw just because it hasn't a Stihl or Husky sticker on it! Cheers Fellas.

[wanderingoz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wanderingoz]

and get a husky box for it so it wont get stolen , haha

Haha...this is exactly what I did but I went one better and got a Talon box. Crap saws but a really good light box.
WOz