Well, there's no trees in Lubbock, so.....

Milwaukee or stihl. You really can't go wrong with any brand of power tool as long as it's not a ryobi.

cuz-i-can said:

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Has anyone recommended a Stihl yet?

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If not there's stihl time...

Done

zooguy96 said:

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Stihl on any outdoor equipment. The battery Stihl is also excellent. Pretty good battery life.

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I would agree with the exception of their axes. I broke the only two I tried on mesquite within three months. My next off-brand has lasted me two years and going strong.

My Husqvarna starts every time!

don't have a Stihl chainsaw but have Stihl gas powered blower and a trimmer.

Bought them both right after buying our mountain house - used them both once. They have both been in storage for two years with the same gas still in the tank.

Spending a lot of time up here this year (thank you COVID), so instead of calling my yard guy to clean up the yard I'm now doing the leaf blowing this fall.

Both started on the second pull (after I remembered to flip the choke switch). Amazed.

Stihl.

Log said:

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Well, there's no trees in Lubbock, so.....

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You're a LIAR!

I have cut thousands of trees with a Shindaiwa 600. I now have a Stihl 170 (on sale) I like. I don't use it much but should have gotten the 250. even cutting up one full sized tree that died the 170 lacked the power I wanted.

I will put my Husquvarna Rancher 455 against any Stihl out there. It's run every weekend for the last 2 months during hurricane cleanup and not once had an issue

If it really is for home use I would 100% recommend getting a battery chainsaw that uses the same battery pack you already own for power tools. They work great and will be far less of a PITA than a gas powered tool that is very likely overkill for home use.

Todd 02 said:

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Log said:

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Well, there's no trees in Lubbock, so.....

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You're a LIAR!

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Seems you'd be needing a good high end, high capacity, zero turn mower even more so.

stretch248 said:

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I will put my Husquvarna Rancher 455 against any Stihl out there. It's run every weekend for the last 2 months during hurricane cleanup and not once had an issue

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I've got both Stihl and Husquvarna (multiples of each) and I agree they are pretty much equals. As I get a bit older I do dislike how Stihl can sometimes be nit picky in starting. Near me in my NM land, I've got a good friend that harvests timber and has a large saw mill. He runs a mix of both brands as well.

As for cheap models, one never knows. Years ago bought a cheap ass Homelite knowing it was going to be abused and likely lost so wanted just for a onetime long outing and treat as disposable. That thing ran and ran and ran and was pretty good. It did get lost and after about eight years in a barn was found. Still had gas (eight years old!) so was sure everything was gunked up, rusted, etc. Thought it might be a good grandson project to tear apart and maybe fix for learning. I primed it to see if lines were clogged and pulled to see if the piston was frozen. The damn thing started up and ran just fine. Go figure.

where are you guys buying saws from? I'm looking for a particular Husqvarna and can't find one anywhere.

Does husky have a dealer network like stihl does?

I bought a mid range Echo last year off of Craigslist. A guy quoted me $300 or so to take down a tree in my yard which finally justified the cost of a cheap saw. I think I paid $300 for the saw (never been run) including a case. Probably a $350 saw new. Couldn't pass it up foe the stihl I really wanted.

I used to look at stihls a lot on Craigslist but they mostly are used that have been run like hell. Probably have good life left in then but need some love.

I have Stihl gas powered chain saw and pole saw and they start every time just like they should but one annoying thing is the bar/chain oil leaks out of both of them when I leave them sitting for a while. Not a lot but you always have to be careful where you set them. I've given up trying to stop it.

Kinda like whose the best country singer. You mean after George Jones? GJ used Stihl

ChipFTAC01 said:

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Does husky have a dealer network like stihl does?

I bought a mid range Echo last year off of Craigslist. A guy quoted me $300 or so to take down a tree in my yard which finally justified the cost of a cheap saw. I think I paid $300 for the saw (never been run) including a case. Probably a $350 saw new. Couldn't pass it up foe the stihl I really wanted.

I used to look at stihls a lot on Craigslist but they mostly are used that have been run like hell. Probably have good life left in then but need some love.

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I have seen a listing of dealers on their website. Going to hit up a few on Tuesday and see what I can find out. 1 tool place is about 5 mins from me so going to check there first and see if they can order me one.

No question about it. Stihl

Ceallenjr85 said:

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No question about it. Stihl

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yep. seems like that is the one to get. looking for a 261, but may settle for a stihl 271.

My friend has stihls. Finicky starting them. I have a Husqvarna, it starts easy.

SquanchyAg said:

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Ceallenjr85 said:

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No question about it. Stihl

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yep. seems like that is the one to get. looking for a 261, but may settle for a stihl 271.

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I recently got a 261 from the big hardware store in navasota. Highly recommend it over the271. Did the muffler porting. Haven't tried a 20" bar yet but its badass with the 16 or 18. Hot knife through butter on big red oak logs. Couple extra chains and some wedges and don't think there's much you can't do. After years of fighting lesser saws its borderline fun. You'll be looking for stuff to cut.

Echo has a great line of "mid weight" chainsaws. Mine never has disappointed and starts every time, easily.

I've had a Stihl for years and have no complaints.

If I were to get another one, I would get a model having a decompression valve for easier rope pulls.

I'll also recommend a Stihl, I've had great luck with all of my Stihl products. Husky's and Echos are fine saws as well. I'll also say that if you're just a weekend warrior or the rare trim up, electric sure is attractive. The Milwaukee is pretty mean if you're not felling a bunch of timber.

I'll also recommend only running the Stihl HP Ultra (silver bottle) 2 cycle oil and ethanol free fuel. This is the only way to fly. I am perfectly capable of removing and cleaning carbs, but I don't want to! I want to go to my tool, prime it, pull the cord, and go.

I would also suggest that anyone with a chainsaw that uses it with any kind of frequency, check out this spout for your bar oil. Ditch the funnel or the "careful pour" and get one of these - Part number 7201048. They fit right on your quart or gallon bar oil, and they are AWESOME! They run about $3-5 bucks at NAPA, buy it, pull off the clear tubing, and screw it right onto the bar oil container. When I bought my last saw my Stihl shop in Comfort filled the saw with bar oil. The guy reached down and grabbed a gallon of bar oil and opened this little spout and poured it perfectly without spilling a drop. I just stared at the magic that I had witnessed. I've always used a funnel (which I have to keep up with) or just poured it freehand (after cutting for a while, I end up spilling some all in the saw which then I have to clean later...). This fixes the problem and lives on the bar oil, seals up tight, and pours right into the saw not spilling a drop.

wadd96 said:

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My Husqvarna starts every time!

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Ditto. I use it on my land it starts right up and cuts great.

CS78 said:

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SquanchyAg said:

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Ceallenjr85 said:

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No question about it. Stihl

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yep. seems like that is the one to get. looking for a 261, but may settle for a stihl 271.

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I recently got a 261 from the big hardware store in navasota. Highly recommend it over the271. Did the muffler porting. Haven't tried a 20" bar yet but its badass with the 16 or 18. Hot knife through butter on big red oak logs. Couple extra chains and some wedges and don't think there's much you can't do. After years of fighting lesser saws its borderline fun. You'll be looking for stuff to cut.

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just picked up a 261c 20" today. been trying to find one in stock for a while and finally found at Northern Tool in Beaumont that had one. ready to try it out!

I think i'm going to switch to an 18" bar and chain, but going to try out the 20" first.

Cuts like butta

Good pick. I had a stihl 251 for several years I picked up off ebay used and it was great but a little underpowered at times. I have always wanted a 261 and finally got one a couple years ago and love it. It is really more than I need but it is the best power to weight ratio of all the stihls. I also sold that 251 for as much as i paid for it for so stihl if you take care of it will hold its value.