Looking for suggestions on a chainsaw. We just got back from our property in New Mexico and I'm realizing how much clearing and clean up I'm going to need to be doing on our land. Property is 1 acre and outside of having a guy excavate in a driveway so far, has not had anything done to it.

I imagine the standard hobbyist chainsaw would be a little on the light duty side for our situation, but don't figure I need a full on professional duty one either.

Thoughts on getting a Husqvarna Rancher? Looks like a pretty good middle ground. Plan to spend a good chunk of time out there when I retire, so I'd be more inclined to but a solid saw like Husqy or Stihl that will last us the next 20-25yrs or so.

Stihl is my vote. I own 2, and they don't miss a beat.

Stihl

What would be good Stihl models to consider for that level of use? The Farm Boss?

Stihl x 3

Player To Be Named Later said:

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What would be good Stihl models to consider for that level of use? The Farm Boss?

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Yes. 18" or 20" bar depending on what you are cutting. Cleared a couple of miles of fence line with mine with no issues.

Usually easy to find a dealer or chains.

Stihl farm boss in 20 inch... thing is a beast and light too. I love mine.

I have a Stihl MS250. It serves me well and would recommend it.

Stihl

Obviously Stihl is the favorite. That said, consider Echo as well. Comes highly recommended from a small engine repair guy, and my Dad's has never missed a beat, despite the fact that he isn't exactly the most careful with care and maintenance.

JJMt said:

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You can't go wrong with either brand. Pick the one with the closest dealer to your property.

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That's a good point. I was just in the process of looking up dealers in the area. Stihl has a dealer in Alamogordo. That's about the closest real town to us that we could get to without wasting an entire day.

My dad has run a stihl for decades. Same one. I bought my own years ago and love it too.

I've ran echo, husqvarna, poulan, and now a Stihl MS250

The Stihl MS250 is without a doubt superior to all the others

Stihl

Stihl MS 250!

Or 170

Have both

Stihl without a doubt.
Just don't buy one with the easy bar/chain adjustment deal like mine came with. It's nice for quick adjustment at times, but I've had mine mess up a few times. I went ahead about bought all the OEM parts to convert it to the traditional stud and nut so I can tighten with the provided tool.

Oh and if this is your first Stihl purchase, I'd bet that next time you need a blower, weed eater, hedge trimmer or anything else Stihl makes, you'll go back to this brand for the rest of your life. I'm a Stihl man for life! If you just keep fresh fuel in 'em, they never miss a beat.

rhtexfish said:

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My dad has run a stihl for decades. Same one. I bought my own years ago and love it too.

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Same for my dad. He bought his first Stihl when my sister was born. She turns 39 next month. It's now his "deer lease" saw he keeps at deer camp. Still runs great.

Good info so far. Any opinions between the 250 vs 271n Farm Boss?

marleyrox said:

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Stihl farm boss in 20 inch... thing is a beast and light too. I love mine.

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I'll agree on the Farm Boss being a beast...but damn sure have never considered mine light.
So I also bought a MS250..it is light(er) than the beast.
I purchase the next level aggressive chains (yellow coded)...love the rate of cutting.

Still is the best option, I have rebuilt two old 032AV's that has made in West Germany on them. I currently have a 361 that I got for a steal from a pawn shop, wasn't running took about $40 and was running like a scalded ape! The thing is even when run hard and put up wet then with zero maintenance they still almost always run. When they aren't running, typically take minimal effort to get them up and running again!

Stihl and do your best to put ethanol free gas or fuel treatment in it all the time.

Is green or hello the one they recommend for mesquite?

Yellow, is a more aggressive chain if that is what you are referring to. It has a higher likely hood of kicking back on you and requires more attention to use safely. But that said, it's all I use on my saws!

I have a Stihl electric I bought at Ace Hardware. Love it. I haven't used my gas one since. I got the weed eater as well.

The electric will cut for 15 or 20 minutes. In working terms, I can cut a bigg cedar down and get all the limbs cut up. Helps to have two batteries to cut while one is charging. The weed eater battery will work but it has slightly less capacity than the chainsaw.

My dad sells them. I looked at a lot and even went to do the Stihl mechanics training in Dallas. If you think they're cool, that course shows you a lot of what goes into one and how they can diagnose if it ever needs service. I went with the MS291 with a 20" bar and have been more than pleased. I've got blower, weed eater, and a hedge trimmer. Use the Stihl fuel and I believe it doubles the warranty.

River Bass said:

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I've ran echo, husqvarna, poulan, and now a Stihl MS250

The Stihl MS250 is without a doubt superior to all the others

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. Agree - my saw shop recommended this over the farm boss - the 18" bar is best match for power

I'll stay out of the brand war. But I use the hell outta my arborist saw, every brand has an arborist saw. Unless you're dropping a tree you'd see the benefit in a smaller saw for most cutting.

If you haven't yet, spend some time learning how to properly sharpen the chain, that will do you a ton of good. And ethanol free 2 cycle gas x 1000.

kyledr04 said:

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Stihl and do your best to put ethanol free gas or fuel treatment in it all the time.

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. Run super unleaded in your Stihl.

I have had a MS250 for close to 20 years and it runs like a champ. Mine came with the easy adjust chain tensioner and I ditched that as well. The stud method is superior in my opinion.

AgDad121619 said:

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River Bass said:

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I've ran echo, husqvarna, poulan, and now a Stihl MS250

The Stihl MS250 is without a doubt superior to all the others

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. Agree - my saw shop recommended this over the farm boss - the 18" bar is best match for power

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Why the 250 over the Farm Boss (271?) That's pretty much the two models Im looking at the closest right now.