I am a total noob and need some advice. I just purchased 4.5 acres of mountain land that is full of pine and aspen trees. I will be clearing the fallen trees and taking down some live trees to make room for camping and possibly a cabin. The saw will be used heavily on the weekends through out next summer. My question is, what is the better buy: a brand new Husky Rancher 455 for $250 or a clean used Stihl 026/260 for around the same money. Also is this a good comparison? I have also looked at the 270 and 290 series from Stihl. Lastly, are all 026/260 models considered pro saws or should I find one that says pro on the saw? Thanks in advance.
Saw Recommendations
- Thread starter shawnh
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southbound
ArboristSite Guru
I thought the Rancher was = to MS 290????
Nothing wrong with the 290... Knowing what I know now I may have to say the 26/260.....
Nothing wrong with the 290... Knowing what I know now I may have to say the 26/260.....
what ever saw you chose, get one at 3.8c.i. at least for longevity and reliability... you wont be sorry....
southbound
ArboristSite Guru
Do you have a local dealer??? Is it Stihl or Husky both???
I went Stihl because it's all we have here....
for what its worth we have ms 319 at work, i muffler modded it and it runs pretty good. but its heavy vibrateing pig compared to my 026.
my 026 is one heck of a light weight easy handleing saw for wood 20" and smaller but will also tackle wood outside of its leage like 30" plus wood.
i think the 310 vibrates more then my 066 the 290 is the same saw just minus a few ccs.
the 455 i have only handled at the store so i have no real exsperince with it. but i think my 026 feels much better and runs very well with a muffler mod. it is one of my favorites
my 026 is one heck of a light weight easy handleing saw for wood 20" and smaller but will also tackle wood outside of its leage like 30" plus wood.
i think the 310 vibrates more then my 066 the 290 is the same saw just minus a few ccs.
the 455 i have only handled at the store so i have no real exsperince with it. but i think my 026 feels much better and runs very well with a muffler mod. it is one of my favorites
southbound
ArboristSite Guru
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I have both dealers in my area so I should have pretty good service either way. I am leaning toward the Stihl as well, what should I watch out for in a used saw? Any major red flags? By the way, great forum, thanks for the help.
I have both dealers in my area so I should have pretty good service either way. I am leaning toward the Stihl as well, what should I watch out for in a used saw? Any major red flags? By the way, great forum, thanks for the help.
southbound
ArboristSite Guru
O welcome aboard!!!!!!!!!
If you are buying used from a dealer see if they will stand behind it..Have them do a compression test and pull the muffler to look for marks...
If you are buying used from a dealer see if they will stand behind it..Have them do a compression test and pull the muffler to look for marks...
southbound
ArboristSite Guru
One more thing and I may be wrong and I know if I am I will be corrected but isn't the 455 rancher a home owners model and the 026/260 a pro grade saw???
If so I would go pro if it were me....
I've been looking on ebay for the Stihl because I have not been able to find a used one in the Denver area yet. The rancher is considered a mid range saw by Husky and looks to compare to the 290. I figured if I buy used, it should be a pro model for longevity reasons.
Evan, my parents live in Grangeville ID, they say the loggers up there are all swear by Stihl.
Evan, my parents live in Grangeville ID, they say the loggers up there are all swear by Stihl.
The only pro grade saw you've mentioned is the 026. But it's only 50cc. Check out a Husky 359. Same saw as a 357XP with a different P&C.
olyeller
ArboristSite Guru
How big?
How big is the wood you're cutting? I love my 260 because it's a lightweight and hard-working saw, but if you're getting into bigger wood on a regular basis a 60cc or 70cc saw might serve you better. Since you're into what's going on here at AS, you know you're a goner already; the CAD has begun to creep into your soul. So give in to it and just prepare yourself for a pleasant journey of discovery. When I first joined this site Brad told me the MS 260 and MS 460 would be a great two-saw combo; I had a MS 390 at the time. Brad did not lie, and that's what I have now. Plus a couple more just for grins.
Welcome to the site; wear protective gear; and most of all, ENJOY!
Olyeller
How big is the wood you're cutting? I love my 260 because it's a lightweight and hard-working saw, but if you're getting into bigger wood on a regular basis a 60cc or 70cc saw might serve you better. Since you're into what's going on here at AS, you know you're a goner already; the CAD has begun to creep into your soul. So give in to it and just prepare yourself for a pleasant journey of discovery. When I first joined this site Brad told me the MS 260 and MS 460 would be a great two-saw combo; I had a MS 390 at the time. Brad did not lie, and that's what I have now. Plus a couple more just for grins.
Welcome to the site; wear protective gear; and most of all, ENJOY!
Olyeller
TommySaw
ArboristSite Guru
Again with the don't know what ur cuttin' but I'll throw in the 365 as it is nice saw and would suite me fine if not for this place. Runs awesome with a 20" bar and can handle a 24". Welcome to AS and if you plan on owning just one saw, don't hang out here too much
I don't think I will be cutting anything more than a 25" diameter pine tree. Most will likely be smaller aspen trees and fallen timber.
If I could get the new rancher for less than $250, will this saw serve my purposes or is it not reliable enough. My only concern is going with a used saw vs a new saw and staying around my price range.
If I could get the new rancher for less than $250, will this saw serve my purposes or is it not reliable enough. My only concern is going with a used saw vs a new saw and staying around my price range.
jd548esco72
ArboristSite Guru
since your only going to be cutting 4.5 acres of timber i would consider a loaner or if you just have to buy one i would look for a decent used saw in the 57 to 70 cc class.
i picked up a shindaiwa 575the other day from a local pawn shop for a measly $175. other than needing the chain sharpened the thing is like new-runs like a champ to boot.
in the small saw i would go with the husky 357xp or 359 if the price is right.
i got a 455 rancher and it will do 4.5 acres of timber ok but it will be time consuming with it and there are better buys around. just take your time with it, don't push it hard and it should be able to finish up 4.5 acres.
at $250 new the 455 would be a coin toss. so it isn't really a bad deal if you can't come up with a more powerful saw.
around here a pro class saw that has been gone over by the dealer which will usually have a carb kit new seals ring and sometimes piston & jug go for around $300 so if that 260 was a 044/440 i would say jump on it. but it being a 260--???
then there is the new cub-cadet saw i think it is a 57cc for $300 shipped at amazon if that sale is still going on. not too bad for a new saw IMHO. supposed to be more of a industrial unit than some of the other homeowner saws. it is just a cadet labeled elfco i think.
check out the trading post here. there are some nice deals on the commercial grade saws.
the main thing when shopping for a saw is take your time, shop around and you will find a good deal.
gwiley
Addicted to ArboristSite
You said mountain land - I assume this means slopes and slogging through terrain. You will notice the extra weight on th 359 and 372.
The kind of trees you are working will respond well to a 50cc saw with an 18" bar - pick your religion (Husky/Stihl/Dolmar) and dive in.
I recommend a pro saw though - it will be worht the extra $$ later.
While you are getting a loan, spring for the 2 saw plan, don't get stuck cutting with a breakdown. Add a 70cc (372 is the one) for the odd occasion you run into something big and as a backup to the 50cc go-to saw.
When going for the 2 saw plan it would be best to match chain pitch (and groove width) so that you can just buy it in bulk and make loops as you need them. I hate having to buy bulk for 2 different pitches.
The kind of trees you are working will respond well to a 50cc saw with an 18" bar - pick your religion (Husky/Stihl/Dolmar) and dive in.
I recommend a pro saw though - it will be worht the extra $$ later.
While you are getting a loan, spring for the 2 saw plan, don't get stuck cutting with a breakdown. Add a 70cc (372 is the one) for the odd occasion you run into something big and as a backup to the 50cc go-to saw.
When going for the 2 saw plan it would be best to match chain pitch (and groove width) so that you can just buy it in bulk and make loops as you need them. I hate having to buy bulk for 2 different pitches.
nikocker
Addicted to ArboristSite
Get the 455
You're not going to be cutting enough or anything too large to warrant anything else. Plus if it's brand new you'll be getting a 2 year warranty. . . that should give you piece of mind. It is heavier than the Stihl, and that may be a consideration depending on the terrain your cutting in.
Happy cutting!
Al
You're not going to be cutting enough or anything too large to warrant anything else. Plus if it's brand new you'll be getting a 2 year warranty. . . that should give you piece of mind. It is heavier than the Stihl, and that may be a consideration depending on the terrain your cutting in.
Happy cutting!
Al
