skynugget
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi all, first time caller, long time listener (thanks for all the info)
I grew up in the mountains, and have been felling, bucking, and splitting firewood ever since my dad would let me pick up the saw, i think i was 10 when he handed me that little McCullough for the first time.
At any rate, my wife and i have left the roost, and have our very own house to heat, and i am in need our happy home. Last year, i acquired (for free, wheew) a Homelite (Poulon?) UT10540, and it survived about 4 cords of wood, so I'm in the market!
A little background on my needs:
I've been mainly cutting red oak, black/honey locust, and american chestnut that died in the blight. I rarely cut anything over 20in diameter standing, but any thing on the ground is fair game.
I'm a little guy and spend alot of my energy skidding logs on my shoulders up to the cutting area, and my wife (90lbs dripping wet, but one tough cookie) runs it quite a bit as well. So a small, light, easy starting saw is a must.
I beat the piss out of these lil saws cutting hard/ large rounds and rev'em high and long at least 2 days a week, to get the job done in the fall and winter. I really only have to money to buy one saw, and i don't want to do again it for a long time.
I maintain all of my own equipment and sharpen my own chains so as long as i can get parts I'm ok, but i like the idea of having a knowledgeable service crew to lean on if i get over my head.
I split the case and threw the clutch off of that little homelite so I'm very hesitant to buy a new saw that has the engine mounted on plastic, should i worry about this with a quality saw? i just want this thing to stand up to years of abuse. (with some TLC at the end of the day of course)
I have no brand loyalty at this point, and have narrowed my choices down to 3 saws( but I'm open to other suggestions).
Stihl ms200 - (rear handle) Great Reviews, but damn its expensive, and has alot of plastic, and is listed for occasional use (really?)
Husvarna 435 - great reviews, price is right, but the local dealer kinda sucks, more plastic, and listed for homeowners
Dolmar ps420 - great reviews, the best dealer out of the bunch, feels like a tank, very little plastic, seems to be the most bang for the buck(pro features/mag case), but its also the heaviest. (most likely at the teetering edge of my wifes limits)
what do ya'll think?
thanks for reading
I grew up in the mountains, and have been felling, bucking, and splitting firewood ever since my dad would let me pick up the saw, i think i was 10 when he handed me that little McCullough for the first time.
At any rate, my wife and i have left the roost, and have our very own house to heat, and i am in need our happy home. Last year, i acquired (for free, wheew) a Homelite (Poulon?) UT10540, and it survived about 4 cords of wood, so I'm in the market!
A little background on my needs:
I've been mainly cutting red oak, black/honey locust, and american chestnut that died in the blight. I rarely cut anything over 20in diameter standing, but any thing on the ground is fair game.
I'm a little guy and spend alot of my energy skidding logs on my shoulders up to the cutting area, and my wife (90lbs dripping wet, but one tough cookie) runs it quite a bit as well. So a small, light, easy starting saw is a must.
I beat the piss out of these lil saws cutting hard/ large rounds and rev'em high and long at least 2 days a week, to get the job done in the fall and winter. I really only have to money to buy one saw, and i don't want to do again it for a long time.
I maintain all of my own equipment and sharpen my own chains so as long as i can get parts I'm ok, but i like the idea of having a knowledgeable service crew to lean on if i get over my head.
I split the case and threw the clutch off of that little homelite so I'm very hesitant to buy a new saw that has the engine mounted on plastic, should i worry about this with a quality saw? i just want this thing to stand up to years of abuse. (with some TLC at the end of the day of course)
I have no brand loyalty at this point, and have narrowed my choices down to 3 saws( but I'm open to other suggestions).
Stihl ms200 - (rear handle) Great Reviews, but damn its expensive, and has alot of plastic, and is listed for occasional use (really?)
Husvarna 435 - great reviews, price is right, but the local dealer kinda sucks, more plastic, and listed for homeowners
Dolmar ps420 - great reviews, the best dealer out of the bunch, feels like a tank, very little plastic, seems to be the most bang for the buck(pro features/mag case), but its also the heaviest. (most likely at the teetering edge of my wifes limits)
what do ya'll think?
thanks for reading