spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
Current dealer cost on the 555 is just above $500. I sell them for $550. Not saying you should get the 555 because several saws in this thread will do what you need them to do at or below your price limit, but...…………..
Rigid adherence to a target price, that was established before you even started looking at the saws, can result in a disappointing purchase. Guys frequently use the phrase "can't justify" when exceeding their target price. But how does one justify spending $500 if the saw you'd really rather have is not that much more expensive? You're going to have it for a very long time. I get it if the money is just not there, and you need a saw now. Then the deal has to be: this is how much I have to spend on a saw, so what are the best options for that money?
And a slight rant: Since the beginning of this site, a common narrative that is repeated over and over when comparing firewood saws is this stupid phobia about saws with plastic crankcases. The discussion always takes this "don't get a saw with a plastic case" refrain and plenty of good options for the prospective buyer are overlooked because of this. Echo guys are quick to play the plastic card, cause saws like the 590 are mag cased. Then the "gotta get a pro saw" guys jump in as well. Heck, I was probably saying the same thing 10-15 years ago.
But, where are all the failures over the past 15+ years due plastic crankcases? These saws sell in such huge numbers for both Husky and Stihl. High volume dealers like myself should have plenty of dead plastic case saws in the boneyard if those crankcases were indeed a liability. I have NEVER seen a 455/460 Rancher fail because of a plastic crankcase. Very reliable saws that just run and run. The 555 is nicer to run, but a 460 will hang with it power wise. And it's the same with product from Stihl. The evidence shows that these saws will hold up just fine over the long haul. There is absolutely zero reason to avoid them because of the plastic crankcase. Truthfully, the plastic case can often take a hit without damage better than some of their mag cased counterparts.
The plastic case saws have proven themselves over the years to the point that it's time to lay this phobia to rest. Continuing to tell guys to avoid them is really no longer the knowledgeable advice they came here looking for.
