Most under rated chainsaw????

[indiansprings]

Without a doubt the Efco/John Deere/Cub Cadet 56 and 62. The CS 56 we run, on paper is superior to the 5100 Dolmar, cuts speed wise within a nats azz of a stock 361, is much easier on fuel and has great filtration. These two efco's are grossly underrated by people and underrated. At 299.99 with free delivery from Amazon for the Cub Cadet version, they are a heck of a lot more saw than the big box huskies or 290 or 310 Stihl.

 

[knockbill]

i've grown to like my homelite 240... it looked like a cheap, plastic saw when i got it at a garage sale, but a carb kit and a new 16" bc, and it is a good running, lite, firewood/trimming saw,,, still looks cheap, tho!!

 

[E.V.A. Sawman]

solo saws, especially the 651, this is one of my favorite 50cc saws, mine runs stronger then the 5100 I have, and both run the same dolmar b&c setup. It has a nicer shape on rear handle also.

 

[Woodcutteranon]

Most underrated? No doubt the Poulan Woodshark. These things are easy to start...they Idle when you set them down and cut when you squeeze the trigger. They fill a need for the chainsaw consumer...and they do a good job doing it.

 

[Paul001]

One of my old favorites, Echo 660 EVL. Had one for years as a yard saw, was treated worse than a landing saw and just wouldn't die.

One of the most over looked saws, 020 AV Pro, rear handle unit. Overpriced, but a great saw.

Current in the Stihl line the 441. Way to many over look it or look down on it. Those that own em just seem to smile.

Forgot the old Poulan S-25AV's. If you could keep the screws in them, they were great climbing saws.

 

[HARRY BARKER]

Without a doubt the Efco/John Deere/Cub Cadet 56 and 62. The CS 56 we run, on paper is superior to the 5100 Dolmar, cuts speed wise within a nats azz of a stock 361, is much easier on fuel and has great filtration. These two efco's are grossly underrated by people and underrated. At 299.99 with free delivery from Amazon for the Cub Cadet version, they are a heck of a lot more saw than the big box huskies or 290 or 310 Stihl.

i agree...buddy has a jd 56/efco very impressive.

 

[Zero Gravity]

The Husqvarna 353. The saw is a clone of the 346, nearly every piece of the saw. This saw is the detuned consumer version. I have found it to be a very dependable screamer. The Husqvarna 353 version receives scorn most all the time when compared to the 346, yet the Johnsered version receivers rave reviews! This is just another example of group think that this site is so famous for.
ZG

 

[jd548esco72]

back when i was a young lad we sort of snickered at the homelite 360s.
the huskys had much more power and were quick starting.

looking back on the 360s- they worked well in the pulpwood once you learned their little quirks. and we even cut a few logs on the side with them . so we got good use out of them-- hundreds and hundreds of chords per saw for several years. that is what it takes to be true industrial equipment.

 

[jerryw66]

Anything with a plastic crankcase. People like to trash them for that simple reason despite being reliable, popular saws. The MS290 and the Husky 350's are/were large selling saws.

The Jonsered 2165 is also under rated. Frequently when people ask about them, it isn't too long before someone says "you can upgrade to a big bore". The 2165 is a very strong saw stock, and will cut just about even with a 2171 in smaller wood. It is much cheaper than the 2171 too.

I've said for years, "the 2165 is one of the best saw bargains out there"

 

[WACutter]

Underdog Saws

Overbuilt saws

For their weight, these are often shunned by the stopwatch crowd. These saws will run for a long, long time. Most folks running them could not tell the difference between these and their more powerful brothers.

Stihl 650 - A great, strong saw that can often be had for considerably less than a 660. Put a $40 dual port muffler on it, and you're probably running neck and neck with a stock 660. Stock to stock, I couldn't tell a difference between them both with a 32" bar in big wood.

Husky 365/362XP - I just love the 362XP. Less than a pound difference between that and a 357XP, and it just rips...it feels noticably stronger than a 357XP or MS361. Plus both the 365 and 362XP can be found used or NOS for loads less than a 372XP/W. When you wear it out, it's easy to upgrade to OEM 75cc or a BB.

Older saws

Husky 346XP OE - Yeah, the NE is more powerful and is better in bigger wood, but it is also heavier and often comes with a cat muffler which needs to be replaced. If you can find a nice OE used or NOS, grab it! It IS handier than the NE, and revs like crazy without the need for porting and/or new/modified mufflers. I have both and find myself reaching for the OE more often, or going to a bigger saw.

Husky 350 - So they are not pro saws... They run great, and are often ridiculously cheap on the used market. So, if you lend it to Uncle Al, and he runs straight gas through it and blows it up, no big deal. Pull the good parts off of it and buy another one on CL for $100, and run the crap out of it.

 

[gmax]

Oleo Mac/ efco, Sure the old ones were a little heavy but they just keep on going without issues, the Sachs Dolmar were also very good.

 

[WACutter]

Forgot the MS260

The MS260 is also underrated. They get bashed a bunch on AS, but are fine saws. Mine has a 16" bar and with sharp 3/8" chain cuts great. It ALWAYS starts. I've had 3, and I have never had a problem with any of them. So, it is not as smooth or as fast as the small Huskys. It simply seems to me to be less finicky, although this is just a subjective judgement. You can't go wrong with a 260. That being said, I can't wait to see it's replacement

 

[J.Walker]

Well my Husky 339xp can't seem to get any Rep!

 

[jimdad07]

I know I have trash talked my little Poulan Pros some, but in retrospect after reading on here, the 38cc with the 16" bar I was just able to get up and running again is great for around the house trimming and for trail making for deer hunting. I think I tried to do too much with them. I was using them as firewood saws, BIG MISTAKE, I will say that I could bury the bar on the 38cc and then go down the other side with a sharp chain without the saw bogging. Glad to have that one running again. The later model 35cc that I have with the tooless chain tensioner is plain and simple pure crapola.

 

[roncoinc]

$99 delivered !

"THE" most underated saw because it is so cheap..
will keep up with saws three times the price and of even slightly bigger displacement..
and that a FULL 12 in red oak log..

 

[Termite]

I don't think anyone even thinks of the Redmax3800. Heck no one has even mentioned Redmax. I use my 3800 more than any saw I have. It is a little more powerful than a Dolmar401 and handles better too. I think many people swinging 50cc saws all the time would learn to love a 40cc if they gave them a chance.

 

[SawTroll]

The Husqvarna 353. The saw is a clone of the 346, nearly every piece of the saw. This saw is the detuned consumer version. I have found it to be a very dependable screamer. The Husqvarna 353 version receives scorn most all the time when compared to the 346, yet the Johnsered version receivers rave reviews! This is just another example of group think that this site is so famous for.
ZG

It outperforms the MS260, but still is far from the NE346xp in performance - more than the specs indicate (I have both).

 

[russ61]

homie 360

Bought it new in 1980,have picked up 2 more throught the years.Have really cut alot with it.Wouldn't think twice about pulling it out and cutting a load with it.
Russ

 

[WetGunPowder]

Most under rated chainsaw

Dolmar ps420

 

[Evan]

it might be easier to list the most overated saws