Ryan'smilling
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hey guys,
It's been a while but I need a little help again if you would be so kind. My dad hurt his shoulder last year, most likely rotator cuff, but not sure, so he hasn't been able to start his 036 for a while. I do the vast majority of the wood cutting these days and have a decent stable of saws, Shindaiwa 488, Stihl 036, and Stihl ms460, but they're all too hard to pull over for my pops.
I'd like to get him one of the spring-assisted-starting saws. The saw will mostly be used for limbing when we're cutting together, or for bucking up firewood under 10". Since the saw won't get used that much I don't want to spend much on it, but I want the best for the money. I've looked at the Stihl 211cbe, and am also considering the husky 435 (I guess you can swap a spring starter onto that model), the Dolmar 421, and the Echo cs-400. I have a decent Stihl dealer in town, but not great. The guy didn't know much about the strato engines, like which models have them. The Dolmar is the most expensive on the list and the dealer would be the furthest at 40 miles or so. The Echo would be bought from a branch of my tractor dealership about 10 miles away. Husky would be reconditioned from Northern Tool.
Any thoughts on these saws? I've definitely got to keep this purchase under $300. Lower is better. I know there's no perfect answer, but if you had to pick one which would it be? I'm happy with the Stihls I've owned past and present, and I like the parts availability (even if the guy at the counter doesn't know what I'm talking about), but I'd like to dabble with other brands too.
Thanks in advance for all the help!
It's been a while but I need a little help again if you would be so kind. My dad hurt his shoulder last year, most likely rotator cuff, but not sure, so he hasn't been able to start his 036 for a while. I do the vast majority of the wood cutting these days and have a decent stable of saws, Shindaiwa 488, Stihl 036, and Stihl ms460, but they're all too hard to pull over for my pops.
I'd like to get him one of the spring-assisted-starting saws. The saw will mostly be used for limbing when we're cutting together, or for bucking up firewood under 10". Since the saw won't get used that much I don't want to spend much on it, but I want the best for the money. I've looked at the Stihl 211cbe, and am also considering the husky 435 (I guess you can swap a spring starter onto that model), the Dolmar 421, and the Echo cs-400. I have a decent Stihl dealer in town, but not great. The guy didn't know much about the strato engines, like which models have them. The Dolmar is the most expensive on the list and the dealer would be the furthest at 40 miles or so. The Echo would be bought from a branch of my tractor dealership about 10 miles away. Husky would be reconditioned from Northern Tool.
Any thoughts on these saws? I've definitely got to keep this purchase under $300. Lower is better. I know there's no perfect answer, but if you had to pick one which would it be? I'm happy with the Stihls I've owned past and present, and I like the parts availability (even if the guy at the counter doesn't know what I'm talking about), but I'd like to dabble with other brands too.
Thanks in advance for all the help!
