Best 30cc chainsaw?

[windthrown]

OK, what is the best all-around 30cc chainsaw with a list price of around $200 out there? Rear handle only, top handle is in a different league. And yah, I am too lazy to do an AS search in this one, and there are probably 8,000 or so posts on it.

Stihl MS 170/180c?
Echo CS-305?
Dolmar PS-34?
Husky 137?

Maybe I should add the Wildthing, Poulon, Mac, and Jonny Red, but I am not familiar with those lines of saws. Prices are pretty variable. I can get an Echo 305 for $140 in a blowout sale at a local HW store here, and the Husky is available for $180 at Amick's. Stihls are never 'on sale', and the Dolly is pretty variable in price, depending on where you look (store selection is not that great from what I have seen too).

 

[cuttinscott]

OK, what is the best all-around 30cc chainsaw with a list price of around $200 out there? Rear handle only, top handle is in a different league. And yah, I am too lazy to do an AS search in this one, and there are probably 8,000 or so posts on it.

Stihl MS 170/180c?
Echo CS-305?
Dolmar PS-34?
Husky 137?

If you decide on a Dolmar go with the PS341 or PS401 instead of the PS34 the 34 has good power but is a Bi#@h to service and Way to Heavy for its Power.

Scott

 

[ChuckinOhio]

Maybe get a 142???

Same weight as a 137, tad bit more oomph.

I have a 142 and love it, quite the handy little saw really. Should be gettable for your 200 dollar ceiling also.

chuck

 

[Timberhauler]

I'm not sure what they sell for,someone gave me mine,but I love my MS210 Stihl.

 

[windthrown]

Husky 142

Maybe get a 142???

Same weight as a 137, tad bit more oomph.

I have a 142 and love it, quite the handy little saw really. Should be gettable for your 200 dollar ceiling also.

chuck

Have to agree there. Both are 10 lb saws... 142 is a 40cc beastie.

 

[begleytree]

stihl 017/ms170 is a decent little saw for what it is. I have a few. I paid $159 out the door, but you may pay tax.....
-Ralph

 

[windthrown]

210 as a gift???

I'm not sure what they sell for,someone gave me mine,but I love my MS210 Stihl.

Wow, a Stihl 210 as a gift? You must have great friends! The 210 is up around $250-300 in last summer's catalog list price that I have. Creeping up in size too, at 35cc's.

 

[ChuckinOhio]

It ges grabbed more often than not for a quick job, or for lobbin up smaller sticks for the stove. I use it on stuff up to 10" and with sharp chain it eats pretty good.

I really really like mine, not a complaint yet and it got run pretty hard this year.

Chuck

 

[windthrown]

No sales tax in Oregon...

stihl 017/ms170 is a decent little saw for what it is. I have a few. I paid $159 out the door, but you may pay tax.....
-Ralph

No sales tax in Oregon! Higher income tax here though.

 

[Uwharrie]

I'm stretching the price but the RedMax G3800 is my favorite rear handle saw in that range. Lots of POWER and easy to start weighting in at 9.3lbs.

http://www.amickssuperstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=REDMAX+G3800AVS+CHAINSAW+14

 

[berryman70]

Maybe get a 142???

Same weight as a 137, tad bit more oomph.

I have a 142 and love it, quite the handy little saw really. Should be gettable for your 200 dollar ceiling also.

chuck

I've had a 136 for quite a while and it's been a good little saw, mainly just use it for trimming in my apple orchard & some small brush. I think a 142 would be all the better.

 

[windthrown]

Upgrades...

That's always problem with chainsaws. Go to the store or post to AS about a small lightweight 30cc saw and you always wind up with a Dolly 5100s or a Stihl MS361.... bigger and better. I have a 361 and a 290 already. Might buy a 5100s anyway, as I got a line on one for $350 delivered.

What I really want is a lightweight bullet-proof pro model 30cc saw that we can use for thinning and limbing trees with here. The Stihl MS361 or Dolly 5100s in 30cc please? They just do not seem to exist. All the 30cc models tend to be weekend plastic homeowner stuff. Though Echo sells their 305 as a 'pro' model saw... *shrug* and Stihl is supposed to be coming out with a 192 non-TH saw, though no one here believes me when I mention it. That will more likely be around $300 as well. Hmmmm...

 

[Cam501]

if you're gonna go with husky the 137 or 142 would be fine. If i remember correct the weight difference is negligible so I'd say the 142. If yo're gonan go stihl I'd get the MS180, I wouldn't even bother messing with the 170.

 

[ChuckinOhio]

Thats the truth

That's always problem with chainsaws. Go to the store or post to AS about a small lightweight 30cc saw and you always wind up with a Dolly 5100s or a Stihl MS361.... bigger and better

Until I started researching this site, I was convinced that one saw would do it all.

Oh how sorely mistaken I was:bang:


Chuck

 

[Timberhauler]

Until I started researching this site, I was convinced that one saw would do it all.

Oh how sorely mistaken I was:bang:


Chuck

For years,I had only a 044 Stihl and a 009 that I used up in the tree..One saw can do it all...Unless of course you just have to have another.

 

[computeruser]

I really love the little Echos and I am sure they would make a very good choice, but if you're looking for a true pro-grade machine then my vote would be for the Dolmar 341/401 with a muffler mod (super-restrictive stock muffler!).

 

[sawinredneck]

I've run an ms170, man for the money I can't imagine how you can go wrong! I can only think the 180 would be better!
I have also run a 143, it's ok, I'd rather have the 170!

 

[windthrown]

OK, original list modifications...

Updated 30cc list is (adding replacements & suggestions):

Stihl MS 170/180c? (8.6/8.6 lb., 30.1/31.8cc, List: $180/$220)
Echo CS-305/306? (7.8 lb., 30.1cc, List: $200, Ebay $150)
Dolmar PS-341? (8 lb., 33cc, List??? Online search is all in German)

35-40cc category:

Dolmar PS-401? (8.8 lb., 39cc, Amricks: $250)
Husky 142? (10.1 lb., 40cc, Amricks: $200)
RedMax 3800? (9.3 lb., 37cc, Amricks: $240)
Stihl 210C-BE? (9.9 lb., 35cc, list: $300)

 

[Dok]

I have to agree with sawinredneck here. I bought a MS170 because my dad wanted to help me cut. That is a fun saw, it really rips through the small limbs and is so light! I use it quite a bit now. Great little saw at a good price.
Brad

 

[cuttinscott]

Updated 30cc list is (adding replacements & suggestions):

Stihl MS 170/180c? (8.6/8.6 lb., 30.1/31.8cc, List: $180/$220)
Echo CS-305/306? (7.8 lb., 30.1cc, List: $200, Ebay $150)
Dolmar PS-341? (8 lb., 33cc, List??? Online search is all in German)

35-40cc category:

Dolmar PS-401? (8.8 lb., 39cc, Amricks: $250)
Husky 142? (10.1 lb., 40cc, Amricks: $200)
RedMax 3800? (9.3 lb., 37cc, Amricks: $240)
Stihl 210C-BE? (9.9 lb., 35cc, list: $300)

PS341 14" $229.00

Scott