Looking for a new Chainsaw to purchase....need advice

[aaarneson]

I just found out my Husqvarna 353 has piston and cylinder issues.

So I am looking for a new/used chainsaw and I am not sure what to get or look for.

A few I have in my area are:

Stihl MS 250, MS 271, MS 201T, MS 290, MS 181, MS 211c, MS 311, MS 261 c
Husqvarna 450

 

[Ozhoo]

of those, the majority of us would pick the 261. It's the only pro saw in the lot. 290 has the same power but weighs almost 2lbs more while the 311 puts out a tad more power but weighs 2.5lbs more.

261 is an awesome little saw.

 

[aaarneson]

Is $450 high for the 261? It is a year old, case, and new carbide chain.

What are some other good ones to look for?

 

[aaarneson]

Any in for sale section that look like good deals?

 

[s sidewall]

Part of that cost is the chain, carbide chains aren't cheap.


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[Andyshine77]

I would look into what caused the cylinder issues on the 353, fix that, clean up the cylinder and pop in a new piston for next to nothing. The 353 is one of the all time best firewood saws ever made and well worth repairing. Remember dealers will always do what's best for them.

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[aaarneson]

I would look into what caused the cylinder issues on the 353, fix that, clean up the cylinder and pop in a new piston for next to nothing. The 353 is one of the all time best firewood saws ever made and well worth repairing. Remember dealers will always do what's best for them.

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I will look more into that....But right now I can get another one (while the warden is ok with it), then try to fix the 353. That will give me 2 saws.

 

[aaarneson]

What about this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUSQVARNA-3...876358&hash=item5429e809a3:g:0WMAAOSw7FRWWI7p

 

[Ozhoo]

I will look more into that....But right now I can get another one (while the warden is ok with it), then try to fix the 353. That will give me 2 saws.

I like the way you're thinking. $450 is a fair price for the 261 unless it's been flogged like a drunken sailor. I'd be swapping that carbide chain out for a nice $20 loop of something that I could sharpen.

If you can lay your hands on it and take it for a test drive, that would be the way to go rather than taking a crap shoot through the mail.

 

[Ozhoo]

What about this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUSQVARNA-3...876358&hash=item5429e809a3:g:0WMAAOSw7FRWWI7p

The 353 fan club boys are gonna break down your door and take your saw away if you keep posting things like that You need to at least try to save your cylinder before stepping over into the dark side.

 

[aaarneson]

Ok Ok. That was just a quick search. The shop that has it is in Dolores, CO and I am in Phoenix. I just need to call them later and see if there is anything that can be done.

 

[aaarneson]

I talked to the guy at the shop and he said that cylinder was not repairable at all. He said that the scoring was on the exhaust side...which points to too much heat...possibly not enough oil in fuel mixture. I did buy this used and I have always had issues with it, so I may have gotten it that way.

 

[aaarneson]

Also there is a Husqvarna 350 for sale for $125, Stihl MS362C for $480, Husqvarna 455 Rancher $150, Stihl MS193T, Sachs Dolmar 120SI $350

 

[longbowch]

Look for a husqvarna 545

 

[Andyshine77]

Also there is a Husqvarna 350 for sale for $125, Stihl MS362C for $480, Husqvarna 455 Rancher $150, Stihl MS193T, Sachs Dolmar 120SI $350

Unless you know what to look for, if you buy used you could end up right back where you are now.

Yes heat heat could cause the scoring, but so could others things. The early 353 had a plastic intake boot clamp that could fail and cause an air leak. If it has an old boot clamp replace it. Any saw tostad that comes my way gets a vacuum/pressure test to make sure she's tight.

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[dave mclennan]

I just found out my Husqvarna 353 has piston and cylinder issues.

So I am looking for a new/used chainsaw and I am not sure what to get or look for.

A few I have in my area are:

Stihl MS 250, MS 271, MS 201T, MS 290, MS 181, MS 211c, MS 311, MS 261 c
Husqvarna 450

if its firewood your mainly doing, the ms 261 gets my vote

 

[earlthegoat2]

I own a Husky 450 and even though it is not my first choice, I have been using it extensively out of necessity for the last few weeks and it is pretty nice to use. Heavy for a 50cc and EPA design updates that were mandated in this model make it somewhat undesirable compared to the Husky 350 and its ilk. They can be had so cheap though that they are tempting. Of the ones you listed I would say go for the 450 or Stihl 261. I am not a fan of the 290,310,390 saws and the 211 or 181 are just too homeownery. The 201T will not be what you want for firewood or anything extended that is not up in a tree.

 

[backhoelover]

Remember on carbon chain you pay by the tooth when u get it sharpen

 

[Derrick Sawyer]

For occasional firewood the stihl ms250 is ok, its on sale new fro 299 right now, yes i know its not a pro saw but relatively cheap and would have a warranty and they seem to hold their value on ebay

 

[aaarneson]

Thanks all. I am also looking at a 362c for $375