OakeyDokey
ArboristSite Lurker
I am a new member and I came across this forum through a google search. I've lurked here for awhile and read threads regarding chainsaws, firewood, and tree care. I hope to continue to look here for advice and information.
I know that there are a lot of questions here regarding the purchase of a saw and from people seeking the advice of pros and frequent users. I have read some of those threads and some have compared the saws that I am looking at but I could not find one that looked at all of the ones that I'm considering. I apologize in advance if this seems redundant.
First of all, I will let you know what I use my saw for.
Here are the saws I'm looking at replacing it with:
A few weeks ago I thought that I had made up my mind and nearly pulled the trigger on the Echo 590. The thing is a beast and when I started considering that I thought that it would be too much saw for me. Then I was in my local hardware store that sells Stihl and I learned of the promotion on the MS 250. Now I am totally confused. I think I have it narrowed down to what's above but if there is something else to consider, please let me know. Again, I apologize if this is redundant and thanks in advance for your input and help.
I know that there are a lot of questions here regarding the purchase of a saw and from people seeking the advice of pros and frequent users. I have read some of those threads and some have compared the saws that I am looking at but I could not find one that looked at all of the ones that I'm considering. I apologize in advance if this seems redundant.
First of all, I will let you know what I use my saw for.
- I primarily cut firewood into 18" lengths prior to splitting it with my 12 pound maul or Fiskars x27 splitting axe (a great tool, btw). The majority of the wood that I'm cutting for this is between 12" & 24".
- Occasionally I'll need to take a tree down and the majority are between 12" & 16" with an occasional one close to 24ish".
- Cleanup of limbs after storms, heavy winds, ice, etc.
- Honeysuckles - I have a lot of honeysuckles on my property and I am trying to get rid of as many as possible. I've cleared probably around 25 of them that are close to my house and I've probably got 100+ more of them on my property. It's a constant battle. Some of them are not "large weeds" either and are more like trees with trunks that have intertwined into a single mass and are close to 16" in diameter. The wood is surprisingly hard on these honeysuckles and can dull up a chain pretty fast. Once they're down I cut them up to go into the brush pile to burn later or to dispose of in some other way.
Here are the saws I'm looking at replacing it with:
- Stihl MS 250 - This has a 45.4 cc engine and an 18" bar. Additionally, Stihl is running a $60 off nationwide promotion on these until almost the end of November. That makes the price $299. The warranty is 1 year but is extended to 2 years if you use the Stihl-branded premixed fuel that does not have ethanol.
- Husqvarna 445. Has a 50.2 cc engine. With a 16" bar it's $329 and an 18" is $339. Husky will also extend the warranty on these with the purchase of 3 cans of premixed fuel.
- Husqvarna 440 - 40.9 cc engine with an 18" bar for $299. With the 445 being so close in price I'm not sure why I would buy this one unless it has some feature that I am not aware of. It is lighter and a bit easier to handle. The other factor is that it is easier to find in retail stores than the 445 - at least the stores around me.
- Echo CS-490 - 50.2 cc & 18" bar for $349. My dealer says that they will include a small size of the premixed fuel with the purchase of all Echo saws.
- Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf - 59.8 cc & 20" bar for $399. Also, Echo is running a nationwide promotion that with the purchase of this saw they will include a 3 pack of chains. Also, as above, a small size of premixed fuel is included. The dealer that I contacted for this say that they will not participate in the Echo 1 day sales event that allows dealers to choose the day that they can host this sale. I do not wish to get into a discussion about covid, political or otherwise, but they sited covid as the reason they are not participating.
- Jonesered CS 2245 - 45.7 cc and an 18" bar. This has a 2 year warranty. It is $319. At Meanard's, with the 11% rebate, it comes out to $283ish. This saw seems to have a lot of features that are common with the Huskys and in looking at info about the company, I see that Husky owns them. It seems almost identical in many respects but I did not see a Husky that is between the 440 (40.9 cc) & 445 (50.2 cc) above. Unless I am missing something this seems like a better deal than the Husky 440.
A few weeks ago I thought that I had made up my mind and nearly pulled the trigger on the Echo 590. The thing is a beast and when I started considering that I thought that it would be too much saw for me. Then I was in my local hardware store that sells Stihl and I learned of the promotion on the MS 250. Now I am totally confused. I think I have it narrowed down to what's above but if there is something else to consider, please let me know. Again, I apologize if this is redundant and thanks in advance for your input and help.