Best Chain saw for under $1200.00 to buy for cutting trees once a month or so, not every week?

[jolj]

I got my own Ideals, but you guys/gals do more knowledge than I do, so am asking your HO.
No fighting, no wrong answer, just what you would buy & why.
The last three saws I bought where on sale & less than $350.00 & wore out in a year.

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

I started out with a 10-10 Automatic and a ProMac700 , both very capable saws and both under 200.00 . At 54cc and 70cc they cut firewood and dropping trees for me for 2 years.
My interest in chainsaws expanded to many models and makes but the old American magnesium saws are extremely reliable and there's literally millions of them out there that require basic maintenance skills to go back into service. Now there's specialist who will even work them over for you.
With as little as you'll be using a saw thats the direction I went, and is my suggestion.

 

[Bubster]

Not sure what size trees you are cutting,but I wouldn't trade my Husky 545 for a smoked brisket.

 

[jolj]

Sorry I should have said 16 to 20 inch bar is what I use & need.
I did own one 12(???) trimming saw 25 years ago for landscaping, but it was go big or go home business..
With two small children, I went home & retired from a plant after 38 years.

 

[mbrick]

$1200? That's a nice budget. I'd probably think about a 572xp.

But you could also probably spend a bit less on a little less displacement like a 562xp. Just get any pro saw and it will last longer than what you have buying.

 

[Sierra_rider]

Are you mostly bucking logs, or brushing/limbing too? IMO the Stihl ms400 is one helluva "all around" saw that does everything pretty well...the weight of a really lightweight 60cc saw, but the power of a 70cc saw. Mine probably gets the most use out of the 11 or so saws I own.

 

[sundance]

It would be helpful to know what the last three saws were.
Personally I'd suggest an Echo CS-590. Gets good reviews.
Why spend a bunch of money if you can meet the need for less?

 

[ElevatorGuy]

I’d buy another ms462c again in a heartbeat, Not sure if they’re under $1200 anymore though. The ms400c does sound like a beast too.

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

I would also be interested to know what the other saws were that you wore out in a year...and what do you mean by 'wore out'?

Even a Poulan should go more than a year assuming you keep the chain sharp and maintain it. I mean, I have one I got for free that was pretty well used, cleaned the carb, and I've probably got 40-50 tanks through it which is at least 20 hours on it and it's not 'wore out'.

People that I've seen go through saws like going through underwear are running them with dull chains and reefing on them constantly. They get them real hot and cause all sorts of problems. Plus, most of them don't keep the air filter clean or do other general maintenance items either...so...it's a recipe for disaster.

Any chainsaw run with a dull chain for extended periods is not going to last long. If you're not touching up your chain every 2-3 tanks of fuel, you're running a dull chain.

 

[jolj]

$1200? That's a nice budget. I'd probably think about a 572xp.

But you could also probably spend a bit less on a little less displacement like a 562xp. Just get any pro saw and it will last longer than what you have buying.

I do not have to spend that much, just will not spend more.

 

[jolj]

Are you mostly bucking logs, or brushing/limbing too? IMO the Stihl ms400 is one helluva "all around" saw that does everything pretty well...the weight of a really lightweight 60cc saw, but the power of a 70cc saw. Mine probably gets the most use out of the 11 or so saws I own.

The local guy said he had a MS391 with 20 inch bar for $689.99.

HUSQVARNA 572 XP® $1,169.99 on the web.​

 

[jolj]

I’d buy another ms462c again in a heartbeat, Not sure if they’re under $1200 anymore though. The ms400c does sound like a beast too.

That just over the top at $1300.00 with a 25 inch bar. But it would be hard to choke that beast down.

 

[jolj]

Are you mostly bucking logs, or brushing/limbing too? IMO the Stihl ms400 is one helluva "all around" saw that does everything pretty well...the weight of a really lightweight 60cc saw, but the power of a 70cc saw. Mine probably gets the most use out of the 11 or so saws I own.

Small trees under 25 inch mostly, limbs, shrubs & firewood. I would just go by price, get a extra bar & chain, oil.
But I am on this site, so I thought "Talk to the pro's, see what they would buy."
Clearing fence line, removing shade trees, no real timber.
I may get a small saw for limbing later, to old to use shear on 2.5 limbs & at $100.00, a saw makes sense.

 

[lone wolf]

That just over the top at $1300.00 with a 25 inch bar. But it would be hard to choke that beast down.

Of course slightly used saws could be bought on here for hundreds less.

 

[jolj]

I am not one to trust new stuff on the net, forget used. I have been burned before & I can get by with a smaller saw for what I am doing.

Of course slightly used saws could be bought on here for hundreds less.

 

[lone wolf]

I am not one to trust new stuff on the net, forget used. I have been burned before & I can get by with a smaller saw for what I am doing.

So go buy a new Stihl Pro series saw it should last you a long time.

 

[Dolphus Raymond]

A Stihl MS362 is a beast at around $800.00. Best saw I ever owned. My old Mac Pro Mac 700 while heavy and loud was a beast as well.

 

[Sawdust Man]

I'm very impressed with my Stihl ms400 been running professional chainsaws since the early '90s and the ms400 was the one saw that really surprised me with it's performance right out of the box!
My suggestions are:
Stihl MS400
Echo CS620p
Husqvarna 562xp
In that order.....
The husky has the best handling, the echo quite a bit less expensive than the other two while performing right up there with the husky, the Stihl is the lightest and out cuts both the other saws hands down!

This is all just one guys opinions.

 

[Sierra_rider]

The local guy said he had a MS391 with 20 inch bar for $689.99.

HUSQVARNA 572 XP® $1,169.99 on the web.​

The 391 is fine for occasional use, but if you're willing to spend the money, the 400 is twice the saw as the 391. I think the 400 is still under $1k.

If you really want to spend less money, the Echos are good options. Like other's have said, either the 590 or the 620. The 620 is the more "pro" of the 2, but they both have mag cases rather than the plastic clamshell of the Husky/Stihl homeowner grade saws. I'd sooner get an Echo 620 than I would a Stihl 391, and I think they have comparable prices.

 

[fishercat]

562xp hands down.