Thanks: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 28
Thread: Stihl Chainsaw Decision
-
28th December 2012, 08:17 AM #1GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Mornington Peninsula
- Posts
- 2,749
Stihl Chainsaw Decision
Well, SWMBO has given consent for me to get another chainsaw, and to be honest it was unexpected and I am totally in the dark.
Currently I have an old Stihl with a 12" bar that I have laboured with for circa 10 years, and would like to upgrade to a better, bigger and more durable model. I like Stihl and have a dealer close, and would like to stick with them, but not be brand myopic if there is something better for me.
I have a few acres with a very very small woodlot, and would like to harvest for home cooking/heating, general property maintenance etc. Nothing commercial, but I tend to try and buy quality so that it lasts - I anticipate that this will be the last chainsaw that I will realistically buy.
The allocated budget is circa $600-700, however, if there is a better more expensive model, I may be able to wrangle extra.
From the more knowledgeable, what should I buy?
-
28th December 2012 08:17 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
- Join Date
- Always
- Location
- Advertising world
- Posts
- Many
-
28th December 2012, 09:07 AM #2
Like you my stihl is over 10 yo. It was the best brand around when I got it and I suspect it ''stihl'' is. As I have not been looking to upgrade all I can suggest is go to a few dealers and take a look at what is on offer and see what your dollars will get. I think chainsaws in general have become more affordable since I last got one.
Regards
John
ps I would be looking at larger than 12'' for general firewood cutting. Say 16'' or 20'' but dont go too big as wealding a heavy monster all day is hard on the back.
-
28th December 2012, 10:26 AM #3.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 27,810
What is your current model - don't worry about how old it is I can look up the specifications and then we can take it from there.
-
28th December 2012, 11:22 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Mornington Peninsula
- Posts
- 2,749
The model is '009' and I bought it 2nd hand from a friend at the time. It really is too small for my needs, but I have perservered etc.
-
28th December 2012, 11:54 AM #5.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 27,810
The 009 (I also have one) is a 37 cc saw.
the next decent jump up in cc would then be to a 45 - 50 cc saw.
Have a look on this page (STIHL Products | STIHL | Stihl, chain saws, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, clearing saws, high-pressure cleaners) and you will see what these size stihls cost.
As you will see you will need ~$800 to get a 45 cc saw- stihl prices are usually pretty firm unless you can find a special.
If you want a 50 cc saw like the 291 (excellent saw BTW) then you will be up for a grand.
The only brand besides Stihl and Husky I would recommend is Dolmar/Makita (DCS500/45-Petrol Chainsaw 2-stroke - Makita Australia).
Their 50 cc saw is a great saw aroumd 2/3rd the price of the stihl but will last as long as the stihl.
-
28th December 2012, 08:47 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Mornington Peninsula
- Posts
- 2,749
Thanks for the advice BobL.
Whilst I like the Stihl product, the Makita or Husky products may be viable alternatives to consider.
I rang a Stihl distributor today and, without any hesitation, the prices on the circa $800-$1000 range dropped $50, so I would say that a discount of $100 would be achievable. Not great, but still better in my pocket than someone else's. Likewise the Makita model you suggested was $678, also with room to maneuver.
The Husky was the real surprise package with my son doing some internet searches in the USA. He can buy and land them here for circa 1/2 price of the local offering - naturally no warranty or backup, but still worth considering.
There appears to be a lot of un-certainty in the retail arena, hence the willingness to deal, and to be honest I think that several will go to the wall. Unfortunate, but probably reality.
-
28th December 2012, 10:22 PM #7
SWMBO bought me a Stihl MS181 Mini-Boss for Fathers Day for delimbing trees I felled with my MS441 Magnum. It's a 31cc with a 14" bar and I think we paid $399 for it. I'm pretty happy with it.
My 2c worth
Derek
-
29th December 2012, 07:21 AM #8
I bought the Stihl 038 some 25 years ago. That's the size bigger than the Farm Boss, and is the smallest of the professional saws. Cost around $1000 then and probably about the same now. Money well spent, go big if you can!
-
29th December 2012, 08:21 AM #9Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2008
- Location
- Berrima
- Posts
- 96
Stihl Chainsaw Decision
I have a Wood Boss MS250 for light work and a Farm Boss MS391 for the heavy stuff.
I picked up the 391 from eBay - a new insurance replacement; as I recall, about $800.
The 391 is a beast; heavy, torquey and kick-backy - not a machine to be taken for granted. I'll always reach for the 250 unless I need the extra length of the 391.
BTW - I run Oregon chainbars with greaseable nose sprockets; worth it.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
-
29th December 2012, 08:33 AM #10Senior Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2011
- Location
- Deception Bay Qld
- Posts
- 213
I am not knocking Stihl here but 20 years ago we would use a chainsaw everyday for work, at 3 or 4 years the saws would be replaced and the boss came in with a Husqvarna, well we could not believe the difference it was better in every way. This might not apply to today's saws.
Have a look a the Shindiawa's [around $600]which is my present saw and i am very happy with, it replaced a old American Homelite which picked up a piston and with no Parts in Oz it wasn't worth fixing, it was the most powerful saw i have used and i miss the old girl.
That's my 2bobs worth.
-
29th December 2012, 11:35 AM #11
New Saw
I also have a 009L, mine is 41cc. Handy little saw, I have a 066 as well. The Makita 64cc is about $780 at the moment and I think they are a good saw. Parts are easy to get. Have a look at some of the tool shops.
I am learning, slowley.
-
30th December 2012, 09:03 AM #12GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Mornington Peninsula
- Posts
- 2,749
I have been looking, on paper at least, at the various brands and their own marketing ranges and I am confused.
A case in point is the Stihl range. I have been looking at the Landowner and Professional models and, naturally, the Professional models are more expensive. However, what is the real difference between them?
The bar and chain would probably be similar, the polymer casing is just a housing and probably be the same manufacturing cost, the engines have similar capacities and near kW outputs.
So what is the real difference that would entice me to pay extra for the Professional models over the Landowner models?
Are the motors that much better with different components? Chrome bore, different electrics etc? Are the Professional models that much better?
-
30th December 2012, 12:24 PM #13.
- Join Date
- Feb 2006
- Location
- Perth
- Posts
- 27,810
-
21st January 2013, 09:17 PM #14GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Mornington Peninsula
- Posts
- 2,749
Well, I bit the bullet and got a Stihl MS362 with a 25" bar. Had a play today and it is a handful. A bit big for me, especially when comparing it to the 009, but the price was right.
Whilst I would like to buy locally, the RRP was $1449, and my son bought it online from the USA A$638.49 delivered. A saving of $800 is nothing to sneeze about. It just goes to show how much we tend to pay down under compared to other countries.
-
21st January 2013, 09:37 PM #15
The US to Oz saws are slightly different specs, and the US model will have a little less power due to the exhaust and a couple of other differences, it will also be slightly quieter. I picked up a pole saw recently for $600 landed from the US (free freight), four stroke and certainly quieter than the last one we used and a lot cheaper. Can't say I noticed the power difference seemed to have as much grunt as the last saw. I also use an old Stihl 044 for firewood, handed down from the FIL it has done a very large amount of farm and firewood work and remains a good saw except for being a bit stroppy on idle which is wear and tear I guess.
Similar Threads
-
chainsaw decision advise
By cow in forum SMALL TIMBER MILLINGReplies: 2Last Post: 4th June 2012, 11:37 PM -
075 stihl chainsaw
By robjarrah59 in forum SMALL TIMBER MILLINGReplies: 3Last Post: 17th August 2011, 11:27 AM -
Stihl 048 chainsaw
By Geoff Dean in forum SMALL TIMBER MILLINGReplies: 10Last Post: 29th June 2009, 10:30 PM