Thread: chainsaw advice

Can't help with choice of saw, but if you're going to be limbing those trees, get someone who really knows how to show you how to do it safely

391 is a great all round saw

I d say Stihl 381 Hunter McPherson - Chainsaws for Professional Use I ll might go to hell but its a great saw unless your a pro logger even then I have this an a 880
but for budget try SYDNEY TOOLS - Makita 3.8kW 50cm Petrol Chainsaw
I intend to run these myself along with this SYDNEY TOOLS - Makita 740mm 30 inch Petrol Chainsaw
these shindawa saws are a great option too the 577 and the 757 http://allpowershop.com.au/shop/home.php?cat=2 a lot of Arborist are using these.
All saws mentioned will suit firewood blocking and all are backed by Australian dealerships

Shindaiwa 757 should be less than 1200 at the moment and is more saw than you will need, 73 point something cc goes like stink and is a damn capable saw. for the dollar will outperform what the others will do for the dollars. they skimp a bit on cosmetics but at the end of the day they are a good saw. otherwise I would go for a stihl ms 362 forget the 381, the 362 is a new gen saw, good fuel economy, low emissions and it is simply a better saw all around than the 381, and is the first of the stihl pro forestry range. You should be able to get one for around the price tag you are looking and I can say that they are a little humdinger, light will drive a 25 inch bar and will last a lifetime, if cared for properly. They are a bit smaller than the shindaiwa though and thus do not have as much grunt but they still have plenty for the guy who wants to drop some larger trees and cut plenty of firewood, they will also be more fuel efficient and eco friendly than the shindy. I am told the filtration on the new stihl is EXCELLENT, but the shindaiwa has always had a very good reputation in this department.

These would be my picks, Unless you plan on getting really serious then look at an ms660 stihl, but these are around the 1800 mark

Personally I wouldn't even consider the 391 stihl they are not even in the league as far as I am concerned, the shindy and the 362 are far better saws.

Travis

Travis might be right @ the 362 and the 381 but there is no substitute for cubic capacity an torque in my book.

Originally Posted by itsposs

Travis might be right @ the 362 and the 381 but there is no substitute for cubic capacity an torque in my book.

The 381 is not the saw the old 038 was and is thirsty, slow and heavy in comparison to the 362. The 362 is made in germany the 381 is made in south america. Personally for the dollars I would go the shindaiwa 757 it has better capacity and horsepower and will be a great saw for what you want fubar. I think the 757 with a 20 inch bar would be all the saw you need, and will drive a bigger bar if needed.

at the end of the day though there are a number of saws out there around the same size and dollars that are just as good I.E. Jonsered (which are husky,) Solo, Oleo Mac, (although dealers for these are scarcer)

or look up sawchain on the forums here as he had some specials on mid size saws!

Did I tell ya s I got an 038 last week for $120 not going got it back from small engine mech this arvo split fuel line I should be milling with in the fortnight hopfully

for $1200 you cant go past a makita dcs7901. 79cc avalible with either a 20 or 24 inch bar, i paid $1130 for mine with the 20" from my local total tools.

having a look at the shindaiwas today probably leaning towards the 577p
thanks for the advice guys

Nothing wrong with the smaller 20 inch Makita. I bought one for the boys to use instead of my good Husky 372 and I was well impressed with it for a cheap saw. Or check out Treestuff.com for a cheap husky from america! That'll be my next point of call...

Question, do Makita make their petrol saws or do someone else and paint them blue?

As far as I am aware Makita bought Dolmar and the saws have been rebranded and now come in blue. Bit heavier than my Husky 372 but still a good, cheap saw.

Good to know

Thing I like about em is Makita make pretty good trade tools and you can buy makita any where Just as long as you buy a saw starting with DCS then the model number your garentteed a good german tool unless they are getting lazy from Dolmar factory in Hamberg