chainsaw recommendations

[oink]

Get a big saw (18") for the big jobs and a little trim saw for other stuff. You will find you use the trim saw 90% of the time. Get the trim saw with the handle on the top. As far as brands go, I like Stihl and Echo and have one of each (18" Stihl & Echo trim) but I've had good luck with the cheaper ones too. I've kept cheaper ones running until parts were no longer readily available for them. I am fairly competent at keeping things running so you may not have the same luck. Ethanol gas is EVIL!!! The Stihl 2 stroke oil has impressed me. Pay the premium for it. Someone mentioned torque. It's true modern Stihls are high RPM and work wonderfully as long as you keep the RPM up. I do miss having one with low RPM torque. I do have an antique McCulloch that has wonderful torque but I never have gas for it as it takes a mix nothing else uses anymore. It would chug through most anything. I think part of the reliability/longevity issue with good brands vs cheap brands is people who buy the better brands tend to take better care of them and use them more. People who buy the cheap brands don't properly maintain them and they don't get used regularly. They will use ethenol gas and let it sit. The gas goes bad and clogs the carb. The ethanol also eats all the rubber and plastic bits in the fuel system. Make sure you don't get crap in the chain oil tank. The little oil pump in the auto-oilers is not a substantial mechanical part and can easily get stuck or damaged. It's kind of a PITA to fix or replace. I know. I miss the old thumb pump type. I'd just spray all of my used motor oil into the trees ;-)


Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.