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

[LondonNeil]

Bar oil is much of a muchness, or rather it doesn't get the debates like 2 stroke oil. There are variations with some brands being tackier or thinner or thicker and these can lead to preferences depending on your climate. Some people need a winter and a summer oil for instance, but generally any oil that's on offer at a good price works for most people.

 

[vtfireman85]

I have 2 562 XP, as well as bigger Husqvarna saws. My brand loyalty is limited to what my close by good dealer sells. A few things I like about Husqvarna is that they have spring/molded plastic AV which doesn’t break down with age and oil. Another is parts availability online, while i go to my dealer for everything i can sometimes it is faster and easier to just order, and sometimes I don’t have to give the long sad story about how I smashed my chain brake handle… Parts also seem to run a little less money.
One 562 is outfitted with 20”bar the other with 24” i go for the 24” more than the 20”, but it is noticeable the difference, i was felling an 18” black birch just yesterday and it seemed like it was struggling just a bit, so I stopped, took a couple licks off the nearly perfect looking teeth and went back to cutting. It was amazing the difference. Had i been using the 20” it would have powered through without being so obvious.
I liked the first one a lot, my brother likes it better, if he is willing to get involved and help me do my 20-25 cord a year it makes my life so much easier so essentially I bought another one for him. As it is i get 2 days for my birthday and 2 for Christmas. He's cheap, so it all works out.
All this said I still prefer my 385 and 390xp for most everything.

 

[lawrence]

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.

 

[lawrence]

I have 2 562 XP, as well as bigger Husqvarna saws. My brand loyalty is limited to what my close by good dealer sells. A few things I like about Husqvarna is that they have spring/molded plastic AV which doesn’t break down with age and oil. Another is parts availability online, while i go to my dealer for everything i can sometimes it is faster and easier to just order, and sometimes I don’t have to give the long sad story about how I smashed my chain brake handle… Parts also seem to run a little less money.
One 562 is outfitted with 20”bar the other with 24” i go for the 24” more than the 20”, but it is noticeable the difference, i was felling an 18” black birch just yesterday and it seemed like it was struggling just a bit, so I stopped, took a couple licks off the nearly perfect looking teeth and went back to cutting. It was amazing the difference. Had i been using the 20” it would have powered through without being so obvious.
I liked the first one a lot, my brother likes it better, if he is willing to get involved and help me do my 20-25 cord a year it makes my life so much easier so essentially I bought another one for him. As it is i get 2 days for my birthday and 2 for Christmas. He's cheap, so it all works out.
All this said I still prefer my 385 and 390xp for most everything.

Yup isn’t a 385 really heavy duty I’ve got a 288xp that’s way too heavy for me

 

[vtfireman85]

Yup isn’t a 385 really heavy duty I’ve got a 288xp that’s way too heavy for me

385 is 84.7cc and 288 is 87.x cc. I expect the .288 is heavier as it is older, they seem to get light as they go, which is contradictory because they seem to get heavier the longer you run them

 

[lawrence]

I have 2 562 XP, as well as bigger Husqvarna saws. My brand loyalty is limited to what my close by good dealer sells. A few things I like about Husqvarna is that they have spring/molded plastic AV which doesn’t break down with age and oil. Another is parts availability online, while i go to my dealer for everything i can sometimes it is faster and easier to just order, and sometimes I don’t have to give the long sad story about how I smashed my chain brake handle… Parts also seem to run a little less money.
One 562 is outfitted with 20”bar the other with 24” i go for the 24” more than the 20”, but it is noticeable the difference, i was felling an 18” black birch just yesterday and it seemed like it was struggling just a bit, so I stopped, took a couple licks off the nearly perfect looking teeth and went back to cutting. It was amazing the difference. Had i been using the 20” it would have powered through without being so obvious.
I liked the first one a lot, my brother likes it better, if he is willing to get involved and help me do my 20-25 cord a year it makes my life so much easier so essentially I bought another one for him. As it is i get 2 days for my birthday and 2 for Christmas. He's cheap, so it all works out.
All this said I still prefer my 385 and 390xp for most everything.

Actually my 357xp is a very good saw but I’ve got a 2065 turbo johnsered that’s the best saw i ever owned but they don’t make it now saw has lasted me over 20 years

 

[sean donato]

I have some nice saws but my 562 is just awesome. So is the 500i but that’s over budget. I think the 562 is the way to go. My dad borrowed it a few weeks ago and he raved about how much he liked it. He’s 68 and can’t handle too much physically anymore and he was fine with the weight of it.

Get your hands on a ms400cm, you'll never use the 562xp anymore. I loved my 552xp(s) till one gave me crap and the parts were too far out. Sold both of mine and made up little over half the cost for the 400cm.
To the op, imo you want something in the 50 to 60 cc range. I'm not a 50 cc saw fan but the ms261 is a very good saw. I'd not shy away from a husqy 545 or 550xp either. For best bang for buck the 562xp is the best 60cc saw out there. Typically sub $800.00 I only recently got rid of mine in favor of a ms400cm. The 400 cost a few hundred dollars more then the 562xp. I wouldn't consider a ms362 unless it's used and cheap. The 400 cost a little more and kicks the crap out of a 362 in every aspect imo. The ms462 is a stout saw as well as a 572xp. Heavier but true 70cc class saws.

 

[jolj]

I do not know alot about many saws on the market, so I am against getting a used saw.
However, my wife knows a couple in their 70's & the husband was showing me are round his shop.
He has worked with cars for over fifty year & small engines.
He has a chainsaw & a wood splitter that he not longer uses & wants to sale.
So I may not be buy a new saw, it is according to how well the saws he has proform.

 

[pauljoseph]

If you’re not gonna be using it all the time, ms362 or 562 xp would be well within budget, give you enough room to buy an extra bar and chain, so you could buy the saw with an 18 inch bar and pick up a 25 inch bar if you need it for bigger stuff. That’s how I have my set up for firewood. I bought the Stihl because the dealer is close by but I would have got the 562 if they weren’t. Good luck!

 

[sean donato]

If you’re not gonna be using it all the time, ms362 or 562 xp would be well within budget, give you enough room to buy an extra bar and chain, so you could buy the saw with an 18 inch bar and pick up a 25 inch bar if you need it for bigger stuff. That’s how I have my set up for firewood. I bought the Stihl because the dealer is close by but I would have got the 562 if they weren’t. Good luck!

Skip the 362 and get the 400....

 

[pauljoseph]

Skip the 362 and get the 400....

I would love to if they had it out or available when I bought mine, but I agree if that’s what’s available to him, it would definitely be better

 

[sean donato]

I would love to if they had it out or available when I bought mine, but I agree if that’s what’s available to him, it would definitely be better

I was lucky to get a 400 when I replaced my 562xp. 4 dealers and one ms400, one ms462 no pro husqy's and just about the same with stihl.

 

[jolj]

Last post AUG.12
I still want a good high power long lasting chainsaw, BUT I found a log splitter(26tons) used two seasons for $1000.00.
I bought it, so no money for a big saw before Christmas.
I found a Sportsman series 20 inch limb saw for $106.00 on black Friday at Tractor Supply Company.
It is made by Makita, which has plants all over the world, home base is Japan.
So I guess that it until I pay property taxes first of the year, then look at better saws.
Thanks for your in put, I learned a lot from you.

 

[Parkerpusher]

Another vote for the 400. If a guy had one saw that would be the one. Light enough to limb with and not need a smaller saw. I’m a husky guy but the 400 is my main saw and gets 90% of the use for just about everything. Your budget easily covers it, you would enjoy running it.

 

[Parkerpusher]

+1 for 20" on 50cc saws, but then I'm from the west coast too....
Still that's what I run now that I've moved to America.

20” 3/8 for me too on the 550, and I’m east coast. Saw handles and balances great with it.

 

[xraydaniel]

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.

Looks like I gotta go get the no. 1 suggestion now

 

[Sawdust Man]

Looks like I gotta go get the no. 1 suggestion now
View attachment 1036496

Looks good, those are great saws!

 

[waitin4him]

Actually my 357xp is a very good saw but I’ve got a 2065 turbo johnsered that’s the best saw i ever owned but they don’t make it now saw has lasted me over 20 years

I don't see Jonsered saws around me too much, lots of Huskys. But I have had Stihls 028's 029's and I loved my Jonsered 630, but clearly my favorite is my 2009 Jonsered 2165 Turbo. Always, always runs and cuts like a champ. I run an 18" bar and now do only firewood. I used to cut pulp 4 footed and it's got some hours on it, but to run it you would think it's a bigger saw. I picked up a Husky 565 to replace it when it dies, but apparently it's going to live forever ;<D.
The 565 has a little more power now that it's broken in, but otherwise I don't notice a difference and it is just as reliable and the air cleaner stays clean all the time. I only cut about 35 cord a year now, but wouldn't trade away either saw.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Last post AUG.12
I still want a good high power long lasting chainsaw, BUT I found a log splitter(26tons) used two seasons for $1000.00.
I bought it, so no money for a big saw before Christmas.
I found a Sportsman series 20 inch limb saw for $106.00 on black Friday at Tractor Supply Company.
It is made by Makita, which has plants all over the world, home base is Japan.
So I guess that it until I pay property taxes first of the year, then look at better saws.
Thanks for your in put, I learned a lot from you.
View attachment 1036484

Congrats on that great deal of a log splitter- awesome deal!

Unfortunately, that Sportsman chainsaw is a 100 percent Chinese company's product and has nothing to do with Makita- whoever told you that doesn't know what they're talking about.

Get yourself an Echo 620p in 20 inch and be a happy camper for the rest of your days as long as you maintain it properly.

 

[Hermio]

Last post AUG.12
I still want a good high power long lasting chainsaw, BUT I found a log splitter(26tons) used two seasons for $1000.00.
I bought it, so no money for a big saw before Christmas.
I found a Sportsman series 20 inch limb saw for $106.00 on black Friday at Tractor Supply Company.
It is made by Makita, which has plants all over the world, home base is Japan.
So I guess that it until I pay property taxes first of the year, then look at better saws.
Thanks for your in put, I learned a lot from you.
View attachment 1036484

I got lucky and got a Stihl MS500i new for $1180 in 2021. I just cut about b6 cords of firewood per year, so I am similar to you. But I like the power. Sure, I could get the job done with a smaller saw. But it is more fun and less fatiguing this way. I use a 20" bar normally, with a 25" bar rarely. I can't really lift chunks bigger than those bars can handle.