farm boss equivelant...

[drmax]

1st off, I do not mean this to be a "which chainsaw is better" thread.

I'm looking at possibly purchasing a ms290. Which husky is the equivelant to the farmboss so I can see the price diff?
I have read some specs but I understand these machines have some different personalities. Just comparing prices vs performance, from an experience aspect, is what I'm after. From what I see here in IN, Stihl is going to run $369 with 1 chain. Period.
I can get a mail order Husky 350 (from which I "think" is just short of performance as F/B) with 18" bar, 3 chains, shipped for $315 from Nor*alk Power.
I'm on the middle of the fence.
I have a pretty large pile of logs to cut up that were cleared from my lot to build my house. There's some oak, hickory, poplar, beach and probably some other stuff mixed in. Some of the logs are upwards to 30 feet and probably
20-25" accross. I will only be burning as a secondary heat source, so I was told I have enough wood to last 5-8 yrs. I need something that'll last, that's for sure. As I get older, I have been known to spend a little more for something that'll give me less hassle later on down the road.
Thx for any info. Greg

 

[GASoline71]

Husqvarna 455 Rancher.

Gary

 

[ropensaddle]

359, 346xp

 

[Lou]

Find a Home Depot tool rental selling their used Makita (Dolmar) 6401s. Research threads (Search) for what to check in used saw. Makitas usually sell for $250 - 300. GREAT saws, more powerful than Stihl 290 or Husky 455, and less expensive than both.

 

[GASoline71]

359, 346xp

Oh yeah... Husqvarna 359 is a pretty good saw.

Gary

 

[Lou]

My 359 is a GREAT saw but about $500 once you replace the catalytic muffler. It runs to hot with cat installed.

 

[ropensaddle]

My 359 is a GREAT saw but about $500 once you replace the catalytic muffler. It runs to hot with cat installed.

And I thought you were a stihlperator hmmmm !?

 

[ropensaddle]

I guess I just don't shop in depot for my saws!
455 I have not tried

 

[Lou]

I guess I just don't shop in depot for my saws!
455 I have not tried

Can't buy 359 in Home Depot. Makita probably the only saw I'd buy there, unless it had a round blade instead of a bar.

 

[ChuckinOhio]

The 359 rocks, but as stated above, you must replace the CAT muffler and also check to see that it has the updated intake to avoid an air leak.

Non EPA muffler=$37 plus shipping
New carb intake=$5.00 at dealer

The Husky 350 rocks also, I really like mine alot and it has yet to give me any trouble. It is not advisable to go longer than the 18" bar on the 350. It will pull a 20, but not with any authority and you will lug that thing to death in hardwood.

From what you described your woodpile as, I think that you would be working that 350 too hard. Think along the lines of at least a 359 in a Husky.

Barring that, for a mail order saw, I would contact one of the sponsors of this site that deal in Dolmars and look at obtaining a 7900 demo model. Try CuttinScott or Dolmaratos.

If you think that you may have any problem retuning the saw after it has run in, or performing general maintenance on it, then immediately proceed to your nearest dealer (Stihl Husky or Dolmar) and purchase your saw so as to have someone to fall back on that will appreciate your business.



Chuck

 

[maccall]

Husqvarna 455 Rancher.

Gary

Yep, this one is similar.

359, 346xp

Nope, these saws are better and of professional quality.

Find a Home Depot tool rental selling their used Makita (Dolmar) 6401s. Research threads (Search) for what to check in used saw. Makitas usually sell for $250 - 300. GREAT saws, more powerful than Stihl 290 or Husky 455, and less expensive than both.

This one too. Good advice if you're lucky enough to find one.

The 455 and your 290 are consumer saws, not too expensive to buy but a little heavy for it's power.

The last three are professional grade saws made to last. They cost more but last longer and can take more abuse.

If your choice is 290 from a dealer or a 455 over the net, a good dealer is always nice to do business with.

 

[computeruser]

Or you can host a GetTogether at your house and we'll cut all your firewood up for you under the guise of testing out each other's saws, and enjoy doing it, too. Just ask ericjeeper!

Seriously, the 290 will have more grunt than the 350, but will do so at the expense of a few pounds and all the myriad drawbacks that SawTroll will undoubtedly point out. I know that the 350 is the better saw, objectively, but I think that for the sort of use you have in mind you might be happier with an MS290/310.

For my dollar, I'd take the jump up to a 60cc saw for logs of that size and quantity. Stihl MS361 or Husqvarna 357xp would be great choices as all-around saws capable of running 16" bars for small work and up to 24" bars for bigger stuff, though you could probably get by with the MS290/MS310 with a 20" setup if your budget is tight.

 

[SawTroll]

Husqvarna 455 Rancher.

Gary

359, 346xp

I'd say Husky 460, and 359 - both have better anti-vibe and air filtration ++. and the 359 also is a pro quality saw, but see what Lou wrote about the cat muffler (they aren't that way here)...
....:biggrinbounce2:

 

[ericjeeper]

He lives less than 2 miles from me

Or you can host a GetTogether at your house and we'll cut all your firewood up for you under the guise of testing out each other's saws, and enjoy doing it, too. Just ask ericjeeper!

I would Love to let him test run my 7900 and 5100 we cut four trailer loads of firewood today as a matter of fact.
I have never met the guy.. But He is welcome to come run my saws.. Or Like Computeruser says.. we can all get together at his place and cut all of his wood up in a matter of minutes. LOL

 

[ropensaddle]

I would think the wild thing would be the candidate :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[drmax]

I would Love to let him test run my 7900 and 5100 we cut four trailer loads of firewood today as a matter of fact.
I have never met the guy.. But He is welcome to come run my saws.. Or Like Computeruser says.. we can all get together at his place and cut all of his wood up in a matter of minutes. LOL

Hi. I tried calling you once and left a message. (awhile ago) I returned your PM
Thx, Greg