Howdy from the triangle NC

[SpeedySloth]

I've been doing tree work for about 4 years now in the triangle area of North Carolina. I've recently decided to go my own way and form a tree service with a friend of mine. I could use some help with picking good suppliers and brands for my gear. I have made the mistake before of trying too hard to save money and it has certainly led to much frustration. I have most of the basics already, but there are a few items I still need to get.
First off, what is your opinion on the Stihl 500i saw? My friend said he was doing research and heard good things about it. We were planning on putting a 28" bar on it and using it for anything big. Are there any maintenance issues with them?

 

[ZinTrees]

500i is pretty nice, honestly, for the money I would get a 400C as an everyday saw with a 20-25" and a 395XP as the big saw, 36 or 42" bar on it

as far as maintenance, mine's had zero in the 2 years I've owned it, runs like a top, only problems have been broken plastics from getting dropped and kicked around, and a broken decompression valve, that was fixed with a plug, running VP 50:1 gas and knocking the air filter out frequently (every time I swap chains usually)


as far as good suppliers, arbsession, wesspur and monkeybeaver are my 3 goto's, only thing I would buy from treestuff is a bagorope but I don't buy those often

avoid sherril/treestuff, they suck in every way possible, I've heard bartlett is decent