Lead times for new chainsaws

[JD Guy]

Newbie here with first post but have been a regular "lurker" to learn as much as I can from those with much greater experience and knowledge . In full disclosure I am not a arborist nor do I make my living logging. In addition to ourselves our two sons and families heat partially with wood so we do cut, split and burn a fair amount of firewood each year. We also all have acreage so there is constant trimming, pruning, tree removal and general cleanup.

My question today generally is: What sort of lead times are y'all experiencing on new saw purchases? I placed an order for MS 400 and 194T about a month ago with a local Stihl Dealer and they cannot give even an estimated date of shipment. Just wondering if it is the current state of most things retail or the particular saws that I have requested.

Since it's been quite a number of years since my last saw purchase I am obviously pretty excited to put them to work (which is the reason for the purchase in the first place)

Thanks to all for generously sharing your expertise and opinions here on Arborist!

 

[ClimberBusinessman]

I heard six months wait awhile back. Not quite sure if that is still the case, or if it has gotten better or worse. The big Stihls (I think everything ms300 and up is what the dealer said) all come from Germany. If they are short on even one of hundreds of parts, they can't assemble the saws.

 

[JD Guy]

I heard six months wait awhile back. Not quite sure if that is still the case, or if it has gotten better or worse. The big Stihls (I think everything ms300 and up is what the dealer said) all come from Germany. If they are short on even one of hundreds of parts, they can't assemble the saws.

Thanks for the reply! Any advice on locating these saws short of calling every Stihl Dealer I can find?

 

[ClimberBusinessman]

I'd don't know; you might need to call around. You could also look into an Echo CS590, they are in my opinion as good as Stihl, (made in Japan and a 2 year homeowner/1 year commercial warranty), and while they are also in short supply, you might be able to get one mailed to you from Home Depot or elsewhere.

 

[ihookem]

I just bought a new Echo 620 P yesterday . I dont really need another saw , but my oldest is a 30 yr old Stihl 034. My second oldest is a 22 yr. old Stihl 026 that the dealer told me has a crank case leak and $250 to fix, so I decided to put it into the $601 Echo. My newest is a Stihll 441 , at 13 , just turned a teenager. I have been hearing that it is only going to get worse and some are waiting several months. The Stihl /Echo dealer has almost all the STihls. The Echos are in short supply. The Husky / Echo dealer only has on pro saw , a few ranchers and about 6 Echos. They said it is getting worse so you will likely wait a few months.

 

[JD Guy]

I just bought a new Echo 620 P yesterday . I dont really need another saw , but my oldest is a 30 yr old Stihl 034. My second oldest is a 22 yr. old Stihl 026 that the dealer told me has a crank case leak and $250 to fix, so I decided to put it into the $601 Echo. My newest is a Stihll 441 , at 13 , just turned a teenager. I have been hearing that it is only going to get worse and some are waiting several months. The Stihl /Echo dealer has almost all the STihls. The Echos are in short supply. The Husky / Echo dealer only has on pro saw , a few ranchers and about 6 Echos. They said it is getting worse so you will likely wait a few months.

Thanks for sharing your local market experience. Looking like I may not have my saws until late fall 2022 if then . Don't know where Allenton is , but we have been coming to the Northwoods for over 20 years camping and Grouse/Woodcock hunting. Missed the past fall due to surgery recovery but hopefully can return this October. By the way, we haven't had any impact to speak of on your Grouse populations but sure do enjoy the area and people .

 

[ihookem]

You will likely drive right by one of our biggest Stihl dealers. It Neus Hardware in Germantown, Wisconsin. They have a pretty good supply now., but are missing a few models. As for the northwoods, I have a place on the west side of Price co. Wis. The numbers were not good anyway last fall. This year should be better.

 

[JD Guy]

Ihookem, There has only been perhaps 3 times when we've brought back home a daily limit of Grouse. As much as I love the hunting, we particularly enjoy the cooler weather, camping at the County Park in Phillips, visiting with the friends there that we have met over the years and going out to the local taverns for dinner and the Friday Fish Frys!

 

[ihookem]

Price Co. Wis. has really quieted down with the grouse hunting. I have a cabin up there at the end of a dirt road and public land starts. I used to see license plates from all over the south. They say the grouse hunting is far superior that down there. Must be a northern bird. I hunt them a little bit, but not much.

 

[JD Guy]

Price Co. Wis. has really quieted down with the grouse hunting. I have a cabin up there at the end of a dirt road and public land starts. I used to see license plates from all over the south. They say the grouse hunting is far superior that down there. Must be a northern bird. I hunt them a little bit, but not much.

There are some Grouse in the SC/NC mountain areas but few. Our issues here are lack of logging and the resulting mix of successional forest habitat. RGS is working with private land owners and state and county governments to address the issues . It will take some time however.

..

 

[JD Guy]

Well, I found a Stihl MS 400, thanks to @Parkerpusher and his lead! About an hour from me so I will be making the drive soon!!

 

[benjo75]

The saw shop down the road from me has a pretty good selection of saws right now. I believe there was a 193T there last week. It comes and goes around here. Sometimes the shelves are almost bare and then he'll get a shipment in.

 

[Bango Skank]

Stopped for a new sprocket on Monday, they had an MS151TC that I was eyeballing, an MS194T, two MS362CM, and a MS661C, plus a bunch of homeowner/ ranch saws, a few MS271 and MS291. I thought the MS250 got replaced by something newer, but they had a couple of new ones.

The Cub Cadet dealer on route 31 in Town of Niagara if anyone in WNY is looking.

 

[Parkerpusher]

Well, I found a Stihl MS 400, thanks to @Parkerpusher and his lead! About an hour from me so I will be making the drive soon!!

I’m glad it worked out!

 

[Greaser007]

My local saw shop being Husky and Stihl dealer finally got some new powerheads an hasn't had a 395xp for about 8-months.
Also, I have been considering a new saw for bucking large pine trunk wood. A week ago, while in the saw shop, I noticed he had a new Husky 395xp powerhead, so I bit the bullet and purchased the new saw including a 36-inch bar.

End result was ? _ _ _ I should have bought a new saw earlier.
The new saw is such a treat to use compared to the patched and patched 1992 model Husky 394xp I've been using the last 6-yrs.

Prior to the 394xp, I had been running a Husky 2100cd since 1982, and although it runs good and cuts wood, it seems to need lots of attention.

I hope the new Brazil-made Husky 395xp holds up as expected.