Need new chainsaw, ~50cc

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Look into the Echo line up. Great warranty and not as pricey as the Stihl or Husqvarna models and the Echo's are Pro Grade.
 
I vote for an 026 pro. And hey, wouldn't you know it?, I have one listed in the trading post. Haha. Good saw. Anti vibe is your friend.
 
I think the OP clarified used was acceptable when he listed his local options, so I took it to mean new to him.

OP, sounds like you have servicing dealers for three top brands within driving distance. That is a really good thing. Go check them out and pick the saw you like the most, considering dealers as well as brands. You cannot go wrong there, especially if the used saws are warranted.

The only thing I would speak against is a saw that oils while idling. This can make a real mess of things. Many saws leak a little oil anyway; but the last thing I'd want is one that drizzles it down onto your pants and boots while idling.
 
OP needs to join the conversation.

I'm here. I've been reading the responses. My SIL is having a baby, so we spent a couple days there.

The Husky 555 is out of my price range. By "new saw" I definitely meant "new to me".

I have been talking to people and am definitely leaning towards new, but still looking at all options. I've also been trying to go put my hands on the actual saws (again in some instances). I am pretty much crossing the Poulan out. Sure it is cheaper, but there is something I just don't like about the feel of it...plus it is about 2 lbs heavier than anything else I'm looking at.

I have the day off work on Monday, so I plan on going to visit a couple more dealers. I think one of them sells Echo also.
 
My vote is 026.

Simple design that is quite durable. Lots of parts around. You have a dealer nearby.

You don't need a PRO btw. The only meaningful difference is an oiler that oils at idle vs. when the clutch drum is turning. The PRO oiler is quite stingy. I used to search high and low for conversion parts to convert many of my saws to the pro system, not anymore.
 
You may want to look in the forum Trading Post. There are several saws for sale by forum members that meet your criteria, many of which have been rebuilt by experienced sawyers.
 
I'm here. I've been reading the responses. My SIL is having a baby, so we spent a couple days there.

The Husky 555 is out of my price range. By "new saw" I definitely meant "new to me".

I have been talking to people and am definitely leaning towards new, but still looking at all options. I've also been trying to go put my hands on the actual saws (again in some instances). I am pretty much crossing the Poulan out. Sure it is cheaper, but there is something I just don't like about the feel of it...plus it is about 2 lbs heavier than anything else I'm looking at.

I have the day off work on Monday, so I plan on going to visit a couple more dealers. I think one of them sells Echo also.
Thanks for the added info!

Used 346xp would be my choice.
 
I made it to one other dealer yesterday...unfortunately, all they had was Stihl. I know one by my work sells Stihl and Echo though, so I'll run there on lunch over the next couple of days.

About the only thing that came out of the lone dealership yesterday was that I could get an MS271 for ~$350, so that has been added to the list. More may be added after subsequent trips. I'm really glad I'm not in a hurry!
I didn't get a chance to get to the Dolmar/Makita dealer yet. I really want to though, as I would really like to hold a 521/5121.
 
My vote is for the 026 pro. I have one and it's my go-to saw.

If you're on a budget, check out a Poulan Pro 5020. You can find them used around $100. Not a bad saw for home owner use. I bought one for my brother in law off of craigslist for $80 and it was barely used.
 
346 would be my first choice in this discussion, and I'm a Stihl guy. If you have a decent dealer that can service your saw the 346 can handle anything you can throw at it, if the price is right.

I'm trying to find one. My local Husky service center (Also a Stihl dealer) doesn't sell Husqvarna chainsaws, but does sell Husqvarna mowers.
 
My vote is for the 026 pro. I have one and it's my go-to saw.

If you're on a budget, check out a Poulan Pro 5020. You can find them used around $100. Not a bad saw for home owner use. I bought one for my brother in law off of craigslist for $80 and it was barely used.

I've looked at them brand new. I don't know if it is the way I'm holding it, whether I am being special or whether it is in my head, but there is something about the feel of the saw that is "off" in my hands. That's the best way I can put it. Also, I've heard that the oiler likes to oil, and will even do so while idling. I don't need an oil mess.

"On a budget". I am , and I would prefer to spend <$200 on a saw, but am willing to spend up to ~$350 to get a nice saw if possible. Maybe there is a difference, maybe it is perceived.
 
I didn't notice any excessive oiling when using the Poulan 5020 I bought and we ran a few tanks through it.

For what it's worth, you can find them on sale around $170 new. Then spend the rest of your budget on some extra chains, a chain sharpener, and safety gear (helmet, ear/eye protection, chaps). That would get you a whole setup around the $300 mark.
 
Damn. The Echo/Stihl dealer by me had exactly 2 Echo saws. One was ~30cc and the other was significantly smaller still. I was a bit disappointed.

I'm trying to put hands on some of these saws so I'm not sight unseen.
 
IF you can find a 346xp that is in decent shape mechanically and in your budget, I'd jump all over that. My saw dealer tells me he is always getting pro arboriste guys looking for used ones. Now that most new high end 50cc saws are going autotune or mtronic, rebuilding a class leading saw like the 346xp is something many consider a good investment!

That said, I'd also definitely pick up a Dolmar 421 if I had the chance. No Dolmar dealers around here :(
 
Dolmar ps-510.

look it up.

price dependability,TWO year warranty.

not as fast as it's more expensive brother but a LOT cheaper and the quality is without question.
 


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