Inbred
New Member
Hi all, I've lurked here for a long time researching a new saw purchase I plan on making, so hopefully this won't be the normal 'whats the best saw' post.
I am a very light user compared to you guys/gals. I cut 1-2 cords firewood for my hunting camp once or twice a year, and do some rare felling/limbing of trees 14" or less. Also cutting up recent blowdowns which block our roads and trails. Saw would only be ran maybe 20 days out of the year, so I really don't need a pro level saw, although when I do use it, I need a lot more power and speed than what I have now.
The trees are mostly Maple and Oak, with some beech and cherry thrown in. Bulk of the work would be cutting firewood from blowdowns of maple and beech.
I've been using a little 18" 40cc Poulan that I don't need to explain the shortcomings of. Honestly, it's not a bad little saw, it's just my needs have grown a lot since I bought it several years ago and it's just not enough. I'm not interested in doing any mods on the saw, I just want one off the shelf that will vastly outperform the little poulan.
I'm thinking of a 50cc class saw with 16" bar. Right now I'm leaning towards a Husqvarna 353, or an Echo CS520. I think I'd rather have a Dolmar PS5100, but the closest dealer is well over an hour a way so that's pretty much out of the question. A stihl ms-270 is out of my price range I believe. I'd like to come in under $400 with a couple of extra chains thrown in.
I already own other Huqvarna and Echo equipment, so I'm partial to those two, but will consider anything I can get serviced locally.
So basically, my question is are the Husq 353 and Echo CS520 fairly equal in performance and reliability and would they seem to fit my needs well? Any other models I should consider? I think I've done my homework pretty well, just want to make sure. Thanks.
I am a very light user compared to you guys/gals. I cut 1-2 cords firewood for my hunting camp once or twice a year, and do some rare felling/limbing of trees 14" or less. Also cutting up recent blowdowns which block our roads and trails. Saw would only be ran maybe 20 days out of the year, so I really don't need a pro level saw, although when I do use it, I need a lot more power and speed than what I have now.
The trees are mostly Maple and Oak, with some beech and cherry thrown in. Bulk of the work would be cutting firewood from blowdowns of maple and beech.
I've been using a little 18" 40cc Poulan that I don't need to explain the shortcomings of. Honestly, it's not a bad little saw, it's just my needs have grown a lot since I bought it several years ago and it's just not enough. I'm not interested in doing any mods on the saw, I just want one off the shelf that will vastly outperform the little poulan.
I'm thinking of a 50cc class saw with 16" bar. Right now I'm leaning towards a Husqvarna 353, or an Echo CS520. I think I'd rather have a Dolmar PS5100, but the closest dealer is well over an hour a way so that's pretty much out of the question. A stihl ms-270 is out of my price range I believe. I'd like to come in under $400 with a couple of extra chains thrown in.
I already own other Huqvarna and Echo equipment, so I'm partial to those two, but will consider anything I can get serviced locally.
So basically, my question is are the Husq 353 and Echo CS520 fairly equal in performance and reliability and would they seem to fit my needs well? Any other models I should consider? I think I've done my homework pretty well, just want to make sure. Thanks.
