Sourwould
ArboristSite Operative
I'm new to the site, so hello everyone. Someone probably posts something like this daily, but I'm looking for some honest advice.
I've got an old Poulan 3400 that is becoming more and more unreliable. I'm thinking about just buying a new saw. The Poulan was serviced by our locally trusted dealer at some point before I bought it (PO says right before I bought it, but who knows). From the looks of it, the carb has had a kit recently, new spark plug, chain, fuel filter, and fuel lines. It didn't want to idle at all shortly after it came into my possession. I retuned the carb and it idled nicely, screamed cutting firewood and that was that for a while. I'm pretty new to chainsaws, but have worked as an auto mechanic in the past and still moonlight. Recently, the damn the just won't start, seemingly at random and when most needed (of course). I've started reaching for the axe a lot more than I'd like to.
This has led me to window shopping for used Stihls and Husqvarnas. There are just too many models for my brain to sort through. I only cut firewood for a little extra cash for the winter lean times. I don't do any felling, and dead standing can't be cut with a firewood permit in my area. I've felled trees, but always with an axe and one man cosscut, not sure if I'd even want to use a chainsaw. I don't get much big hardwood through my lot, maybe 12" at the most. I mostly see oak, maple, and some locust.
Stihl MS250's seems fairly common on the used market here, there's a few MS290s. Husqvarna 350's seem fairly common. I'm not sure if I need that much saw. There's a Stihl MS170 for a good price.
Funny, I've got two friends into chainsaws. One swears Stihl are junk and the other swears Husqvarnas are junk. Sounds like the same old Ford/Chevy debate. I'm not really much one for brand vs another, as long as I can get the job done.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
I've got an old Poulan 3400 that is becoming more and more unreliable. I'm thinking about just buying a new saw. The Poulan was serviced by our locally trusted dealer at some point before I bought it (PO says right before I bought it, but who knows). From the looks of it, the carb has had a kit recently, new spark plug, chain, fuel filter, and fuel lines. It didn't want to idle at all shortly after it came into my possession. I retuned the carb and it idled nicely, screamed cutting firewood and that was that for a while. I'm pretty new to chainsaws, but have worked as an auto mechanic in the past and still moonlight. Recently, the damn the just won't start, seemingly at random and when most needed (of course). I've started reaching for the axe a lot more than I'd like to.
This has led me to window shopping for used Stihls and Husqvarnas. There are just too many models for my brain to sort through. I only cut firewood for a little extra cash for the winter lean times. I don't do any felling, and dead standing can't be cut with a firewood permit in my area. I've felled trees, but always with an axe and one man cosscut, not sure if I'd even want to use a chainsaw. I don't get much big hardwood through my lot, maybe 12" at the most. I mostly see oak, maple, and some locust.
Stihl MS250's seems fairly common on the used market here, there's a few MS290s. Husqvarna 350's seem fairly common. I'm not sure if I need that much saw. There's a Stihl MS170 for a good price.
Funny, I've got two friends into chainsaws. One swears Stihl are junk and the other swears Husqvarnas are junk. Sounds like the same old Ford/Chevy debate. I'm not really much one for brand vs another, as long as I can get the job done.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!