Suggestions on a light saw for pruning cuts?

[gdc9j]

Hi, I searched the forums for a couple of hours, but couldn't find much info on small, easily handled saws. I have a small apple orchard, about 60 trees of varying sizes and ages, and have need of a smaller saw for thinning the occasional larger limbs. I've used a small Homelite with a 12" bar, but it's pretty much dead now - gets oil in the combustion chamber, and is frequently a beast to crank. Any suggestions for a quality light-weight saw in the 12" or so bar category would be welcome.

Thanks!

Gary

 

[jokers]

Hi Gary, I don`t think you need to buy a Pro saw for what you are describing, so I would suggest a few of the cheaper name brand saws like the Stihl 018, Echo 3450, or a Husky 136. Anyone of these saws should last you a long time. If you want to go Pro however, my hands down favorite saw for limbing is the 346xp. Russ

 

[glens]

<b>gdc9j</b>:&nbsp; It sounds like the little Homelite needs a new check valve on the tank end of the bar oil pickup hose (or so I'd guess).&nbsp; That would alleviate the "oil in the crankcase" problem (and maybe to some extent the cantankerous starting; but then that's rather typical, isn't it?).&nbsp; jokers gave a good reply and I agree with everything but the last part.&nbsp; I can't in all good conscience recommend the 346XP, but mainly because I've never used one.&nbsp; My gut instinct would be to go with the Stihl model to which that Husky was created as a response: the model MS260 (nee 026).&nbsp; But either (likely) fine saw really must be overkill for what you evidently need.

<b>jokers</b>:&nbsp; I see you got the order right for the 3 "regular" saws

[edited: &nbsp;oops; not the oil "pickup" hose, but rather the oil tank "pressurising" hose]

 

[spreaderman]

I recommend the 023

The stihl 023 is a very good choice also, it will carry up to a 16'' bar and has the small chain, it is light , easy to handle ,easy to start and reasonably priced , look on ebay for a good used one it will do all you want to do ...........

 

[Tony Snyder]

I would recommend in this order: Echo 3450, John Deere CS36, Solo 635 or a small Dolmar.

The smallest Husky/Jonsereds (actually Poulans), and the 017 Stihls have a poor reputation around here.

 

[tony marks]

theres a solo 635 on ebay i believe for a low price. an echo 3000 will do what u are doing well enough. i believe for an apple orchard id have a small back handle also . husquevarna 136 ,or cs 3450.
both are cheap and will last .

 

[the tree guy]

Another thing you might want to look at is a Stihl power pruner(HT75).It is a little onthe heavy side,but wuold work great for pruning apple trees. Dan

 

[Toneman]

Have a look at the "Used Equipment" section of this forum. I've seen a few small saws on there. I believe there is a Solo 633 top handle saw and I have posted a Stihl 009L.
What ever you decide on, make sure you have a local dealer to support you for parts and service. Majority of them also like to talk saws and give pointers.
Good Luck! Let us know what you decide on

 

[treeclimber165]

I have to agree with everyone else here. I'd think that if you avoided anything with Poulan, McMulluch or Homelite on it and bought something with Echo, Stihl or Husqvarna on it, you will be happy.
I climb for a living and have been using the Echo 3400 for about 7-8 years now. Great saws, excellent value for a relatively low price.

 

[Treeman14]

Stihl 009.

 

[GeorgeWLogger]

I would take a look at the cs-3000 by Echo. I purchased one new on ebay for $65 and see many go for about $100 or less. It is very light, starts easy, runs strong(with muffler opened up) and will last for a long time with proper care. I do not know how this saw differs from the 3400 but for the moneyy it is without a doubt a bargian.

 

[treeclimber165]

Originally posted by GeorgeWLogger
I would take a look at the cs-3000 by Echo. I purchased one new on ebay for $65 and see many go for about $100 or less. It is very light, starts easy, runs strong(with muffler opened up) and will last for a long time with proper care. I do not know how this saw differs from the 3400 but for the money it is without a doubt a bargain.

The 3400 has electronic timing advance, more displacement and higher RPM for more HP. But for this particular application the 3000 is a good choice.

 

[stihltech]

trimmer

Stihl also has the HT 75 head on the HT 709 A shorter,nonextending version), and it will also bolt on to any FS85 trimmer. Might be just the ticket. In a saw, the 018 is the way to go. Much better than the original 017.

 

[stihltech]

oops

Fat fingers. Should have said HT 70.

 

[gdc9j]

Thank you all very much, you've given me plenty to think on! I'll be checking in with the local dealers in the coming week or two, and now that you've pointed me towards Ebay, I'll probably give them a look too. I've browsed Ebay before, but I've always been hesitant to go ahead and bid...

Anyway, if you have any comments on particular features of the various models, I'm all ears!

I've spent the last three days clearing brush from an overgrown section of the orchard, mainly using my Makita DCS520i with 18" bar, and expect to spend another two days clearing and at least two days chipping up the debris. I definitely miss having a little saw that's easy to lug around!

I'll start pruning soon, and I already know that the larger trees (plus the ones I've just extricated from the brush) will need some pretty serious surgery, hence my search for a reliable, light-weight saw. I'll let you know what I end up with.

Thanks again,
Gary

 

[Bruiser]

Pruning saw

For a light rear-handle saw, you'd be hard-pressed to beat the Echo 345/3450. They're lighter and at least as well made as Stihl and Husky's smallest saws. They're available at Home Depot or cheap as dirt on eBay always (hot off the HD back dock, I suspect). I'd also look at Efco/John Deere's smallest saw. Seems like I saw them cheap (~$200) and heard they were the best in class.
Dave

 

[fun_chopper]

the Stihl 018 is a killer pruning saw, my 45 year old female neighbor has one, and it works well for cutting branches up to 8" (thats the biggest I have seen her cut yet). She called me up one day and said her saw wouldnt cut, I looked at the chain and it was dull as h#ll, so she asked if I had a saw she could borrow, so I brought the 372 over and she about choked!! She actually shocked me because after I started it for her and showed her how to use it she ripped into a log with an agressive demeanor that I have never seen!

Stihl 018 good saw, last you a lifetime-Matt

 

[gdc9j]

Got one!

Thank you all for your help. I went out and checked a bunch of the local (and some not-so-local) shops, and fondled as many of the saws as I could. My favorite was the Stihl 200T (nice balance & weight), but with my wallet still screaming in agony over renting a 6" chipper, I had to pass on the $459 price tag. I settled for an Echo CS-300 with 12" bar, which really balances well in my hand. Only thing I don't particularly care for is that Echo chose to reverse the locations of the gas & oil tanks - since they're opposite from all the other saws I've owned, I'll have to be careful not to goober up the works.

Oh, one last question - this saw came with that tip protector bolted on the bar. Seems pretty much in the way to me, so I pulled it off, but does it really serve any practical function? Seems more of a liability, at least on that short little bar.

Anyway, thanks again!

Gary

 

[jokers]

Kickback

Hi Gary, that tip guard is for kickback protection which is a good idea, but nobody keeps them on. Thankfully they are only bolted. Russ

 

[treeclimber165]

I've bought a few Echo 3400's over the years, and the tip guard never makes it out the front door of the dealer's shop. I usually take it off at the counter while they ring me up. If I ever saw someone running a chainsaw with one of those on there, I would be veeeeery careful around him because the operator obviously knows nothing about chainsaws and has no business running one.