Top handles under $300

[NovaMan]

My uncle does some limbing now and then, and he's tired of his old McCulloch. It's hard to start, has a tendency to overheat, and is generally unpleasant to use. I have no idea where he got the $300 figure from, but that's his budget. So what do you think? Stihl 192T? Echo CS-360T? Husky 334T? Something else?

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Is he climbing with it? If not, I'd recommend against a top handle saw. You can do a search for "top handle," in fact there's another thread about that right now going on. They're not meant for ground use. They're a specialized saw meant for use IN a tree. Many folks confuse limbing/trimming with top handle.

So, if he still wants a top handle saw because he's clmbing with it, Bailey's has some Echo's that are affordably priced, and the 192T is a nice saw that is a good saw for the money.

Jeff

 

[Stumper]

I agree with Jeff-unless he is climbing he will be better served with a small rear handled saw-And just about everyone makes some in his price range. FWIW the most widely distirbuted small saws that are not in the junk category and represent a very good value for money are the Echos. Small Huskies and STihls are easy to find as well and have more prestige-though their homeowner lines really don't impress me as superior to the Echos. Shindaiwa and Dolmar distribution is hit or miss but they are very very good saws.

 

[SawTroll]

Husky 336 is the rear handle version of the 334T.
I think it would be a good choise.

 

[NovaMan]

He climbs; he's got the harness and ropes and shoes and all that stuff, so he definitely needs a saw he can use with one hand.

(I saw toolfreak's thread, but I didn't want to hijack it. His budget is more than $300.)

 

[BostonBull]

Under 300 I would say the MS 192T OR a good used MS 200T/020T. Plenty of good used saws out theree for short money from repuatable people.

 

[Stumper]

Under 3C-buy an Echo or the Stihl 192T

 

[NovaMan]

Does anyone know how much power an Echo CS-360T has? It seems like power to weight ratio would be an important consideration for a top-handle saw.

 

[BostonBull]

Does anyone know how much power an Echo CS-360T has? It seems like power to weight ratio would be an important consideration for a top-handle saw.

It is VERY heavy un balanced and about the same power as the 192T maybe a little more.

 

[Husky288XP]

Get a Husky 334 we use them and they seem to be alright. It has more power than the Echos and is just under the power of the Stihl MS 200's, but at $200 less.

I would never buy a used top handled saw, because this is the saw you need to be in prime condition both safety and running wise.

 

[Javelin]

Top handle saw good for the money Redmax G3100 $199.

Rear handle saw Redmax G3800, G4000

Dolmar Ps 34 Ps 401 Ps 460

 

[lawmart]

don't buy the husky after running the 335's since they first came out and moving up to the 338's they are still junk .
I have had 2-335 and 2-338' problems problems, oh did i metion problems,
My sholder is killing me trying to get the damm thing to start, they get tuned they run good for a week and thay suck again. My sholder is so badi have to take pain killers and mussel relaxants (roxbaxaset) before and after work and each time i use them.
Got sick of this went to my jonney dealer and he also sells echo , so i bought the 360t (money is low in the winter) its not a bad saw. Compared to the 338heavier , not as powerful, and not as balanced. But for the money i really don't think you can go wrong. i went through about 15- 20 tanks of gas its comming on really strong now.Ihave not run the 020 sthil in about 5 years now great power but it is abig block of cement ,
I was thinking of getting a 020 in the spring and having the 360t to get me through the winter (money being tight and all) , but now i will probably get another 360t echo .
the 360t echo is good for pruinning and thats all, stuff around 9 inches max , after that it is taxing the motor.
when i first came on this site i made fun of some one that had the old echo tophandle saw said it was a girl saw well it was a bad saw,, i have experience with it it was really under powerd and broke in pieces in about 5 days of being on a city climbing crew.

lawmart

 

[NovaMan]

My Husky dealer says the 334Ts have oil pump problems, and he doesn't even stock that model. He's a rather opinionated guy.

 

[Mr_Brushcutter]

Kind of off topic but whats the difference between the 020T and the MS200T?

 

[BostonBull]

Kind of off topic but whats the difference between the 020T and the MS200T?

The lettering