Saw suggestions

[Lions fan]

You can't beat this for the price it's at. https://www.hlsproparts.com/product-p/550xpmk2.htm

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tenor.com

 

[Dustin4185]

I think he has decided on the 590.

You can't beat this for the price it's at. https://www.hlsproparts.com/product-p/550xpmk2.htm

Hmm, that may be an option. I may have to talk him into it, lol.

 

[Woodwackr]

What do you think's been done to that little clamshell 180 to get handling a 20" bar?

About all that can be done…MM and timing advance. Brad did “port” one years ago, but…

 

[Woodwackr]

All sorts of questions come up, MS 250 with 32" bar running 3/8 chain - pushing it, but why use a green chain if you are going to break all the rules?? At that price, I would buy a 261!

View attachment 455051

that bar is worth more than the saw, lol

 

[dadstillsurfs]

If I was picking a saw for the task list and budget, I think I would look at one of the Echo top handle saws. It doesn't sound like his son NEEDS a falling or bucking saw. When I worked as an arborist, I bought a top handle Stihl and never looked back. I climbed with it, limbed and bucked up to maybe 18" diameter rounds with it and if my memory serves me right, I even used it to notch some lumber.
Great tool, easy to handle and useful.
Mine came in a plastic case that held the saw, squrench, file, file card and a couple plastic wedges.

 

[IffykidMn]

If I was picking a saw for the task list and budget, I think I would look at one of the Echo top handle saws. It doesn't sound like his son NEEDS a falling or bucking saw. When I worked as an arborist, I bought a top handle Stihl and never looked back. I climbed with it, limbed and bucked up to maybe 18" diameter rounds with it and if my memory serves me right, I even used it to notch some lumber.
Great tool, easy to handle and useful.
Mine came in a plastic case that held the saw, squrench, file, file card and a couple plastic wedges.

I no longer climb knees gave out with age still do occasional bucket work and detest top handles for groundwork and more so for occasional users.

Do work with a group/club 150-200 members(typical homeowners) doing volunteer trail maintenance and building every year of appx 80miles of trail, of the members I can think of 3 off hand that are authorized to use the clubs one top handle 200T everything else is rear handle 261 and 194c saws.

I used to keep an Echo 355T in my vehicle at all times because it was small and compact before replacing it with a 2511P
Two boys operate a small tree service and have more saws than I but they are worth it and if I was buying them a birthday present, I would spring for the extra $50 and go with the 550XP but they already run Stihl 261

Sorry for straying off topic just giving my opposing view of top handles for typical homeowners.

 

[Eakf]

because it was small and compact before replacing it with a 2511P

That's a really good point for overlanding type use. Small, lightweight, sips fuel and bar oil, quart of each goes a long ways without taking up a ton of space.

I prefer my 2511 when I'm on an atv or in steep terrain doing trail work. You can get a lot done with a 12" bar.

 

[IffykidMn]

That's a really good point for overlanding type use. Small, lightweight, sips fuel and bar oil, quart of each goes a long ways without taking up a ton of space.

I prefer my 2511 when I'm on an atv or in steep terrain doing trail work. You can get a lot done with a 12" bar.

T top handle or P rear handle?

 

[Jusgunn3]

Look in the for sale section, plenty of good options.

SOLD Thread 'New Husqvarna 545 MK1'

Feb 25, 2025

Up for sale is a new, never fueled, Husqvarna 545 MK1. Most people here know these saws but if someone doesn’t…yes it’s autotune. None of that silly gray paint like the 550. All orange like a husky should be. It’s a later model build…2016. Great saws I’ve had a few of them. Good power, smooth, light & nimble. $450 shipped PHO to the lower 48. PayPal F&F. Thanks!

• whitesnake
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Whole Chainsaws for Sale/Trade

• 

SOLD Thread 'Husqvarna 359'

Feb 25, 2025

Up for sale is a Husqvarna 359. Saw runs and oils great. Clean saw in pretty good shape. It is all OEM. Has metal intake clamp, base delete, and muffler mod. Has some gouges on the grip and the clutch cover has some marks. $425 shipped PHO to the lower 48. PayPal F&F. Thanks!

• whitesnake
• Replies: 13
• Forum: Whole Chainsaws for Sale/Trade

• 

 

[two4spooky]

I run a 355T(14" & MM) and the little 2511T(12" & WCS muffler). Both are excellent. Especially like the 2511T running around on the 4 wheeler. Great for trail work. Mean little saw.

Don't know that I would recommend either to a new or novice saw user though. Just saying

 

[Eakf]

T top handle or P rear handle

I have a top handle, but wouldn't mind a rear handle either as handy as it is.

 

[Dustin4185]

I gave him the options discussed. Pretty much what I expected, I just wasn’t sure which Echo would be recommended. We have a 355T at work and I keep in the UTV or tractor so we can clear field roads or cut limbs overhanging fields. I don’t think he wants to go with a top handle, but I put it out there. I also sent him the link for the 550XP. I really think it would be ideal for his use. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Jusgunn3]

Echo…

SOLD Thread 'NIB Echo 590 & 490'

Nov 13, 2024

Up for sale is a new in box Echo cs590 Timberwolf. Not much to say here, it’s brand new. It will be shipped pho. I also have a cs490 the same way…new in the box shipped pho. $390 shipped for the cs590, $290 shipped for the cs490. Shipping to the lower 48. PP F&F. Thanks!

• whitesnake
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Whole Chainsaws for Sale/Trade

• 

 

[mainer_in_ak]

Echo…

SOLD Thread 'NIB Echo 590 & 490'

Nov 13, 2024

Up for sale is a new in box Echo cs590 Timberwolf. Not much to say here, it’s brand new. It will be shipped pho. I also have a cs490 the same way…new in the box shipped pho. $390 shipped for the cs590, $290 shipped for the cs490. Shipping to the lower 48. PP F&F. Thanks!

• whitesnake
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Whole Chainsaws for Sale/Trade

• 

Dang, that's a great deal! If the kid and the dad end up with a 590, I have a set of felling spikes, a 24 inch bar and a loop of lpx the kid can have.

No youngster should start out with a screamer. Too easy to have a violent kick-back or get too thin on hinge wood, too fast.

The 590 has a low exuahst roof and is governed on the high jet. They settle around 12,400 out of the wood and have a very forgiving torque band. Cut speed is a bit slower than a 620p which is good for a youngster.

24 inch bar would be ideal. It gets that youngster a little further away from his cuts when bucking or limbing.

A cut injury is a life-changing injury. The entirety of a 590 timberwolf with lpx safety chain reduces that risk.

 

[Dustin4185]

Dang, that's a great deal! If the kid and the dad end up with a 590, I have a set of felling spikes, a 24 inch bar and a loop of lpx the kid can have.

No youngster should start out with a screamer. Too easy to have a violent kick-back or get too thin on hinge wood, too fast.

The 590 has a low exuahst roof and is governed on the high jet. They settle around 12,400 out of the wood and have a very forgiving torque band. Cut speed is a bit slower than a 620p which is good for a youngster.

24 inch bar would be ideal. It gets that youngster a little further away from his cuts when bucking or limbing.

A cut injury is a life-changing injury. The entirety of a 590 timberwolf with lpx safety chain reduces that risk.

I should have mentioned his son is in his 20’s, lol. I told my supervisor he needs to make sure he has a good set of chaps. He’s recently married and they are just starting out.

 

[RichE23ACR]

How about the only saw that endorses @jacob j.

View attachment 455037

BiltHard is a horrible company to deal with, they make junk and do not have any sort of customer service! I bought a splitter from them that was terrible at best. It leaked oil, wouldn't retract without percussion persuasion. I contacted BiltHard and they wanted me to send a video. Their system wouldn't not accept the regular video format from my Samsung Galaxy. Finally they agreed to look at the splitter if I crated it & paid to ship it back. Seriously bad company! I recycled the splitter for scrap.