Need a new chainsaw

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Clovis I think that a great choice. Stihl has a good reputation and are apparently good saws. What cowhand says about starting them is I suspect right on. It applies to other saws even lawnmowers as well. Just take it easy on big stuff as that is a smaller saw than what you were looking at - don't ask too much to fast an I suspect that saw will serve you well. Sixteen inch Oregon bar I assume.

I've little experience with Stihl other than a couple decades or more ago I tried using stihls that had carburetors coming loose alot. I'm assuming that is corrected now. Almost as frustrating as homelites that were tuned at 5000ft and I tried to run them at 9000ft or more - talk about no go. I was working for BLM in Colorado then. The first Jonsereds I used were a revelation - best running saws I ever used. Huskys almost as good. Jonsered is a brand disappearing - sadly - they were the first company to have a one man saw.

Few Jonsereds around here now mostly Husqvarna. I'm due for a new saw too I'll probably see if I can find a Jonsered as I know Husqvarna dealers can get the parts for them - if not a Husky for me. I have a husky lawnmower an it is totally dependable. Yeah there is echo an poulan an Stihl around here but I will stay Scandinavian as I have faith and good experience with their saws and I'm over half Finn.

Enjoy your new saw!!!

-Ed-

[Hatchdog]

As said, easy on full choke. Also behind the muffler you will find the spark arrestor which is simply a metal screen. These arrestors will get gummed up and cause your saw to run poorly. Just remove and give it a brushing and your saw will run great!

[clovishound]

Well, just got back from using the new saw.

This thing really cuts. Didn't cut anything bigger than about 10-12 inch pine, but it sailed through everything. Got used to the choke pretty quickly. After first start, no choke, even after 15 min. This saw is a little thrifty with bar oil. I'm used to having to fill the oil when the tank needs filling. After running it for this job, I was down to needing a gas refill. Oil was more than half full. Chain didn't need adjustment after session, which is good, I'm used to a new chain stretching pretty quickly. Everything ran smother after a little run time.

So far, I'm happy. Be curious how it will handle a larger, hardwood log.

[Ernie]

Good choice Clovishound

[clovishound]

Quick question. The only ethanol free gas I found was 87 octane. Manual calls for a minimum of 89. Better to run ethanol free, or higher octane?

[RanchRoper]

Stihl makes good stuff. That little Tasmanian Devil in the Bugs Bunny cartoons does a good job too.

[markiver54]

Quick question. The only ethanol free gas I found was 87 octane. Manual calls for a minimum of 89. Better to run ethanol free, or higher octane?

From my research, I have learned, high octane and ethanol free is the best combo. Even ethanol free needs conditioner to really be safe.
I checked on this because of my new 4- wheeler, and that is what my mechanic told me.
Ethanol SUCKS! In many ways.
Locally, I can get E-free fuel in 92 and 93 octane. Be careful with that new saw. Small engines are especially vulnerable to the awful ethanol.

[dasmoeturhead]

I have Poulan Pro with a 18" bar. It's been a very good saw since 1997. It has taken down many a tree, and cleared lots of brush. Starts on the 3rd pull every time, no matter how long it sits.

[GunnyGene]

Well, just got back from using the new saw.

This thing really cuts. Didn't cut anything bigger than about 10-12 inch pine, but it sailed through everything. Got used to the choke pretty quickly. After first start, no choke, even after 15 min. This saw is a little thrifty with bar oil. I'm used to having to fill the oil when the tank needs filling. After running it for this job, I was down to needing a gas refill. Oil was more than half full. Chain didn't need adjustment after session, which is good, I'm used to a new chain stretching pretty quickly. Everything ran smother after a little run time.

So far, I'm happy. Be curious how it will handle a larger, hardwood log.

I've cut a lot of hardwood with my 290 - oak, maple, walnut, pecan/hickory, etc. . You should be fine, although it's a little slower to cut hardwoods, and your chain will dull faster. That's about the only difference. As for oil, it is adjustable (mine is anyway), so if you think it's not getting enough, just bump it up a bit.

[Mags]

.
I've adjusted mine to use more bar oil. Enough that when I gas up, I also oil up.

... This saw is a little thrifty with bar oil. ...

[clovishound]

There does not appear to be any adjustment on this saw.

I went and looked at it. Looks like the gas is actually down about 3/4 and the oil about half, so it may be according to spec. Again, the chain did not require any adjustment, so that is a good sign it is getting enough oil. Also pulled the chain up and there is a definite film of oil on the drive links.

Manual says there should be some oil left in the oil tank after running a full tank of gas. I accidentally almost overfilled the oil tank. Fuel tank, stopped before completely full.

On retrospect, I think all is well on the oiling front.

[markiver54]

Sounds right to me☺
Glad you found a good saw and you're happy with it!