Which chainsaw should I buy?

[melross]

Hi I'm new to the forum and would like to get some advice on which petrol chainsaw to buy.  My budget is around £300 to £350 and I am leaning towards a Husqvarna or Stihl.  It will be used to manage a small woodland (less than an acre) that I have recently acquired, small amount of felling, but mainly thinning out, managing.  Would like recommendations on the best models to consider for my budget. Any recommendations or advice please!

[billpierce]

looking for new or second hand?

 

around 50cc will do you  prob less would work and be lighter.

 

id get a used pro saw over a cheap homeowner new one  if  i were you. something like husky 550 or 346 or a  stihl 261 260 026 241 240 024 would do you

 

if mostly thinning you may condider i super light backhandle ms200 or 201

[Rough Hewn]

A stihl 261 or husky similar as bill says above.

Wouldn't personally recommend a top handle saw, purely on the basis of increased risk of kickback. Shouldn't really use them on the ground.

 

 

[billpierce]

1 hour ago, Rough Hewn said:

A stihl 261 or husky similar as bill says above.

Wouldn't personally recommend a top handle saw, purely on the basis of increased risk of kickback. Shouldn't really use them on the ground.

 

 

thus backhandle ms200 with no "t"

[Rough Hewn]

Doh!

youre right bill.

[stihlmadasever]

Stihl Ms 241.

[BishBashBosh]

Most of the suggestions so far are significantly over budget new. Secondhand is an option but obviously comes with risks. Spud here on the forum is the saw repair wizard and iirc occassionally has 2nd hand saws available which takes most of the risk out of that option.

 

Otherwise a quality 40cc saw(2.5-3 HP)  with 15" bar is easily up to occassional felling and well suited to dealing with stuff on the ground up to 2 feet in diameter, and a bit more. Just learn how to sharpen a chain properly if you can't already.

 

Here's a couple on budget:

-Dolmar 420sc , or the Makita equivalent same saw, different colour ( EA4300 £330 ) Contact Shavey re Dolmar.

 

-Echo CS-390esx, £340 .

[Hunter]

I have Mikita DCS 5121 and I ham very happy with it. 

[melross]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated