New saw advice

[chrisjpainter]

I'm looking at a pretty expensive bill on my 550XPG Mk1 and am starting to think that maybe writing it off and starting again could be a better bet in the long run. To that end, I'd love suggestions for an appropriate saw for anything within the remit of CS30/31. I do do some felling of hardwoods (and would be tomorrow if my 550 wasn't knockin' on heaven's door), and then all the usual limbing and so forths. 

 

I'm really looking at one of Stihl, Echo or POSSIBLY Husqvarna, but you'd have to be the greatest salesperson in the world to convince me. It's not just this saw, I've had problems with other kit too (It's not user fault, I promise!), so I'm...dubious...about them these days.

 

So what would people put on the menu? 

[Stubby]

1 minute ago, chrisjpainter said:

I'm looking at a pretty expensive bill on my 550XPG Mk1 and am starting to think that maybe writing it off and starting again could be a better bet in the long run. To that end, I'd love suggestions for an appropriate saw for anything within the remit of CS30/31. I do do some felling of hardwoods (and would be tomorrow if my 550 wasn't knockin' on heaven's door), and then all the usual limbing and so forths. 

 

I'm really looking at one of Stihl, Echo or POSSIBLY Husqvarna, but you'd have to be the greatest salesperson in the world to convince me. It's not just this saw, I've had problems with other kit too (It's not user fault, I promise!), so I'm...dubious...about them these days.

 

So what would people put on the menu? 

550 MK 2 😁👍  Hows that for sales pitch !

[Khriss]

Just now, Stubby said:

550 MK 2 😁👍  Hows that for sales pitch !

Worked on me  😬  K

[Stubby]

Just now, Khriss said:

Worked on me  😬  K

Were are you stacking them mate ? 😁

[chrisjpainter]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

550 MK 2 😁👍  Hows that for sales pitch !

Nope! you'll have to do better than that!😆

A sonnet in full iambic pentameter is the bare minimum I'm expecting...

[Dan Maynard]

261 then, crankshaft is sorted now.

There's not a huge amount between 261 and 550 from what I've seen, the echo 50cc is lower power but obviously has its fans.

[Darkslider]

Love my 550 XP, mines the MK2 though which has had a fair few issues resolved apparently. The MS 261 CM is a nice saw and noticeably lighter in the hand, but was coming in at nearly £100 more than the husky when I looked which made my mind up. Echo CS501SX is between the two price wise, lighter than both but makes a little less power.

[coppice cutter]

I bought a 390esx this spring after much deliberation.

 

I'll be buying a new 501 to go with it this winter without any hesitation whatsoever.

[chrisjpainter]

28 minutes ago, coppice cutter said:

I bought a 390esx this spring after much deliberation.

 

I'll be buying a new 501 to go with it this winter without any hesitation whatsoever.

I'm guessing you've not been felling hardwoods with the 390? Or has it been handling that too??

[Moose McAlpine]

Another vote for 550XP MKII.

 

I got one. I like it. Etc.