Chainsaw advice for newbie

[Adam Northwest]

Hi all, 

 

im planning on taking my CS30/31 in the next 2 months and getting equipment together for it. I plan on moving through more arb qualifications to add more depth to my gardening work and eventually get into forestry. 
What would be a good chainsaw to get to do these qualifications and do the first work I get after passing these? 
Any help would be amazing! 
Edit - Don’t really have a budget but I would like to keep costs under £850. The lower the better but good equipment isn’t cheap so I’m prepared to go to my max budget if necessary. As work becomes more regular I would upgrade then if needed. 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Adam Northwest

[Vedhoggar]

Have a look at Stihl MS 261 and MS 362. Not familiar with Husqvarna saws these days but others might suggest suitable saws within their range. It’s useful if you have a good local dealer.

[Stubby]

Budget ? 

[Adam Northwest]

7 minutes ago, Stubby said:

Budget ? 

Edited the main post. Thanks for pointing out I didn’t have budget information. 

[Dan Maynard]

Husqvarna 550 is 50cc, broadly equivalent to the 261 and really the main choice unless you go Echo. There isn't a huge amount between them in performance, the 50cc sector is fiercely competitive and they have all wrung amazing performance from the size. Stihl slightly lighter, slightly wider, Husqvarna slightly quicker pickup.

 

Stihl saws are a little scarce at the moment and they pushed up their prices a lot in the last two years than Husqvarna. If I had to buy one tomorrow I'd probably go 550 but ask me again tomorrow and I'll say 261.

[Adam Northwest]

1 hour ago, Vedhoggar said:

Have a look at Stihl MS 261 and MS 362. Not familiar with Husqvarna saws these days but others might suggest suitable saws within their range. It’s useful if you have a good local dealer.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I will check them out. 

[Adam Northwest]

43 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

Husqvarna 550 is 50cc, broadly equivalent to the 261 and really the main choice unless you go Echo. There isn't a huge amount between them in performance, the 50cc sector is fiercely competitive and they have all wrung amazing performance from the size. Stihl slightly lighter, slightly wider, Husqvarna slightly quicker pickup.

 

Stihl saws are a little scarce at the moment and they pushed up their prices a lot in the last two years than Husqvarna. If I had to buy one tomorrow I'd probably go 550 but ask me again tomorrow and I'll say 261.

Appreciate the help. I’m liking the look of the 550. Ill go and check one out in person. 

[Stubby]

1 hour ago, Adam Northwest said:

Appreciate the help. I’m liking the look of the 550. Ill go and check one out in person. 

Make sure , if not buying new , that it is a MK2 . Far better saw than the MK1 . 

[neiln]

Worth a look at a Makita ea5600.  Older, heavier for the performance but well built and good value perhaps.

[Dan Maynard]

Hmm I am longtime Dolmar fan, if you're going Makita I would skip the 5600 to be honest as it a F saw for farm. The EA5000 is a good 50cc or up to EA6100 for 60cc in pro saws. They're not produced any more but cracking value for money if you find one.