The right chainsaw for CS30 + 31

[mattu]

Im looking into doing my CS30 soon and it seems that I need to get a chainsaw for this.

 

I will only use the chainsaw for chopping fire wood and this qualification so what would be suitable? The one which has caught my eye is the STIHL MS181 due to its relatively low price (important) and its reviews as an occasional light use saw. Or would you reccomend the STIHL 171 if its not going to be used much?

[Big J]

The question is, is it worth the hundreds of pounds spent on the CS30+31 if all you are going to do is firewood? I'd save your money, find a local cutter/tree surgeon and pay them for a half day's tutorial and use the saved money to buy a better saw and good PPE.

 

Jonathan

[RichardT]

That's more or less all I do apart from some thinning, but the 30/31 was worth it for a number of reasons. You can read up all the relevant content instead, but it isn't the same as working alongside a skilled and experienced trainer. The reduced back pain from observing/copying good snedding technique was worth the cost alone.

[mattu]

Oh what I didnt add was that I am working towards an arb career, and the CS30 + 31 would be the first step towards this after my countryside degree which I am finishing in less than a year.

 

However the chainsaw I want to buy will be used to cut fire wood and personal use after I have done the exam so im not looking for an expensive one (think student budget)

 

 

 

sorry for the confusion !!

[josharb87]

MS260, or simmilar husky i know you have a smaller budget, but too small a saw and you will soon get hacked off with it, sell it for half you payed and buy a bigger one anyway! 40-50cc 15"bar

[Mark Bolam]

Ditto Josh, but go for the Husky 346.

 

The Stihl 260 is a gutless piece of crap IMO, soon to be replaced by the 261.

[Martyn Amos]

Ditto Josh, but go for the Husky 346.

 

The Stihl 260 is a gutless piece of crap IMO, soon to be replaced by the 261.

 

agree with that, husky 346xp,i have one awesome saw:thumbup1:

if you have a tight budget,buy a used one-mine was £150 off e-bay and ive had it for 2 years

[Arbocop]

346 xp is a far better saw than the 260 and both similar price. both are pro saws so you will pay the pro saw price you could drop in to the 'farm' sar sector, thats the 2 seris in huski, and 1 in the stilth. although if you can afford it the pro will be a good option.

 

also if you are going to use it inferquntley the trio break on the huski may be a good option.

 

having said that both are qality brands and do give consideration to who your local dealer is, although the 346 is an awsom saw if you have to travel for 3 hours to get a part you will not be happy and visa versa.

 

good ppe is a real must too

 

cheers

 

kev

[Badgermert]

It doesn't matter about make (that's up to you and your budget) but you will learn more if you take a saw that doesn't cut very well or goes around corners when it does!

[Henk]

I'd say borrow one to do your ticket, have a go with Stihl (260, tho' I prefer the old 240) or Husky (346 is nice, 357 XPG - heated grips...nice) or whatever is going before shelling out for a saw you may hate once you've progressed.