Need a New 20" Bar Chainsaw

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

Thanks to the ice storm the other day, I was saved the trouble of felling a tree this spring. Unfortunately it decided to fall across the road so I needed to remove it that day. My Stihl with a 16" bar cut most of it so I could clear the road. But I am left with about 28' of good firewood that I need a longer bar to cut. It's also time for a new toy.

 

I am partial to Stihl products so I am looking at the MS291, MS311, or MS391 with 20" bars. However, the Makita/Dolmar 6421 has me intrigued. Buying online would bring it close to the Stihl MS391 bought locally in price. Any thoughts?

[Tim 97]

Will your saw take a 20" blade"

I have a Husqvarna 345, it came with a 16" blade, it will take a 20" blade per the owners manual

this is a great saw

have you considered renting a larger saw for half a day

 

if you have long term needs for a larger saw go for it

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I have a Stihl 028 with a 20" bar and it is great!

[dennist 139]

Owning a logging business in the past, I can only give you an opinion on what saw to get if you want to get the job done fast and move on.....husqvarna 372xp comes standard with 20" bar and it means business! It may be heavy, but you do not get tired as it gets through the trees so fast. As you can see my 5yr old boy at the time had a blast driving the equipment and I owned 5 of those saws, we moved a good amount of wood every day and the saws held up well.

[formariz 12,040]

Thanks to the ice storm the other day, I was saved the trouble of felling a tree this spring. Unfortunately it decided to fall across the road so I needed to remove it that day. My Stihl with a 16" bar cut most of it so I could clear the road. But I am left with about 28' of good firewood that I need a longer bar to cut. It's also time for a new toy.

 

I am partial to Stihl products so I am looking at the MS291, MS311, or MS391 with 20" bars. However, the Makita/Dolmar 6421 has me intrigued. Buying online would bring it close to the Stihl MS391 bought locally in price. Any thoughts?

The Dolmar is relatively unknown to most people but after using a Stihl which is a great saw and now owning the Dolmar I can tell you that  the Dolmar is an absolutely incredible machine. Absolutely unstopable. Awsome power consistent rapid starts and incredible balance. Only drawback to me is that this is a heavy machine perhaps that being responsible for its power.

[rick 255]

Which Stihl saw do you own? I have an 036 Pro that came with a 16" bar, when I wear the bar out I will replace it with a 20" or 18" bar.

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

My main saw is a MS230CB-E with the 16" bar which is the longest that it will take. I bought it almost four years ago with my initiation to owning a wooded property. A month in (still had my Illinois plates!) and a storm dropped a limb from an oak tree on my carport! I bought a Stihl polesaw at the same time due to the situation because I didn't know if the carport was compromised.

 

At the time, I went with the Pico Duro chain for less maintenance.  I didn't realize that I would be using it as often as I do. Years ago I owned a McCulloch chainsaw (when McCulloch was McCulloch) so I had some prior knowledge.

 

I appreciate the advice on the Husqvarna 372XP but the price is a bit North of what I can spend. I like having a primer bulb plus the controls on the Stihl models are very similar to the ones I already own. Like everything else, it is a question of HP between the models that I am considering. I am leaning towards the MS391 but the MS291 is two pounds lighter. The drawback on the MS291 is less HP and according to negative reviews has a small fuel tank. A Home Depot store a distance away (not everyone has a rental department) has the Makita 6421 in their rental fleet so I may check that route out before buying.

 

With regards to other brands, I was considering the Jonsered CS2166 at TSC but it is too much $ and I question the parts and repair support. Interesting how TSC was forced out of selling Husqvarna products because of Lowes. Pity the Jonsered saws sold these days are only red Huskies. They were a stalwart brand years ago.

[Ken B 3,189]

One of my saws is an MS 290. The smaller fuel tank is only a big deal if you are using it everyday, Its all you are going to need to do what you want to, its got plenty of nut. You said it all , parts and repair support, Stihl all the way.

[can whlvr 994]

I own both a stihl,and a husquavarna,I would stay with the stihl,easier for parts around here too

[CRE1992 135]

I am surprised I just saw this thread now. However if you are only cutting wood occasionally I would get a Stihl 290 or now 291. The Stihl 391 is the same thing with a bigger cylinder and piston. Its not really worth it to me. I run all Stihl professional saws. I would look for a Stihl 360 or 361. I work for a tree company and a separate firewood business that is my Uncle's. We only run stihl. Dealer support is much better and the saws are extremely reliable. Huskys are good saws too. Stihl for me but to each his own. Do a search on here for one of my threads on Stihl Chainsaws. (I have a bunch of them myself.)

[6wheeler 669]

I too am thinking of upgrading to a larger saw. Although people will probably wretch at this thought. I really like my 20 year old Poulan pro. 16" cut. Starts every time and is light and easy to handle. I have been looking at the Pro5020. Just haven't dropped the hammer yet. It is a 50cc 20" saw and if it were to perform half as good as my old one? I would be happy. My Husqvarna is a good saw as well. But I need performance..... Not a name. The Husqvarna is a good but figity saw, not sure of the model# as it is worn off.It works good but is a pia to get it running sometimes. I thought about the Stihl's too. But again, don't want to take out a mortgage for a name.

[shorts 182]

I keep an old Stihl farm boss from a pawn shop around for just in case, but it's big and heavy, Last year I bought a no name 14" electric chainsaw to use around the yard, light weight easy to use and if it dies it was only $30.  Back in the mid 70's had a buddy un upper MI that heated his house with a forced air wood burner, he would buy a semi load of toothpicks in the spring and have them dropped off next to the coal chute, as time permitted Joe would work on the wood pile with his Remington electric chainsaw. small logs cut to stove size and into the basement , larger to split pieces in a pile, and another pile that the Remington would not cut.    Then he would have a firewood party, a couple of people on the splitter , one with a 21" gas chainsaw on the big log pile and a couple more in the coal bin stacking the finished wood. when the work was done it was bonfire and beer time.