New Chainsaw, Stihl v Echo v Efco

[H200GT]

My little husky 141 thats now over 15 years old is getting a little tired, so I‘m contemplating a replacement. Local dealers stock Stihl and Echo, but also seen that Efco / Oleo Mac seem to be keenly priced online. I only cut a few cube of firewood each year so don’t need anything too fancy, but I’d like something thats going to give decent performance and reasonable working life.

I want something a bit more powerful this time, circa 50cc, and 16“-18” as the 141 is a bit lacking in power and bar length sometimes, and I can always keep the 141 for smaller stuff if needed.

Stihl I assume will be the best saw, but priced accordingly. Echo seem to have some really good reviews in the mid range price bracket, and the Efco / Oleo Mac seem to be priced towards the more budget end of the market.

Anyone using any of the above that can share experience, thanks

 

[feilding]

Get another husky, the only make to have. Just my opinion, still the best saws about. As long as there made in Sweden models.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Husky are the only option

 

[Stock]

Husky are the only option

 

[H200GT]

Get another husky, the only make to have. Just my opinion, still the best saws about. As long as there ma

Husky are the only option

It would seem the logical choice as the 141 has given decent service despite being too small for most of the work its faced to be honest. However local dealer Major Owen dont seem to stock husky chainsaws anymore. Last time I was there they only had Stihl and Mitox on display. Eifionydd Engineering stock Echo, and my thinking was that if I am to buy a premium saw then I would like to able to take it back in the event there is a problem, otherwise I may just as well take the risk and buy a budget saw from the internet and roll the dice with the savings

 

[som farmer]

parker chainsaws on e'bay, good quality, £65 ish, inc vat and 2 chains, unbelievable, how they can do it, no idea, chains and bar are oregon.

 

[JeepJeep]

Screwfix Titan... Trojan of a thing. If it does 2 years im happy. If it does longer it's cost next to nothing and I'll have another.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Makita , every time , good value, down to earth and start reliably.
Where husky nowadays ( and has been for sometime ime ) is a load of sh.it.

 

[H200GT]

parker chainsaws on e'bay, good quality, £65 ish, inc vat and 2 chains, unbelievable, how they can do it, no idea, chains and bar are oregon.

Screwfix Titan... Trojan of a thing. If it does 2 years im happy. If it does longer it's cost next to nothing and I'll have another.

A relative was of the same thinking, he has had a couple of “ebay specials“ over the years (none of the above brands though), and to be honest they served him relatively well. But they had a habit of breaking down when he needed them most, usually something small and trivial, but parts are non existent, and its frustrating to throw something thats relatively new away even if it was cheap to begin with. He has recently upgraded to a stihl.

It wont be used often, so its a train of thought, but my preference would be a saw that I can at least get parts for.

 

[Mickstup]

If you happen to see these chaps, they have some cheap husky saws for sale, they removed them from Teme Valley Tractors on Saturday night, in a Hafren Vets Nissan truck.

 

[pauld]

2 Huskies and battery Makita here . The Makita is the one everyone prefers to use.

 

[startinghandle]

The guy in charge of workshop at local store I won't name told me new chainsaws are not as good as they once were which I am sure has been mentioned here also but they sell thousands every year which can't be bad

 

[startinghandle]

I have talked to someone who bought new Efco 3 years ago and in his own words it's a fu$king good saw also

 

[startinghandle]

Also the big store I mentioned has an offer going where they all £40 for old saw provided it has bar and chain brake doesn't have to be a runner

 

[celtis man]

i have a aldi chain saw bought for £87 3yrs ago , you do have to keep the chain tight and the guard too . i run it on sthil mixer oil as it runs better/and smokes less

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Here we go with wot's best......... Stihl, Husqvarna & Echo all make good 'professional' saws. Your choice. Go for 'pro' or go for cheaper it is that simple. You really get what you pay for in this seroiously competetive market. If you need to use one every day then these are the three manufacturers to look at. Please do your homework as every one has a niche. Power, portability and what you plan to cut, bearing in mind an all-rounder will need to be around 60cc's and your local dealer being the key. All others are 'hobby' saws so if you are in that field I really can't offer any advice.
SS

 

[JeepJeep]

I was going to buy a baby Husky as I like to be able to buy parts for stuff,... Read another chainsaw thread here. Titan was mentioned which is Screwfix. Singing its's praises and went for that as a throwaway 2 year saw, 3 year as a bonus.

Also, have a Parker Strimmer that's earned its keep... Do the job sling it... Still working = bonus

It's warrantied and already been abused so on a winner at the moment. The only thing with it you have to keep on top of the chain tension, No Great shakes.

 

[neilo]

Screwfix Titan... Trojan of a thing. If it does 2 years im happy. If it does longer it's cost next to nothing and I'll have another.

^this. I’m on my second, and the bigger Stihl stays locked away most of the time. The £65 cheapies really do punch above their weight, and come with a 2yr warranty.
Certainly good enough for a bit of logging, or tree felling...

 

[Dukes Fit]

Stihl every time.

They make three grades of saw, hobbyist, semi pro and pro.

50cc is a decent size saw so slightly out of hobby/domestic range.

An MS271 is what you’d be looking for which is a decent size saw in the Agri/semi pro range

Or a 261 which is the same size engine but more powerful and lighter and is a professional range saw.

I’ve a 241 and a 261 and can’t fault either. Brilliant saws

 

[Will Blackburn]

Stihl MS181, nice balanced saw, will do years and years here, none of this throw away culture. Dolmar (makita) before that (30 years) nice but parts became impossible to get.