I am in the process of buying a piece of hunting property. I am looking forward to doing some TSI. The chainsaw that I currently own is just about shot. I think I will scrap it and start with a new one. I realize that a small and light chainsaw is more the order for girdling trees. I would like to find a happy medium one that is easy to handle and that won't wear me out doing that and also be able to cut firewood without being too small. Anyone have experience in this area? Any recommendations? Looking for a specific make and model. Thanks for any input.
Chainsaw recommendation
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Omega
Well-Known Member
A 20" Stihl Farmboss is hard to beat
Crappieaddict
Well-Known Member
I have personally found an 18" fits the bill for me. Husqvarna, Stihl, or Echo are the top choices. I went with an Echo.
I have a Husqvarna that I like. I believe the Stihl is a better saw, but won't go wrong with either choice.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Stihl MS 250 is imo the best all around saw
Do a search on chainsaws on here and you'll see a lot of discussions on different brands, sizes, etc…
Do a search on chainsaws on here and you'll see a lot of discussions on different brands, sizes, etc…
Boll Weevil
Well-Known Member
I have 3 Stihl chainsaws: MS 271, 310, and 391 and wouldn't run any other brand. The bigger displacement saws are great for felling and bucking but they're heavy and will wear you out faster if you're walking. Consider what type of saw work you'll be doing, how big are the trees you're working in, and how much walking is involved.
Whatever brand you decide, get chaps and wear'em.
Whatever brand you decide, get chaps and wear'em.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
I'll also add that if you ever get around to buying a small saw, take a look at the MS 194 T. Very small and lightweight, but a very strong saw. Perfect for girdling and cutting smaller trees and de-limbing once the big saw put the bigger trees on the ground.
backyardtndeer
Well-Known Member
Echo cs400.
I'm a Stihl guy, but will run a Husky or Echo as they are solid saws. Stihl MS 250 is my favorite all around saw for the "average Joe", not a professional logger.
I have stihl and echo, including a 362 pro saw… I grab the cs400 90% of the time.
Really think about how you are gonna use a chainsaw. Girdling a tree is just cutting into the bark about 2 inches. That doesn't take alot of saw. You want a very light saw to carry all day. Your swinging this saw above your waist and near your chest. You want 100% control.
If you are cutting down a tree for tsi...most likely the tree is not merchantable...so likely not a big diameter tree. Thus a light saw with a 16 in bar will likely do.
If your cutting down bigger trees for logs or firewood....that means a bigger saw. Think about it this way. Cutting down a tree is one cut. Cutting up a tree for firewood is 20 or more cuts.
My Tsi saw is a stihl 170. The only time my stihl 290 is used, is when its time to cut up a big red oak for firewood. But find what suits you and what you want it for.
If you are cutting down a tree for tsi...most likely the tree is not merchantable...so likely not a big diameter tree. Thus a light saw with a 16 in bar will likely do.
If your cutting down bigger trees for logs or firewood....that means a bigger saw. Think about it this way. Cutting down a tree is one cut. Cutting up a tree for firewood is 20 or more cuts.
My Tsi saw is a stihl 170. The only time my stihl 290 is used, is when its time to cut up a big red oak for firewood. But find what suits you and what you want it for.
Joe2Kool
Well-Known Member
I bought $100 disposable saws many times. Use them, then start over. Finally decided to buy a "good" one. Lots of good comments about Stihl. So I bought one. A 271?, with the EZ pull start.
Dang thing is still a PITA to start. Once it is running, better keep it running cause if you shut it off or runs out of gas, it's even worse.
I may be the exception, but IMO, good and chainsaw don't belong in the same sentence!! But the Stihls get good comments
Dang thing is still a PITA to start. Once it is running, better keep it running cause if you shut it off or runs out of gas, it's even worse.
I may be the exception, but IMO, good and chainsaw don't belong in the same sentence!! But the Stihls get good comments
RedDawg
Well-Known Member
Running around out in the woods with a chainsaw is one thing. Cutting and stacking firewood back at the farm house or barn is another. On my ATV for the light work you're talking about, I carry a Milwaukee 2727-20 electric chainsaw with a 12a battery. It has a 16" bar. No problem starting it - just pull the trigger. I've run mine for 3 1/2 hours of brush clearing and girdling before the battery wore out (and I was wore out). I have other smaller amp batteries for my Milwaukee tools (they are all interchangeable) and can use the 5.0a or 3.0a to finish what I need while the 12a recharges. Suppose I could buy another 12a. 
For all day cutting on a wood pile - my Husqvarna Rancher 55 with a 20" bar that I've had for 30 years. Good, reliable and fast starting. But in my mid-60's now, I'm not slinging it through the woods near as often.
For all day cutting on a wood pile - my Husqvarna Rancher 55 with a 20" bar that I've had for 30 years. Good, reliable and fast starting. But in my mid-60's now, I'm not slinging it through the woods near as often.
I've had several saws over the years...Echo, Poulan, Homelite, Husky, Stihl, and Holzforma. I currently have three: Stihl 170 16", Echo 590 20", and Holzforma clone of a Stihl 660 with 24" and 36" bars. I use the Echo and the 660 for milling lumber out of logs.
I was absolutely amazed at how big of a job the little Stihl 170 can handle. And it was only $150 new on sale at Northern Tool. The Stihl can be cantankerous to start sometimes, but most of the time it starts on third pull. For what you're talking about, I'd get the Stihl 170 or the Echo 310.
I was absolutely amazed at how big of a job the little Stihl 170 can handle. And it was only $150 new on sale at Northern Tool. The Stihl can be cantankerous to start sometimes, but most of the time it starts on third pull. For what you're talking about, I'd get the Stihl 170 or the Echo 310.
On tsi work I only use hack and squirt , very effective and not as labor intensive.
You can girdle a beech twice and still only have 50% success.
I just completed 190 ac and would never go back to using a chain saw
If you want some cover then hinge cut would help on that using a chainsaw
The year after doing hack and squirt more sunlight will hit the floor and you will see more oak regeneration
clinchbilly
Active Member
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This is my 2cents. My mom has heated with wood my whole life (42 years). I've been the one who's cut the wood since I was about twelve. I've found the two best choices for chainsaws stilh and Husqvarna. Stilh is more reliable and husqvarna has the most torque.
Stihl MS-250. Hard to beat this saw. I love mine and have for years.
String Music
Well-Known Member
Stihl 180C-BE
I just spent two days doing TSI on my farm in Illinois and was impressed with this saw. It's light enough to work several hours and powerful enough to fell all but the biggest trees. I've used the 250 in the past but it wears you out after a couple hours.
I just spent two days doing TSI on my farm in Illinois and was impressed with this saw. It's light enough to work several hours and powerful enough to fell all but the biggest trees. I've used the 250 in the past but it wears you out after a couple hours.
