I feel the same way hehe
I don't mind driving, so distance is no problem. Guess I wouldn't mind to meet one of the fellow AT members either.
Just as, if not more important, "same engine size?"Similar chain sharpness?
Congratulations, you're part of the problem, Typhoid Gary.
Just as, if not more important, "same engine size?"
I'd recommend against Poulan. They're more like the econo version of Husqvarna. I picked up a nice Huskie last year; love it. Bigger engine (off the top of my head, I can't remember; high 30's cc though). Most important advantage over the previous saws I've had: vibration isolation. OMG, if you've used a saw without it, then switch to a saw with it, you'll never go back. My hands would be numb after an hour with a Poulan. I can cut for hours with that Huskie effortlessly.
Yeah, and tell me something. What prevents a free roaming/flight capable insect from simply going into another territory.
You see my friend, you can't stop the nature....
I almost picked up Huskie 445 model (which I wanted), they only had 440 and other "none model"aka Lowes model items.
These insects don't take sudden hundred-mile trips across the country, particularly not across lands that don't contain their preferred species of tree. And nature was doing a perfectly good job keeping species in their native areas until we starting carting random goods across the globe in ships with narry a thought about the ecology of the new location.
It hasn't been "nature" that is driving the current great extinction event...it's people who don't give a damn.
You don't get to play with matches and then say that it was "inevitable" that your house burned down.
Keep your eyes open along roadways. You don't need a big truck if you only get a bit at a time. Crews trim around powerlines and roads, and leave the wood in place. All you have to do is pick it up. Throw it in the minivan, and keep looking. You don't get your pick of wood, but you can't beat the price.
I'm helping cleanup my back neighbor's lot as time and my back are good. They don't burn much wood, so between the stuff I do, and the wood their son cut up, I have probably 5 cords at my disposal.
Btw, Poulan Pros don't get much respect, but I like mine as light suburban saw. I wouldn't recommend it for serious use, but mine's paid for itself twice over, cleaning up after storms. I used to use hand tools only, but I'm getting too old and decrepit for that crap anymore.
One of my big piss offs is Scandinavian bow saws/blades are getting hard to find. Everything is Chinese, and I don't buy serious tools from China. I recently broke down and got $5 machete from HarborFreight. I should know better, but... The handle looked like it was getting loose, so I tried tightening it up. It was screwed on. After destroying one of the screws with a single twist(???) I realized it was a plastic fake screw. I turned it over, and it had real screws in the other side. I gave them all a little twist, and got back to work. After a couple whacks, the handle fell apart in my hand. They somehow decided plastic mounts were a good material for an impact tool :^S I need to get a real machete. I'd like a Woodman's Pal, but with a longer blade. I used to have one, but it got stolen. I'll probably get a Barteaux and Sons. They're well made. I used to have one, but the blade broke. I ground a new handle, and wrapped it in rope. That's ok, but a little short now.
OP, if you haven't already, check your local pawn shops for a deal on a good chainsaw.
For small/handy occasional cutting of sub-12" wood, I would have recommended a Tanaka 32cc Top Handle model.Noticed we have been spending WAY too much money on Firewood last year. Between our fire pit at home and Camping we blew at least $500 last year alone.
Since we enjoy fires and have them quite frequently I figured it would be a good time to invest into a chainsaw.
I have a minivan.
I'm not going to fill it up completely anyways (still need room for wheel barrel/saw etc.) I'm not worrying about that and I'm not talking about truckloads of wood, just enough for occasional (once a week fire).
I will be out and about when storms come.
Might even help out some neighbors if needed.
For small/handy occasional cutting of sub-12" wood, I would have recommended a Tanaka 32cc Top Handle model.
Getting used 2 stroke is out of question for me. Sorry, way too many people neglect/abuse their equipment.
Actually I just got done reading Echo instructions and it says to empty out the tank after each use. I'm going to do that, especially since it might be good 3-5 weeks between usage.
It probably is good practice to empty the fuel tank between usage. I've had my echo saws since 1995 (both 2 cycle) and never emptied the fuel ever. I've had them sit at times over a year maybe longer.. they always start 2-3 pulls (I just press the primer bulb 2-3 times pull the choke knob out and start it up) I do use synthetic 2 cycle oil though.
For the serious firewood burner; the biggest mistake is buying a chainsaw that is too large (1st saw I bought was an echo with 20in bar then i bought another with a 16in bar) When cutting wood all day you really appreciate the less fatigue using lighter weight saw. Whatever saw you get get a couple extra chains for it when your chain gets dull just swap it out with a sharp one so you can keep going. Then whenever you are finished you can sharpen them yourself or take them to get sharpened
And I've had it about two trouble free years and have cut probably 10 cords of oak trees in total with it.
I have the ms 290 farm boss.
To not even consider a stihl is a huge mistake.
Make sure whatever gas you use has no ethanol in it, or you use some star-tron fuel treatment if you absolutely must use gas with ethanol.
I leave gas in my lawnmower, 4 stroke weed eater, and my chainsaw treated with star tron and never had an issue. Always non-ethanol gas though.
I keep 20 gallons or so of non-ethanol gas on hand at all times for my snowmobiles and ATV's, so its not a big deal for me.
As for oil, I use the same oil I use in my wifes two-joke snowmobile, but it is overpriced for just chainsaw use (redline synthetic two-joke oil). I always have a ton of it because I ride a 4 stroke sled and never break out the inferior tech sled.
CT is small, we are talking 5-10 maybe 20 mile distance between already invaded territory and none invaded.
Just a matter of time before it happens naturally.....
PLEASE don't do it. I probably live half way between you two and we have been invaded by those boring insects. The state has had to clearcut at least two sections of state forest within two miles of my home because of those beetles.
It's really not worth it to f*ck up the woods to save yourself $100 on fuel-especially considering the wear and tear on your minivan, not to mention the gas cost. The DNR in CT runs lotteries for cutting in state forests and as mentioned before there is plenty of tree trimming going along the streets. I got three-four cords last fall within a mile of my house from the tree trimmer drops.