Chainsaw suggestions

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DS1911

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Looking mainly at the echo cs 590 Timberwolf and the stihl Ms 271 farm boss.
Grew up on stihl but reading very good things on this echo.
Have to clear some lanes on hunting property this year and then like most people, it will sit until needed.
I don’t want to invest in a cheaper home owner, but do not want a top of the line pro saw. Just something built well that will last a long time.

Anyone have exp. With these 2?
 
I've bought Stihl for 38 yrs. Saws, blowers, weedeaters. Never a single problem.
My brother has gone through dozens of Echo, Homelite, Robyn, Husqi, etc.
If you don't use it often - No matter what brand, store it dry.
When you're done using, empty the tank and run it dry. It'll last for years!
 
Either one is good, but for limited use I'd consider a cordless chain saw in whatever brand of cordless tools that you use. I've personally run the Dewalt and Makita and both are great saws. If I were to buy one today it would probably be the Milwaukee, but that's because I have a significant amount of cordless Milwaukee tools.

Cordless saws don't require gas and oil mix, not will you have to worry about carb problems over time and ethanol fuel.

If you're stuck on a gas saw, both your listed choices are good ones. I'd lean towards Stihl, but that's because they have a great support network.
 
Scsmith42 said:
Either one is good, but for limited use I'd consider a cordless chain saw in whatever brand of cordless tools that you use. I've personally run the Dewalt and Makita and both are great saws. If I were to buy one today it would probably be the Milwaukee, but that's because I have a significant amount of cordless Milwaukee tools.

Cordless saws don't require gas and oil mix, not will you have to worry about carb problems over time and ethanol fuel.

If you're stuck on a gas saw, both your listed choices are good ones. I'd lean towards Stihl, but that's because they have a great support network.
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This if just for occasional use. We have a 16" cordless 20v Dewalt. Haven't cranked the Stihl in a year. They're more powerful than you think they'd be. Battery life is the limiting factor but Chinese batteries off Amazon do OK for a lot less $.
 
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The 271 is a pretty beefy saw if all you're doing is trimming. It's nice, I have one, but if I was going to have to hold it up for long I would choose a lighter one.

Honestly saws work like a lot of other things, just choose a brand and treat it right and you'll probably be fine. Use the expensive ethanol-free gas and good bar lube, drain the gas before it sits for long and it's probably going to be fine no matter what brand it is.
 
I have the CS 590 with a 20" bar. More saw than I'll likely ever need. I only ever used non-ethanol fuel, either mix or pre-mix canned fuel. There is a quirk in starting them I have found. Essentially, no more than 2 or 3 pulls with the choke on. Then hold throttle in wide open position with choke off and pull.
 
You are comparing prices between the Echo & Stihl. That's ok, but apples to apples comparison will be the Stihl MS311. At that price, you can buy a Stihl pro saw like the MS261 vs the MS311 that is in the "farm" saw class.

Overall, between your choices within that budget, I would vote for the Echo CS-590 since it has a magnesium case vs plastic on the Stihl MS271. More cc and power and will run a 24" bar.
If this is your only saw, I would probably go with the smaller frame and lighter MS271 with a 20" bar.

If budget allows a couple more Benjamin's, Stihl pro series all the way.
 
BrettB said:
at that price level the ECHO is the better saw. Metal case , more powerful 59cc engine - uses full size 3/8” chain
Stihl - plastic crankcase, 50cc engine and slightly smaller .325 chain
Click to expand...
This man knows his stuffs
 
49erRider said:
WHat size bar are you wanting to run?
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16” would be fine for most, but probably go with a 18”
My budget option is going to be the echo 590. When the time to buy comes, if I decide to spend more, it’ll be echo 620 or huskie 590 mark 2
 
I've been very happy with my Milwaukee 16" battery saw. It helps that I have milwaukee batteries for work. If you're just felling the trees to clear lanes, the saw shouldn't be a problem. If you've got a bunch to fell and buck in one day, the batteries will hold you back.
 
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