Truck/Camp Chainsaw

[Big Sky Guy]

I am not a firewood cutter, so not something I will use much. Was pretty set on getting a light saw to keep in the truck during camping/hunting outings. Really liked the Echo 2511tn, more I read I see top handled saws should only be used by arborists in trees? That drew me to the Echo 2511pn. Both these saws are under 6 lbs, not sure what my current Husqvarna weighs, prly well north of 10, maybe 12 lbs. Lot of folks saying the electric saws now are great too, looking at the Stihl MSA 70cb as that’s on sale with an extra battery and charger. However that weighs a bit more at 6.6 lbs sans and 9.3lbs with battery. Kinda apples to oranges as the Exho weight of 5.7lbs is sans fuel but I think 10 ounces of fuel would still be well under 9lbs? Would like it to be light enough to do some minor trail clearing in some areas/trails I frequent if needed and I’d be carrying it. My dad always ran Stihl gas saws and swore by them but I also remember it being a PITA to start nearly every time I watched him. My Echo weedeater has been flawless when following the starting instructions so expect the same from their saws.

Will these both still leak bar oil? Prly just keep in a tote or case of some sort.

Anyone have any of these?

Top vs. rear handle?

Electric vs. gas? How do the electric saws do in colder temps?

I’m probably also going to grab a Silky saw to keep in truck 24/7.

Curious what other folk have found/used as well if there’s something I’m missing.

 

[Salmonchaser]

The last saw I bought was just over 20 years ago. Still goes to camp every year in addition to cutting 5 or six cords of fire wood a year. Stihl MS 310. Still runs like a champ. Came upon a couple of guys cutting camp wood during my trip to Montana this year. They were doing pretty good with one of the Stihl electrics. I was impressed.

 

[cedahm]

My Husky needed some work before elk season this year and I ran out of time, so I finally went and bought an electric. Got the same one you mentioned (Stihl 70).

I can't believe I didn't make the switch earlier. It's great. Hasn't leaked, runs like a top, cuts great. No fuel sloshing around (or remembering to bring extra fuel). Charged the battery from an Anker power bank with solar panels after we finished putting up camp wood and it was charged in 45 minutes. Can't speak to real cold, as the coldest it got was about 20, and it did fine.

Now - if you have to cut anything more serious than firewood or clearing downed logs, it won't be the best tool, but I imagine the ol' Husky will mostly be a shed queen unless I have to go fell something.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

My Husky needed some work before elk season this year and I ran out of time, so I finally went and bought an electric. Got the same one you mentioned (Stihl 70).

I can't believe I didn't make the switch earlier. It's great. Hasn't leaked, runs like a top, cuts great. No fuel sloshing around (or remembering to bring extra fuel). Charged the battery from an Anker power bank with solar panels after we finished putting up camp wood and it was charged in 45 minutes. Can't speak to real cold, as the coldest it got was about 20, and it did fine.

Now - if you have to cut anything more serious than firewood or clearing downed logs, it won't be the best tool, but I imagine the ol' Husky will mostly be a shed queen unless I have to go fell something.

Did the charge last comparable to a tank or more of fuel? I think with the two batteries a guy would be set. $400 for the Stihl with two batteries and charger vs. $520 for the Echo.

Is it quieter? I always wear ear plugs with small engines, just curious if it's that much quieter that wouldn't need earplugs like a cordless drill is?

 

[cedahm]

Did the charge last comparable to a tank or more of fuel? I think with the two batteries a guy would be set. $400 for the Stihl with two batteries and charger vs. $520 for the Echo.

I would say equivalent to a tank. I had a pretty massive pile of wood when it ran out. It def used less oil. And if you get a 2nd battery for $400, that's a steal. The deal Stihl was running when I got mine in October was just the saw+1 battery+charger for $400.

Is it quieter? I always wear ear plugs with small engines, just curious if it's that much quieter that wouldn't need earplugs like a cordless drill is?

Definitely quieter. Louder than a cordless drill, but much quieter than a gas saw. I never even considered earplugs.

 

[TheTone]

The electrics are super handy around the house but I don’t think I’d want one for my only saw. The instant chain speed can take some getting used to if you’re used to running a gas saw

 

[mtmuley]

I have a Stihl MS 170 I pack around in the truck for a "utility" saw. Discontinued but the MS 171 I think is the replacement. Have an electric also. It stays in the garage. mtmuley

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I have a Stihl MS 170 I pack around in the truck for a "utility" saw. Discontinued but the MS 171 I think is the replacement. Have an electric also. It stays in the garage. mtmuley

What don’t you like about the electric? Is the electric a Stihl also?

 

[mtmuley]

What don’t you like about the electric? Is the electric a Stihl also?

Electric is a Dewalt. Don't trust the batteries in the cold. Don't want to mess with keeping them charged. The Stihl sits in my truck for months on end. The electric saws have their place. mtmuley

 

[Dan O]

I bought a Stihl 310 in 2004. I still use it for cutting avg of 4-6 cords of wood a year for the wood stove. It's been very reliable without any issues. It's heavy and has a 20-inch bar. This spring on a SXS ride we ran into a lot of blowdowns. There was a small saw in the group. It got us through but had a hard time due to its small size. After that I bought a Stihl 250 with a smaller bar with a carrying case. It's smaller and lighter that the 310. Used it along with the 310-cutting firewood this fall. I was impressed with its performance. For the size difference I would buy the 250 again over the electrics or smaller gas models. Couple of guys I ride snowmobiles with have used some electric saws to clear trails. They work ok for small tree's as long as you don't lose a battery like one of the guys did. Also keep snow dust out of the electric motor that also is bad and will ruin it. The guy that lost the battery found that out the hard way. YMMV

 

[Dan-06]

I have the Milwaukee battery operated chain saw , air compressor, and impact wrench in my truck.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I have the Milwaukee battery operated chain saw , air compressor, and impact wrench in my truck.

Hmm, good point, didn’t even think of the redundancy of having multiple tools to use with that M18 battery. Milwaukee got that dialed in, I don’t even know all the things they make.

 

[rjthehunter]

Husqvarna 543xp w/ a 16" bar. That's what lives in the truck. I have a 372xp w/ a 28" bar that also spends a lot of time in the truck to handle big trees.

Battery would be great around the house, but I don't typically have a way to charge batteries when hunting or camping. I can't imagine a battery saw is going to clear a few trees off the road in the event a heavy snow or wind storm rolls through. I like being able to just add gas to my saw and keep cutting!

 

[Scott85]

If it’s just to clear the occasional tree out of a trail I would look into a silky saw. Don’t have to worry about cold starts, dead batteries or bar oil. They can be a little pricy.

 

[MTLabrador]

I have a Stihl 170 and a Husky 460 Racher. The Stihl is the perfect size to keep in the truck. I’ve wished for more saw on an elk hunt in Wyoming, but that was a freak storm and it’s not often you need to cut trail into camp for 6 hours. I now have the rancher for bigger jobs.

 

[SFC B]

i've had an MS 251 for several years now and it has been utterly dependable and a reasonable weight. I'm going to use an electric trimming some woods in Indiana this spring/summer so I'll see how that goes. Nothing but good things to say about my saw though

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Stihl 180 for me. Stays on top of the jeep most of the fall. Makes short work of camp wood and deadfall.

 

[JT88]

IMO Echo saws are the best bang for your buck, at least for the average guy. Stihl is still the best. Back in the old days they were legendary.

The top handle units are more dangerous with kickback but with a little caution they're fantastic for the size

 

[fulldraw]

I have a Stihl Farm Boss and a Stihl MS 170 and never had a problem starting them. The Farm Boss is a bit heavy but is a cutting sob.