Top handle chainsaw, what is the best option for the money...???

George Valentine

Hi everyone,

I was communicating with our friend Curtis (25inch361) about his offer to send any chainsaw from the USA to Australia at the USD$ which is nearly half of what we pay here.

I was inquiring is regards to a top handle chainsaw to replace the very unreliable Chinese one I've got, you can read my comments here.

There is one thing that puzzles me and that is, a few months ago I was searching the net about this type saw and I come across an US site where they were showing a new top handle saw from Husqvarna, that was more economical than the 2 models already in the market. When I asked to my local Husky dealer if they were getting these, he told me that, was a special meeting to be held in a few days time to discuss this exact issue, there is, the meeting was going to decide if this new model was going to be introduced in Australia or not, a week later I got a call from this dealer letting me know that, the decision was made of not introducing this saw in Australia...! I have no idea why...!

Reading many reviews about the husky top handle saws, most complain about their starting problems, while the reviews about the Stihl top handle saws, they mention the problems with the oil pump, I believe in both models...!

I would like to replace the one I have with something in the 12" bar group (is enough for me) but and while I understand that those making a living out of this type work and use these saws, all day, everyday, all year around, will need the durability together with the reliability of the machine while up in the trees but, I only use it occasionally, 1 or 2 times a month, and only for a couple of hours at the time so, I wonder if going for the top models of these saws is really necessary, unless the others models aren't worth having.

In between the starting problems and oil pump problems, I don't know what I like the least but, one of the thing that I would have big problems with, would be to used the little energy I have left in the beginning of the job, just to try starting the damn saw...!

So, in the end I've got 2 questions, one is, can anyone give some info of that Husky new model that some countries have available...???

The second question and the most important at the moment is, are the T435 and the MS 192 TC-E, models that can do the job but not costing the money of its bigger brothers or the less money they cost is not worth the trouble...? and, what would be be best option out of those 2...???

Considering that, if I have any of these saws sent from the USA, the shipping costs would be all very identical for all these models at about $120 to $140 or so, this is a cost that is not going to change, making the selection of the right saw, even more crucial, huh...???

So, what are the experts opinions...???

PS: If this same issue has been discussed before, and I missed the thread, someone can point me out to it, please...???

Cheers
George

KevinE

Hi George, I'm no expert by any means but I do use top handled saws day in, day out. Mostly to prune trees & shrubs. I also take down a few trees here & there, but have no experience whatsoever at carving.

To answer your Q about top handled Huskies; just stop & have a look next time you drive past a tree crew. You wont see any top handled huskies getting used here in Adelaide, that's for sure! The only guy I know that had them was Dave the tree man & the last time we spoke, he told me he'd never own another top handled Husky again. The forum moderator has expressed similar feelings about Husky top handled saws elsewhere on this site too. I'll let you draw your own conclusions from that.

The Stihl MS200T is in a class of it's own as a top handled saw! No "if's" no "but's" no "maybe's" It is however very expensive here even if you can still find one.

As for the new 201T; everyone I've spoken to thinks it's durability is not as good as the 200T.

Next would be the Echo 350TES; a very gutsy, reliable unit, but at about 60% of the cost of the 200T

Then there is a whole lot of daylight, then there are other brand name top handled saws.

Then there is the Chinese crap!

Drouin Tree Service

Stihl 200 forget ALL of the others.

I even got a husky"california special" 45cc sent out,I had it on ebay within 2 weeks it was that gutless.

__________________

Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

Eric Frei

Sadly the best saw ever, the Stihl 200T has been replaced by the 201T ... a fraction more power for 0.2kg more weight.

That sucks.

Everyone knows if you pull the screen from a 200T is really motors on, so to carry more weight for the same power is a folly, something Stihl have been progressing down.

Search for an buy a 200T, if you can get one new you are a very lucky man, and to the Stihl manf reading this, you know what mistakes you made, like the 441 replacing the 440 ... shame on you, and now the 200T to the 201T, shame on you.

__________________

George Valentine

OK so, the general opinion is that Stihl is a better top hand saw than the Husky's, you also mention the 200T Vs the 201T so, where does the Ms-192TC-E fits in, for a considerable price difference to the T200(1)...???

I'm not going to use this saw for carving, but will be use for the exact same purpose the full time pros use it for, just a lot less often...!

Cheers
George

Rob Chace

buy something cheap if you dont use it as much as us, if you find your self using it more/can warrant spending more then upgrade later down the track. I dont see why you would spend the extra 700 on something that for your purpose will not be needed?

George Valentine

Rob,

There is a lot of truth in what you are saying, even tough, I normally regret the decision resultant from such "way of seeing things...!" However, I'm asking for opinions and each one is most appreciated, for sure...

You mention that "I dont see why you would spend the extra 700", my question is the 700 in relation to which one...???

Today I also also reminded of the Japanese well made and well known, TANAKA, I was suggested the model TSC 330 LB for $525 with 5 years waranty. Never had a Tanaka machine myself but I know they have been around for a long time and i was guaranteed that they are made in Japan not like some of the 2 other most known brands where some machines are now coming from China, at the same high dollar value as before, scary stuff...!

Cheers
George

Rob Chace

one of my business has and still has (4yrs old) a whipper snipper made by tanaka. runs perfectly still after 4 years contract work use (ie: hard use) i personally find it under powered compared to a (shindaiwa) T270 or (stihl) FS130 both of which are my "go to" whipps.
But we are talking about saws, never had a tanaka, so could be different.
Stihl is my favourite saw brand. Even though i have others (echo, shindaiwa, husqvarna, ozito lol.)
For top handle saws the shindaiwa is good but nothing is as good as the stihl 200T, but and this is the big BUT.... the shinni was $419, a 200T is $1500 retail. so if you can get a stihl dealer to sell it to you for 1200 (the new 201T is 1250) then you need to find a "coparable" saw and really a $500 top handle SHOULD cut the mustard for what you are doing. Hell ive used cheap $135 bunnings ozitos when i was at a mates place, useful for someone who does not put the hours on a saw that we do.


not trying to take anything away from you, but can you justify the money if you wont be ringing its neck off like some of us FT tree guys?

just my opinion.

Tony Knight

I have a Tanaka motorised drill, have had it for 12 odd years with only a carby rebuild. It has done a power of work fencing with large auger bits and has more torque than the newer Echo I have (roughly equivalent CC). Can't vouch for a saw as I have never seen one in the flesh.

I agree Robstar, if your not flogging them all day then cheaper (reputable) alternatives are the go. As I mentioned in another post a few months ago I imported a 338XPT, as I am getting into climbing and its not my job this $450.00 AUD landed saw is a good option. I use my felling saws most days, whilst not all day evey day I can warrant having Pro Stihls and a selection of bars to do it right, safe, comfortably and economically.

Cheers


Tony

olyman

buy a efco top handle,,the old 234 i have,,is a hard core cutter..this is the old olympic brand..wayyy less money than the other brands...

George Valentine

Well guys, I fired up today my new top handle chainsaw and before I make everyone pretty damn jealous (particularly those in Australia), lets just say that I found someone prepare to sell me a brand new Stihl MS200T never fired, with a 12" bar (my choice, against the 14" the saw had from factory), with one only condition, the Serial number would be removed for inability of the source been identified back to US dealership, for a total price landed at my door for AU$650.00...!

I got it yesterday but, only today I manage to put some oil and fuel on it and kick start the "bitch"
No problems with any change in carby adjustments whatsoever, "throttle open" 2 pulls, throttle straight to "on" position 1 pull and she was running...!

Did run it for about 15 minutes with a couple of 6" hardwood cuts in between, stop/started it 5 times and put it down, ready for some action, soon...!

The whole thing shows, how much profit the Australian Stihl Dealers are making on these saws, the closest Stihl shop to me, has the same machine priced at AU$1,549.00 .

I may be upsetting some here that is a Stihl Dealer in Australia, and if so, with all my due respect, I wonder how much more will take for you people to stop being so damn greedy...!

The Australian dollar, is double the value to the USD dollar and has been for a long time, Australian prices have not been reduce since the Aussie dollar was selling at 50cts USD so, what is the "valid" excuse you can give me/us...???

If all those machines that are coming directly from the US to the tree working people in Australia, would have their serial numbers remove even before the machines would be fired up, would be no way the Australian dealers could accuse anyone in particular for the export of the saw from the US, after all, why in a heck would you want/need the serial number if you can't have warranty on these saws and as far as I'm concern, getting then from the States, is a damn good deal and well worth it...!

So, I have done my bit to show appreciation for those in the States that are willing to send these saws in, so have a go yourself, sooner or later Stihl bosses in Australia, with either play fare with all of us or they just aren't going to sell much..!

The Australian eBay is offering also imported Stihl saws at amazing prices, have a look, you may find great savings in there...!

For the Australian Stihl Dealership people, shame on you...!

Cheers
George

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OrangeRidge

This morning I've received a quote from a Californian
friend to send me a MS460(20"). Product is USD1110 ( out the door )
then there's USD140 for the power head freight , and maybe USD25
for the bar ( if the increased box size on the powerhead box blows out ).
SO , all up ( inc PayPal ) as of 102c rate ............. Aus1307 to my PO Box.
NO twin spikes/catcher , dual muff , 24cc/min oiler or 24 month warranty.
So far , closest Aussie price is Aus$1600 out the door ( 23% more ) with
warranty and differences.

OrangeRidge

Now if you want to see real gouging ( and Stihl pi$$ me off as much
as they do you Mate ) check Echo ; Tophandle in US is USD299 plus ,
whilst here it's Aus640 plus ...now that's rich !

George Valentine

Ouch mate, I reckon you can do a lot better than that, if you try someone else in that neck of the woods (USA).

Obviously, and that is only normal, even the guys prepare to send the saws from the USA, have different profit margins. Some still want to make a good buck, others prefer to make a little less and sell more and will be some that are prepared to get them and send them here for little or no profit at all...!

While I appreciate a good price, I don't particularly like to know that someone is doing something for me for nothing, and while are ways to pay back, I have for a principal that, you always expect to pay something, regardless...!

Any Aussie that have been involved with the trees work Industry here and now residing in the USA, being as annoyed with what is going on here in Australia, when it comes to the rip-off prices some businesses practice, particularly with saws and climbing gear as I and many other are, I would not hesitate for a second to supply anyone that would ask here in Australia for anything that I could send for a much fairer price from the USA, including the additional shipping costs that being all a bit of a waste, still allows items to get here for 25% to 50% less and taking not that much longer to arrive than average items within Australia...!

As much as I dislike waiting for parcels, and would like to help the Aussie businesses by keeping the dollars within, the truth is, 99% of the items used in this Industry are made elsewhere. While the USA makes some, the majority are made in Europe so, a great part of the items sales, are not staying here, anyway so, is only a matter of paying for the "middle-man"/dealer that is prepared to give you the best price, and this is a lot easier to find from the USA business...!

OK so, we are helping the USA economy and the businesses out there that have been in big troubles for some time, I don't mind that BUT that is not explaining and or resolving the true fact that and in this case ( there would be lots more examples...!) any product involved with tree working and Arborists in Australia, have a price tag that is far too high, "forcing" us to look elsewhere...! who's fault is that...???

Cheers
George