How to test drive a chainsaw

[bradleyheathhays]

I'm looking at getting a used chainsaw and since I want a 20" bar I'm considering this guy's Husqvarna 450. He sells a good deal of this stuff on marketplace. The pictures of it don't look bad, and I've heard nothing but good things about H chainsaws. So when I go to pick this thing up how do I go about putting it through it's paces? I got a crappy Poulan chainsaw a couple years back and got jipped. It started and cut ok, but it got hot and bogged down with throttle and was useless. I'd rather avoid going through something like that again. Here's what it looks like..

 

[jeff]

I've watched this guy for years and I recalled seeing this video:

I've owned several Husky machines and they have served me well. A brushcutter, backpack blower, and a saw.

Unless it's a super deal, and obviously low use, I don't think I'd buy a used saw. Maybe if I could start it cold and run it hard for a few minutes.

 

[wolf creek knives]

I'm a Stihl man through and through. I own 3, a 36" bar, a 24" bar and a 12" bar which is actually my wife's. I've logged acres on my own land and felled, cut to length and split over 12 cords a year for almost 10 years. This is the first year I've actually had to buy firewood. Not next year. I'll be back up on my home site in the Rockies doing what I love. Huskies have never been my friend, but I do own one with a 30" bar. Still runs great if you can get it started. Just be safe!!!

 

[randyrls]

One flaw in common to all these saws is that to meet EPA standards the manufacturers set the mixture so lean that after starting the saw, and running it for a while, you can't restart the saw! The mixture will be just too lean. I had this problem with my new Husqvarna saw and took it to the local hardware store (they have a rental business and sell a lot of Stihl saws). The man at the repair desk asked me if I could wait a few minutes. Sure; 15 minutes later he gave me my saw back and told me the above information. I asked what the fix was? Two clicks richer on the mixture. Good saw ever since!

PS; a retired forestry agent friend of mine has a saw he calls "Big Bertha" two man saw with a 52" bar! EGAD!

PPS; I do believe in clean water and air,

 

[Woodchipper]

My wife watches the shows in Alaska and other cold climes. Stihl seems to be the choice of the people.
Got a Poulan freebie. Plastic gas and prime lines had deteriorated. Replaced it and it runs fine. Cost about $5.

 

[Muddydogs]

Hold the saw up by the pull cord and if the saw drops to the end of the cord most likely the compression is bad.
Does the saw start easy and idle?
Does the saw sound like it's running full out with no load?
Does the saw bog easy in a cut. This can be hard to tell if the chain is trashed, I judge this by the size of chips or lack there of coming out of the saw
Purchasing a used saw is still a gamble, most the time there is nothing to cut to test the saw under load and you can't spend the time to get the saw nice and warm where restarting issues seem to pop up.

Have you looked at Echo saws? Ya I know it's not a Husky or Stihl but as a long time Sawyer running company saws when it came time to replace my personal 40 year old Homelite I knew for camping firewood and home owner stuff I didn't need to drop the cash on a top of the line saw. I purchased an Echo Timberwolf which has served me well for the last 6 years. I trust it to cut my way off the continental divide in Wyoming during a high wind event one elk hunt and I know the vehicle occupants behind me sure we're grateful for the Echo and the fact I don't go to the woods without a saw in the pickup. I still can't believe no one got killed trying to get off that hill.

 

[bsshog40]

My husky runs ok. The first one I bought, had to take it back cause it wouldn't start. I exchanged it and this one has run ok. If it idles too long, it dies. Then have to restart it using the exact instructions on the saw. It's ok but my neighbors stihl is much more powerful. Lol