Check out the Proyama saw here: amzn.to/3VLquZF Check out more of our tractor videos here: ru-vid.com/group/PLmYnhJtNUq7c2n8UTJASTf9qJQXQ_ngFP To interact with me personally, join the Rockhill farm Facebook group here: facebook.com/groups/1270496403596230/ You are welcome to join our Facebook group where I will be posting the Woodland Mills products facebook.com/groups/892115362490978/?ref=share_group_link Rockhill Farm is a daily equipment and rural living vlog. We mainly focus on tractors and working outdoors. I really appreciate you taking time to watch this video. If you enjoy this type of content Check out some of the following links to support our channel. If you are interested in a rock Hill Farms T-shirt check out our merch store rockhill-farm.creator-spring.com/listing/rockhill-farm-logo Please subscribe to our channel here: ru-vid.com Follow on Facebook at facebook.com/Rock-Hill-Farm-102050688356056/ You can now support the channel by buying us a coffee at the following link: www.buymeacoffee.com/rockhillfarm #farmlife #homestead We participate in affilitate programs including the amazon affiliate program. If you purchase products using our links we may earn a commission
880 with 10 tooth 3/8 drive sprocket.. your 500 could go up a tooth from its std 6 tooth on a 20".. 20yrs chainsaw carving you learn stuff chainsaw.. that wood cotton wood?.. black poplar.. 🇳🇿nz
I was in the tree trimming business, and used small saws for climbing. I started out with Homelites which in those days were pretty good saws, but then when the firewood craze came along in the late 70's, they went down hill fast as they were mass producing them and selling them in every hardware store. I switched to a Stihl pro model with top handle, a real trimming saw, which was a pain to take apart, but there was no question it far surpassed the Homelites in power, weight, and engineering. Now I'm in my 70's, still cutting firewood with this old tree trimming saw, it just won't die. You get what you pay for.
I have an 020 top handle I bought used about 50 years ago, runs great today after countless cords of firewood. Not ideal size for firewood but it still works.
I don't know man, I bought a homelite brush cutter that ran for many years before selling it. I then moved to a farm and knew I needed a chainsaw so I went and got a homelite 16 inch. Still using it now after 6 years and I cut most of our fire wood with it except the really big stuff and never spent a penny on it except for a new bar. I have bought a number of chinese knockoffs that are pretty good for the price, but 2 have failed in that time. Only small things like brake locking, cord broke ect...but not really worth fixing. I'm so impressed with the homelite I have a brand new one sitting there when she finally dies on me. :) EDIT: She starts first time every time unless I've forgotten to empty old fuel for the new season.
I chopped for a friend in the eighties another friend with saw shop convinced me to buy integrated ear muffs and face shield dropped large oak a dead standing hemlock that I couldn't see had a long branch from the oak wrapped around it hemlock came down from behind me gave me a glancing blow on side of helmet almost knocked me out still have scar tissue in neck but would have been dead without helmet in my opinion great video
Most serious cutters buy stihl or Husqvarna saws and take them to the shop for a tune. These saws are used 5 plus hours a day cutting timber. Little different than a home owners use. Cheap saw works great for a while, when it's don't you can't fix it, no parts...
Not true, I have 2 of these saws for 10 years now. Only had to replace 1 chain brake and a pull start, plus the usual consumables. Parts are readily available.
Not true. I always use cheap tools, and keep them working myself. Yeah, original parts are often unobtainable, but I make do. I'm not pro, but I do put a lot of hard hours on my tools. Almost as many hours on the bench as in the field, but it still beats chopping with an axe.
I have a 52 cc Chinese saw from Amazon that I paid $106 delivered to my door. So far, I have cut down seven trees and bulked them into firewood. The largest tree I cut down was 24 inches in diameter. I’ve had to replace the pull start assembly and the four screws that hold it on. That cost $12.00. I replaced the spark plug before I ever started up the saw. The spark plugs that came on my saw can damage the coil. I found that out by researching the saw, before I bought it. If you buy one of the 52 cc Chinese chainsaws like mine, put blue loctite on the four screws that hold the pull starter assembly on the saw. Check all screws and make sure they are tight. If not, the screws will vibrate out. My saw has performed faultlessly since replacing the pull start assembly. My son has purchased three of the cheap 52 cc saws so far. He has several Stihl saws, but they got too expensive to repair. Follow the break-in instructions to the letter. 20 to 1 mix for the first ten hours and 25 to 1 after that. For the casual user, the cheap Chinese saws are okay, if you have at least some mechanical ability. I have a 23 year-old Poulan saw that still runs. I’ve had to replace the fuel lines on it and gone through a couple of bars and multiple chains. I use it to cut stumps below ground. I buy 3 chains for $21 on Amazon. My son cuts trees for firewood. He burns wood to heat his home. The Chinese saws are working for him. I only process about one cord of firewood a year for a fireplace at our cabin. Before buying any cheap chainsaw, do a little research on RU-vid to see what users say about that particular saw. That’s how I learned to replace the original spark plug with a good quality spark plug, before using the saw. My son recently told me the 52 cc saws are now down to $89 on Amazon. One last note: the last two professional tree cutters I hired to take down trees charged $2500 +$2000 =$4500. I gave the last guy a $500 tip, on top of the $2000, because he did a great job. I can buy a lot of $100 saws for that kind of money. So far, the $120 I’ve spent on a cheap saw has saved me around $2000 for 7 trees. I’ll still call the professional for trees I don’t feel comfortable taking down myself.
I have owned an MS250 stihl for years. Cut no telling how much wood with it. We used it around our sawmill bucking logs to length and we now use it in our tree trimming business for larger work in the bucket. Its not a "Pro" level saw but does a great job and is very durable and long lasting. Even got it stuck in a cut up in the bucket, talking with ground and forgot i hadn't unharnessed it from teh bucket before i boomed down. Bent the bar badly but didn't hurt the saw. New bar and it works just fine. If you only need to make a few cuts, or a few trees the china stuff will probably work. Just like Harbor freight tools. But if you know you going to be using it for years to come, Stilh or Husq is probably a better choice even if its homeowner grade. Or go used pro grade.
Thanks for the video. I think you’ll find the cheap saw won’t handle long term abuse. I’ve got both pro saws and cheap saws, the pro product is more consistently reliable. If you cut a bit of firewood buying cheap is probably fine. If you rely on your saw to heat your home or feed your family you’re better off with a pro saw and keep the cheap one around for backup. Imo. Cheers.
If you're right (questionable), then buy 2 of the budget saws... then you have a spare... and will have far longer overall life and uptime/availability than ANY single saw.
@@Morpheen999 Ya, I'm a old chainsaw mechanic who worked for a timber company. We used Husqvarna when I first got there. 288's for the fellers and 268's for loggers / landing guys. Both were good but then the 288's started breaking cases and Husqvarna didn't warrantee them we we went to Jonsered. 270's which were basically same as the 268 Husky. Lots were same part numbers. Fellers used the 2077 Jonsered. Which came out turbo'd. The 2077 ran good but mufflers kept breaking off and other things made it hard for the cutters to get a 6 hour shift in and they hated packing them out of the canyons to get worked on. Then we went Stihl. Mostly 044's for both cutters and loggers. We tried the 046 and the 066 and both were good. Stihl's were lower RPM running saws and the users were used to hearing the Husky rev. Those extra RPM's were bad for the crank shafts. The early 044's we started using fried many of their cranks. Stihl came out with a new heavier duty crank that helped and I did a few things to keep the users from leaning the carbs out and frying the cranks. Once we got saws from over revving they lasted at least twice as long. I was curious a year ago and bought the chine made Stihl clone saw kits and put them together. They run and sound just like the Stihl original saws. What I have no idea about is longevity. I have a 066/660 I put together I haven't put a bar on yet. I ported it too. I am just not anywhere I can use it to test it. Possibly this Summer. The china saws are affordable. Even if you have to buy 3 of those for every 1 stihl original. You can say warrantee makes a difference but Stihl wasn't good about guarantees either. When a crank starts going bad it gets hot and turns the bearing and crank blue. Stihl would say the saw was leaned out and THAT was why it failed. I had set the RPM's with the stihl tool and welded the carb jets together so they were tamper proof and cranks still went bad. Not many but they didn't warrantee them. Put a new crank in and the RPM's were still where I had set them the first time. The problem with the china saws is it's hard to get a full wrap handle bar.
How do you figure thats true? I hear about problems with Stihl and Husqvrna all the time. I have the same experience with my husqvarna. It worked for one firewood season and didnt want to start during the summer 4 months later. Needed a new carb. Im not sold on over priced brands because some brand snob says a product is better. Even my echo is better than my husqvarna. The 62 cc Chinese Neotec knockoff is better than the husky too, I've ran it more than the husky and no issues. no need for a new carb either. Only noticeable difference is vibration and im not concerned about that in the least. If I need a new saw every 6 years I'll be buying abother chinese knockoff. $200 or $700? Brand snobs just love to waste money. @Morpheen999
Carnivore diet. I only eat beef, butter, bacon and eggs. Only drink water and black coffee. Not only is it working, but I enjoy doing it. It also gives you a complete nutrition profile with no need for supplements.
Yes, bought mine in 1996 after getting hit with a tornado at our farm. Absolutely no parts were changed on it including air filter and spark plug until 2022. It listed for $360 at my local hardware store. They had a coupon that the saw shop manager was refusing to honor. I argued with him until 10 minutes before closing and coupon expiration. After I read to him for the twentieth time: 15% off of any one item in the store - he finally relented to a point, and grabbed the display model without a bar cover and mumbled something about a reduced warranty.
I work as an arborist and the company I work for bought a 500i for us about 2 years ago. Bro I feel you so much when you keep coming back to say “I love the 500i” because I really do LOVE that saw. There is no comparison other than the 462c which is also Stihl so there’s that 😂
I always used Husqvarna gas chainsaws when I use to out in the woods and they served me well. Now I buy slabwood instead which is cheap and alot less effort. No beating up my trucks and messing with gas/oil for chainsaws, etc. and splitting. Now with the slabwood, I haul it home from the sawmills in the area, and cut it in 16" lengths here at home. I use a cheaper ELECTRIC chainsaw which works just as good as the gas powered ones. Plenty of power for what I need, no gas to deal with. Keep the chain sharp and oil full and cut away! So simple and easy.
Yup. I use my gas saws all the time but also have a Milwaukee. That thing cuts down and bucks good size oak trees. Some people are against electric saws but I see the value for sure.
I don't buy disposable products with no dealer or parts support and questionable material quality. For those on a budget you simply grab yourself an Echo Timberwolf and call it a day. Top notch quality and reliability, 5 year warranty, easy to obtain parts, available at Home Depot or online. If you're only going to need the saw once or twice just rent a pro saw...I loathe knockoffs/clones and other disposable junk from China. They vibrate badly, they need lots of adjustment, the ignition and switches fail after a year or so, the piston and cylinder quality is mediocre at best. There's no free lunch and you get what you pay for. I have four decades of experience with dozens of saws from around the world.
I like my Husqvarna 562 XPG chainsaw. I cut more than 30 m3 into 10 inch logs with that chainsaw this year. That was for firewood for my neighbors. I don't believe I could do it with any off-brand chainsaw. Don't wasting money for off-brand chainsaw!
At eighty I just bought probably the the last chainsaw I'll buy. I've owned three different brands through sixty plus years of cutting firewood. I should clarify three brands/ I've only had three saws in all the time. Still have the #3 which is a Husqvarna 61 and just add a little Echo cs130 for limbing out. This is the second Echo the first I loaned to a cousin and some how fell a tree on it; was told he'd get it repaired and never saw it again! And that was at least thirty years ago and I was so impressed with that Echo I had to try another one but I don't loan out my saws anymore! And as for how fast they cut doesn't concern me as to years of service! My first saw if i pulled out of storage and tuned it up would still cut wood today at sixty years old and not many can say that about their first saw.
Echo is my choice too.. the whole concept of Stihl is a rip off. I can't argue that the hardware is near perfect, but I have No TIME for arrogant dealers.
In my young 60 years, I've developed this rule; never borrow or loan tools. never. It always goes bad. I NEVER get them back in decent condition, if I get them back at all. If someone wants a tool, they can do what I do; freaking buy one! or they could RENT one from a rental service. If they don't return it, nobody feels bad, they just come and break your legs. No hard feelings.
I grew up using the cheaper saws. If you keep the chains sharp and the bars straight and true they cut great and are a good value. My issues most often began with trying to restart a saw during hot weather. Outdoor temperatures in the 80’s, run a full tank of fuel through the saw, stop and refill- saw won’t start 😮. Since switching to Stihl 25 years ago, I’ve never had this problem again. Something like this scenario should be in your 90 day test protocol. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
I cut for years with a poulan wild thing. That little saw made a lot of firewood. I have some big saws but I still rely on my little saws to cut down on fatigue. I spend a lot of time carving up trees so I can use as much as possible. My wood piles don’t look picture perfect but they still give the same heat. I do spend good money on quality wood stoves. Yep, there is where the money really goes to work.
I have an old 025, it starts and runs great unless you let it run out of fuel. On refill it will not start. Talked to a Stihl dealer and his advice was, “don’t let it run out of gas”.
The big difference is which one will last 20yrs. And if they both last 20yrs which one is less work to make it last that long. I had a husky farm tough that lasted 20yrs without a single issue. Used it every fall to get firewood ready. And it always started. Ive had the stihl farm boss now for 5 yrs. And again every fall and not a single problem. Ive seen friends and others try the cheaper brands ( craftsmen etc) and have way more problems in the first yr or two. And they def dont last as long. Unless youre a professional who cares about which saw cuts faster. In not spending $1000+ to cut a log 10 seconds faster. The husky and the stihl were both around $400. And for the record when the stihl finally dies ill be getting another husky.
Novice Lumberjack just released a video on the exact same chainsaw today. He measured the stoke & bore, and it's no more than 62 cc at the most. Overstating cubic centimeters is typical of all Chinese chainsaws. Despite the deception, its potential of being a good value is still there.
Very much a chainsaw novice, and being only a gardener, I've been using a Husqvarna 455 Rancher. It has proved to be an excellent all round saw! I believe it can take up to a 24inch bar, which is more than enough for me!
Been running a 455 Rancher with the 24" bar for about 10 years now. Got the bigger bar when the stock bar got pinched up in a tree and had to abandon it to the elements (it came down eventually in a slightly different shape). Over the years have downed and bucked six full-grown maples (trunk base diameter exceeding 30"), two 80' black cherries (24" base) and innumerable smaller trees. One-pull starts, no leaks. I sure haven't babied it but I do treat it right, garage stored, cleaned & sharpened regularly. After finding a local outlet for 90 octane Ethanol-free gas have been using that exclusively (with 1:50 2-cycle oil ofc). Think it was something like $400 new when I bought it, they're a little pricier these days. Amazing value for consumer-grade big-box store purchase.
Nice, fair comparison you did there, Brock. Thanks for that! The Proyama looks like it delivers a whole lot of value to a 'regular' homeowner/homesteader that just needs to cut a little firewood or clean up the occasional downed tree or limbs. Price-wise, it seems to be in the same ballpark as a Poulan Pro saw. Longevity will be the real test - but even at $260, you could buy a couple for the price of a single Stihl. Take care and God Bless.
That is really surprising to see a $250 saw perform like that. I'm sure it likely won't have the durability to work day in and day out like the Stihls, but not everyone needs that. Great video!
Most homeowner saws die because of being straight gassed ,a gasket deteriorating because of age or burning it up by pushing on a dull chain. For the average folks durability won't be an issue.
I've owned Husqvarna saws for fifty years. I have five saws. All start on one pull. The Proyama looks interesting. I might buy one just for the heck of it. Thanks for your review. BTW, I subscribed, because I think you are honest and a straight shooter. My kind of folks. 😊 Shalom/gw
The Proyama started on the first three pulls and only one pull when warm. Cut like a demon. If it holds up, it's a winner. Thanks! Shalom/gw PS Always do what you think is right. God and your friends will understand. Don't worry about the rest. Shalom/gw
The next saw you should buy is a Farmertec. They have came a long way. They are Chinese and have some quirks but probably the best in the Chinese chainsaw market
I bought a big boy chinese w/24" bar.. was awesome.. started mostly by pull 3 which is fine. about $300ish. EBAY. Was awesome for 2 years.. then it broke the recoil!.. Took it apart, and got it working again. another few months, a the recoil totally broke. So.. kinda chucked it. Not worth the hassle to get another, although I should of. I went all Echo.. very happy with Echo. Their Big Boy back pack blower is superb.. a full 4" tube that can clean a 25' wide driveway in one pass.
So my opinion is not going to be popular. We mow 150 yards a week. Stihl was all we used. It's pretty discouraging when half of your equipment is in the shop for repairs. Stihl is not the equipment it once was.
Wait you are telling me everyone is outsourcing their manufacturing to China and cutting corners to make more money or just st stay alive because everyone else is so you ha e to to be competitive no I have never heard of such a thing
Looks like the old department store Husqvarnas from back in the day, just styled in a new case. Great saws. Inwas gifted a old Craftsman 46cc. Cuts wood and it was free. Good enough for my yard maintenance! Great Video!
I love chainsaws and have a good variety of brands. Prices have been going up to the point where I'm pretty much priced out of the market, especially considering I pulled 2 Poulans from the dump 2 years ago and been running them hard for my firewood business since. I have Husqvarna, Stihl, Poulan, Homelite and Champion saws and they all earn a place in my woodyard. I don't have any desire to spend money on expensive saws anymore
I have one of these proyama pcs68 saws, I have had it for a year and have cut at least 15 cords of firewood with it, I was able to source a spare carburetor, ignition coil and air filters, The air filters seal good and don’t let dust into the carburetor, the saw gained a noticeable amount of power after about 10 tanks of fuel, I love my husqvarnas but it is nice to have a beater saw that I can leave in my truck and will not freak out if it is damaged or stolen, it also comes with a 18” bar and chain and 24” bar and chain, it has been easy starting and has enough power to run the 24” bar efficiently
On the matter of outboard vs inboard clutches, there are a number of variables involved, but most of it boils down to a couple of things. Inboard clutches are easier get the chain in and off of. Outboard clutches allow for a smaller crankshaft bearings because the pressure from a tensioned chain is applied closer to the bearing. Inboard clutches allow for a more robust chain brake that is built into the power head. Outboard clutches require the brake assembly to be in the clutch cover which tends to have less structural integrity.
@@zaccheus acts as an open heat sink vs buried inside the case, does your bar and chain create heat? what is the chain in contact with besides the bar?
@iffykidmn8170 When a saw is sharp, the heat leaves with the chips. I don't believe the clutch is designed to cool the chain. I've certainly never noticed a temperature difference between inboard and outboard clutches.
@@zaccheus I never said anything about a design feature but perhaps a possible side benefit, does the bar and chain not create a certain amount of heat just piss reving out of the cut. have you ever actually checked the temperature difference between the two with a thermo gun? I have not so will leave it to others who have.
I bought one moth back i am cutting big oak trees for firewood I have ms66o and g466 witch is same as Stihl ms460 have a 52cc china saw 62 cc china say 25 cc top handle china saw rancher 460 rancher 455 them china saws kick but . I have been learning with the Holzfforma brand replace oilier and the handles pull muffler off torch it first to get their paint off it so it doesn't flack into piston put it back with thread lock then it will never let you down. used right these saws work
If it's made in China, i don't want it. I'm not one of those guys that requires all my stuff to be made in USA, but I don't want stuff made in China if I can avoid it.
So you buy a shivy, ford, dodge, and replace 50 % of the parts ..... with what? look at Timken bearings they closed 10 plants the ones left assemble what's made in china ,
Have used sthil for 25 years.....only 1 ms200 saw was a lemon. Older 036 still running...think was an 80's saw...blew up a 361 and replaced with a 460...got a deal on it for 600 bucks. Biggest saw is a 660 with a 36in bar think i bought it in 02 or 04.... Want to try the ms500i but cant afford it now
I grabbed an Echo CS590 probably 5 years ago or so when I needed to take down a tree and do some storm cleanup. I use it maybe once a year and it always fires up easily. I just couldn't bring myself to pay stihl money for their "equivalent" saw with less metal and seemingly lower durability. Interesting to see even cheaper options, hopefully they continue to improve. Having a dealer network/easy access to parts though IMO is a good argument for the echo/husky saws. cheaper than Stihl but still well supported.
Seems like about 60% of professionals run stihl. Pretty much everyone else runs Husqvarna. I would say the guys doing this for a living. Have a reason for doing that.
@@RockhillfarmYT I’d say that’s mostly because Stihl has the biggest dealer network and husqvarna was in the big boxes. Lots of guys near me run echo because there was a really good long time dealer nearby. From what I’ve seen they start more consistently in all weather conditions and run faster for the engine size.
I've got 4 Stihl saws and the only one that is reliable is the oldest one. I finally bought a Husqvarna because I've got a Husky weed trimmer that is very reliable. So far, other than leaking oil when it's sitting upright (I just turn it on the side when I'm done using it) it has worked every time. If I buy another one it will probably be an Echo.
Of my 4 main cutting saws. I paid 85 dollars overhaul, and of those 4 saws one is a cheap but runs strong newer 4214 craftsman that I got practically brand new that some put a 20 inch bar and chain on. Then traded it in to a second hand store. I bought it, ran it with the 20 inch. It handled it fairly well but put a 14 inch bar and chain back on to let it work properly. My other 3 are a homelite 360 (free be i fixed up that the guy didn't want). That saw needs new crank seals or the carburetor bit the big one. My other is a stihl 041 farm boss. (Guy dropped by my former place of work, a repair shop and asked if i wanted it so i took it in. Cleaned the carburetor and put a new pulse line on it, runs great). And my last is my dads old MS290 Farm Boss. Which that is a nice screamer that runs like a champ. And i will say, my favorite brand is stihl. When you can easily pick up a 15+ year old saw of theres. And with a little maintainance, have it become a dependable worker. Then you have a winner.
The 290 is the best homeowner saw ever made, IMO, I recently bought the new 400 mtronic and it a screamer, but the 290 has cut well over 100 cords over the years and runs just as strong as when new. I have run every crap oil in my gas known to man, even engine oil. I fanally had to put a new bar on it last year, Jerry rig the handle and the chain break broke off a couple years back but, only changed the spark plug once. I go through 1 chain a year and cut 10-12 cords a year. My 290 will still be running when I'm dead.
Hi, Based on your review, I ordered a Proyama 68cc chainsaw from Amazon and it came today. I have been cutting firewood for fifty years. I was a Husqvarna dealer for eight and a half years. I serviced all chainsaw brands. except McCulloch (yuch). I run Husqvarnas exclusively. Why? Because I think they are the best. To wit: My original 44 Rancher and 380CD, are running as good as when I bought them in 1977. Don't get me wrong, there are good saws on the market like Stihl and Dolmar (now Makita). But IMHO, Huskies rule and are excellent saws. The form fit and finish of the Proyama is excellent. I hope it runs great and holds up. I'll let you know what I think after I run it for a while. Thanks again for your review. 😊 Shalom/gw
@@davidhodgson5108 ummm..i did..but after 20-30 years..they finally died, and if they were still in bizz today ?, i'd buy them again. Mcculloch invented the chain saw as far as i remember ?, and no one could touch them. too bad they went belly up. and for the record ?..they always started, and never gave me one issue at all !. keep in mind, even stihl and husky saws are made in china, unless you buy a pro version ?. every damn one of them are junk.
@alanshaw4655 I think you've took this the wrong way, I own mcculloch saws and run them most days ,I actually meant who owns mcculloch the company , Husqvarna bought them in 1999 I believe. Sach Dolmar made the first petrol saw by the way.
Thank you for this review and insight, it's helpful for me to hear from others as money is a definite factor in purchasing, however, the right tool is the aim.
Looks like a bark box on your 500i. I run a 661 with an Egan straight shot. Love the sound and the saw can breathe. Your 391 needs one! The Proyama sounds much healthier, its stock muffler is definitely more open.
Great video and very informative. I am new to chainsaws and looking for a larger saw to tackle my projects here in the Pacific Northwest but money is an issue. You’ve helped me immensely! I am very impressed with your Proyama
Don't buy a cheap saw! They work..and they can be fixed inexpensively, but the hassle of having to constantly adjust and fix them in the field, and the time you waste with stupid little things going wrong virtually every time you use them just isn't worth it. I bought an Echo Timberwolf asfter my fiasco with a cheap chinese saw...and I can just take it out use it with no constant hassles. You get what you pay for.
wait until you have to get parts for it ?..lol. huskie sucks ( just returned a brand new saw the very next day )..sthil is nothing like it was moons ago..well..unless you fork out a crap load of money and buy a pro version ?..but how many home owners can afford one of those ?. i caught where at the start of this video, he said he did not order or pay for this saw ?, then later into the video..he CLEARLY SAID..'' i ordered this saw ''..hmm..sooo..which is it ??..lol. i had one of the best brand name saws i have ever used..and it was a mac 3514, paid $ 99.99 , came with a case too !. and it finally gave up the ghost. it is a damn shame they went out of bizz, or i'd buy another one right now !. sthil is junk too..unless you buy a pro saw ?. everything made today is made in china..our nation has sold us out to china...and were too stupid too see it !.
Ya gotta wonder though, will these new Chinese saw last anywhere near as long as a STIHL or Husky or Echo. And are the parts easy to get to repair them
I have a 200T,an 038 magnum 2 and an 066. They all run great and didn’t cost much to acquire or maintain. I’ve spent money on west coast saws mufflers for the 200 and the 066,that’s it😊
I got a Dereal 66cc, 14/20 inch saw for $125 off Amazon. I wasn't expecting much, but it kicks ASS! Paid for itself 20 times over before I had to start replacing fuel lines and gaskets. I guess Walmart sells the same saw if you can't wait to get one. I guess the makers were not super confident with the engine tolerances, and they ask for 25/1 oil mix. Makes for some very foul exhaust, but....$125.....You could probably get by on less oil, but I haven't wanted to risk melting my only chainsaw.
The only thing I've found with the cheaper saws is the vibration. Stihl and Husqvarna seem smoother, the cheaper ones seem to be a tad harder on the hands. Having said that..I don't spend hours chainsawing, just firewood really. It's not bad enough to stop me from using one. We've got a cheap arborist saw which is 9 years old now, on its third chain. A month or so ago for I checked the spark plug, just for shits and giggles just to find it still had the original Chinese plug. It starts 2nd or 3rd pull. Great little saw.
I would like to thank you for what you did at Doss farms. I’ve been watching him since Adler was in diapers. I absolutely am going to enjoy your channel. I know it. I mean, really, what red blooded male doesn’t like watching excavators, chainsaws, skid steers and such doing what they do!
My dad gave me his old McCulloch pro mac 610. It's a few years older than me and wasn't run in decades. Put some fresh gas in it, added some starter fluid and it kicked right over. Added seafoam to the next tank and it's been running great. Its a little heavy but a great saw. Run it out of gas before you store it and it'll probably run forever. Can't beat free. Company folded years ago but still a lot of them out there.
You can get these clone saws for $100 and they typically just work. I got one at that price, I'll probably buy 2-3 more and will probably be able to keep 2 or 3 going throughout my lifetime, the idea is too set up 2 with the 2 main bars i want to use, and shelf extras for parts/to swap out. That doesn't mean I'll only be using these saws, I'll likely pick up nice or interesting saws I might come across for cheap or on the side of the road because I'm into that kind of tinkering.
I have a 20+ Year Old Stihl that's a beast and never been in the shop! How long will the cheap saw last? ( Plus I can get replacement parts if ever needed.)
An Interesting informative initial review. For a non professional occasional tree cutter, this Proyama 24 inch might just be the ticket. Ultimately time and multiable expereinces will tell, subscribed!
Novice Lumberjack released two videos on this same saw today, and it sounds excellent in his video. The muffler is very open & won't require a modification, which is rare today.
Your chainsaw collection is AWESOME and you should be PROUD of it. $5,000 spent on a business/hobby is NOTHING. IMO The high-end saws will: 1) last a lot longer with fewer problems 2) be a joy to use 3) re-sell for half or more of their original cost. The cheap saw will most likely: 1) last about a year 2) not feel as nice to use 3) be worthless for resale right away.
I have a 62cc chinese saw that looks to me like a clone of the German saws my father used back in the '80s by Dolmar. It isn't the level of quality or ruggedness of those old saws but man does it rip for a saw with a 20" bar on it that costs like $120. It handles a full plunge of the bar in oak no problem. The saw it replaced, a Poulan Pro, really had to be babied. I'm so glad I got rid of that thing and bought this one. So much nicer. Power-wise it holds up well to some older Stihl's I've used before.
Redmax....husky bought the strato technology from them. Zenoah is the original company. Both craftsman and Ryobi used to sell chinese copies and no longer to iirc. The Ryobi 37cc saws from 10yrs ago were nasty if cleanned up and ported. I have 4 or 5 of them in various states of portage
They might have sent you a very good unit since they knew you were going to review. It’s better to buy yourself and ask for the money reimbursement. There is no way to know if they gave you a typical one unless you buy another without them knowing
That’s a really dark thought process. Logistically how would they even accomplish that if they wanted to? It’s a Chinese company and they distributors through Amazon. There are thousand of them at facilities across the country. I had it within two days of telling them I wanted it.
You are parroting a statement made by other armchair enthusiasts, cutting firewood you need more than one saw. You have saws for trimming, saws for bucking, saws for large tree felling. You also need chain in rolls and tools to rivet them and also tools to sharpen them. Add it all up and you have a small fortune!
@@biggysground Yes, I am parroting the statement because it applies here. I just said he spent all that money to find out he needs a good saw, not one saw. Buy as many saws/bars/chains as feasible but stay away from plastic crankcases and junk prosumer equipment if you want it to last in heavy use.
@@FarmBossSaws "Buy once, cry once" Applies to buying one time and not choosing different saws, please learn correct English when replying and type what you mean.
Great video! I don't know man... You can save the money for me. I don't think the Shin Bang Fuk brand or whatever china saws will pass down through the years like my Stihls have and will.
@oakiewoodsman Mr Joe, for that price I may need to also I may need to get and try that top handle proyama you got. I've been running this pinkway for a few tanks of gas today and something still seems a little off with it. Not sure yet.
A few thoughts. Starting a saw and using it at full power within 2 seconds will kill your saw. You want that engine to warm up. Also, when doing comparisons like this its great to see options but what can't be done in a few minutes of video is see how well something lasts over time, how much hassle it is to maintain, repair etc. If a cheaper tool causes three times as much downtime, it won't be long before that tool has cost as much as a more expensive/higher quality item. So I appreciate the effort here but think its important we keep the perspective that there is only so much a video like this can show so take that into your decision making process.
From what I have been told the external clutch is easier to service and run cooler than the internal clutch. Husqvarna run and external clutch. I've ran both Sthil and Husqvarna and prefer the Husqvarna over the sthil any day.
If you want a fast saw and save money buy a good pro grade saw and have it ported and the muffler piped. It will cut just as fast as or faster than the 500i.
It’s a good option. I’ve done some comparison videos with ported chainsaws. It makes a huge difference. You also have to find someone and send them your saw and there’s probably a long wait time. From what I’ve been told it’s minimum $500 on a saw like mine. Some of the businesses that do, it won’t even work on a used saw. They will only port a new one. So prograde saw that is big enough to do what you’re saying you’re gonna have to spend at least $1000 on the saw and 500 to have it modified so pretty close to the same price . At that point you have an expensive saw without a warranty
@@RockhillfarmYT there are many people that will port used saws and it's not 500 to have it done. For instance if you look up Dyno Joe Mods here on RU-vid has a web page that shows what he charges ($450) for porting, plus shipping (around $25-$35), and buying a used 70cc saw (just say you buy one for $300) that's a lot lighter then you 500i. You're looking at $800 for a saw that will out cut your 500i and cut like a 90cc saw for way less. Or don't do a port job and just spend around $100-$150 on a muffler mod or a piped muffler and have it run just the same as your 500i. Which you would be spending $400-$450 (half of what you sent on your 500i. Still lighter, same power, and cheaper by half or more.
@@chadrogers4635you are not buying a prograde 70cc saw in our area for these numbers. You are right, some porters will port a well used saw. Some will not n
when someone gets something for free it feels tempted to say good thing about the product and even more if they give you some money out of every sale they made out of your video review, there's a guy who owns a channel called project farm he buy the stuff he review with his own money so that way his opinion its not compromised, at the end he still gets paid not for the brands but for RU-vid views.
Once it sinks in to people that it only costs Stihl about $75 (if that) to make that chainsaw they're charging $1800 for. You'd by a Proyama without batting an eye, just based on principle.
Some observations here. It appears that the 500i has a Bark Box muffler on it so it's not bone stock. The Proyama, although stock, sounds like it's muffler was designed to allow more exhaust relief like the Bark Box, which in turn increases horsepower slightly. The 391 with a Bark Box on it, might out perform the PROYAMA... Just saying...
3rd gen. tree guy here. you paid way to much for that 500i just 3 weeks ago i got one for 1200 . 500i and 660 in this day and age are the only stihls worth having. husky 540i, 540 markiii, 550 markii. best saws on the market have and had them all. They just done make things like they used to. still have an stihl o46 from 1991. never one issue.
I was going to purchase this proyama but was unsure ended up buying the craftsman 20in for $150 from MTD. Its working good ive also had the Milwaukee 16in...
We use stihl for that majority of our small equipment... nice to have an on the ball dealership with in a stones throw also ..... thanks pics motor clinic fonthill
@imfree62 so the frame of reference I use in a video like this is not for a professional, but a homeowner. The homeowner probably runs their saw once a month on average, and has never taken a saw to have it serviced or replaced parts on it
Of course you can get a cheaper saw/brand that cuts as fast as the pro saws/expensive brands but will it last as long ? Stihl in my experience are extremly durable when basic maintenance is applied.
A buddy bought an Echo 501 (50 cc pro) and it pulled even with my MS261. Good dealer support, less money and 5 yr. Warranty for non-commercial use….worth looking at.
Don't start cutting right after starting any chainsaw that isn't electric. The reason is that the pistons will heat up and expand faster than the cylinder which leads to scoring. Doesn't matter the brand.
That’s what I thought and it’s what I always do. With the 500 I was just talking about throttle response. However, there is someone in the comment section of this video telling us that that’s not true. You can start cutting right away. Says he’s a chainsaw expert.
I run two 42cc Poulan 18" saws, love them and am standardized on them ( I literally own ~ 35 chains (18"-62L I sharpen)...but bought a third 52cc 20", chinese saw for $102. cause the price was so enticing and i just had to know for myself (not what others thought); since I've cut thousands of trees with well-cared w/ these light duty 42cc saws...runnning them as industrial saw...for long hours. The 52cc chinese safety kick-back spring...was dragging right out of box had issues, and could not fix or adjust the dragging. I ran it as-is, dragging hoping it would heal iitself and wear-in. But the spring got so hot it melted it's plastic keepers and finally broke loose after two runs...I had to remove the safety spring guts altogether and have been running the saw w/o safety kickback chain-lock for three years now. Do I want to do that?...No.... but chainsaw is decent enough and cuts well...starts super easy. (i like that), a bit noisy, ear-plugs a must...I just think of it a pre-1970's chainsaw without the safety-bar-chain stop feature. I just have to be careful..no overhead cutting. From what i saw, I must have bought the early-first generation chinese saw...because what i saw that spring was dragging on the clutch housing....even after reset. Everyone must have had issues on those early ones. Difficult to remove and modify spring steel bends and clips reas after the fact....safety bar feature was definitely an after-thought that wasn't tested out....smoking metal to metal- red hot- when in cutting mode....dragging engine down too. safety-brake was 35% engaged out-of-the-box.
A guy who tears apart chainsaws and works on them says most of the clone saws are actually less CC that published. like that one you have might be a 62cc and most of those saws Apparently are exaggerated for increased sales. Actually the same saw you bought is the one he torn down to find out the CC was 62 or less
