For"just trimming around the house",have you considered an electric chain saw. They are easy to start and never get straight gas poured in them to destroy them,also never get varnish formed in the carb/gas tank.
Another option is get a sawzall. They make so many different blades for them you can cut almost anything w/ them.
The two gas ones you mention will do eveything you describe. If you don't feel comfortable w/ 2 cycle engines,then I'd go the electric route.
HTH &JMHO,
Mike

I've thought about an electric, but I do want to be portable and have the ability to go places where there isn't power. Also, have you ever tried to clear downed trees when the power is out with an electric?

The Echo is definitely the better saw of the two, the Husqvarna 142 is a re badged Poulan. While a decent saw for the price, it might not be the best choice over the long term. Echo is very good as long as a servicing dealer is available, H-D does not sell parts or service.

You should look at a Stihl ms170 or ms180, there good saws for the money.

I didn't want to sound like I was preaching, but since someone else mentioned it first, I'd do the Stihl thing also. If you think your jobs may grow some later, the MS250 is a good allrounder and has a friendly price (when you figure how long it will be with you). Not sure if it's worth it or if the smaller ones have it, but the MS250 has an easy start option. Got to warn you though, it gets addicting having something that works consistantly. I just bought a Stihl brushcutter that makes the job fun.

Good Luck

I have a Stihl 170 and its a very nice cleanup saw, very light and easy to use perfect for light duty work. You won't be tempted to do any serious tree work with this saw.

I have a Husky 141 that has served me well and always started easy. The 142 is just a newer model of it. I've started getting into more serious cutting this year and bought a Husky 350. Nice homeowner model for the heavier tasks. Not sure where the remark that the 142 is a rebadged poulon comes from? I'm partial to Husqvarna, but Stihl is one of the top names in saws also. I suggest you get a little more saw than you think you need.
Kevin
Heres my 350.

{{gwi:298688}}

Your 350 is built by Husqvarna in Sweden and is a good home owner saw. It has disappeared from the current catalogue, looks like it is being replaced by a new 450 strato charged saw to meet emission rules but is rated at 1/2 hp less.
The 142 is built by Poulan/Weedeater which Husqvarna owns in the U.S.

I didn't want to sound like I was preaching, but since someone else mentioned it first, I'd do the Stihl thing also. If you think your jobs may grow some later, the MS250 is a good allrounder and has a friendly price (when you figure how long it will be with you). Not sure if it's worth it or if the smaller ones have it, but the MS250 has an easy start option. Got to warn you though, it gets addicting having something that works consistantly. I just bought a Stihl brushcutter that makes the job fun.

Good Luck

I don't have any experience with the Echo or Husky. Echo generally makes good small saws. I would guess the Husky would be also, but since they say it is a rebadged Poulan, I'd stay away from it and move up to the mentioned 350.

I have had a 170. I really liked that saw. It was nice and lightweight and it cut well. Since then I have moved onto bigger saws. However, I still like that 170 I had. It was a good saw for its purpose. I have read many preferring the 180 over the 170.

If you are not going to be doing much chainsaw work, these should fit the bill. If you decide you like it you can get something bigger and keep your small one for the lighter tasks.

Don't forget to get PPE (personal protective equipment) with that saw. Helmet, hearing, eyes, shoes, chaps and gloves.

I was surprised to learn that the Husky 142 is made by Poulan, as it doesn't look anything like the Poulans and seems to have a lot more in common with the larger huskys.

I didn't like the look of the Poulans that I saw, they didn't look that sturdy. But this Husky looked much better made.

If Poulan is owned by Husqvarna and does their manufacturing here for the 100 series, does that mean that all the saws they make are inferior? or can they make a decent Husqvarna saw?

Hi Canguy.
I think the Husky model #'s that start with 1 are made in the USA, #3 or above made in Sweden. Sound right?
Anyway, the low end Huskys definetly seem to be made to a better standard than the Poulans. JMHO. I've done some serious cutting that wasn't meant for the 141, but it got the job done. The 350 just made life a lot easier. LOL

Kevin

I bought the 141 in 2003 and it has been a great saw and takes a lot of abuse. This saw has gone throuh many tank loads in a day and keeps on going.

I have many friends that have used my saw and bought either the 141 or 142 and none of us have had a lick of problems with it.

This is a great limbing saw and if you have some serious trees I also recommend a bigger saw too as you will learn that some day you will get your main saw stuck and will need a second one to get it out.

Do not forget to clean it out after every use and change the spark plug, air filter and fuel fitler every year. Empty it out and run it dry if you will not use it for more than 30 days. Buy the protection gear even for the 'I am gonna just use it a few times a year'.

Good luck on your decision.

"This is a great limbing saw and if you have some serious trees I also recommend a bigger saw too as you will learn that some day you will get your main saw stuck and will need a second one to get it out."

I already used the 141 to bail out the 350 a couple times this year. It is nice to have that second saw. A little more trouble but you could also get an extra bar and chain to to the same.

Kevin

Electrolux Owns Poulan and Husqvarna. The Husky 1xx saws are made by Poulan, here in the U.S. All other Huskys/Jonsereds are made in Sweden.

andreshine 77 - just an FYI, Electrolux spun off the Husqvarna Group in 2006. All the outdoor products that used to be owned by Electrolux are now part of Husqvarna and is a separate company.

I would choose the echo. I have several echo products and for me they start easy all the time. You should also look at stihl to compare. I use synthetic oil mix in all my 2 cycle engines. There is little to no smoke with the engine running. dave

I hope McCulloch comes back.Made and assembled in the U.S.A.

Until these two are met,you're on your own.In my opinion.

lonewolf

Thank you all for the valuable input.

I did look at the Stihl 170 and like it a lot. Even more, I like the fact that it's made in the US and I have a local dealer who can service it if need be. Much better than a big box store. And it is very price competitive.

So I'll probably get the Stihl.

"I have a local dealer who can service it if need be. Much better than a big box store." That is the most important thing. The best brand in the world is useless without service.

I'd stay away from a MS170, I have one and it's really gutless and made cheap it's only 30cc. At least try out a few different ones befor you buy. The small Echo's have way more quality than the homeowner Stihl and Husky's. Steve

well, I got about 4 now and have had most models made. Yes some are build and engineered alot better than others for people that have to use them every day. For use that have owned and used chain saws for years any new saw will do light work if you know how to maintain the chain and clean it up AFTER every use.

With that said I found a 14" green polan on sale for 59. bucks. Too cheap to pass up. This saw has done everything I have ask it to do from trimming limbs, cutting down small trees, and cutting out cedar stumps which IMO will tear up a saw quickly if you don't keep it out of the dirt and the chain sharp.

Knowing how to sharpen the teeth, keep proper tension on the chain, and keeping the bar grooves and oil feeder holes clean it the key to any chain saw cutting ability.

Even the most expensive saws will not cut it the chain is dull IMO this is why you need to hit the teeth three or four swipes after every use. I would not recommend 18" polans and there knockoffs. I have found that the bars are too thin and will bend easily causing the saw to not cut or cut crooked.

I got a brand new Hus 345 that's never been out of the box, it's 4 years old. I haven't had a need yet to break it out. All I do anymore is maintain about 45 trees on 1.5 ac. I've cut down about 20 so far which includes the stumps beings I'm in soft sandy soil.

That Husky must be getting lonely and feeling unappreciated. It is a good general purpose consumer saw.