Chainsaw Replacement: Should I Upgrade?
Man, with school out, there has been so much going on around here. The kids are home full time, so that hinders me doing a lot out in the yard, but we’ve been having a lot of fun hanging out, playing, and hitting up the pool, museums, and zoo so far! However, I have still been able to do yard work, just not as much. Today, I have someone outside cutting down trees for me! First time since we’ve moved I paid someone to cut down some of the 100+ trees I’ve cut down so far. Granted, most are under 6” diameter, but there have been a fair amount of 6”+ trees for sure. When I found out the guy that hauls stuff off charges the same whether they cut the trees or I do, I scheduled him and went and bought flagging tape to mark trees. That leads to today’s topic. When equipment breaks should you replace it with same quality, better quality or lesser quality equipment? I’m talking about my chainsaw, but it applies to anything. My BIL used to tell me he was raised to be “frugal” and even though he knows if he buys the “cheap” version, he’ll have to buy 2-3 of them when they break each time, he still buys the cheap version instead of a pricier quality version. I was struggling with this yesterday when my 25 yr+ old chainsaw died. RIP chainsaw.
Is Bigger Better?
I currently have a 16” chainsaw meaning it can cut 16” deep into a tree. My first question was, do I need 18” or 20” chainsaw? They could be nice having the extra bar/chain to slice thru trees, but is it overkill? I’m 80% of the way done cutting down trees, and haven’t had a problem with the chainsaw I have now. The bonus of the 18” and 20” is a bigger engine and better cutting power. So while mine may have been fine the newer bigger saw wouldn’t get bogged down when dealing with the few big trees I’ve felled and still need to cut down.
With Bigger comes more weight. Do I really want to lug around 12-14 lbs of chainsaw all day? I know my arms get tired after 6-8 hrs of cutting trees, limbs, and hauling and stacking stuff, so how would it be with and extra 2-4 lbs added to it? Maybe just replace with same size is the better option.
I Could Buy Cheaper
I also was bummed when it died (the fuel tank cracked at the corner and isn’t replaceable) because I knew it would be $200-$400 to replace. UNLESS!! I went with a “lesser” brand like Blue Max or Remington or Ryobi, then I could replace it with a bigger bar, engine, and similar weight for $150! So what if I end up buying another one in a year or 2, I should be done with cutting trees by then and would just need it for maintenance, storm cleanup, etc… The big key is how cranky do those things get after a while? I hate finicky yard equipment and it sucks starting the day with a tired arm because it took 60+ pulls to get something started. Ugh, no thanks, I’d pay double for something to start quickly and run well.
The big kicker is that those “lesser” brands have 4 star reviews with over 700 reviews! That swayed me a bit to getting one of those and going the cheap route. Again, I didn’t trust that they wouldn’t be finicky by mid-summer or fall when I get back into the yard more. The biggest complaints were them breaking due to using lesser quality materials, but man, the people that love them, really love them! It’s a lot to think about especially for me who could stand in an aisle for 20 minutes not moving staring at chainsaws debating chainsaw length of life, finicky-ness, reliability, replacement cost, usage, replacement costs for chain, bar, etc… (all more the bigger it is) and more just to make sure I get the best thing for me.
What About Replace with Same
I could also just replace it with the same thing I had been using. It worked well, the engine is big enough, and everything else has been big enough, so why debate it, just get another one. They’re $260 and I already have a replacement blade, sharpener, etc… with files for a 16” and this blade. I wouldn’t have to mess with that. I’m familiar with it, and except for some finicky-ness starting, #asexpected, it worked fine. Actually, it was a bitch to work with. I’m debating why I’d want to replace it with the same thing and not a different brand? Mainly because I think a 20+ yr old Honda doesn’t compare to a 2019 Honda, and am expecting if I got a 2019 chainsaw, it would perform like that, for better or worse. I think replace with same is my best bet financially and for peace of mind.
Should I Upgrade?
What if I upgraded to a better brand, like Stihl where you know you’re getting a reliable workhorse. Those start at $350 and then go up from there… Yipes! I don’t know if that’s overkill for my situation or not. I love my Stihl brushcutter, starts by the 2nd pull each time, and I’ve used it a LOT. Is it worth it for $400? Normally, I’d say hell yeah!! Go big or go home!! Wait, I don’t say that. Anymore… I would like something that reliable and strong, but do I need a Lexus, if a Jetta would do the trick? JMoney, you don’t get to answer. Yeah a Lexus is nice, but is it overkill for my situation? Probably not, but after getting hit with $13k of door and window replacements, $2500 for more brush hauloff and a $5k IRS bill from some stocks not loading into TurboTax correctly 2 years ago… Seriously, it loaded every other stock sold on that same day from that same account, but not that one?! WTF, Turbotax, WTF?! Rant over…
It’s nice to think about and I’d probably not have to buy another one, ever, but I just can’t get myself to pay for that chainsaw right now.
Applicability to Life?
I find myself in this same situation with all sorts of things. I ask myself should I upgrade, stay the same, or cheap out and just get something to work right now? It’s a tough question because it depends on what is getting replaced. Like with our windows, the guy said, ~10% of your home worth is what you should use as a rule of thumb for replacing windows in your house. Spend more and you’re overbuying, spend way less and you know it’ll be cheap and may not be what you want, but in that range of 10% is close to where you want to be.
If only everything had a good rule of thumb for buying. I look at what I’m replacing and go from there. If it’s my phone for instance, I cap it at $300. That limits my decision, and if it’s over $300, I’ll pay out of pocket from my allowance, so I ask myself, is it worth $100, $200, $400? An extra $100 sure if it’s a significant upgrade, but $400, no way… Haven’t found that phone yet.
You have to do the same and ask what is good for you. Is it worth it to upgrade, what about just replacing with the same? Do you need to upgrade? Did you overbuy last time? I try not to overbuy but can get stuck in the trap sometimes.
I find that asking these questions helps when debating replacing something that has died.
Summary
I ended up just replacing with the same for $281 out the door. Although the chain snapped 3 branches in and sliced my leather glove, seriously, it was razor sharp, I’m so bummed… I’m so far happy with it. It made sense for me as I already have an extra chain or 2 that I just swapped out and kept going, I have a file for the blade, and a sharpener, so I don’t have to get anything new for it. That reminds me. I need to finish up the 3 trees I was working on last night.
What about you? Do you have difficulty with these debates when replacing things that break on your end? Am I just overanalyzing things when I buy stuff?
Angela @ Tread Lightly Retire Early
June 26, 2019How big is your property that you have so many trees?? Also, my husband went through this last year and did end up upgrading after fighting to repair his old one too many times. He’s very happy with his new one.
Mr SSC
June 30, 2019It’s 2 acres, BUT… The people that owned it before us (original builders) never cleared anything except the 10′ around the house. So when we got it, it was an overgrown, thorn vine, grape vine, trees fighting for sunlight and crowding out other trees. It was unhealthy. I get letting nature be nature, and not saying it needs us to make a forest healthy but I have a stand of cedars so thick that there are dead ones in the middle. I haven;t even gotten to the south side of our property yet, although thats a “thinner” strip of property. Most of the trees cut were under 6″ around and either oak of some sort, post oak, blackjack oak, etc… or cedar. I cut a couple of mulberry trees that grew and splayed out to cover any gaps of sun that were getting between other trees, and yeah, then about 15-20 10″+ diameter trees, which are the latest rounds of ones to go.
I still have plenty to cut for clearing the last half acre or so of land, but yeah. It’s been a workout and way more work than I’d anticipated, to be honest. At least I like that kind of work right? 🙂
kilt
June 26, 2019For tools I buy Ryobi, as they all use the same battery system, so I get a lot of flexibility. I’m also not doing professional grade work, so I don’t need professional grade tools. All my tools are still working well for me after many years use, so I think I’m choosing appropriately. OK, except for the pole saw – it died after I tried to cut way above its usage level, but that’s what happens when you change your usage plan.
Mr SSC
June 30, 2019Ryobi has been good for me in the sense of drills and smaller hand tools. Their chainsaw would be in the similar category of the Echo that died. Maybe cost a little less than the replacement, but I wasn’t too sure how it would hold up with a 6-8 hr day of use. Ultimately, I returned the Echo mid-morning and bought a Stihl. Yep, it was $100 more but omg, it cuts like butter and starts easy and so far, I’m a big fan. It doesn’t bog down either which is awesome!
FIRE Up The Couch
June 27, 2019Analysis paralysis. Happens to me ALL the time. I get frustrated and stressed by trying to always make the “best” decision. There are so many factors to consider based on what purchase you are evaluating. In the end I think it’s usually not worth all the mental energy and anguish unless it’s a very large purchase. But knowing that doesn’t stop me and my ultra-optimizer brain from over-analyzing anyway!
Good luck with the trees and a summer with the kiddos!
Mr SSC
June 30, 2019Yeah, I get stuck in that mode a lot, lol. I have learned to catch myself and when I’m analyzing price per lb i the grocery and realize I spent 2 minutes debating saving 4 cents… I make a decision and move on. 🙂
With the kiddos home, the “everything” is kinda on hold. I can’t chainsaw unless another adult is around and while I can do some woodworking, it isn’t until night when I just want to veg or go to bed. oh well… what do you do? I learned that the summer is the least busy time for me to be active doing anything with the yard, house (outside), woodworking, etc… So we’re focusing on family fun and having at it, and I’ll pick all this other stuff up in the fall when I get 8 hrs a day back. sort of… 🙂
bob r
June 28, 2019I just finished Adam Savage’s book “Every Tool’s a Hammer” in which he shares his advice about any new (to him) tool purchase: if he’s decided to try a new tool out, he buys the cheapest-but-adaquete one he can (Harbor Freight, I’m looking at you) and uses it until it breaks. Then he decides if he need a better tool, what new features would matter to how he uses it, what value it has to him, etc.
In my case, I “inherited” a HF chainsaw from my dad a couple months before a tree fell in our backyard. I then used the tool to cut it up, and it broke down when I was nearly done. I realized that (a) I didn’t need another chainsaw until another tree fell (it has limited utility to me) and (b) I’ll buy the very best electric saw I can find at that time. I didn’t even know about electric/battery saws until last year, when the owner of one swore he got more than enough power from it, then swapped out the battery and recharged the old one.
In your case, if you’re going into business with it, then upgrade, but if you are on the downward slope of yard clearing, I’d get no more than what I had before. Unless it was ‘lectric, cuz that is cool…
BTW, the book title is NOT a play on “If your only tool’s a hammer, all your problems look like nails.” Rather, it was the realization that each tool has more purposes than it was designed for; they can all be used as hammers, for example. Interesting way to see beyond the designed intent.
Mr SSC
June 30, 2019I’ll have to check that out, thanks for the info and mini-review. 🙂 I inherited this chansaw from my FIL about 11 yrs ago. Funnily enough, I was thinking after I got the Echo replacement, Wait… why did I get an echo, I like that last saw, but I’ve monkeyed with it constantly when I’d use it. (Which I attributed to being 20+ yrs old) Sure enough, by 10am the next morning, I was done with it and returned it. The chain had snapped the night before after 3-4 cuts and the blade sliced thru my leather glove, (no fingers just glove) hooray, safety equipment. I ended up getting a Stihl, 18″ bar, and about 1/2 hp more power. Man, what a difference! No bogging down, not that the Echo did unless it was buried full bar into a tree, but the Stihl cuts like butter, stays running, starts easily. I’m stoked and wish I’d had it for the whole time I’ve been working this property.
I’m on the downward slope but still have some large trees to fell, lot of small trees left, and then the limbing, stacking etc… I’m excited to see how this does when it gets to be fall and I can start back into being in the yard most days again. I’m most excited about being able to have something that works as it should, and isn’t “okay, set this to here, smack that, tap the top twice, and then it will fire right up” lol. I’m curious to see what a difference the bigger bar and hp make when i fell my next 2 trees. One is a 15″ diameter cedar and the other is closer to 20″ that I’ll have to top due to house proximity. There’s plenty more to do and another season of clearing and cutting since it’s basically just me.
JayP
December 16, 2019Just reading through some of your articles. Great job on this site. I like the mix of day to day combined with loftier life topics. I’m sure you have made this decision but thought I’d throw in my opinion on gas powered tools. I bought an MS250 18″ 3 years ago from Stihl and I can’t believe how good its been and how long its lasted. I have 11 wooded acres with trees falling everywhere! You have to get Stihl from a dealer but its worth it – they are there to support you. An 18″ seems to cut some rather large trees. I probably have 80 hours on it! Thats a lot of chainsawing.