Not having any luck with purchase of a new 395xp.
Ordered in May, delivery dates keep being pushed.
Latest heard was late September at best.
New off grib cabin build requiring some on site milling as to remote for the WM.
Any body hearing any different on pending delivery dates on back orders?
Don't pay any attention to the dates cause they bounce all over the place as you've already seen. I've got 2 orders in the system for 395's; one going back to January. There are some limited imports arriving to start filling backorders, so I'm hoping that order will ship. The key point there is that orderes are filled by dates; first in first out. And my Jan order gives you an idea of how far back they have to go once product starts arriving. So, if your saw was ordered in May, there are 4 months worth of orders that have to get shipped first.
All depends on how many saws arrive vs the amount on backorder. Could have 500 saws hitting the warehouse, but there might be 800 on iorder.
There are shortages of just about every thing .Would you believe a shortage of paint .I buy most of my paint through Sherwin-Williams .They tell me because a resin plant in Texas froze up because the Texans ran out of electrical power some how that is the cause of it .Who would have known that ?They just can't get the paint to be able to sell it . I get a discount and from what I see the prices have not so far escalated like they normally do-----yet
I was looking at ms661 few weeks ago they were back order everywhere for a month or more. Oddly enough I walked in the store to make my order and they had a 500i sitting right on the shelf that they just got in literally earlier that day. I looked at it and walked out the door with it because I didn't wanna wait on the back order. Even though I wanted the ms661 instead I'm really happy with my purchase.
Not just saws. I "bought" two platform ladders on a Black Friday sale, and I'm still waiting on them. Checked on them last week, and "still in process".
The new mower I ordered in April was supposed to get here "the end of June", but I'm still waiting on that too.
I know where theres new 395s on the shelf but sit down when you get the price. PM me if you really want.
Mike; are you talking way above MSRP, as in gouging?
I suppose that anytime there's a shortage of something, there are low lifes who will try and do stuff like that. My advice to anyone is to be patient and wait for some of these orders to be filled.
In a nut shell it was just a series of events that caused these shortages of nearly everything .Odd thing is during the darkest days of the recent pandemic while you could not find toilet paper to wipe your butt they never ran out of beer .
When finally they had enough TP people bought it by the shopping cart full but no food .If you didn't have any food what good would that do ? ???
No no not at all.. Best folks around. Brick and mortar retail and i try to buy anything i can from them before the big box.
I havent looked at the price in a while but at last glance the shelf had a few big new huskys. Theres almost always a new 372 and 395. Im guessing $1100 plus 10% tax plus ship on the 395.
That's actually a decent price. Those things have gone up over the years. The orders I have in the system were before the April 30th price increase, but I'm not even sure what they are supposed to be now.
I got mine lightly used with a 36" B&C for $600 at least ten years ago and have never had to fix a thing on it. Woe to the pillhead who puts his fingers on my baby.
I got my 395 about a year and half ago for $1486 cad I think it was. Came with a 28" Husky bar and chain. After break in I have used it exclusively for milling. Coming up on 100 hours and it has been everything I could ask for from a saw.
For now the 372xp is pulling her way through the cants while we wait for the 395.
The tin we ordered for the new barn roof has been on BO for a while as well.
Definitely no shortage of suds or hard stuff around here...although we have gone through our share in the recent heat waves.
When sitting back looking at the sun set over the pile, stickered, the heat and hours put in don't seem like work at all!
Quote from: Al_Smith on July 11, 2021, 06:44:04 AM
There are shortages of just about every thing .Would you believe a shortage of paint .I buy most of my paint through Sherwin-Williams .They tell me because a resin plant in Texas froze up because the Texans ran out of electrical power some how that is the cause of it .Who would have known that ?They just can't get the paint to be able to sell it . I get a discount and from what I see the prices have not so far escalated like they normally do-----yet
The guy at the lumber yard blamed that same ice storm on OSB and plywood being so high because the resin factory froze up.
I guess everything with a high price or lack of supply is being blamed on that one ice storm.
Which is interesting since manufacturers have typically been pretty good about keeping procurement specialists employed and having warehouses full of needed materials, futures contracts to control input material costs, backup suppliers etc etc.
Im sure there have been some real disruptions but im also pretty confident there has been a lot of Bullcrap.
My bobcat dealer still only has maybe 5 saws in stock where it should be closer to 50 saws . I put a new set of super flotation tires on my new 740s but had to wait quite a long time to get them . As soon as I got them the bobcat dealer wanted my older tires and rims cause they couldn't get any . They offered me pretty good money for them but I told them I wanted about 25% less for them and would be happy on that lower price . SOLD. We're still not seeing alot of saws or machines up here . Lots of stores have zero machines to sell
I was in our local shop that sells both Husky and Stihl on Monday. The Stihl side of the store had 3 homeowner saws on the wall, no gas blowers or trimmers. The Husky wall was about the same on saws but did have gas trimmers and hedge clippers. Luckily all I needed was a new front tire for my ZTR which they had. Must be tough to try and run a business with no merchandise. Frustrating for us but I imagine its really painful to be on their side of the counter.
As long as I don't have any problem getting chain then I'll be fine, but I don't go through enough to matter much. Besides that, I tend to order my chain 2 at-a-time. That way, I'll always have time to wait. But you just need to remember, I'm not doing this for a living and I'm only doing it because I LIKE IT!!!!! 😍
Doing it for a living or not, it's still smart to think ahead like that. And too few people are doing that. Many people have a built in barrier to spending money before they need to. Others like to stock up on stuff; save money, save extra trips.
@stavebuyer (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=15189) ; from my side of the counter the saw wall looks great, but the floor looks like a banquet hall or handball court. Always stock heavy on saws. :) No Exmarks until next year. Not that big a deal to me as our numbers are up from a good start to the year as we blew everything out. And to be honest retirement isn't that far away cause I'm not going to be one of those guys who goes right from that counter into the coffin. :)
The REAL problem is that every single person in the industry I talk to says it's gonna get worse before it gets better, and we've got at least another year of this. We're a small shop and would have no problem surviving. But a lot of these big and multi store operations really have a monster to feed, and it will be difficult for many of those larger operations to go another year with little to no product to sell.
Tomorrow we are going to start filling the one side of the show room with the Ariens sno thros. Always a comical reaction from the "I hate winter" crowd.
Snowblowers ??? Nobody is even thinking about them with our temperatures! They will start showing up late September once the last of the mowers are gone and nobody is buying those at the moment. Our lawns look like wheat stubble.
Quote from: sawguy21 on July 14, 2021, 12:01:16 PM
Snowblowers ??? Nobody is even thinking about them with our temperatures! They will start showing up late September once the last of the mowers are gone and nobody is buying those at the moment. Our lawns look like wheat stubble.
I'm waiting the imminent heat wave we have here for every august, usually doesn't drop below 70(even at night) for 2 weeks or so, render yourself useless in that. I don't know how people work in the south. I would say my ancestry probably originates where there aren't many sunny days lol person of the fog
a stihl dealer in the big city is asking $63.95 for a 20 inch stihl chain cause few places has chain , thats pretty well double list price
I would contact Stihl Canada, there is no excuse for gouging. Having said that, there are other dealers and other brands but if someone is so blinded by brand loyalty it becomes their problem.
Welp those big huskys sold. I think largest left on shelf was 60some CC for around $700. I barely glanced so dont quote me on that part.
Fed Ex showing up today with some 562's. Was only out of stock for a week on those, so no big deal there.
Far as thise snow thros go, they are the only things we have to roll in there, so that's why they are coming out early. But the message is also "this is all we got and all we're gonna get, so grab 'em while they're here." Same for the back pack leaf blowers.
Most of our suppliers, (Husky, Exmark, Red Max, and Ariens), have done a good job of shipping our pre-season or stock orders. Some of it was late, but we got just about everything. It's when you try and go back for more that it all falls apart.
the high price does keep people from buying more than they need to an extent. thinking ammo and toilet paper this past year. :)
Quote from: doc henderson on July 15, 2021, 06:32:39 AM
the high price does keep people from buying more than they need to an extent. thinking ammo and toilet paper this past year. :)
Don't forget gasoline in grocery bags.
Quote from: HemlockKing on July 15, 2021, 06:39:26 AM
Quote from: doc henderson on July 15, 2021, 06:32:39 AM
the high price does keep people from buying more than they need to an extent. thinking ammo and toilet paper this past year. :)
Don't forget gasoline in grocery bags.
Sort of like a Murphy's law if there is something dumb to do people will do it.
Quote from: HemlockKing on July 14, 2021, 02:42:21 PMI don't know how people work in the south
?????? the coldest we get here year around is 73!! from 73-97, that's our range, and i work every day, except sundays, that's reserved for booze, :D
Id love to watch someone trying to get that gas out of the bag and into their tank.
Getting it out of the bag is pretty easy. Into the tank a bit more challenging.
I don't think I'll be joining the bag o' gas revolution.
Quote from: mike_belben on July 15, 2021, 09:51:35 AM
Id love to watch someone trying to get that gas out of the bag and into their tank.
From a distance. :)
Quote from: mike_belben on July 15, 2021, 09:51:35 AM
Id love to watch someone trying to get that gas out of the bag and into their tank.
I’m not one of these people mike, but I could do that no problem! Jab a hole in the bottom(ideally a corner to easily fit into filler)grab around hole Stuff the bag into the fill hole while holding handles up right lol lol
Pretty sure it will get itself out in short order.
Haven't been in a saw shop this year about a year ago I did have to do some calling around to find a MS 261. Oil and air filters for equipment and cars and trucks has been short around here. I did just buy and new Kubota MX-6000 tractor with a FEL a couple weeks ago. I though I had one bought at a dealer 60 miles from me. Some how it got sold by another salesman. I had bought it from the manager of the store. In a week or so he called I found another one, wanted three grand more. I said forget it. Next day I spent the morning on the phone calling dealers in a three state area and heard a lot of we have no tractors and tractors on order and much higher prices. Then I found a dealer with one in a crate and was ready to deal I bought it two thousand cheaper than the original deal was. Just had to spend half of a day in the truck to go get it. Very happy with the new tractor. I posted the one it replaced with some equipment and it was sold in two hours and the guy picked it up the next morning and I though I had it priced on the upper end of what it was worth. I guess good used clean equipment sells well.
Im lucky if a walmart bag holds groceries in!
:D
I guess there was a 5 gallon bucket and rubbermaid tote shortage back then too. Desperate times.
They don't make plastic bags like they use to lol could fill a old sobeys bag up full of bricks and it would hold. Good boot liner for when wet.
... oh yeah saw shortages!
local dealer here in western nova scotia has only received 5 stihl 261 since christmas (i got one sitting in my basement next to my saw consumables stock). he hopes to get more of the 50plus he has on order but not holding his breath. only saws on his shelf are 170 and 250
Quote from: ehp on July 14, 2021, 07:36:53 PM
a stihl dealer in the big city is asking $63.95 for a 20 inch stihl chain cause few places has chain , thats pretty well double list price
While IMO Stihl sells the best chain on the market but they aren't the only company that sells chains .Just saying---
I'm still pretty good , I bought lots of chain, bars, files and saws when this all started but I can tell its going to be alot rougher for me once I do need to buy stuff
I had been waiting for dealer to get his 395xp summer stock since feb. By the time we got to late april, i changed my mind and went ahead and special ordered a 3120, it came first week of July. Dealer is still waiting for the 395s and was surprised the 3120 came in before the 395s.
Quote from: forcemac on July 18, 2021, 02:27:05 PM
I had been waiting for dealer to get his 395xp summer stock since feb. By the time we got to late april, i changed my mind and went ahead and special ordered a 3120, it came first week of July. Dealer is still waiting for the 395s and was surprised the 3120 came in before the 395s.
I wouldn't have been surprised at all. A 3120 doesn't seem to have nearly as many positive attributes as the 395 has. Typically a non adjustable high-speed jet being 1, lower RPM also, heavier too. And for what price difference...I ask that last one because I don't know.
Quote from: Tacotodd on July 18, 2021, 10:33:44 PM
Quote from: forcemac on July 18, 2021, 02:27:05 PM
I had been waiting for dealer to get his 395xp summer stock since feb. By the time we got to late april, i changed my mind and went ahead and special ordered a 3120, it came first week of July. Dealer is still waiting for the 395s and was surprised the 3120 came in before the 395s.
I wouldn't have been surprised at all. A 3120 doesn't seem to have nearly as many positive attributes as the 395 has. Typically a non adjustable high-speed jet being 1, lower RPM also, heavier too. And for what price difference...I ask that last one because I don't know.
When I bought my 395 I also priced a 3120 and it was $500-$600 cad more then the 395 if I remember right .
Quote from: Greenhighlander on July 19, 2021, 05:11:55 AMI wouldn’t have been surprised at all. A 3120 doesn’t seem to have nearly as many positive attributes as the 395 has. Typically a non adjustable high-speed jet being 1, lower RPM also, heavier too. And for what price difference…I ask that last one because I don’t know.
When I bought my 395 I also priced a 3120 and it was $500-$600 cad more then the 395 if I remember right .
Jump on the 3120 for permanent milling! Saw model has been around forever, you can mod the carb to have both HIGH & LOW speed jets as it should be. You can also get a 'unlimited coil' from places like Bailey's. Seems to be a fair number of 3120's around that haven't been thrashed yet. Somebody's eyes/ego were bigger than their muscles......
With HIGH & LOW speed jets and the unlimited coil, you'll have a force of nature for milling.
Kevin
A point of reference...from my saw shop. They had on the shelf:
1 Husky 3120
1 Husky 372
1 Husky 572
2 Stihl 500i
1 Stihl 461
1 Stihl 661 non mtronic.
3 Stihl 261
2 Stihl 201
Lots of others, but those are the only ones I really notice. Things seem to be back to mostly normal.
Local box store had some Husqvarna saws on display, I was surprised they had one with the word professional on it, it was a 545 Mark II (not sure where that falls in the husky pecking order). I also noticed that it had a tag on it that said "38cc $349.99" maybe I should have bought it but I mentioned to the store employee that it was probably the wrong tag so she looked it up :o it was suppose to be 50cc and $799.99....... well I hope I don't get punished for my good deed.
Quote from: Hilltop366 on July 20, 2021, 01:26:27 PM
Local box store had some Husqvarna saws on display, I was surprised they had one with the word professional on it, it was a 545 Mark II (not sure where that falls in the husky pecking order). I also noticed that it had a tag on it that said "38cc $349.99" maybe I should have bought it but I mentioned to the store employee that it was probably the wrong tag so she looked it up :o it was suppose to be 50cc and $799.99....... well I hope I don't get punished for my good deed.
The 38cc would have been the 120 mark ll I believe, I have this one, good little saw lol Yarmouth Canadian tire?
Brilliant deduction Hemlock. ;D
Unfortunately, I didn't save the link because I don't own a 3120, but on AS there was a thread about modifying the 3120 Walbro carb to take an adjustable HIGH needle jet.
There was a guy doing it for a decent price. But as these things go, another member took one of his modified carbs and posted pics of how he thought the carb was modified....without permission of the guy doing it. There was the usual drama and a firestorm erupted on his ethics for doing that.
I sorta take the side of the guy doing the mod......why show all the detail of his work if he's not charging that much? Kind of like giving away the farm as they say.
The guy doing the mod never complained, but his friends sure did. I can't find the thread now....but it's still up I suspect. I probably shouldn't link to it anyway, since it's another saw forum....even if I had it. But I could pass on the name of the guy doing it.
Kevin
Quote from: Real1shepherd on July 21, 2021, 12:25:15 PM
Unfortunately, I didn't save the link because I don't own a 3120, but on AS there was a thread about modifying the 3120 Walbro carb to take an adjustable HIGH needle jet.
There was a guy doing it for a decent price. But as these things go, another member took one of his modified carbs and posted pics of how he thought the carb was modified....without permission of the guy doing it. There was the usual drama and a firestorm erupted on his ethics for doing that.
I sorta take the side of the guy doing the mod......why show all the detail of his work if he's not charging that much? Kind of like giving away the farm as they say.
The guy doing the mod never complained, but his friends sure did. I can't find the thread now....but it's still up I suspect. I probably shouldn't link to it anyway, since it's another saw forum....even if I had it. But I could pass on the name of the guy doing it.
Kevin
Kevin, you have made a good etiquette choice. 👍
Randy(mastermind) for those of you that know him....he does this mod and the unlimited coil for the 3120. He's so busy though, I suspect you'd have to wait forever.
Also, Husky used a couple of flywheels in the 3120 iteration. Depending on which you have, it may not be plug and play with just an unlimited coil and the Walbro carb mod. Really need to talk to someone knowledgeable who knows their 3120 lore. I do not....just always fancied owning one.
And then there was a thread I found about using a 272 coil that would just require a minimum of fitment issues and give you 'unlimited' status.
Kevin
have done tons of 3120's , the 272 coil works the best but you need to time the flywheel , If you got a older 3120 that had the black coil you got to move the flywheel alot , if its the green coil the flywheel is fairly close to the proper timimg . But remember the 3120 has a very weak con rod so any high rpms and rod will break, that is why most use the stihl 084 rod when building a race 3120 , very strong rod
buddy went looking for the stihl light weight bar and found none , I know heavy stihl oil is hard to find as well but I got lots , alot of stihl dealers have the MS 461 on their shelves but nothing else so I guess this is one way of getting rid of the old 461 they had sitting around , couple dealers are saying no more new saws till 2022 , I see the GMC dealer thou had gotten I think 5 pickups in but I'm sure those are sold
Took delivery of the 395xp yesterday!
Time to break her in and get to some long put off remote milling.
Quote from: Outofbounds on August 20, 2021, 03:34:43 PM
Took delivery of the 395xp yesterday!
Time to break her in and get to some long put off remote milling.
Out of curiosity is your 395 made in Brazil?
Local dealer here has one in stock, says made in Brazil on the sin# tag.
I sold my 2008 395xp I bought new a while ago , it was made in Sweden.
Great milling saw.
Keep checking for loose screws.
Hey Willard! 395's are all made in Brazil. Been that way for 2-3 years now.
395's were slated to go away when the 585/592 chassis arrives, but they will be sticking around another year or so as an additional model to help meet demand.
I've had a dozen of them on backorder a LONG time, as in since January 21st! Glad that outofbounds got his; and hoping I'll see some soon myself. :)
Quote from: Outofbounds on August 20, 2021, 03:34:43 PM
Took delivery of the 395xp yesterday!
Time to break her in and get to some long put off remote milling.
Congrats on the new saw !!!
My 395 was made in Sao Carlos Brazil in 2019. Have only had one cover bolt come loose so far.
Quote from: ehp on July 21, 2021, 09:07:34 PM
have done tons of 3120's , the 272 coil works the best but you need to time the flywheel ,
A side note on that. FWIW a 272 coil is a perfect replacement for a P100 Partner coil that OEM are almost impossible to find .I would not be surprised if that coil could be adapted to other brands and models plus after market is inexpensive .I personally don't know the success rate on modifications but from the view point of a restorer some times you have to think outside of the box and some times you just plain get lucky . ;D
Quote from: Spike60 on August 21, 2021, 06:48:44 AM
Hey Willard! 395's are all made in Brazil. Been that way for 2-3 years now.
395's were slated to go away when the 585/592 chassis arrives, but they will be sticking around another year or so as an additional model to help meet demand.
I've had a dozen of them on backorder a LONG time, as in since January 21st! Glad that outofbounds got his; and hoping I'll see some soon myself. :)
Thanks Bob, that's what I figured but wasn't sure.
For milling the 395 carb mount screws were coming loose so I Loctited them, but then I was milling in very cold temperatures which may account for the problem.
Say, have you heard if Husqvarna is still manufacturing the 272XP in Brazil?
Sure would be nice to get a new one of those, even though they still may be detuned compared to the Swedish models.
Easy enough to soup them up a little.
Yes to the 272XP still being made in Brazil. Along with the 61, the original 372, and even the 288. Maybe the 346; and a few others. Would sure like to be able to order from that warehouse! LOL
395's spit hardware. Just the nature of the beast with them. You really have to check all the bolts and snug them up regularly. Almost NONE of my customers ever do that though. Even after several trips to the shop for hardware problems. Too busy they say.
Quote from: Spike60 on August 23, 2021, 07:39:45 AM
Yes to the 272XP still being made in Brazil. Along with the 61, the original 372, and even the 288. Maybe the 346; and a few others. Would sure like to be able to order from that warehouse! LOL
If you git da order thing figured out, count me in for a 272 and a couple 288's. ;D
Doesn't seem like an insurmountable problem for someone that isn't in the business. Have some sent up as "parts".
Quote from: chet on August 23, 2021, 08:53:03 AM
Quote from: Spike60 on August 23, 2021, 07:39:45 AM
Yes to the 272XP still being made in Brazil. Along with the 61, the original 372, and even the 288. Maybe the 346; and a few others. Would sure like to be able to order from that warehouse! LOL
If you git da order thing figured out, count me in for a 272 and a couple 288's. ;D
Oh, I tried. :)
Sent messages to about 15 dealers down there through the dealer locater. They are the same for every country, other than the language thing. Never got a reply from any of them.
That's a bummer! Because you KNOW that MANY of them would run out your door like hotcakes, but I see how you are in your pinch, because I've been there (kinda).
DanG EPA. :D I once had a call for a couple of Stihl 070AV's. You want a WHAT? I haven't seen one for thirty years! It turns out they were being made for the southeast Asian market, it was cheaper for this guy to buy in Canada and take them back as carry on than through his dealer. Our rep said he saw pallets of them being unloaded in Thailand after the tsunami.
word on the street up here is things are not good and things are going to get alot worse with finding saws , bar oil, 2 stroke oil , chain , files , Even Shell oil but out a report that find whatever 15w40 motor oil you can cause its going to be real hard to get
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/43722/0907211431.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1631043098)
Thats good to see Mike. My store looks just like that, except it's all orange. :) 592's may even ship sooner than expected. One thing Husky and stihl both have going for them is that they make the majority of the saw parts themselves and depend less on outside vendors. And it's looking as if things are moving across the Atlantic better than across the Pacific. Stuff from Japan seems harder and harder to get. Red Max and Echo are hurting. Tried ordering some coils for a big block Kawi in a 72" Exmatk, and Kawi is out of them. Gal I know has a Subaru that has been down for a month waiting on parts.
The seasonal nature of this business doesn't apply to saws that much. Saws sell all year round. The rest of it kind of shuts on and off. As the grass season ends, the pressure on thay part of the industry will ease up. Next thing to kick in is blowers; first leaf, then snow. We think/hope we have enough, but we doubt we'll be able to get any more of them.
Spike here that many saws would be 5 or more dealers as most only have 3 or so saws in stock, most have the 661 and the 461 which are not selling up here and the odd dealer have a 500i , now finding bars is a total different problem . The good bars are hard to find and even heavy chain oil is tough
i talked to the owner about 20 minutes, saws were never too bad, backorders to about a month on most saws. pro saws have been easier for him than the battery homeowner stuff where hes got 14 on backorder now and none likely to ship any time soon after months of wait. he said parts has been zero, terrible. showed me a full handwritten page of backordered part numbers on one tally sheet, many since march. so it turns out the great container shortage was timed just right for covid, and this lack of sea cans caused the european manufacturers to stop putting parts in and maximize the volume of new product going out.
it was pretty out of the blue that the chinese superliners bringing cans over here suddenly changed their program and instead of waiting for cans to reload, left the US ports with empty cans which also caused issues with container pricing for log exporters. several here have said that the demand for export logs is huge but the buyers cant buy at any price because they dont have cans to ship and the logs will just pop open on their packing lots in the sun while waiting for cans.
the other piece that this fellow offered was that his sources at manufacturing plants have been held up on fasteners that come out of china. so screws and containers. two more pieces china has contributed to the economic mess that no one can really prove much about. on the battery saw side, i think we all know what part of the world the battery materials are coming from. meanwhile, i will bet the supply availability of HUZTL parts and clone saws has never been better. just a guess.
its probably a coincidence that we are in the 100 year anniversary window of the 1921-1923 "new economic policy" period.
Ed, the bar situation is bad here also. Hasn't fully reared it's head yet. I have a lot of bars in stock that I can't order more of. No problem on saw chain so far. In both cases I've been loading up and stocking more than normal. Probably won't be able to maintain every option, but want to at least have something to fit a guys saw. Taking the same approach with mower blades and belts. We'll keep ya going. :)
Not seeing any problems with oil availability, but prices are going through the roof. I'd suggest all of you guys ought to do a little stocking up of your own before they hit your local shelves. I got a tip and ordered 200 cases before the Husky prices went up on Sept first. Kawi oil went up on Tues. Stihl can't be far behind. We're talking $3-$4 a gallon at my cost for B&C oil. :(
Gotta be careful when seeing something and being quick to draw conclusions. Walk into my store or the one the Mike posted the pic of and it's natural to think that things might be returning to normal. It's just not the case. Most models I have would be on backorder if I try to order more today. My rep says I'm the only dealer within 70 miles with 550's. I keep the saw wall looking good, but it can be deceiving. I'm down to my last 562, but when it goes, I'll stick something else in it's place instead of leaving the basket empty.
I'm kind of lucky as I just got to send the word out that I want something and the Blood Hounds ;D will come up with it . I'm sitting pretty good on stuff, I got to buy more 2 stroke oil but got lots of bars and chains and files and new saws in boxes
were already at $17 a gallon for bar oil and it does not matter how many cases I buy
Quote from: Spike60 on September 09, 2021, 07:57:15 AM
Gotta be careful when seeing something and being quick to draw conclusions. Walk into my store or the one the Mike posted the pic of and it's natural to think that things might be returning to normal. It's just not the case.
that was my first thought.. oh look, no saw shortage. but i better ask.
i am so tired of the news being full of influential baloney that ive just become my own investigator. i want to hear the account of it from people not in the news business in any way shape or form. just a normal person who works in the system i am curious about.
i meet a lot of strangers this way, ill tell ya that.
News people only really have one purpose;to shock and/or scare you. How they achieve that makes absolutely no difference to them. They are soulless ghouls in actual function. Accuracy, honesty....nah. It's all about being heard, printed and read.....what they used to term 'selling copy'.
Folks are getting their 'facts' from people that write blogs. Might as well just take an opinion poll of people on the street for your facts.
At least with saws, we can get some reasonable grip on the reality of things.
Kevin
as long as its an opinion poll off a street in my town instead of one in berkeley or beijing i am fine with that.
Quote from: Real1shepherd on September 09, 2021, 05:44:00 PM
News people only really have one purpose;to shock and/or scare you. How they achieve that makes absolutely no difference to them. They are soulless ghouls in actual function. Accuracy, honesty....nah. It's all about being heard, printed and read.....what they used to term 'selling copy'.
Folks are getting their 'facts' from people that write blogs. Might as well just take an opinion poll of people on the street for your facts.
At least with saws, we can get some reasonable grip on the reality of things.
Kevin
they will say anything to get your attention and a “knee jerk reaction” . Usually weak frail soft handed soy boys in New York or Toronto(for Canada).
soy boys :D
Quote from: mike_belben on September 10, 2021, 09:07:49 AM
soy boys :D
They can't be counted on for much except hen gossip/drama. Get out and be the real deal
Quote from: HemlockKing on September 10, 2021, 01:18:20 PM
Quote from: mike_belben on September 10, 2021, 09:07:49 AM
soy boys :D
They can't be counted on for much except hen gossip/drama. Get out and be the real deal
Only a bluenoser would come up with that.
I thought that was a pretty widely used phrase/word lol . Yhuup
I know out west they have saws in Canada but in my area there are very few and if they do they are old stock . Saws like the MS400 and MS462 there is zero here , same as the XP372 . I do know of a 395 thou but no 572's either . I phoned what I am sure is the biggest Stihl dealer in this area which is over an hour north of me as I was looking for 1 length in the stihl light bars and he only had 1 bar and it was a 36 inch and that was between 2 big stores and he cannot get any
Been waiting since Aug 5th for my new MS 261 from our Bethel dealer. Already paid for as well.
I read that bar oil was getting pricey and sparse. i bough a gallon of the blue winter and silver standard premium Stihl at my Amish dealer today for 15 buck each. they were low on saws, but had a break in 5 weeks ago and most saws and commercial trimmers were taken, including the warehouse out back. I am sure they have serial numbers so they may at least catch the culprits and poss get some saw back. although i do not plan to hold my breath.
I'm still waiting on an fs460 brushcutter I ordered over a month ago. Saw shop's near a job I infrequently work at, so hopefully I can stop in soon to see how things are going.
I bought a few more cases of bar oil , I think things are not going to get any better around here for a while . Just way to many people looking to buy saws and stuff
I have been to 5 stihl dealers in the area I live in, and have only seen 1 500i, and 1 400c-m. I have not seen a 462 yet, but I have seen 3 or 4 461s still in stock.
Just got a call that my fs460 came in yesterday. I'll pick it up before the week's over.
I got my winter order today . Got 10 cases of chain oil.. I already got I think 5 cases. Got 8 more bars and 20 chains but that is all the bars the 3 dealers had that I run. Stihl warehouse has zero of them but I shoukx be pretty good for this winter. I really hope things start getting back to some what normal in the new year
Quote from: lxskllr on September 21, 2021, 08:23:04 AM
Just got a call that my fs460 came in yesterday. I'll pick it up before the week's over.
Gotten around to testing it out yet?
Not thoroughly. I've only gotten in a ~45 minute session so far. My initial thoughts comparing it with the Husqvarna 545FR, which is real close in specs...
The harness the Stihl came with isn't as good as the Husky. It also didn't come with a complete selection of blade guards. It came with the guard for the circular saw, which doesn't work with the mulching blade I typically use. A couple eyebrow raising differences are no grease fitting's on the Stihl, and a thinner shaft with a 20mm arbor rather than 25mm.
The Stihl is lighter, and the harness attachment balances better. The shaft is also a bit longer. I'm 6'5", and there was a real possibility of cutting my toes with the Husky. It's impossible with the Stihl while clipped into the harness. I also believe the longer shaft is easier on my back. By 45 minutes with the Husky, my back would have started hurting. No problem at all with the Stihl.
The Stihl gets ready to cut quicker than the Husky. On first start, you had to feather the throttle with the Husky to keep it from dying. It only took ~10 seconds til everything was right, and it was always fine starting warm, but the Stihl gets going quicker. Power feels about the same between them, and vibration feels about the same.
Which would I recommend buying? Dunno yet. I need more time with the Stihl to really know. *For me*, the Stihl feels like the better machine, if for no other reason than shaft length. The Husky came with more stuff, and a better harness. The Husky has a manual carb(How do you set the carb on a brushcutter anyway?), and the Stihl is Mtronic. Both are well made machines, and will do a lot of work. The Husky was ~$200 cheaper locally.
I forgot, the Husky also like unscrewing the blade nut. I've lost one already, and almost lost a splined blade clamp disk thing(?). I don't have enough time with the Stihl yet, but everything stayed in place, as did my echo which was my first cutter.
Is the blade nut on the Hosky not LH thread?
It's left threaded, but it still comes loose. My echo came with a hole to install a cotter pin, but I quit using it after awhile cause the nut never came loose. I'd love to have that hole on the Husky.
On that bar oil business I had problems finding it this time last year .Then it was some off the wall stuff in a green bottle but it works .TSC had that high priced Husqvarna stuff but before I'd go down that road I'd buy that equally high priced stuff from the Stihl dealer 2 miles the other direction .It's not like I'm buying it a pallet full at a time maybe 2 gallons at a time .I've always figured bar oil is bar oil .I mean it's not like putting motor oil in a fully restored 1923 Rolls -Royce automobile .
Worse comes to worse I've got a couple of jugs of light weight gear oil which will work .The stuff smells like a bucket of fermented skunk rectums but will do the job . :)
ive milled logs to lumber with one chain, one bar, and motor oil for quite a long time. i keep the bar dressed and the groove gapped and get acceptable performance. extra oil is brushed on for cooling purposes and to let the saw idle out some heat periodically. its not efficient but im a survivalist. time and money go out the window when youre just trying to make it through the day and cross tasks off the homestead list.
I think I'd run water before I ran gear oil. That stuff just doesn't go away. The stink stays long after the oil's gone.
I just run the costly stihl stuff. I tried abit of the other brands but its just not worth it to me Screw up a $1000 white oak log cause running junk bar oil just does not make sense to me
Two different objectives here I think .Cutting rock hard dead ash and hickory for firewood and veneer grade white oak. ;)
You can get into some long winded conversations about bar oil .Some think salad oil is the way to go .Somebody makes water based stuff .Some people cheap out and use old crankcase oil .I'm not that cheap .I did however decades ago when it used to get cold used automatic tranny fluid a few times .It worked .Danged bar oil was about like pouring molasses at 15 below zero .
Not long ago I was selling bar oil for $10. Now my cost is $11 and I'm selling it for $14, splitting the difference between the cost and the $17 MSRP. But unlike most of the stuff we are talking about in this thread, at least I can get it.
I'd like to know how you could screw up a log with the wrong bar oil . ???
I got several cases of summer bar oil 2 weeks ago from one of the oil distributors I buy from. It had gone up. $7 per gal. A couple years back it was 3.50. This is wholesale price
Quote from: Al_Smith on October 02, 2021, 07:14:49 AMI'd like to know how you could screw up a log with the wrong bar oil .
He is probably talking about staining the lumber with the oil
Maybe so but they cut the ends off anyway .
That 7 bucks a gallon isn't a bad price but 18 down the road two miles from me is just a tad high IMO .Maybe the orange bottle drives up the price . :D
There is a big difference between cheap and poor AL.
That's kind of what I've been trying to say without much luck .Hmm the now bar oil great debate in conjunction with the mix oil conversation and the non ethanol gasoline discussion .Perhaps a good reference for which is harder, Ohio dead standing shag bark hickory or Ontario green cut sugar maple . 8)--ain't I a stinker . :D
Al- yes, you are a stinker😂
its pretty easy once you cut high grade white oak to see as white oak is by far the hardest type of wood as far as drying the bar and chain out and junk cheap bar oil will cause the chain to jam in the bar groove or at least slow your chain speed down to where once the tree starts to leave the stump its 110% go time to get the butt cut off the stump so no split or pulling fibre . Falling good high grade timber is nothing like cutting firewood . You donot leave any wood attached to the tree to the stump or as best as you can when tree is leaving the stump cause if you do its going to cost you alot of coin it a very short period of time .
and no you do not cut the ends off , that cost you . If you got a butt log the price is set at a high price , you cut the butt end of the log off its no longer a butt log, its now a second log and that is worth alot less than the butt log , Lots of times the veneer buyer will only buy the butt log so now cutting the butt off you end up with a sawlog which is worth a huge amount less
Thanks for the explanation .What little white oak I've cut were standing dead and the lumber some would be furniture grade and the planks are heavy as lead .I save the good wood it's not all fire wood .However most really is .That danged oak ran through a table saw really plugs me up .,eyes water .sneeze .Cutting in the open with a chainsaw no problem .
Ash is a lot like white oak in needing a lot of oil. Not sure what the common ingredient is there; tanic acid maybe" Not unusual for homeowners to come in saying their saw isn't oiling enough or at all. Sometimes with the tip locked up. Typically see this on the 440's or 450's. In some wood, that non adjustable oil pump is a little over matched, especially with the 20" "rancher" bar on the 450. Not so much about the oil, but anything without a tacking agent would certainly make it worse.
I've used a fair amount of ash for wood work all hand made using a radial arm molding head and a 3.5 horse power table mounted router .I'll say this an air trim nailer won't touch it for installation . Takes a little pilot hole with a drill bit .
However after saying that I really have not had a problem with the the saws jambing up with chips .That might be due to age of the saws I own because they for the most part oil good .Cut good too for that matter .
And your old saws have torque and produce most likely double the bar oil compared to the new stihls if not even more than that .My new 400 stihl a tank of oil would last 2 to 3 tanks of fuel but I fill the oil tank everytime . The 500i does use enough oil . . I cut lots of totally dead ash and I have no problem as far as barboil goes but true white oak not burr or swamp oak is hard on bar oil
My personal feeling is the EPA or whatever government departments have taken the teeth out of our saws .Although I don't own any I have operated a few of the more modern examples but I didn't like them .IMO for what they cost they should certainly do better than that .Then again I really am an old school coot about lot of things . :D The newest I own are a pair of Stihl 200T's --now I like those . ;)
Dont ever part with those al. They are huge money now.
I see just today 2 saws for sale - a 201T and a 038 AV Super on our local Facebook Marketplace here.
What are either of these worth used and in very clean condition??
The 201 is priced at $500 CDN - which is probably like $49.95 USD these days :D and the want for the 038 AV Super is $400..
Just curious as I don't need or want either of them - but curious especially because mainly they appear to be in very nice shape visually, but pictures are very small.. as to what the going rate especially for a similar second hand 'tree saw' would be in the US, as I do know they are stupid expensive new here..
make sure they are not stolen.
Even then, USE YOUR GUT AND BRAIN!
And make sure that run well.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/48403/243071105_1878824098970539_3686782530562211369_n~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1633620324)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/48403/243055448_1878824162303866_8696870446822884975_n~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1633620324)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/48403/243031843_1878824008970548_4789464583900588026_n~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1633620323)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/48403/243208648_1878824105637205_1066176970699174979_n~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1633620324)
This what the pictures show.
Don't know a 038 AV Super from Adam - was it considered a good saw - and what is a comparable Stihl model these days?
As for a 201T - also was (or is it) deemed a good top handle version?
Assuming both run and work well what would comparable used saws go for in the US?
Thanks for any background on these models and pricing..
Randy
Well, that depends. I seen them as cheap as $77 usd for a new appearing refurb. The issue is you send the money and never recieve the product. TFVBCO.com and BALIPL.com are two of these scam sites, one claims to be in AZ, the other in TX, with the same alabama phone number. The same exact saw is also on PLSYERI.com with a rhode island address missing a zip code digit and a different alabama number. So dont order the first hits you get on google!
On ebay i have seen ms200Ts for as high as $1100 USD used but good condition. Ooh i take that back, $1600 now. New gouging record. 200Ts genuinely bring 500ish in incremental bid 7 day actions so thats what climbers will pay for a 200. There is dispute about the 201TC being as good as the industry standard 200T. Cheapest used complete 201TC on ebay is $450 right now.
I have found FB Marketplace somewhat better than ebay to find used saws in past couple of years but both have their scammers and such. Ebay parts are better, FB used saws. There will be a bunch of this, that and the other for sale soon enough after all this years buying "stuff" up on plastic with Potus monies. Many buy stuff they never needed to begin with-I see them say so.
There's a lot of ways to look at this situation .Flea bay you never see the thing until you open the
shipping box providing you get it in the first place .Same probably applies to FB .Craigslist at least you get to see it .Forums can be hit or miss because scammers jump in and out of those .A dealers dead pile you might get a good deal if you know what you are looking at and many do not . If you don't know how to turn a wrench and aren't willing to learn or afraid of dirt best to just buy new IMO .I just assume on anything used not just saws it will require a certain amount of work and usually am right with few exceptions .
bar oil $4.99 gallon at fleet farm here. have a couple year supply but bought 4 gallons anyway.
Good price. Too bad we don't have any of those here.
Stihl orange $25 and silver $30 here... WTH
Quote from: smoked on October 12, 2021, 09:08:45 PM
Stihl orange $25 and silver $30 here... WTH
And I thought that our prices down here from my dealer was "rough" at ~$14 for orange & he only had silver in quarts so I didn't even consider those. WWOWWW
silver and blue (winter low visc.) 15 bucks a gallon for each.
This whole thing has many blind corners they didn't see .So called "just in time " delivery has caused more problems than the money it saved .So called single source suppliers are another .Transportation problems add up to like cargo ships world wide that sit at anchor because they can't get unloaded in the ports .In not just in North America either .I mean a few people might belly ache about chainsaws but the bigger picture being the production of North American automobiles and trucks being at a stand still because of an electronic device from some Pacific rim country really tells a much bigger story .
It's funny, I first heard of the container, port, cargo ship problem a few weeks back on this exact thread. Now, it is national news.
ya my chev/gmc dealer is a bare parking lot , not a single new car or truck there , 2 years ago you would never thought this would happen
Quote from: ehp on October 13, 2021, 10:59:48 PM
ya my chev/gmc dealer is a bare parking lot , not a single new car or truck there , 2 years ago you would never thought this would happen
Our local dealer has had a sign up” 25 new trucks arriving” for 3 months lol the lot is STILL empty. Like not even a single truck
Navigating through these shortages at the dealer level is similar to gearing up for a major snowstorm or hurricane, but it's every day. I've managed to not run out of anything important so far, other than the 395's being out for 5 momths. Have to bounce around to multiple suppliers to stay on top of the nar and chain inventory. We are the big saw shop in the region and we simply can NOT tell a customer we don't have a bar or chain for his saw.
I have several industry contacts that keep me informed and a step ahead. And I never vent on anybody about backorders. :) Talked to an Oregon rep yesterday and their overall production is actually up. Demand is kind of off the wall though because Husky and stihl are struggling to provide bars to their dealers. Stihl has been weak all year, and Husky is transitioning to their Swedish made X-tough bars.
Most companies are coming up with some kind of allocation deal on ride on product. Some are quite upfront about it; some are being evasive. Engines will be the major issue. Kohler had told 2 OEM's that I won't name that they will only receive 25% of their pre=covid deliveries. Briggs canceled their deal with Husky and Husky has taken them to court to fill their purchase order contracts.
Hate to say it, but it sure looks like next year will actually be worse than this past year. We're small enough that we can ride out any storm. But how many OEM's, distributors and large dealers can survive 2-3 years selling half or less of their normal volume?
Quote from: doc henderson on October 13, 2021, 06:50:49 AM
silver and blue (winter low visc.) 15 bucks a gallon for each.
wow, we pay 18$ for 1 Liter of the blue stihl oil (semi synt 2 stroke oil)
Some of the prices on bar oil is amazing .You could buy "vactra " machine way oil cheaper in 5 gallon buckets which works out 26 buck a gallon .
Quote from: teakwood on October 14, 2021, 08:06:06 AM
Quote from: doc henderson on October 13, 2021, 06:50:49 AM
silver and blue (winter low visc.) 15 bucks a gallon for each.
wow, we pay 18$ for 1 Liter of the blue stihl oil (semi synt 2 stroke oil)
I am giving the price on the bar oil. to be clear.
Happy birthday, Doc!
Happy Birthday Doc!!
A friend ordered a new Pete in the spring, it finally arrived but is waiting for a few more pieces before it is released. The log market has collapsed, he is now not sure he will have enough work to make the payments on two trucks. The salesman said not to worry, if he wants to cancel it will be gone in minutes but forget getting another one for two years! The old Kenworth his dad drives is well past its best before date so it is a tough decision.
I've transitioned to canola oil almost 100%. Just checked walmart's website, and it's ~$1.50/G more than it was last year. Site says $6.32/G. I need to pick one up this weekend.
The price of gasoline not too long ago was over $4 a gallon which it did drop eventually .At the same time oil didn't rise too much .However when gas prices dropped oil never has .As far as oil quality it has improved over the years translating into more miles between oil change on automotive stuff .
Chainsaw bar oil it seems to be about like gasoline and mix oil brand and mix ratio depending on who is telling the story .Nobody seems to agree on it though but it does make for interesting conversation .--My oil is better than your oil --tra lah-lah :D
Quote from: doc henderson on October 14, 2021, 10:19:53 AMI am giving the price on the bar oil. to be clear
Ah ok, i got that mixed up. Bar oil they sell refill motoroil 40 (what ever that means) at 12$ a galon
Was just at stihl no bars available and can't even order until dec.15 . They didn't even have 1 20" bar
Quote from: lxskllr on October 14, 2021, 04:35:42 PM
I've transitioned to canola oil almost 100%. Just checked walmart's website, and it's ~$1.50/G more than it was last year. Site says $6.32/G. I need to pick one up this weekend.
Well, to keep with the shortage theme of the thread... I just got back from walmart, and they didn't have any store branded gallons of canola. I didn't bother getting anything. Wesson was $9.xx/G. I have enough to last awhile, but not the whole season. I'll keep my eyes open when I'm out and about. I don't like walmart much anyway, and the one close to me is kinda expensive. I'm thinking someone else's store brand will be about the same price.
Bar oil is a petro product and the oil prices are currently rising. There are alos oil product shortages seen in stores- you can decide whats causing them for your own satisfaction as it's a hot button political discussion. "Just in time" parts are affected by more than transport. Here in KY where that was first developed by the Georgetown, KY Toyota plant we (and other places with production plants) have many small part plants and most all of them have the same "hiring now" signs we see all over from Burger King to you name it. Two of my nephews drive large trucks and were having sporadic employment as parts haulers until lately. At some future date the auto mfg's will begin to force vehicles onto dealers and lots will be flush with vehicles. Thats how they do things in the past and will happen again. WSJ has an article on how dealers have laid off most of sales & business managers, etc. lately as no stuff to sell. Trend toward web sales is going to increase even more than has been seen last few years and those sales related people will not go back ever is one reality.
Why hate on Walmart? Is there a grocery chain that's more likeable overall? I'll say this again-in my area it's a decent job that pays enough to compete for workers. Kroger's pays more as unionized but also does much part time employment to keep down pay & benefits. Shop for Less here pays less than Walmart as does IGA. Local businesses here pay state minimum wages of around $8 hrly. They all compete for the same customers in their own way. I knew a lawyer (our county atty from NJ) who told me he wouldn't go in Walmart as the customers were too "rough"-he lioke Target better. . He left for Louisville where he's maybe happy now? I see scruffy people in every store I go in as many seem to show up in the clothes they slept in...
I think many prices are a function of when they were produced, especially anything coming from a volatile market like petro products or agriculture related oils. Metals are that way and have been since covid 19 came around. Inflation is real if you actually shop for items. Many people do not shop, they just buy. This is seen often in gasoline where prices vary 30-40 cents a gallon around me. The "Patels" own many gas stations in my rural area and raise prices way beyond others who march in lock step to their suppliers no matter if they've had a recent shipment or it's last weeks gasoline.
ve
The entire market is crazy right now. Just got back from Cat and a 800hr used 239D3 was selling for more than a 259D3 new, simply due to availability. Was a tough decision between a new 239D3 with next years 5% price increasing or buying now a 259D3 for slightly more money without the 5% price increase and better financing. Need to move fast on equipment since the availability is extremely depleted with long wait times. We were so use to product availability that we could purchase on demand, and now you have to be very proactive looking much further into the future.
Well, the 20" .058 Oregon bars I ordered back on April 12th showed up yesterday. I was down to my last 3; talk about "just in time":) Small victory, but I'll take it.
Would like to see the second half of my snow blower order show up, but that's looking like Thanksgiving at best. Got a list going, but not taking deposits, which surprises some people. Deposits tend to raise everyone's anxiety level and generate pointless "Any word?" phone calls. The ship dates are too unreliable to pass them on to the customer. I'm telling everyone they will be called when the blowers show up, but in the meantime, they are free to jump on something else if they choose.
Tractor Supply here put out an Oregon bar/chain aisle display a while back (never seen Oregon stuff there before), most common stuff was picked clean from it in a day or two. I bought the last two 16" chains that fit my little saw (they were out of bars already) but missed all the 20" stuff I needed. About two weeks later they got one husqvarna 20" chain and I bought it, and the last 16" and 20" husqvarna bars.. This was all a few weeks ago and they still have not filled any of the empty shelf space.
:D If you look at this thread or subject you have extremes on both ends .Very few people would need bar oil by the barrel full or chainsaws ordered 10 at a time .
On the other hand people such as myself who might go through 2 gallons of bar oil in an entire year with enough chains in the form of bulk chain to last me the rest of my life .Not to mention around 40 bars and 50 loops of chains hanging on nails already .---that's what collectors do you know--- ;)
Well I go through quite a bit more bar oil than that but sadly do not have a lifetime supply of chain for this saw I got last year. Enough to get by for a good while for all three saws but hate to get caught with pants down.
Quote from: mudfarmer on October 19, 2021, 08:57:31 AM
Tractor Supply here put out an Oregon bar/chain aisle display a while back (never seen Oregon stuff there before), most common stuff was picked clean from it in a day or two. I bought the last two 16" chains that fit my little saw (they were out of bars already) but missed all the 20" stuff I needed. About two weeks later they got one husqvarna 20" chain and I bought it, and the last 16" and 20" husqvarna bars.. This was all a few weeks ago and they still have not filled any of the empty shelf space.
In regard to tractor fluid and everything else that TSC stocks the store mgr told me last week he never knows what he'll get lately, nothing or something.
I believe it's a little more complicated than just cargo ships anchored out on California ports .The entire supply system world wide was impacted by the COV thing .From my observation things like toilet paper were in short supply but they never ran out of beer . ??? I would have thought the exact opposite .
Here TSC sold out to Peavy Mart but Im not sure the rest of the country . Its weird , I could not buy 24 inch stihl chain today BUT I could and did buy a box of 20 already made up 24 inch stihl chains at a very good price
Quote from: Al_Smith on October 20, 2021, 01:43:20 PMI believe it's a little more complicated than just cargo ships anchored out on California ports .The entire supply system world wide was impacted by the COV thing .
Hi guys, a comment from across the pond: I cannot talk for all of Europe but at least here in northern corner there is no shortage of anything chainsaw related. Sweden and Germany are close so shipping is easy and quick and saws are plentiful but even Japanese Echos are available easily from stock. And so are bars, chains, oils etc. in all popular brands. Chainsaws are even on sale at some stores. Finland has a large forest industry so for example many domestic bar oil brands are available to choose from.
In fact I cannot remember anything right now having shortage. Shipping times have gone up, especially from China but to this date haven't seen any products actually out of stock any more than before the pandemic. And prices are pretty much the same too. Gas price has gone up but I think mostly because increased taxation.
Don't know why there is shortage of chainsaws etc. in USA but shipping and harbor troubles seem logical part of it. Maybe also USA models are specially made for the single market and that could cause delays in parts availability depending on global demand?