Re: Does anyone use a T435 everyday?
I do. (t435)
I bought mine in August of this year. I'm pleased with it as a pruning saw. I rarely do removals, so I didn't feel the need to buy a 200 or 201t, though I know still some prefer these saws for any kind of job.
I run mine with a 14" bar.
It is very comparable to the Stihl 192t, which I used everyday for the previous year, before I got my t435. So, it's power is not going to wow you, but it gets the job done.
I also feel like it is a very well balanced saw. It feels more ergonomic than the 192, and definitely more ergonomic than the 200, from the few times I've used them.
On the negative side, I'm not sure that Husqvarna actually manufactures this saw, as there is an identical Redmax saw, the
Redmax gz300t. So I'm not sure who actually manufactures the saw.
Also, I would not say it is the most "solid" saw in terms of make and construction. Out of the box, the throttle would stick for a second or two or three when I would release the trigger from running it wide open. After opening up the back, I could see that one of the arms from the trigger to the carb was rubbing up against a fuel line, and obstructing it from moving, hence the sticky throttle. It was an easy fix as I just had to shove the fuel line out of the way.
Also, today, I was disappointed when I opened it up to clean it out, flip the bar, sharpen the chain, etc., I found out that the chain brake spring (the band that grabs the clutch) was broken. I know this is a common wear point, but after a few months, I was disappointed that this happened.
I actually thought about starting a thread in Awakenings about this, simply because we're trained to frequently inspect our gear, but how often do we inspect the safety features of our chainsaws? Since I don't hang from my saw, I guess I never think that often about inspecting the brake, etc., to make sure it's running the way I need it to. Now I will.
All in all, though, for $300, I'm still glad I bought it. Like I said, I'm a pruning guy mostly, and I tend not to abuse my equipment, so the price, light weight and balance/ergonomics, make me think it was a worthwhile purchase. I'm of the opinion that I can take good enough care of it to keep it running for awhile, but I guess we'll need to check back in on that front in a year or so.
Hope that helps.