Chainsaw time.. what to get?

Hawk45

Hawk45

Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
2,154
Hi guys, hope this is the right forum for this, but kind of an off topic.

I have to take down about 6 small/medium (8"-14" dia) size trees in the yard this year and have a bunch other in the back already down I want to cut up. I don't have a chainsaw of my own and in the past used my buddies electric for some light small stuff. I was at the landscaping shop today and they are a Stihl dealer, so I went in and looked a bit. Then headed home to do some research.
Now outside of the pending work in the yard, I'll want something compact enough to take camping and just for general trimming and maintenance. It will probably come out 5-6 times a year with the biggest bulk cutting up wood for the winter.

I'd like to stay near the $400 mark. I was looking at a saw from each of the 3 Stihl groups (Homeowner, Farm, Professional). While I know the Professional would be optimal, do I need it? Is it worth the money for my needs? I only want to buy one to last me forever (which lends to the Pro model) but I'm sure the Farm and Homeowner are no slouches as well. I thought about a used, but don't want to deal with getting something too beat up or having to replace/repair right out of the gate.

Ones looking at:
MS 251 (Homeowner)
MS 291 (Farm)
MS 261 (Pro)

I appreciate the help from those with more experience than I in this realm.
Hawk
 
I own several Stihl and of those choices the 291 is going to be all you'll ever need. It is rugged and more than powerful enough. Watch their training videos!! Use real gas not ethanol and drain the gas from the tank and run it dry for storage. The 291 will cut and buck 3-5 cords of wood each winter with ridiculous ease if you keep the bar and chain out of the mud and rocks. I'd say the 291 is probably their most popular prosumer model they sell.
 
I can't give you advice on which of those to get as I've never owned a stihl (my saw is a big husqvarna). 55 CC should be plenty for your needs and I don't think you can really go wrong with stihl.

As quirt said: definitely keep the bar and chain out of the dirt as that will dull it extremely fast. I would recommend you get a tool of some sort for sharpening the chain if you don't already own one, as it will dull eventually even with careful use. A nice sharp chain makes a world of difference.

-mike
 
Get yourself a Husky 346 XP. My wife and I use to have tree cutting job. We did all chain saw work. I use to have stihl. But a friend of mine told me I should try a Husky XP model. He was cutting trees too for his job All chain saw work also. I did and never looked back.
Good luck with what ever you choose.

Bryan
 
For many years I used Stihl 260s at work and they were pretty nice little saws for their size. We ran 18" bars on them and they handled very well for stuff reasonably sized. That place got a 261 just before I left and it seemed to cut like crazy, but I can't speak to its longevity. I have never liked the farm or homeowner Stihls much, especially the homeowner models. The Farm versions are better, but after using the Pro models they seem worth the price to me. That being said, a good Husky with a sharp chain will run with a Stihl just fine, far as I can tell.

One of the first things you should do is learn to sharpen a chain. It is not that difficult and will save you oodles of money paying others to do it. After that, learn up how to use the saw. The Stihl training videos are pretty good. No ethanol blend gas in them. Keep them cleaned up after use. Safety glasses are pretty much a necessity if you ask me. A helmet isn't a bad idea either, however dorky it may look.
 
The advantage with stihl is the dealership. You have a guy you know, that will look after things for you, and you don't have to worry about someone guessing on a repair. You may even be able to get a package deal with a discount on your safety gear. I come from a family of lumberjacks, and there are lots of scars to go around. Get all the gear, don't screw around with it. Chaps, boots, gloves and hard-hat with face shield and muffs. Its just not worth the risk, and often injuries happen indirectly, a branch falls, or you loose your footing, and the saw bucks in a direction you weren't planning. A Stihl dealer will also be able to direct you towards the tools and accessories you need, as well as the training. And just like a knife, a sharp chain is safest.
 
Thanks guys. I stopped by my local shop today with some knowledge under my belt and wanted to get a feel for the weight and balance of them. They didn't have any 260/261s, but did have the 290 and 250. The 250 felt the best with the 18" bar and is 2lbs lighter. I think I'm going to plan on a two saw system, starting with a lighter general purpose saw and them looking for a bigger 300/400 pro series on Craigslist.
 
Avoid their smallest homeonwer saw. They changed the carb's for EPA compliance and screwed them up. I sold mine as you could not let it sit more than a week without running it or it would need the carb cleaned. I have a STIHL 028 wood boss purchased new in 1987 and it is still running string and starts withing 5 pulls every time. IMO the 291 is the replacement for the old 026' & 028's.
 
IMO.
If you're handy or so inclined get an older stihl or husqy and fix it up or bring it to your stihl guy for an overhaul. My father's stihl says "Made in West Germany" on it. been around for awhile. The new ones, from both companies, have a lot of plastic on them. The ethanol tip is a good one! don't use it on any small engine.
 
I've got a few leads on some used saws too. A 028 and a 260 in the mix. I'll see if I hear back from them. Hello, I may end up collecting them like knives now.. Oh lord help me!!
 
For what its worth, don't be shy about buying a good quality used saw, I have hundreds of hours into a used husquvarna 61 and other than the usual maintenance it'll still go strong for years to come. The best all around saw for bucking up firewood and falling smaller trees is a 50-60cc with a 20" bar, its light enough to work with all day, and if need be you can easily get through something 3' through. You can get alot more saw for less buying used and can still run a short bar on it if you want something more manageable.
 
I have been really pleased with my MAKITA 6401! It is 64cc with a 20" bar. It is a joy to use!
It is above your price point, but worth investigating. You have been given good advice from the previous posters.

Look into ECHO. I have several friends who run them and have been pleased. I have an ECHO blower and love it.


The Stihl Pro 26 that I owned was the BIGGEST POS that I ever bought in any tool.......ever! I also bought a Stihl leaf blower at the same time. That was almost as bad!!!! Worse investments ever. Maybe I got a lemon.......maybe two lemons, but I would never buy another Stihl as long as I live!
 
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I used to run Stihl and changed to Husky( I ran 028, 044 and MS440- if that dates my use). Sticking with a brand you have local support for is good unless you want to learn your own maintenance.

On saw- learning to tune is VITAL! They are two cycle and must be kept in tune, fail this and they will not last long.

Safety- You likely already know this but a chainsaw will hurt you quick fast and in a hurry if you are careless. They also remove a 3/8" wide strip of flesh and bone when they cut. Use saftey gear, learn the most common mistakes- tip kick up, sprung branches, falls, one handed cutting- these account for most injuries.

I love my saws and owned my first brand new stihl before I had a car. Burned many gallons of mix. Knock on wood- never been cut past a few bandaids, but have been knocked off my feet by falling limbs- wear a bucket.

After owning many many saws- the only ones I kept are a Husky 435 16" and 562XP 20" plus 28" bar. The 435 is a cheap saw but if kept in tune- mine has given me far past expected service.
The 346Xp is another wonderful little saw- they stopped making them as I understand it but are available used.

Stihl makes some great saws as well. My 044 was one of the best saws I ever owned. I also had a MS361 that was impressive.

Bill
 
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I have a Stihl MS192 for tree work and a Stihl MS310 for everything else. My dad has a Husky 450 and my brother has an Echo 590. They all work very well and have provided years of good service. We live on a farm, I am a wood furniture maker, and my brother owns a landscape company so they get used regularly. It is all about regular maintenance, sharp chains, and keeping ethanol out.
 
I have been using an Echo CS-400 for several years now. I replaced the original bar and chain with Oregon stuff. This is one cutting machine, and has handled everything on the property, and works equally well out in the forest, when I need to clear a downed tree off a 4X4 trail.
 
One of the great things about Echo, as far as I'm aware anyway, they build their own engines. Unlike some of the other budget market MFgs. This means that instead of a crate engine being bolted to a random bit of machinery, they are thought out as far as orientation and service conditions.
 
I picked up an older completely rebuilt stihl highspeed pro saw 20in bar from a local stihl dealer and has been the best saw I have ever used on my 10 acres up north.
Spend the money on a pro series, used or new and you will not regret it, get the safety gear!

as mentioned I got a deal from them as I picked up gloves, chaps, sharpening gear, spare chain and plastic storage container.
 
I was going to say stihl or echo. My dad used to own his a tree service and logging company and those are all he used.
 
Stihl Farmboss 290 or Husky Rancher 455 or 460 or Echo around the same size.You don't need a pro series saw for the little cutting your doing .A farm or Ranch series saw will last for years and years.I've cut road right of ways for 4 or 5 months every year for the last 38 years most of the crews I worked on had Farm or Ranch grade saws The only Pro saws were the one with 24 inch and longer bars For what we do the big saws didn't get used much.Cutting downed tree and firewood doesn't take as big of saw as lumbering most times.The best advice I can give is choke it when it cold but don't touch the choke once its warm or you will be saying nasty things.
 
Thanks for all the help everyone. I ended up finding a good deal on my local Craigslist on a Stihl MS260 with 18" bar. Picked it up for $300. Started it up and ran good. Came with case and wrench. Just got back from grabbing some chains and oil at my local shop. Got some boots and chaps on order as well. Safety first!
Again, thanks for all the help.

And now for the pictures:

Stihl+260+1.jpg

Stihl+260+2.jpg

Stihl+260+3.jpg
 
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