which chainsaw is best sthil ?

[S.T.Fanatic]

Never use ethanol in small engines period!!! In Minnesota it is mandated that we have 10% ethanol. Premium however has 0%. I only burn premium in small engines and have zero problems leaving gas over winter/summer in anything. I have 3 Stihl saws problem free. Start right up when needed too.

 

[Jim Timber]

Not all premium is non-oxygenated, in fact most is contaminated with the stuff (per the law requiring it for on-road use outside specific exemptions). You need to find a pump that's marked non-oxygenated and use that.

 

[Bill]

Know anyone with a portable tailpipe O2 sniffer? You can find out real quick if it's going rich or lean (which is about all they're good for lol ).

I don't.

Check out http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp to find stations in your area that have real gas. Links to each state at the bottom of the page. My state has 5 :(

 

[Jim Timber]

That website isn't all that up to date. Quik Trip has some non-oxy pumps here and they're not on that site.

I'm fortunate that the closest gas station to my land has non-oxy and it's the same price as their regular premium. In the metro, the closest non-oxy is $.60 more per gallon (than premium, so it's a total scam!), but I was just told about QT and haven't checked them out yet.

I've got a whole mess of pruning on my ash trees at the house, and two pine removals at the neighbors so I'm sure I'll burn through the gallon I've got and need more.

 

[Lee Haakenson]

I just bought the MS-261 pro. It's been a great saw, but I only have about 5 tanks through it so far. I was also looking at Huskys, but no one near me sold the pro saws, just the box store home owner saws.


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I have this model too and love it. Made in the USA (alot of their models are not)

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[4wanderingeyes]

I have this model too and love it. Made in the USA (alot of their models are not)

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One of the reasons I bought this saw. Made in the USA, it adjusts fuel, so I don't need to worry about it running lean while cutting in the winter, it was a pound lighter then the 391, and had more power. Yes I paid for it, but if I can get 20 years out of it, it would be money well spent. I try whenever possible to buy Made in the USA, and I try to recommend it to others as well.


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[northernpotter]

Thanks for all the replies, the info is very helpful

 

[Lee Haakenson]

One of the reasons I bought this saw. Made in the USA, it adjusts fuel, so I don't need to worry about it running lean while cutting in the winter, it was a pound lighter then the 391, and had more power. Yes I paid for it, but if I can get 20 years out of it, it would be money well spent. I try whenever possible to buy Made in the USA, and I try to recommend it to others as well.


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I agree. Always buy the best tool you can afford, unless you will only use it once. Otherwise you often are replacing them every 5 years and are constantly messing with them to keep em going. Happy sawing!

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[H20fwler]

Thanks guys,your advise is appreciated. It is going to be used for mostly cutting firewood and downed trees, maybe some trimming. what model and bar size would you recommend?

I run the new MS271 Farm Boss I think it has an 18" or 20" bar and have no complaints at all, it's just a little big for light trimming but flat out eats trees up.

 

[bbcoach]

Stihl or Husky. Most Echo's are underpowered. I've had all 3 in my hands and cut many cords of wood. The Stihl's have Great power, will run for many years, are balanced and the vibration damping is wonderful. Husky's are a little heavier but have plenty of power and handle well. Stihl or Echo, Stihl all day. Stihl and Husky, I would lean toward the Stihl for weight to power ratio. Go to a couple of dealers and cut with each, then make a decision. Good Luck with your choice.

 

[Jim Timber]

Under powered? This is 35.8cc's with safety chain cutting a 12" bone dry black ash log in 12 seconds.

I need to get some real chain and see what she'll do.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

You know you can get a piston and cylinder for around $60 for the Husky, right?

Yup, sure do. I said the saw s%$t the brick. I didn't saw I threw it away. It crapped out on me the day before I was going on April break (I'm a teacher) and I had 10 days of work planned..wife and kids were in FL. So, I decided to buy the 251 to have a saw. But yes, I am going to try to fix the 350. I've never done anything like that before, but I am fairly handy. I'm guessing there are plenty of Youtube videos that should help.

 

[TreeDaddy]

10 days to work and wife /kids in florida?

Poor Natty Bumppo

Probably doesn't know what to do........first!!!!!!

enjoy

bill

 

[Natty Bumppo]

10 days to work and wife /kids in florida?

Poor Natty Bumppo

Probably doesn't know what to do........first!!!!!!

enjoy

bill

That's funny Bill. LOL. My buddies will never tell their wives this, but they are all secretly jealous. So, it gets even better. My wife is taking our kids to Italy on June 5th for 3 weeks....family over there, she goes with her father and some of my other in-laws. Nice trip, but I am better off back home. So yes, I've got 3 weeks of work I'm looking forward to.

Logging, trails, food plots, tree stands, getting a cement pad poured for a 25x36 barn I am starting. I love it. I work 10 hour days, head home for a shower and a beer, put my feet up and have a beer and watch a war movie. Get up and do it all over.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Sounds tough, Natty !! ^^^

On chainsaws - I've had 3 saws in my life, an older Homelite ( 1979 ) and 2 Stihls. I have a Stihl 390 w/ 20" bar and a Stihl 180C w/ 16" bar. I've never had a problem with the Stihls - but I maintain them well. A friend who owns an outdoor equipment business told me to only run premium gas in any outdoor equipment. I had sputtering, half-assed motor function with regular ( ethanol ) gas in my mower, snow blower, edger, etc. He was right. Premium gas ( and he recommended Sta-bil and marine grade fuel system cleaner per directions added to the premium gas ) made ALL the difference. Everything runs smooth as glass now.

All of my camp members ( save one ) run Stihl saws. They are easy to maintain, are only sold by servicing dealers ( if you need service ), and EAT wood. One camp member saw how our Stihl saws chewed logs while cutting firewood for camp, and got rid of his Poulan and bought a Stihl !!

 

[Nova]

I just bought the MS-261 pro. It's been a great saw, but I only have about 5 tanks through it so far. I was also looking at Huskys, but no one near me sold the pro saws, just the box store home owner saws.


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I have this model also, about 1.5 years old and has seen a lot of wood. Great saw. I would go with the PRO model if you can afford it. Just plain built better. I got the 18" bar and that is plenty for me. I owned a farm boss before that for 24 years, was still a decent saw, but had been used heavily and I just wanted a new saw.

 

[sticknstring]

I've got a MS-261 Pro as well. A bit on the heavy side for strictly hinging, but it's a torquey SOB with plenty of power for big stuff. I'd like to get something smaller for hinging.

 

[TreeDaddy]

Sounds tough, Natty !! ^^^

On chainsaws - I've had 3 saws in my life, an older Homelite ( 1979 ) and 2 Stihls. I have a Stihl 390 w/ 20" bar and a Stihl 180C w/ 16" bar. I've never had a problem with the Stihls - but I maintain them well. A friend who owns an outdoor equipment business told me to only run premium gas in any outdoor equipment. I had sputtering, half-assed motor function with regular ( ethanol ) gas in my mower, snow blower, edger, etc. He was right. Premium gas ( and he recommended Sta-bil and marine grade fuel system cleaner per directions added to the premium gas ) made ALL the difference. Everything runs smooth as glass now.

All of my camp members ( save one ) run Stihl saws. They are easy to maintain, are only sold by servicing dealers ( if you need service ), and EAT wood. One camp member saw how our Stihl saws chewed logs while cutting firewood for camp, and got rid of his Poulan and bought a Stihl !!

I have a shelf of used poulan saws

they are like Bic razors

Have had good experience with Stihl and Echo

bill

 

[bowhunternw]

My local small engine shop really likes the new stuff from echo and at the same time says that stihl isn't what it was years ago. I bought a echo leaf blower last summer and it starts and works great. So I am going to try a echo chainsaw. I used to think craftsman was a quality manufacturer but I bought a 18" saw about 5 years ago, talk about junk.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Sticknstring - If you're looking for a lighter saw for hinging / limbing, the Stihl 180C I mentioned in post # 35 is a great saw. The " C " suffix means it's an " easy pull " start - you don't get the compression pull-back that rips on your fingers like a bigger saw. I can start mine with a flip of my wrist pulling the cord. And it's light. I've cut trees up to 11" with the 180C and it doesn't slow down. ( I keep my chain sharp though, which makes cutting easier for ANY saw ). I'd recommend the 180C to anyone based on it's performance having done a lot of cutting with it already. The easy-pull start was the icing on the cake.