Stihl Chainsaws

[nate379]

Was at the rental place today looking at saws... they seems really expensive from what I can remember...

Was looking at one of the two..

MS210 $360
MS290 $440

Can anyone compare to local prices?? I can't seem to find any prices online, or do mail order.

 

[TruckTech915]

From what I've read Stihl is about the same everywhere, within a few dollars. I don't know for sure though like I say I've only read that online.

My local Ace is the only place I have bought from.

They are well worth the money though. My dad has a Sthil weedeater bought in 1988 that is still running as strong as it was day one.

 

[bindernut]

Was at the rental place today looking at saws... they seems really expensive from what I can remember...

Was looking at one of the two..

MS210 $360
MS290 $440

Can anyone compare to local prices?? I can't seem to find any prices online, or do mail order.

HOLY **** that's outrageous!!!!!!!! I worked at one stihl dealer from 3-2005- till Jan of this year, and starting in feb of this year, i'm at a different dealer. an MS290 should be either $370, 380, or 390 depending on the bar length. And a MS210 hasn't been made for a year or 2, though there are some out there unsold yet. The replacement, MS211 is right around 300, though for that price you can get an MS250 with a 16", or ad $10 for an 18". Can't get anything shorter for it though, and a 210/211 is available w/ a 14 or 16, and you could swap a 12" on it, no 18" for it.

 

[nate379]

Both saws were 18" bars.

Interested in mailing me a saw at your prices??

I'm looking at getting a wood stove and want to cut a few cords soon. The saw I have now is a 15-20 year old McCulloch 38cc and it's ok for tree trimming, but it's not going to cut firewood anytime fast.

My friend has a 35cc Huskvarna and it can darn near cut up a whole tree in the time I've cut 2 or 3 logs.

 

[classic70]

ms290 with a 18in bar is $370 at my dealer

 

[bindernut]

Hmmm, i've never seen an 18" bar on a 210. I have the older version, the 021. I wouldn't want it w/ a 18" bar, i don't think it would have enough power. I didn't even know you could get an 18" bar for the Picco chain, unless it was an aftermarket bar. i highly doubt you could swap a 325 pitch sprocket on one.

As for the prices, those are the normal MSRP's.

 

[bindernut]

ms290 with a 18in bar is $370 at my dealer

yea, you're right. Take 10 bucks off my original prices. I was having a brain fart. MS290 w/16" is $360, 18" is $370, and 20" is $380.

 

[eddyyy302]

I can get an MS290 with an 18" rollamatic bar and full chisel chain for $330 cash money. A 16 with homeowner chain might be slightly cheaper.

Dan

 

[pl_silverado]

Get a pro saw, well worth the money.

I'd go with the MS-260 over either of those. You should be able to find a lightly used MS-260 or 026 which is the same thing.

 

[Rickntenn]

The MS-260 is an awsome saw and well worth the extra money.

 

[nate379]

Finding a good used saw around here is like finding a hot girl that is rich, doesn't ***** and cooks and cleans.

I plan on cutting maybe 3-4 cords a year, nothing much. Honestly a box store saw could do it without much hassle, but I figured a home owner grade Stihl would last me forever. It would not make sense to spend $500+ on a "pro" saw for my needs. The 260 is $520.

I was able to log onto the Stihl webpage under the dealer and it gives their prices. (DSRP... dealer suggested retail price)
Maybe I misread the tags on the saws or something, cause they don't match at all.

$379 for 16" bar, $389 for 18" bar on the 290

Maybe I was looking at the 270 or I dunno... that one is about $50 more.

.325 or 3/8" pitch chain, is there a huge difference with those??

 

[bindernut]

The 270 is a pro saw, it will be more money than a 290.
As for the pitch, the bigger the saw, the bigger the chain. You can figure an MS180 up to an MS211 will have 3/8 Picco chain. Anything above a 211 up to & including an MS290 will have .325 pitch. Anything bigger than a 290 will have full 3/8" chain. I know it sounds confusing, but if you were here I would show you the various chain sizes. I have 3 stihls, they each take different size chain.
The pro saws are nice, but if you're only going to cut 3 or 4 cords a year, it might not be worth the extra money to you, as they are substantially more money. I can cut up 1/2 cord w/ my 025 that has a 16" bar in a couple hours once the tree is down.

 

[nate379]

Is the 3/8" chain worth $50-60 over the .325? I'm not sure what else is the different between the 270 and 290.
I'm kinda thinking it's like 1 ton duallie truck for towing a single axle yard trailer to the dump once or twice a month.

Sure I want the biggest and baddest *** saw, but my wallet is saying otherwise.

I don't have a ton of experience with different saws. My Dad bought a Pro Mac 610 in the early 80s and he is still using that now. Cuts 3-4 cords a year (they heat their house and the shop with wood). That is what I grew up using.

Am finding I guess I have some bad habbits though. Like drop starting. Also running the saw out of fuel. My bother was saying very bad to do that as it's running very lean when it's bogging trying to get fuel.

 

[pl_silverado]

The 270 is a pro saw, it will be more money than a 290.
As for the pitch, the bigger the saw, the bigger the chain. You can figure an MS180 up to an MS211 will have 3/8 Picco chain. Anything above a 211 up to & including an MS290 will have .325 pitch. Anything bigger than a 290 will have full 3/8" chain. I know it sounds confusing, but if you were here I would show you the various chain sizes. I have 3 stihls, they each take different size chain.
The pro saws are nice, but if you're only going to cut 3 or 4 cords a year, it might not be worth the extra money to you, as they are substantially more money. I can cut up 1/2 cord w/ my 025 that has a 16" bar in a couple hours once the tree is down.

the 270 is not a pro saw. Make no mistake. The 260 however is and there is a difference. It's actually a joy to use, light with plenty of power while most homeowner and mid range saws I've used and heavy and underpowred.

You can find a used 260 online for under $350 easily. If you buy one you'll love it and it'll probably last you the rest of your life of you maintain it.

 

[Davefr]

MS210 is a low end consumer saw. They're OK but I'm not a fan of the low end Stihls.

MS290 is also more consumer then pro. It has a terrible power to weight ratio and is a PIA to work on. However they are a dependable saw that can take some abuse.

The good Stihls are MS260, MS361, MS440, MS460 and MS660. The MS361 is probably the best for all around use.

 

[Vinko]

I've been meaning to post as I've been thinking for some time now about a Stihl edger or weed whacker. Just something that will hold up to a bit work on some slopes and maybe another 1000 sq. ft. patch that needs to be taken care of every so often.

What's another make that's as good of quality as Stihl?

 

[tatra]

bindernut, i have an old stihl 024 [?] that has less than 10 hrs on it and after lending it out, found out they used straight gas in it .........piston and barrel were way outta line for the price i paid for it........any suggestions for parts?.........were these saws junk to begin with?..........thanx.....

 

[nate379]

Can you link the used 260 saws for that price??

270 is 11.7lbs, 3.4hp, 50cc
290 is 13lbs, 3.8hp, 56.5cc
260 is 10.6lbs, 3.2hp, 50,2cc

Those are just powerhead weights, I am going to guess without fuel and oil, but it doesn't say.

My current setup is 13lbs with bar/chain and a little bit of fuel in it. It has 3/8" pitch chain on it.

the 270 is not a pro saw. Make no mistake. The 260 however is and there is a difference. It's actually a joy to use, light with plenty of power while most homeowner and mid range saws I've used and heavy and underpowered.

You can find a used 260 online for under $350 easily. If you buy one you'll love it and it'll probably last you the rest of your life of you maintain it.

 

[bindernut]

024 was not a bad saw. I picked up an 024AV a couple years. It runs good, and now my dad has it up in MD so I could keep the 025(i have lots of chains & multiple bars for it). Sorry to hear about yours.

The MS290 is the best selling stihl saw. Yes, it is heavy, but it's a solid, dependable workhorse. I'd rather use my 025, it's lighter & w/ a 16" bar, it's a cuttin' MOFO! I also have an MS361. Got it for free, because the cylinder was trashed. I rebuilt it, and it runs good. The pro saws are awesome to run, as their handles are all spring mounted to reduce vibration & really cut down on user fatigue. However, a 361 w/ a 20" bar is 610-620 new.

Before buying a used saw, jot down the model # & call your dealer about parts availability. If it's an MS series, parts are no problem, but parts for older saws can be a real ***** to get, if available. Seen lots of people that got a used saw at a garage sale or pawn shop that are unfixable or too expensive to fix. Worked on an 056AV a couple years ago. Need a coil, which was around $125 or so. But then it turns out you have to replace the flywheel because the coil is now different, and the flywheel was over $150.

 

[bindernut]

Vinko, For what you want to do, get a good commercial unit.
Stihl trimmers are probably the most widely used in the lawn care industry, but Redmax is pretty popular w/ the golf courses. Redmax got bought out a about a year ago by Husqvarna and have changed distributors at least 2 times since then. Parts have been a joy to get. Echo makes a real nice product. See what dealers you have nearby. I never tell people to get a brand, no matter what it is, if they can't get service & parts locally.

 

[nate379]

binder, do you know what the 290 would weigh with a 16" bar?

I don't have to lug the thing day in and day out, so I'm not super worried about weight.

 

[dr_clyde]

both my dad and I have O41 farm boss saws from the seventies. he bought his new in 1976 and it still runs better than any other chain saw we have ever used. I found one identical to his and snapped it up for $100. Best saw ever. I would def. get the pro saw over the consumer saw though. Stihl's consumer level equipment doesn't hold up as well, IMO. Our weedwacker from the eighties still works great, but we bought a second one for our cabin and didn't want to spend the money for the pro model, and the damn thing broke after like, 2 years of use. go for pro.

 

[nate379]

The pro model is an extra $200 more than the 290... and the 290 is really the upper limit of what I wanted to spend.

I have not read anything bad about the 290 other than it being a bit heavier than the pro models.

 

[bindernut]

I doubt it would add 2 pounds. A 290 is definately overkill w/ a 16" though. if all you want to run is a 16", then get an MS250. Less $, lighter, and it's a cuttin MOFO. And you can upgrade to an 18 if you want. The 290 will take a 20" and the 250 won't, so keep that in mind. I like my 025(older version of the MS250) a LOT. I keep a 16" on it, and have cut a lot of wood with it. When I need bigger I've got the MS361.

 

[nate379]

I was going by the webpage for the 290 which says: "STIHL recommends #3634 (26 RMC3 67) OILOMATIC® saw chain and 16" 3003 812 7013 Ematic™ guide bar combination."

16-18" bar is really all I need. We don't have giant trees around here like in WA and OR.

When did they do the model name change? I found a couple used 029, 026, etc that claim to be a year or less old. Seems like it's been longer than that.

 

[bindernut]

If anyone is telling you that an 0-anything is only a year old, run, they're full of it. The line had been changed to the MS series before I started at the first shop, and that was 5 years ago this month. I guess technically someone could've bought an NOS saw, but it's very unlikely-demand a receipt if they say that.
Trust me, an MS290 will handle a 20" just fine. In fact, most shops will have them set up w/ an 18 or a 20". Finding one on a shelf w/ a 16 is going to be a challenge. It's NOT a common setup.

 

[pl_silverado]

Can you link the used 260 saws for that price??

270 is 11.7lbs, 3.4hp, 50cc
290 is 13lbs, 3.8hp, 56.5cc
260 is 10.6lbs, 3.2hp, 50,2cc

Those are just powerhead weights, I am going to guess without fuel and oil, but it doesn't say.

My current setup is 13lbs with bar/chain and a little bit of fuel in it. It has 3/8" pitch chain on it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stihl-MS260-Cha...S_Chainsaws?hash=item45f1dabd94#ht_843wt_1167

http://cgi.ebay.com/STIHL-MS-260-PR...S_Chainsaws?hash=item1e5b12c08a#ht_720wt_1167

http://cgi.ebay.com/stihl-ms-260-pr...S_Chainsaws?hash=item1c114182f1#ht_500wt_1182

http://cgi.ebay.com/STIHL-MS-260-CH...S_Chainsaws?hash=item4cee76e082#ht_500wt_1182

I'd buy one of them, but i already have one. I'm in the market for an MS-460 or MS-660 now.

Check out saw reviews on http://www.arboristsite.com
They also have a classifieds section, usually the 260's sell fairly quick once their posted.

It is worth the money. I run an 18" bar with stihl rsc chain and it cuts like a hot knife through butter. Just keep the chain sharp!

 

[nate379]

I have a line on a Husqvarna 359, wasn't used much for $350... seem like a decent deal??

A few of those eBay ads... no way. Bar is all worn out.. you know that saw has seen some use!

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/forest/products/powerful-robust-saws/359/#specifications

 

[ossaguy]

Just be sure that whatever used saw you buy that you take out the spark plug,and shine a light into the cylinder to check for a scored cyl wall.It should look shiny and uniform.

The top ends easily totals out the mid-sized and smaller saws,especially when you figure in the cost of a carb if that was the cause of failure.

I see a lot of Huskies leave the shop in a box,and we service/sell more Stihls.

Steve

 

[nate379]

I think it's kinda like Ford vs Dodge between the two. I grew up in Maine, lots of forestry and the wood cutters usually ran Stihl or Husky and that was it. My friend's Dad also had a few Johnsered saws, dunno if they are still made anymore even?

 

[Stick]

Just be sure that whatever used saw you buy that you take out the spark plug,and shine a light into the cylinder to check for a scored cyl wall.It should look shiny and uniform.

If you are going to go that far, you might as well take 10 minutes and run a compression check, and pull the exhaust to check for blow by (a worn out ring) and check the intake side of the jug for a lean seize.

 

[hetkind]

I just rescued a 028 with a 16" bar I left at my father's house 25 years ago...makes a nice addition to my MS290 Farm Boss with 18" bar, plus I have a Poulan Pro 290 with a 20" bar.

The Stihls weight more, but have less vibration and more power.

Howard

 

[nate379]

I was talking to my little brother and he said go with the 290. He has run the 260 and 290 among many other saws (he helps on a small logging crew a few times a month). I swear he must study the darn manuals cause he new the specs for all the Husky and Stihl saws off the top of his head!

He said he found the 260 to be lacking in power and wasn't a fan of the anti-vibe bushings. Went through 3 sets of them bucking about 15 cords of wood.

Now granted he is comparing to his normal saw, a 460, but he likes the 290 better than the 260.

 

[walrus]

I think it's kinda like Ford vs Dodge between the two. I grew up in Maine, lots of forestry and the wood cutters usually ran Stihl or Husky and that was it. My friend's Dad also had a few Johnsered saws, dunno if they are still made anymore even?

I've got a Husky and a Jonsered, I prefer the jonsered. The Husky might have more power. Husky is king around here but not to me

 

[sharkytm]

Jonsered is made by husqy.
I'll stick to my husqvarana's...
1979 Rancher 44
2001 345 (**** saw my boss gave up on and I spent $20 to refurb)
2002 261 (the star of the show, spins a nice skip chain on a 20" bar in red oak)

 

[wendell]

I knocked the dust off my ol' 61 rancher this morning. Hadn't been run in 5 or so years. Cleaned up the plug, fresh gas; good to go. Railed through a couple cord of Eastern White Pine. Tons of fun. I truly love that saw...

 

[nolatoolguy]

A average homeowner and a do it yourselfer DOES NOT NEED A EXPESNIVE CHAINSAW WHEN INPROPERLY USED THEY CAN AND WILL HURT YOU, if you are going to get one and use it at least once a month i would recomend a husquvarna 455 rancher to start out there a pretty good saw all around with a 20 inch bar

stihl has never been any good for us out on our farm no matter what model. I got some pics of our saws on my profile let me go get them and ile show you what we got

also what are you going to be using the saws for

View media item 3720
View media item 4049
View media item 4050
View media item 3887

 

[pedro1990]

Yea, all i can say is: pro or consumer depends on how you are gonna treat the saws. I know some homeowners think they gotta have pro grade even though they could get by with consumer. reason being, they treat the equipment like **** then piss and moan when it breaks early. In some cases, they could buy numerous cheaper machines over their lifetime and still be ahead of buying one pro tool. its all in how you take care of it. Whatever saw or 2 stroke machine you choose, always, always use good gas and oil. we do small engine repair on the side and every year we throw out numerous saws because theyve had lean mix gas run through them. stay away from cheap oil and oils that say all ratios. imo, just mix it correctly and use stabil as insurance. with enough care, even cheaper machines will operate trouble free for years.

 

[bushhawg73]

I have three Stihls, 018 4 years old or so and it runs great. It is my best saw for limbing a tree. 028 that is pretty old, it has the aluminum gas tank and oil tank. It is a great saw and was pass on to me from my father in law. 036 pro this saw kicks ***. It is pretty heavy but there is no problem when it comes to straight out cutting performance. I have never been disapointed in this saw. It is well made and as long as the chain is sharp it cuts wood like butter.

Check out the arborists sites along with the people on GJ, do your homework and you will end up with a saw that will last a long time if maintained.

I do not know what the pros would say but I always run my saws out of fule after using. This is a no load situation mind you. I pour out the remaining fuel and then crank them until they will not run again. 4 years of doing this and no problems so far. This was after I had the carb rebuilt twice in the 028. A guy at the shop suggested it and sure enough, no more carb rebuilds.

 

[srmofo]

screw the chainsaw this is what you need


<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YeanPDO-D6M&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YeanPDO-D6M&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

...or the hillbilly version, i gotta admit I really like this one more
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2bVAAx3mMKY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2bVAAx3mMKY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>