Another new saw

[94BULLITT]

Ive worked the snot out of my "Farm Boss" MS290. Honestly got that model because it was the one I remembered my Dad having when I was a kid. That and the price point. Use it for felling and bucking, and my feather weight MS192 for limbing, a real back saver.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=288461"/>Lately I have been wondering how much different a "Pro-grade" saw would be. Mabe the MS261, probably dont need a 362. If anyone would like to describe the differences in operator experience between my Mid-range MS290 and the Pro-grade MS261 or older MS260, I would be apreciative. Thanx.

I would go upto the 362, there is not much difference in the price between it and the 261. The 362 is about the same weight as your 290. There is less than a pound of wieght difference between a 362 and a 261. I think you will like the extra power of the 362. A 362 will have a good bit more power than a 290.

My small saw is a 034 super which would be comparable to a 362 today probably. I always wanted a ms261. I was at my tractor dealer saturday and they are my stihl dealer. They had a used 034super and a 261. I picked them both up and they both felt like they weighed the same, so now I dont want one.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

59 sons
I had a Farm Boss for about 10 years and 3 years ago sold it to my brother and bought a MS361 with the suspension system.
What a difference in power plus "no vibration".
the saw is sooooo smooth while running.
I have a MS200T for bucking because it is a one-handed saw great for clearing brush.
I figured my wife would like to runthat - but- she wants to run the MS361 all the time.
she is 5 foot 100 lbs and can run the 361 all day.
a step up to the professional line for me was worth the money.
Tom

 

[59 Sons]

Thanx for the advice, I cant say I have ever needed more power than my MS290 as I am primarily felling sub16" Pondorosa and Doug Fir. But as my model has remained virtualy unchanged for generations, it is quite LOUD and not particularly fuel efficient.
My saw is still going strong, but I have other motives for checking out other models.
Ive recently been joined by my in-laws on our homestead, and Im not inclined to share my saws. I was considering an upgrade and passsing my MS290 onto my F'in law, or looking for a good deal on craigslist for something between a MS250 and a MS290 for him. He is +65 and would probably appreciate a lighter saw.

 

[Kiotikarl]

When you say 30-40 cords
do you mean face cords? 16" x 4' x 8' stacks ?
if so
Those saws well maintained and run on premium fuel should last you nearly 20 years.(less bar wear and chains)
20 yrs x $200 or $300 = $4000 to $6000 dollar loss
Tom

Yeap, a cord is 16" x 4x8 here too I know i lose money, but what the heck, i like new stuff:licking:

 

[59 Sons]

Would I get the smoother suspension system with the MS261 also? How about the olderMS260? Is that typical of all the pro-grade saws?

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I understand :thumbsup: I am the same way too in may ways with some of my power tools.
WE call (3) face cords - (1) cord
I was wondering how you had time to cut 90 to 120 face cords :laughing:
nice looking saws by the way.
Tom

 

[59 Sons]

Isnt a cord 4' by 4' by 8' the world around? I dont think Ive ever heard of a "Face cord"

 

[Kiotikarl]

Isnt a cord 4' by 4' by 8' the world around? I dont think Ive ever heard of a "Face cord"

Don't know world wide, but here a cord is 16" x4x8, first time i've heard of a cord as 4x4x8,
Anyways, of all my saws i've had, new and used ones, my fav goes to the Husky 357xp and the Stihl MS261, can't really comment on Stihl, the're new to me.
Huskys : 137,41, 44 special,254xp, 61, 266, 262xp, 268, 365, 371, 357xp, 357xpg x2, 353, 435, 575xpg (POS), 576xpg autotune, 570 autotune.
Stihls : Ms170, Ms362, Ms441, Ms261
That's pretty much what i can remember for now

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I don't think (not posative) all the professional grade saws have the suspension sysytem.
you can identify it on my saw just by looking at it.



the picture shows the 2 sections of the saw.
the red lines are the bar and motor front half that has lots of vibration.
the green line is the rear half of the saw which is vibration free while the front half is chopping away.
the blue line shows where the saw is split.
if you see no gap it is not a full suspenion saw.
some saw companies use rubber mounts... they are not the same.
when you start my saw and hold the back half on the concrete - the front half bounces all over the place with each fire of the piston.
when cutting in wood the rear half is free of vibration.
look for a gap in the model you want to purchase or look up stihl manuals on line for pictures.
tom

 

[59 Sons]

Big Dooley, I think your wife and her 361 would kick my butt, Bucking all day with my 290 is grueling enough. But I think mabe the vibration and noise might have as much to do with it as the weight.
The fir and pine require insane amount of limbing, and untill I got the MS192 I had to do it all with the Farm Boss, what a killer. Now I hate to put down the 192, its so quiet and light, I end up doing way more than I should with it. Once I have a huge pile of 10-12' logs, I fire up the 290 and buck all day.