For your use ,I WOULD SERIOUSLY LOOK AT THE STIHL 180 ,KEEP CHAIN SHARP AND YOU'LL LOVE IT I HAVE A 180 ,250,AND A 020 WHICH I BOUGHT IN THE 70'S ,I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST GETTING THE ONE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH A WRINCH TO TIGHTEN CHAIN . YOU SIMPLY FLIP OUT A PIECE ON THE SIDE TO LOOSEN THEN PUSH FORWARD TO TIGHTEN AND BACKWARD TO LOOSEN ,YOU'LL LIKE THAT FEATURE ,I SURE DO .holt50
Chain saws
- Thread starter dacoonz
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coss
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There have been a lot of posts recommending the Stihl O26 (older version) and the MS260 or 261 Pro models, and I can concur.
Some things to think about:
1. The dealer is important, because you will need service and parts, and a dealer with poor customer service is a deal-breaking liability.
2. How big and strong are you? An hour on a chainsaw is a lot of work. Heavier saws will make that hour more difficult, as long as the lighter saw has enough power to handle your task. Cutting small and medium size trees can usually be accomplished just fine with a 16" bar on a 50 cc quality saw, without the need for a behemoth. Stihl saws in the MS261 size range are ideal for this job. If you are a 250 pound muscular young guy who is accustomed to throwing hay bales all day, you could handle a larger saw with ease, but most people are smaller and wimpier than that, including me.
3. A spare chain is a big help. The work goes faster (and very importantly, EASIER) with a sharp chain, and if you have two sharp chains, you can swap them out during a water break, and speed the next part of your cutting day.
I have a Stihl O26, and find it does a great job for uses very similar to yours'.
Some things to think about:
1. The dealer is important, because you will need service and parts, and a dealer with poor customer service is a deal-breaking liability.
2. How big and strong are you? An hour on a chainsaw is a lot of work. Heavier saws will make that hour more difficult, as long as the lighter saw has enough power to handle your task. Cutting small and medium size trees can usually be accomplished just fine with a 16" bar on a 50 cc quality saw, without the need for a behemoth. Stihl saws in the MS261 size range are ideal for this job. If you are a 250 pound muscular young guy who is accustomed to throwing hay bales all day, you could handle a larger saw with ease, but most people are smaller and wimpier than that, including me.
3. A spare chain is a big help. The work goes faster (and very importantly, EASIER) with a sharp chain, and if you have two sharp chains, you can swap them out during a water break, and speed the next part of your cutting day.
I have a Stihl O26, and find it does a great job for uses very similar to yours'.
wngsprd
Super Member
Here's another vote for the Stihl 026 or whatever has replaced it. I've had many years of trouble free use without taking any special care of it.
Tkekic
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No doubt about it. Stihl Farm Boss. Had one sold it bought a Huskvarna. One of the most stupid things I have done. Husky has been a real lemon. Stihl is the wat to go.
Coyote machine
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Curious why you sold the Stihl you had to buy a Husky?
Thanks to everyone for the comments. The discussion has been very enlightening. Taking all into account along with budget I think the MS 271 looks like the saw for me. The saw has good reviews and a decent price. Anyone with experience with this saw?
Since Valero started putting ethanol in their gas a few years ago I don't know who has ethanol free gas now. Any suggestions on how to find ethanol free gas?
Since Valero started putting ethanol in their gas a few years ago I don't know who has ethanol free gas now. Any suggestions on how to find ethanol free gas?
GManBart
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ultrarunner
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I keep checking and unfortunately... California and Nevada are very few and far between.
That sounds good to me, but I was afraid it wouldn't be enough saw. It's lighter and over $100 less. Just read a bunch of reviews and almost all were very positive. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow and will have to take a look at both of them. At 62 the lighter weight is very appealing.
