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.
TomSeller
Super Member
While the Stihl MS180 might be a good limbing saw for many, I think you will run out of saw real quick if you want to do medium sized cutting. The MS271 is a good saw if budget does not allow a 261. A 271 will last a long, long time under non pro useage.
I am an advocate of having a small saw like the 180, but not as an only saw.
arrow
Super Member
I think I know what's going to happen Dacoonz when you go to the Stihl dealer. You're gonna heft the 271, then you'll pick up the 261 and think that saw is talking to you so be prepared for the added expense. Don't get caught up in all this "brand" stuff. If you do like the 261 but not the expense and you have a Husky dealer near you and don't want to spend $500 or more for a chainsaw, you'd be tickled pink with a Husky 353. Dolmar makes a professional style saw without the professional pricing but unfortunately, they have lousy distribution. For light cutting, a narrower kerf chain is preferable. I've used every saw imaginable in my 30 years as a professional logger,,,and no, you cannot ask what a professional would use as it has more to do with saw availability of the area and who is giving the best pricing. I never had a "favorite" as to me, the favorite was what i could get in my hands that day to continue working. I mostly have Huskys but have used plenty of other major brands and the only reason I have Husky is that was the dealer giving the best pricing break. I think most pro saws are way over priced. When I skid in a tree to my landing, invariably I'll pick up my little Efco 3700 and cut up the crown. I've used this saw to cut up 14" trees from start to finish. Its small but cuts like a banshee. If you were going to spend $600 on a saw, i'd get two. A smaller saw like the Efco (under 40 cc) and the Husky 353 with an 18" bar. What I like about the Husky is not the name (as I couldn't care less about that) but that it is built with professional underpinnings without the high price. http://www.husqvarna.com/asia/products-2526/chainsaws/353/
adventure bob
Platinum Member
Hoisted over a cord of logs today and cut them with my husky 550XP. Fired first pull every time, went through the logs like butter, and used very little gas to do it.
I have to say you get what you pay for when it comes to saws. If you are mechanical, you could look at older used saws. Im looking for my first older saw as we speak. I've used a friends smaller husky to work on my ability to tune and repair.
I have to say, another great day in the woods. Awesome tractor, great saw, beautiful sunset.
I have to say you get what you pay for when it comes to saws. If you are mechanical, you could look at older used saws. Im looking for my first older saw as we speak. I've used a friends smaller husky to work on my ability to tune and repair.
I have to say, another great day in the woods. Awesome tractor, great saw, beautiful sunset.
GManBart
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I have a 170, which weighs about the same as the 180, but has a touch less power, and it can do a lot more than I ever expected when I bought it. I figured it would be mostly for limbing, but I now use it for anything up to probably 12" in diameter, and probably a bit bigger....love it.
The one problem is that you'll find out very quickly, you need two saws for when you get one stuck....happens all the time.
dextyr2491
New member
For what its worth, I have a Stihl MS180 that fits my bill for limbs and trees 10-20 inches in diameter. I only have the 14" bar, but you can get a 16" bar. I did ask for the more aggressive chain. I like the light weight and for the size, cuts circles around the older heavier saws.
The problem out here on the west coast is fuel. Treat the fuel of for sure empty the tank in the winter time. It has plenty of hard hours on it and works just like the old Timex commercial says.
The problem out here on the west coast is fuel. Treat the fuel of for sure empty the tank in the winter time. It has plenty of hard hours on it and works just like the old Timex commercial says.
ultrarunner
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KenB2920
Veteran Member
I own the MS270c..... Fabulous saw... PM me or ask away with specific questions. I am no pro, but I use this saw a fair amount. It works and has never let me down.
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bacrow
Bronze Member
dacoonz,
Let us know how the MS271 works out.
I have the same size property as you and the same needs for a chain saw. I bought an MS250 a little more than a year ago. It is difficult to start and floods easily. It has been in the shop twice. This last visit they had to replace the carburator and the main switch. The last time I used it I could not shut it off using the switch. I had to choke it to death. Then it wouldn't start again. They said the diaphram got too hard. They would not cover it under warranty because it was not a manufacturing defect. I only used high quality, high octane fuel and Stihl oil.
The saw worked well when it did run, and it was about the right size.
Good luck to you. I hope it works out.
Let us know how the MS271 works out.
I have the same size property as you and the same needs for a chain saw. I bought an MS250 a little more than a year ago. It is difficult to start and floods easily. It has been in the shop twice. This last visit they had to replace the carburator and the main switch. The last time I used it I could not shut it off using the switch. I had to choke it to death. Then it wouldn't start again. They said the diaphram got too hard. They would not cover it under warranty because it was not a manufacturing defect. I only used high quality, high octane fuel and Stihl oil.
The saw worked well when it did run, and it was about the right size.
Good luck to you. I hope it works out.
GManBart
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Any chance the fuel had ethanol in it? It's notorious for doing bad things to plastics and rubber. R,
bacrow
Bronze Member
It shouldn't. I only bought my fuel from one place. A Phillips station that says they are ethanol free. But who knows who you can trust on these things anymore.
