chainsaw decision time

[highboy1975]

ok, so should i be a little more interested in the used 036 pro?

 

[highboy1975]

i also found an 026 pro with new jug and piston for 300, but i think thats not gona be enough saw.

 

[GaryS]

Stihl MS361....while they can still be bought.

I second that comment. I bought a ms 260 and it's been a great saw but my next one will be a 361.

 

[wampum]

That 036 would be a good saw for you. And would probably do all you want. I sold saws for years,I could try to lean you towards the saws I sold ,but the only advice I will give you. Is that you buy a saw,either new or used,that you know you have a good dealer to back it up with parts and service. I also agree with the above post,those pines would be dangerous to take down,if you have limited experience. Practice on the smaller trees,and then and only then if the big trees are away from anything they could hurt give it a try. But only if you have someone with experience to be with you,to watch your cuts and alert you to danger. If those pines have to come down,You might get someone to cut them down for the lumber. You would still have the limbs and the knotty sections for camp fires.

 

[highboy1975]

3 of the pines are near the house and those are being dropped by a pro, cut up by me. ive got quite a few small trees to practice on, and ive cut down a bunch in the 16-20inch diameter range, but im gona definately do the big pines away from the house last. the ones near the house are getting dropped by an insured pro. the ones away from the house arent in a hurry to come down, they wont fall on anything if they do it on their own. even though the 036pro is used, im going to follow up on that one, because if saws are anything like cub cadets, the older ones are heavier duty.

i ran a 290 today, and it did seem pretty decent for the money. but i want to see the 036 first.

 

[wampum]

3 of the pines are near the house and those are being dropped by a pro, cut up by me. ive got quite a few small trees to practice on, and ive cut down a bunch in the 16-20inch diameter range, but im gona definately do the big pines away from the house last. the ones near the house are getting dropped by an insured pro. the ones away from the house arent in a hurry to come down, they wont fall on anything if they do it on their own. even though the 036pro is used, im going to follow up on that one, because if saws are anything like cub cadets, the older ones are heavier duty.

i ran a 290 today, and it did seem pretty decent for the money. but i want to see the 036 first.

Sounds like you are making some good decisions.

 

[arrow]

3 of the pines are near the house and those are being dropped by a pro, cut up by me. ive got quite a few small trees to practice on, and ive cut down a bunch in the 16-20inch diameter range, but im gona definately do the big pines away from the house last. the ones near the house are getting dropped by an insured pro. the ones away from the house arent in a hurry to come down, they wont fall on anything if they do it on their own. even though the 036pro is used, im going to follow up on that one, because if saws are anything like cub cadets, the older ones are heavier duty.

i ran a 290 today, and it did seem pretty decent for the money. but i want to see the 036 first.

Its not only the direction but big pines are notorious for throwing limbs down on you. We used to bump them with the skidder first just to make sure nothing else was going to fall from a vibrating chainsaw. Lower branches tend to rot as the tree grows taller. Also, be savvy about buying a used saw if used by a pro. There wasn't gonna be a chainsaw I'd ever sell to anyone after I used it up. A new jug could but not necessarily mean trouble for the rest of the saw. I've seen guys burn up perfectly good saws that were almost new by leaning them out to gain speed. Try to discover the reason for selling. Some people just want a bigger saw. For me, I need multiple saws even as a homeowner but I've heat with wood for 40 years. A Husky 346,357 and 372 will cover just about anyone burning wood. ( I have the 200's of the same saws listed above)

 

[studor]

If you search for MS 290 on here you find threads by people making similar decisions. I have the MS290 with an 18in bar-- bought on sale. Actually I should say I bought a Stihl hat for $400 Cdn and got the saw,spare chain,case and oil thrown in:laughing:
Certainly for felling if the 290 won't cut it, I probably should not be the one doing it. For all the rest of the tasks I put it to it has been great

 

[galen1115]

Correction on the model saw I was referring to in my previous post. Sthil MS361 not MS360. Sorry.

 

[turbo36]

I have a Sthil 028, a couple of MS290's and the MS361 they all run great, never had a problem - in my opinion if you can handle the price of the 361 go for it, if not then the 290 will do a good job at a great price.