Help me choose my chainsaw lineup

[atsah]

Stihl 200T, MS260PRO, MS361PRO and an old Husky 51 is what I have.

 

[newbury]

A few things to remember about Stihl chainsaws -
The oiler for some newer US saws is set up for EPA and Stihl chains. Stihl chains often have a special groove for the oil and the oiler is designed to take advantage of that. For example on the 660's in the US it's hard to get the "standard US" oiler to put out enough to sling oil off the end of the chain when running. The 660 sold in Australia has what they call a high output oiler STANDARD. This puts out much more oil and really helps if using a CSM. Both my 660's have the HO oiler "upgrade". My 021 and 088 were made before they tried to bend to the EPA. And I can easily adjust them to "sling oil". My JD just spits oil.

Most Stihls are not designed to start on the first or second pull when cold. I've 7 Stihl 2 strokes, with all of them it's choke on, pull, maybe pull twice, it pops, push the choke in, pull and it fires.

 

[LD1]

I was worred about the starting for nothing. Tried a cold start on the 441 this morning. Boot in loop, Deep breath and PULL. Almost gave myself a black eye it pulled so easily. 2nd pull - WHAT'S THAT NOISE!!? That 441 pulls easier than my 361 does cold.

As for the 1/2 mile of Willows. I don't expect to ever finish it. Been at it 3 or 4 years now just picking the ones hanging over the field. He is one motivated farmer. Says to drive though the crops all I want .

Off tomorrow to baptize that 441 on a big one, estimate at least 36" DBH.

harry k

I really like the way the ps540 and 115i I have handle. They are my small saws. Nice light and easy to handle.

 

[TomSeller]

As for the 1/2 mile of Willows. I don't expect to ever finish it. Been at it 3 or 4 years now just picking the ones hanging over the field.

One of my least favorite trees. I recall cutting a bunch of willow and stacking it as firewood. The dang woodpile started growing sprouts. Those things are hard to get rid of.

 

[dfkrug]

Most Stihls are not designed to start on the first or second pull when cold. I've 7 Stihl 2 strokes, with all of them
it's choke on, pull, maybe pull twice, it pops, push the choke in, pull and it fires.

...and all of them have a thottle lock that forces you to be at full throttle when choking, correct? I prefer the
bigger saws that have a partial throttle lock, and do not require any throttle lock when choked.

I have yet to have a saw that starts on first or second pull when cold, unless it has only been sitting a few
hours or less since being warmed up.

 

[Kessler Farms]

I'm a Stihl fan, and own the 460 Magnum. I have been very happy with it, and its not a real hard starting saw. Have an old 025 18" bar, MS 361 24" bar, and the 460 Magnum 36" bar.

 

[JRobyn]

As I get older (and don't we all?) I like my modest-sized, lightweight saws more and more. My fave is my 34cc Solo 640. Light, but powerful enough to run an 18" bar which does almost everything I need. Wife can use it well, except for a little trouble starting it due to high compression and no release. When I need anything bigger, I borrow one of my B-I-L's big Stihls, but MAN they are tiring in comparison!

Another consideration that is important to me is easily available parts and service. Stihl has a great dealer network, but I don't like how they seem to consider their parts lists and parts so proprietary.

- Jay

 

[motownbrowne]

I'm a Stihl fan, and own the 460 Magnum. I have been very happy with it, and its not a real hard starting saw. Have an old 025 18" bar, MS 361 24" bar, and the 460 Magnum 36" bar.

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I picked up the 460 yesterday. Seems to be in pretty nice shape. I'll certainly miss my 361, but having the Shindaiwa and the 036 will fill the gap I think. Doesn't look like that 36" bar gets much use.

 

[TomSeller]

I'm a Stihl fan, and own the 460 Magnum. I have been very happy with it, and its not a real hard starting saw. Have an old 025 18" bar, MS 361 24" bar, and the 460 Magnum 36" bar.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/rural-living/420273-help-me-choose-my-chainsaw-forumrunner_20150409_152953-png"/>

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/rural-living/420274-help-me-choose-my-chainsaw-forumrunner_20150409_153100-png"/>

Nice saws and nice Gator. I need a Gator.

 

[EMcPhee]

Husky's are the only saws I own. I have run or owned many different saws in the past 35 years, and only Husky's have space in the garage.