New Stihl?

[dvan1966]

I have a 029 that I bought new in 1994 with a 20" bar that I'm still using. Been thinking about getting a new one and that should last me the rest of my wood cutting days. I've always wanted something with a little more power than the 029. I looked at the MS291, 311 and 391 today. The dealer said the 291 will probably have a little more than the old 029. I was leaning more towards the 311, more power and bigger chain, 3/8" instead of .325. He also had a 391 for $90 more than the 311 but not sure if I need that . The 311 is about 1.4lbs heavier than the 291. I have mostly been cutting dead ash the last few years and there is lots more still standing in the woods behind me. Any recommendations on which way to go?
I want to stay with Stihl because there are a few dealers/service in my area.

 

[4570Man]

Those are all farm grade saws. Do yourself a favor and get a pro saw. A stihl 261 is the same power as the biggest one in your lineup and 4 pounds less. You’re considering spending $4-500 and a 261 is low $600s. It would be well worth that much to shave 3-4 pounds off your saw and keep the same power.

 

[bullbreaker]

If you want to stay in the Stihl lineup thats fine . Not sure of there current lineup but I would spend more beans and get one of their pro saws also . Years ago I owned an 029 ( great saw ) . I don't know maybe 7 years ago I bought me a new MS291 . I sold it to someone who asked me if I would sell it to them . I muffler mod etc my own saws . I was not too impressed with my MS291 , and it had no issues what so ever . Cranked easy also . Since then I have owned maybe 4 Echo Timberwolfs which would run circles and I like better than my MS291 . I flip saws in my neck of the Fla everglades etc . Not steering you to Echo , just saying I would spend more beans into the Stihl pro stuff and not homeowner "farm " catchy phrase series .

My current saws are a Shindaiwa 600 which is the same as an Echo 620 and a Timberwolf . Both saws pullin 24"bars . BTW paid $400 for the Wolf delivered to my house tax and shipping included . Tons of Timberwolf mods on utube .

 

[fruitcakesa]

I just sprung for a Husky 562XP as a replacement for the old Jonsered 2255.
About the same weight, +_1 lb, but a much faster and pro grade saw.
Bigger money $800+- but it is a beast compared to the little Jonsy and will cut head to head with my 2171.
20 inch bars on all saws.

 

[PILOON]

My favorite 'go to' saw is a Stihl 009 that I purchased at a pawn shop for the sum of $40.00.
Lots of power for the weight and a favorite of tree surgeons, in fact it was modified with a hook to hang from the belt.
I've refused many offers for it from tree guys.

 

[dodge man]

I bought a 261 about 2 years ago. I would also recommend looking at the pro saws.

 

[fishdrivel]

I would caution inexperienced guys about pro grade saws. They can be a handful!
Farm swas have more a more effective torque curve that makes them easier to use.
Although I can't imagine a professional wanting anything less than the best pro grade they can get.

 

[mx1alex]

I used a 291 for 10 years or so. Super tough a dependable saw but it's underpowered for how heavy it is. Got a deal on a 261 and wish I would've made the move sooner. The 261 is the perfect all around saw IMO.

 

[Jchonline]

I have a 029 that I bought new in 1994 with a 20" bar that I'm still using. Been thinking about getting a new one and that should last me the rest of my wood cutting days. I've always wanted something with a little more power than the 029. I looked at the MS291, 311 and 391 today. The dealer said the 291 will probably have a little more than the old 029. I was leaning more towards the 311, more power and bigger chain, 3/8" instead of .325. He also had a 391 for $90 more than the 311 but not sure if I need that . The 311 is about 1.4lbs heavier than the 291. I have mostly been cutting dead ash the last few years and there is lots more still standing in the woods behind me. Any recommendations on which way to go?
I want to stay with Stihl because there are a few dealers/service in my area.

I have a 241 (18 inch bar) and a 362 (25 inch bar). Both great. They have the etronic carb

 

[dvan1966]

How will the 261 compare to my 029 and the 291 power wise? I plan on putting a 20" bar on whatever I get. I was looking for something with a little more power than my 029. I do like the weight of the 261, especially compared to the 311

 

[Snobdds]

An upgrade would be to the Stihl 362. Anything else would be a lateral move. The 362 can handle a 20 inch bar with no issues.

 

[xyz123]

362 was replaced by 400. Same saw just bigger bore. 3.2 ounces more weight you can get a 462. Also being sold with a regular carb too in US.

 

[xyz123]

NW Ohio near what town? NC Ohio here. @dvan1966

No stihls right now used.

But run and test a bunch here.

Just waiting on brake parts for this 67cc I just put a new piston in.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I bought my first Stihl back in March 2021 during the nearby dealers big sale week, A MS261C based on lots of comments in another thread here. I used it a little over the months and a full couple days this past summer and it worked great and cut like no other I've used. Hopefully I'll be just as happy with it in 10-20 years.

 

[4570Man]

How will the 261 compare to my 029 and the 291 power wise? I plan on putting a 20" bar on whatever I get. I was looking for something with a little more power than my 029. I do like the weight of the 261, especially compared to the 311

The 029 is rated at 3.7 hp and the 261 is rated at 4 hp. But the biggest saw in your lineup is only rated at 4.2 hp. You can get whatever size pro saw you want but you’ll be spending a grand vs $600. Realistically I think you would see a lot of difference between your O29 and a 261. But if you really want to be impressed get a bigger saw.

 

[kenmbz]

The 261 costs more than my cs-620....
Does have great power to weight ratio though. I will stick with the Echos value/$.
My cs-490 seems a bit light on the power for a approx. 50cc, but the 620 is a beast on the 20-36" trees with the 24" bar.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I love Stihl saws....but My experience is that the newer saws just do not compare to the older stuff. I ran an 026 for 20 plus years cutting anywhere from 3 to 6 cords of hardwood a year before I just plain wore the saw out. I replaced it with an MS290 which lost enough compression that it would not start after 4 years; and yes I use alcohol free high octane fuel and the Stihl synthetic oil.

Given the choice I would spend the extra dough and upgrade to the commercial line.

 

[4570Man]

The 261 costs more than my cs-620....
Does have great power to weight ratio though. I will stick with the Echos value/$.
My cs-490 seems a bit light on the power for a approx. 50cc, but the 620 is a beast on the 20-36" trees with the 24" bar.

Stihl doesn’t provide the most bang for your buck that’s for sure.

 

[flagpond01]

I have a 029 that I bought new in 1994 with a 20" bar that I'm still using. Been thinking about getting a new one and that should last me the rest of my wood cutting days. I've always wanted something with a little more power than the 029. I looked at the MS291, 311 and 391 today. The dealer said the 291 will probably have a little more than the old 029. I was leaning more towards the 311, more power and bigger chain, 3/8" instead of .325. He also had a 391 for $90 more than the 311 but not sure if I need that . The 311 is about 1.4lbs heavier than the 291. I have mostly been cutting dead ash the last few years and there is lots more still standing in the woods behind me. Any recommendations on which way to go?
I want to stay with Stihl because there are a few dealers/service in my area.

I have a 391 and a Pro 261 C-M. The 261 is much lighter with lots of power. The 391 has a lot of power, just as does the 261, but it is a handful. I had a 311 but it refused to start when it got hot so I gave it to a friend.

 

[nyone]

I bough a new ms290 just before they switched to the ms291. It def had more power than the 026 it replaced. But 3 yrs ago I bough a used 046 for bucking. The extra weight far out weighs having all that power.