Sthil Chainsaw prices

[GaryS]

An update. My local Stihl dealer is 2 miles from my house. I like to buy from/support local businesses so that's were I wanted to buy.

Before I went in, I have to admit that I over analyze decisions like this. I created a spreadsheet with all the details for the various models of chainsaws down to the $ per pound lb, $ per cc, and $ per horsepower. After reading the posts by MessickFarmEqu, montanaman and others, I settled on the MS260. When I got there, he said he doesn't stock the MS260 but he does have the MS260Pro version. I'm sure the MS260Pro is a great saw but I don't need the decompression chamber and ask about the plain 260. He explained that the 260 isn't a pro model and that it has a plastic crankcase. We talked for a bit and he convinced me that MS270 was the way to go (he had that in stock). I think he's wrong about the plastic crankcase on the MS260. I think it's the exactly like the 260Pro minus the decompression chamber and more aggressive oiler.

I bought the 270, bar oil, and 3 chains (buy 2 get one free promotion). I leave but then regret not taking others advise and call him to ask if he'd order the MS260 for me - all at list. Nothing free. Nothing discounted.

Now if you'll please excuse me while I go eat my hat (which I got on the cheap)....

 

[ultrarunner]

Gary... I was hoping you'd bring home a ms 260 pro and post a review. It's the saw I have my eye on.

Last week I saw a Stihl promotion for a case, oil and extra Stihl stuff for $30 extra. I went to my independent Stihl Dealer where I've bought a number of power tools and asked for the ms 260 pro along with the $30 promotion. They didn't know anything about the promotion and later I learned it is only at participating dealers... so I decided to hold off for now.

 

[GaryS]

I am getting the MS260 and if I'm not wrong, the only two differences are the decompression chamber and a more aggressive oiler.

The guy said he had to call his contact to see when he'd get one. He griped that shipping was expensive. You know shipping companies were quick to add surcharges when fuel prices exploded but I don't see them dropping much now that gas is 1.90/gallon. I hope to have this by Friday, but we'll have to see.

I'll be sure to post a quick review when I get it and attack the pile thats accumulating.

 

[dfkrug]

My Sthil saw fuel line went bad after one year. I thought it was odd. Has anyone else here had problems with their Sthil fuel lines?

I just got my first Stihl saw a couple of weeks ago--a 3yo MS170. Clearly
a light duty homeowner saw. I got it cuz the owner gave up on it. It had
a broken fuel line and the wrong metric nut holding the carb (almost) on.

I bought a few parts online (cheap and fast) and now the saw runs great.
I thought of using it for my limbing saw, but my Makita (Dolmar) seems
better, even after damaging it. I DO like the Stihl fuel and oil caps, and
people pay crazy amounts for a used Stihl. Both my Husky 455 and my
Makita use primer bulbs to start....Stihl does not. The Stihl starts easy, but
not as easy as my other 2 saws. I would still be using my old boat anchor
Echo, if I could only get the oiler to work. I am uncomfortable with all the
plastic on these modern saws. I am sure true pro saws use less plastic.

 

[Airic]

I just had to recheck to see if mine was a Pro or not. I didn't even realize there was a standard MS260. The dealer I went to didn't have one either and they had almost 18 different models. I put it through its paces and it did a great job. I've been working on a 22" fallen tree and I had one issue over the weekend as I could not tell how the tree would settle after cutting a section of trunk and ended up binding the saw real good. This is where a second saw would of come in real handy. It was dusk, starting to rain with 36 deg temps and there was no way I was going to be leaving it outside for the night. Had to take my tractor out for the lights and a cheap Troy Bilt 6" pull saw to cut this 22" trunk to free my Stihl. After about 45 min. I had gotten it free. For a while, I was not very happy with my predicament. It always seem to be the worst time when something like this happens.

 

[4Kings]

The 260PRO has a decomp valve and and adjustable oiler, that's the only difference. The 260 is a pro saw.

The 270 is a fine saw and I'm sure it will last you a lifetime but it's not a pro level saw like the 260. Hope the dealer didn't try to sell it as one.

 

[4Kings]

I just had to recheck to see if mine was a Pro or not. I didn't even realize there was a standard MS260. The dealer I went to didn't have one either and they had almost 18 different models. I put it through its paces and it did a great job. I've been working on a 22" fallen tree and I had one issue over the weekend as I could not tell how the tree would settle after cutting a section of trunk and ended up binding the saw real good. This is where a second saw would of come in real handy. It was dusk, starting to rain with 36 deg temps and there was no way I was going to be leaving it outside for the night. Had to take my tractor out for the lights and a cheap Troy Bilt 6" pull saw to cut this 22" trunk to free my Stihl. After about 45 min. I had gotten it free. For a while, I was not very happy with my predicament. It always seem to be the worst time when something like this happens.

Get yourself some plastic wedges. Once you start using them you will never bind up a saw. You could also just get a second bar and chain instead of a second saw.

 

[montanaman]

An update. My local Stihl dealer is 2 miles from my house. I like to buy from/support local businesses so that's were I wanted to buy.

Before I went in, I have to admit that I over analyze decisions like this. I created a spreadsheet with all the details for the various models of chainsaws down to the $ per pound lb, $ per cc, and $ per horsepower. After reading the posts by MessickFarmEqu, montanaman and others, I settled on the MS260. When I got there, he said he doesn't stock the MS260 but he does have the MS260Pro version. I'm sure the MS260Pro is a great saw but I don't need the decompression chamber and ask about the plain 260. He explained that the 260 isn't a pro model and that it has a plastic crankcase. We talked for a bit and he convinced me that MS270 was the way to go (he had that in stock). I think he's wrong about the plastic crankcase on the MS260. I think it's the exactly like the 260Pro minus the decompression chamber and more aggressive oiler.

I bought the 270, bar oil, and 3 chains (buy 2 get one free promotion). I leave but then regret not taking others advise and call him to ask if he'd order the MS260 for me - all at list. Nothing free. Nothing discounted.

Now if you'll please excuse me while I go eat my hat (which I got on the cheap)....

The MS260 and MS 260PRO are basically the same saw with the PRO having the compression release and the adjustable oiler. For a saw this size, I don't think the compression release is a big deal but I have sold one to a guy with a bad shoulder and he couldn't start a saw without one. Add to that the fact that we are not getting younger, and it may not be a bad feature. I like the adjustable oiler because it will produce more volume than the non adjustable. The EPA has reduced the amount of oil that a chainsaw can put out and it is directly related to the size of the engine. Larger saws can run larger bars and will require more oil. Having said that, I get a lot of calls from buyers thinking that their oiler isn't working properly because they are used to an older, pre EPA requlated saw. My small ground saw is a 260PRO because I wanted more oil. I have never used the compression release. I have an older 044 with no compression release and have no issues starting it, so I sure don't need one on a 50cc saw, but some day?????????

The MS260 and MS260 pro share every other component and where the compression release on the PRO is, there is a threaded plug on the top of the non PRO cylinder. Where the compression release would be on the PRO, there is a rubber plug on the upper plastic of the non PRO. Where you adjust the oiler on a PRO, there will still be the slot and the arrow on the non PRO. The price is a big jump, but actually less than buying the high output oiler later unless you try to factor in what you may be able to sell the non adjustable for on ebay.

The crankcases are the same and both saws use a bolt down cylinder and the second best grade bearings on the crankshaft and it is not supported on plastic on either of the two saws. Stihl does not make a saw with plastic supported bearings, period. All of their crankcases are alloy, but some of them are bolted into a plastic body. This is known as a clamshell design. I stress this because there are some saws at the box stores that DO have the main bearings supported by plastic and they retail for more than a comparable HP and size Stihl. I would have liked to hear that the dealer either knew more about his product, or was more honest about it.

To buy a saw by weigh and HP per dollar can be very tough, and if they would actually advertise the HP, this would most likely lead to buying a Poulan. Not because they are high HP, but because they are low dollar. As soon as you get into the PRO line of saws, the cost of building them becomes a lot more and when you start building up the HP per LB, that gets expensive too. The 200T has for years been the standard by which all other arborists saws are measured, and none of them come close, but it is a $590 saw. I no longer even put price tags on them because the buyer they are intended for knows what they cost, and they know it is the saw they are going to buy!

I think you will be thrilled with the MS260. It will take it about 5 tanks of fuel or more to get the rings fully seated and making peak HP. If you take care of it, years from now when you are still using it, you'll see it really wasn't that expensive at all!

 

[ultrarunner]

montanaman... does Stihl MSRP pricing vary by region?

I ask because the only Stihl saw I have I bought in Olympia WA and I bought it because the price was right.

Here in the SF Bay Area, the prices seem higher, it only by 10 to 20 dollars... also my local Stihl Dealer, whom I like, never has any of the Stihl promotions. Are the promos regional?

 

[montanaman]

I think it varies depending on where you live. All of my product comes from North East Stihl.

There are some areas where the cost of living is high enough that the dealers can not stay in business at MSRP, and may charge more. I know many dealers price their chains and oil how ever they want, and a lot of times will raise their chain prices so that they can have buy two, get one free deals.

I do know that on some of the arborists sites I visit, I will see prices listed that are higher than in my area.

Another thought is do all of the saws in your area have cat mufflers for pollution?? That could cause a rise in the production cost for sure! I know there have been a lot of converters stolen from car lots and park and ride lots because of the value of the platinum in them.