Stihl Chainsaw

[5030]

Speaking of long lasting saws, I still use my ancient (Bought it in the 60's new), 028 Farm Boss. It runs like a raped ape, pulls a 20" bar (on it's 3rd bar) and runs 325 chipper chain. I don't know how many chains it's gone through as I make up my own loops from bulk chain, but a ton of them.

The one trick if you want to call it that for me is running canned fuel in them. I don't ever run pump gas with mix in it. always canned gas and most times Echo Red Armor 50-1. Never have any ethanol related issues.

Actually, my 028 is my go to saw. No modern plastic parts either, all mag alloy. I suspect my Echo's will be around long after I'm not as well.

 

[Hay Dude]

There are a lot of MS 261 owners on this forum that like them, myself included. It’s fairly light for its power and is in Stihl’s pro saw lineup.
View attachment 2671222

I was just using mine with a 20” bar. No complaints until it’s in thick oak.

 

[Hay Dude]

To the OP: A 261C is a great all around choice. Get yourself the Stihl Bluetooth helmet. Makes cutting a lot of fun & safer

 

[5030]

Furthermore, my Echo CS Top Handle Arborists saw is the lightest gas powered chainsaw on the market today. True one hander. Always starts on the second pull, no matter how long it sits and is very frugal on fuel and bar oil.

Never rebuilt any saw so I don't get into the clamshell or full crankcase debate or the Strato, non strato deal either.

So long as you mind what you feed them and keep them clean and free from gunk, they all last a long time. I consider bars and chains as renewable items anyway.

 

[5030]

Helmet, chaps, hard soled boots and ear protection is a must. Common sense is a requirement as well.

 

[WinterDeere]

To the OP: Get yourself the Stihl Bluetooth helmet. Makes cutting a lot of fun & safer

Good suggestion. Another option, the one I prefer and use, is a reasonably-priced Bluetooth Inner-Ear Monitor (IEM) set. IEM's are what you see musicians wearing on stage ever since the 1990's, they replaced wedge monitors, so the band can hear themselves over house audio.

I have the Shure SE215's with their Bluetooth receiver that clips onto your shirt collar. I've used SE215's in hardwired format for maybe 30 years now, they're bulletproof and damn near indestructible, the Bluetooth adapter just makes them wireless and more convenient.

These have 37 dB noise blocking, but if that's not enough for your muffler-modified Stihl, you can always pop earmuffs over them, since they're so tiny and sit flush to the ear. I put mine on when I head outdoors on Saturday morning, and they'll last until sunset in the winter. In the long days of summer, I make sure to pop them back on the charger for 30 minutes while I break for lunch.

 

[WinterDeere]

Echo CS Top Handle Arborists saw is the lightest gas powered chainsaw on the market today. True one hander.

Careful, or I'll go digging out my old post of an embarrassing admission to a head strike with my top-handle saw, while using it as a one-hander.

Top handle saws are mighty convenient for one-hand operation, but really *should* never be used that way. If it ever kicks back, you have no hope of controlling it, as my ruined John Deere baseball cap can attest!

In my case, I was lucky. I was so stunned that I can't even remember if the inertial chain brake fired off, but I walked away with very little more than a bloody scratch and a bruise on my scalp. I have thick hair, so there was no visible evidence, and I didn't need to suffer my wife yelling at me for being so stupid.

Washing my hair the next 2 days burned like hell, tho.

 

[Cycledude]

I own an Echo chainsaw, it starts very easily every time, other than that I really wouldn’t brag much about it.
My newest saw is a Husqvarna 562XP , it’s a professional saw and pretty expensive, I wouldn’t mind having a bigger-more powerful saw but they simply get to heavy for me to carry around for very long in the brush or deep snow .
Also own a Husqvarna 61 that I bought new over 40 years ago, it has worn out a couple bars, lots of chains but other than the ignition system failing once and needing to be replaced it has been one the most reliable tools I ever owned.

 

[shooterdon]

If you are a casual user, a battery saw is worth looking at.

No fuel or carburetor issues.

If you have or get a gasser, and it will sit idle for a few months at a time, drain the fuel and run it dry.

 

[Hay Dude]

If you are a casual user, a battery saw is worth looking at.

No fuel or carburetor issues.

If you have or get a gasser, and it will sit idle for a few months at a time, drain the fuel and run it dry.

I have been running canned fuel with real good results. My saws sat from August till October on canned fuel and started right up.
I keep the fuel tanks as full as possible to keep condensation forming in them, too.

 

[Hay Dude]

OP:

Splurge and buy a 500i. The reaction on your face when you start it up is worth all $1,500 you’ll pay for it.
The thing screams like a saw from a horror movie.

 

[xyz123]

If you are a casual user, a battery saw is worth looking at.

No fuel or carburetor issues.

If you have or get a gasser, and it will sit idle for a few months at a time, drain the fuel and run it dry.

Running E-FREE even from the pump in my OPE, Gen, Boat and set for sometimes 8 months or longer never a issue.

Easy test to make sure your getting true E-free too.

One Efree and then show one with crap Ecorn in it.

 

[JeepHead]

Something that hasn't really been addressed here is if this is a one saw plan, meaning you plan to own just one saw for all your needs? If so, I personally don't think a 50cc is a good one saw plan, I would jump to a a 60cc saw at a minimum.

I am not a fan of any one particular brand of saw. I supply a lot of wood to people and restaurants so I cut a massive amount of wood and use a variety of chainsaws and have for years. So I have a good bit of experience running many different brands. In my younger days I kinda fell on the Stihl bandwagon but as I got to using different saws, I discovered it's a whole lot like the Ford/Chevy/Dodge argument and you have your faithful followers with no real experience of the other brands. I own and use Husqvarna, Stihl, Echo, Dolmar, Makita, and Jonsered saws and like them all.

There are only a couple of Stihl saws of the current offerings that I would buy today and the 261CM is one of them. I actually do own one along with an 026 and both are great...
If I wanted a current production 50cc saw, there are 3 that I would buy. Echo 4910, Stihl 261, and the Husqvarna 550. Probably in that order. I own all 3 of these. The 4910 is about $300-350 less than the other two and will cut right with them.

If I were buying a 60CC saw, it would hands down be a Husqvarna 562XP MK II. I love mine and use it pretty much daily. I don't think there is a better 60cc out there than this one.

I have heard much love for the Stihl 400cm but have never operated one. The power to weight ratio is something to behold though. And from what I understand, they will be changing them soon so better get one while you can.

Anything past the 261, I tend to lean towards Husqvarna as I just don't care for Stihl's line past that mark. I think Husqvarna owns that territory. In my parts of the world, every arborist company you see is running Husqvarna. These are guys who depend on their saws to earn a living.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a friend who owns a big tree company. Only reason he runs Husqvarna is because there’s a wholesaler who sells them to him dirt cheap and has been for 20+ years.
He says Stihl is better, but doesn’t like paying their prices.

Who cares. Buy your saw, cut your wood.

Hopefully after that, you’re counting your money.

 

[xyz123]

Way I look at it. Just depends on use and model.

They all make some good and they all make some junk ones.

 

[JeepHead]

I should add that the Echo 501P is a great saw too in the 50cc class but it's too close to the 4910 to warrant the extra $$.

 

[Hay Dude]

Am I in a safe place to say I get a “thrill up my leg” when I rev my 500i?

 

[WinterDeere]

Splurge and buy a 500i. The reaction on your face when you start it up is worth all $1,500 you’ll pay for it.
The thing screams like a saw from a horror movie.

If I were buying new, and could only own one saw, it would almost definitely be the 500i. I've always thought that ~75cc is the sweet spot for a one-saw plan, at least given the larger oaks that I'm so often cutting.

But I really love the 30 + 60 + 90cc plan of three saws that I've migrated to, for my own use. The smallest is a top-handle, and the larger two are traditional configuration. I like that, while there are situations where one is always more ideal than the other, either of my two larger saws can be used in a pinch when the other fails. The 90cc saws can buck logs with amazing speed compared to a 60cc saw, I grind my own chain and take the rakers down a about 20% below stock for better speed, but the 60cc saw can be nicer to carry if you're moving around during the day.

I used to own two 50cc saws, and might again someday when I'm old, if I'm looking for something lighter to carry. But I honestly don't see any point in them today, they just don't fit my needs at all. But for someone who's not frequently cutting larger hardwoods, it's probably a nice fit for many other situations.

 

[Hay Dude]

I need a, how should I describe it, a “truck toolbox saw” to carry in the dump truck.
Like an older saw, but pro quality to keep along for the ride if I need to take the dump truck and cut a few logs.

I keep all my saws locked in a cabinet in my shop, but need one on board the dump at all times. The toolbox has a great lock, so no theft worries.

Looking on FBM as we speak. Would like to find an older 400, but I’m open to anything older of quality.

 

[5030]

If you are a casual user, a battery saw is worth looking at.

No fuel or carburetor issues.

If you have or get a gasser, and it will sit idle for a few months at a time, drain the fuel and run it dry.

Not necessary if you use canned fuel like Echo Red Armor. Shelf life is 2 years or 1 year in a fuel tank. Mixed E-gas could be a month depending on product.

Since I started using canned fuel, my carb issues vanished.