anyone use the MS 039

treesailor · 10th November 2007, 10:41 PM

Hi I am thinking about buying a MS039 as a mid range saw that is light with alot of power to take up in the tree. Has anyone used this particular STIHL???

Ekka · 10th November 2007, 11:25 PM

That'd be the home owners model MS390 wouldn't it, they're plastic yeah?

There's 3 saws I really dont like from Stihl

MS290, MS310 and MS390

They call them Farmboss or something like that, have quite large engines and plastic cases. Also they like to stick a 25" bar on the MS390 so it looks even meaner but frankly ... it's gutless POS!

On paper the torque and hp look good, till you cut something, damned gutless. Also the ones I've had, my mates have had etc (so a lot, maybe 8 saws in total) all sucked to start hot.

From memory to help them cut I switched to 0.325 LP chain and 20" bar coz it couldn't pull a 20" chain through a palm head.

Stick with the pro model Stihls or get a Husky frankly.

Quintrex · 11th November 2007, 12:23 AM

Better off with a 361 or a 440. 357 husky goes good too

Ekka · 11th November 2007, 12:40 AM

Yeah, what he says.

shaggs · 11th November 2007, 01:58 AM

As the guys said above. They look good on paper but they're like drivindg a car with the handbrake on. Spend the extra and get the 361. Chalk and cheese.

shaggs · 11th November 2007, 01:59 AM

BTW if you Do have one, they are probably one of the easiest saws to mod the exhaust. Then they are at least bearable!

Ekka · 11th November 2007, 02:05 AM

I got a 390 thinking palms wont eat them away being all plastic ... friggin thing ate me away so I got rid of it cheap!

Even when you hit the throttle it takes yonks for it to get revs up, struggled with palms big time, now my palm slayer saw is a 44

shaggs · 11th November 2007, 02:13 AM

I had exactly the same thought (plastic for palms) but turned out to be crap. Dealer recons because the saw (motor size compared to power output) isn't working as hard it will last alot longer too. Problem is it takes you twice as long to do the job!
Exhaust mod did make quite a difference.

treesailor · 12th November 2007, 12:11 AM

Thanks for all the info. I have a coule of 046 's I was just thinking of getting something a little lighter to take up in trees. However Ill go with a 361 or just stick to the 046 thanks to all !!

DBS · 12th November 2007, 05:46 PM

i have nothing bad to say about the 361 !!!!

shaggs · 14th November 2007, 01:11 AM

361 definately the way to go.

treesailor · 18th December 2007, 12:02 AM

I bought the 361 a few weeks ago. Dam its a nice saw. Tons of power and better than dragging around my 046 all the time thanks guys

SawTroll · 18th December 2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

.... On paper the torque and hp look good, till you cut something, damned gutless. Also the ones I've had, my mates have had etc (so a lot, maybe 8 saws in total) all sucked to start hot.

From memory to help them cut I switched to 0.325 LP chain and 20" bar coz it couldn't pull a 20" chain through a palm head.

Stick with the pro model Stihls or get a Husky frankly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quintrex

Better off with a 361 or a 440. 357 husky goes good too

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Yeah, what he says.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaggs

As the guys said above. They look good on paper but they're like drivindg a car with the handbrake on. Spend the extra and get the 361. Chalk and cheese.

(and more)

Way to go!!!

If you think you need a 390, what you really need is a 361.....

woodyman · 22nd June 2008, 04:10 PM

My brother and I got our saws about the same time me a MS310 him a MS361.The only thing I dont like about the MS310 is how the heck do you clean the cylinder without taking the handle and carb off.With the muffler mod my MS310 out cut my brothers MS361 on a 12 inch peice of red oak.My brother could not understand how this could be.I let him make a few cuts with the MS310 and he was shocked at how it went through the oak without slowing down.I really like to keep my saws clean so the MS310 is up for sale.I just got my HUSQVARNA 359 yesterday and I am planning on how to mod it right now

Ekka · 22nd June 2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodyman

The only thing I dont like about the MS310 is how the heck do you clean the cylinder without taking the handle and carb off.

What are you cleaning, the pot? I never done this, ever, I just dont get it can you explain what you're cleaning and why.

Occasionally I have squirted a ton of WD40 down the plug hole and cranked it but that's all. Then fire her up with a new plug and smoke out the neighbourhood ... prolly a law against that too!

Quintrex · 22nd June 2008, 09:29 PM

I think he's referring to cleaning the cooling fins?

woodyman · 23rd June 2008, 06:20 AM

Sorry,I meant the cooling fins.My other two huskys I just sold(one a 1980 44 and the other a 1984 266SE)I had no problem cleaning the cooling fins on.Im I wrong or is there a way to clean the cooling fins on a MS310 with out taking half the saw apart?

10th November 2007, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
treesailor Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 11	anyone use the MS 039 Hi I am thinking about buying a MS039 as a mid range saw that is light with alot of power to take up in the tree. Has anyone used this particular STIHL???

10th November 2007, 11:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	Re: anyone use the MS 039 That'd be the home owners model MS390 wouldn't it, they're plastic yeah? There's 3 saws I really dont like from Stihl MS290, MS310 and MS390 They call them Farmboss or something like that, have quite large engines and plastic cases. Also they like to stick a 25" bar on the MS390 so it looks even meaner but frankly ... it's gutless POS! On paper the torque and hp look good, till you cut something, damned gutless. Also the ones I've had, my mates have had etc (so a lot, maybe 8 saws in total) all sucked to start hot. From memory to help them cut I switched to 0.325 LP chain and 20" bar coz it couldn't pull a 20" chain through a palm head. Stick with the pro model Stihls or get a Husky frankly. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

11th November 2007, 12:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 442	Re: anyone use the MS 039 Better off with a 361 or a 440. 357 husky goes good too

11th November 2007, 12:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	Re: anyone use the MS 039 Yeah, what he says. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

11th November 2007, 01:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: anyone use the MS 039 As the guys said above. They look good on paper but they're like drivindg a car with the handbrake on. Spend the extra and get the 361. Chalk and cheese.

11th November 2007, 01:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: anyone use the MS 039 BTW if you Do have one, they are probably one of the easiest saws to mod the exhaust. Then they are at least bearable!

11th November 2007, 02:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,606	Re: anyone use the MS 039 I got a 390 thinking palms wont eat them away being all plastic ... friggin thing ate me away so I got rid of it cheap! Even when you hit the throttle it takes yonks for it to get revs up, struggled with palms big time, now my palm slayer saw is a 44 __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

11th November 2007, 02:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: anyone use the MS 039 I had exactly the same thought (plastic for palms) but turned out to be crap. Dealer recons because the saw (motor size compared to power output) isn't working as hard it will last alot longer too. Problem is it takes you twice as long to do the job! Exhaust mod did make quite a difference.

12th November 2007, 12:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
treesailor Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 11	Re: anyone use the MS 039 Thanks for all the info. I have a coule of 046 's I was just thinking of getting something a little lighter to take up in trees. However Ill go with a 361 or just stick to the 046 thanks to all !!

12th November 2007, 05:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
DBS Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CT USA Posts: 204	Re: anyone use the MS 039 i have nothing bad to say about the 361 !!!! __________________ Stihl MS 200T Stihl MS 361

14th November 2007, 01:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
shaggs Mature tree Join Date: May 2007 Location: sydney Posts: 462	Re: anyone use the MS 039 361 definately the way to go.

18th December 2007, 12:02 AM	#12 (permalink)
treesailor Sappling Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 11	Re: anyone use the MS 039 I bought the 361 a few weeks ago. Dam its a nice saw. Tons of power and better than dragging around my 046 all the time thanks guys

22nd June 2008, 09:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 442	Re: anyone use the MS 039 I think he's referring to cleaning the cooling fins? __________________ Heightmaster

24th June 2008, 05:29 AM	#18 (permalink)
STEVEGODSEYJR Sappling Join Date: May 2008 Location: INDIANA Posts: 16 </