Saw Confused

BLDR

Just an amateur with 35 acres of ponderosa pine that requires fire mitigation, beetle kill removal, and mistletoe management. Currently have 2 saws: a smallish Craftsman/Poulan that finally died and a Jonsered 2145 that has been very problematic starting and/or running lately. Both have been serviced recently and the little one was declared non-economically repairable. The Jonsered supposedly is in good shape but I'm getting tired of futzing with it so I've been thinking about buying new.

Here in Boulder, CO, it appears my choices for a new saw are Home Depot/Lowes toys or the local Stihl dealer that I don't trust for good advice. If I have to go with Stihl, the choices are confusing. Nearly all the trees I'll have to take down are under 18" and most are under 10" and there isn't a hardwood anywhere in the region. But 2/3 of the property is on steep, rocky slopes and I work alone. So weight is more of a concern than power. As is reliability,which is why I have doubts about the new Stihls.

I'm looking at the web site and I see all these green logos, which tells me the new saws are more complex, heavier, and probably more prone to crapping out with higher repair costs. Is this a reasonable assumption? The Farm Boss 290 is heavier than what I was thinking about but simpler so maybe better than the 271 or 291 (not sure what the real difference is on these two). The 280 sounds like it's designed to fail, correct? Would a 250 be adequate or would I be missing the power? And if it's okay would the 250 C-BE gimmicks make me happy or mad in the long run?

Open to other suggestions too. But I've got 30-40 trees to take out in the next couple of weeks (3 times that over the next year or so) and have to make a decision soon. Good chain saw reviews appear to be non-existant and this appears to be the best forum for knowledgeable advice. Thanks!

Rudolf73

Firstly, welcome to the site. You will find a lot of good advise here from people who actually use chainsaw on a regular basis as apposed to a salesman who might have technical knowledge but also wants you to walk out with a new saw.

With regards to stihl chainsaws, I don't think you will have a reliability problem - I have been running stihls for many years and can't remember when last I had to stop cutting because the stihl won't run - usually its just a damaged chain, etc. And with a stihl dealer around you will always have support nearby.

The first thing you need to decided is would you like a professional or home handy man grade saw. As you would expect, professional grade saws are more reliable and more rugged but then also cost more. The stihl pro saws that would suit your requirements are the MS261 and MS362 - well that is what I would recommend for you situation. These are recently released models and have low fuel consumption, low vibration, etc.

In the past I have been a similar situation felling and bucking 8 - 10" softwood tree and I used a Husqvarna 346xp which is one of my favorite saws. The 346xp specs are similar to the 261 but cost a bit less.

If you are looking to spend less for a non-pro saw I can also recommend the MS390 instead of the 029/MS290. They are basically the same saw but the 390 has a bigger piston/cylinder so more power. These have proven to be very popular home owner saws over the years.

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A few blue, red and orange saws

Eric Frei

Stihls are very reliable but as far as the 290,310 and 390 I avoid them all like the plague, plastic junk frankly.

Any gimmicks like the Quick Chain Adjuster is just that, makes flipping the bar and cleaning it more PITA .... that's why I like straight up bar bolts, loosen, do up, simple.

I liked the old MS440, one of them would have been spot on for you.

The one I'd recommend now for you would be the 362 (also recommended above), it's good to have 3/8 chain not 0.325 pitch, grab one of these and run with an 18" bar and you'll soon be the Softwood Slayer of Boulder City.

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gooddog

Hey BLDR...I've got family out by you. That pine beetle is doing some real damage out there. I know the trees your cutting and also the power loss because of your altitude. Out here, a guy could get by with a 260 cutting that pine, but out there, you'll want a bigger saw. Over this winter, I picked up a new 361 and a very nice 029(290) for good prices. I think the 290 would do the job for you and the price is right. The 362 has more power, weighs the same, has better anti vibe, and has a metal crankcase. It all depends on your money and how good of a tool you want. Do you have a Dolmar or Makita dealer out there? I have never used their saws but many like their products.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

gooddog

After thinking about this further, I'm going out and wack a few of my pine down to compare the 029 and 026. I'm thinking...if your playing mountain mountain goat out there, a 250/260 might be better. My dad does a ton of cutting with his 180 (dads getting old) and the old dealer here loves his 250. Well, out to cut wood....I'll be back.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

gooddog

I'm back and I think a 50cc or 3ci saw is as small as you would want to go and might be about the right size. After doing some cutting on 14" pine, the difference in weight and size between the two becomes more noticable. The 50cc is more than I need but your altitude will make some difference.

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

BLDR

Thanks for the feedback! I'm at 6,700 feet, which I don't consider very high but perhaps a 2-stroke does. My service shop is 1,300 feet lower. Doesn't seem enough of a difference to make a difference in how the Jonsered runs.

Based on comments so far, I'm now leaning towards the 261 with an 18-inch bar. I like that it's lighter, presumably better built, and has a see-through fuel tank. Don't seem to be any Dolmar/Makita chainsaw dealers around here or I'd give them strong consideration (love my LXT cordless tools).

Yep, the beetle kill up in the high country has been ferocious and now the damn things are heading lower to our area. Trying to make our forest as healthy as possible to fight them off. Plus the major fire last summer that took out 160+ homes got to within a half mile of our house!

gooddog

BLDR...The last time I was out we stayed at Breckenridge, I couldn't believe how many trees were dead. My family lives in Westminster and Broomfield. Good luck on your trees...be safe!

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

KevinE

I've got a 260; very over rated saw IMO, definitely not the saw for what you want to do. I'd go for the 346 if I were you.

My 260 has the C option & the issue I have with it is that it allows the bar to flex during use. Just my .02

gooddog

KevenE.... I have not noticed any flexing of my 026 bar but thanks for bringing up the Husky 346 xp. I have read VERY good things about it and it is now 50.1 cc in size. The old ms260 made 3.2hp and the old 45cc husky made 3.4hp. Now the new ms261 makes 3.75hp and the new 346xp makes 3.7hp. The Husky is slightly lighter too. So, they are very close and the husky has a $500 msrp (usa). The Husky also has the metal crankcase like the stihl. So, I would go to the dealer you feel most comfortable with and seems most likely to help you after the sale. Good luck!

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I'll be fine if my body holds out.

superfire

Hey I thought I smelled fresh meat Why has no one mention the famous Makita 6401 with a big air flo kit air filter and a 24" bar and full skip chain.
Then I would look fle bay for a reman 034 or 036 Stihl .

KevinE

I thought about the 6401, but I think it's a bit heavy for what he wants. I'm about to buy one myself to compliment my 7901, but weight isn't that much of an issue for me. I'm not lugging it up hill & down dale. It sits in the toolbox a few metres from where I'll use it.

I don't think you guys in the US can get them any more? They've been replaced by the 6421 I believe? Same saw with a strato muffler?

KevinE

Lucky you! Mine flexes even when the saw isn't running

BLDR

Thanks folks. I'm a proud owner of a new 261. Heading out soon to try it out...hope I don't lose man-points for reading the manual.

KevinE

Good stuff! Enjoy your new saw!