Are the MS290's and 310's really junk...?

[Rookie1]

I dont know the numbers but Ill bet the 029/MS290 line of saws is the top selling series of Stihls. Thats got to say something about them,not that alot of people are stupid either. Its not a "PRO" saw. Ill bet there has been alot of firewood cut with them,more than the 260. I dont think dealer should have done that either. Im not a big fan of the 290 but I wouldnt knock someone on a budget whos not going to use to make a living. Check out my thread about the dude I met the other day deciding between 361 and 290.:greenchainsaw: http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=78529

 

[bluequill56]

I had a 310 for years, and it served me welll. I cut a ton of wood with that thing. I sold it to a friend who still uses it regularly. Nothing wrong with those saws. If I hadn't gotten the bug for the pro stuff, I'd still have it as my only saw.

 

[vcsnover]

Just got my 290 and I am happy so far, sure that over time I will covet a nicer and more powerful saw. For now though it is just fine, and it was truly the most saw that I could afford. It does bog down a little in bigger wood, but I think part of it is I was on it too hard and pushing down too hard.

 

[Richard_]

another one of those dummies that own a MS290

 

[vcsnover]

another one of those dummies that own a MS290

big dummy... me too:greenchainsaw:

 

[woodguy105]

My first saw was an MS290. Used it for 6 years no problems what so ever. A few months ago, before I stumbled onto this site I did fry the piston and will be repairing it. If I had been on this site earlier I would have been able to prevent the scored P/C.

With my 290 I have cut 28"-30" diameter oaks (18" bar) ...I wasn't winning any races that's for sure but with a sharp chain and taking my time, I've kept a full load of wood ready for winter for 6 years.

I hear lots of poo pooing about the 290 but I think it's a great saw and it's only $358 + /-. Good deal in my book. That saw has paid for itself many times!

 

[STEVEGODSEYJR]

I have had an 029, 290, and a 390 saw. All were great saws! They did exactly what they were designed to do. I am going to buy another 290 to do my limbing and for small trees. I don't have not one complaint about them.

 

[TJ-Bill]

I got a 310 with a muffler mod.. love it.. loud but good

 

[BC_Logger]

had mine for 6 years no problems, there a nice ATV saw too

 

[Rookie1]

had mine for 6 years no problems, there a nice ATV saw too

What is an atv saw? Why is it a good atv saw?

 

[dsm382]

Thanks Sawmill,

That's the kind of response I was looking for. The dealer also said those saws have a habit of stalling in big pieces of wood.

stall? :dunno: .....wonder what he condsiders a big piece of wood?
still running a 20 in bar....been using saftey chain till last month when i signed on here....
now use chiesl, now looking for skip....... maybe step up to 24" bar...

I had no issues here.......with good sharp chain....... did not stall once, just let chain eat it's way thorugh this little piece of wood.......
going on 6yrs with mine, burn 5 cord a year, only one saw......good luck with your descion...

 

[excess650]

The 290/310/390 is Stihl's intermediate line of saws between the homeowner and pro grades. Husqvarna calls this group "landowner" saws. The 290 is reputedly Stihl's best seller. At 13# its a bit heavy for 56cc and 3.8hp compared to top line saws. The 310 and 390 each add more power with the 390 being 4.4hp? The 260 is a 50cc 3.2hp saw and has magnesium cases like the other Stihl pro saws.

I have a 290, it was my 3rd saw, and it works pretty well. It definitely has more power than my 026, but I prefer the lighter weight of the 026 for limbing. The 290 is better for bucking logs.

I was looking at a Stihl dealer site earlier, and the 260 is now $480+, and the 260Pro about $60 more. The smaller Stihls, 250 and smaller with the exception of the 200, are homeowner grade saws and don't even have adjustable carbs. I had cut with a 250, and was impressed enough to check them out, but my dealer steered me to the 290.

 

[BC_Logger]

What is an atv saw? Why is it a good atv saw?

just a saw you can take on the atv big enough to deal with any thing you might find on the forest service road or trail

 

[Octane]

My father has an MS290 and I got the chance to use it when we cut firewood this summer.
Its a great saw. It cuts through trees like a hot knife through butter and it never lacks for power.
Its definetly a thristy saw though. Id say it uses almost twice as much gas as the 026s that we have.
If I were to ever buy another saw in addition to my 021 to use as my felling saw, it would be a toss-up between a 290 and a 310.

 

[hickslawns]

Bought mine in 1997. Seen a lot of chains. Seen a lot of trees. Use it for personal use and the business. Granted, I don't cut like a tree service, but my guys have used it and don't take care of stuff like I do. No complaints. Bigger would be nice, but this is adequate. When and if it ever wears out, I will step up to something bigger, but might be 20 years.

 

[superfire]

290 310 390

it boils down too-----proper maintenance. poorly maintained saw saw dies a quick painfull death properly maintained saw saw dies a slow painless death if you hang here you should know stock sawz suck:jawdrop: ia have a few friends that have 310s they buy new chain dull them and bring them to me and i sharpen the up better then the factory. i have the sharpening down to a precise art form:greenchainsaw: i have a grinder for trueing chains and lots o'files. i put a full skip 24" bar and chain on a buddies 310 and told him to be carefull the saw was now cursed. he came back with a weird look two dayz later said it realyyyy cutz goood,never have seen said saw again:greenchainsaw:

:greenchainsaw:

 

[Wolfcsm]

Thanks Sawmill,

That's the kind of response I was looking for. The dealer also said those saws have a habit of stalling in big pieces of wood.

The stalling is surely more the operator than the saw. Or it might be a dull chain. I use my 310 a lot. For most things it is my go to saw. I bought the 066 to cut big hardwood logs but it is way too heavy to run all day. The 310 with a 18 or 20 inch bar will do about anything that you ask of it.

Good saw but not a "pro" saw - according to the "pro" saw snobs.

Hal

 

[Joshlaugh]

I use a 310 at work and have not had any issues with it bogging down. I keep the chain sharp and it cuts fine through any tree I want to drop, buck, etc

 

[sawinredneck]

HMMMMMM.............. Interesting:monkey:

Sounds like you need to find a new dealer!! I am by no means a fan of this saw, but to recomend a 260, he's off his rocker!!! If he would have said 361 we would have a disscusion!!!

I have said, and still say, if you are going to buy one you are a fool for not getting the 390, they all weigh the same, and the price is negligable.

Are there better saws out there? Without a doubt!! Are they junk? Absolutly not!!!! Do they stall in large wood? I ran my 390 cutting up 36" Oak with a 25" bar, I never stalled it!!! Would I buy another one? NOPE!!! Does that make it a bad saw? NOPE!!!!!

Find a better dealer!!! I don't care if they sell Husky, Dolmar or even Echo!!! 20% is the saw, 80% is the dealer whe you are learning!!

 

[thombat4]

WOW!!! Thanks fellas!

I wasn't expecting this big of a response!! I usually don't get too much computer time in on the weekends so I haven't been able to read all of this 'til this morning. Thanks for all of the replies and advice you guys. Again, I did have the chance to actually use a Farm Boss and I thought it did an excellent job on the big oak I was cutting. It's hard to believe this guy thinks this family of saws is only good for boat anchors! Says everyone that he sells one to is not happy with it ! I plan on checking out another dealer a little further up the road. This is an excellent website for learning!