Got a Stihl MS 180 C for Christmas

[joatmon]

Rusty,

What's your wood cutting profile?

1. Storm cleanup and limbs. MS180

2. Cut logs into firewood, less than several cords a year. MS290

3. General all around use, storm cleanup and firewood of a cord ar so a year. MS250

4. All around medium to heavy usage, like more than 12 outing a year. MS260

5. Heavy usage with much firewood cutting and more than several cords a year. MS361

Joat

 

[bcorradi]

Having never owned a saw, I'm not sure what the pros and cons of an adjustable one are?

Anyone else care to chime in on this one?

Cheers Rusty

Adj oiler - Your able to adjust the control of the output for your cutting environment (bar length, bar used, chain used etc). From what I've seen most users just leave it set on max and never touch it again. This oiler is actuated by the clutch drum so it is only pumping oil when the clutch is engaged. If the saw is sitting at idle, without the clutch engaged, no oil will be outputted.

Non Adj oiler - It just has one setting which is roughly equivalent to the adj oiler set on its max setting. It is actuated by the crankshaft so its always pumping when the saw is running.

 

[Austin1]

This is just my 2 cents but I would keep the 180 as a lambing saw as your father in law gave it to you for Christmas. than I would save up for that 260 you want since you were going to buy in the spring anyway.That way you have 2 saws. ( unless your planing on getting a divorce than go ahead and dump the saw and get a 361)

+ 1 your father in law gave it to you as a gift so it didn't cost anything. Maybe your wife would like to use it as well it's a light small saw. Don't forget your in Canada you might want to check out a MS341 you might be able to find a deal on one.

 

[peter399]

Hey Bcorradi, thanks for the clarification on the 290 boat reference. I can see what he means, it is a heavy saw but really good bang for your buck with all that power.

Regarding the adjustable oiler: The regualar 260 has an automatic oiler and the 260 artic has an adjustable oiler. Having never owned a saw, I'm not sure what the pros and cons of an adjustable one are?

Anyone else care to chime in on this one?

Cheers Rusty

Bcoccardi is wrong when he says I have never seen or used one. In fact, I have spent two days with a MS290 and my verdict is based on those days. The thing is heavy and the air filter clogs before you are done with the face cut.

 

[04ultra]

Bcoccardi is wrong when he says I have never seen or used one. In fact, I have spent two days with a MS290 and my verdict is based on those days. The thing is heavy and the air filter clogs before you are done with the face cut.

Pete stop telling stories ............The filter was clogged before you started due to poor maintenance the last time it was used..



You are so full of dung..........



.

 

[THALL10326]

Bcoccardi is wrong when he says I have never seen or used one. In fact, I have spent two days with a MS290 and my verdict is based on those days. The thing is heavy and the air filter clogs before you are done with the face cut.

Clogs before you get done one face cut, hmmm, hey Peter I just got back from the moon too, thought I past you on the way back.

Peter its ok to stretch it but man least make it half way true..

 

[THALL10326]

Pete stop telling stories ............The filter was clogged before you started due to poor maintenance the last time it was used..



You are so full of dung..........



.

Yup, I'd say right up to his face, uhhhhhhhhhh cut,LLL

 

[WVhunter]

This is just my 2 cents but I would keep the 180 as a lambing saw as your father in law gave it to you for Christmas. than I would save up for that 260 you want since you were going to buy in the spring anyway.That way you have 2 saws. ( unless your planing on getting a divorce than go ahead and dump the saw and get a 361)

+1
It was a gift you might hurt your father-n-laws feelings, besides it's nice to have 2 saws. IMHO
Tom

 

[Trigger-Time]

+1
It was a gift you might hurt your father-n-laws fellings, besides it's nice to have 2 saws. IMHO
Tom

+1

Having at least two saws is very nice. One for limbing, one for the bigger
stuff...........but really, really nice when you get one saw hung! You already
have one of the two I would pick, Other saw I would pick would be
the MS361.

 

[trailrider71]

180's rock,keep it

rusty,
a 180 is one of stihls hidden secrets in their lineup.if you have never run one don't criticize it.we have 4 of them for limbing and cutting down buckthorn.i raced one with my 260 in 14" of oak and the 180 was dead even with it.the secret to it besides a fast motor is the little saw kerf it cuts.i'm moding my 260 now because of the embarrasment.i just got my walbro 194 carb for it and am going to drill holes in the muffler.
sean

 

[hoot gibson]

This is just my 2 cents but I would keep the 180 as a lambing saw as your father in law gave it to you for Christmas. than I would save up for that 260 you want since you were going to buy in the spring anyway.That way you have 2 saws. ( unless your planing on getting a divorce than go ahead and dump the saw and get a 361)

thats my thoughts also . if you trade it off , wonder what you will get next christmas , ( socks?) hoot

 

[Log Splitter]

I'd keep the 180. That's a nice gift from what must be a really nice father-in-law.

I think you'll find that the MS 180 runs like a scalded dog. Save the bigger trees for when you can afford a bigger saw. You'll still find a use for the 180 once you start limbing.

 

[woodchuck361]

Just my .o2 but do what I do. Use the 180 for limbing and use the 361 for the larger stuff. I would feel bad spending 600.$ on a 260 knowing I could of gotten a 361 for that. What ever you do don't get rid of the 180, father in law will ask to barrow it sometime just to make sure you still have it and it is in good condition, and it better be.

 

[Rusty99]

The whole dilema is that I only need one saw, I pretty much take it camping and use for firewood... So keeping the 180 just won't do as its too small for what I need.

The father-In Law has his own saw, a Stihl Woodboss 028 AV, I'm not sure what thats comparable to.

I've decided to upgrade to a 260 Canadian version with decomp valve. The other Canadian version is the 260 Artic with heated carb, heated handle and adjustable oiler.

So do you guys use fuel stabilizer in your fuel if you know you won't burn through a fuel 1 gallon mix?

 

[bcorradi]

I believe the stihl 2 cycle mix has stabilizer in it. So if you use that you don't have to worry about it.

 

[davefr]

So do you guys use fuel stabilizer in your fuel if you know you won't burn through a fuel 1 gallon mix?

No, I just try and keep my fuel fresh at all times. There's no way I'm going to trust old mix even with stabilizer. (Chainsaws can be fussy about their fuel).

When the mix gets old it goes in my truck. <1 gallon old mix blended in a 35 gallon tank won't hurt the truck any.

 

[bcorradi]

I agree with Dave...instead of relying on fuel stabilizer for insurance its best to just use fresh mix.