Hello, may I ask for some advice please

[_JOHN_]

I see I have found the correct forum (learned to read ;-) :censored:

I work on a nature reserve and do the odd bit of felling and mainly scrub clearing mostly with a Husqvarna 357. I have found this saw to be adequate. My girlfriend who used to work on the same reserve and use the same saw found that is knackered her wrists up totally, nasty stuff. Anyhow long story short she wishes to get a saw to use at work (at an agricultural collage). She needs to pass the small trees test, she has done plenty of felling in the past, so wants to get a cheap saw will have to be adequate for this but light.

If we were to get a Stihl 181 would this be any use at all? It says property maintenance, pollarding trees/ scrub clearance and the odd fell is all I would think she would use it for (borrowing my saw for the odd larger job)

Do you think that this saw would be any use for felling? or is it a no no for doing the exam with, which is the main worry regarding its power for me.

http://uk.catalog.stihl.com/katalog/...+181+C-BE.html

Technical data
Displacement 31.8 cm³
Oilomatic saw chain pitch/type 3/8" P Picco Micro Mini Comfort 3
Power output 1.5/2.0 kW/bhp
Power-to-weight ratio 3.1 kg/kW
Recomm. max. bar length 40 cm
Vibration levels left/right 3.6/3.6 m/s²
Weight 1) 4.6 kg


Thanks for any advice, I have talked to various people but am still confused so thanks for any info.

 

[treeslayer]

well John, you're almost there.


the Chainsaw forum has over 100 people viewing right now.

http://www.arboristsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

[minnnt]

Hi John, nice to have another UK resident on board.

I have the Stihl MS180. It's lighter than the 181 which i believe is the 180's replacement. It has adequate power (the same as the 181 but it's lighter so has a better power to weight ratio) to do everything you decribed in your first post. Mine doesn't have any of the comfort features, it's just a basic 180. In my opinion she should get the basic 180 as it will probably be a bit cheaper and the comfort issues aren't really worth the extra money in my eyes. How hard is it to use a screwdriver to tighten the chain or open the fuel/oil caps?

I paid £182 for mine from Seddon Hire, which is the local dealer for Stihl.

Another model to consider is the Husqvarna 240e.

Hope this helps, any other questions then just ask

 

[_JOHN_]

Thanks, very usefull stuff. These things are difficult to decide and it is good to know someone who has used one.

 

[minnnt]

Well i have used bigger saws too, but the work that your other half does/will be doing then i would say the 180 is a good choice. Also, like you said, she can use your saw for anything bigger if needed. I have access to a Stihl 025, Husky 262 and 346xp if i need them, but for the kind of work i do in my own time the 180 i fine.

 

[showrguy]

get her a stihl 460, put a 32' bar/chain on it, have her take it to class and run it..
i promise she'll pass with flying colors !!!!!!!!!
glad i could be of some help here...

 

[minnnt]

get her a stihl 460, put a 32' bar/chain on it, have her take it to class and run it..
i promise she'll pass with flying colors !!!!!!!!!
glad i could be of some help here...

LOL! 880 i reckon would be better...

 

[Bermie]

BY the small trees test I assume you mean CS31...the only requirement for that is that the bar does not exceed 15"

I would recommend a 210, 250, or 260. I would say at most Colleges that run tree courses the 260 is standard, but if she would like a lighter saw then the 210, 250 would be fine, and cheaper.

I'm female, been to Ag College, got CS 30,31,32,38,39 am an NPTC assessor/verifier and run my own business. Any more questions?

 

[Hayubusa]

If your girlfriend was otherwise happy with the performance of the 357 then I would say go with the 346xp> It's a pound lighter and still a powerful saw which is somewhat versatile> So long as she's not going to be knocking down anything big it should do just fine. I'd recommend not going with a Stihl only because she and yourself are already familiar with Husky.

 

[minnnt]

the 346xp is a great saw, but is more than twice the price of a MS180.

 

[_JOHN_]

Yes please! and thanks for all the info above. I think the 180 is the way forward then, the 210 would be fantastic but it is £100 more than the 180 well the 181 i think now.

My main worry is that it wouldnt be an easy saw use for a long period of time, she is planning on using it occationally but it would be good to know it could chop happily continusly. The chap at the shop didn't seem to think it could, with minimum effort.

Does anyone know a place that sells small chainsaw gloves? or even better still small anti vibration gloves or even better still small anti vibration chainsaw gloves?

thanks

 

[_JOHN_]

If your girlfriend was otherwise happy with the performance of the 357 then I would say go with the 346xp> It's a pound lighter and still a powerful saw which is somewhat versatile> So long as she's not going to be knocking down anything big it should do just fine. I'd recommend not going with a Stihl only because she and yourself are already familiar with Husky.

I have a 346, old and a bugger to start, i know it is not much heavier thatn the 180, but it seems to make a difference. Keeping with the Husky is a good idea but I work out on a fen and sometimes we chop the stumps out and find the Stihl saws clog up less. A small difference but well a difference.

 

[minnnt]

My 180 cuts well for long periods of time, i haven't run it all day, but i have run it for 4-5 tanks worth of fuel at a time and seems to cut better all the time. It does get hot though. The chains are nice, but someone on here recommended using the stock b&c set up of the ms170 as it has a narrower kerf so should in theory be better for the saw as it is pushing a thinner chain with less resistance. The chain is also easy to sharpen yourself and is well worth doing.

Although the 181 is the new model from Stihl, the 180 is still being stocked by dealers, and still has the full manufacturers warranty. The 180 is lighter, with the same power so has a better power to weight ratio and means your girl will get less tired as the day goes on. You will also have to buy it in person as Stihl don't let the dealers sell over the internet now, basically to ensure that you have all the PPE and knowledge etc.

The 180 can also be modded which from reading and watching video's is a worthwhile mod...

As for the gloves, no idea mate. I have seen Husky gloves in a medium, thats it. Just try and keep an eye out on ebay for a pair. Stihl make a small pair of standard chainsaw gloves, the order number is 0000 883 1508 £26.00

HTH

 

[_JOHN_]

thanks again, will have a phone about for the best price on a 180 then. Sharpen them all at work, service and so on when needed. Gloves are an important one, the wrists have been the problem not the weight in the arms as such. Will continue the search for gloves.

 

[minnnt]

good look mate... let us know how you get on.

 

[Bermie]

There are plenty of generic chainsaw gloves in size small, the orange ones with leather across the knuckles (with chainsaw pad on left hand)...I think Stihl and Husky just print their names on them and charge you an extra 10 quid!

If your GF is having wrist trouble, why not look into wrist supports...should be available at any chemist/Boots.
Additionally she could do some strengthening exercises...

- Get a piece of wooden dowel, long enough to be held in both hands,about shoulder width apart, of a comfortable thickness ...

- fasten on about 4' of 1/4" rope with a weight attached...start light, 1/2lb or so...

- hold the dowel out at arms length in both hands, shoulder height and wind the weight up onto the dowel, repeat it x3 as many times a day as needed.

This will help strengthen wrists, forearms. (and shoulders to a certain extent!)

Cheers

 

[treeflyer]

ms180

Hi John
Go for the ms180 i have both the 180 & 181 the 181 looks nice with the caps and modern style but does not run as good as my 2007 180, it also has a 1 peice muffler like the new huskys 235 240 if you read the manual it will say must be replaced after 75 hours use this put me off as a new muffler will set you back £60 odd pound

oh the price for a 181 is the same for the 180 well on my dealers shelf anyway