Help with chainsaw choice!!!

[Croghanite]

I have used a MS290 w/20" bar, .325 pitch for 10 years. Cutting up around 4 cords per year. Been good to me.

Now I have 20 acres and I plan to cut at least 10 cords per year and I may get into milling as well.

I need a saw for bucking after trees have been felled by the MS290. So I need a lighter saw than the 290 but yet strong enough for bucking some big hardwoods. I was thinking of the bucking saw to be 16" bar.

What do y'all think? Help me with my set up. I was thinking of the MS261. The MS250 is super light but can it handle big hardwoods (10 cords a year).

Help! I can't decide! I am so indecisive that I even looked at the 346xp!!!!! Save me from the Husky!

 

[MacLaren]

Seems to me the 261 would be the saw for you. If you want to give Husqvarna a try then get a 346 xp ne. I have a 346 xp ne and absolutely love it. From what I hear i would stay away from the Stihl 250 though. Prolly the 261 would be the saw for you. hope that helps.

 

[MacLaren]

i always forget, but try finding a nice used 361 too. They are a very good saw.

 

[MacLaren]

if ya want some expert advice try reposting this thread in the chainsaw forum

 

[Croghanite]

i always forget, but try finding a nice used 361 too. They are a very good saw.

It's nice but 12.3 lbs- a little too heavy

 

[MacLaren]

It's nice but 12.3 lbs- a little too heavy

261 aint far from that.....but dont you think it would be the best for ya?
I tell ya though, everyone that runs my 372,2188,2094 etc.etc, they are all more impressed with my 346 than anything else. An excellent saw.
Good luck man.

 

[rarefish383]

I have an MS 290 and it's a nice little saw. I have an 18" bar and it's OK for bucking firewood. I use it on my mini mill and I'd say it's a bit too light for milling. My brother in law actually took his 20" bar off his 290 and put a 16" bar on it and says it cuts firewood much better, the 20"er was dogging it out some. If I were going to do any milling I'd go bigger than the 290, to tell the truth, I'd go bigger than the 290 to buck firewood. If I'm cutting logs aproaching 20" I like my 100cc Homelite with a 24" bar. Yes it's heavy, about 35 lbs. Am I nuts, maybe. But it will litterally cut in minutes what the 290 will do in an hour. A happy medium might be somewhere in the middle. Good luck, Joe.

 

[Treez]

Cheap smaller saw

If you want to through money at it, go with the other professionals advice - most all Stihls are are good saws. If you want to do this cheap, consider this:

Get a Poulan Pro 4618 from Lowes for $160. They are made in the Husky plant that now owns Poulan. Immediately modify the muffler for about a 20-25% HP gain (It's easy and instructions are on this site), and re-tune it. That voids the warranty but it's too cheap to care. Order a stronger 14 or 16 inch professional bar to move it down from 18 inches and at least a couple of full chisel chains. You should still be just above $200.

Power in the cut and speed of the cut is impressive. Oils very well as smaller bar gets more oil than the 18 so the bar lasts longer. Still can handle up to 2 ft + diameter logs cutting from both sides, although most trees are 12 inch or less, and it will not slow down. The muffler mod makes it incredibly easy to start as well.

I have one of these and it has cut over 20 cords in 3 years with no breakdowns. Really lightweight and good for branching and climbing too. I consider it my disposable saw, but I don't need to dispose of it anytime soon.

If you prefer the Stihl, I suggest that you look for a good used one, but do the same thing with the bar and chain and forget about modding the muffler.

Just a suggestion, but little to lose. Hope all goes well.

 

[pwoller]

I dont find the weight of the saw to matter when bucking. I'm not a big guy and use a 390xp for most everything. If your considering milling then you will want to look at something much larger then the saws you listed.

 

[Circle B MN]

I dont find the weight of the saw to matter when bucking. I'm not a big guy and use a 390xp for most everything. If your considering milling then you will want to look at something much larger then the saws you listed.

Unless you plan on taking the saw for a hike in the mountains, I would not let the weight of a saw be a greater determining factor than displacement.

 

[indiansprings]

Based on Brad's thread on the 261, it may very well be the saw for you.

I have a 346 xpne and it will eat a 290's lunch anyday. If the 261 clearly outperforms the 346 like reported, well theres your answer. Based on whats been reported the 261 clearly should be stronger than a 290. The pro construction along with all the air filtration improvements should make you a heck of a saw that would last.

Personally I agree with whoever suggested finding a clean used 361, for the amount of wood your going to be cutting I would be looking for a larger saw.

I would run from the 250, just don't have enough power for my needs. I'd rather run an old 028 than a 250.

 

[MacLaren]

Based on Brad's thread on the 261, it may very well be the saw for you.

I have a 346 xpne and it will eat a 290's lunch anyday. If the 261 clearly outperforms the 346 like reported, well theres your answer. Based on whats been reported the 261 clearly should be stronger than a 290. The pro construction along with all the air filtration improvements should make you a heck of a saw that would last.

Personally I agree with whoever suggested finding a clean used 361, for the amount of wood your going to be cutting I would be looking for a larger saw.

I would run from the 250, just don't have enough power for my needs. I'd rather run an old 028 than a 250.

I agree. i think you nailed it.

 

[Locust Cutter]

Of all the saws in my signature (and I love them all dearly except the 55 which has been pissing me off lately:censored The 346xpNE and the MS660 are the ones that ALWAYS go Hardwood hunting with me,... The 039 is a tough, reliable good powered all-around saw which has cut 60cords + for me so far. If I were going to buy a similar displacement saw now, though, it would be a Great-condition used 361 or a new 362, being both lighter and more powerful than my 039(or the 390). That said, I'm normally running the 660 or the 039, because if my Dad is cutting with me, I can't seem to pry the 346 out of his hands long enough to GET to play with it!

 

[MacLaren]

Of all the saws in my signature (and I love them all dearly except the 55 which has been pissing me off lately:censored The 346xpNE and the MS660 are the ones that ALWAYS go Hardwood hunting with me,... The 039 is a tough, reliable good powered all-around saw which has cut 60cords + for me so far. If I were going to buy a similar displacement saw now, though, it would be a Great-condition used 361 or a new 362, being both lighter and more powerful than my 039(or the 390). That said, I'm normally running the 660 or the 039, because if my Dad is cutting with me, I can't seem to pry the 346 out of his hands long enough to GET to play with it!

tell me about it man. People love em dont they? LOL
Man, I cut a nice locust up last saturday.........

 

[Locust Cutter]

tell me about it man. People love em dont they? LOL
Man, I cut a nice locust up last saturday.........

I'm almost thinking of buying another one so My Dad will quit stealing mine,... Two able sawyers running simultaneously with 346's,.... Hardwoods might disappear really quickly that way:biggrinbounce2::chainsawguy:

 

[Walnut33]

Just my 2 cents, but for the milling portion of your decision, I milled with a 390 for 2 years and then finally bought an 880 Mag. I have found that it is VERY important to have saw for bucking and a saw for milling. I always take both with me when I mill. And nothing out weights displacement when it comes to milling. Now im sure you dont want to lug an 880 around, but milling is a totally different world and just understand that power is a well needed factor. Just keep the chain sharp and the sawdust flying. Goodluck!