lokin for a 50 to 55 cc chain saw

[mrk585]

right now I am leaning toward a stihl 2 reason I can get a good deal where I work and I just like stihl Im lookin at the 280 cqs any imput would be great

 

[Freakingstang]

The 55 Rancher by Husqvarna is a great saw for the cash. i am not familiar with the 280cqs, but my 55 has cut a ton and hasn't missed a beat. There are still a few floating around under 300 bucks, as Husky discontinued them this year for the EPA aproved 455.

 

[computeruser]

Whatcha planning on doing with the saw? That might influence suggestions and comments in a useful way.

That said, most would agree that the 280 is a solid saw. Not sure that the C-QS/QB is worth the additional money. These features and their benefits/drawbacks have been discussed at length on here, should you want to understand folks' thoughts on those features.

 

[mrk585]

I do mostly firewood well alot of firewood other stuff includes farming clean up mataning trails in the woods cuttin down trees most of the fire wood i get is after loggers come in you know tree tops etc
right now I use my dads stuff he has a 036 pro and a small husky 30cc i belive

 

[mrk585]

about the cqs since I can get a good deal on it I like the added safty and the quick chain addjustmet is nice

 

[mrk585]

I think I am going with a 18" bar but want to have the ablity to put a 20 of 16 on it

 

[Freakingstang]

what are the specs of the cqs? How much is a good deal? Maybe that will influence our comments..

 

[TimberPig]

The quick chain adjuster and the chain brake that stops the chain whenever you let off the throttle are not worth wasting your money on, they are gimmicks that are intended for non-serious users.

 

[mrk585]

I think I can get it for around 290 after tax

 

[mrk585]

I dont care much wether or not it has the chain break but the chain addjustmet I do like I wish you could adjust the oiler though

 

[Freakingstang]

I think I can get it for around 290 after tax

HP and cc size? I'm too lazy to search. lol

My 55R came with an 18", they sold them with 20" bars also. I current;y have a 16" on it and it rips. Fun little saw. Probably my all time favorite firewood saw. I ran it with the 18 and it cuts good, but cuts better with the 16". I have never used a 20 on it, but I think it would pull it if the situation arised. Might not be the fastest, but will get the job done.


Steve

 

[mrk585]

the ms280 is the bare saw without cqs it 54.7 cc w/3.6 bhp it weighs 11.6 lbs without bar and chain the ms280 w/cqs is the same saw but weighs 12.1 lbs

 

[mrk585]

the cqs has a comp release to not that that matters much b/c i used my dads 036 for 5 years not and found out a week ago it had a comp release and i swear its hardrd to start ie more pulls

 

[computeruser]

Well, for $290 + tax, I think you're doing quite well - heck, if I could get one for that price I'd be inclined to get one, too. That would be a good price for a solid saw - nearly 290 HP, a couple pounds less in weight (especially without the QS). The 18" bar would be ideal.

Go get one and do some cutting!

 

[skwerl]

mrk, you are allowed to put more than one sentence per reply.

If you are more comfortable with all the added safety features like the QS chain brake, then by all means you should get it. No sense in trying to run a saw that you're afraid of, that's how people get hurt.

You're aware that the 'quick adjust' chain tensioner feature will require much more work for basic maintenence like cleaning and flipping the bar...

How's your chain filing skills?

 

[mrk585]

how is it that much more difficult with the quick adjustment

the chain brake is not that big or a deal but I think its a good idia

 

[Lakeside53]

Well, for $290 + tax, I think you're doing quite well - heck, if I could get one for that price I'd be inclined to get one, too. That would be a good price for a solid saw - nearly 290 HP, a couple pounds less in weight (especially without the QS). The 18" bar would be ideal.

Go get one and do some cutting!

It is a good deal, and if you don't like it the " QS quickstop", you can always disable that feature... easily... not to not confused with the standard "quickstop brake" that should always be left in place.

 

[mrk585]

how is it that much more difficult with the quick adjustment

 

[TimberPig]

It is significantly more annoying to remove the soprcket cover, bar and chain with the QCA than it is with the standard bar nuts and tensioner. This means you do it less often, leading to more wear on the bar and less even wear patterns.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I say skip all the features. Like has been said, they're homeowner features, and while they may serve a purpose with some folks, if you're all at familiar with saws, you know that adjusting the chain tension is a snap, and the brake feature in the hand grip isn't needed if your saw is adjusted properly. And if it's not you're gonna wear out your brake that much faster. During normal operation, should you need kickback protection, the brake flag should suffice. I think you'd find the brake gizmo a hassle.

So where in Southern IN are you from? I was born in Corydon, and raised in Leavenworth on the river. Kentucky out my front door.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff