MS290 Performance

[Eccentric]

Actaully the MS310 that I have is 59.0cc
And the MS290 is the 56.5cc saw

Weird.

Well shoot. I'm just tripping all over myself. Where's my coffee?:bang:

I saw that there was an increase in displacement with the 029S VS the 029 as stated by Bcorradi, but didn't notice that that increase just brought the 029S up to where the MS290 is now. A quick check of my handy dandy 2006 Stihl catalog shows 56.5cc for the MS290 (same as an 029S), 59cc for the MS310, and 64.1cc for the MS390. Shoulda checked the catalog first.

So................................................................................I was right about the MS310 (and my MS290M Idea) to begin with, but wrong afterwards when I waffled and made my :monkey: post.

:newbie: :fart:


Think then post. Think then post. Think then post...

 

[bcorradi]

how come the canadian version of the ms 290 is rated at STIHL MS 290 56.5 3.0/4.1hp and the american version is ENGINE POWER
2.8 kW (3.8 bhp). Is the canadian version actually stronger, more rugged. do most of the saws use the same engine just with different bore sizes?

I assume it just has to do with the different emission regulations. In canada, they probably sell the 290 with a less restricting muffler. Internally, they must be the same, since they both have the same displacement.

 

[ValleyO'Giants]

how come the canadian version of the ms 290 is rated at STIHL MS 290 56.5 3.0/4.1hp and the american version is ENGINE POWER
2.8 kW (3.8 bhp). Is the canadian version actually stronger, more rugged. do most of the saws use the same engine just with different bore sizes?

I wonder if the horsepower ratings are rated the same way?

I know with cars, you get different hp ratings in europe with the same engines.
Also could be epa regs here and you actually have more horsepower there.

Good questions, that I don't have the actuall answers too!:spam:

 

[ValleyO'Giants]

Look at this site and then you will really be confused about Horsepower!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower

 

[timistall]

count me as a negative

I've had two MS290s and have had bad luck. Replaced them with Husky 350. 290s can't be compared to 361s! Even the 5100s will run circles around the 290s(40.00 difference). I can cut 2x the wood with my 346xp. I'm sure the 361 can out cut and out last three 290s.

 

[pigsitter]

I have a MS290 and if you want to see a noticeable difference without modding the saw,try a narrow kerf bar and chain from Bailey's.If your like me and waiting for the warranty to expire to try a muffler mod the narrow kerf setup is an easy way to improve cutting performance.

 

[ValleyO'Giants]

I've had two MS290s and have had bad luck. Replaced them with Husky 350. 290s can't be compared to 361s! Even the 5100s will run circles around the 290s(40.00 difference). I can cut 2x the wood with my 346xp. I'm sure the 361 can out cut and out last three 290s.

So what I am hearing is that for cutting more wood and more hardwoods get the 361 or husky/dolmar equivelnent?
Sounds reasonable to me. I only cut 4 or 5 cords a year, maybe a little more.
And mostly doug fir, with some oak.
That is why I got the 310.

One more thing,
No dolmars around here, but I heard that the dolmars had only one piston ring and that decreases the durability.
Is that true?
If so, does that mean you rebuild them sooner?
I'm a car guy and I know you can build an engine to run like crazy but you may not have the longevity.
Like my ford sb 302 with 180k on it runs great and pretty fast (stihl)
But thewn I have a ford sb 347 stroker that runs like crazy but needs a rebuild after 60k
So are dolmars the same deal?
Hot rod saw?
Tinker with more often?

Me, Im a car guy.
I cut wood to keep warm in the winter.
(Although not a bad way to exercise imo)

 

[timistall]

Time will only tell on how long my 5100 will last. I think the Husky 350 is better than the Stihl 290. No more than a 50.00 difference....5100 will smoke the 290.

 

[timistall]

After having two 290s and Husky 350s and 346xp, this saw will come out the winner providing it holds togather.

 

[bcorradi]

I've had two MS290s and have had bad luck. Replaced them with Husky 350. 290s can't be compared to 361s! Even the 5100s will run circles around the 290s(40.00 difference). I can cut 2x the wood with my 346xp. I'm sure the 361 can out cut and out last three 290s.

I'm curious what bad luck have you had with your ms290's? I've heard comments in regard to being heavy, thinking its made cheaply etc., but I have yet to hear many discredit the reliablity of them. .

 

[timistall]

I do storm damage down here in FL. Few years back we had 3 hurricanes in a row. I bought the first 290 and bearings came apart with scoring. After almost a year fighting with Stihl they replaced it. Second one had little to no power and very hard starting. I stayed with Husky (350 & 346xp & 372xp) and later Redmax and Dolmar(5100 & 6400) Got a 361 coming from EHP, looking forward to running it hard. I would never go back to a 290...sorry.

 

[bcorradi]

I do storm damage down here in FL. Few years back we had 3 hurricanes in a row. I bought the first 290 and bearings came apart with scoring. After almost a year fighting with Stihl they replaced it. Second one had little to no power and very hard starting. I stayed with Husky (350 & 346xp & 372xp) and later Redmax and Dolmar(5100 & 6400) Got a 361 coming from EHP, looking forward to running it hard. I would never go back to a 290...sorry.

Ok thanks for the input. How many hours did you have on your 290 when the bearings came apart? Was the 2nd 290 hard to start and low on power from the get go?

 

[timistall]

First saw had about twenty tanks 50:1 Stihl oil when it came apart, second 290 never ran right. Excuse from Stihl was "we rushed the saws to meet the demand of the FL storms" I'm giving them one more try with this 361 coming soon. "John Dolmar" bought my 6400, wish I had not sold it.

 

[bcorradi]

First saw had about twenty tanks 50:1 Stihl oil when it came apart, second 290 never ran right. Excuse from Stihl was "we rushed the saws to meet the demand of the FL storms" I'm giving them one more try with this 361 coming soon. "John Dolmar" bought my 6400, wish I had not sold it.

Ok you very well could have gotten some lemons. Based on your individual experience with them I probably wouldn't get another one either.

 

[59Billy]

Look at this site and then you will really be confused about Horsepower!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower

I can get confused enough on this site right here!

 

[2000ssm6]

029 fine for firewood!

I have a 029, with a 20" bar, full skip, full comp b&c. It cuts great, I love that saw. I also cut with a friend that runs a 361, it is a great saw. I'm sending mine off to get the muffler modded soon. Prices usually are $270(here) difference between the 290 and 361.

 

[Ekka]

I'm giving them one more try with this 361 coming soon.

It'll be like stepping out of a VW and into a Mustang. You'll love it and the throttle response will be punchy not a 2 second haul to max revs.

 

[shake5]

just for reference. I have a 460 that weighs 19lbs with a 25" bar, i HAD a 290 that weighed 17lbs with a 18" bar. 2lbs difference, half the power with a lot lesser .325 chain. Hmmmm....I thought about it for about second, then I sold the 290 and bought a 250 that weighs 12lbs with a 16" bar. i'm not sure what possesed me to buy the 290, but now i am happy. the 460 will cut anything i need to cut in record time, and the 3hp 250 effortlessly trims limbs and is very light. Could they have made the 290 heavier if they tried, who knows? could the 290 rev any slower, who knows? A happy 290 person should use a different saw for just 20 minutes. but beforehand, make sure you have some extra cash around, you may be ready for a new purchase.

 

[stonykill]

just for reference. I have a 460 that weighs 19lbs with a 25" bar, i HAD a 290 that weighed 17lbs with a 18" bar. 2lbs difference, half the power with a lot lesser .325 chain. Hmmmm....I thought about it for about second, then I sold the 290 and bought a 250 that weighs 12lbs with a 16" bar. i'm not sure what possesed me to buy the 290, but now i am happy. the 460 will cut anything i need to cut in record time, and the 3hp 250 effortlessly trims limbs and is very light. Could they have made the 290 heavier if they tried, who knows? could the 290 rev any slower, who knows? A happy 290 person should use a different saw for just 20 minutes. but beforehand, make sure you have some extra cash around, you may be ready for a new purchase.

I'm not a fan of the 290 either, but ..... I believe Stihl markets the 290 to the homeowner who is going to have 1 saw for everything. Not to saw nuts like us. If you only cut a few cords of wood for yourself a year, need a reliable saw from a trusted company, that has good dealers all over the place...then the 290 might be for you. Same with the husky 455. Gets a bad rap here, but for the person its marketed to, its a great saw. Personally I don't want either, but the numbers of these saws sold, have to tell you there is a market for a reliable, inexpensive, homeowner saw, that will last you 10 years or more with the type of use stated above. My step dad has had his 029 for probably 10 years, cuts 7 to 8 cord a year with it, has only had to change the spark plug and chains in that time. He loves his, personally I don't care for it, but thats just me. I can't knock the saw as its been reliable. To each his own...

 

[Fordman99]

Thanx

Thanks for your input on the weight issue Shake5,I see your in PA. anywhere close to Chambersburg?...interesting you mentioned the 250.I have my father-in-laws 250 setting in my shed right now,brand new,ran for maybe for half an hour tops, he recently moved and is no longer in need of it.I could pick it up for 2 bills,isit worth it?