My saw had an accident!

[mach77777]

Just had a tricky tree pinch my MS251 and fall on it,.obliterating the handle and rear grip. It felt like a family member died.

Now, I know these saws don't get alot of cred around here, but it's really been a workhorse the past 5 years I've used it.

One idea is to buy another 251 and use this one for replacement parts. The other is just to suck it up and get a 261. Unfortunately the 261 is about $850 while the 251 is $500.

I also own a 064AV and an 180C. If the 064 was just a bit easier to start I'd just use that one for felling and tolerate the 180C for removing the branches.

The 251 really was a good allround saw for me. Even learned to work around the sword length.

What am I missing? I'm mostly working with softer wood.

 

[SteveSr]

Just had a tricky tree pinch my MS251 and fall on it,.obliterating the handle and rear grip. It felt like a family member died.

Now, I know these saws don't get alot of cred around here, but it's really been a workhorse the past 5 years I've used it.

One idea is to buy another 251 and use this one for replacement parts. The other is just to suck it up and get a 261. Unfortunately the 261 is about $850 while the 251 is $500.

I also own a 064AV and an 180C. If the 064 was just a bit easier to start I'd just use that one for felling and tolerate the 180C for removing the branches.

The 251 really was a good allround saw for me. Even learned to work around the sword length.

What am I missing? I'm mostly working with softer wood.

Plenty of these on Fleabay with blown up engines. Just make sure that the clutch side hasn't been melted.

 

[capetrees]

Just had a tricky tree pinch my MS251 and fall on it,.obliterating the handle and rear grip. It felt like a family member died.

Now, I know these saws don't get alot of cred around here, but it's really been a workhorse the past 5 years I've used it.

One idea is to buy another 251 and use this one for replacement parts. The other is just to suck it up and get a 261. Unfortunately the 261 is about $850 while the 251 is $500.

I also own a 064AV and an 180C. If the 064 was just a bit easier to start I'd just use that one for felling and tolerate the 180C for removing the branches.

The 251 really was a good allround saw for me. Even learned to work around the sword length.

What am I missing? I'm mostly working with softer wood.

Or spend the $500 and get a 271

 

[Mad3400]

It's Crazy, use to be $500, plus tax for a brand new 261 with extras, not many years back.

If you are purchasing a new unit and can justify the cost, the 261 would be the choice.

Mad3400

 

[Marley5]

Wow, the 251 is on sale here for $349.
I have so many saws now " addiction " but if I were in the market it would be the 261, lotta saw.
I have a MS 250 with a gutted muffler that is a fantastic firewood saw and a Echo CS 490 that is equally impressive.
Sorry about your saw but at least you weren't injured

 

[SteveSr]

Or spend the $500 and get a 271

251, 271, and 291 are all the same platform with differing displacements. They are all consumer/homeowner saws with glued on transfer port covers that will come unglued and wreck the saw if it is overheated.

 

[capetrees]

251, 271, and 291 are all the same platform with differing displacements. They are all consumer/homeowner saws with glued on transfer port covers that will come unglued and wreck the saw if it is overheated.

I ran a 270 for ten years hard with zero maintenance other than a sharp chain and had zero problems. I did run it into the ground however and eventually it lost its compression.

 

[capetrees]

It's Crazy, use to be $500, plus tax for a brand new 261 with extras, not many years back.

If you are purchasing a new unit and can justify the cost, the 261 would be the choice.

Mad3400

I agree. I'd go through hell and back with my 261's.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

I'd be all over an Echo cs590 Timberwolf for about $429, or the upgraded Pro version the cs620p for about $639.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

I'd be all over an Echo cs590 Timberwolf for about $429, or the upgraded Pro version the cs620p for about $639.

At the homeowner level that's the best bang for your buck. 4910 or 501p would be a close match to OP's saw or the 590/620 as a significant upgrade.

 

[2StrokeFondler]

I ran a 270 for ten years hard with zero maintenance other than a sharp chain and had zero problems. I did run it into the ground however and eventually it lost its compression.

Just rebuild a saw like that some months ago. Runs like a champ again. Filter was falling apart, original plug in it. But the former owner knew how to sharpen a chain, so new rings and some rubber parts was all she needed.