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.

 

[Sidecarflip]

Guess I'm lucky in the fact that the ag tractor dealer I work at part time is an Echo dealer as well so I get them at dealer's cost. Very happy with the 590 TW and a couple simple mods to the muffler and intake and they run and perform much better. One thing about the 590 that is a simple fix is the adding an 'O' ring to the fixing stud on the carb. That eliminates any fines getting into the carb. That and repositioning the exhaust deflector and removing the baffle attached to it but retaining the spark screen and a couple well placed holes in the lower muffler body really wakes up the saw. You can add an offset flywheel key and a 620 ignition module but I didn't. Runs fine the way it is.

The one I have, has no circular CAT in the muffler at all so no need to remove something that isn't present.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

I was tuning up my dad's saw yesterday and I remembered the 590 has not been started in months. Saw fired right up, so I ripped through some hard to split rounds. With the muffler opened up and a good sharp chain she runs like a ***** ape and sounds mean as hell.

 

[Sidecarflip]

The 590 certainly takes on an entirely different sound once the muffler is opened up and the top baffle removed. They don't seem to be appreciably louder but they do sound much deeper, kind of a growl sound. Reminds me of my 075 Stihl without the hard to start issue. Very pleased with it actually. Only thing I don't care for is the cobbly ignition cut switch. Toggle switches went out decades ago. I only run a 20" bar however and that is plenty long for what I do. I'd prefer to see Echo adopt the Stihl multi position control like is on my 028. Simple but effective.

 

[Breckinridge Elkins]

I am a toggle switch holdout. The newer Echo's have a momentary paddle switch that I don't care for. But you are right. The multi position switch is just all around better.