Need Advice on Chainsaw Purchase

[talon1189]

I am a newbie here on this forum and am in the market for 2 new chainsaws........I want a Stihl 290 or 310 for one..........and I need a light weight Stihl for climbing with in trees :help: I would like to keep the price for both around $600.00 All opinions are greatly appreciated Thanks!

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

You mean both combined at $600? Well, if you're looking at the 290 vs 310, get the 310. Same weight, same saw, more power. Simple as that. For a climbing saw, are you looking for a top handle saw? If so, the 192T would be the most affordable from Stihl. If you can do a tail handle saw, you could get by with an MS 180 or 210. Both are manageable in a tree and won't break the bank.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

 

[West Texas]

I'm gunshy of the non pro series Stihl saws. The 361 has more hp and weighs less than the 310, and, costs $190 more bucks for sure; but, I think its a much wiser investment in the long run IMHO.

 

[West Texas]

Jeff I asked Ed if he had ever ran a pipe on a 361 and he said "no" but that it would be very adaptable and quite fast. Tom

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

The 361 has more hp and weighs less than the 310, and, costs $190 more bucks for sure; but, I think its a much wiser investment in the long run IMHO.

Ditto on the 200T vs. the 192T.

Talon, are you going to be using these saws in a professional venue? If so, then the additional $$ spent on professional quality saws would pay for itself in short time.

Jeff

 

[shucksters]

Even if you're not using them professionally, the 200T and the 361 will blow you away in comparison to the 192T and the 310. I would think hard about the pro series. (I did and am VERY happy). Welcome to AS

 

[talon1189]

I'm gunshy of the non pro series Stihl saws. The 361 has more hp and weighs less than the 310, and, costs $190 more bucks for sure; but, I think its a much wiser investment in the long run IMHO.

I have read nothing but awesome things on the Stihl 361:greenchainsaw: This saw is more expensive than my present budget will allow with having to buy 2 chainsaws My dealer would do $340-$350 on a Stihl 310.....plus a 2nd climbing saw.......that give me about $250-$275 for a lightweight climbing Stihl saw :greenchainsaw:

 

[CaseyForrest]

Talon, wherein MI are you located?

As for a light saw, I have a 180, and for the money, this saw has balls. Its light, and very well balanced with a 14" bar running 3/8 picco chain.

 

[sawinredneck]

I have yet to run the 200t, but am very happy with the 192t Lacks a little getting started, but once it is cutting hold on! As for the other saw, I have the 390, save you're pennies, buy the better stuff if you are going to run it a lot, for firewood and weekend warriors it's awsome!
Welcome to AS! (Also know as "chainsaw addiction")
Andy

 

[talon1189]

Talon, wherein MI are you located?

As for a light saw, I have a 180, and for the money, this saw has balls. Its light, and very well balanced with a 14" bar running 3/8 picco chain.

I am about 20 miles NW of downtown Detroit I live in a good subdivision :greenchainsaw: I really appreciate the help that I have recieved with the exception of the 1st "Jerk" that posted by Chopwood He is an ******* for sure. Any other opinions are greatly appreciated My Stihl dealer will give me a good deal with cash.........I just bought a brand new to the market Stihl HS 81 gas hedge trimmer for a good deal....and I will give my review to the dealer as they have been out for about 4 weeks only. I bought them from him last week Thank you to everyone that offers advice to me :greenchainsaw: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

OK, let's go down this road-what are you using the saws for? Are you going to climb often? Are you going to be for hire? How often will the saws be used?

Depending on answers, do you need two saws? Before I bought my 200T, I climbed with my 361. It was heavy, but for sure manageable in a tree. If climbing is going to be a small part of your workload, you may not need a dedicated climbing saw, and you'd be better off with one 361 and a couple of different bars.

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28725&d=1132974493

Jeff

 

[computeruser]

I think everybody pretty much covered it - 310/192t are your best choices if you are limiting yourself to Stihl products with a $600 budget. Consider, also, the possibility of saving money on your climber and putting that money towards a better non-climber. Echo top handle saws are durable as all getout and you can get them for cheap.

Also, I gotta chime in and restate the popular refrain about buying-up: if you are using these saws to make money, do yourself a favor and get the pro saws right off the bat. If only for the weight savings - the 290/310 are just straight-up heavy. I don't cut for a living, but having owned pro and non-pro saws I can say that I would never buy a non-pro saw again, if only for the power-to-weight ratio improvement that comes with the pro saw.

 

[talon1189]

OK, let's go down this road-what are you using the saws for? Are you going to climb often? Are you going to be for hire? How often will the saws be used?

Depending on answers, do you need two saws? Before I bought my 200T, I climbed with my 361. It was heavy, but for sure manageable in a tree. If climbing is going to be a small part of your workload, you may not need a dedicated climbing saw, and you'd be better off with one 361 and a couple of different bars.

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28725&d=1132974493

Jeff

Jeff I am targeting trees about 30 feet or less I also do hedge trimming. I got an PM suggesting a Stihl 360 PRO with a MS 170 for climbing for around my $600.00 budget Is this good advice? Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

 

[masiman]

I have been doing some climbing with my 170 and like it. It has performed well for the ~$160 it costs. About $50 more for a 180 but people seem to like them better. I have lifted some of the bigger saws (10+ lbs) and can tell the weight difference. Doable, but not as comfortable. Given how the 170 has performed for me, I would likely be ecstatic with the 192 or 200. If I could justify multiple saws for my homeowner needs I would add the 192T to my stable, the 200T of course if I had the extra cash or workload.

 

[computeruser]

Jeff I am targeting trees about 30 feet or less I also do hedge trimming. I got an PM suggesting a Stihl 360 PRO with a MS 170 for climbing for around my $600.00 budget Is this good advice? Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

I'll throw out a response to this, even though your remarks were directed at Jeff.

Unless these are the sqattest, fattest <30ft trees known to man, most will have 15" DBH or smaller trunks, so a 290 will work fine. I ran one as my "big" saw for years and took down some large trees with it, including some >30"dbh. If you can find a 360Pro in good condition and for a good price, that'd be a good choice too, but in my experience there is no overabundance of good, used saws in SE Lower Michigan, so it might be a challenge.

I still think that the 361/Echo (old-style) combination is your best bet if you're on a budget.

Have you actually run any of these saws before to get a sense of their real-world performance? I was cutting trees with a couple guys back in Westland and Redford last weekend, so if you'd asked this question a week ago you could have come out and done some hands-on with a couple of the saws you are considering.

 

[talon1189]

I'll throw out a response to this, even though your remarks were directed at Jeff.

Unless these are the sqattest, fattest <30ft trees known to man, most will have 15" DBH or smaller trunks, so a 290 will work fine. I ran one as my "big" saw for years and took down some large trees with it, including some >30"dbh. If you can find a 360Pro in good condition and for a good price, that'd be a good choice too, but in my experience there is no overabundance of good, used saws in SE Lower Michigan, so it might be a challenge.

I still think that the 361/Echo (old-style) combination is your best bet if you're on a budget.

Have you actually run any of these saws before to get a sense of their real-world performance? I was cutting trees with a couple guys back in Westland and Redford last weekend, so if you'd asked this question a week ago you could have come out and done some hands-on with a couple of the saws you are considering.

I am 10 minutes from Redford, MI A 290 compared to a 310 is alittle more horsepower for like $40.00 more.........Hmmmmmmmmmm........I really appreciate ALL opinions.........Hmmmmmmmm.........I am a member on the lawnsite.com and they refered me to this site for chainsaw suggestions

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Jeff I am targeting trees about 30 feet or less I also do hedge trimming. I got an PM suggesting a Stihl 360 PRO with a MS 170 for climbing for around my $600.00 budget Is this good advice? Thanks! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

Trees 30' or less and hedge trimming? I'm not picturing very large trees here. Would that be accurate? A 360 Pro is a fine saw, but be advised, that it's no longer available new. They were discontinued a couple of years ago in lieu of the 361. You'll have to find one used. But they're a good saw, and preferrable to the 290 or 310.

 

[clearance]

Trees about 30' or less? Like how big are the branches/tops? c'mon, get yourself a good handsaw, really, baby trees. Maybe Chopwood is right, if he isn't sorry, anyways, like I said, handsaw and decent chainsaw, Stihl or Husky. Maybe you are a landscraper/lawnmower guy, treework ain't that easy and is no place for non pro equipment.

 

[sawinredneck]

Finally put my thinking cap on!!!!!!!

I have been picking up a lot more tree work lately and am 36, it isn't near as much fun as it used to be to climb a tree with a chainsaw!!! It hurts the next day!!!! I would have to say stay on the ground as much as you can if you are a landscaper, therefore the top handles are out!!!! Look at the ms170, I have run one and was pretty impressed! Compare a $160 Stihl to a $130 Polaun and I needn't say more! That gives you more to put in to the bigger saw, which will get run more than you think. I would think about a pole saw if you want to go any higher than that, hire it out!!!!
Just more of my .02,
Andy