Need input on easy starting saw for friend

[zogger]

We just got in a couple of those Oregon saws, and they look to be very well built. I have not had the chance to run one yet, as nobody wants to buy a floor model. I think the Stihl rep was kind of put off, but oh well. If you opt for a Stihl easy start model, I suggest the 250. The little ones seem to use a fairly large spring (probably the same in all models, though I have not checked) and they "trip" into starting mode before the cord is all the way out. This seems to make them more jerky on the cord. The 250 has a substantial amount of compression. Usually, the cord is nearly all the way out before the engine kicks over. The pull is a smooth slow one.

Much as I like mine, the oregon saw, I ain't gonna try and fell no 150 foot white pine with it...cut up branches that fall off of a tree like that..perfect, exactly the sort of job it was designed for. Fell it, nope.

The lady here needs some AS member or members local to her to come over and just drop those trees one afternoon*** while they try out this week's new CAD score.... and I am sure she could whack them to size later when she gets a saw she can start, like your 250.

***Hazard trees that need technical take down, different story

 

[lanesharon]

You know, after looking at them again, I cannot believe that I can't get a lumber mill to come and take them. Here is a Bing link to the property:
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

There has to be 30+ very tall trees there. 3 are already down on the ground or 'hanging'. Property is empty, so someone could start at the outer left side (on map) and work down the rows. I live in Arizona. The property is in Texas. I am just going to have to go back and see if I can drum up someone local to do this. Hopefully a small mill owner.

I need to have the lot resurveyed because the neighbor is encroaching on the land. After that survey is done, I want to put up a post-style fence. I could do it with some of those trees, if I had a large saw to cut them up. The little 14" Homelite S2 is good for branches only.

I may have someone interested in the Poulan, but I haven't figured a price yet. He was impressed with how like new it was + case + new chains, etc.. So, I don't think I will have trouble selling it. Could you tell me what you think, price wise? Link to slideshow:
Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Then, I can put that money toward something that might work for me. I searched for that Stihl MS250. $350 was the lowest price I found, without the easy start option.

 

[naturelover]

My dad has the MS-180 with easy-start, and as others have said, it is...really easy to start. No jerking or anything, just pull out the rope and she's off. One of the easiest to start saws I've used. If it works just as easily on the 250, sounds like a great recommendation.

 

[zogger]

You know, after looking at them again, I cannot believe that I can't get a lumber mill to come and take them. Here is a Bing link to the property:
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

There has to be 30+ very tall trees there. 3 are already down on the ground or 'hanging'. Property is empty, so someone could start at the outer left side (on map) and work down the rows. I live in Arizona. The property is in Texas. I am just going to have to go back and see if I can drum up someone local to do this. Hopefully a small mill owner.

I need to have the lot resurveyed because the neighbor is encroaching on the land. After that survey is done, I want to put up a post-style fence. I could do it with some of those trees, if I had a large saw to cut them up. The little 14" Homelite S2 is good for branches only.

I may have someone interested in the Poulan, but I haven't figured a price yet. He was impressed with how like new it was + case + new chains, etc.. So, I don't think I will have trouble selling it. Could you tell me what you think, price wise? Link to slideshow:
Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Then, I can put that money toward something that might work for me. I searched for that Stihl MS250. $350 was the lowest price I found, without the easy start option.

There's zillions of those things out there, from free to maybe around a full C note in ace shape. Most guys on this board get them for like five bucks or something (I get them like that), but most of us work on saws, too, and have shops and garages slap fulla saws. Just sayin'. This is a chainsaw enthusiasts board, not just random joe q public.

So anything you could get close to that would be fair. Look on your local craigslist to get a closer to you aprroximation of normal value in your area. If the looker would drop a benjamin, you would be doing good.

If you have a stihl dealer nearby, you could go try one out, they must have at least some sort of demo saw there. See if it would work for you.

 

[lanesharon]

If you have a stihl dealer nearby, you could go try one out, they must have at least some sort of demo saw there. See if it would work for you.

I'm afraid I'll fall in love at 'second pull'. :chainsawguy: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Fedaburger]

Was on a job site and a carpenter had a ms180 easy start. I had to check it oh and it was scary easy. He got it used at a pawn shop for $100. I could tell it was used too. He said he had it for about two years and starts and does everything he needs it to do all day long. My ms180 doesn't have the easy start but it's not hard to start not as easy as the easy start though. Its been a good saw so far and it does not cut limbs.

 

[lanesharon]

I would like to know if any of you have seen other brands (not stihl) that also has an 'easy start' system?

 

[tallguys]

I would like to know if any of you have seen other brands (not stihl) that also has an 'easy start' system?

Yes, Dolmar. Go back to the beginning of this thread and see Brad's little girl starting up a PS-420. Just needs a little tug, that's it.

 

[Brushwacker]

When my dad was about 80 or so, I bought him an Husky pretty sure it was a 42, any way it had a compression release, but he couldn't pull it fast enought to start it cold. Bout 5 years later I suggested the 180 easy start and he was able to start and use it until he was 89 and about done for period, concerning work. Not sure but I think the easy start may work better on the smaller saws. Neighbor has a 250 and I think the 180 started better.

 

[lanesharon]

Neighbor has a 250 and I think the 180 started better.

Good to know, but could just be the particular saw.

 

[struggle]

Update on the Oregon rechargeable saw this guy bought.

He is not happy with it. He was only able to cut a a couple of wheel barrow loads of wood I'm told and the battery died which left him none to happy. I'm pretty sure he is going to return it if he can and hopefully he will buy the PS420 dolmar.

I think he might have been misled as to how long the battery would actually last. I have not talked to him in person so not exactly sure how he felt about the saw before it ran out of juice. Once I find out more I will update. The guy heats with a woodfurnace and I would think that takes some pretty good chunks of wood so it seems using a rechargable chainsaw is not the best option.