Reliable Saw For Homeowner

[mooch12]

Hello all,

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse for all the regular posters, but I'd really appreciate your insights.

Two years ago I moved into a home on 5 wooded acres that were not managed in any way. I love the home and the privacy that the wooded lot affords me, but I've already had to contend with multiple instances of storm damage from very mature trees coming down during storms.

Long story short, I'm looking for a reliable yet reasonable saw that will enable me to cut up large fallen cherry and hard maple trees. I have a Poulan Pro that I'm very sorry I spent $200 at Lowe's on...the carb adjustment was all out of whack straight out of the box, idling has been a persitent problem even after adjustments, and I pretty much throw my arm out every time I pull start the thing.

I can't afford to go all-out and buy a high-400-series Stihl, and I'd have no business operating that caliber of saw anyway. I'm pretty experienced cutting (not felling), but really can't see myself wanting to go beyond an 18" bar. I've gotten very mixed feedback on what I should be looking for. Chainsaws seem to be a lot like handguns...it seems that a lot of fellows push for the 454 Raging Bull when a basic .38 would serve just fine.

I've been looking at the 290 Farm Boss and think it looks pretty reasonable for my needs. However, would I be happy later with the additional power of the 310 or 361? Is is problematic that the Farm Boss is not listed as a "professional" model even though its specs appear to be superior to the lower-end "pro" models such as the 260? Besides additional power that I'm probably better off without from a safety perspective, would I be getting a more reliable machine by jumping from a $360 model to a $500 one?

I'm not overly concerned with saving a couple minutes of cutting time - I basically want a reliable machine that will work when I find a tree across my driveway at 6:00 A.M. on a winter morning or when one falls on a 90 degree summer day during a thunderstorm. And I don't want to pull like a maniac or be messing around with ether spray.

I'd appreciate your input on the matter...I've got 3 more "leaners" out there that will need tended to shortly.

Thanks!

 

[peter399]

Hello!

I would drop the MS290 for various reasons if I were you. There are tons of info about that saw if you search the forum. It may has more power in the spec than the MS260 but I can guarantee the MS260 will feel more powerful anyway.. It's a whole other construction on the pro models with i.e. magnesium crankcase instead of plastic. The 455 Rancher I would drop as well, it's slightly better than the 290 but still not good.

Since you say you will rarely need more than 18" bar, I think the best would be 60cc 357XP/MS361, but then we are talking 500+ USD. On Baileys (AS sponsor) you can find a Husky 353 with 18" bar and chain for 350 USD which must be a very good price for a 50cc Pro saw of that caliber. It's a very nice saw, I prefer it over my Stihl 026.

Another recommendation would be the 359, for 429 USD with 20" B & C.
It's a real sleeper that will have the power of a stock 357/361 when opening the muffler a bit.

/Peter

 

[SawTroll]

I mostly agree with what Peter said, but I don't think there are much wrong with the reliability of the 290/310/390 - they are just not as nice to use and maintain....

 

[joatmon]

The Doctor is in the house

Hello!

I would drop the MS290 for various reasons if I were you. There are tons of info about that saw if you search the forum. It may has more power in the spec than the MS260 but I can guarantee the MS260 will feel more powerful anyway.. It's a whole other construction on the pro models with i.e. magnesium crankcase instead of plastic. The 455 Rancher I would drop as well, it's slightly better than the 290 but still not good.

Since you say you will rarely need more than 18" bar, I think the best would be 60cc 357XP/MS361, but then we are talking 500+ USD. On Baileys (AS sponsor) you can find a Husky 353 with 18" bar and chain for 350 USD which must be a very good price for a 50cc Pro saw of that caliber. It's a very nice saw, I prefer it over my Stihl 026.

Another recommendation would be the 359, for 429 USD with 20" B & C.
It's a real sleeper that will have the power of a stock 357/361 when opening the muffler a bit.

/Peter

Peter,

You MUST call my office for an appointment. As you know, Mr. ST has benefited greatly from our sessions as per his post in this thread. Wouldn't you like to be the new and improved Peter? I can change you quicker than Cialis!

Dr. Jack

 

[daemon2525]

I only have much experience with 1 ms290. My neighbor has one and it is hard starting and sounds like it is rattling while cutting. (brand new)

We cut together last weekend and I made his saw look like crap with my 260.

When I bought mine, I decided that I wanted the extra quality and I thank myself EVERY time I pick up the saw.

I have only 2 wooded acres to maintain, but I help out the neighborhood. Each lot is 2 acres. With 5 acres, you should swing for the better saw, regardless of brand. I think that you will thank us in the long run.

 

[jack-the-ripper]

First of all, what type of dealerships are in your area and what is their support like? Stihl, Husky, and Dolmar (Makita is a twin of Dolmar) all make great saws and the "not so great" homeowner models-(not that they're bad, just not the quality of the pro saws). Go to your local dealers and see how the different saws feel in your hands. Here is a link on a Makita for a good price if you have dealer support in the area. http://www.toolbarn.com/product/makita/DCS6401-20/ Have fun & good luck.

 

[bcorradi]

Hello!
It's a whole other construction on the pro models with i.e. magnesium crankcase instead of plastic.
/Peter

Are you sure the MS290 has a plastic "Crankcase"?

 

[Lakeside53]

How could he? You have to see one to know that

Peter: the Stihl engines is all metal - just sits in a Nylon (plastic) cradle.

In any case, even with saws (not stihl) that have plastic crankcases seem to work just fine....

 

[computeruser]

You are a perfect candidate for a 290. It is a very cost-effective and reliable machine that is absolutely ideal as a homeowner saw. I happen to think that it is not nearly as bad a saw as others make it out to be. Equipped with a 18" bar and good .325" pitch chain it will get the job done for a long time to come. And the price is right, which is also nice!

My first *real* saw was an MS290. I set it up with a 20" bar and Stihl RS (.325") chain. I put tank after tank through it without a problem. Kept the chain sharp, the air filter dusted off, and good fuel mix in the tank. It started every time I wanted it to, and dropped and blocked multiple 30"+ ash trees. Once I caught the saw bug I sold it to my FIL, who uses it to maintain his couple acres in TN where it continues to work well to this day.

Are there better saws out there? Sure. Are the better saws that weigh the same or less, all the while producing more power. Yup. Can you get these saws for $350? No, not really. Now if money were no object then I'd encourage you to go with the MS361 as a good all-around saw. It is a better saw in every regard, but then again it costs nearly 60% more than the MS290. If I was a landowner in your shoes, I'd rather have two saws - say an MS290 and an eBay NIB Echo CS346 - than a single MS361. My experience has been that this would be a more productive setup in most instances.

Like so many other things in life, the trick is to pick the right tool for the job at hand and the jobs you anticipate needing to use the tool for in the foreseeable future. If the MS290 fits the bill then I'd say go for it. If not, then save up a few more bucks and take the plunge on something a bit bigger. Or, better yet, buy the MS290 and give it a shot. If you don't like it or want more power, you can get damned-near retail price for it if you clean it up and resell it on eBay.

Let us know what you settle on!

An MS290 did this. 23" on the big end of this oak limb. Chewed it up no problems.

MS290 cut these stepping stone cookies, too. Notice the pug there for size comparison:

MS290 versus ash tree:

 

[NapalmDeath]

I was in the same situation not too long ago trying to decide what saw to get for homeowner use and went with the MS270 and have been very pleased. Occaisonaly I do feel that perhaps I should have went with the 361 but for most of what I encounter the 270 works well for me. Before you decide on the 290 at least give the 270/280's a look. Should be in your price range (or close).

 

[rreidnauer]

Hmmmmmmmm

I don't see any Stihl equipment in any of those pics, but it sure looks like some orange Husky gear in front of that Jeep!

Are you a closet Husky operator? :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[Four Paws]

I vote for Shindaiwa...get yourself a 488 or a 490. Lightweight and good ergonomics if you ask me. And, the torque is second to none.

 

[Austin1]

Granted the poulans come set up way to lean on the low side and for the one I bought way too Rich on the hi. But after a tune up it always started and ran good.

 

[chiseltooth]

i figure that a 70 cc saw should do all of the work you'd be taking on easily. second hand 372xps are quite cheap and good uns can be found. small bars on these can really go fast, and its no probs to pull a bigger bar too. it just gives you more room to manouver i think.

 

[stckciv]

Husky 3120

 

[pbuehning]

You are a perfect candidate for a 290. It is a very cost-effective and reliable machine that is absolutely ideal as a homeowner saw. I happen to think that it is not nearly as bad a saw as others make it out to be. Equipped with a 18" bar and good .325" pitch chain it will get the job done for a long time to come. And the price is right, which is also nice!

Are there better saws out there? Sure. Are the better saws that weigh the same or less, all the while producing more power. Yup. Can you get these saws for $350? No, not really.

Like so many other things in life, the trick is to pick the right tool for the job at hand and the jobs you anticipate needing to use the tool for in the foreseeable future. If the MS290 fits the bill then I'd say go for it. If not, then save up a few more bucks and take the plunge on something a bit bigger. Or, better yet, buy the MS290 and give it a shot. If you don't like it or want more power, you can get damned-near retail price for it if you clean it up and resell it on eBay."

+1 and rep points. I get tired of people bad mouthing the 290 - it does the job it was designed to do and does it very well. With a little bit of care they last along time.

 

[bcorradi]

Wow you guys are confusing this poor guy. He now has husky, stihl, and shindaiwa to choose from. Can someone please throw out dolmar? He also has suggestions of saws ranging from 50cc-70cc's. Homeowner - Professional.

I agree with Brandon, Andy, and a few others that a MS290 would suit him quite well. He would also probably be happy with an equivalent husky model.

Based on what he stated I don't think he needs a professional saw nor do I think he needs a 70cc saw.

 

[DGG]

I use a Husky 359 for my woods cutting and cleanup (about 15 ac). The Husqvarna 359 isn't a pro model, but with almost 4 hp, moderate weight, and a 20" bar it handles anything I'm capable of cutting up. I think the pro version of the 359 is called the 357XP.

Here is a link for specs if interested.

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/991

I think it is a lot of saw for just over $400.

 

[Andyshine77]

mooch12 Most of the advice given to you in this thread has been good and solid advice, it's all going to come down to dealer service and what you feel comfortable with and how much you are willing to spend on a saw.

With that said I love my Husky 353, it has never let me down, and I personally think it was money well spent. I'm sure the 270, 280 and 290 are all good saws, I just think their are better options, the 353 being one of them, the Huskys do have better air filtration and anti-vibration systems, plus the 353 has a mag crankcase.

Good luck Andy.

 

[SawTroll]

I use a Husky 359 for my woods cutting and cleanup (about 15 ac). The Husqvarna 359 isn't a pro model, but with almost 4 hp, moderate weight, and a 20" bar it handles anything I'm capable of cutting up. I think the pro version of the 359 is called the 357XP.

Here is a link for specs if interested.

http://store.baileys-online.com/cgi-bin/baileys/991

I think it is a lot of saw for just over $400.

The 359 is a pro quality saw, just not marketed as a pro saw on all markets (as is the 353 mentioned by Andyshine).

Only problem is that they all are E-techs (cat muffler) saws at the US market now (as far as I know) - so they are in urgent need of a new muffler, or a muffler mod.........