Saw confused

[BLDR]

Just an amateur here with 35 acres of ponderosa pine that requires fire mitigation, beetle kill removal, and mistletoe management. Currently have 2 saws: a 42cc Craftsman/Poulan that finally died and a Jonsered 2145 that has been very problematic starting and/or running lately. Both have been serviced recently and the little one was declared non-economically repairable. The Jonsered supposedly is in good shape but I'm getting tired of futzing with it so I've been thinking about buying new.

Here in Boulder, CO, it appears my choices for a new saw are Home Depot/Lowes toys or the local Stihl dealer that I don't trust for good advice. If I have to go with Stihl, the choices are confusing and their web site is lame. Nearly all the trees I'll have to take down are under 18" and most are under 10" and there isn't a hardwood anywhere in the region. But 2/3 of the property is on steep, rocky slopes (6,700 feet above sea level) and I work alone. So weight is more of a concern than power. As is reliability, which is why I have doubts about the new Stihls.

I'm looking at the web site and I see all these green logos, which tells me the new saws are probably more complex, heavier, and more prone to crapping out with higher repair costs. Is this a reasonable assumption? The Farm Boss 290 is heavier than what I was thinking about but simpler so maybe better than the 271 or 291 (not sure what the real difference is on these two). The 280 sounds like it's designed to fail, correct? Would a 250 be adequate or would I be missing the power? And if it's okay would the 250 C-BE gimmicks make me happy or mad in the long run? Based on comments on another forum, I'm now considering the 261 with an 18-inch bar. But I still wonder if this new-fangled green technology makes for an inferior product.

Open to other suggestions too. But I've got 30-40 trees to take out in the next couple of weeks (3 times that over the next year or so) and have to make a decision soon. Good chain saw reviews appear to be rare or they are about older models so mean little. Thanks!

 

[nautilus]

Stihl pro saws have a much better power to weight ratio, are easier to work on, and are more reliable than their consumer saws. Check out a used 026/260 or a new 261.

 

[Canthook Coasty]

Judging from the amount of trees you have to cut now, and will eventually cut, the Stihl MS250 is out, that is an occasional use home owner saw. A MS311 or 391 would be the bare minimum I would use, but a better choice would be a pro saw like nautilus suggested, however I would go one model higher with the MS362

 

[DarkTimber]

I'd say go with the 362 or if you can find a good used 036/360 I think they weighed less than the new model and were very strong fast relible saws.

 

[computeruser]

Considering where you're starting from, pretty much any new saw that runs will be a step up.

A new MS261 would be a good starting point. Set it up with a 16" bar and 3/8" chain, and you should be set for the sort of use you have in mind.

 

[homelitejim]

I think the ms261 is well covered on this site, if you can't find enough info on it you are not looking hard enough. Same goes with the Husky 346 xp or the Dolmar 5100, all three saws will do what you require them to do. The ms362 is a step up in power and price but still maintains a light weight for its displacement and power for example the homeowner ms311 is listed at 14.1 lb and the 362 which is the same displacement is listed at 13 lb with almost a 1/2 hp gain. Don't let the green leaf scare you, my only green saw out performs all my other non green saws, including the 066 in trees under 30"

 

[sawinredneck]

If you can wait, the MS241 is due out soon and I've been hearing great things about it. More power than the 250, lighter than the 261. It should be fairly happy with a 16" bar and meet most of your needs. The 260/026/261 is the next step up and should WOW you beyond belief after what youve been running!
I'm usually one of the first people to advocate getting the next saw up, the 361 in this case, but I'm not going to for you. I don't think you need that much more power for the wood you are cutting. I don't think you will really feel "justified" in the higher purchase price in the long run. I don't think you will like lugging the extra weight around in the terrain you are going to be working in, unless you are young and full of vigor! I've walked that country, and not even carrying a saw, it wore me out!
Don't be afraid to look at used, find something that you think might fit your needs then come and ask if it's a decent saw. I've seen quite a few buys on craigslist lately, you never know?

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

If you can wait, the MS241 is due out soon and I've been hearing great things about it. More power than the 250, lighter than the 261. It should be fairly happy with a 16" bar and meet most of your needs.

I recently asked Stihl about offering the MS241 in the USA and they told me there were no plans to offer it. It would be a nice little runner.

 

[struggle]

MS261 gets my vote even though I have no run time on mine yet

 

[sawinredneck]

I recently asked Stihl about offering the MS241 in the USA and they told me there were no plans to offer it. It would be a nice little runner.

Well that SUCKS!

 

[Muffler Bearing]

My 260 is my go to saw for anything small. Light, reliable, and it's a Stihl!
4 pulls and she'll run all day. Compare the 260/261 to your current turds you'll be as happy as a Pig Eating Shhitt!

 

[sunfish]

Limit your looking to the pro models and the confusion goes away.

For your size of wood, look at the 346xp, or MS260/261.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

Yea, I think you have the wrong idea on Stihl's reliability. Sitlh and Husky PRO models are very reliable.

I'd think a 261 Stihl would be a pretty good saw for you. Unless you can find a NOS 361 Stihl. The 362 would be awesome, but it's a little more expensive. It would be the only saw you'll ever need though. It would easily last you through the whole 35 acres plus more if you take care of it.

 

[BLDR]

Well this confirms where I was leaning. Looked at the Husky 455 today and it felt plasticky. The weight/performance + reliability ratio is my main concern so the pro models make sense...plus I'm a gear guy.

So is the 261 C-Q worth the extra $100 over the regular model? Sounds like the 241 would be my best choice if I could get one in Colorado this week. I'd consider Makita if there was a local dealer. But I need to get on this project soon.

 

[sunfish]

Well this confirms where I was leaning. Looked at the Husky 455 today and it felt plasticky. The weight/performance + reliability ratio is my main concern so the pro models make sense...plus I'm a gear guy.

So is the 261 C-Q worth the extra $100 over the regular model? Sounds like the 241 would be my best choice if I could get one in Colorado this week. I'd consider Makita if there was a local dealer. But I need to get on this project soon.

There is no regular model of the 261 and it is a good pro saw. I do like the size and weight of the 346xp better though and have a ton of hours on the old one.

Remember when looking at Husky, stay away from the big box stores and look at the XP (Pro) models. Also the 353, 359 and 365 are metal case and basically pro construction.

 

[wyk]

35 acres of Ponderosa? Unless it's been farm planted, you will need to cut down something bigger than 18" sooner or later. I found a ponderosa bigger than that in what was supposed to only be a farm plant fir stand. Get at least a 261 with a 20" bar. Since it is ponderosa, you could easily slap a 20" bar on that 261 and run full or semi skip and tear through that pine with the revs up; that's how I ran my MS361. This is assuming that new 261 can oil a 20" buried in pine... And get a hard hat! I have yet to find a Ponderosa that didn't have broken limbs on it.

Well this confirms where I was leaning. Looked at the Husky 455 today and it felt plasticky. The weight/performance + reliability ratio is my main concern so the pro models make sense...plus I'm a gear guy.

So is the 261 C-Q worth the extra $100 over the regular model? Sounds like the 241 would be my best choice if I could get one in Colorado this week. I'd consider Makita if there was a local dealer. But I need to get on this project soon.

 

[sawinredneck]

If you can get one without that quick and easy to adjust over weight pile of junk on the side, I would opt that way! I'm not a fan, can you tell?

 

[Sagetown]

For the need of a light weight saw in rough terrain.....
The MS250 is only 10 pounds, but so is the MS261 at 1.5 time the price. The MS270 weighs in at 11 pounds, a good saw for 35 acres of pine, and not quite as expensive as the 261. If price isn't an issue, that MS261 is a winner.:msp_love:

 

[olyeller]

What's your elevation?

If you're higher up in elevation you might want to get an MS361 for more power, albeit with a bit more weight and more money. But you should consider a good saw as a long-term investment. Otherwise an MS 260 or 261 should be adequate. Many here, including me, think it's more enjoyable to have a saw with more power. If you buy too small, you'll always be thinking that you should have spent a little more to get that extra grunt.

Olyeller

 

[BLDR]

Web site I'm looking at tells me I can get a 261 for $560 or the 261 C-Q for $660. Just to get something called Quickstop Plus that they don't really explain.

I'm at 6,700 feet.