saw input

[ant]

i have a small echo that does not have any guts.
i am a landscaper that only will use it on the job a few times but will use it more for cutting down trees at the campground to clear my lot . the trees are 12'' in dia. max.
what saw do you recommend?
any web links?

TODAY I PICKED UP A MS280 18" FOR $410.00
AFTER TALKING WITH THE DEALER HE TALKED ME INTO THE 280....
WELL DID I DO GOOD?
ant

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Should have got the MS361!!!

 

[Lobo]

for cutting down trees at the campground to clear my lot . the trees are 12'' in dia. max.

3.6 hp saw for part time cutting of 12 in. diameter trees is alright IMHO using RS chain either 23 RS in.325 or 33RS 3/8 in. or Carlton or Oregon equivalents.

Although many of the guys here are loggers, arborists, contractors etc. and would prefer more powerful saws for their full time use, if you do not have additional usage for it your MS 280 is a respectable choice for your description.

Run several tankfulls of 50:1 mix and then you can open up the muffler which will give you about an extra 1/2 hp.

 

[stihltech]

280

Check in from time to time. I would like to know hoe the saw pans out. I still think it will be a very good saw.
Email me when you get it broken in. I have a muffler ready.

 

[Lewis Brander]

Ms280:

Stihltech. Would the muffler change affect the new saws warrenty? Would assume that he'd have to put on the old muffler to have it worked on by his dealer, unless he does his own repairs. Take care. Lewis.

 

[stihltech]

muffler

That would be up to the dealer.
When I do it, I also go inside the carburetor to make sure it will be rich enough, I then have no problem. If some one does an Amish muffler (pickaxe to the front cover), and it lean seizes, No, I will not warranty that. I would get the motor broken in first, and run it beyond the warranty to be safe for the do it yourself type.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I recommend the MS361, but since you've already bought a saw, recommendations are a mute point. The 280 is a very good saw, and I think you should be happy with it, but it's really relative to what you're used to, and what you expect from a saw. Going from a small Echo to the 280, yeah, I think you'll be happy. Had you gone from a 460 to the 280, things would be different, but I think you'll be very satisfied with it. 280 is a good saw, and it will treat you well if you take care of it. They've been around for a while, and there's a reason for that.

Take care all,
Jeff

 

[DirtTroll]

A 280 will more than handle anything you come up against well beyond the 12" range. Don't let the saw snobs get you down. You really don't need a 361. A 361 is really way more saw than you really need for 12" stuff. Way overkill and extra weight to haul around. If the 280 is anything like it's predecessor the 028 then you have one h*ll of a saw.

 

[Lobo]

If the 280 is anything like it's predecessor the 028 then you have one h*ll of a saw.

So true, one of the best saws ever made by any company.

 

[njforestfire]

Ant, where in NJ are you from? Welcome to the site and good luck with your new saw. That is a good saw and should handle those 12"ers with no problem. The muffler mod stihltech is talking about will boost your HP slightly but as it was mentioned...I would do it AFTER the warrenty period is up.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

A 280 will more than handle anything you come up against well beyond the 12" range. Don't let the saw snobs get you down. You really don't need a 361. A 361 is really way more saw than you really need for 12" stuff. Way overkill and extra weight to haul around. If the 280 is anything like it's predecessor the 028 then you have one h*ll of a saw.

I entirely agree about the 280 handling what he needs, and also about being a tremendous saw, but I wouldn't call rahtree and I saw snobs for recommending the 361. He asked for our recommendations, and we gave them to him. I wouldn't call it overkill. It's got almost one extra hp, and weighs only about a half pound more, and it's got torque to spare. But like I mentioned earlier, he told us he got the 280 in the same post that he asked for our recommendations, so our recommendations are mute now anyway.

And I ain't gettin' defensive here in this post, so no one need get upset with me, I'm just backing up what I said about the 361, not wanting to be branded a "saw snob," just for recommending a good saw. :angel:

Take care all,
Jeff

 

[SawTroll]

I entirely agree about the 280 handling what he needs, .....................................................
Take care all,
Jeff

I agree to most of what Jeff wrote.
One comment to the quoted message from DirtTroll, though - I don't think the 280 has any relationship to the old 028, except the name. It was an entierly new design in 2003 (?), and I think the jury is still out.........