STIHL 011AV, opinions please!!!!!

[kevinj]

O.K. all you saw guru's out there. I have a chance to buy a Stihl 011 AV.
He says it was his dads saw, and is about 11 yrs. old. What are the pros and cons of this lightweight. I need a small saw for trimming a small stand of 25yr. old White pine. About 1000 trees in all. He's asking $ 100.00.
I think it's worth it.
My wife doesn't.

Thanks for your responses.
Kevin

 

[computeruser]

It is a fine little old homeowner saw, but not the sort of saw I would put to any serious use like thinning a 1000 tree stand! I had one and it was OK, but there are much better choices out there.

 

[Cut4fun]

I just rebuilt one 011AV 41cc and also rebuilt a poulan 38cc. The 38cc poulan will smoke the 011 for a trimmer saw, so that should say it all. Hard to get parts for the older 011 too, i found out. I sold mine for $100, but that included shipping, tracking, insurance. I think $75-$80 would be fair, but they are just not that powerful or fast in the cut.

 

[Adkpk]

I know this isn't in the line of your question and 1000 is a lot of trees but white pine is real soft wood. If not your only choice but how about doing a lot of it with a bow saw. Thinking of climbing thought the tree with a chainsaw when your might be much nimbler with a light bow saw. 2 cents worth.

 

[yawning_dog]

I have an 011 that I too paid $100 for. I think it's a decent little saw, but in retrospect I bet you could get a more powerful saw for $100. I'm not really complaining because I wanted a little saw, but for the same amount you might be able to get a McCulloch, Homelite or perhaps even a new Echo. I've found the 011 to be a little hard to start after sitting for a while. Note that I don't have any experience with the other brands I mentioned above, but I do often see them for $75 or less on Craigslist in my area.

Anyway, at the time I jumped at the chance for a running Stihl for $100, but that's when I only had two saws, both of which were large in size. In retrospect, I probably would have gone for something else, or waited for a little better deal. I agree with Cut4fun on the $75 price. You could also check the finished auctions at Ebay and compare what the 011's have gone for recently. Have fun!