Stihl 200t or MS 200 Help please

[treein dixie]

Hello. Im looking at A Stihl 200t and a MS 200. I do not climb trees im looking for the saw to do ground work. I have a Sthil 290 for cutting bigger fire wood I have ran a saw alot in my life. I will use the saw to clear small under growth, sawing some wood includeing slabs. Clearing deer hunting lanes. In the vehicle for emergency's. And on the ATV during trail riding. Im tired of using the 290 all the time. I have talked to the local store owner and he makes out like the 200t is only used for tree climbing and can't and shouldn't be used for anything else. Then I hear its only for proffesionals to use this saw. I beleive you get what you pay for and only want to buy one saw. They said you can't or shouldn't use a top handle on the ground that its only designed for one hand use and you should never use two hands. Their really wanting me to get a rear handle like a 200 MS but in my opinion its lighter that the 290 but not a lot smaller. Im just torn and need some help, whats the pro's advise for what im going to be doing. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[tree md]

You're not going to find any advantage with a top handle saw on the ground, your dealer told you right. If I were you I would go with a MS260. Best light ground saw on the market IMO. Best power to weight ratio. The MS200 is a fine rear handle saw, no doubt, I have seen one in action but the 260 is even better. Best trade off for power to weight.

Just my .02

 

[lone wolf]

Never use two hands?

 

[newsawtooth]

Never use two hands?

That was a good one.

I know this isn't going to help matters because Tree MD is right, but, if you're looking for something compact and portable to throw in a pack or behind the seat of the truck...it might not be a bad option. When I'm doing lot clearing jobs I keep a 200T behind the seat on the mini-excavator for bumping knots and some felling. Not really it's intended use and a little expensive for just carrying on the ATV, but it would work if you have to have one.

And always use two hands. Unless you're only tied in once, in that case, let 'er buck.

 

[Norwayclimber]

I would recommend a rear handled saw for use on the ground. I find it more comfortable to use, as the distance between your hands is greater. Gives you more leverage power, especially nice to have if you have to do some cuts with a dull chain. Not to mention the fact that it is safer to use if you get kickback.

I've never tried the ms200 but I do own 3 ms200t, and they are great light saws! Lots of power for only 4 kg's. So It sounds like that is what you want.

If you decide to go for the ms260 I would wait a little while until the ms261 is released in the marked. I've been trying this saw the last month for stihl, and it does seem to kick a bit more than the 260. Plus a couple of other nice features.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Maybe I am confused. Are you talking about two different saws, because of your description, sounds like the ms and the t are different. Not. Stihl MS200T is a saw. Never heard of a MS200 or a 200T. Used to be an 020 but now emission controlled. I would get the MS200T. I do like the 260 also.
Jeff

 

[fishercat]

I don't know how competent you are with a saw................

but i say go with the top handle if you're comfortable and careful.you have to be even more careful with a top handle saw but I use them on the ground all the time.I would get the MS 192TC for ground work though.lighter and less dangerous and half the price.I do tree work and I use the 192 all the time.the 200t sits in the truck 99% of the time.I only use it for a backup or when I need too make the fastest cut possible.

the MS200 rear handle is a a great little saw.my buddy has one and it's nice.little expensive though.I'd get the Husky 346 XP or the MS260 before i bought the rear handled MS200.

 

[Norwayclimber]

Maybe I am confused. Are you talking about two different saws, because of your description, sounds like the ms and the t are different. Not. Stihl MS200T is a saw. Never heard of a MS200 or a 200T. Used to be an 020 but now emission controlled. I would get the MS200T. I do like the 260 also.
Jeff

MS200T, the top handle saw we all love up in the tree

MS200, the same engiene, but with a rearmounted handle. But same sweet weight

 

[Norwayclimber]

the MS200 rear handle is a a great little saw.my buddy has one and it's nice.little expensive though.I'd get the Husky 346 XP or the MS260 before i bought the rear handled MS200.

But the question asker has a 290 and wanted a smaller/lighter saw. As cost didnt seem to be an issue, I say go for the MS200 and save 4 pounds weight compared to saving only 2 pounds with the MS260.

Put a short bar on it (10 or 12") and it wont take much space.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Jeff

 

[lone wolf]

Here is where nothing said to me makes any sense except that stihl is worried about lawsuits.Most on this site will parrot not safe to use on the ground but ADVOCATE using the MS200t in a tree now think about this do you have more control on the ground or in a tree we should all know the answer to that .I rest my case what say you? And about the one hand stuff not safe I can tell you!

 

[Norwayclimber]

So you planing on moving since you have all those cardboardboxeson the back of your pickup?

 

[jefflovstrom]

So you planing on moving since you have all those cardboardboxeson the back of your pickup?

How did you know?! I am thinking of moving to Telemark, Norway!
Jeff

 

[Norwayclimber]

How did you know?! I am thinking of moving to Telemark, Norway!
Jeff

Cool! Make sure you bring allong all those toys of yours, and we can have a play date!

 

[tree md]

I personally don't buy into the whole top handle saws are more dangerous bit either. The first saw I ever used was a top handle homelite. The tip of the bar does have a tendency to dip when you complete a cut with a top handle but that is manageable and not a hazard in my opinion. Just something one needs to be mindful of; especially when you are working aloft on ropes. The habit of one arming a chainsaw is what is hazardous. Not that I don't do it in the tree but I use two hands when it is not necessary for me to stretch out with one arm.

I do like a rear handle for working on the ground and making spar cuts in the tree. You get better leverage with a rear handle saw and the rear handle 200 is a ripping little saw. It's just a little light in the ass for ground work and too expensive IMO. I would rather have the 260 for $150-$200 less beans. I do have a 192T that I let the guys on the ground use though. No biggie to me if they want to use it. It's my junk saw. I used to climb with it but have pretty much turned it into a beater since I went to a 200T. It stows away nice and compact and I carry it with me to do chores on my deer lease. If I am at work though I like the 260 for limbing and light bucking on the ground.

 

[lone wolf]

 

[jefflovstrom]

That's a little bar! That small is worthy of a good hand saw. I always tell my guys, "If you cannot cut it with a handsaw, then use your chainsaw, But on prune job, a 12",14" bar on that saw is ridiculous.
Jeff

 

[lone wolf]

That's a little bar! That small is worthy of a good hand saw. I always tell my guys, "If you cannot cut it with a handsaw, then use your chainsaw, But on prune job, a 12",14" bar on that saw is ridiculous.
Jeff

Its good for limbing and fast this way.

 

[tree md]

I like a 14" bar. I put them on all of my climbing saws. I've got a 16" on my 260 if I need something for larger cuts in the tree but not big enough to rate the 361.

 

[lone wolf]

It is a 14