Stihl 200t ot 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.

 

[treejock1]

dear sir,

top handle saws are meant only for climbing. Only because they are meant to be stopped numerous times, what you are looking for is a good ground saw I recommend an MS 290. Excellent groundsaw. Stop listening to jackasses telling you what to do.

 

[Bermie]

Once again...

Top handle saws are meant for climbers due to their compactness and excellent power/weight ratio...they can be used one handed in certain situations but are more safely used with both hands. They are NOT 'designed to be used with one hand', but their design does allow one hand use when needed aloft in particular situations.

When working on the ground a rear handle saw is recommended, better control, better leverage. One handing an ms200t on the ground is an accident waiting to happen.

If a 290 is too heavy, then sure an ms200 will work fine, if you are only cutting small stuff, although for the $$ you can't go wrong with an ms260.

 

[oscar4883]

I hate to use my 200T on the ground. Rear handle saw is much nicer IMO. Used 026's are on e-bay in the low to mid 200's for clean units. More power and doesn't have some of the issues the 200 has. Or if you are looking for a new unit, ms180 is a good saw. Probably do most of the trail maintenance well for you. In my area they are running sales on them for about 180 bucks.