stihl ms 290 vs. ms 310

[sawinredneck]

HMMMMMMMMMMMM.......................

ms 250 3.0hp 10.1pds

Andy

 

[ltrane]

Just for a little more confusion:


ms 290 3.75hp 13pds

ms 310 4.0hp 13pds

ms 390 4.3hp 13pds

ms 361 4.4hp 12.3pds

Want some Husky ifo to compare it to:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:
This site is adictive, you have been warned!!!
Andy

thanks for offering but i think i am going to stick with the stihl. got a good home town dealer that offers real good service. I am sure the lighter pro 361 was is no dout better but its probally more than i need to put into a saw for what i am going to do.

 

[outdoortype]

290 vs. 310

ltrane,
I was in your shoes about 9 months ago. Trying to decide between the 290 vs the 310. I couldn't justify spending the extra $ on the 361. I got the 310 so I could use the same 3/8 chain as my Husky. Also, I think it's a terrific bang for buck saw. It starts fairly easy & has good power-I currently use the 16" bar. Although I like my Husky better, this saw was about $80 cheaper from a terrific local Stihl dealer. It also came with 2 RSC super aggressive chains. Two freinds have 029 Farmboss (same as MS290) and like them. I know for a fact the one guy has used his to cut at least 20 cords of wood over the last 5 years. I also have an 025 which is a great saw but not near as much power as the 290 or 310. You won't notice the power difference until you get into larger wood--say 10" or so.

 

[Just Mow]

Spend the extra money if it allows and get the 361. You will be glad that you did........

 

[ltrane]

ltrane,
I was in your shoes about 9 months ago. Trying to decide between the 290 vs the 310. I couldn't justify spending the extra $ on the 361. I got the 310 so I could use the same 3/8 chain as my Husky. Also, I think it's a terrific bang for buck saw. It starts fairly easy & has good power-I currently use the 16" bar. Although I like my Husky better, this saw was about $80 cheaper from a terrific local Stihl dealer. It also came with 2 RSC super aggressive chains. Two freinds have 029 Farmboss (same as MS290) and like them. I know for a fact the one guy has used his to cut at least 20 cords of wood over the last 5 years. I also have an 025 which is a great saw but not near as much power as the 290 or 310. You won't notice the power difference until you get into larger wood--say 10" or so.

Thanks for the reassurance! I think i am going with the 18" bar since i already have a ms 250 with a 16" bar. I just didn't want to get the 290 and wish i would have got the 310. I know it is not a big difference only 3.5 cc?

 

[NYH1]

I've had my 029 Farm Boss for about five years. It's been rock solid. I just change the air filter and sharpen the chain. Mine has a 20 inch bar which I think is to big. If I keep this saw (and I probably will) I'm going to put a 18 inch bar on it. My main complaint is the weight. I've always thought this saw should cut a little faster then it does, especially for the size. This could be the 20 inch bar though. One good thing is the price. I paid $300 plus tax for mine. If I would have gotten a shorter bar it would have cost a little less.

I've never ran a MS310, or a MS390 so I can't say anything about them. But I'd look at a Husky 359. It makes about the same power as the MS310, but weighs about a pound less.

 

[outdoortype]

. I just didn't want to get the 290 and wish i would have got the 310. I know it is not a big difference only 3.5 cc?[/QUOTE]

I haven't ran my 310 side by side against my buddy's 029. I remember after I sharpened his chain we tried it (029)out on a 14" chesnut oak log. I was suprised that it went right through without the slightest bog. The nice thing about the 310 is that it's already set up with a 3/8's chain. If you have some experience running saws have your dealer put a RS or RSC agressive chain (has yellow drive link) instead of RSC3 or RM2 (green drive link). Not only will it cut much faster, but you won't have to file those annoying bumper guards when adjusting the depth gauges. Whichever saw you buy, make sure you give it a few tankfulls before you judge the power. Mine would stall easily during the first 3 tanks.

 

[outdoortype]

I've never ran a MS310, or a MS390 so I can't say anything about them. But I'd look at a Husky 359. It makes about the same power as the MS310, but weighs about a pound less.

NYH1, I have a 359 and I love it. It feels better than my MS310 & way better air filtration. It cuts a little faster but the MS310 only has 8 tanks of gas through it. The MS310 has an easy change sprocket that looks like a pain on the 359. I would have bought another 359 but the 310 was about $80 less & I have 2 local Stihl dealers that are excellent to deal with. So far, I haven't been disappointed with the MS310.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I owned a 310 before I got a 361, and never looked back.

That said, I've always said the 290 series (290/310/390) are excellent saws in their own right, and in their niche. Decide what you want, and what you want to spend. As long as you know what to expect from what you buy, you'll be happy. There's been alot of good info in this thread thus far, all from knowledgeable guys. I agree with Andy the redneck, computeruser, and Lakeside Andy. Their advice will not steer you wrong.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

 

[talon1189]

My post is the 30th as well as the 2nd post.......you have had many opinions here you have alot to decide here. The bottom line is......get the 310 or spend the extra money to get a real saw that 5 years down the road.........you will be happy that ya did IMHO.........buy 2 sizes bigger than you think that you need cuz down the road...........bigger is always better :biggrinbounce2: Do it right the first time......Don't be cheap!....Get the MS 361........you will love it >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.Talon

 

[ltrane]

I owned a 310 before I got a 361, and never looked back.

That said, I've always said the 290 series (290/310/390) are excellent saws in their own right, and in their niche. Decide what you want, and what you want to spend. As long as you know what to expect from what you buy, you'll be happy. There's been alot of good info in this thread thus far, all from knowledgeable guys. I agree with Andy the redneck, computeruser, and Lakeside Andy. Their advice will not steer you wrong.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

Thanks alot to everyone! You are very right there has been alot of good advice in this thread and it is very much appreciated!!!!!!

 

[SawTroll]

NYH1, I have a 359 and I love it. It feels better than my MS310 & way better air filtration. .....

No wonder, the 359 is a pro quality saw, although it doesn't have a state of the art power to weight ratio, while the 310 is "homeowner" quality, with bad anti-vibe and air filter system - plastic crank-case into the bargain.

Thanks alot to everyone! You are very right there has been alot of good advice in this thread and it is very much appreciated!!!!!!

Just get the 361 and be done with it! :rockn:

 

[talon1189]

No wonder, the 359 is a pro quality saw, although it doesn't have a state of the art power to weight ratio, while the 310 is "homeowner" quality, with bad anti-vibe and air filter system - plastic crank-case into the bargain.

Just get the 361 and be done with it! :rockn:

Yup.........listen to da SawTroll opcorn: Get the MS 361 and forget bout the rest of them there saws Buy a real saw for a few dollars more >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

 

[gasman]

250 and 310 are my saws. I love the 250, the I just like the 310. I would try to get a little better than the 310 if possible. I don't find the jump from 250 to 310 is that tremendous for my purposes, especially considering the weight diffference. I realize you said you just need a little more, that was my thinking and I'm not sure I would do it again.

 

[ltrane]

250 and 310 are my saws. I love the 250, the I just like the 310. I would try to get a little better than the 310 if possible. I don't find the jump from 250 to 310 is that tremendous for my purposes, especially considering the weight diffference. I realize you said you just need a little more, that was my thinking and I'm not sure I would do it again.

I am going to the dealer and get something in the am i just hope i make the right decisson!i will probally regret not buying the pro saw but it is more than i want to spen on a saw right now maybe in the future! i will let everyone know cutting wood all day!!!!!

 

[talon1189]

Good luck with whatever ya decide. I would contact Thall10326 from these forums thou as he is a Stihl dealer and is also in Virginia like you Just do a small search as he is not hard to find here. I am quite sure that he will set you up with the best deal around :greenchainsaw: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

 

[ltrane]

Good luck with whatever ya decide. I would contact Thall10326 from these forums thou as he is a Stihl dealer and is also in Virginia like you Just do a small search as he is not hard to find here. I am quite sure that he will set you up with the best deal around :greenchainsaw: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Talon

Thanks alot talon you have been great help in this thread!!!!

 

[WRW]

Regardless of which you choose, you can still get more out of your 250. Just lose the RM2 chain. Running RM instead will help a bit, retaining the edge-holding ability of a semi-chisel chain but clearing the chips easier. Alternatively, round-chisel chain like Stihl's RS will make a huge difference in improving your cutting speed, assuming your wood is clean.

I'd be tempted to try this advice before making any big purchase. You might be surprised. Really surprised.

One other option would be to see if the dealer would take the 250 as trade toward the 361...it may offset the difference between the 310 and the 361.

 

[wagonwheeler]

THALL could really help you make a decision if you're anywhere near his shop there in Va...:hmm3grin2orange:

Chaser

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Make sure your sharpening angles are appropriate for the wood you're cutting, which may or may not be what the package suggests for resharpening angles.

Can you expand on this a little?

Ian