Stihl Ms193 garbage, 201? something similar?

[J_ZiplineConstructions]

New first time post, sorry if it's in the wrong format or thread.

So a week ago I purchased stihl ' s new ms193T. The dealer informed me the 192 ' s have been discontinued, which I used a 192 at my last place of work and it was plenty power for a climbing saw. (For what I use it for anyways) Now let me say that in 2 years running the 192 I never had a problem with it. Until it reached the end of its life. (Boss didn't pay for tuning or maintenance so after 5yrs he took it in and the piston was sheared.) But other then that I never had any issues. Never even had problems with the chain.

Now for the 193... I purchased the saw for limbing and zipline construction for residential means as I am not an established company. So simply I do odd jobs as limbing and felling, and building ziplines and treehouses in backyards. I could not convince myself to buy the 201 at my dealers rate of $630. Now I have run the saw a collected 5 hours of solid work and in that 5 hours I've had the sprocket on the casing loosen up twice and caused the chain and bar to go slinging and flying away.

The 193 model has only one he nut on the casing. Because of this the first time it happened the hex nut loosened and the casing came off causing the bar to slip fall to the dirt and the chain to get caught up. Now when this happens it seems to bend or damage the blade as it will no longer push through the bar. So I took it to the dealer. They gave me a new chain. Go back working again (super tighten everything g before). 4 hr later it comes flying odd again.

Needless to say I am not happy with this model. So my question is is there a comparable saw that has the same dependability as stihl? The 201 is not out of the price range but it doesn't fit well with the budget is all. But if I am going to get more money out of the 201 then other saws then I will get it. Just trying to justify an upgrade and an extra 300$!!

Thanks for all reply and help.

 

[Definitive Dave]

In 4 hours of use I would expect to check tension on the bar and chain at least every time I had to refuel refill bar oil and sharpen the chain. I do realize climbers don't need to touch up a chain that often as they cut less dirty wood in general.
4 hours of use without tightening doesn't seem like normal use or safe practice.
just my .02

that being said a 201T of recent manufacture is a whole different kettle of fish from a 192/193
Dave

 

[J_ZiplineConstructions]

Yes I always make sure my chain is tight after every few cuts/trees. Depending on if I'm climbing or on the ground. If I am up in the trees I am probably over cautious of the chain in many climbers opinions. (Every 3-5 cuts)

During that 4 hr span I tightened the sprocket on the casing multiple times and refueled twice. Also note the saw was not constantly running during that 4 hr span.

Solution: Today I called Stihl told them my issue they said they would need it back. So I took the ms 193 back to the dealer. (Again) After a short discussion with them and them calling stihl they decided to take it back and give me the money credit towards a ms 201 t.
So I expect now... problem solved.

Although the dealer stated that they have never returned anything to stihl. So I am wondering if this may be a semi common issue with the 193 that they are just returning them? Anybody know or ideas?

 

[khawks]

yes this saw MS 193 T in particular we have the same issue with bar slip, only one nut, cheap plastic parts this is with a small dime tip carving bar and 1/4 chain. i tell my wife to not buy these cheaply designed saws but she wants the light weight. I recommend models with two nuts and get rid of the sprocket drive.
This can be hard to do with the smaller saw models.

 

[sean donato]

Always a shame to hear things like this. I like my 192tc for what it is. It's gutless but been very reliable aside from needing crank seals once.

 

[mountainlake]

Stihl quality keeps going downhill. Steve

 

[Wood Doctor]

"The 193 model has only one bar nut on the casing.,,"

The Stihl MS 201TC M-Tronic (top of the line) also has one bar nut:

That's the way it is these days.

 

[cscltd]

Wasn’t a single bar bolt the norm for 50+ years on most small and top handle saws-not just Stihl. Single bar bolt is not really a problem for 14” even 16”

 

[stihltech]

Yep, blame the bar nut. Chain stretch is number one. Have not had this issue in the shop. Lots of other factors to look at.
Anything pro should be using 201. But wait, it has one bar nut. Works just fine.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You asked if there's a saw that's close to the Stihl; well you might look at some of Echo's top handle saws. I have a 330T that I use a small amount but in about 5 or 6 years since I bought it (used) I've had zero problems with it.

 

[Gord404]

I'm old enough to see the slow decline of what were once good quality saws meant to last for years to what the big 2 are putting out these days - rebuild mostly the not so long ago good older qualiy saws such as the 372, 026 660 etc- sold a rebuilt 200T a while back and the guy said he would buy 10 if I had them, just did up an 026 to replace a guys 250C junk saw like most of the small ones -, but I am a saw builder and just have to shake my head at some of these overpriced junk saws, haven't heard of many complants of the 201T-IMO

 

[Sidecarflip]

Far as I'm concerned ALL Stihl's are junk for what they want for them presently. Echo is a much (less expensive saw across the board). JMO.

 

[Sidecarflip]

I'm old enough to see the slow decline of what were once good quality saws meant to last for years to what the big 2 are putting out these days - rebuild mostly the not so long ago good older qualiy saws such as the 372, 026 660 etc- sold a rebuilt 200T a while back and the guy said he would buy 10 if I had them, just did up an 026 to replace a guys 250C junk saw like most of the small ones -, but I am a saw builder and just have to shake my head at some of these overpriced junk saws, haven't heard of many complants of the 201T-IMO

If anything Echo is stepping up their game but with the shipping crisis going on in the Red Sea, I expect shortages of all saws, Echo included, but Stihl and Husky as well as they all come here in containers. So long as Echo stays away from the electronic crap for the most part, I'm content with that. They do have some issues like leaky air filters but that is easily correctable and ANY saw will cut good with a sharp loop so long as the engine performs well. One thin I don't do is electric saws except the HF one I bought for my wife and it's really a turd but she likes it. After all, she married me and I'm a turd...lol