Which saw do I want?

[cookies]

there are millions of these saws out there, oem parts new and used are very plentiful and cheap enough I wouldent bother getting aftermarket parts, Find the beg for manuals thread and get the parts and work manuals and rebuild it. Sounds like all you need is a crank and some crank seals. I'd clean it then tear it down, stuff a new crank, rings and crank seals in it and go another 20 years. Done for under 100 bucks ordering oem everything off fleabay. My local dealer is trash too, They don't give a f about anyone but themselves and customer service is trash. I have to provide a part number and keep calling them to see if it arrived. I don't know how they make enough money to stay in business and pay the 4 fat guys to sit and talk all day.

 

[cookies]

Thank you for this link. I'm not sure how I didn't find this in my search. I'm thinking this might be the way to go to fix my current saw. I'm just hoping I don't end up with someone trying to pass off aftermarket stuff as OEM, which has happened to me on eBay before.

Since the bottom cover has to be pulled off to get it out of the saw, do you all think having pulled them off of the crank seals, then putting it back together to put it in my saw is an okay process? Or is it better to change the crank seals again since it's been apart?

I'm just wondering if it's better to do this, versus getting a crank, new bearings, new seals, etc. and then trying to use my same piston and cylinder.

the bottom will not have been torqued down and sealed, all you should need is sealant

 

[OM617YOTA]

It's hard to say, because it really varies. Over the last couple of years I acquired a decent sized farm which mostly consists of wooded land. While I'm far from an expert on tree identification, a lot of it is various hardwood such as oak, poplar, etc. The most recent need for a saw was having 6 trees fall across the road in. They were in the 12-16" diameter. I got about half of these done, when my MS250 started giving me the issues that prompted the initial repairs. I still need to get these up, along with two more slightly larger that fell in a field.

Other times, I'm just cutting soft pines, or other small trees or branches that are just a couple of inches in diameter as I'm cutting trails, clearing branches that hang over fence lines, etc. It's all been fairly new to me, as the last 15 years that I used the saw, I just used it for branches in the yard, small trees in the yard, occasionally helping a friend cut firewood, etc. I'm finding that I need it a lot more these days and it's a lot bigger variety of what I'm cutting.

Given that usage, I'd go for a two saw plan.

CS-590 and with an 18" bar. A 50cc saw would be plenty for 12-16" wood if that's the biggest you'll see, but 60cc wouldn't be out of question, and you'll be set if anything bigger comes up. 60ccs will pull a 22-24" bar and skip chain, if you find you really need some reach on occasion, although it's not ideal.

For trail and fence clearing, something much smaller. I'd have a hard look at something electric, in whatever tool and battery platform you're already invested in.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Sounds like a 261 stihl fits perfectly for yours needs. Echo makes nice saws at great prices too. You couldn’t give me a husky. Good luck in your search.

 

[esean]

If you go with the two saw plan, the Echo CS3510 is lighter and has more power than the CS310 or MS180.

 

[Lionsfan]

Sounds like a 261 stihl fits perfectly for yours needs. Echo makes nice saws at great prices too. You couldn’t give me a husky. Good luck in your search.

What do you have against Huskies?

 

[sundance]

It's interesting that you mention this. A relative bought one a couple of months ago and he's been showing it to me, and keeps talking about how much he likes it. I'm seriously considering the CS-590 as it seems like a lot of saw for the money. I just think it's going to be a bit too big for small stuff. So if I go this route, I'll need something smaller as well.

The MS261 I'd initially considered is seeming less appealing to me with the more thought I put into it. I get that I need a saw more now than I have in the past, but if my 250 lasted me 15-18 years, I just can't see the 261 lasting all that much longer than that, even if it is a better saw. Stuff just breaks down over time. I just can't see how I'd get my moneys worth. I could also end up with two saws for the same price which seems a lot more appealing.

I'm really strongly considering the CS-590, then picking up a smaller saw such as a Stihl MS180 or an Echo CS-310. These are the two top contenders. As much as I want to avoid Stihl this go around, I'm really liking the MS180. It seems like the combo would cost me slightly less than a single MS261, but do a lot more. Plus I'd have two saws that I could use if I got one stuck, one was down, or I have a friend helping me cut stuff. It just seems like a big advantage, so it's the way I'm leaning right now. Any opinions? Do you all think this is the way to go, or am I better off to forgo this idea and just spend the money on a single saw? Any opinions on which is the better choice of the two small saws? The only reason I wouldn't want to go this route is if I'm buying a saw that is going to be junk, or dead in 3 years versus getting a saw that will last me the next 15-20 years.

I'm thinking if I do end of fixing my MS250 at some point in addition to the other two, I'd really have a saw for pretty much any job I'd encounter.

CS-590 sounds like a good fit for your needs. I'd probably go with an Echo CS-352 or CS-3510 rather than the 310. Few bucks more but not much for more power.

 

[hometheaterman]

the bottom will not have been torqued down and sealed, all you should need is sealant

Since it's a take off, I'd assume it would have been torqued down from the factory when the saw is built. That's why I'm wondering if the seals are likely to still be useable after it's been pulled apart to get it out of the saw.

I'm going to try to call some places tomorrow and see how much a crank, bearings, and seals are. I have a feeling it might end up being more cost effective to just buy a whole motor like that from eBay. Plus it would avoid the crazy long wait for the dealer to try to get parts. While it doesn't change the fact that I want to get another saw, I'd gladly pay the $175 or so after tax, which that motor costs if it meant I could get this MS250 back running.

 

[hometheaterman]

CS-590 sounds like a good fit for your needs. I'd probably go with an Echo CS-352 or CS-3510 rather than the 310. Few bucks more but not much for more power.

I appreciate the advice on these. I'm going to have to look at them. I didn't even realize they had those. It looks like more power, but the same weight, which seems really nice. There are so many models out there I'm not familiar with all of them. That's a big part of why I'm asking here.

 

[Sierra_rider]

Get a larger affordable saw in the meantime...something like an Echo 590. Then you can help your friend out and have a saw to buck firewood etc. Rebuild the 250 with some el cheapo aftermarket parts. Sometimes they aren't always ideal quality, but a 250 isn't worth rebuilding with OEM parts IMO. Once that's done, you've got a bucking and a limbing saw. Win/win.

 

[OM617YOTA]

If you do the CS590, make sure you look up how to tune, and bust the limiter caps off right away.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If you do the CS590, make sure you look up how to tune, and bust the limiter caps off right away.

If you do go with the 590 don't "bust out" the limiter caps. Retain the originals or get new ones just in case a warranty issue arises. Also Echo runs a 15% off sale twice a year.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Yes, that. Carefully remove the limiter caps, so that they can be replaced later if needed.

 

[hometheaterman]

Also Echo runs a 15% off sale twice a year.

Do you know the time of the year they usually do this? Having not shopped for their saws before, I wasn't aware that they usually did this.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Do you know the time of the year they usually do this? Having not shopped for their saws before, I wasn't aware that they usually did this.

Spring & Fall

 

[North by Northwest]

Pretty well a no brainer , your old stihl served you well . Time for something new . I also hate dealers locally , especially Stihl . Fortunately you have a simple solution as pretty well everyone has already advised Echo provides very fine saws for a very fair price . I would have recommended a CS400 . However the CS3510 may also be a capable option . If a larger saw is required for a 2nd saw the CS352 or CS590 Timber Wolf or CS620 are world class fire wood providers . The only downside as advised is Echo's are extremely lean tuned out of the factory . If you have access to the mechanic ensure its tuned in the cut a little fat . Or the dealership manager is aware of your concerns within the matter . There are carb tuning drivers available. on fliebay for around $12 after the carb limiter are removed to easily tune the saw once out of warranty yourself . Good luck brother !

 

[David Ellis]

Get a larger affordable saw in the meantime...something like an Echo 590. Then you can help your friend out and have a saw to buck firewood etc. Rebuild the 250 with some el cheapo aftermarket parts. Sometimes they aren't always ideal quality, but a 250 isn't worth rebuilding with OEM parts IMO. Once that's done, you've got a bucking and a limbing saw. Win/win.

All of the insights above are generally reasonable, but this is the one I most agree with. Caveat.... I am not a professional. I am just a guy that cuts wood fairly often.

I had the opportunity to spend some with with a Stihl 250 a few months ago. The saw started wonderfully - in 1-2 pulls, but didn't handle well, and didn't cut very strong for s smaller saw. I prefer my Husky 435 because it handles slightly better and cuts slightly stronger. But, the differences were relatively minor and the Stihl 250 would make a terrific lightweight saw for small work.

I recently purchased a second Husky 435 that had been run with straight gas. I decided to make my first adventure inside a chainsaw. The parts were slightly small and somewhat cramped in places, but the work was was do-able. I used aftermarket parts from Amazon and the outcome was surprisingly good. The aftermarket parts resulted in 135psi compression compared to 120psi for my fully original Husky 435. I think the new piston, cylinder, seals and gaskets cost about $70 total from Amazon and they work terrific !

Then, I decided to purchase a larger saw to deal with the larger Oak trees at our family farm. The family Stihl 291 continues to start and run wonderfully, but seemed underpowered . I purchased a used Husky 372XP OE - well used but with 150psi compression. This saw is the real deal for bigger lumber. Wow! The cutting consistency and power through lumber is amazing! Limbing would be cumbersome with this saw, but for anything larger than 8-10", the Husky 372XP is a wonderful tool ! If you are a Stihl guy, maybe the 044 would be comparable.

Hopefully some of this is helpful

 

[fields_mj]

I would opt for a used 261, or an 026 if you're on a tight budget. Then again, I'm an admitted Stihl fan boy. I had an 025 and hated it. By comparison, the 026 and MS261 are a noticeable step up in performance and durability.

As far as parts go, buy aftermarket if you need to. I can get parts easily from my local dealer, but most of those parts are made in China to begin with. If Hyway offers the part, I'd buy it from them, but I'd shy away from the Farmertec parts. Most of the farmertec stuff works, but the Hyway parts are noticeably better and only a dollar or two more in cost.

 

[Mike Ray]

I don't need another saw ( have 15) but if I buy a new one it would be an Echo pro model ( 51p ?) or 620

 

[link]

I've been a long time lurker, but I've always been able to find the answer to any questions I've had through a search. I finally decided to join and ask for advice. I'm in need a new saw. I currently have a Stihl MS250 that I've had for probably close to 15-18 years. I recently put a clutch in it along with a few other parts, but running it today the crank broke off at the flywheel. If you'd asked me 2 months ago, I would have told you I wouldn't even consider a saw that wasn't a Stihl. I have 0 complaints about the quality of the saw. I really have been a big fan of the saw. However, my experience getting parts recently has been a nightmare. Enough of one that it honestly makes me never want to buy a Stihl saw again. I don't understand why they can't get with the times and allow their dealers to sell parts online. All of the dealers in our town that I've dealt with are absolutely terrible. Review after review online for them all recommend driving to a dealer over an hour away. Which is a huge pita when you need to go pick up a part. On top of that, these parts I ordered took about 5 weeks to get. That was a long time to have the saw down. Then one of the parts they sent was wrong, and they told me they'd get another one but that it might be another 5-6 weeks. I was fed up enough that I told them to forget it and bought the final hose I needed off of eBay.

I will go with another Stihl if it's significantly better, but I'm also very open and leaning towards as a Husqvarna.

Now with the saw down, I need a saw and I can't wait another 5-6 weeks for a new crank to come in as I offered to help a friend cut limbs off of his fence line in about 2 weeks. As to what I'll use the saw for, I normally just use it to clean up fallen trees around the house, etc. However, I acquired a fair amount of land over the past couple of years. I'm finding I need a saw a lot more now. It's mostly used to cut fallen trees off of the paths, clean up around the fields, drop trees as I cut new trails, etc. While I'd love to continue to get by with one saw, the more I think about this I'm really starting to think that I may need several saws here. I loved my MS250 and it did 85% of what I needed very well. There were quite a few times that I wished I had a bigger saw though. This has me thinking I may need something a bit bigger. The problem I run into then is that it's too big and heavy to cut small limbs around the fences, pond, etc.

I feel like I have several options here and I have no idea which direction to go.

My first thought is that I could get another saw similar in size to my MS250. I even thought about a pro grade saw such as the Husqvarna 550XP MkII, or even a Stihl 261. The biggest problem with those is that I'm not sure that I use it enough to justify spending almost $700 on a saw. I probably use this thing about 3x a year. This makes me think maybe I should get another homeowner grade saw.

I'm leaning away from that option a bit. I'm thinking I may end up buying a crank to toss in my 250, and then I'd have a saw that fit that niche anyway. I'm not sure it makes sense to keep dumping money into this thing, but I'd like to get it going again. It's been a good saw. That leaves me with option 2. Picking up something like a Echo cs-310 or a Stihl MS180. I've ruled out the Husky 135 as the reported weight is almost as much as my 250 just with a lot less power. I know this saw won't do everything I need, but my thought is that it would be great for helping my friend cut limbs in a couple of weeks. Then I can use it for small jobs around the farm. Then later pick up a larger saw in the 60+cc range. I feel like this setup would be ideal as I'd get the best of both worlds. If I end up fixing my 250, I'll really have most of the bases covered. If this is the better option, which saw do you all recommend in this class?

I'm sorry for the long post, but I'm just really unsure which direction to go in here. I feel like there are soo many choices and I don't really know what I need.

To me its all about weight, a Stihl 025 or a MS241 will do it.
550xp mark2 might be a good solid saw, but its weight is a bummer.