Been looking at getting a new Stihl saw... I want something I can throw on the quad and go. I dont cut wood for my home so its sole taks would be on the trail.

What i want to get is a capable saw that will have enuf grunt to get thru the biggest trees and do the small ones also. I have been looking at are

MS180 a (31.8cc 2.0BHP) 8.8lb fuel tank 8.5oz $199
MS210 35.2cc 2.0 bhp 9.7lb fuel tank 15.9oz $258
MS230 40.2cc 2.5 bhp 10.6lb fuel tank 15.9oz $298
MS250 45.4cc 2.77bhp 10.1lb fuel tank 15.9oz $328

I like the idea of having a 15 oz tank that way i wouldnt need to bring a extra gas can, just throw in a small bottle of mix and If i run out of gas mark my flat pack with a line for 1 gallon, dump fuel into my quad and can mixthe chain saw mix in the flat pack.

ANy experience with these? I am shying away from the 180 and am lookinghard at the 230. Bigger tank,weight about the same the bar horse power is almost what the 250 has.

I like the fact the Stihl has a chain brake ( i know all the new ones have it also) The stihl dealer was telling me if the saw kicks the guard hits the hand and stops the chain, also if the saw slings back fast there is a inertia brake also that stops the chain.

Will the 230 be big enuf? I was looking at the Huskys and do want to stick withthe Stihl. I saw a sticker on a side of a Husky stating the engine life is 50 hours.. Husky could make 2 lines of saws. But I didnt like that. Plus I dont like the way the husky feels..

Any input?

 

What are you trying to get through? I use a Stihl 290 Farm Boss on the ranch and I can tell you I would not want to lug that thing around the trails... its bigger than what you are considering, but even that has a tough time getting through the big dead oak's on my property. Unless you are felling big stuff I would look at the smaller versions you have listed... with a nice sharp chain you can get through most stuff under 14 inches wide pretty easily. What ever way you go a love Stihl... VERY smooth. Husky is nice but way over priced. Also have you done the fuel mixing on the trail with the flat pack before? That seems like a lot of work. With a small saw you could take some mixed fuel in a water bottle, or small fuel can... just sems like a lot of work if you ask me. Also keep in mind your chain oil... you already have to carry a bottle of that... why not just make it two bottles and carry a backpack

 

i agree with fat holly

none will get you thru the big stuff,,,you would need to go with at least the ms310 or bigger with a skip chain for that

keep a sharp chain,,,,and a sharp spare chain on that ms250 and it would probably make a good atv saw,,,,,,,but the big stuff,,,heck no

 

I use one of these

strap one of those to your quad,,,,it handles the big stuff reeaallll nice

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Thats a nice price on an 044 if its running well.... get a carbide chain for it and you would be unstopable.... you would need a jeep to haul it, but unstopable non the less.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]LOL

 

its not that big

throw a 20" bar on it and your good to go,,carbide not needed

i paid $300 for mine used as well,,,,and its a workhorse,,,,,,been cutting a lot of wood in the last few days since this storm

there is an 028 on spokane craigslist

 

I can't let ya do it!!!! Gotta go w/ Husky, I also have the Stihl 290 and what a pig, heavy and slow. Check out the Husky 346XP or XPG (heated grips). Lightweight, handle up to an 18" bar, and fastest saw on the market. Little pricey but if you look you can find in the 300 range.

 

the thing i like about stihl,,,,,there is always a stihl service center right down the road when you need one

i find them all over the place in the oddest places,,,,and they always have what i need in stock

 

I am just trying to get thru the stuff on the trails. Most the stuff is pretty small trees. Less then 8 inches. A few more than that. Mostly pine trees around here..

I dont want something so big but something with enuf ***** to get thru a 8 inch tree or a 18 inch tree.

I think if i do a Stihl I will so for a 230 or 250.. And yes at every turn there is a stihl dealer there.

I will go to a Husky dealer again and look at the 346.... I know that online they are around 400.. I didnt really want to go above 300 for a saw. It wont be used that much. I just wanted a good one to go thru the trees and will be reliable.

So many choices. You want to get the right saw..

Bing. I looked at the 028 on craigslist. I even saw a few in Pawn shops. There is a 025 in a Pawn shop now i could get for 125.00. As far as I know it is still there. The saw is in ok shape, you can tell its been used, the bar is pure silver. The thing that scares me about pawn shops or buying used is you dont know what the prior person did to it. If the piston is scored, If they ran straight gas thru it, ran the bar out of oil ect.. Thats why I bought my quad new also..

The bar being silver with no paint on it tells me the saw has been used alot.


Seattle craigslist has alot of stihls. I saw a MS210 on seattles Id like to get but too far away. SPokanes dosent have squat for saws.. Plus I am the kind if i buy something used I dont want it looking like its been thru a war. I bought a Stihl HS45 at a pawn shop. It was in pretty good shape.. I got it for a steal also. I was leary about that also... But it turned out to be ok.. Needed a fuel tubs, filter and the blades are getting down. I picked it up for $100. out the door.

So what do you all think? stick around the 180? or stick to the 230 or 250?

 

If you're looking for something to haul around on an ATV you might want to look into an arborist saw. They're very lightweight and only weigh around 7 pounds. Really handy saws. I find myself using them more than I do my bigger heavier ones.

I also trust you'll be using said chainsaw on your own property or on property on which you have permission cut trees and ride correct?