Stihl MS250

Rocksprings · Aug 24, 2011

I have had it with my $119.99 33cc Homelite,,, Chain won't stay on, won't start ect, ect. Today I bought a Stihl MS250. I hope it is like going from a go-cart to a Cadillac. Any comments about this model ?

xyz123 · Aug 25, 2011

My brother bought one years ago and loves it light weight and has never had it fail him when needed for trimming duties.

20 20 · Aug 25, 2011

own one, great little saw with NO issue's other then silly fluid caps, but even they aren't bad as long as I pay attention.

Bigfoot62 · Aug 25, 2011

A few years ago, Stihl changed their model numbers. Really, all they did was move the 0 from the front to the back of the number. The 025 became the 250, etc. I have a 011 and 024 Stihl saws that are at least 25 years old. Other than wear parts like chain, bar, sprocket, etc, they're still original. No real repairs or breakdowns. I also have a 046 Magnum that's a beast! It's probably more like 7 or 8 years old. Again, no problems.
Their other equipment is good stuff too. I have one of the commercial duty string trimmers, I think it's a FS-120, that will cut more than the person holding it can take.

One thing I would suggest. Buy the Stihl brand oil. It has a fuel stabilizer in it, and that's even more important with the low quality gas that we get nowdays. Also, Stihl's saw chain is better than any aftermarket that I've tried. There are a few things that it pays to stick with OEM.

JMHO

JDGREEN4ME · Aug 25, 2011

I've had a MS250 for several years now and no problems...

dodge man · Aug 25, 2011

I'm not very good at remembering model numbers, but I'm pretty sure I've got the exact same saw. I've had pretty good luck with mine. There are times I wish I'd gotten a bigger one, but for 90% of the work I do, its the perfect saw.

Rocksprings · Aug 25, 2011

Thanks for all the replies. You rarely hear anything bad about a Stihl.

rekees4300 · Aug 25, 2011

Rocksprings said:
I have had it with my $119.99 33cc Homelite,,, Chain won't stay on, won't start ect, ect. Today I bought a Stihl MS250. I hope it is like going from a go-cart to a Cadillac. Any comments about this model ?

Take care of it and it will last for decades. :thumbsup:

MoKelly · Aug 25, 2011

Bigfoot62 said:
One thing I would suggest. Buy the Stihl brand oil. It has a fuel stabilizer in it, and that's even more important with the low quality gas that we get nowdays.

JMHO

I will second that suggestion. I was having some bad luck on gas (not that old even) in trimmers and saws. I got the stihl oil and haven't had a problem since.

MoKelly

Rocksprings · Aug 25, 2011

MoKelly said:
I will second that suggestion. I was having some bad luck on gas (not that old even) in trimmers and saws. I got the stihl oil and haven't had a problem since.

MoKelly

I bought a six pack of their oil and they gave me an extra year on the warranty.

easygo · Aug 25, 2011

I used to own an MS250 and it was a great little saw. The only problem I have is that I don't own it anymore. I sold it to a good friend and every time I cut some trees down for him I tell him if he does not want it anymore I will buy it back. Still no deal....hmmmm....

CWOSCSU · Aug 26, 2011

I've had one for just about 5 years. No problems at all, and I hate to say it, but I abuse it. I'm cutting lots of big hardwood with this little saw. Next month I'm getting an MS362and I'll save the 250 for small work. I never had problems with the fuel or oil caps.

ultrarunner · Aug 26, 2011

I own two of the Stihl 250c saws... had one up in WA and found I needed one in CA... so bought a second one when the local Dealer was running a promotion last year...

I still use my little Echo limb saw for climbing the most...

With the easy start 250... makes life with arthritis a little easier...

20 20 · Aug 26, 2011

I do agree with the others on an additive, I personally don't use the stihl brand, but I do use an additive in all my gas engines because of the crap gasanol we are forced to use

. I aslo agree with the post about their chains being high quility.

Grant1994 · Aug 28, 2011

I have a 3 year old ms250 and I love it it works great for small trimming jobs and cutting down saplings. As I just recently posted though I need to find a bigger saw because the ms250 can't really handle cutting up trees and cutting down trees.
Goodluck though it's a great saw!!!

46andtool · Aug 30, 2011

My MS250 is 5 yrs old. Great saw, plenty of power for the weight and the 16" bar is perfect for measuring a log for bucking. I do notice that the chain oil leaks out into the storage case - but that's not a huge problem.
I bought it new and have never lent it out, and sharpen the chain every 5-6 tanks of gas.
An old timer I know once said that he'd lend his wife out before he would lend his saw. This is good advice...

Treemonkey1000 · Aug 31, 2011

Don't use the lowest grade gas either and that helps with what ever mix. I think the best is Opti2 fuel mix. I burn the mid and high octane fuels. As far as the fuel and oil caps I haven't had any problem with them at all. I don't have the 250 model 044, 026 and 046. The rest of them are Husky's.

Zxyrthe · Aug 31, 2011

My wife and her folks just gave me a 261 CQ for my birthday. It's done a great job of cutting up a lot of tree. I've only put the ridiculously expensive, ethanol-free Trufuel in it. I'm not sure if it makes a difference but I'm hoping for the best.

Oh - buy some spare chains too.

Does anyone want to buy a dead Poulan and Homelite?

Treemonkey1000 · Aug 31, 2011

Save yourself a little money and just buy the higher octane gas. Only buy enough that you don't let the jug sit more than a year. I have used my saws with the Opti2 that have sat for a year with no problem. Generally I run them out of fuel when I can. It is a mess trying to pour the fuel back into the gas jug. Any good fuel stabilizer helps.

xyz123 · Aug 31, 2011

It would depend on what the dead poulan model # is. :licking: There is a lot of good ones out there.

There is saws of every maker that I consider POS and I wouldnt want to mess with. :ashamed: