Looking for my first chainsaw: Stihl MS251 or Jonsered 2255?

[Mattc8832]

I never could get my stihl 026 and 034 started even years back when they were in good shape. My new MS 291 starts a lot easier. I agree echo saws do start much easier.

 

[caps]

Saw an interesting thing the other day. We had a pretty strong storm come through and the electric was off for several hours. Afterwards the utility folks were going through the area trimming trees and branches with their big chipper trailer in tow. They stopped just up the street from me and one guy got in the bucket with his Stihl and started cutting off branches near the pole. one guy on the ground had a Craftsman ELECTRIC saw that he was using to cut up stuff near the truck. My curiosity got the better of me after watching him for awhile and when they stopped I walked over and asked him why he was using an electric saw. He said that it was fast, easy, quieter, light and quick and since he had an outlet on the truck, why not. He claimed to have been using electric for around five years and for stuff that was small and near the truck was more cost effective than using one of the bigger ones. He said the only problem was other guys making fun of his saw. It seemed to work pretty decent for him as he was cutting 6" honey locust without problem. I suspect that he was not using a stock chain as it was throwing really large chips but I didn't ask about it. Has anyone else ever seen a professional using an electric saw?

 

[EddieWalker]

A lot of the time for small pruning jobs, I'll use my Makita 18v sawzall with a tree cutting blade in it. I have five to six batteries and three chargers, so it's pretty easy to keep it going. Karen loves it for her pruning and is comfortable on a ladder or standing on the roof of the Mule. I feel a lot better with her using that instead of one of the chainsaws!!!!

Eddie

 

[TomSeller]

No problem starting any of my Stihls. Very reliable, top quality.

 

[mountainlake]

Don't be lumping all Stihl saws in the same group . Stihl pro saws are top quality, the rest are not.. Far as starting if a saw is tuned good it will start good, a lot are a little lean on the low adjuster. Steve

 

[EddieWalker]

For those who say Stihl is better then Echo, have you ever owned an Echo? I have both and the difference is significant.

Eddie

 

[mountainlake]

Owning and working on most brands Echo has way better quality than the lower model Stihls, nothing wrong with Stihl pro saws except the high price. Steve

 

[TSO]

I'm in the shopping mix as well ... I had a Husq 450, bought at TSC about 1.5 yrs ago, put way more hours on that most folks ever would (cut & limbed 100+ oaks & maples, plus 25+ face cords in that time) ... finally burned out the clutch at the end of last year. Luckily, I had purchased the TSC 2-yr warranty, and low-&-behold, the warranty company bought my saw back & gave me a refund! (after they discovered that fixing it would cost nearly the same).

I was always very happy with the Husq, but since I have plenty more trees & firewood to cut, I figure I'll need to go bigger/stronger than the 450.

I'm considering the Husq 455 Rancher, the Jonsered cc2255 (same as already mentioned), the Stihl 291, the Makita dcs5121, & the Echo CS-590. They are all within $100 of eachother. TSC no longer carries the Husq, and carries the Jonsered now, so to get that extended warranty again, I would have to go with the red. I like the Stihl 291, and the Makita (Dolmar) gets great reviews too. Then again, I hear good things about that Echo !!!

It's a really tough decision... Murph, have you used your Echo much? I really like that 5-yr warranty ...

 

[yomax4]

I don't understand the posts saying that the Stihl Saws are hard to start?..With good gas, proper tuned and cleaned carbs I never have a starting issue. I have 4 Stihls from 026pro - 44mag and never give starts a second thought. 3-4 pulls cold tops. I also think the Husky's, Red Johnny's and Echo's are good saws too. But I rarely see anything but Husky and Stihl in the hands of a logger. I wonder why that is?

 

[motownbrowne]

I agree with yomax. My stihl saw starts great. My dad's does too after 20 years of use with essentially no maintenance.

I said this earlier to the op, but TSO, I'd highly recommend doing yourself a big favor and buying a pro saw. I'd buy a 562xp or ms362 before any of those saws you listed. Of course I'd buy a used 361 or 440 mag first, but it sounds like you want a new one.

 

[batwing]

I have never seen an Echo around here, a lot of Stihl's, Husky's and Jonsered's. I don't know how you could get a better starting or more dependable saw than my O38 stihl, I have cut a lot of wood with it in the last 30 years ?, one spark plug a couple of bars and a lot of chains.
Ron

 

[Redbug]

But I rarely see anything but Husky and Stihl in the hands of a logger. I wonder why that is?

I am not trying to start a chainsaw war. I am out in the woods a lot and see all kinds of logging. All the loggers around here use either Stihl and Husky's, too. I also have four Stihls. My favorite is my 026.

 

[TSO]

I'm looking hard now at the Dolmar 5105. I can get it for $460 shipped. 50cc, 3.9hp, 20" bar, mag casing, good features, excellent reviews everywhere I look. Anyone have experience with the Dolmar saws?

 

[Bluegill2]

I'm looking hard now at the Dolmar 5105. I can get it for $460 shipped. 50cc, 3.9hp, 20" bar, mag casing, good features, excellent reviews everywhere I look. Anyone have experience with the Dolmar saws?

Good saw, pro quality with a magnesium case. For Husq, look at the (545 550xp) (555 562xp). 50cc & 60cc pro quality with the XP having slightly more power, but basically the same saw.

 

[murphy1244]

TSO, I have ran about 5 tanks of gas threw my Echo 590 this saw is a real screamer, easy starting too. Lots of Tree Company's here use Echo.

 

[300UGUY]

I've owned 2 still saws, but I have a echo that I like quite a bit. I learned to start the Sthil 's with a little gas on the air filter. Otherwise, stating it was a chore. My MS 260 is doa right now, the stupid little tensioning wheel stripped out. Why they changed the tensioner Is beyond me. The Echo is easy to start, and very reliable. I recently bought a Echo backpack blower, local lawn guys has used one for 15 years!

 

[Bluegill2]

No Echo saws around here. My FIL had a small one and it was a POS, but I do hear good stuff about some of the models, 50-60cc.

 

[kenmac]

I'm looking hard now at the Dolmar 5105. I can get it for $460 shipped. 50cc, 3.9hp, 20" bar, mag casing, good features, excellent reviews everywhere I look. Anyone have experience with the Dolmar saws?

I have an old rancher with 20'' bar that has cut a lot of wood. It still runs great , and has plenty of compression . I would rather crank my 372 vs the 55.the 55 really needs a comp. release button. It really lacks the HP/torque to pull the 20''bar with a 3/8 chain. If you want really good power buy a husky 372xp. It's not cheap ,but I don't believe you'll run out of power. I have a 24'' bar on mine ,and it has never lacked power for any tree I've put it on..

 

[Bluegill2]

I have an old rancher with 20'' bar that has cut a lot of wood. It still runs great , and has plenty of compression . I would rather crank my 372 vs the 55.the 55 really needs a comp. release button. It really lacks the HP/torque to pull the 20''bar with a 3/8 chain. If you want really good power buy a husky 372xp. It's not cheap ,but I don't believe you'll run out of power. I have a 24'' bar on mine ,and it has never lacked power for any tree I've put it on..

A 20" bar with 3/8 chain should not be on the rancher 55. Sure it'll pull it, but not very well.

The 372xp is a classic, a fantastic saw! But not everyone needs or wants a 70cc saw. I personally prefer the 562xp for my big saw. I could do it all with one of my 346xps' though...

 

[kenmac]

well, I didn't know a lot about saws (really still don't), but know more than I did when I bought the 55. I purchased the 55 from a dealer that should have known better than I. As far as the 372, I really didn't need that size saw ,but a 372for the same price as the 562 (which was my other choice). I went with the larger saw just incase I ever have the need for a larger bar than the 24'' I'll still have plenty of power. I agree, It's probably not for everyone. I'm 56 and was concerned about the power and the weight, but so far, I've had no problems operating the saw