Stihl - 260, 270, or 280

[buck12]

Need some input. I have been looking at buying a chainsaw. I started out looking at the 290 but it is a bigger heavier saw than I need. What I really need is a good quailty light weight saw. My primary use will be to keep miles of old logging roads clean to include lots of limbing and cutting up fallen trees and occasionaly downing a tree. Also I am reclaiming some propert that has been let go. I also sometimes help my Dad cut wood for heating. I have used chainsaws for 30 years but Dad always bought cheap saws (Craftsman, Poulan). He currently has a Poulan and Husky. For the last couple of years I have been borrowing the Poulan from Dad and now am ready to buy a good saw. I have narrowed it down to the Stihl 260, 270, or 280. I like the weight and feel of these saws. My question is what is difference between the 260 pro and the 270? Stihl's website gives little explaination as to the differences between a pro and mid grade saw. The 260 is $90 more than the 270. The only difference I see is an adjustable bar oiler.

 

[thatguy]

From what I have read/understood - the 'pro' saws are made for more heavy duty use (ie better quality materials) and the vibration is much lower..

Im sure someone will be able to give you a clearer answer..
good luck

 

[whistlepig]

I have always paid the few extra few dollars to bump up to the Stihl "Pro" series weed eaters and chain saws.

 

[thatguy]

I have always paid the few extra few dollars to bump up to the Stihl "Pro" series weed eaters and chain saws.

a lot of ppl would agree with this statement as being well worth it.. and in the long run what is $90 spread over many, many years..

Brian

 

[buck12]

It seems that Stihl would give more information to educate consumers as to what is upgraded on the pro models. better bearings? better metal? etc

 

[DMW]

What Thatguy said,
The 260 also has a decompression valve for easier starting. The pro saws use more metal, less plastic in the housings/covers. Easier to rebuild/repair for extensive use.

I'm pretty sure you will be happy with either one. If your comfortable spending the extra money, I doubt you would regret getting a 260. Whichever you get , take care with their "new" style fuel caps. Once their cross-threaded, they apparently have a tendency to leak.

For elevating I like a gas trimmer powerhead with a pole pruner. I have a cheap one from Home Depot that I've used for several years now on 3" and under. Even cutting up felled limbs is easier than with a chain saw. You don't have to step over the branches to cut.

 

[easygo]

The MS280/310/390 are pretty much the same saw with slightly larger engine as the numbers go up. I have a 390 because that was the only mid-grade saw with decomp valve. It has plenty of power for sure probably more then I really need.

 

[whistlepig]

It seems that Stihl would give more information to educate consumers as to what is upgraded on the pro models. better bearings? better metal? etc

I have been buying Stihl chainsaws and weed eaters for decades. The Pro series is the level of performance Stihl started out with. It's not really an upgrade. It's when they introduced the "Homeowner" series that the Pro series became a choice. The "Homeowner" series is cheaper and lighter duty saws and weed eaters. "Occasional Use" as they say. There is a need for this lighter duty stuff but not for me.

 

[Nitro-Fish]

It seems that Stihl would give more information to educate consumers as to what is upgraded on the pro models. better bearings? better metal? etc

Better power to weight ratio, and easier to work on if necessary; parts readily available down the road. The 260 is a pro saw; stick with it and you will have a saw for a lifetime. If you are not dead set on the Stihl, you should take a very hard look at the Husqvarna 346XPNE (stay away from the trio brake version); quite possibly the best saw in this category as far as power to weight ratio goes, even died in the orange and white Stihl owners/uses have a hard time overlooking the 346XPNE, just ask some!

 

[captaincrab55]

What Thatguy said,
The 260 also has a decompression valve for easier starting.

2 years ago that valve was an option that did cost more... I bought my saw (260) with the valve, because I needed Carpal Tunnel surgery.. I used it often before surgery, but seldom use it now... It was wort the extra money.....

 

[mlh29]

gentleman, I offer this advice. I recently started cutting and burning wood for heat in N NY. I bought a cheap husky 350( told it was a good homeowner saw, just what I needed at the dealer) It was a pos. got rid of it after a month. I went to stihls and currently have an addiction to them. I have a couple ms 361's(one is brand new just in case as I really like this model) and a ms460 rescue( mainly because I got a great deal on it and it looked cool)

If I were to get another saw it would be a ms260 PRO not just the ms260, as stihl makes both. The Pro has a few differences .

The main differences between the 2 ms260's are

MS260 PRO, has decomp and an adj oiler.
Ms260 has fixed oiler and no decomp.

The 270,280,290,310,391 etc are in a different spectrum and are not lifetime saws. They are better than some but if you can swing it get a pro series as the whole saw is better constructed, and they are alot easier/cheaper to work on if needed.
The ms260 is to be replaced with a ms261 sometime soon.

 

[buck12]

gentleman, I offer this advice. I recently started cutting and burning wood for heat in N NY. I bought a cheap husky 350( told it was a good homeowner saw, just what I needed at the dealer) It was a pos. got rid of it after a month. I went to stihls and currently have an addiction to them. I have a couple ms 361's(one is brand new just in case as I really like this model) and a ms460 rescue( mainly because I got a great deal on it and it looked cool)

If I were to get another saw it would be a ms260 PRO not just the ms260, as stihl makes both. The Pro has a few differences .

The main differences between the 2 ms260's are

MS260 PRO, has decomp and an adj oiler.
Ms260 has fixed oiler and no decomp.

The 270,280,290,310,391 etc are in a different spectrum and are not lifetime saws. They are better than some but if you can swing it get a pro series as the whole saw is better constructed, and they are alot easier/cheaper to work on if needed.
The ms260 is to be replaced with a ms261 sometime soon.

Only the 260 pro is shown on the website and the local dealer only has the 260 pro model which makes me think 260 has been discontiuned.

 

[Dargo]

I have been buying Stihl chainsaws and weed eaters for decades. The Pro series is the level of performance Stihl started out with. It's not really an upgrade. It's when they introduced the "Homeowner" series that the Pro series became a choice. The "Homeowner" series is cheaper and lighter duty saws and weed eaters. "Occasional Use" as they say. There is a need for this lighter duty stuff but not for me.

What would equate to the 039 Farm Boss? I've literally run hundreds of tanks of fuel through it without any issue (after I lost that dang spark arrestor). It will pull a 20" bar no problem but does get heavy when trimming some low limbs of a few hundred oak trees I have around my property. I consider it a great saw.

I recently purchased a Stihl FS 250 string trimmer, and it's a beast and easier on the fuel than my old FS 106. I also bought Stihl's new 2010 model BR600 blower (man, it's nice!) and the FC 110 edger. I wish the edger would spin in the opposite direction. My old Troy Built edger turned away from you and threw the trimmings out in front of you. That's not as important as the Stihl trying to run away from you if you hit a heavy dirt packed area.

 

[RavensRoost]

What would equate to the 039 Farm Boss? I've literally run hundreds of tanks of fuel through it without any issue (after I lost that dang spark arrestor). It will pull a 20" bar no problem but does get heavy when trimming some low limbs of a few hundred oak trees I have around my property. I consider it a great saw.

Believe the MS390 replaced 039.

 

[wedge40]

In the last year I bought a Stihl 260 Pro and an Echo CS-341 arbor saw. I use the Stihl to get the trees on the ground and the echo to limb and cut up.
The Decomp on the stihl is a god send. I bought these saws for two reasons, one was the brand and the other was the weight.

Wedge

 

[Nitro-Fish]

Believe the MS390 replaced 039.

Correct! The MS390 is considered one of Stihl's Landowner saws; it falls in the line-up between the Pro Series and the Homeowner line. The 390 (and the 039) are great saws for the money, they are a little on the heavy side when you look at power to weight ratio within the Stihl line as well as the other top brands, but all-in-all, a pretty decent saw.

 

[crusty 1]

I,v got the 260 pro and love it.The decompress button is a must have for me.:thumbsupave

 

[ultrarunner]

In the last year I bought a Stihl 260 Pro and an Echo CS-341 arbor saw. I use the Stihl to get the trees on the ground and the echo to limb and cut up.
The Decomp on the stihl is a god send. I bought these saws for two reasons, one was the brand and the other was the weight.

Wedge

I have the same combo and it works well for me... I keep the Echo CS-341 in the truck and it is always ready to go...

Digressing a little, I received a new Craftsman Saw as a gift from a neighbor a few years ago... it leaked oil just sitting and the fumes from the fuel on a hot day were very noticeable... there was no way I could lock it up inside my vehicle...

Don't have that problem with the Echo... even cut up a 32" dia tree enough to clear the road during a storm... the little saw just kept going... glad I had just sharpened the chain.

 

[donn12]

I have a 280 and it is a great saw. I use it 5 or 6 times a year and have never had a problem. I also have a smaller echo for trimming and I like it as well. It is light duty but also light.

You could also go to arborsite and kill a bunch of days researching

 

[dieselscout80]

I have a 280 and it is a great saw. I use it 5 or 6 times a year and have never had a problem. I also have a smaller echo for trimming and I like it as well. It is light duty but also light.

You could also go to arborsite and kill a bunch of days researching

I have a MS280 and I really like!!!!!:thumbsup: