Which first saw? It's about time!!

[hawk45]

I'm 40 and finally getting my first saw. After years with an ax and pull saws, I'm doing it. Usually just chopped up some down wood for the fire, but have some real tasks this spring.

I have to take down about 6 small/medium (8"-14" dia) size trees in the yard this year and have a bunch other in the back already down I want to cut up. I was at the landscaping shop today and they are a Stihl dealer, so I went in and looked a bit. Then headed home to do some research.

Now outside of the pending work in the yard, I'll want something compact enough to take camping and just for general trimming and maintenance. It will probably come out 5-6 times a year with the biggest bulk cutting up wood for the winter and the backyard fire pit. I don't heat my house with wood, it's just for the extra warmth and aesthetics in the great room.

I'd like to stay near the $400 mark. I was looking at a saw from each of the 3 Stihl groups (Homeowner, Farm, Professional). While I know the Professional would be optimal, do I need it? Is it worth the money for my needs? I only want to buy one to last me forever (which lends to the Pro model) but I'm sure the Farm and Homeowner are no slouches as well. I thought about a used, but don't want to deal with getting something too beat up or having to replace/repair right out of the gate.

Ones looking at:
MS 251 (Homeowner) - 45CC, 2.9HP, 10.8 LBS
MS 291 (Farm) - 55CC, 3.76HP, 12 LBS
MS 261 (Pro) - 50CC, 3.75HP, 11.6 LBS

I appreciate the help from those with more experience than I in this realm.
Hawk

 

[cruz54982]

I have had a stilh 034 super for 15 or more years they are very well made. My opinion -any of the ones you mentioned would do you fine. (I heat my 1500 sq ft home entirely with wood ) central Wi. I think the ms251 is comparable to what I have.

 

[Egbert]

I've really enjoyed my Husqvarna 455 Rancher. It's not exactly the "professional" duty saw but it has never failed me. With the 20" bar, I've brought down many dozens of trees in the 18" - 24" diameter.

I am looking to add to my capability with the Stihl Ht131 very soon.

 

[PapaPerk]

Get the 291 or 261. My friend has the farm boss and really like it. I prefer the pro and would buy the 261. Nice and light.

 

[hawk45]

Not to get too far off my original track plan, but if I were going to do only one saw, would the MS361 be a better option for versatility or is that too big? I just don't want to be buying another saw down the road (if possible).

 

[DeereMann]

MS261 pro was my first 'do it all' saw, I highly recommend it. I'm still running it 24 years later, even after a twisted tree pirouetted & fell on it! (needed a new handle was all)

It has the best power to weight ratio of any saw. When you have more budget, you can expand your collection, depending how much cutting you do. My next was MS019 for limbing. Amazing how much longer you can cut with a light saw for limbs only.

Then I got a big one...MS460 for bucking huge oak butts.

And yes, I use 'em all, every year.

Stihl has good parts & service org. Husky & Jonserud are good saws, but distribution network is far more limited.

Do yourself a favor - buy quality. Once.

 

[Bluegill2]

Of the 3 you listed, I'd get the ms261.

But personally I'd rather have a Husqvarna. I like the hot rod little 50cc XPs'... 346xp & 550xp. But the 555 is perfect for a one saw plan, if you like/need 60cc & pro quality. 545 or 550xp if 50cc is what you're after.

 

[Bluegill2]

MS261 pro was my first 'do it all' saw, I highly recommend it. I'm still running it 24 years later, even after a twisted tree pirouetted & fell on it! (needed a new handle was all)

It has the best power to weight ratio of any saw. When you have more budget, you can expand your collection, depending how much cutting you do. My next was MS019 for limbing. Amazing how much longer you can cut with a light saw for limbs only.

Then I got a big one...MS460 for bucking huge oak butts.

And yes, I use 'em all, every year.

Stihl has good parts & service org. Husky & Jonserud are good saws, but distribution network is far more limited.

Do yourself a favor - buy quality. Once.

The ms261 has only been around for 3 years or so. It replaced the ms260 and is a completely different saw. It is also not the best power to weight in a pro saw. But the 026, ms260 & ms261 are good saws. The ms261 gained weight and size over the ms260, where the Husqvarna 50cc pro saws got smaller and a bit lighter.

 

[DeereMann]

The ms261 has only been around for 3 years or so. It replaced the ms260 and is a completely different saw. It is also not the best power to weight in a pro saw. But the 026, ms260 & ms261 are good saws. The ms261 gained weight and size over the ms260, where the Husqvarna 50cc pro saws got smaller and a bit lighter.

yes, yes - i have the original 026, but didn't want to confuse the OP with older model designations.

 

[delgra]

Hawk 45, I have the MS170, MS250 and the MS260 all of which I use weekly if not daily in my small wood and kindling business. I never go into the bush with less than 2 saws and spare chains etc. The joy in having the right tool for the job! Cut 'em down and buck the bole with the 260, limb with the 170 and do everything in between with the 250. All the small stuff, limbs and such I truck to the carport with the Grapple and cut up with the chop saw. No more chucking the limbs into a pile-the Grapple does it all! And the grapple is a great helping hand in holding the material high enought so I don't have to bend over to saw it. The beauty of having more than 1 saw will become evident the first time a tree settles back on your bar. Not too bad if your tractor is near by.
Good Luck

 

[Bluegill2]

yes, yes - i have the original 026, but didn't want to confuse the OP with older model designations.

I really liked the 026 & ms260, but wanted more power & cutting speed. I came close to having a ms260 ported, but was waiting to see the ms261. After that I just bought another 346xp.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have two Stihl chainsaws with one of them being the Farm 291 model you mentioned. It's a nice saw with plenty of power and capable of doing a lot of work. I've had Husqvarna, Poulan, McCulloch and Echo. My all time favorite is Echo by a good margin. When the Stihl dies, it will be replaced with an Echo of similar size. They start so much easier, with the same power and quality of Stihl that it's a no brainer to go with Echo. The others brands are just junk and I wouldn't buy another.

Eddie

 

[hawk45]

After getting into the shop today and feeling them I think the 291 maybe a bit too heavy, the 180 a bit too small, and the 250 just right. So I think I'll go two saw, starting with the lighter 250, then if I need more power and size, I'll look into a 300 or 400 pro series.

 

[xring100]

After getting into the shop today and feeling them I think the 291 maybe a bit too heavy, the 180 a bit too small, and the 250 just right. So I think I'll go two saw, starting with the lighter 250, then if I need more power and size, I'll look into a 300 or 400 pro series.

How about a ms271
MS261 is a great saw the pro saws are built with more magnesium/aluminum and less plastic than the farm saws. The oil reservoir and the bosses that the bar studs are metal on the pro saws. On the farm grade it's all plastic. I couldn't believe it when working on my neighbors saw changing a stud and found the housing was all plastic.
Should have picked up an MS 880 or MS660 the MS261 would have felt like a toy

 

[hawk45]

They did have a 271, but it's 12.3 lbs, the heaviest of them all (250, 291, 261)

 

[motownbrowne]

Go with the pro model. Personally I'd buy a lightly used 260.

 

[xring100]

They did have a 271, but it's 12.3 lbs, the heaviest of them all (250, 291, 261)

Guess I didn't realize it was heavier than the 291

 

[adventure bob]

So now a counter opinion bound to agitate everyone...
Buy a big box store saw, 50cc ish for a under $200. Use the crap out of it. Then decide if you need a pro level saw. My little poulan from HD has been a killer bargain and if you put good chain on it cuts about like what you've described your going to use it for. Don't get me wrong, there's a place for a pro level saw, I have a couple, but if your not making a living with it, or clearing a ton of lumber on a regular basis its probably overkill.

 

[hawk45]

I have a line on a used 260 and 028, so I'll see if they pan out. If not, I may just grab the 250.

 

[DB Pilot]

Get a Stihl. I got a MS310. Used on ebay. Also have a Poulan pro 245. Have had to do more repairs to the Poulan. Pull cord broke, recoil spring came off, brake fell apart, auto oiler broke. I repaired and paid for all the parts. So I still use the Poulan but it will break again and I will not repair it. The Stihl works harder has needed oil and gas and that's it. I will never buy anything but a stihl from now on. But I think it is going to be awhile before it needs replacing. Both saws start easily also. :thumbsup:
Best advice that took me 20 years to figure out. Read up on how to sharpen the chain, I read the Oregon instructions that come with every chain. Get a sharpening jig (granberg) that will hold the angle and tilt required for specific size chain. Once I did these seemingly simple steps everything worked better. A sharp chain is a safe chain.

Bottom line get a solid saw or learn how to repair your Poulan.