Chainsaws...

BobPA
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BobPA
Edited Date/Time 10/27/2017 1:53pm
Long story short I currently have a Stihl 031av that my old man bought to clear the land for his house, 38 years ago. It runs descent but needs constant attention lately. The old girl uses a points style ignition, and the coil and other electrical parts are long discontinued. I also picked up an MS201t, a professional arborist saw, that I paid $50 for about 5 years ago. It is a straight branch trimmer, and I really have no use for it but they are $650 when new...so I couldn't go wrong. Anyway I am going to sell my current saws and buy something new, or used if the right one pops up.

I do not use my saw a ton, but I cut a descent amount of single track and clear trees on my property from time to time. Preferably something light, minimum 50cc I would think.

What would you buy? Are the new Stihl C-M basically fuel injection systems any good? I am not brand loyal at all, just more familiar with Stihl. I would spend up to $600, but would like to keep it below that.
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ns503
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ns503 10/24/2017 4:34pm
10/24/2017 4:34pm
Stihl 260/261. Don't think you can go wrong with that choice.
JRT812
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JRT812 10/24/2017 5:43pm
10/24/2017 5:43pm
Let me ask? How will you be carrying this potential saw when cutting single track?
JRT812
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JRT812 10/24/2017 5:58pm
10/24/2017 5:58pm Edited Date/Time 10/24/2017 6:00pm
Anyways the farm boss is tried and true, but I would jump to the 311 due to more cc for the money in your range and similar weight. My boss keeps running. I love my ms 3 something (cant ever remember the name). Older but has some work done and runs really well. Heard nothing but great things about the CM’s

The reason I ask about how you’re carrying it. If it’s on a bike, I think it will be hard to find something light and in the 50cc plus range. Oh and don’t sell your dads saw. Pretty cool story and retire her to the rafter
BobPA
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BobPA 10/24/2017 6:36pm
10/24/2017 6:36pm
ns503 wrote:
Stihl 260/261. Don't think you can go wrong with that choice.
I missed a basically brand new 261c-m for $400 on Craigslist. I hesitated because of the M-tronic...and a day later it was gone.

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BobPA
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BobPA 10/24/2017 6:41pm
10/24/2017 6:41pm
JRT812 wrote:
Anyways the farm boss is tried and true, but I would jump to the 311 due to more cc for the money in your range and...
Anyways the farm boss is tried and true, but I would jump to the 311 due to more cc for the money in your range and similar weight. My boss keeps running. I love my ms 3 something (cant ever remember the name). Older but has some work done and runs really well. Heard nothing but great things about the CM’s

The reason I ask about how you’re carrying it. If it’s on a bike, I think it will be hard to find something light and in the 50cc plus range. Oh and don’t sell your dads saw. Pretty cool story and retire her to the rafter
I will be carrying the saw by ATV until I reach the tight stuff. then on my back while walking through the woods...I've got a back pack set up for saws. I mark trail on my xr100 and then go through on foot to clear low limbs and such. For the couple of bucks I will get for the old saw I was thinking I mays well keep it. It usually runs great and actually makes descent power...But, there are somedays where it has its demons. Thanks for the help.
AHRMA361
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AHRMA361 10/24/2017 7:08pm
10/24/2017 7:08pm
I have a Stihl MS361 and it is beast! It was replaced by the MS362 and it has less power as I have heard. You can run an 18 or 20 inch bar on it and it cuts amazing. May be a bit large for your work but it can do it all.
JRT812
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JRT812 10/24/2017 8:56pm
10/24/2017 8:56pm
AHRMA361 wrote:
I have a Stihl MS361 and it is beast! It was replaced by the MS362 and it has less power as I have heard. You can...
I have a Stihl MS361 and it is beast! It was replaced by the MS362 and it has less power as I have heard. You can run an 18 or 20 inch bar on it and it cuts amazing. May be a bit large for your work but it can do it all.
Like with most of the “new” versions of Stihl saws they can be woken up with some easy mods. They are so restricted because of regulations, but still perform really well. Getting rid of the safety chain and doing a muffler mod are first steps.
newmann
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newmann 10/24/2017 9:14pm
10/24/2017 9:14pm
I've been wanting to get a smaller chain saw for the house. Bought a fairly good sized Husqvarna back in 2005 and it was always a pain in the ass to start and keep running. Spent about $700.00 on it back then. Finally gave up on it and when the garage recently flooded, I wasn't the least bit concerned about that pile being on a lower shelf and submerged. Laughing

So when you guys figure out the best small chain saw, let me know.
BobPA
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BobPA 10/24/2017 9:17pm
10/24/2017 9:17pm
newmann wrote:
I've been wanting to get a smaller chain saw for the house. Bought a fairly good sized Husqvarna back in 2005 and it was always a...
I've been wanting to get a smaller chain saw for the house. Bought a fairly good sized Husqvarna back in 2005 and it was always a pain in the ass to start and keep running. Spent about $700.00 on it back then. Finally gave up on it and when the garage recently flooded, I wasn't the least bit concerned about that pile being on a lower shelf and submerged. Laughing

So when you guys figure out the best small chain saw, let me know.
How small are you talking? My MS201T is small...and I would work out a hell of a deal for a vital member...
Squidward
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Squidward 10/24/2017 10:05pm
10/24/2017 10:05pm
Stihl 044. Best chainsaw ever made. My dad did just recently get a MS193 T, little limbing saw, havent used it much but it rips. I love the older chainsaws though. I believe Echo made an older twin cylinder one, that just sounds bad to the bone. I think john deer paid to get their name stuck on it at some point, same deal though.
ns503
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ns503 10/25/2017 4:17am
10/25/2017 4:17am
I have an MS360. Would never use it for trail clearing stuff - too big. Same on the 044 except heavier. (Also have an 044, basket case I haven't found time to put back together). Both excellent saws, just not right for what sounds like the intended purpose. I also have an MS250 - saw it at a price too good to pass up. It's a home-owner non-pro grade saw but it's what I grab most of the time when I'm scrounging firewood, except the 360 with 20" comes out for the bigger stuff. The 250 is light, handles good, has decent power - was just using it last night for an hour or so actually. But I am always on the lookout for a decent used 240 or 260 to replace it with. We also have an older 260 we use for line clearing stuff - which is about the same thing as clearing single track. It's almost 15 years old now & still runs like a champ - just does what you want it to when you want it to without fuss.

Then there's the MS170. Have one of those also - good performer at a bargain price, but certainly not lumberjack quality. I sometimes pack it on the sled the first time or two out, and it gets used around the yard.

Yes I like chain saws. Smile
MudPup545
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MudPup545 10/26/2017 4:56am
10/26/2017 4:56am Edited Date/Time 10/26/2017 4:59am
Stihl all day. My dad had one that lasted almost 40 years. And if you are only using it on a limited bases, use this fuel. Ethanol free, pre-mixed, with a shelf life of 5 years (unopened) and 2 years opened.

Kenny Lingus
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Kenny Lingus 10/26/2017 7:26am
10/26/2017 7:26am
The ms201t should be fine for what you have said you will be cutting. Go up to a 16" bar if it doesn't have it already. Personally I'm a Husqvarna guy. Around the house I use a 460 Rancher for most of my firewood and other cleanups. For work I like a 372XP. For you I would recommend a 3120XP.

Always use non-ethanol gas and still treat it with something like Star-Tron. Never leave gas sitting in the saw. Empty the tank and let it run until it dies out.
BobPA
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BobPA 10/26/2017 6:10pm
10/26/2017 6:10pm
Thanks for the help guys. My 201t is stretched a bit trying to cut down some of the larger trees around my property. Just looking for something a pinch bigger. Maybe I will try the 16" bar like mentioned above...no you guys have me thinking haha
ns503
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ns503 10/27/2017 9:25am
10/27/2017 9:25am
Well then, you obviously need tree calipers. Smile
Donovan759
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Donovan759 10/27/2017 1:53pm
10/27/2017 1:53pm
This thread is more entertaining than SNL...

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