Originally posted by fritz:
quote:
Originally posted by ruger357:
Wanting to pull the trigger on a stihl ms311. 20” but $650!!!!
I have a Stihl 310, which Dad bought 20+ years ago. On its 2nd carburetor, 3rd bar, 2nd oiling system, who knows how many chains. Still running well -- the maintenance shop says engine compression remains high, over 95% of original spec. The 311 is just a slightly newer version of the same powerhead. Last year I spoke at length with the repair guys on how I'm using the 310 and what to expect going forward.
Should I retire the 310, they recommend a Stihl 261CM. The 261 is pro-level saw, and thus is built better than the 311 as a consumer saw. The 261 powerhead weighs 2.9 pounds less than a 311, which is huge. The 261 theoretically has .2 horsepower less, but they state its electronically controlled carb more than makes up the effective horsepower difference. This is especially true at my higher altitude, and 4-season cutting.
I have a 16" bar on the 310, and I don't feel it should handle a longer bar. When I bury the bar in big logs, the engine bogs down unless I back off on pressure against the wood. And we have pine around here, not hardwoods. A 18" or 20" bar will cut larger logs in a single pass, but I'd have to feather the pressure.
My B-I-L has a 390 with a 20" bar. IMO the 390/391 does have just enough power to handle a 20" bar. However, it still bogs down a bit when felling 20" plus trees. Does fine with bucking the same-sized trunks.
I also have a Stihl 400CM, with both 20" and 24" bars. The pro level Stihls are head and shoulders above the consumer-lever saws. The 400 also has a enough power to bury a 20" bar full length, to lean into the cut, and to not bog down.