Quick question.

Used McCulloch chainsaws when in the business years ago but
a Stihl dealer is really the only local option now and I may be in need for a mid sized saw.

No problem with Stihl or the dealer but I seem to remember seeing that they produce a couple levels or quality saws, kind of like Honda does with their GC vs GX series engines.

SO is that the case, or which are the better saws to look for or avoid?

Thanks!

For doing what tasks?

The more expensive ones...

I bet they can tell you (or you can decipher based on the price point and maybe even the heft) which are their "consumer" levels and which are the upper tiers.

I would consider how much you really need out of it. We all want the biggest and baddest with the 40" bar, but it may be too much if you're cutting smaller limbs. My Farmboss, is a beast for my needs, but at times it can be way overkill. This isn't an issue with cutting a few limbs, but after a day or hours of cutting, I'm calling my buddy with the smaller saw to keep my arms from falling off.

I have a Stihl MS362. It's a great saw.

I've got a pair of their pro saws, an MS260 and an MS460. Both start, idle, and run very well even after sitting (with fuel stabilizer), both have a decompression valve, although it's less necessary on the 260. Both saws have a very respectable power to weight ratio.

The 260 is probably about the size range in which you're interested based on mid size. I've got an 18" bar on mine and with a decently sharp chain, performance is great for the size.

quote:

Originally posted by the_sandman_454:
I've got a pair of their pro saws, an MS260 and an MS460.

The 260 is probably about the size range in which you're interested based on mid size. I've got an 18" bar on mine and with a decently sharp chain, performance is great for the size.

I have an older MS260 saw as well and it is the boss when it comes to chewing up the trees I've unleashed it on. And though Stihl would probably recommend against it , I took this almost 30" fallen Oak down to the ground with my MS260 sporting a 18" bar. Took a while, but it just kept chugging away. Biggest recommendation is to get a chain sharpener, learn how to use it, and use it frequently to keep your chains sharp.

I've got a love/hate relationship with Stihl. I've had two of the MS 170's, their smaller "round the house" use saws. They did fine within reason, but were a bit finicky, or so I thought. Both are either gone or mothballed now, as the cost for a new one was not that much more than the cost for the first service hour to check and see what was wrong.

I now have a Stihl MS 180 C-BE, and I like it better. 15% more power, has the easy start (spring loaded tensioner so you don't jerk the cord, just a couple easy pulls and she goes), and it has the tool-free chain tensioner. Some people hate it, but I've found it to work well for me, much faster to my mind than the old tool to tighten.

I will say that after talking to my Stihl dealer, he said that my likely problem with my saw(s) was that I used ethanol based fuel and then left some in there when not in use. He advised me to a) use the Stihl pre-mixed fuel, and b) run it to dry when I'm done if at all possible. I must admit that I never used fuel stabilizer in it, so he coulda been right. I bought a gallon of the premix fuel, and I do think it has helped. He said I can leave that fuel in it between uses, but I'm still trying to run her dry.

Also, the dealer told me that when cranking to only pull the handle twice in the full choke position, regardless of what the Stihl videos say (which is to pull until it "burps" and tries to run). He said if I do that I'll flood it as often as not. Pull the handle twice at full choke, move to 1/2 choke, pull til it starts and flip to "run." His instructions work; anyhow, the new saw runs like buttah every time I try it.

quote:

I may be in need for a mid sized saw.

Around here in the PNW a mid sized saw is one that runs from 59cc - 80cc. So that will eliminate most of Stihl's homeowner saws. If I was to get a new mid size Stihl right now it would be the Stihl MS 400 C-M It has a fantastic power to weight ratio, uses 3/8" chain, has a decompression valve, an excellent air filter system.

quote:

which are the better saws to look for

Pro saws... not homeowner or farm and ranch the other two categories.

^^^ yup, our “weeds” are trees … Multiple chainsaws a must

You probably don’t need a pro saw, like the MS 260 and variants. I’ve had an 029 for years that does a great job. If you’re a casual user and are okay with a .325 chain, you should consider an electric. Especially if you already have tools in the family with one, like Milwaukee.

I've had a Stihl MS 280 for a few years now. Really like it.

My use is pretty light - homeowner typical stuff

Came w a 18"bar. Switched over to 20".

I don't use the aggressive chain, I stay w the low kick back chain

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
I have a Stihl MS362. It's a great saw.

I have the MS 361, an older version of the MS 362 (when EPA standards changed). Agree with chellim1 these are great saws.

This may help you decide :

Stihl Chainsaws

Agree with SIGnified ... I have a small corded McCulloch, a large McCulloch Eager Beaver, an EGO 18" and the Stihl MS 361.

Y’all are both going to make me buy a new saw and go cut some trees… Sigh

This place

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
a Stihl dealer is really the only local option now and I may be in need for a mid sized saw

Mid-sized for one person might be small or large for another.

What is the largest diameter log you expect to cut?
What is your average diameter cut?
Hardwood or softwood? Live trees or dry & dead old wood?

Are you felling trees or cutting up trees/limbs already on the ground?
Are you bucking logs for firewood? Are you just cutting up trees/limbs to get them off the land?

How many days a month do you expect to use the saw? How many months per year? Do you run a saw all day, or just a few minutes and you're finished.

Do you want a gas-powered or battery-powered saw?
How strong are you, meaning what do consider to be a heavy saw? 8 pounds? 12 pounds? 16 pounds?

I have had 4 of these Stihl saws since 2004. One is a pruning saw (we call it a chainsaw on a stick) a 440 and a 460. After a major hurricane we cut up hundreds of fallen trees. I went through a lot of chain blades in those days and wore out two bars, but the saws just keep going 18 years later. My best advice is to use only the premixed fuel in them and you will not have a problem with them starting. Premixed fuel is expensive but if you are an occasional user and your saw sits idle a lot it is worth it. I have been seeing ads for electric Stihls recently and am intrigued but I have no experience with them.
And I agree you gotta keep those chains sharp and adjusted.

I've got a MS390 (top of line Farm & Ranch) and a MS210 (Homeowner). I cut a shit ton of wood as I burn a little over 4 cords of wood every winter to supplement my natural gas heating bill in the winter.

Both have been excellent. The 390 can get a little heavy. I've found it's very important to have the wood at waist level when cutting. Bending over to ground level will kill your back in short order with a bigger saw.

It is really nice to have a large and a small saw.

Both have been flawless with normal cleaning/maintenance. I only use non-ethanol gas in them. The canned gas sold at the dealer is a great option as well for not screwing/fouling up your fuel system.

I've just gone from 2 saws down to one do it all saw, which for me is a Stihl 260 such as Sandman has. I went with both 20" and 18" bars and chains but find the 20" to be my favorite, 2" less to bend over

For occasional use I wouldn't opt for a Pro as they are a good bit more money, and Stihl's regular saws work well, but my this is a sweet little saw and just the right size for my needs.

I have heard that the odd numbered saws are homeowner grade and the even numbered are professional grade. Not sure if it's true or not.

I have the MS 251C and it is perfect for my needs maintaining my small patch of land.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
I have heard that the odd numbered saws are homeowner grade and the even numbered are professional grade. Not sure if it's true or not.

Incorrect. Stihl's 3-digit saw numbering scheme doesn't make perfect sense. The first digit -- and sometimes the second digit -- is a general indication of engine size, but after that it's a mixed bag.