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Posted by: Bing
i agree with fat holly
none will get you thru the big stuff,,,you would need to go with at least the ms310 or bigger with a skip chain for that
keep a sharp chain,,,,and a sharp spare chain on that ms250 and it would probably make a good atv saw,,,,,,,but the big stuff,,,heck no
Posted by: Bing
I use one of these
strap one of those to your quad,,,,it handles the big stuff reeaallll nice
Posted by: Bing
its not that big
throw a 20" bar on it and your good to go,,carbide not needed
i paid $300 for mine used as well,,,,and its a workhorse,,,,,,been cutting a lot of wood in the last few days since this storm
there is an 028 on spokane craigslist
Posted by: Bing
the thing i like about stihl,,,,,there is always a stihl service center right down the road when you need one
i find them all over the place in the oddest places,,,,and they always have what i need in stock
Posted by: Bing
well,,,i guess you need to decide
are you just trying to go thru stuff on the trails, or are you trying to rip thru the big stuff
if you arent in a hurry i would wait for a good ebay or craigslist deal on maybe an arborist saw like quint mentioned,,,and then maybe a ms310 or ms380, so you can have the best of both worlds
If I was going to buy one saw for what you describe,,,,it would be a ms290 or an older 029 farmboss and throw a skip chain on an 18" bar. That will get you thru the big stuff fast,,,,even if 2 cuts are needed. My buddy's new ms290 does pretty well with my 25"bar and skip chain off my 044, its kind of impressive. The key is keeping the rpms up,,,,which is where the skip chain really helps.
I hear what you are saying about a used saw,,,,but hold out for the right deal,,,,it will present itself
My 044 would have cost me almost $900 new,,,,i took a gamble on a saw on ebay (out of olympia) that was sold as a "strong runner" with light use, and based on the way the powerhead looked (virgin),,,,i figured if it needed a little attention,,,I still had a $600 margin to work with. Since then I have cut more than 20 cord of wood,,,,with ease and speed,,,,,no problems at all. The saw is toughas nails,,,,I am very happy.
Check ebay constantly. It is a really good barometer for market value. Watch the bidding on a few different saws that interest you and let em slide by. You will see what they are selling for and what a good deal is,,,,then make your move when people are snoozing BR>
Just dont be in a hurry,,,,and if you are in a hurry,,,,then buy a new one.
Posted by: Bing
check it out
Posted by: Bing
a skip chain has half as many teeth as a regular chain (cutter on every other link as opposed to every link)
if there are too many teeth in the wood at one time,,,,it can clog in soft wood or it can be hard to keep the rpms up on a weaker saw,,,or a longer bar
Posted by: Bing
Quote
Originally posted by: FatHolly
Mudslinger, there is something to be said for the cheaper saws... I have 30 year old Homelite that was my grandfathers, and it runs great still... beast up and scratched all to h&ll but cuts like you would not believe. One a side note I see in your sig you have a '53 CJ3A... me too. It too was my grandfathers, and it was in the barn for 20 years until I started taking her down to bare frame to fix her up. It's been in the family since '57.
lol....a 30 year old homelite is a good saw,,,,they dont make em like that anymore
a newer home depot homelite special is a POS,,,same with poulan,,,and the rest of them
Posted by: Bing
you guys have inspired me
We just had a bad windstorm here west of the cascades last week.
My buddy Aaron and I took the 044 and went wood hunting while the power was out just after the storm (75 mph winds). We had 2 trucks and filled 3 loads a piece (hardwoods) and the neighbors had about 5 cords of wood (fir) come down that we have spoken for. We have to go rip 2 cord of rounds that are anywhere from 30-50" wide.
I just sharpened 3 chains, gave the saw a minor tuneup and I plan to keep 2 trucks and 3 helpers busy tomorrow.
Then we are going to rent a splitter and put up a goood bit of wood for next year.
Ahhhh,,,,free wood,,,,,its a blessing!!!!
I currently have Madrona, Oak, Hickory, Maple, Tamarack, Hemlock and a bunch of Fur waiting to be split and stacked.
wood was a pricey commodity last winter,,,,not anymore around here,,,,,,wood everywhere
just buy a saw,,,and keep it sharp/lubricated,,,,they all cut wood!!!
Posted by: Bing
i hear ya
thing i like about fir,,,,it seasons fast,,,and it keeps me from burning the hardwoods when i go camping BR>
splits pretty easy too
Posted by: 400CatDriver
Quote
Originally posted by: Viper65
Been looking at getting a new Stihl saw... I want something I can throw on the quad and go. I dont cut wood for my home so its sole taks would be on the trail.
What i want to get is a capable saw that will have enuf grunt to get thru the biggest trees and do the small ones also. I have been looking at are
MS180 a (31.8cc 2.0BHP) 8.8lb fuel tank 8.5oz $199
MS210 35.2cc 2.0 bhp 9.7lb fuel tank 15.9oz $258
MS230 40.2cc 2.5 bhp 10.6lb fuel tank 15.9oz $298
MS250 45.4cc 2.77bhp 10.1lb fuel tank 15.9oz $328
I like the idea of having a 15 oz tank that way i wouldnt need to bring a extra gas can, just throw in a small bottle of mix and If i run out of gas mark my flat pack with a line for 1 gallon, dump fuel into my quad and can mixthe chain saw mix in the flat pack.
ANy experience with these? I am shying away from the 180 and am lookinghard at the 230. Bigger tank,weight about the same the bar horse power is almost what the 250 has.
I like the fact the Stihl has a chain brake ( i know all the new ones have it also) The stihl dealer was telling me if the saw kicks the guard hits the hand and stops the chain, also if the saw slings back fast there is a inertia brake also that stops the chain.
Will the 230 be big enuf? I was looking at the Huskys and do want to stick withthe Stihl. I saw a sticker on a side of a Husky stating the engine life is 50 hours.. Husky could make 2 lines of saws. But I didnt like that. Plus I dont like the way the husky feels..
Any input?
I have a 180 and a 260. The 180 is good for small trees and limbs and even the 260 runs out of steam on the big stuff. Don't screw around with it. Buy a bigger one like a 270 and be done with it. You get what you pay for.
Posted by: swampyjunior
I beleive a new MS250 is almost as much as an MS290 Farm Boss. If I were you I would look for a used MS250 type saw at a pawn shop or ebay. If you head up toward Wenatchee or North to Omak Collville area you will find other saw shops than Sthil.
For what you will be cutting avoid a skip tooth chain. If you use one for your applications you are asking for it to kick back into an arm or leg. Use a full comp chain and keep it sharp. Get a chain sharpener that clamps onto the bar and sets the rake and depth and angle so each tooth is exactly the same. (or as can be expected W/O a machine sharpener).
I have a small holmlite saw I paid $189 at Home Depot for about 5 years ago. It has a 18inch bar and has done a bunch of cutting. I have found a few bigger trees I could not cut through in one pass. Had to take an axe and split out the chunk I had cut and make another cut. I have only had to do this 2 times. Everything else it cuts with ease, assuming the chain is sharp.
The key easy cutting is chain speed, and chain sharpness. If you loose speed you loose cutting ability, the same with a dull chain. If your chain is sharpened improperly it may seem to lug and bog down. Usually not enough of a kerf is being cut and chain/bar are being pinched.
I use this holmlite to cut fire wood at my remote cabin. I think is has cut about 30+ cords of wood and limbed and bucked countless trees. For what you need it sounds like it would work fine for you as well. I know there has to be a Home Depot or Lowes around Spokane someplace.
Hope this helps
SJ
Posted by: swampyjunior
For those looking for an alternative to a skip tooth chain there is a special grind we use to mill logs that works very well to keep chain speed up.
You can use a regular chain and the teeth are divided into 2 sets (already 2 sets so now your have 4). One set of teeth (each alternating pair) is sharpend as normal. The other set (or alternating pairs) have the rake ground off leaving only the kerf that cuts the opening for the bar.
This is how it works. The pair of teeth with the rake ground off cut two grooves with a high spot in the middle. The pair of regular teeth then only have to cut the high spot in the middle with the rake. Less to each tooth to cut means a higher speed chain. Larger wood is cut with a higher chain speed. Notice I did not say faster.
The speed at which you make the cut slows some but larger wood can be cut easier with a smaller saw (like my Stihl 029). Which I have user for several years to mill logs for cabins with no difficulties. It is similar to a skip tooth chain and works great for milling logs as it gives a much more smooth cut than a normal chain. We have taken to calling a milling chain. However, my buddy likes to use it all the time on his Stihl 026 and a 24 inch bar.
Not sure how it would work on Oak but it mills birch up here pretty easily for cabinets.
SJ
Posted by: CaptainQuint
If you're looking for something to haul around on an ATV you might want to look into an arborist saw. They're very lightweight and only weigh around 7 pounds. Really handy saws. I find myself using them more than I do my bigger heavier ones.
I also trust you'll be using said chainsaw on your own property or on property on which you have permission cut trees and ride correct?
Posted by: CaptainQuint
Quote
Originally posted by: colt2245p
viper get a ms192 arborist saw this is what i carry with me. take the bar and chain off and it will fit in a small cooler or box. it runs a long time on a tank of fuel and cuts fairly well for a small saw hope this helps
I've got the same saw. It's a nice little saw. Very lightweight and cuts great for a little saw. I've cut tons of wood with it and mine just runs and runs. Never have had bit of trouble with it. I've got a 200T also. It's a little bigger and heavier but not much. I hardly ever get to use it though. It walked off and never seems to find it's way home unless the chain is dull. You know how that goes.
Posted by: tencubed
If you have access to big fir limbs, about 6" and bigger, they make good fire holders in an airtight stove if you don't split them. Fir burns fast but it leaves little in the way of creosote if the stove is not overfilled and severely damped down.
Posted by: georged
Quote
Originally posted by: Bing
you guys have inspired me
We just had a bad windstorm here west of the cascades last week.
My buddy Aaron and I took the 044 and went wood hunting while the power was out just after the storm (75 mph winds). We had 2 trucks and filled 3 loads a piece (hardwoods) and the neighbors had about 5 cords of wood (fir) come down that we have spoken for. We have to go rip 2 cord of rounds that are anywhere from 30-50" wide.
I just sharpened 3 chains, gave the saw a minor tuneup and I plan to keep 2 trucks and 3 helpers busy tomorrow.
Then we are going to rent a splitter and put up a goood bit of wood for next year.
Ahhhh,,,,free wood,,,,,its a blessing!!!!
I currently have Madrona, Oak, Hickory, Maple, Tamarack, Hemlock and a bunch of Fur waiting to be split and stacked.
wood was a pricey commodity last winter,,,,not anymore around here,,,,,,wood everywhere
just buy a saw,,,and keep it sharp/lubricated,,,,they all cut wood!!!
We got that same storm here in Oregon, but not to the extent you did. Problem here with fir is that you can't even give it away for firewood.
Posted by: georged
Quote
Originally posted by: Bing
i hear ya
thing i like about fir,,,,it seasons fast,,,and it keeps me from burning the hardwoods when i go camping BR>
splits pretty easy too
Madrone is my favorite, but Paul Bunyan couldn't split that with an ax. I burn a mix of madrone and black oak.
Posted by: colt2245p
viper get a ms192 arborist saw this is what i carry with me. take the bar and chain off and it will fit in a small cooler or box. it runs a long time on a tank of fuel and cuts fairly well for a small saw hope this helps
Posted by: FatHolly
What are you trying to get through? I use a Stihl 290 Farm Boss on the ranch and I can tell you I would not want to lug that thing around the trails... its bigger than what you are considering, but even that has a tough time getting through the big dead oak's on my property. Unless you are felling big stuff I would look at the smaller versions you have listed... with a nice sharp chain you can get through most stuff under 14 inches wide pretty easily. What ever way you go a love Stihl... VERY smooth. Husky is nice but way over priced. Also have you done the fuel mixing on the trail with the flat pack before? That seems like a lot of work. With a small saw you could take some mixed fuel in a water bottle, or small fuel can... just sems like a lot of work if you ask me. Also keep in mind your chain oil... you already have to carry a bottle of that... why not just make it two bottles and carry a backpack
Posted by: FatHolly
Thats a nice price on an 044 if its running well.... get a carbide chain for it and you would be unstopable.... you would need a jeep to haul it, but unstopable non the less.OL
Posted by: FatHolly
Mudslinger, there is something to be said for the cheaper saws... I have 30 year old Homelite that was my grandfathers, and it runs great still... beast up and scratched all to h&ll but cuts like you would not believe. One a side note I see in your sig you have a '53 CJ3A... me too. It too was my grandfathers, and it was in the barn for 20 years until I started taking her down to bare frame to fix her up. It's been in the family since '57.
Posted by: FatHolly
Quote
Originally posted by: georged
Quote
Originally posted by: Bing
i hear ya
thing i like about fir,,,,it seasons fast,,,and it keeps me from burning the hardwoods when i go camping BR>
splits pretty easy too
Madrone is my favorite, but Paul Bunyan couldn't split that with an ax. I burn a mix of madrone and black oak.
I burn White and Red Oak... the White burns the best, but sucks to cut.
Posted by: Viper65
Been looking at getting a new Stihl saw... I want something I can throw on the quad and go. I dont cut wood for my home so its sole taks would be on the trail.
What i want to get is a capable saw that will have enuf grunt to get thru the biggest trees and do the small ones also. I have been looking at are
MS180 a (31.8cc 2.0BHP) 8.8lb fuel tank 8.5oz $199
MS210 35.2cc 2.0 bhp 9.7lb fuel tank 15.9oz $258
MS230 40.2cc 2.5 bhp 10.6lb fuel tank 15.9oz $298
MS250 45.4cc 2.77bhp 10.1lb fuel tank 15.9oz $328
I like the idea of having a 15 oz tank that way i wouldnt need to bring a extra gas can, just throw in a small bottle of mix and If i run out of gas mark my flat pack with a line for 1 gallon, dump fuel into my quad and can mixthe chain saw mix in the flat pack.
ANy experience with these? I am shying away from the 180 and am lookinghard at the 230. Bigger tank,weight about the same the bar horse power is almost what the 250 has.
I like the fact the Stihl has a chain brake ( i know all the new ones have it also) The stihl dealer was telling me if the saw kicks the guard hits the hand and stops the chain, also if the saw slings back fast there is a inertia brake also that stops the chain.
Will the 230 be big enuf? I was looking at the Huskys and do want to stick withthe Stihl. I saw a sticker on a side of a Husky stating the engine life is 50 hours.. Husky could make 2 lines of saws. But I didnt like that. Plus I dont like the way the husky feels..
Any input?
Posted by: Viper65
I am just trying to get thru the stuff on the trails. Most the stuff is pretty small trees. Less then 8 inches. A few more than that. Mostly pine trees around here..
I dont want something so big but something with enuf balls to get thru a 8 inch tree or a 18 inch tree.
I think if i do a Stihl I will so for a 230 or 250.. And yes at every turn there is a stihl dealer there.
I will go to a Husky dealer again and look at the 346.... I know that online they are around 400.. I didnt really want to go above 300 for a saw. It wont be used that much. I just wanted a good one to go thru the trees and will be reliable.
So many choices. You want to get the right saw..
Bing. I looked at the 028 on craigslist. I even saw a few in Pawn shops. There is a 025 in a Pawn shop now i could get for 125.00. As far as I know it is still there. The saw is in ok shape, you can tell its been used, the bar is pure silver. The thing that scares me about pawn shops or buying used is you dont know what the prior person did to it. If the piston is scored, If they ran straight gas thru it, ran the bar out of oil ect.. Thats why I bought my quad new also..
The bar being silver with no paint on it tells me the saw has been used alot.
Seattle craigslist has alot of stihls. I saw a MS210 on seattles Id like to get but too far away. SPokanes dosent have squat for saws.. Plus I am the kind if i buy something used I dont want it looking like its been thru a war. I bought a Stihl HS45 at a pawn shop. It was in pretty good shape.. I got it for a steal also. I was leary about that also... But it turned out to be ok.. Needed a fuel tubs, filter and the blades are getting down. I picked it up for $100. out the door.
So what do you all think? stick around the 180? or stick to the 230 or 250?
Posted by: Viper65
Bing: I am trying to go thru the stuff on the trails. Some is small some is big. I want a nice mix of a saw, not too big not too small and not too heavy.
Mabye I will start looking at pawn shops again.. You right If i can hold out for a good deal then it will be better. I missed s MS250 on ebay last wednesday. I found one, virgin, never fired, no gas or oil in it. Case, chain , lube,mix. $250.00
I didnt know what they were worth, called the local shop, was on the phone for 2 minutes max. Went back to buy it.. Gone. BIN.. By the way, the saw new from Stihl.. $388.00 plus tax..
I was sick... U snooze u loose.
By the way what is a skip chain???
I will checkc back tonight.. Im going riding today.. We got 1 inch of snow here local, in the mountains there should be alot more !
Ill think of yall when I am having fun BR>
Posted by: Viper65
TRV Rider you have a PM.
Posted by: vinny04
We have a stihl 021 with a 16" bar for 10 or 12 years now they call them MS210. It's been great so far we cut plenty of wood every year as it's our primary heat sourch. We also cut logs up to 20" dia. that we get sawn into lumber. We cut mainly fir, birch, black and white spruce, and juniper. I like cutting wood but hauling it home with the quad is the best part. I was in cutting yesterday for a few hours I can't wait to get a bit of snow so I can haul it out.
Posted by: flyinscrammy
I grew up on a ranch here in Utah and we spent numerous weekends cutting wood to burn in the wood burning stove. I still help my dad cut wood on occasions. My dad is out cutting this weekend, But since I've had my knee surgery I'm unable to help. We went through a couple different saws before finally getting our first Stihl, my dad still uses it. He has since bought a second Stihl, I think they are both 26's.... Either way, after pulling my guts out with the other saws growing up I wanted nothing other than a Stihl. I have a 29 and it has always started and runs like a devil dog..... I think I will be shortening the bar to 18" so I can use the chains that my father sharpens, plus I will get more rpm's out of the chain...... Just my 2 cents
Posted by: TRVRider
I can't let ya do it!!!! Gotta go w/ Husky, I also have the Stihl 290 and what a pig, heavy and slow. Check out the Husky 346XP or XPG (heated grips). Lightweight, handle up to an 18" bar, and fastest saw on the market. Little pricey but if you look you can find in the 300 range.
Posted by: TRVRider
If your set on a Stihl, let me know and I'll sell you my Stihl Farm Boss 290. We can discuss price, 5 yrs old probably only cut 3 - 4 cords of wood. I just never use now that I've fallen in love w/ Husky 346XP(2 of them in stable).
If interested I can send pics, and we can discuss fair price, also have the case and 3 chains (only file taken to them, so lots of life).
Posted by: LudowiciMudslinger
First, take my reply with a grain of salt, as the saying goes. I'm from the opposite side of the country so I don't know what all you're up against. But, my suggestion would be look for a cheaper saw and I'll tell you why.
I've cut timber in the woods of South Ga. We used Poulans 4200's and 5200's for years and they were good saws. We did however switch to Huskys which we thought were better although a good bit more expensive. My line of reasoning is that at todays prices for the Poulans, Homelite ect. you could buy a new saw every two years or so and still get the service you would from one of the premium saws. Also consider the abuse the saw will take on the ATV, the more years in service, the more banged up it will be. I speak from experience, the cheaper saws will handle the abuse just as well as the premium saws. Besides why beat up a really nice saw just because you can.
The key to having the saw (whatever brand) perform for you is maintenance and planning your job before you start. One of the worst things I saw people do in the woods was letting the bar touch the ground. Obviously, the edge on the chain is gone at that time. As stated in earlier posts, keep a sharp chain and a spare with you. Also, make sure you're aware of how a tree may fall. Not being sure of your level of expertise with a saw, I'll throw this out. Many times I've seen trees "sit back" on a saw bar when you're about half way through the tree. This not only will "pin" your saw but it can pinch the channel in the bar where the chain rides. This can also happen if you cut a branch that is in a bind.
Anyway, I'll step down from my soapbox, wish you the best in finding a good saw. Just don't forget the possibilities I've mentioned here.
