ShneaSIG
ArboristSite Operative
Something like 6 years ago, I acquired a Stihl MS290 Farmboss, and you folks kindly patted me on the shoulder and said, "good for you, but just wait until you get a REAL saw." I happily sawed along for the last 6 years, with the 290 doing everything I ever asked of it. We cut a lot of wood together. 
But... my lusty eye for other saws kept wandering the whole time.
Then, two weeks ago, my dad ends up with 4 big ole' oak trees down on his property. We spent a weekend working on them (with the 290 performing just as it should). My good buddy was kind enough to come along to help, and his little homeowner Homelite saw recently died. A short discussion later, and I've sold him my 290. He gets a good, reliable saw at a reasonable price, and I get to go shopping!
So, off to the Stihl dealer I go, with some lessons learned from the 290.
1) I like running a 20" bar. When I need to limb, I actually prefer to do so with the pole pruner attachment on my Stihl Kombi. The 290 needed to be nursed a bit when cutting with a 20" bar and in big wood, so enough power to be more handy with a 20" bar would be nice.
2) Weight: at 13ish pounds, the 290 falls rather flat compared to modern saws' power to weight ratios. But, 13lbs is a good weight limit for me. Any heavier and I'll get worn out too quickly, so lighter would be optimal.
3) Max bar length, revisited. With the 290, 20" is as big as Stihl recommends. For the most part, that was enough bar to cut anything that I come across, so long as I can cut on both sides. But, the ability to run a longer bar is a nice consideration, if somewhat secondary.
4) At this point, I'm still looking for one "do it all" saw. Those 201s sure look purdy... but... no, not yet.
5) Who am I kidding? This time around, I only have eyes for the "Pro" saws. I don't need a pro saw, but I want one, and it's about to be my birthday, and the sun is shining, and [insert justifications here], and I'm a grown-ass man, so... I'm getting a pro saw!
Oh, and I'm a Stihl devotee. Sorry, nothing against other brands and saws - there's lots of mighty fine equipment out there, but Stihls are my jam.
So, it was really coming down to one of these three: 261, 362, or 462
I ruled out the 462 because it was too much saw to be my one and only, and I'd end up buying a 201T or a 241 as well. While that's the choice/combo that would have made me the happiest, I just didn't want to spend that kind of coin.
The 261? Such a nice size and weight. It felt really, really good to me. Words like "nimble" and "svelte" are appropriate.
The 362? A little bigger and heavier than the 261, but still lighter than the 290... and I can go up to a 25" bar? Alllllmost a full horsepower more than the 290, too.
So, after some on the spot deliberation, the 362C won out.
I got 25" and 20" bars, and 2 chains for each bar.
This weekend, it will be fed a steady diet of red oaks to break in.
The 290 is on the right - it's noticeably bigger than the 362.
It's too clean! That won't last long!
So, to all you prophets who foretold of this day, thank you!
But... my lusty eye for other saws kept wandering the whole time.Then, two weeks ago, my dad ends up with 4 big ole' oak trees down on his property. We spent a weekend working on them (with the 290 performing just as it should). My good buddy was kind enough to come along to help, and his little homeowner Homelite saw recently died. A short discussion later, and I've sold him my 290. He gets a good, reliable saw at a reasonable price, and I get to go shopping!
So, off to the Stihl dealer I go, with some lessons learned from the 290.
1) I like running a 20" bar. When I need to limb, I actually prefer to do so with the pole pruner attachment on my Stihl Kombi. The 290 needed to be nursed a bit when cutting with a 20" bar and in big wood, so enough power to be more handy with a 20" bar would be nice.
2) Weight: at 13ish pounds, the 290 falls rather flat compared to modern saws' power to weight ratios. But, 13lbs is a good weight limit for me. Any heavier and I'll get worn out too quickly, so lighter would be optimal.
3) Max bar length, revisited. With the 290, 20" is as big as Stihl recommends. For the most part, that was enough bar to cut anything that I come across, so long as I can cut on both sides. But, the ability to run a longer bar is a nice consideration, if somewhat secondary.
4) At this point, I'm still looking for one "do it all" saw. Those 201s sure look purdy... but... no, not yet.
5) Who am I kidding? This time around, I only have eyes for the "Pro" saws. I don't need a pro saw, but I want one, and it's about to be my birthday, and the sun is shining, and [insert justifications here], and I'm a grown-ass man, so... I'm getting a pro saw!
Oh, and I'm a Stihl devotee. Sorry, nothing against other brands and saws - there's lots of mighty fine equipment out there, but Stihls are my jam.
So, it was really coming down to one of these three: 261, 362, or 462
I ruled out the 462 because it was too much saw to be my one and only, and I'd end up buying a 201T or a 241 as well. While that's the choice/combo that would have made me the happiest, I just didn't want to spend that kind of coin.
The 261? Such a nice size and weight. It felt really, really good to me. Words like "nimble" and "svelte" are appropriate.
The 362? A little bigger and heavier than the 261, but still lighter than the 290... and I can go up to a 25" bar? Alllllmost a full horsepower more than the 290, too.
So, after some on the spot deliberation, the 362C won out.
I got 25" and 20" bars, and 2 chains for each bar.
This weekend, it will be fed a steady diet of red oaks to break in.
The 290 is on the right - it's noticeably bigger than the 362.
It's too clean! That won't last long!
So, to all you prophets who foretold of this day, thank you!
...and cook breakfast if need be
