Best carry in saw for trail building?

Gentelman and mesdames;
I have 3 saws but am looking at another for trail clearing. I'll be cutting small logs (6-8" diameter) and branches. My lightest saw is a 357 xp but I'd like to get something a little smaller for the purpose that can fit in a carrybox and be packed in foot or horseback.


Sthil has an MS 250 which only weighs 10.1 lbs that is on sale for 379 up here in Canada and I was wondering how what you think of it. I have never owned a small saw that was reliable and would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Thank you!

Stihl MS200.

OR Stihl 180ES...my favorite for trails. Easy break down.

Nice used 026 or a 260, both dependable, lightweight saws.

What about the Husqvarna 435 at 9.2 lbs. ? I looked at one today and it seems far more balanced and about as light as my MS180.

You already have a great saw in the 357, I'd use that.

I think 180, 200, or 260 would serve you very well for clearing trails. The 260 may be a little heavy for the job but it sure will rip through 6-8'' logs.

I use a 346xp for logging roads a horse trails. Lesser saw will work OK though. :msp_smile:

well, that's easy

joeclimbing said:

Gentelman and mesdames;
I have 3 saws but am looking at another for trail clearing. I'll be cutting small logs (6-8" diameter) and branches. My lightest saw is a 357 xp but I'd like to get something a little smaller for the purpose that can fit in a carrybox and be packed in foot or horseback.


Sthil has an MS 250 which only weighs 10.1 lbs that is on sale for 379 up here in Canada and I was wondering how what you think of it. I have never owned a small saw that was reliable and would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Thank you!

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ya need a brace of poulan 2300s with two big hog leg holsters to carry them in.

See, that was easy

As an alternative, the cheapest small saw that runs you have on your local trader. I ran a little bitty homie xl tophandle I bought for 20 bucks for like..hmm..six years I guess, and it was *well* used when I got it. Cut all sorts of stuff with it, even a hugemongous oak branch that fell off a tree in the front yard. As in more than two foot thick.. had to cut chunks out of that thing. Took awhile, but that little saw did it. Finally one day it didn't start, I absolutely had to go cut some stuff here on the farm, happened to have some cash (rare around my wallet) so went and bought a new cheap husky, which I still have and still runs.

I still got that homie in a box, one day I will rebuild it, just cuz it was so handy. Back then I didn't know tophandles were dangerous or only for climbing, I just knew "small saw, cuts like lil demon, gets great mileage, me like".

Basically, I can't see spending hundreds of dollars on a new small lightweight saw when there are just so dang many of them (whatever brand, all of them) for sale used and ridiculous cheap. You can be picky when shopping then, take the savings and put that towards mix and fuel and parts for your other stuff.

Poulan Wild thing comes to mind. Best part is that if it strokes out, you can just toss it away.

+1 on the Stihl 180, we use it for a saw to pack on the tractor or four wheeler. We take it to hunting camp every year. Plenty of power for your use.

I'm a trail overseer in the Shenandoah. My favorite chainsaw is a Stihl MS200.

When maintaining trails I carry a Silky Sukoi attached to my belt. In a small day pack I
have a small Fiskars hatchett, a small folding Silky Pocketboy with large teeth,
two plastic wedges, a small Felco hand pruner, water, compass, water, light, water,
whistle, water, food, water, large plastic trash bag, water, map.

Also I carry a fire rake or mcleod or sling blade or a 50" one-man crosscut bucking saw as needed.

Ambull said:

Poulan Wild thing comes to mind. Best part is that if it strokes out, you can just toss it away.

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They are all around. Do a muffler mod with a decent bar and chain and it'll rip.

porsche965 said:

Nice used 026 or a 260, both dependable, lightweight saws.

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True to that. If he can't afford a 026, the MS250 / 025 combo is nice and light and pulls pretty good for it's size.

Oh come on now, nobody mentioned the mighty 346?

The saw we carry on the fencing crew is a Husqvarna 345. Thats a good little saw. It is abused to say the least. It always has ran like a little champ. Just a dang good saw. You can get them cheap too.

The best Stihl for your needs IMO would be an 024 or a 250. Or a 260 would be good too if you can find one in your price range. The Husky 350 would be a step up over the 345 and still be nice and light. All of the saws I mention are great saws for throwing on the ATV or in the bed of the truck.

I use a 200T for that and I think its perfect. You might want to consider the MS211. I have heard they are great little saws but have never run one (Is that enough disclaimer guys?....). Or, as mentioned ms250/025. Run lots of those. Good saw, but crappy air filter setup and it is as bulky as a good 50cc saw. A used 260/026 with 12" lo-pro would be a deadly little setup.

sunfish said:

I use a 346xp for logging roads a horse trails. Lesser saw will work OK though. :msp_smile:

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I guess I would take the 339xp.

:msp_smile:

A saw 10 lbs. or less and 14"-16" bar. Also a good folding pruning type saw.For long trails.

I use an MS211 w/16" bar for light work and ATV trails.It's very light and I'm always impressed with it's power.It's a gutsy little saw for only 35cc's.I haven't had it in hardwood yet,but it rips through 10-12" balsam and poplar with ease.It fits inside my ATV cargo box too.

I take my 034 everywhere I have to walk or pack! 20 inch bar goes hard!