ms290

So my father inlaw bought me a new ms290 farm boss about a month ago . It's a nice little saw but at 13 lbs I would like a lil mo powa. I've been reading thru posts on here and elsewhere about muffler mods and have yet to find one for this specific saw. I have never modded a saw before and always have a mechanic do carb work/ tuning. I would like to try my hand at it but have no clue other than I need to let the saw breath and richen the carb. Exactly how I do that, or if it will have desirable long term affect...I'm in the dark. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/66105.htm
Some reading for you!

Here is another good thread if you want to go a little farther than a MM


http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/176046.htm

If it was a brand new saw it may just need broke in, run a few tanks of gas thru it. What length of bar does it have? If it's more than 18 or 20 that would make it feel underpowered as well.
Don't remember what the warranty period is but if it is a new saw that might be something to consider before you start doing mods.

Thanks for the help I really appreciate it! Yeah because it was a gift and I don't rely on it every day, I think its a golden opportunity to play around with my first mod! BTW I'm only halfway thru 2nd tank...prolly not broke in yet. Good point. Thanks again!

I bought a new MS290 a couple of months ago. The warranty for non commercial use is 1 year. If your FIL bought a 6 pack of Stihl synthetic 2 cycle oil with the saw the warranty was probably doubled. I would like to mod my muffler too but don't want to void my warranty.

I've had a couple of 290's along the way. Nice saws that perform as advertised and will do well in most any wood. My personal opinion, which some will disagree with, is if you're looking for more power sell it and put the money toward a 361, or 362, etc. Very similiar in weight, yet more power out of the box.

MNGuns said:

I've had a couple of 290's along the way. Nice saws that perform as advertised and will do well in most any wood. My personal opinion, which some will disagree with, is if you're looking for more power sell it and put the money toward a 361, or 362, etc. Very similiar in weight, yet more power out of the box.

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This is probably true, but that 290 Stumpy ported ate a very strong running 357xp's lunch... So, it's there... You just have to go look for it... But in stock form, you're correct... They're an overweight pig... Dependable yes, but overweight all the same... I read somewhere they were Stihl's #1 selling saw... Is this true?

Hedgerow said:

This is probably true, but that 290 Stumpy ported ate a very strong running 357xp's lunch... So, it's there... You just have to go look for it... But in stock form, you're correct... They're an overweight pig... Dependable yes, but overweight all the same... I read somewhere they were Stihl's #1 selling saw... Is this true?

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Yes that is true #1 seller. Remember this saw was made to be a homeowners saw. It is not a PRO series saw. IMO, I think they are a great overall saw. You can run a 20" bar on it and it will handle it. Yes it is slower than a PRO series saw but keep your chain sharp and keep it tuned and it will be a good saw for you.

An MS390/039 top end would be ideal just so that saw is at maximum displacement. But that's a pretty pricey mod overall and definitely not practical....

Muffler modding those saws wakes them up for sure.

Thanks to you guys at AS I just got done tuning my 2 month old MS290 after doing a MM. I did basically what MNfarmer did. Removing the recessed mixture limiter caps was a PITA. It took longer to do that than it did to mod the muffler. What a difference it made in how my saw performs. Before the MM I couldn't push it into a cut without it slowing down. Now it just keeps on cutting. The stock holes in the muffler were so small that it is amazing that the saw would even run.

the 290 has been a great saw for many people and if its all you can afford for a smaller/medium sized saw then its perfect. i started with a 290 and if i wouldnt have found this site and got infected with CAD it would still be my biggest saw.