I need a new saw

My trusty little 8 year old Stihl MS170 finally gave up the ghost. Well not really, but the chain oiler pooped out and I was quoted $25 for parts and $50 for labor (1 hour) to fix it. I only paid $150 for this thing when it was new. I'll probably get it fixed and use it as a backup, but in the mean time I'm considering a new saw. This little Stihl is the only saw I've ever owned. I don't sell firewood, I just heat with it, and like to make it. I've cut well over 50 full cords with my little MS170. Together, we've spent many a fine day in the woods. It's cheap, light, very maneuverable, and easy starting. I never felt under powered with it (remember, I've never even tried any other saw). I've cut quite a few 24 inch trees with it, but 12 to 14 inches was the norm. My little MS170 did everything I ever ask of it. I'm considering getting another MS170. There's gotta be 10 Stihl dealers withing 40 miles of me. But before I do, I'm curious as to what saw you would own if you could only have one. So many brands to choose from. Stihl, Husky, Efco, Echo, Dolmar, Jonsered, Makita, McCulloch, Poulan, Shindaiwa, Solo, etc, etc, etc.

Let the games begin !

Don <><

I like my MS 261, should work good for your needs..

I would say if you were that pleased with the saw would make sense to get another of the same eh?

If you worked with a MS170 and it worked fine for you and would like to step up a little, I would say either the MS211 or even a MS250. They are more powerful than what you had and won't break the bank.

If you have some tools and a little mechanical ability fixing that MS170 is something that you could probably do yourself.

For what you are doing for cutting an MS261 would be a nice saw. The Husky 246xp gets a lot of good rep here and lets not forget the Dolmar and Makita 5100 and 5105 saws. All great 50cc saws that will really impress you.

If I were cutting wood in the 12-14" diameter on a regular basis as you have described, my personal choice in my lineup of saws would be the Stihl 026 which wears a 16" bar.

That said, a 50cc saw from any of the quality saw manufacturers would be a sound choice for your needs.

Husqvarna 346XP....................... done !

I have an 017 and a 261

Work has a 250 and I have used a 211 many times all are good

The oiler is not that hard to fix many people have service manuals for your saw there is a beg for manuals thread.

causes
blocked filter pick up in tank .................................filter pick up part number 1123 640 380
leaking ,blocked,kinked house................................hose part number 1130 647 9400
The chain sprocket not engaging the worm drive spring properly
The end of spring must go in the cut out in the edge of the clutch drum ..................worm drive spring part number 1123 647 2400
Blocked or worn out pump...................................pump part number 1123 640 320
Blocked oil gallery in the plastic housing or in the bar

Hope this helps you fix your 170

Check you PM's

MS880 ought to do it....... Maybe a 3120 if you are in a Husqvarna kind of mood.....

If the little Stihl worked out well for you then you could get another new one and have the old one for parts.

I'll buck the trend of trying to suggest a 50cc ++ saw when you most likely have no need for it and recommend a little Dolmar. Pick up a PS-350 or better yet a PS-420 and really put a smile on your face. :msp_biggrin:

I've cut quite a few 24 inch trees with it said:

one[/B]. So many brands to choose from. Stihl, Husky, Efco, Echo, Dolmar, Jonsered, Makita, McCulloch, Poulan, Shindaiwa, Solo, etc, etc, etc.

Let the games begin !

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If you want to work what I call a reasonable pace in 12 to 14" hardwood I'd reccomend a premium 50 cc or better 60 cc size chainsaw. The little ms 170 is sweet, easy to handle and will get most firewood jobs done but much slower when the wood increases in size. They are handy to have with to cruise through small limbs when your pushing your endurance limit and as a backup. I really like a good running 026 or 260's handling blocking firewood,but the speed is starting to struggle at about 12 to 14" hardwood. I have plenty of time running 346's and like other small Huskies they make my back hurt and try to cut off my toes with bars under 20". The original 346 may be a faster cookie cutter but the power differance and pace cutting firewood doesn't feel any better to me. The more powerful new edition impressed me with its speed and power over the old but I believe with my slightly larger 034 and 20" bar and 3/8 chain, my back would feel better and when the wood increased in size I would do a better days work with few disadvantages. I think I'd like the 261 speculating it fits me like the older generation of Stihls and it has overcome the few disadvantages of the 034 or 026-260, namely they require frequent air filter service and while vibration doesn' t bother me using them a few to several hours now and then, but day after day several hours of use the newer anti vibration systems are very significantly more user freindly.
If you don't want to spend $500 or more, I have run the Efco's (Cub Cadet & newer JD's are the same, differant paint) and would say they are nice handling saws & fairly smooth chainsaws I would trust and surely others are I haven't used that cost less. Used can be significantly less if you buy it right. If you don't mind a little extra weight, something like an ms310 might fit your budget and work well with the 170 as a partner.

There is a member on here fish that sells on ebay he seems to buy ms170 fairly often and strip them and sell the parts on ebay
It is a cheap way to get bits for a 017,170

genesis5521 said:

But before I do, I'm curious as to what saw you would own if you could only have one. So many brands to choose from. Stihl, Husky, Efco, Echo, Dolmar, Jonsered, Makita, McCulloch, Poulan, Shindaiwa, Solo, etc, etc, etc.

Let the games begin !

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If i were you, and I had the money, I would not get the 261, but rather the biggest Stihl where I could share bars and chains between the new one and the 170 (which I of course would fix up) and that would be the 250/251. I haven't used the 251, but I have the 250 and it's a good saw. If the 170 has been everything you needed this far, the 250 will probably feel like a really big saw...

If I could have just one saw? I probably couldn't, but any one of those in my signature would do. Which one depends on which day you're asking, there's way too many good saws out there to just have one...

But my 2147, the 6401 and the 372 makes me smile a bit extra...

Stihl-Pioneer said:

If you worked with a MS170 and it worked fine for you and would like to step up a little, I would say either the MS211 or even a MS250. They are more powerful than what you had and won't break the bank.

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One of the reasons you like your lil 170 so much is how light it is. Keep the new saw as light and inexpensive as possible but with more power, and coupled with the repaired 170 you'll have options. I think you're about to start a new love affair, this time with the MS250/251.

I'm the OP. Some of you have got me thinking of getting a more powerful saw, so in my brief research, I'm kinda favoring the Stihl MS290 strictly because of its price to horsepower ratio (around $350 MSRP, 56.5cc & 3.8 HP). The MS290 is about 5 pounds heavier than my MS170. But I think I can handle that. The only reason I'm sticking with Stihl is because there are so many Stihl dealers around me, and my little MS170 has been faithful and trustworthy all these years. That tells me something about its quality. In reality, I think all of the major saw manufactures make some really fine saws. I know choosing a saw is pretty subjective and to each his own. But should I be looking at any other Stihl model in this price range? I also like the MS250, but for 50 bucks more the MS290 has almost 1 more HP than the MS250. I'll be cutting around 20 cords of firewood a year.

Popular Mechanics gave the MS290 a decent review. It's the only saw in the test that got a 5 star rating and no nit-picks. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/reviews/outdoor-tools/chain-saw-comparison-field-test#fbIndex6

Thanks guys <><

Don

genesis5521 said:

I'm the OP. Some of you have got me thinking of getting a more powerful saw, so in my brief research, I'm kinda favoring the Stihl MS290 strictly because of its price to horsepower ratio (around $350 MSRP, 56.5cc & 3.8 HP). The only reason I'm sticking with Stihl is because there are so many Stihl dealers around me, and my little MS170 has been faithful and trustworthy all these years. That tells me something about its quality. In reality, I think all of the major saw manufactures make some really fine saws. I know choosing a saw is pretty subjective and to each his own. But should I be looking at any other Stihl model in this price range? I'll be cutting around 20 cords of firewood a year.

Thanks guys <><

Don

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Don, the 290, well maintained, will easily handle 20 cords a year, especially as part of a 2-saw plan. I used one for several years and liked it. One piece of advice. Don't get a bar longer than 18 inches. They come sometimes from the dealer with 20-inch bars (you can have the dealer put on a 16 or 18 instead if the saw has a 20 on it already). For many applications the saw can handle the 20-incher, but buried in hardwood it doesn't have the muscle, and you'll find yourself easing up on the saw in the cut to keep the chain turning.

I always ran a 16-inch B&C on my 290, and it had plenty of torque to run that combo through anything.

genesis5521 said:

I'm the OP. Some of you have got me thinking of getting a more powerful saw, so in my brief research, I'm kinda favoring the Stihl MS290 strictly because of its price to horsepower ratio (around $350 MSRP, 56.5cc & 3.8 HP). The MS290 is about 5 pounds heavier than my MS170. But I think I can handle that. The only reason I'm sticking with Stihl is because there are so many Stihl dealers around me, and my little MS170 has been faithful and trustworthy all these years. That tells me something about its quality. In reality, I think all of the major saw manufactures make some really fine saws. I know choosing a saw is pretty subjective and to each his own. But should I be looking at any other Stihl model in this price range? I'll be cutting around 20 cords of firewood a year.

Thanks guys <><

Don

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Ready to saw a MS290 will be close to 18# , you MS170 maybe 12# if even, HUGE HUGE difference, get youself a Echo CS400 muff modded will cut at least twice as fast as your MS170 and wiegh 13# ready to cut and built twice or three times as good. Steve

The Stihl MS 290 is the best bang for the buck...so to speak...

But weighs 3 lbs. more..(one third more)..than the MS 250
Big Difference...if weight matters..??

Either one will serve you well..!!

J2F

Roanoker494 said:

MS880 ought to do it....... Maybe a 3120 if you are in a Husqvarna kind of mood.....

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I think the 3120 might be a little big for his needs. The 395XP with a 28" bar would be perfect. All kidding aside my 395XP is my go to saw now days. As much as I like the 371XP it spends most of its time in the truck watching the 395 and 394 do the work.

I think the jump from 170 to 290 is a bit overkill. The 290 is an OK saw, but honestly, there are much better choices -- including the Stihl 261, with will outcut the 290 and weighs a bit less. After handling a 261, I immediately felt like it was worth the extra bucks over the 290 and of course it puts you into a pro model Stihl. The 290 is just a tad bit heavy and bulky, not to mention outdated. It's really a low-budget big saw, and I think there are better choices.

My brother in law has a 250, and it's a very strong little saw for the money as long as you're OK with a consumer level Stihl.

But really, if you are content with the 170, why mess with success? Sure, there are bigger and more powerful saws. But they're also heavier and more expensive. Sometimes a light nimble little saw is really the better choice.

I will "echo" mountainlake's suggestion for the CS-400 -- it's a nice little saw, and compares more directly to a mid-level Stihl when you look at the build quality and features. I have been real pleased with my Echo. It's the most user friendly saw I have used in recent weeks, and I have been trying out a lot of saws lately.