"cheap" versus expensive climbing saws

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Plasmech

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What's the general concensus on buying an expensive climbing saw like the MS-200T...I've got people telling me how great the 200T is and I believe them 100%, but other people say yea it's awesome, but do you really want to drop $600 out of a tree and have it blow apart on a rock or someone's driveway? So that thinking leads to using a 192T or an Echo, still good saws just not *killer* saws.

Of course one could always reply by saying "don't drop it" but that's kinds always the plan regardless...

Just wondering what the Pro's do.
 
It's happened to me just a couple of times and finally went to a locking carabiner on the saw. For me, I believe you are only as good as your saw(s). Beside do you want something that is fast and going to last or slow for little doe.
 
The difference between the 200T and the cheaper saws is that if you DO drop it out of a tree, you can replace the broken parts cheaper than buying a new saw, not so with the cheaper saws. I dropped my 200T from a 60ft bucket fully extended, when my ground guy picked it up it was still running and suffered a broken bushing on the wrap around handle and the pull cord handle was broken. Not to mention, echos and the 192 have no ass what so ever.
 
The difference between the 200T and the cheaper saws is that if you DO drop it out of a tree, you can replace the broken parts cheaper than buying a new saw, not so with the cheaper saws. I dropped my 200T from a 60ft bucket fully extended, when my ground guy picked it up it was still running and suffered a broken bushing on the wrap around handle and the pull cord handle was broken. Not to mention, echos and the 192 have no ass what so ever.

The 192 T has about as much ass as a white rapper, believe me I know. But it's so cute! (LOL)
 
I have a 200T and a Echo CS360T with an opened muffler and retuned carb. The modded 360T hangs right with the 200T and I picked it up for 180 bucks brand new. So it is very respectable for a cheapo saw.

Guys will laugh but, Cliff_R from the forum will attest to the 360T's grunt.
 
Just buy a ms200t the first time and you wont have to buy another again. You'll notice the difference when your running the saw in balance and power mainly between a good stihl versus a cheap good enough for now saw. The extra money that you invest into a good saw will pay for itself fast anyway.
 
If you've never run a MS200T, then the 192 wont be to bad. If you've ever had or used a MS 200T than you could never go back. Our saws are always attached to a lanyard. Pete
 
Keep it on a lanyard, and not even worry about dropping it out of the tree. I ponied up the first time buying saws and went right for a MS200 and MS460. Never looking back.

Been through too many "hobbies" where you buy the "ok" stuff at first, and then end up buying the "good" stuff later on, and end up taking a huge hit reselling the "ok" stuff. Its always cheaper in the end to just do it right the first time in my experience.

Plus its nice when you've got that bar buried in a piece of hardwood and it just doesnt quit. :)
 
I have the echo and 200t, the echo has a 12' bar on it and the 200t has a 16" bar, I use the echo for small stuff because it lighter than the stihl or seems to be and when the bigger wood comes along I get the 200t.
 
I had an echo that fell apart on me shortly after I bought it. Not from dropping it either, just use. A friend of mine has an echo as well and it has no balls at all compared to the 200t. I've never run the 192 but from my experience I would recommend the 200 any time.
 
I had an echo that fell apart on me shortly after I bought it. Not from dropping it either, just use.

My echo 360T has like 5-6 gallons through it and it hasn't fallen apart. It hasn't developed the "death rattle" that many warned me about either. So far I am very impressed and so is everybody that runs it. Just IMO.
 
instead of stihl, i would go with a husky 335 or 338 as they are alot easier to run than the stihl.
dolmars are also great saws.
I have run echos and they are better saws than stihl(heck anything is), but they are low on power but do have the best warranty for their electrical parts than others.

I would look into who has a good dealer support and acctually knows how to work on stuff and your price budget.

i keep my saw on a lanyard, and when its not on me it is hooked to a branch by me where i can easily reach it(especially bigger saws)
 
I fell on my 200 a few weeks ago and crushed all the plastic. Cost me a little under $200 to fix. Then I was cleaning out the filter and broke that (well the piece that ckicks it in place). So Right now I'm without a climbing saw. Course I don't have any tree work either.

I'm thinking of buying a 192, put on a 12" and have for back up. I HATE lugging a rear handled saw up a tree. I'm going to check into the echos too. From what I hear none of them have the go go of the 200, but I think I need a back up.
 
What's the general concensus on buying an expensive climbing saw like the MS-200T...I've got people telling me how great the 200T is and I believe them 100%, but other people say yea it's awesome, but do you really want to drop $600 out of a tree and have it blow apart on a rock or someone's driveway? So that thinking leads to using a 192T or an Echo, still good saws just not *killer* saws.

Of course one could always reply by saying "don't drop it" but that's kinds always the plan regardless...

Just wondering what the Pro's do.


If it is in your budget, buy the best tool you can afford. If it is not in your budget, stop eating for a while untill it is.:greenchainsaw:
 
I have a tagline on my saw and have yet to drop it. Come on guys this is simple, you don't start buying sub-par saws because you are afraid of dropping it. Get a tag line and if you are that worried get one that tears away under load. Now go buy your MS-200 t and make some money.
 
The 192t and the 200t go out on every job. For removals and heavy deadwooding the 200t. For pruning the 192t. The 192t with the narrow cut chain leaves smoother and more refined cuts. It all depends on what you are cutting. Using a 192t on a removal is cutting yourself short and using a a 200t on a prune of a 1"-5" wood is overworking your body and is overkill. They are both great saws and I would feel lost without either. "Right tool for the right job"
 
ms200t crushes the competition

the 200t is a tough saw, i backed up my f150 and stopped right on top of the
200t, nothing broke but the bosses heart. i have dropped a few 200t's in my day and very little damage has occurred. i have many years in the biz and I'm also a chainsaw carver, so i have used just about every top handle made between the years of 1993 to present. nothing runs like a Stihl! reliable,powerful,balanced, and just the best tree sawz on the planet
 
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