Stihl 291 questions

[stillhunter]

Hello everyone i'm new to the forum but have used chainsaws for many years and several brands over the years for work and firewood. I have had a 60/70s Homelite XL (rebuilt in 80s) for about 30 yrs and it still runs but needs R&R. I recently got a new Stihl 291 w 20" E bar and have run one tank of gas through it following the factory break-in recomendations. I like the saw alot and have used several Stihl models over the years. I noticed a few days ago the saw seemed slow to cut some 16/18" Oak and Hickory logs that were cut down a year or so ago. I'm wondering if I can put 24" bar and a more aggressive chain on this new fuel efficiant saw, or if that will be impossible or damage the saw? I know how to let a saw work and not force or overload one and always sharpen my chains frequently, sometimes w every use. The old Homelite has a wider/larger toothed chain that is well worn but it would outcut this new saw in terms of hard wood and the bar being full of log. I have read that the Stihl will gain a little power as it breaks in and it seems to have plenty now w/o using the wide open throttle, but I assume it could cut better w a more agressive chain. Any replies to my questions are appreciated, thanks Randy

OH boy, I goofed and put this in the wrong forum, can it be moved to the Chainsaw forum? Newbie mistake and I opalagize.

 

[phillipmc]

Just my 2 cents or opinion take it for what its worth but .. a Stihl MS291 will NOT like a 24" bar and chain very much. the 20" is the theoretical max for that saw. I would look at getting the stihl yellow chain the Rapid Micro. Do a muffler mod and return the carb.

 

[jdhacker]

Hello everyone i'm new to the forum but have used chainsaws for many years and several brands over the years for work and firewood. I have had a 60/70s Homelite XL (rebuilt in 80s) for about 30 yrs and it still runs but needs R&R. I recently got a new Stihl 291 w 20" E bar and have run one tank of gas through it following the factory break-in recomendations. I like the saw alot and have used several Stihl models over the years. I noticed a few days ago the saw seemed slow to cut some 16/18" Oak and Hickory logs that were cut down a year or so ago. I'm wondering if I can put 24" bar and a more aggressive chain on this new fuel efficiant saw, or if that will be impossible or damage the saw? I know how to let a saw work and not force or overload one and always sharpen my chains frequently, sometimes w every use. The old Homelite has a wider/larger toothed chain that is well worn but it would outcut this new saw in terms of hard wood and the bar being full of log. I have read that the Stihl will gain a little power as it breaks in and it seems to have plenty now w/o using the wide open throttle, but I assume it could cut better w a more agressive chain. Any replies to my questions are appreciated, thanks Randy

OH boy, I goofed and put this in the wrong forum, can it be moved to the Chainsaw forum? Newbie mistake and I opalagize.

It took mine 8 full tanks to get broke in, the saw would handle a 24 inch bar. May not be a perfect match I just posted a video of mine in a good size hickory. It's stock no muffler mod, Power went up a good bit after break in. Also get a stihl rs chain

 

[XSKIER]

it seems to have plenty now w/o using the wide open throttle, but I assume it could cut better

Uhh.... run your saw at full throttle while in the cut! 8)

 

[stillhunter]

Just my 2 cents or opinion take it for what its worth but .. a Stihl MS291 will NOT like a 24" bar and chain very much. the 20" is the theoretical max for that saw. I would look at getting the stihl yellow chain the Rapid Micro. Do a muffler mod and return the carb.

thanks for the replies guys and moving my post. Phillipmc, do you mean return the carb or re-tune it?

 

[lasmacgod]

Re-tune. Methinks auto correct was running afoul.

 

[stillhunter]

It took mine 8 full tanks to get broke in, the saw would handle a 24 inch bar. May not be a perfect match I just posted a video of mine in a good size hickory. It's stock no muffler mod, Power went up a good bit after break in. Also get a stihl rs chain

Is that a RS chain in your video? it's seems twice as fast as my saw was cutting dry Hickory last weekend.

 

[jdhacker]

That was Oregon LPX I have better luck with stihl chain. That was my back up chain, I had already hit a nail in a post yesterday, before I was cutting that hickory. It will take several tanks for your saw to wake up. Get a stihl yellow chain, use your other for a back up.

 

[stillhunter]

That was Oregon LPX I have better luck with stihl chain. That was my back up chain, I had already hit a nail in a post yesterday, before I was cutting that hickory. It will take several tanks for your saw to wake up. Get a stihl yellow chain, use your other for a back up.

will it fit the E bar? funny, on saturday I missed a 4" decking screw by 2"s , found it while splitting the Hickory, the trees were cut at a trailerpark so I should have expected some nails/screws. I was still on the 1st tank and almost toasted a brand new chain!

 

[jdhacker]

Yes factory bar, just go to your dealer and tell them what you want.

 

[stillhunter]

Thanks again, gonna get a RS chain tomorrow, use the green one for the dirty wood it seems plenty sharp after a tank and half cutting dirty/iced up logs we mostly swept off w a broom. My brothers gettin a 311 while we're there , gotta 1 up me

 

[jdhacker]

You have the prize in that line of saw, 311 is a good bit heaver, and small amount of power gain. Muff mod yours re-tune and you will be right with him and lighter.

 

[jdhacker]

The main thing is touch your chain up after each tank fill. Keep the drags at the right hight thats a biggie. And you will out cut most home owners even with bigger saws. When you get that RS chain give it a really good looking over, spend 10 min just looking at it. Then the first few cut of wood remember that. Because when it don't look new, or not cutting like when you first put it on it's time to sharpen.

 

[stillhunter]

Oh..............and I missread the break in instructions, I thought it ment no full throttle period for 3 tanks, missed the NO LOAD part . That prolly had sumpthin to do with the slow cutting, but i'm still getting the RS.

 

[MOOSETRAX]

Oh..............and I missread the break in instructions, I thought it ment no full throttle period for 3 tanks, missed the NO LOAD part . That prolly had sumpthin to do with the slow cutting, but i'm still getting the RS.

Though its a Old thread was quite relevant read & learning...Thanks.
Ohh about Muffler mod......is it just removal of screen arrestor.?

 

[toadman]

I don't know if I would put a 24" on a 291, but mine handles a 20" RS just fine for what it is meant to do... funny story, mine was a blownup new saw I rebuilt & I was using it alongside a tree company with a 441 about a year ago...
The guy was adamant my stock 291 was ported & tuned because I outcut his 441 on all cuts that day.
The reality is my chain was decently sharp, but not exceptional & was cutting as it is intended, whereas his 441 was freshly bench ground, but not cutting properly due to a poor quality of grinding.
A sharp well adjusted chain does more to making a quick effortless cut than added power, to a point.

 

[rupedoggy]

A sharp well adjusted chain does more to making a quick effortless cut than added power, to a point.

This should be prominently displayed in every chainsaw forum where everybody can see it. kudos to you toadman.

 

[Cjparks89]

Just my 2 cents or opinion take it for what its worth but .. a Stihl MS291 will NOT like a 24" bar and chain very much. the 20" is the theoretical max for that saw. I would look at getting the stihl yellow chain the Rapid Micro. Do a muffler mod and return the carb.

My 291 pulls a 25" bar like it's nothing don't bog down or anything