Sthil 250 vs 270

[Ken74]

Hi all,
Need opinions on a new Sthil 250 vs 270 for heavy home firewood cutting. Current 025 is a good 15 yrs old and pistion is scorched so time for new saw.
The MS270 is about $40 higher than the 250. According to the specs it's about 2 lbs heavier but has about 1/2 horsepower more MS250= 3.0bhp vs 3.49 bhp for the 270. The 250 is a 45.4 cc engine vs the 270 w/ a 50.2 cc engine.
So is the extra $40 & 2 addation lbs worth the 1/2 bhp & 1/2 cc bigger engine?

 

[Jed1124]

The extra 2 lb is a deal breaker for me for .5 horsepower.

 

[NSMaple1]

The 290 also specs the same weight as the 270 I think, with a bit more power again - not sure what the price diff is there but I think the current promotion here put the 270 & 290 very close in price. So I might put the decision between the 250 & 290. You mentioned 'heavy' cutting - for what I would consider 'heavy' cutting I would likely go for bigger. But I also have a 250 & really like it for what it is & can do - it handles really nice.

 

[Ken74]

The 290 also specs the same weight as the 270 I think, with a bit more power again - not sure what the price diff is there but I think the current promotion here put the 270 & 290 very close in price. So I might put the decision between the 250 & 290. You mentioned 'heavy' cutting - for what I would consider 'heavy' cutting I would likely go for bigger. But I also have a 250 & really like it for what it is & can do - it handles really nice.

Havnt looked at the 290 but I doubt I'd need go that big. My old 025 did pretty well for what I do but a bit more power would be nice on the occasional bigger stuff. Just don't know how much differance a 1/2 horsepower and 1/2 CC bigger makes. The xtra power = 2 lbs heavier and $40 more dollars.

 

[sirbuildalot]

The 250 is actually a pretty nice little saw. At a 10.1 lb power head and 3 hp I recall thinking it was a pretty decent bargain. Even though it's a "homeowner" saw, it's served me pretty well for the last 9 or 10 years. I don't grab it as much with the 5100, but it's noticeably lighter and more nimble when limbing. My opinion is that if you plan to do quite a bit of bucking on stuff larger than 10-12" then get a bigger saw, and not necessarily the 270 btw. For small bucking chores and especially limbing then the ms250 is a good value saw. It also fits nicely into a 2 saw plan.

 

[sirbuildalot]

After re-reading your original post "heavy home cutting", I think you'd be better served buying a 60ish cc saw like a Dolmar 6100 or a husky 562.

 

[Ken74]

After re-reading your original post "heavy home cutting", I think you'd be better served buying a 60ish cc saw like a Dolmar 6100 or a husky 562.

Thanks for the feedback but it will either be the MS250 or the 270. I'm pretty set on Sthil I've used husky's a few times but I prefer Sthil. I bought my father an Echo few years back on a good sale don't remember size but dealer who is family friend said it compared to 025 Sthil. Nice saw but in my opinion it dosent cut as fast as the Sthil. Father likes it and I got good deal so no complaints.

 

[JeffHK454]

Thanks for the feedback but it will either be the MS250 or the 270. I'm pretty set on Sthil I've used husky's a few times but I prefer Sthil. I bought my father an Echo few years back on a good sale don't remember size but dealer who is family friend said it compared to 025 Sthil. Nice saw but in my opinion it dosent cut as fast as the Sthil. Father likes it and I got good deal so no complaints.

You better watch it..if you say you like Stihl and stick to your guns the Huskitadolvarnamar guys will flock in and jump on ya...don't say I didn't warn you!

 

[Mustang71]

The 270 is pretty much the replacement for the 290. It's not that big and scary. My 028 will out perform a 290. What's a 270 cost? Then what does a 261 cost? A 261 would be an awesome choice but I'm assuming it's a lot more than a 270.

 

[porsche965]

Between the 250 and 251 I prefer the 251.

 

[JeffHK454]

The 270 is pretty much the replacement for the 290. It's not that big and scary. My 028 will out perform a 290. What's a 270 cost? Then what does a 261 cost? A 261 would be an awesome choice but I'm assuming it's a lot more than a 270.

I thought about the 261 also but the price tag is pretty steep.

 

[Mustang71]

I thought about the 261 also but the price tag is pretty steep.

I figured it would be but that's the difference between a pro saw and a home owner saw. I'm sure he only needs a home owner saw but if i wanted one saw to cut all the big stuff and all the small stuff for fire wood id get a 261. That being said I don't own one due to the price tag so I get it.

 

[Ken74]

The 270 is pretty much the replacement for the 290. It's not that big and scary. My 028 will out perform a 290. What's a 270 cost? Then what does a 261 cost? A 261 would be an awesome choice but I'm assuming it's a lot more than a 270.

My stopped by my local dealer today and they didn't have the 261. The 250 is $349 & the 270 was $389. I didn't ask about a 261 but I know there wasn't any on the shelf.

 

[Ken74]

I'd prefer to keep it at or below $400 range. Which ever I go with I will most likely change out the standard safety chain for a chipper chain so that'll be another $15-20. It's going be first of the year before Im able to buy one. Right at Christmas time don't have $400 to spare.

 

[Mustang71]

My husky 450 xtorq measures the 50.2 cc and 3.2 hp and you can cut anything with it with in reason. It wears a 18 inch bar. That's a good size saw for general cutting but it's a pound lighter than a 270.

 

[Ken74]

I know lots of people like Husky's but just personal preference I guess but I like Sthil. I have 3 sthil weedeaters & 2 Sthil blowers. Now I have a brother who loves husky's but he works for Asplundh tree Co and that's all they have. I don't think they have them because there the best or anything just have a good deal worked out with the manfactor. My other reason for Sthil is the dealer is very convenient location vs my closet Husky dealer is on other side of the county a good 30 minutes past the Sthil dealer.

 

[sirbuildalot]

I respect your decision....but before any further discussion commences, it's story time. The year was 2008. After buying a Stihl ms460 in 2004, And a ms250 in 2007 or so, I was frequently on tree/saw forums and was always reading the rave reviews on these Dolmar saws, specifically the 7900 and 5100. I mean tons and tons of rave reviews. Not really needing another saw that size, but being curious I stopped in my "local" (40 minutes away) Dolmar dealer. He had the 7900 alright and boy did it feel good in hand. It was $650 out the door. Keep in mind the 460 Stihl at this time was over $800. On a whim I bought the 7900 in 2009 and the 5100 in 2011. Honestly, the 7900 is amazing. Keeps up neck and neck in big timber to my brothers 2 lb heavier husky 385, and my 460. Even gives his 660 Stihl a good run for the money, though typically losing to that beast. The 5100, I'm not as impressed with, but still a fine saw. I also read Good things about the 6100 and great things on the little 421. Point is at least check out other brands. As much as you prefer Stihl, at least check out Dolmar in person. I may prefer brunettes, but that doesn't mean redheads or blondes can't get the job done as well

 

[Mustang71]

All i was saying is that that size saw is a good over all size saw. Id buy the stihl too. If get the 270.

 

[Ken74]

I respect your decision....but before any further discussion commences, it's story time. The year was 2008. After buying a Stihl ms460 in 2004, And a ms250 in 2007 or so, I was frequently on tree/saw forums and was always reading the rave reviews on these Dolmar saws, specifically the 7900 and 5100. I mean tons and tons of rave reviews. Not really needing another saw that size, but being curious I stopped in my "local" (40 minutes away) Dolmar dealer. He had the 7900 alright and boy did it feel good in hand. It was $650 out the door. Keep in mind the 460 Stihl at this time was over $800. On a whim I bought the 7900 in 2009 and the 5100 in 2011. Honestly, the 7900 is amazing. Keeps up neck and neck in big timber to my brothers 2 lb heavier husky 385, and my 460. Even gives his 660 Stihl a good run for the money, though typically losing to that beast. The 5100, I'm not as impressed with, but still a fine saw. I also read Good things about the 6100 and great things on the little 421. Point is at least check out other brands. As much as you prefer Stihl, at least check out Dolmar in person. I may prefer brunettes, but that doesn't mean redheads or blondes can't get the job done as well

I have never heard of Dolmar except for your comments. I'll have to Google to see if there's even a dealer anywhre near me. I know there's none in my county Bedford,VA 24523 but maybe in Roanoke or Lynchburg which are the bigger cities that I'm sandwiched between so to speak.

 

[NSMaple1]

Havnt looked at the 290 but I doubt I'd need go that big. My old 025 did pretty well for what I do but a bit more power would be nice on the occasional bigger stuff. Just don't know how much differance a 1/2 horsepower and 1/2 CC bigger makes. The xtra power = 2 lbs heavier and $40 more dollars.

Different countries and different situations & pricing structures but right now here I can get a 291 for $50 less than a 271. Same weight and 0.3 more hp. Catch is the 271 comes with a wood pro kit while 291 doesn't. Curious on current pricing there re. 271 vs 291. 'Heavy cutting' can mean different things to different people.