Choosing a New Saw

[ChetGreenwood]

Well, I wanna get a new chainsaw. I’ve been using a Husky 350 for about 17 years and I have an itch to get something new. My 350 never stopped leaking gas. Had her in the shop a few times them decided to just live with it.
I want a 16-18 inch bar. Good hp. I don’t do to much cutting. I mostly cut firewood and a tree here and there, but I do go help on trails and after storms and such.
I’m not a brand hog, but I want something dependable.
What would you suggest? If you need more info let me know.

Thanks.

 

[Woodslasher]

Maybe Echo? I'm not familiar with their models but I've heard good things about them and they seem to be more reasonably priced than others.

 

[Kenskip1]

Echo CS 590. I just bought one. Plenty of power. And much less $$$ than the other brands. Adjustable oiler, metal construction, (not a clamshell). It has a carburetor and it works. Not like a recent thread about a man and his new saw, that quit on him. Anyway this is the saw that I would recommend.

 

[Trailsawyer]

Stihl 261! You will pay a little more, but it is an excellent saw!

 

[ChetGreenwood]

I like the price of the Stihl MS 271 and the Echo 590. The Husky 455 Rancher looks good too. It’s a hard choice. Which one of these will have the least issues? Can sit without use for a couple months?

Thanks for being patient with me.

 

[Ronaldo]

I like the price of the Stihl MS 271 and the Echo 590. The Husky 455 Rancher looks good too. It’s a hard choice. Which one of these will have the least issues? Can sit without use for a couple months?

Thanks for being patient with me.

Of those three, the Echo 590 would be my choice.

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[Stihl99]

Stihl MS261

 

[ChetGreenwood]

Of those three, the Echo 590 would be my choice.

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Can you please explain why?

 

[ChetGreenwood]

Stihl MS261

Why?

 

[user 122190]

Why?

Lots of power, in a lightweight package. The M-Tronics is a proven upgrade, and keeps the saw running optimally in changing conditions and over time.

 

[Kenskip1]

The Echo and the Husky come with 3/8 chains. I find these easier to sharpen. The Stihl 261 and 271 come with the 325 pitch chains. Not a big deal? The Stihl saws have the .063 gage. So if you need another chain then you will need another .63 chain available at your friendly Stihl dealer. Yes other brands are available. However the Echo and the Husky have the .050 pitch that are more common.

 

[user 122190]

The Echo and the Husky come with 3/8 chains. I find these easier to sharpen. The Stihl 261 and 271 come with the 325 pitch chains. Not a big deal? The Stihl saws have the .063 gage. So if you need another chain then you will need another .63 chain available at your friendly Stihl dealer. Yes other brands are available. However the Echo and the Husky have the .050 pitch that are more common.

I put a 3/8 B&C on the ms261, and it don't slow down.

I wouldn't be picking a saw based on B&Cs. When I sell a saw, 1st question by many is how big is the saw. I tell them and they say, "I mean the blade". Then I tell them the length of the bar. Anything further I might add can only confuse them.

 

[Tree Feller]

Husqvarna 550xp.

 

[Stihl99]

I put a 3/8 B&C on the ms261, and it don't slow down.

I wouldn't be picking a saw based on B&Cs. When I sell a saw, 1st question by many is how big is the saw. I tell them and they say, "I mean the blade". Then I tell them the length of the bar. Anything further I might add can only confuse them.

I did the exact same 16" bar with 3/8" .50 chain and that saw is a little animal.

Why?

Chet
I purchased the 261C and ran over 6 gallons of fuel through it in less than 4 weeks and everyone that watched me use it, the few people that ran it were very impressed with the amount of power in such a lightweight package.
I have owned and ran both the 271 and 261, the 261 will run circles around the 271.
The 261 is M-tronic and the 271 was carb, but I never touched the carb other than blowing the saw out after use.
.

 

[Kenskip1]

Would you be comfortable selling a 261 to someone asking questions like you mentioned. "Blade". If this is there experience level then they should be directed to a home owner or possibly a rancher series. I would steer them to a MS250 and not a professional series like the 261.

 

[KarlD]

Regardless of who the user is, a good saw is a good saw. I too would recommend the ms261. Why...because IMO based on what you say you need, it is the best saw for you. If you don’t want to pay ms261 money, get a used Dolmar or Makita DCS520...cheap and very underrated

 

[user 122190]

Would you be comfortable selling a 261 to someone asking questions like you mentioned. "Blade". If this is there experience level then they should be directed to a home owner or possibly a rancher series. I would steer them to a MS250 and not a professional series like the 261.

Adult must use their own judgement on what is safe and prudent. I'm not your daddy.

 

[Kenskip1]

I never said the 261 wasn't a good saw. However if you happen to visit other saw sites, you will see more than a few threads that mentioned the 261 with burnt pistons, faulty electronics, no start conditions, just to name a few. Would I like to have one? Yes but not for close to the $700 price tag. I will stick like epoxy to the Echo 590 with the reliable carburetor anytime.

 

[KarlD]

What the 590 that has a good chance of needing the carb adjusting out of the box? Not sure the experience level is here for this?
Sorry I’m just in an argumentative mood atm. The echo is a fine saw and if you buy it from a good dealer they will get it running right before handing it over.

 

[Kenskip1]

KarlD, My Echo, out of the box was way to rich. I leaned it out and now running the way I like it. No hesitation, instant throttle response and it four strokes to my liking.