TRI955
I'm the man in the box
The point is he does not need a so called pro saw, he needs a limbing saw.
While I am comitted to Stihl (and my research is there), the reality is unless you want to throw money away, you don't buy a pro saw for every use.
So what if the small Stihls have clamshell engine that can't be rebuilt?
You also need to stay current with the line. There are new saws with different features and there are older design saws.
He won't ever NEED to rebuild it! He is limbming all of 10 cords a year!, not cutting heavy timer day in and out. He is cuttign the 10 cords with his other saw.
Its hardwood, so he needs a good saw, but I have yet to see a Stihl that won't cut beyond its so called rated category when it needs to. Obviously its not all day long. An MS 192 will over cut when needed and not hurt it.
So will an MS180, but keep in mind that he wants ease of use, the 192 is 2 lbs LESS than a 180. Yes you pay the price, but then this is a long term investment. 192 is another wolf in sheeps clothing as its obliviously a small pro saw in the so called Occasional use category. Stihl does a poor job of organizing their saws class and use wise.
If he is a pro limbing all day long then a pro saw makes sense (i.e rebuildable).
The MS270 is not a pro saw, but the way I use it, it will never see a rebuild.
If it does, 20 years from now, you will buy a new saw not rebuild it. Cost won't be worth it.
Net cost to me for the saw, $20 a year if it last 20 years.
Back to saw selection, the first thing you do is "define your need" then look for the saw of whatever manufacture that fulfills it.
Mfg has a lot of selection criteria, from what you like, ergonomics, support etc.
Oh, well since you put it that way.......WILDTHINGS FOR EVERYBODY!!!!!