Batch of Stihl questions from my Pastor.

[Den]

My Pastor is looking to upgrade from his 12 year old MS270. Any help is appreciated.

1) Is the MS261CM a metal crankcase, or plastic crankcase?
2) Is the MS291 a metal or plastic crankcase?
3) Is the MS391 a metal or plastic crankcase?
4) Is "Intelicarb" the same as "M-Tronic" ?
5) Does a 12 year old MS270 have "intelicarb"? (He says his MS270 has intelicarb, but I think he's looking at specs from a 3 year old sales brochure, and not at his actual saw.)



.

 

[Andyshine77]

The 621 is the only saw you have listed with a metal case. Intelicarb is just a regular that has a simple metering compensation, it will not tune it's self.

 

[Timber MacFallen]

My Pastor is looking to upgrade from his 12 year old MS270. Any help is appreciated.

1) Is the MS261CM a metal crankcase, or plastic crankcase?
2) Is the MS291 a metal or plastic crankcase?
3) Is the MS391 a metal or plastic crankcase?
4) Is "Intelicarb" the same as "M-Tronic" ?
5) Does a 12 year old MS270 have "intelicarb"? (He says his MS270 has intelicarb, but I think he's looking at specs from a 3 year old sales brochure, and not at his actual saw.)



.

Upgrade is a relative term. Upgrade in terms of quality and longevity or upgrade in power?

1) Yes, a die cast magnesium case. This is a professional grade saw. 50cc (4.0hp/10.8 pounds)
2) No. This is a mid-tier saw. 56cc (3.8hp/12.3 pounds)
3) No. This is the largest mid-tier saw. 64cc (4.4hp/13.7 pounds-it's a big guy)
4) As Andyshine said it's not the same. M-Tronic is more advanced.
5) Yes, it should. Intellicarb has been around at least 18 years so it's possible. It's not a computer system or anything exotic. It helps adjust the metering diaphragm when the air filter clogs.

The MS270 was 11.9 pounds and had about 3.4hp (50cc)

If he's on the older side of the hill he may enjoy the MS261CM which has lower weight and higher power than his existing saw along with pro build quality.

If weight is a non-issue or he has to keep the price down he would probably look towards the MS291.

Of the saw you listed I would opt towards the MS261CM.

 

[Dennis Gauge]

I'll ask the obligatory question: What's wrong with his MS270?

 

[SteveSr]

2) No. This is a mid-tier saw. 56cc (3.8hp/12.3 pounds)
3) No. This is the largest mid-tier saw. 64cc (4.4hp/13.7 pounds-it's a big guy)

I have a hard time believing this weight. These are the same saw with an 8cc difference in displacement which isn't going to add nearly a pound and a half!

 

[Timber MacFallen]

I have a hard time believing this weight. These are the same saw with an 8cc difference in displacement which isn't going to add nearly a pound and a half!

Saw weight isn't determined by displacement alone.

Let's apply your displacement theory to two popular pro saws that compete directly with each other:

-Stihl MS462 72cc 13.2 pounds
-Husqvarna 572XP 71cc 14.5 pounds

If you were bothered by the weight difference in the Stihl line based on displacement then this is going to bother you even more

 

[Timber MacFallen]

I'll ask the obligatory question: What's wrong with his MS270?

I don't think something has to be wrong with a saw to want to upgrade. I have a 1981 Echo CS-500VL that works perfectly, but it's nice to get newer and better (power, weight, ease of use etc) saws now and then.

 

[SteveSr]

Saw weight isn't determined by displacement alone.

Let's apply your displacement theory to two popular pro saws that compete directly with each other:

-Stihl MS462 72cc 13.2 pounds
-Husqvarna 572XP 71cc 14.5 pounds

If you were bothered by the weight difference in the Stihl line based on displacement then this is going to bother you even more

Well, the 290/390 were the same saw with slightly different displacement. Maybe that changed with the 291/391 redesign?

 

[stihl86]

Recommend the MS291. MS261 is very $$$$. MS391 is a..... porker.
All current Stihl saws have intellicarbs. Its a gimmick.
Does -0- to increase performance.
Mtronic is only on pro saws. Like the 261, Which are $$$$$
God will smile down upon you.
At least for awhile

 

[Kyfan]

The 261 is a perfect saw for someone who isn't doing any big time cutting. However if need be it can do it. Very light and handy, easy to start and run.

 

[stihl86]

It's a fantastic saw. No doubt. I wasn't knocking it.
The welterweight champ. Undisputed.
But, my,my,my it is expensive.

 

[HarleyT]

Here is the crankcase for the ms271/291. It is pretty solid and I don't sell many of them.

 

[HarleyT]

I only encountered this on the ms280, not sure about it on the ms270.

 

[Bret4207]

I'll ask the obligatory question: What's wrong with his MS270?

Same question. If he's like every pastor I know, he's not making much $$$. I'd fix what I've got, and he's got a good saw already.

 

[PA Dan]

Recommend the MS291. MS261 is very $$$$. MS391 is a..... porker.
All current Stihl saws have intellicarbs. Its a gimmick.
Does -0- to increase performance.
Mtronic is only on pro saws. Like the 261, Which are $$$$$
God will smile down upon you.
At least for awhile

How much is a 291?

 

[stihl86]

291 20" 469.95 12.3lbs (weight is powerhead only - on all) (Same pitch chain as he has)
311 20" 529.95 13.6 Comes with 3/8 .050 pitch. Decent saw. More power than 291
261 20" 599.95 10.6 Mtronic system or conventional carb. (Same pitch also) Sweet little saw.

391 20" 599.95 13.6 Don't let the numbers fool you. Somebody can do whatever they want with them. The 391 is no a user friendly saw. By any stretch.

But all that matters is what's available.
I'd tell him to wait awhile. If he can. Spring promo's should be coming. Saws too LOL.
Go to the website. All prices are suggested list.

 

[HarleyT]

291 20" 469.95 12.3lbs (weight is powerhead only - on all) (Same pitch chain as he has)
311 20" 529.95 13.6 Comes with 3/8 .050 pitch. Decent saw. More power than 291
261 20" 599.95 10.6 Mtronic system or conventional carb. (Same pitch also) Sweet little saw.

391 20" 599.95 13.6 Don't let the numbers fool you. Somebody can do whatever they want with them. The 391 is no a user friendly saw. By any stretch.

But all that matters is what's available.
I'd tell him to wait awhile. If he can. Spring promo's should be coming. Saws too LOL.
Go to the website. All prices are suggested list.

What is the difference between the MS311 and the MS391?

 

[stihl86]

60.00 more for the 391,and for some reason the 391 feels like a boat anchor compared to the 311. HP and weight are very close.

 

[r black]

The 261cm is a metal cased saw .............and the only pro series saw you have listed also the one i would choose ........

 

[PA Dan]

The 261cm is a metal cased saw .............and the only pro series saw you have listed also the one i would choose ........

I feel the same here! The 261 isn't that much more than the 291.