When I read the OP first post I asked myself "why does he need a 28" bar for cutting firewood?" I usually use a rather small saw for firewood such as a 346XP or something mid size..
Best chainsaw for firewood ?
- Thread starter Trx250r180
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PhilMcWoody
Recharging Battery
Gotta give another +1 on the old ms250 before @SawTroll come in with the beatdown.
[stirring the pot a little bit, throwing chum in the water]
For some people firewood is a profession involving hundreds of cords a year, for others it's a serious annual stockpiling of several cords up to a dozen. And for others just a face cord or two.
I were going to have only one saw for firewood it would probably be a 60 cc ranch or pro saw.
I wonder if the old 025 were a more robust all around saw (I have no idea). These days I see Stihl has put the MS250 in the "for occasional use" category, so if that's the use a user intends for it, then all well and good.
I think OP is intending to cut lots of wood 12" or larger on a daily basis I'd think the OP would want a saw designed to deal with heavy duty work.
My MS250 with 18" bar enjoying "occasional use"
[stirring the pot a little bit, throwing chum in the water]
For some people firewood is a profession involving hundreds of cords a year, for others it's a serious annual stockpiling of several cords up to a dozen. And for others just a face cord or two.
I were going to have only one saw for firewood it would probably be a 60 cc ranch or pro saw.
I wonder if the old 025 were a more robust all around saw (I have no idea). These days I see Stihl has put the MS250 in the "for occasional use" category, so if that's the use a user intends for it, then all well and good.
I think OP is intending to cut lots of wood 12" or larger on a daily basis I'd think the OP would want a saw designed to deal with heavy duty work.
My MS250 with 18" bar enjoying "occasional use"
Agent Orange
Hacktastic®
Be careful praising the wee 250, might break a lot of hearts around here. Mine was my primary firewood saw until my boss bought me a 362c for working on his land. Still love that little saw, it's light weight makes it disappear and a with a sharp chain it works well on the hardwoods of KS. Hackberry, Locust, Oak, Hedge, Ash, Elm, Walnut, and more.
I was after the 251 Wood Boss at my dealer, it was a bit out of my price range and the dealer, a friend of mine, recommended the 250. Roughly the same power and older, less EPA strangled design , non strato I believe. Fully adjustable carb and a little monster with a 16" bar. I'm glad he put the 250 in my hands.
I was after the 251 Wood Boss at my dealer, it was a bit out of my price range and the dealer, a friend of mine, recommended the 250. Roughly the same power and older, less EPA strangled design , non strato I believe. Fully adjustable carb and a little monster with a 16" bar. I'm glad he put the 250 in my hands.
I know of tree services that strictly run ms 250s for ground saws and light work..they are just fine for firewood.
MountainHigh
Selective Tree whacker
I cut loads of wood with my old, reliable, reasonably priced 025, it kept my house warm for numerous years .... but then one day some years back I found a new saw in my hands, and quickly realized what I'd been missing ... smitten ... I could never go back again! - 346xpOE and more recently 562xp, provide an instantaneous testosterone boost, a very good thing for us seniors 
. The only downside is after years of practicing the fine art of chain sharpening, I would all too quickly rip through the defenseless trees, leaving me with the drudgery of splitting and stacking massive wood piles, while wistfully yearning for more opportunity to get back out and reap carnage on the forest. 
. The only downside is after years of practicing the fine art of chain sharpening, I would all too quickly rip through the defenseless trees, leaving me with the drudgery of splitting and stacking massive wood piles, while wistfully yearning for more opportunity to get back out and reap carnage on the forest. 
bikemike
loud pipes save lives
346 piss rev territoryI cut loads of wood with my old, reliable, reasonably priced 025, it kept my house warm for numerous years .... but then one day some years back I found a new saw in my hands, and quickly realized what I'd been missing ... smitten ... I could never go back again! - 346xpOE and more recently 562xp, provide an instantaneous testosterone boost, a very good thing for us seniors
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I cut as big a wood as I can. Big wood rolls, small wood has to be carried.
SawTroll
Information Collector
The 025 and MS250 has always belonged to the "homeowner" category, but what the brands have called the category has varied over the years.
The newer MS251 replaced the 250 years ago here, and likely is an improvement at least in the AV category.
Those saws are of course usable for the least demanding kind of "firewood cutting" - but they aren't something I would want to use for firewood (or at all).
bikemike
loud pipes save lives
Oh26?
Khntr85
Addicted to ArboristSite
LMAO philmcwoody, I am a new member, but I have used this site a bunch, and I have always got a kick out of saw trolls post.... No doubt he knows a whole lot about saws, and I am sure more than me, but funny none the less.... I agree with you fully philmcwoody, what one guy calls cutting firewood means completely opposite to another... I have a really good friend that thinks 10 riks is a lot of wood and when he sees my pile his jaw drops...I mean if a guy just cuts up to 5-10 cords a year does he really need a pro saw???
With that said I finally bit the bullet a month or so ago and bought a new 461, so I can't say nothing LOL.... I do run into big stuff frequently so it has already helped me out tremendously.... Now I have a ms250, ms290, and the 461, and they make a good team!!!!
When it comes to saws, I guess what one man wouldn't sell for anything, another guy wouldn't even own it!!!!
With that said I finally bit the bullet a month or so ago and bought a new 461, so I can't say nothing LOL.... I do run into big stuff frequently so it has already helped me out tremendously.... Now I have a ms250, ms290, and the 461, and they make a good team!!!!
When it comes to saws, I guess what one man wouldn't sell for anything, another guy wouldn't even own it!!!!
Trx250r180
Saw polisher
This 036 model is what i told them to get because it is only type besides an 034 i have ever ran ,they were looking for a homeowner one i think to save a few bucks and get new also at same time ,i am just not up on the home owner saws to say which are good or not ,they do not need a pro saw for the firewood like a 362 ,think they want to spend 3-400 on a new saw tops .Maybe i will just tell them ask the saw shop what they think ,that's their job anyways .
Was surprised this thread was still going
bikemike
loud pipes save lives
Used anything or a new echo 5 yr warranty
PhilMcWoody
Recharging Battery
5-10 cords sounds like a good excuse for any kind of saw that tickles your fancy ... especially someone needs it to be reliable for firewood/heat or whatever other reason.
Love that Niko, he was one of the first posters I remember encountering here. Came at me with some good questions.
I was trying to figure out why my MS250 seemed really stingy with the bar oil -- I'm still not sure I really know the reason why, it oils fine now, but at least I discovered on AS that I was not alone in that experience. ... and I was pleased to find my Stihl dealer was great with in-warranty service no charge.
5 yrs ... that's a bit of alright, too.
Agent Orange
Hacktastic®
Mine is stingy with the 18" bar, the 16" slings oil like a champ. I think some people equate long bars with big wood. So Stihl sells it as an 18" bar saw. Works much better with the 16" or under.
PhilMcWoody
Recharging Battery
VK Johnson
ArboristSite Lurker
Around here, in orange/avocado land, the 025/MS250 is a pretty popular saw on the ranches. I have cut a ton of both those woods with one, and when I work the trees down to the main trunk, I'll break out the MS290. ..recently upgraded to MS390. Call the 250 what you want, but there are a ton of them working all day everyday all day in a bunch of orchards. Now, granted, we're not getting in truly big wood with them, but I haven't had a situation yet that either of those won't get 'er done!
Reckon it's a matter of what your deal is, and what you're comfy with. I'm getting ready to add my old 009L back to the stable for limbing...my BIL has had it for over ten years, never uses it, would be nice to have a lightweight for smaller work.
Reckon it's a matter of what your deal is, and what you're comfy with. I'm getting ready to add my old 009L back to the stable for limbing...my BIL has had it for over ten years, never uses it, would be nice to have a lightweight for smaller work.
