Best stihl tophandle

[Capitalist]

Once I get a Stihl top handle I will post my T435 on here. Cheap.
I don't like it, but it runs good.

No, I don't climb trees everyday, a few times a year it happens. I had a couple older Echo's that I struggled with. got rid of 'em. GOt the Husky, it is ok...

WHat I have in mind is the vastly over priced ms150T. Lighter is good, especially in a tree. If I can't get enough power outta that little engine, then it's off to get ported. If I was gonna go with the 201T, I might as well keep the husky....

no need for a pissing match in here, everyone has their opinions.

Well I don't think they had a 150t in stock but now I gotta check it out.

Looks like I will be heading to Olathe to do that.

Its just almost as expensive now I just gott see how it feels.

Would like to hear more opinions on the 150t too.

After picking up that 201tcm I feel like its about the same junk as the husqvarna T540, which is what most stihl climber guys I talk to have said. These are probably the same crowd restoring the 200t's because they say you cant get a commercial tophandle worth a damn anymore.

If thats the case I will be runnin t435's and pitching them after 6 months.

 

[Walkdog]

You’re doing removals, right?

The only good choice (in terms of Stihl offerings) would be the 201tc, which should be seen as their takedown specialist tool.

The 150tc (151 update just announced) is a reduction/pruning tool.

The 193t (updated 194t just announced) is a compromise aimed at the homeowner that wants a top handle, the occasional climber, and those users whose price motivation outweighs their interest in quality/longevity.

I own all three (two 201s) and the 193 has only been up in a tree a couple times, mostly rides around in the truck as an emergency backup. I probably use the 150 the most (looking forward to picking up a 151 when they come out), but that’s because I’m an aesthetic pruning specialist.

The removals I do are predominately pro-bono jobs for friends or hazard trees on my own land, and the 201 is the only top handle I use for branches over 6”. Other than the occasional bit of m-tronic heat fussiness, they’ve never let me down.

The older of my 201s survived a 25-30’ fall onto a boulder at the base of a big oak. Landed directly on the front right corner of its magnesium case with a sickening metallic thud, taking out a sizable chip in the case. To my amazement the only thing that needed to be replaced was one bent AV spring.

FWIW, I think a muffler modded, timing advanced 201 runs every bit as strong as a 200t, with far superior fuel efficiency and AV. Plus much cleaner exhaust, which you may or may not care about, but I think is noteworthy.

If you don’t like the 540, the only other good choice for removals is the Echo 355T, which in stock form is actually a bit stronger than any of the Stihls or Husqvarnas, IMO. Most bang for buck for sure, but it feels cheap to me, so I just can’t do it.

 

[Capitalist]

You’re doing removals, right?

The only good choice (in terms of Stihl offerings) would be the 201tc, which should be seen as their takedown specialist tool.

The 150tc (151 update just announced) is a reduction/pruning tool.

The 193t (updated 194t just announced) is a compromise aimed at the homeowner that wants a top handle, the occasional climber, and those users whose price motivation outweighs their interest in quality/longevity.

I own all three (two 201s) and the 193 has only been up in a tree a couple times, mostly rides around in the truck as an emergency backup. I probably use the 150 the most (looking forward to picking up a 151 when they come out), but that’s because I’m an aesthetic pruning specialist.

The removals I do are predominately pro-bono jobs for friends or hazard trees on my own land, and the 201 is the only top handle I use for branches over 6”. Other than the occasional bit of m-tronic heat fussiness, they’ve never let me down.

The older of my 201s survived a 25-30’ fall onto a boulder at the base of a big oak. Landed directly on the front right corner of its magnesium case with a sickening metallic thud, taking out a sizable chip in the case. To my amazement the only thing that needed to be replaced was one bent AV spring.

FWIW, I think a muffler modded, timing advanced 201 runs every bit as strong as a 200t, with far superior fuel efficiency and AV. Plus much cleaner exhaust, which you may or may not care about, but I think is noteworthy.

If you don’t like the 540, the only other good choice for removals is the Echo 355T, which in stock form is actually a bit stronger than any of the Stihls or Husqvarnas, IMO. Most bang for buck for sure, but it feels cheap to me, so I just can’t do it.

Awesome review