AlabamaCatfish
New Member
Hope y'all can help me with a decision.
Until now, I've done homeowner tree clearing with a Stihl MS250, 18" bar, Oregon Chain. Good saw. Can't say too much about getting it serviced, because it's always been a real pain. (They CONSTANTLY can't get this part or that part, or a simple fix will take 2 weeks - and I'm a small acreage owner, it's not like I take this to the great North Woods of the West or Midwest!) Starting the MS250 is a pain in the horse's south end, but once it's started, laaaaawwwwwwwwdddd does it run, and solid.
But now my needs have changed. My father-in-law, (whom I like) is the owner of a farm, and I will be helping him clear 20 acres of trees to expand his operation. We're doing it ourselves. The trees we'll be working on are a mixture - 80% Southern Pine (not tall at all), and 20% Oak and Chestnuts (not old growth, but vibrant, thick, and very solid). I'm cutting this in South Alabama. Needless to say the weather will be either one of two ways. 90-95 degrees and humidity north of 65%, or raining forty-hells, and 80-85 degrees. (I say that because I've heard some saws don't like hot weather).
That having been said, I need some suggestions here. I know an 18" bar will be sufficient for the job. However, will the MS-250 Stihl be sufficient, or should I look at a 271 or 261? (I know Stihl, because it's the first saw I've ever used, and it's what I'm experienced with) I'm attracted by the Husky 353 (as many of the power and highway crews down here like Husky - and my friend who works for the Highway dept. says he likes starting the Husky better than Stihl), and I like the professional features (mag crank case), but I have never owned a Husqvarna, and I hear some are not made in Sweden any more (I would buy a Husqvarna from Sweden in a New York MINUTE or a Stihl from Germany likewise). These all seem to be around the same power (3.2-3.5 horse), and all seem to have good features like anti-vib, mag crank, etc.)
Do I need to upgrade for a project of this size, or will the MS-250 be enough? (By the way....if you have another model to suggest in the $300-550 range, and it's a product where I can get good service and good parts - the major problem with the Stihl - please feel free to let me know, but I'd like to stick to the models listed as close as possible - but then again y'all know better than I do.)
Thanks for any help you can give.
Until now, I've done homeowner tree clearing with a Stihl MS250, 18" bar, Oregon Chain. Good saw. Can't say too much about getting it serviced, because it's always been a real pain. (They CONSTANTLY can't get this part or that part, or a simple fix will take 2 weeks - and I'm a small acreage owner, it's not like I take this to the great North Woods of the West or Midwest!) Starting the MS250 is a pain in the horse's south end, but once it's started, laaaaawwwwwwwwdddd does it run, and solid.
But now my needs have changed. My father-in-law, (whom I like) is the owner of a farm, and I will be helping him clear 20 acres of trees to expand his operation. We're doing it ourselves. The trees we'll be working on are a mixture - 80% Southern Pine (not tall at all), and 20% Oak and Chestnuts (not old growth, but vibrant, thick, and very solid). I'm cutting this in South Alabama. Needless to say the weather will be either one of two ways. 90-95 degrees and humidity north of 65%, or raining forty-hells, and 80-85 degrees. (I say that because I've heard some saws don't like hot weather).
That having been said, I need some suggestions here. I know an 18" bar will be sufficient for the job. However, will the MS-250 Stihl be sufficient, or should I look at a 271 or 261? (I know Stihl, because it's the first saw I've ever used, and it's what I'm experienced with) I'm attracted by the Husky 353 (as many of the power and highway crews down here like Husky - and my friend who works for the Highway dept. says he likes starting the Husky better than Stihl), and I like the professional features (mag crank case), but I have never owned a Husqvarna, and I hear some are not made in Sweden any more (I would buy a Husqvarna from Sweden in a New York MINUTE or a Stihl from Germany likewise). These all seem to be around the same power (3.2-3.5 horse), and all seem to have good features like anti-vib, mag crank, etc.)
Do I need to upgrade for a project of this size, or will the MS-250 be enough? (By the way....if you have another model to suggest in the $300-550 range, and it's a product where I can get good service and good parts - the major problem with the Stihl - please feel free to let me know, but I'd like to stick to the models listed as close as possible - but then again y'all know better than I do.)
Thanks for any help you can give.
