MS 170 or MS 180

[SAWFISH]

I have $200.00 to spend on a small saw for cutting small firewood and de-limbing branches. I am looking at the 170($169.00) or 180($199.00) what are your opinions on these two saws? I have a MS 460 for the big stuff but It gets pretty heavy when I am just de-limbing. I have never seen that quick adjust for the chain before - how well does that work? Any input on this is appreciated.

Brian

 

[bump_r]

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=35834

The big question, however, is what fuel-to-oil mix ratio or bar oil do you plan to run?

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I've never owned a saw with the quick adjust thing, but I have played with it at my dealer. My advice would be to skip it. It felt sound, but it's one more thing to break, takes more effort and hassle to flip your bar as you should be, and it comes down to how hard is it really to loosen a bar nut and adjust the chain? It's not. I say skip it. I say 170. It weighs alot less, and when you're talking about a saw that small, what's the .25 hp loss from the 180 going to matter. The 180 weighs more-I'd supposed because of the Quick Adjust deal.

JMO.

Welcome to AS if I haven't already welcomed you.

Jeff

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=35834

The big question, however, is what fuel-to-oil mix ratio or bar oil do you plan to run?

HA! I thought this was that thread! I didn't even look. Wow, two 170/180 threads at one time.

Don't forget what kind of chaps either bump.

 

[Lakeside53]

The 180 weighs more-I'd supposed because of the Quick Adjust deal.


Jeff

Not so sure... The bar nut verses the gear disk is probably a wash, or a fraction of an ounce diff.


I also viewed the QA with suspicion, but I've never seen on have a problem on the 180. Much more convenient than the front adjust on the 170. You can upgrade the 170 to side adjust (I think it's parts from the 20T - not sure), but..

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Ah, I was looking at the Easy2Start 180 for the extra weight gain. That's where it comes from.

 

[bump_r]

oooo-yeah - CHAPS!!! I forgot PPE! Thanks, we're back on track now.


Oh yeah, welcome to AS, sawfish!

 

[computeruser]

Either would be fine, they're really pretty close from what I've heard. I've run a 180 and was impressed. I can't imagine that the 170 will be that far behind. But for the price difference, you might as well grab the extra % HP. See if your dealer will toss in an extra loop of chain on a 180 and you'll be good to go.

 

[Just Mow]

Not much difference between the two. I do like the quick chain adjust for the fact that you are not doing your adjustment at the front of the saw like the 170.
Welcome and good luck with your decision.

 

[Uwharrie]

Buy the More Powerful , MS180C between these two.

 

[McCartman]

I highly recommend the 180. I had the QA on mine, but it didn't impress me that much. Seems like the little "wheel" that you spin to tighten/loosen the chain was too small. I'd hate to have to adjust the thing in freezing temps and cold fingers! As a previous poster mentioned - flipping the bar is more complicated as well.

 

[carvinmark]

Welcome!! I like my little 017, I have never had an 018 so I don't want to say one is better than the other.
Mark

 

[Jughead]

Both the 170 & 180 weigh 8.8lb and the 180 has a little more HP. 2.0HP vs 1.7HP(170).

http://www.powerzoneinc.com/stihl-pr.htm


I'm looking at buying one of them soon too. I have a Farm Boss and it's just a little too heavy for smaller wood.