ms290

[Baz]

Recently bought a new MS290. On the first tree the clutch disintegrated. Into the shop, under warranty, fixed. On the second tree the chain oiler stopped oiling, bar & chain dry as yesterday's toast. Into the shop, waiting for results. My only other Stihl is an 029, trouble-free for years. Anybody else have problems with the 290?

 

[cord arrow]

sig says it all........................

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

My only other Stihl is an 029, trouble-free for years. Anybody else have problems with the 290?

They're the same saw, and the 029/290 is a reliable saw in it's niche. Sounds like you've got a lemon or something.

My guess is that the clutch coming apart messed up your oiler, or that whatever caused your clutch to STB shot your oiler. Crank may be suspect as well. I'd guess they're related, and not two seperate problems.

 

[Lakeside53]

I'm with Jeff - I bet your clutch failure damaged the oiler, or, the oil transfer tube came off the bottom!

 

[Justsaws]

I would agree with the lemon theory. I now own a couple of the 290 series and do not have any complaints other than the front bar mount bolt. When I buy these saws used that bolt is almost always stripped out of the case. Same thing with Poulans and Huskys. I wish people would learn to sharpen chains so they would not feel the need to tighten bars down with ignorant force. Easy saw to repair and pleasent to use. The one I bought new has never had any problems.

 

[upandcommer]

I have had my new one for about 9 months now and as long the chain is sharp and you learn to let the saw cut with chain speed instead of torque they are a pleasure to use (as long as you are strong) for what they are they are a good saw but a bit overweight for the amount of power available

 

[manual]

Yep never a problem with my 029 super and I got it the first year they came out.

 

[Asskckr]

I have had my new one for about 9 months now and as long the chain is sharp and you learn to let the saw cut with chain speed instead of torque they are a pleasure to use (as long as you are strong) for what they are they are a good saw but a bit overweight for the amount of power available

Heavy and underpowered, yes. Cost enough, there's better choices

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Eight posts into a thread about the 290/029 and not one wheel chock or boat anchor joke yet?
Man, you guys are slipping!

 

[Lakeside53]

Eight posts into a thread about the 290/029 and not one wheel chock or boat anchor joke yet?
Man, you guys are slipping!

All of the brain trust is absorbed in the 440/441 "discusssion":monkey:

 

[GASoline71]

All of the brain trust is absorbed in the 440/441 "discusssion":monkey:

Treeco will be along soon to screw this thread up too.

Andy, maybe your sales of MS290's will go up just like the MS441...

Back on topic... Baz, what was the diagnosis from the dealer?

Gary

 

[p goble]

First rattle out of the box

Bought my 290 and first job was a white ash 5 feet at the ground. When cutting full bar depth I had to baby it til I thought my arms were going to fall off. Even then the slightest twist in the bar would bog it down and I smoked the clutch several times before I pulled my head out. Under-powered...yes. But I was asking 125% outta mine and it just couldn't keep up the pace.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Bought my 290 and first job was a white ash 5 feet at the ground. When cutting full bar depth I had to baby it til I thought my arms were going to fall off. Even then the slightest twist in the bar would bog it down and I smoked the clutch several times before I pulled my head out. Under-powered...yes. But I was asking 125% outta mine and it just couldn't keep up the pace.

How long was the bar you had on it?

 

[p goble]

18" bar

Had to notch it twice and pull it to control where it fell. I had already removed all the limbs and had a trunk about 9 feet tall

 

[Lakeside53]

Sounds like a dull chain or twisted bar to me... But I wasn't there.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Sounds like a dull chain or twisted bar to me... But I wasn't there.

Yep. An 029 will easily pull an 18". Something was askew with bar, chain or both. I'm just impressed you tackled 5' with 18".

 

[p goble]

Brand new out of the box

New chain and bar. Wasn't new when I finished. that tree was 60" at the base. So, the bar was buried for a long time. Hope the bar isn't ruined.

 

[computeruser]

New chain and bar. Wasn't new when I finished. that tree was 60" at the base. So, the bar was buried for a long time. Hope the bar isn't ruined.

290 on a 60" tree? Sounds like the wrong too for the job.

 

[upandcommer]

the very first tree I put my ms290 into was a 34" black walnut that had been removed 12 months prior with a hydraulic thumb on a 20 ton excavator they where removing my parents barn with said excavator and removed the tree to gain access to the barn. I buried my full 20" farm boss bar and .325 x.63 chain into the tree and successfully cut through the tree like butter. The whole reason for the purchase was to finish the cleanup job and the wildthing wouldn't reach all the way through. My first chain lasted that tree and 3 more before i had to file it up and that was cutting 18" rounds the 60 foot trunk and three other hardwoods so something was amiss on your technique and or equipment because my break in tank was the hardest that saw has ever worked.

 

[spacemule]

Heavy and underpowered, yes. Cost enough, there's better choices

Am I to understand that your username is short for "korker?" If so, it should be "crkr," as "korker" is spelled with a "c."