Replacing Poulan Pro 5020AV - Will I be happy with Stihl MS251 Wood Boss?

[windsurferk]

I have a Poulan Pro 5020AV that i've used for cutting blown-down oaks for firewood. I've been having some trouble with the saw lately and am considering replacing it with the MS251.

The Stihl has lower displacement and rated power, but I'm wondering if the Stihl is going to perform better for my application than my 5020AV. I've been generally happy with the Poulan, but I suppose I would always prefer something that cuts through logs faster.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[old guy]

I doubt the 251 will cut faster, it depends more on whether the chain on that 5020 has been properly sharpened and the rakers cut back. Neither saw is known for outstanding performance, an 026 or 260-261 Stihl would be better.
A sharp chain is always the best thing.

 

[windsurferk]

Thanks. I keep my chains sharp and the rakers filed. The MS261 looks great, but I don't use my saw enough to justify that price tag.

 

[Mustang71]

If you don't use the saw enough to justify the price tag then stay away from stihl. Each saw has it's own purpose. They make many different sizes for that reason.

I have a husky 450 try one of those or a 455. They work well. 350$ or so new

 

[Mustang71]

I have a poulan pro and hate that saw. But I hear the 5020 is a different animal.

 

[old guy]

Yeah they are a lot better than the wild thing but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy another one, Iv'e had two and haven't paid more than $100 for em, they had both been used once.

 

[svk]

Husqvarna 450 or Makita/Maryurama (sp?) 50 cc saws would make you happy.

 

[windsurferk]

Thanks. I'll check out the 50/55cc Huskies. I'd like to stay under $400. The Poulan Pro has actually held up fairly well for me. I didn't have any experience with a Chainsaw, but my new home was hit by a major storm several years ago and we had 20 mature red oaks (12-20" diameter) go down. I've used that saw to clean it all up into firewood. However, as I'm bucking logs I definitely find myself wishing that my saw was cutting faster. Apart from a sharp chain, is it really the horsepower that makes a difference?

 

[svk]

Take a look at the 455 rancher and Echo 590 as well, they are both in that price range.

 

[cedarhollow]

I'm guessing the trees I deal with are probably about the size of what you have, nothing compared to size of trees out west. anyway I'm a big fan of cruising pawn shops for deals and picked up a ms180c like new for $125 and just can't kill it, then I found an 018 missing air filter, cover and choke lever for $30, i've got about $55 total in it and it runs and cuts perfect and for bigger stuff a makita 520i that just won't quit the old ms 360 and 044 stayed in the shed last year. Just remember once you take a saw out of the dealer shop and run it it's a used saw. nothing wrong with buying second hand if you know what your looking for and what your looking at. I've toyed with idea of buying new ms 362 but I don't need it. the total cost of all the saws I own, 7 stihls and the makita was about the same as what it would cost for that new 362

 

[svk]

Thanks. I'll check out the 50/55cc Huskies. I'd like to stay under $400. The Poulan Pro has actually held up fairly well for me. I didn't have any experience with a Chainsaw, but my new home was hit by a major storm several years ago and we had 20 mature red oaks (12-20" diameter) go down. I've used that saw to clean it all up into firewood. However, as I'm bucking logs I definitely find myself wishing that my saw was cutting faster. Apart from a sharp chain, is it really the horsepower that makes a difference?

Yes, more hp and torque means faster cutting.

 

[LoveStihlQuality]

Thanks. I'll check out the 50/55cc Huskies. I'd like to stay under $400. The Poulan Pro has actually held up fairly well for me. I didn't have any experience with a Chainsaw, but my new home was hit by a major storm several years ago and we had 20 mature red oaks (12-20" diameter) go down. I've used that saw to clean it all up into firewood. However, as I'm bucking logs I definitely find myself wishing that my saw was cutting faster. Apart from a sharp chain, is it really the horsepower that makes a difference?

Like cars, No Replacement For Displacement

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Mustang71]

The echo 590 would be the best bet if you are trying to cut large stuff frequently. My 450 was my first saw and cut everything I needed it to.

 

[windsurferk]

Thanks for all the advice. After replacing the carb on my Poulan Pro and still not getting it to run properly, I took some of the advice from this thread and picked up an Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf. I took it out for an hour right after I got it and all I can say is "wow!" I'm now kicking myself for not picking up a bigger saw like this earlier on -- it cuts so much better than my PP ever did. Thanks again for the advice. This forum is a fantastic resource.

 

[babybart]

Another vote for Echo... 590 or even the 500p.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

Another vote for Echo... 590 or even the 500p.

The Echo 490 is very nice too and I think a few $$ cheaper than the 500.

 

[panolo]

I have a husky 445 and a echo 490. I use the husky more because I have a shorty bar on it but 490 has been a great saw. Glad the new saw is working for you!

 

[babybart]

The Echo 490 is very nice too and I think a few $$ cheaper than the 500.

I haven't looked in a while so I wasn't sure if they still made the 490 since the 500 is in the line up.

 

[svk]

I haven't looked in a while so I wasn't sure if they still made the 490 since the 500 is in the line up.

I believe the 490 is considered farm/ranch grade and the 500 is pro?