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New Stihl saw - Which model? #7865343 06/09/20 03:45 PM
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Dad wants to buy a new Stihl to cut some pretty big trees for a fence job. He's then going to give it to me. I'm thinking large, something that will run 18/20"-25" blades. What should I be looking for? 311, 391, 362? Anybody know anything about the newer models with the computers? I wanted an Echo but he has a Stihl dealer near him for parts. Help!


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7865391 06/09/20 04:41 PM
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No help on the bigger models. I did just buy a smaller one (16"), but I don't have big stuff to cut down and it hasn't let me down yet.

Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7865438 06/09/20 05:13 PM
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We've got a 20-yr old MS270 that I got him for father's day, but it's ready for the scrap heap. I'm thinking bigger than that, although when it was in top shape it would do a ton of work.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7865451 06/09/20 05:31 PM
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I recently had a really big tree down. I called the man. The man came with the biggest Stihl on the market along with two smaller ones. The big one broke down and the man couldn't finish the job. Still waiting on him to come back and finish the job.

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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7865587 06/09/20 07:33 PM
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Try a Husqvarna. The Stihl's aren't what they used to be


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7865781 06/09/20 11:10 PM
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My newest Stihl is an MS250, with a 16 or 18” bar - I forget. Good saw. Bigger and stronger is my old 029 Farm boss with a 20” bar. Anything bigger than that is beyond my experience level, but I have cut down some pretty big trees with that 029.

And, being on the subject of chainsaws, I really put my wife’s Stihl battery powered saw to use the other day. It did a real good job, and ran the battery down to 50%. But, I’ll stay with gas for the bigger jobs.

And my Echo Polesaw, known for some time as the “evil Echo pole saw”, is now officially fixed. I worked it really hard the other day. Started great. Ran great.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7866123 06/10/20 11:55 AM
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Stihl makes a good, better, best in their homeowner, farm/ranch, and professional saws. As you go up the line, the price increases exponentially. You get what you pay for.

Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7866295 06/10/20 02:37 PM
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You'll need to be close to the parts house with a Stihl. My Husky's have been trouble free for over 20 years. The 455 is about the size you're looking for.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: bill oxner] #7866298 06/10/20 02:38 PM
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Bill, how much lower did you expect them to cut it? That ones ready for a stump grinder.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7866844 06/10/20 11:24 PM
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Ms362 is a good saw.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: Wburke2010] #7867906 06/11/20 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by wburke2010
Ms362 is a good saw.


I looked at the 311 & 362 today. Seems the main difference is the 362 has metal in some areas where the 311 is plastic. Both made in Germany. $250 difference in price. Decisions, decisions.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: yotehater] #7867922 06/11/20 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by yotehater
Bill, how much lower did you expect them to cut it? That ones ready for a stump grinder.


At least 4 inches left is what I'm thinking.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: 603Country] #7868427 06/12/20 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 603Country
My newest Stihl is an MS250, with a 16 or 18” bar - I forget. Good saw. Bigger and stronger is my old 029 Farm boss with a 20” bar. Anything bigger than that is beyond my experience level, but I have cut down some pretty big trees with that 029.

And, being on the subject of chainsaws, I really put my wife’s Stihl battery powered saw to use the other day. It did a real good job, and ran the battery down to 50%. But, I’ll stay with gas for the bigger jobs.

And my Echo Polesaw, known for some time as the “evil Echo pole saw”, is now officially fixed. I worked it really hard the other day. Started great. Ran great.


Same here, have the MS250 w18" bar and it's a little on the light duty side. Just got the Farm Boss with 22" bar and it's heavier but it makes the work so much easier.

Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7868522 06/12/20 05:03 PM
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I started off my chainsaw life with that 029 Farm Boss. As I aged and IT put on weight, I gave away my small Poulan and got a Stihl MS180C. Good light duty saw, but would overheat when I worked it for a long time on real big trees. Went to the MS250. I can grab it and avoid the 2 ton Farm Boss if I don’t want to work too hard. That said, the Farm Boss is a beast. More saw than that I will never need.

Now the little battery Stihl does the real light work. It’s good to have.


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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7868526 06/12/20 05:06 PM
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An Ms250 will not like pulling a 25"bar. I run an 029 Super and it will do good with a 25" on pine but it doesnt like hardwood. I usually keep a 20" Bar on that one.

The 361 would be ok for occasional use with the bigger bar, but if it will be ran regular, get an MS441. A 441 will run a 16" bar to a 32" bar no problem.


Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7868676 06/12/20 07:59 PM
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Bigger is better until you get one that’s so heavy you don’t want to use it. 15 years ago I cut overhead limbs for hours with that 029. I am no longer man enough to do that. But, if that MS441 will handle a 32” bar, and you can go to shorter bars when you want to, it sounds like a winner if you can lift it and continue to do so.

Approx powerhead weights:
MS250 10#
029. 13#
MS441. 15#

Last edited by 603Country; 06/12/20 08:04 PM.

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Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: 603Country] #7868730 06/12/20 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by 603Country
Bigger is better until you get one that’s so heavy you don’t want to use it. 15 years ago I cut overhead limbs for hours with that 029. I am no longer man enough to do that. But, if that MS441 will handle a 32” bar, and you can go to shorter bars when you want to, it sounds like a winner if you can lift it and continue to do so.

Approx powerhead weights:
MS250 10#
029. 13#
MS441. 15#


I work for the TX Forest Service. 90% of our saws are 361/362's or 441's just for that reason, many times we only have room for one saw and need that range diversity. Its pretty easy to pack a few different size bars. I do have a 170 and a 250 at the office that i will bring along if possible for limbing and light work.


If i were going to go buy a new saw today, and cost was no issue, it would be a MS 462 . Almost identical weight to a 362 but way more power. Stihl site says a 462 is compatible with a 16-36" bar


Last edited by Big_Country01; 06/12/20 09:13 PM.

Re: New Stihl saw - Which model? [Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks] #7868739 06/12/20 09:36 PM
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Get the Husqvarna model.
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