Chainsaw decision help...

[cast1]

So I own a sawmill and will be adding a third chainsaw to my stable. I have a stihl MS260 with an 18" bar, along with an echo cs620p with 24" and 27" bars. I will be going echo because I don't really like the stihl since they've changed their carburation (I hate the whole green push) plus they've gotten prohibitively expensive for IMO not much more quality.

The 260 is my all-arounder, and the 620p is my felling saw. I'm trying to decide between a CS501p (basically another MS260) or maybe something lighter, like a CS2511P or even CS2511T. I've also thought about selling the 620 and getting a loop handle model, but that's an aside.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Sum Ting Wong]

If you stick with the pro model Stihls, they’re great saws, but they are pricey. I have multiple Echos, including a couple 2511 top handles. They’re good lightweight saws for climbing, but don’t use them much on the ground.

When you say “loop handle” are you talking about a full wrap? You can buy one for the 620.

 

[cast1]

Oh I can buy just the handle?

 

[GreenGO Juan]

Amazon.com

 

[Jigstick]

Get rid of the toy saws and start buying Huskys

 

[GreenGO Juan]

Get rid of the toy saws and start buying Huskys

 

[702lineman]

I own several saws but the sthil ms200T is my favorite. It's been an absolute trooper also. The newer 201T were ok(can be close to the 200 with muffler and timing mods). It can do 90% of what a guy needs without the broken back.

Not gonna lie, milwakee m18 saw is a close second. Just have to keep the chain snug

 

[Milf Dots]

Oh I can buy just the handle?

Yes, you can just buy the full wrap handle for your Echo cs620p which makes it a cs620pw. The 620p/pw are great saws, as is the 501p.

 

[chevy_man]

What you're cutting and the size you need should determine what you get.

Stihl still sells a few regular carb saws in their pro line. I picked up a ms462 with a full wrap. It's 72cc and came with a 28" bar. It rips good for the bar size, but I've run into a few downed trees across roads in the mountains that needed bigger. (Luckily someone came along with a 42" 88).
So a 20" full comp and 36" skip tooth bars and chains now ride in the camper with the saw.

I know a lot of guys like echo saws. I've never seen one here, everything is Husky or Stihl. Loggers seem to prefer the Husky, but my buddy that sells them said he sees them back 10x more often.

For the 70cc class the Husky was almost a pound heavier and .5hp less than the Stihl. Roughly the same price.

 

[WasNH4X]

Hint : Find a used Husky 288 ,rebuild ,slap 24" bar on it........be happy.

I've been out of logging for a while ( shows when mentioning above saw ) and not familiar with new saws except a newer small " Husky limbing saw " . Back when I was logging the 288 with a larger drive socket would out cut any saw put up against it and weighed less to boot. I haven't handled any new logging size saws so have no idea how much weight has.been shed since I was doing it. Still have the 288 , just in case something BIG needing taken care of.

On side note , what kind out sawmill you runnin ?

 

[Milf Dots]

Echo is the way to go- great products- they're the Toyota of chainsaws.

I'd buy a $tihl before a Husky, and I'll probably never buy a $tihl. Husky's dealership structure is collapsing, CS is horrible, lots of QA/QC issues with their saws and other products for years... And you have to check each individual Husky saw, including their pro saws, to know where it was made- China, South America, USA, Canada, Sweden.

Makita-Dolmar are great saws too, but Makita vacated the gas powered tools sector in 2022, so future parts availability will become an issue.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Just picked up a 251 wood boss, waiting to get out and cut something with it

 

[GreenGO Juan]

If you want to try a top handle, but don’t wanna spend a bunch of money. Here’s a clone of an echo 2511 T.

V-MODEST 2511 12" Gas Chainsaw 25cc 1.5HP 2-Cycle Engine Top Handle Climbing Saw | eBay

Also match 10 in and 14 in bar ï¼ 0.050 Gauge 3 / 8" Pitch Chain. Saw chain lubricant: Oil SAE10W-30. Fuel mixing ratio: 25:1 ratio with 1SO-L-EGD(ISO/CD 13738) andJASO M345-FD two-stroke, air-cooled engine oil.

www.ebay.com

Yes, it’s a cheap Chinese clown they work just the same. If you like it, go by the real thing.

Id buy one but dont need it, have a 50+ year old top handle craftsman that was my grandfathers, that i love to run.

 

[Long Range 338]

Stihl vs Husqvarna is just Ford vs Chevy. Echo doesn't have nearly the market share as the other 2. From what I have seen Echo doesn't have the power to weight advantage like the others have but for a mill it may not matter at all.

 

[akmike47]

This is 18” right?

 

[roostercogburn98]

This is 18” right?
View attachment 8593545

 

[akmike47]

View attachment 8593546

I knew she wasn’t lying!

 

[Big Phish]

Echo pro saws all other is is a disaster waiting to piss you off. Stihl are junk nowadays unless you are okay with sending the damned things in for constant BS repairs. Dolmars are some of better saws if you can find them as they cut way above others with some tremendous power.

 

[Sum Ting Wong]

Echo pro saws all other is is a disaster waiting to piss you off. Stihl are junk nowadays unless you are okay with sending the damned things in for constant BS repairs.

What repairs are you having to deal with? Three out of the twelve Stihl’s the company has are new models (500i, 400, 261) and they all have performed great.

We also run seven Husqvarna’s and five Echo’s. It’s pretty even as far as them needing service/repairs go. Our local dealer has dropped Husqvarna though.

 

[nikonNUT]

Man, just find a good old Stihl 044 or 046 Magnum and rock! I Frankenstine-d an 044 with 46 magnum exhaust, carb, air filter and it pulled 20K RPM with a 20" bar burred in a big ass red oak. Obviously be careful because they have no conscience and love the taste of human flesh!

 

[tsovern]

261
You almost had it

 

[akmike47]

261
You almost had it

69420

 

[nikonNUT]

261
You almost had it

Pfft! MS881 (128cc) or a 3120XP (120cc). Go big or go home! BTW, I've looked at those big boy saws and decided to go home. I got no gripes with either brand. Like Husky's anti-vibe set-up better but like Stihls oiling and starting system better. I got the 044 for $200.00 so I wasn't complaining. It's way more saw than I need. Oh, and it's pronounced "262XP". None of that down rated shit! Unless you swapped the piston and the muffler.

 

[Big Phish]

What repairs are you having to deal with? Three out of the twelve Stihl’s the company has are new models (500i, 400, 261) and they all have performed great.

We also run seven Husqvarna’s and five Echo’s. It’s pretty even as far as them needing service/repairs go. Our local dealer has dropped Husqvarna though.

Carbs

 

[Alpine 338]

If you like your 260, get yourself a MS261 Pro (Non-c/m). I bought one a couple years ago, and it works fantastic. I bought it to replace an aging 026-AVS, and I use it more than just for deliming. If you want more power, and/or bar,, get a MS362 (non-c/m). Or an older MS440 Magnum, which occasionally can be found new on eBay. I have two, and they are awesome.

 

[Milf Dots]

Carbs

Stihl has had some issues with cases cracking on their bigger pro saws- when a manufacturer pushes the envelope on low weight, you're likely to hit a hard wall on durability. All other things being equal, I'd rather have the slightly heavier saw (usually only 1 - 1.5 lbs) because mass equals vibration dampening. I'd rather run an equivalent Echo pro saw that might be a pound heavier- but much more durable and reliable. Huskies have a rep now for air leaks, fasteners working loose, QA/QC issues.

 

[cast1]

Hint : Find a used Husky 288 ,rebuild ,slap 24" bar on it........be happy.

I've been out of logging for a while ( shows when mentioning above saw ) and not familiar with new saws except a newer small " Husky limbing saw " . Back when I was logging the 288 with a larger drive socket would out cut any saw put up against it and weighed less to boot. I haven't handled any new logging size saws so have no idea how much weight has.been shed since I was doing it. Still have the 288 , just in case something BIG needing taken care of.

On side note , what kind out sawmill you runnin ?

TimberKing 2020.

It's one of the most fun things I've ever done.

 

[daylate]

Whoever at Stihl thought it was a good idea to change the fuel and oil caps should be fired…I’ve got a couple of stihl’s with the newer caps and just about ready to ditch them because of that…261 pro and 361….They do run good though….

 

[Big Phish]

I fucked up a few years ago as I was in a local pawn shop down south as they had 291 sitting on a shelf for $360 something. Looks like it wasn't used much but didn't bite so went back to property then decided to go back the next day and it was gone.

 

[WasNH4X]

TimberKing 2020.

View attachment 8593747
It's one of the most fun things I've ever done.

View attachment 8593785

Looks like it does a good job cutting even.......that's some purty walnut lumber fo sho.

If I was 30 yrs younger ,I'd own me a bandsaw mill........too old now to invest and plus I done run out of "want to ".

 

[WasNH4X]

I fucked up a few years ago as I was in a local pawn shop down south as they had 291 sitting on a shelf for $360 something. Looks like it wasn't used much but didn't bite so went back to property then decided to go back the next day and it was gone.

Did you kick yourself in da ass ? That was a decent price for a 291, even if it needed a little work........I'd hate to have to tote it though, ....why I opted for 288s. Our timber cutter used a 291 to fell trees , while I had a 281 and 288 cutting 10',- 16' logs on the loading ramp , then loading them on trucks with knuckle boom loader.

Out of all the things I've done in my life to earn a dollar.......I'd say being on a logging job ,with a good crew , was the most enjoyable.

 

[oneshot86]

Wanna know how to stop tools from getting stolen?
Stop buying stolen tools.
Stop buying shit half price from pawn shops

 

[Heavyopp]

I have nothing to do with this but I have purchased from here. Seller is GTG. Lots of happy customers.
Give this thread a read.

Want to Sell - NIB Husky 288xp, 353, Stihl 660, 070, 381, Echo CS-1201

Hi Guys, I am selling the saws listed below, im located in Malaysia and can arrange shipping PM me for price, thanks in advance 353xp (18", 20" sprocket nose b&c) 288xp (20",25",28" hard nose b&c) 070/ms720 (36" hard nose b&c) 1201 (36" hard nose b&c)

www.arboristsite.com

 

[Big Phish]

TimberKing 2020.

View attachment 8593747
It's one of the most fun things I've ever done.

View attachment 8593785

Man that is beautiful looking wood! What the project you doing with it?

 

[Big Phish]

Did you kick yourself in da ass ? That was a decent price for a 291, even if it needed a little work........I'd hate to have to tote it though, ....why I opted for 288s. Our timber cutter used a 291 to fell trees , while I had a 281 and 288 cutting 10',- 16' logs on the loading ramp , then loading them on trucks with knuckle boom loader.

Out of all the things I've done in my life to earn a dollar.......I'd say being on a logging job ,with a good crew , was the most enjoyable.

It looks like it was used maybe an hour at most as the saw looked very clean and no issues with it starting from the boss lady. It was just too big and didn't feel like I need that much saw. I could had made money just on reselling for sure.