Picked up this chain saw job. Sugar maple blow down from the storm here two weeks ago. Had to clean it up, buck to stove length and stage it for the homeowner. He has a splitter and will haul away brush. Spent most of the afternoon working it. On a steep little hill so made it more difficult. Purchased a new Stihl 170 recently for bucking smalls/limbing and this was a perfect trial run. Took a little getting used to the light weight compared to a 261/290 im used to using for the purpose. He had started to work it. Pics before i started. When i finished. The largest round i bucked with it was 8" and it handled the rest of the tasks fine. Only bucked a few that large. I would recommend this saw for smalls/limb work and occasional use. Staged brush for him to haul away. Have other work to do there and will bring 460 to buck the rest. I believe the 170 is on sale for 159.95 ($20 off) until the end of May through Stihl dealers. Thanks for the heads up Backwoods Savage
Well, didn't take long for that saw to lose it's cherry! Do you think that maybe we'll see a craigslist posting for free firewood near you? "Southern Conneticut Craigslist...…. free firewood!"
HaHa! I see what you are saying. The 81YO homeowner is a burner so nope. He has a smaller trailer and it will be dump fodder. I had the virgin 194T with me as well but didnt use it.
I’ve used my 170 that I won at Backwoods Savage ’s 1st GTG in 2016 for everything up to and including its full bar length. Won’t win any races, but with my back being sketchy from time to time, I use it more often than the 445.
Nice Brad! But wait! There is still some firewood in that brush pile! Judy would never allow that to be thrown into a brush pile as there is still a lot of good firewood there. Also, rather than coming back, that 170 would have cut the rest of that tree. And wasn't it nice that the tree was mostly up in the air to work on?! That is really nice. Not so much bending and a light saw too. Best of both worlds.
He requested 2" and under be scrapped. It was a paying job so time was money. 170 only cut up tp 6-8" and 261 did the rest. Again time was money. The trunk left is over 20" and gnarly. Was nice up in the air, but it was over a steep little hill and it was wet at the time so a bit hazardous but the little saw was nice to use that way. Couldve probably cut with 261 and 18" bar but it was 5pm and i was beat. It was raining on and off so being damp didnt help.. Have some other non wood related work to do so heading back there shortly.
I did run one tank through it but other saw cut bigger wood. A lot of cut a bit, put saw down move limb, repeat. I dont do too many complete tree harvests like this, but a handy saw to have for small stuff. Tank through both saws. Dealer had topped it off so first was on them. The specs for the 180 are almost the same. Nifty little saw.
The 180 that I won at last years gtg has about 20 ish tanks through it with no problems whatsoever. It's the only saw my son will use and I feel things are safer when my nephew uses it. Still eternally grateful for that event.
Pretty good actually he applies his shop skills and has a good understanding of what will eff u up. Wears hearing protection and safety glasses....
I knew this review was coming. Been waiting patiently! Good advice not to push these smaller saws too hard and stick to the small stuff. Looks like it handled everything you wanted it to well. I lean more towards Husqvarna, but I think that Stihl definitely has command of the board in this size and class of chainsaws. My brother has had a 170 for years and it has served him well for what he uses it for, and for 150 bucks.....I mean, come on, you gotta have one. Still think I may pick one up next time I am at the shop. Nice post, Brad!
Son 24 nephew 30. Funny thing is my son, for years has been running the 30" dia buzzsaw. Just not into liking chainsaws much.
See there...? buZZsaw BRAD If you had taken 3 or 4 saws you wouldn’t have to go back, and you could have done an outdoor family photo. You’ll learn
