Stihl MS290 Replacement

I looked at the Husky 550 MK II (hopefully I got that correct). Nice saw. It is a little more than what I can get the Stihl MS 261 so I would probably go with the 261 since I started with Stihl. Instead of driving all over the place, I called several places today on the phone. Two farm centres were out of the 261; one did mention they had the 271 priced around what Rural King wanted. The dealer south of me said they had gotten in some 261s; the price was $609.00. I mentioned the Rural King price and the guy said the best he could do on the saw would be $599.00. I looked at an Echo 50.2cc saw online; it had a magnesium crankcase but the horse power was listed as 3 HP. I forgot to write the price down but I think it was $399.xx but don't quote me on that.

I looked at the MS290 today. I could not start it; same issue, so it is not a cold versus hot issue. I took the clutch cover off and the clutch was free; some play in the bearings. OK, bear with me as I don't know terminology on saws. I pulled the rope out until I feel the pawls engage the flywheel. Then I pull quickly as you would to start the saw and I can feel it move the piston and hear the compression/exhaust (?) and then it is as if it is locked up. I also set the brake and tried starting; same thing. Keep in mind that I have started this saw many times without any issues; it isn't just that I can't pull the rope to start it as I have done that many many times. At this point I am going to see if I can go to the dealer (they are a certified Stihl service centre) and have them look at the saw. I am not sure I can start the saw and if I did, I wouldn't want to risk some internal mechanical damage that will render the saw scrap. If servicing the saw would be a lot of money, I would rather put that money into a new MS261. I have no idea what it would cost to service the saw if it had to be torn down; maybe some of you have some ideas.

 

I didn’t look through all the posts so forgive me if it been asked, have you pulled it over with the plug out and if so, what was the results?

 

See an update on the 290 here: Got the 290 running.
Still thinking of pulling out the credit card and getting a new 261. I haven't really purchased anything for myself in awhile; the last being last Christmas when I got a low end Craftsman tool chest for $119.00 on Black Friday.

 

I don't own one, but have run a new one. Neighbor has one. With the same 16" b&c on it as my 029super there's was practically no difference in cut time when I was using his saw and mine interchangeably on an austrian pine in his yard. I wasn't impressed, TBH. Not for that kind of $$.

 

I have owned both the 029 super and 260. There’s no comparison really. The 029 is a good firewood saw but the 260 is light and with a muffler mod the power really comes out.

 

So then this thread was BS?

The $600.00 CountyLine

 

The Husqvarna 550XP Mark II is significantly less expensive than a MS 261 C-M. It's about $135 cheaper at my dealer who sells both. I'd shop around more.

 

Honda Accords are stupid reliable, low cost of ownership. We've had 3, current one is on 257,xxx mi, won't die. Wait, what were we talking about?