...to get a bigger saw. Local tree service was out today and dropped 4 cherry leaners heading towards the neighbors outbuilding. I took the dog for a walk this afternoon, looked at everything and said no way the 025 will do all of this. The 025 is turning 20 this year and it runs good, but it is suited for smaller trees and limbs. The tree guys left everything above 8" and chipped all the brush. Mrs. FP looked it over and said go to the saw shop. Local dealer 10 minutes away had some saws in stock and he just got some MS291's in. After some chatting with the dealer I ended up taking one home. So far very happy with it. It cuts very well and is smooth. I was concerned about the weight and causing elbow pain. I just let it get into the cut and it didn't require a lot of effort. There are a lot of ash trees with the beetles out back that are on the way out, so this saw will definitely get some use. I should end up with at least two cord all said and done. Before. Next two pics are on the neighbors side. After a half hour of cutting on our side.
I have a 290 and love it. Big enough to handle the large stuff and not too heavy for me to handle when cutting limbs. Get that ash as soon as you can. It goes bad quick when the EAB kills it.
They are just starting to show the bark flaking off. It is too bad, hands down the straightest and best looking trees on the property.
I've lost about 30 ash to the EAB. One year after no leaves the top third is bad and they are scary to cut. Widowmakers and barber chairs. I've started cutting them most of the way thru and pulling them down from a safe distance.
Great purchase FP! I owned a 290 (precursor to the 291) for 10 years and cut all my wood with only a 16" bar. Looking forward to seeing it cut lots of wood for you! Enjoy and work safe! PS: i like the mug next to the saw!
Congrats, you're going to have fun with that model. Like others, I have the prior model 290 (going on 12 years) and couldn't even fathom a guess as to how many cords it has cut. It's still my go-to saw and sees the most use out of any that I have.
I've read comments in the past about 290's. Some complaints were weight to power ratio. I was a little hesitant looking at the 291. The dealer had some 261cm on the shelf and I kept going back to it. Pro saw, decomp, electronic ignition and a bit lighter. He didn't think I would find much more power that my 025. He said I would really notice the 290 having more power. I trusted his opi in and I think it was the right call. I'd like to compare a 261 though. I got rained out this afternoon, maybe I'll have more time with it tomorrow.
Congrats on the new saw, it should serve you well! The 261 woulda cut circles around the 291 though. A buddy I cut with has a 291, can’t hold a candle to my 261, the 291 is a nice saw.
That's what I have read about the 261. Wasn't sure what the dealer meant. Maybe for what I cut, the 291 made more sense. I don't think I need a pro saw, but the lower weight appealed to me. I'm only cutting a few cords a year.
