I bought a Stihl 251 today from a friend. He's 85 and is having foot troubles so he won't be out getting his own wood any more for the foreseeable future. I know the saw. He has had some challenges with it because once it fully broke in it got real good compression. With no de comp valve , its a challenge for him to start sometimes. For $ 150 with a spare bar and chain it's a good deal. Plus it was his so I'll feel good using it.
Ya. I'll do some small tests between it and my 251 that I bought new. They have burned a similar amount of fuel in their lives so far. I know they aren't a 260, 261 ect. But they do what I want them to and don't weigh much. . I have plenty of bigger saws if I need to get with the program.
MS251 is an all around great saw. Sounds like you got a great deal and I'm sure your friend was happy to see it go to a good home. Big bore saws are cool to look at but as I'm sure you know, not fun to run unless necessary. I do LOTS of chainsaw work throughout the year on 100+ acres of land and at friends houses. My largest is a 391 with a 25" bar and boy.... it's nice to have but it gets heavy quick. I prefer to use the smallest saw possible to conseve my own energy. The MS250 was a great all around saw and the 251 only got better. Light enough to run all day but powerful enough to cut though the big stuff with an 18" bar. I have one of those crap MS170's but I run it alot. I'd love to replace it someday (can't believe it hasn't blown up yet) with a high end mini saw. Currently though, it works so well I couldn't justify buying another. My primary unit is 290 farm boss and had many many hours on it. A bit large for all day use though. Maybe I should look at a 251?
That's a great buy. The only saw I ever bought new was my current 251. Before that, borrowed saws, used saws, etc. Buddy of mine works for the Stihl dealer here in town. Has a massive collection. I tried a ton of his saws out. The 251 was the sweet spot for me. Big enough to do everything I wanted it to do, but not so big that it flat out wore me out to run a tank through it.
I've done quite a bit of climbing with the 251 and similar size saws like the 44 Husky and 242 Husky. As a general rule I prefer the 3 cube or a little less . Than I do the smaller top handle saws when climbing. @ The mill, my 251 works well for bump in knots and stuff. And it cuts firewood very well.
