Lacking a Ballsy Chainsaw

I bought a MS211 last year when I got my house to help clean up some overgrown crap around the yard, and prior to realizing I was going to put in a stove and become a firewood addict. Long story short, I abuse this thing and really despite poor reviews, it hasn't given me much trouble at all. I use it for way more than what its meant for, as far as firewood goes. I've gone well past the "homeowner" category this saw is meant for.

Anyway, what would be a good step up from this, getting into the farm/ranch category? Not really trying to go past the $600 range, and even that's a bit high.

 

I love my 261c, it's a perfect size for firewood duty.

Brand new I think I paid around $650....but you know what they say: buy once, cry once.

I have a Husky 562xp I paid $649 for brand new as well. That might be another decent option but personally I'm only going with Stihl moving forward. I got it after wanting a 60cc and reading great reviews but I kinda wish I just standardized with all Stihls. It's a great saw but not all that noticeably different than my 50cc saws really, I sorta wish I just went to a 70.

A lot of lightly used options out there too...but whatever you choose I'd stick with a pro saw.

 

First ask yourself EXACTLY what you want the saw to do, that your current saw is not doing or doing too slowly. FWIW, in Stihl saws, there's really not any real difference between "homeowner" and "farm/ranch" except size. The big difference is the pro saws, but that's where the price jumps up too. For many people, the homeowner/farm/ranch type of saw is plenty, as you are finding out with your saw. Since your 211 is 45cc, I would recommend stepping into the 60 ish cc. range. That class usually has a nice balance of plenty of power for bigger wood, but not terribly heavy to run all day. There are many other very good brands of chainsaws available so take a look around. See what's on sale, who offers good customer service after the sale, etc. Another option is to buy a used pro saw. These can often be had for the same or less than the home owner saws, but of course, you have to trust the seller when you are a newbie like yourself. Good luck.

 

Come to think of it....you interested in a very barely used 562xp...?

 

Oops, MS311 is 35cc. So 50-60 cc. would be a nice step up.

 

CS590 .

 

I'd keep the 211 for limbing or cutting smaller diameter firewood. I'd also stick to Stihl due to ease of availability around here. I can think of 1 dealer who carries Husky, and they aren't too close by. Same with Echo. Stihl dealers to the other brand dealers are like a 5 to 1 around here.

 

So you're actually asking which Stihl you should buy next, correct? MS311 it is then. I wouldn't exactly call it a "ballsy" saw though. Couple buddys have had them. One now has a 562...he's happy.

 

261-CM, you can thank me later. I purchased mine new this year for I think 579., I would not have paid 650.

 

Almost pulled the trigger on a 391 this past summer but ended up putting that money towards a splitter instead. Too many choices.....

 

Having been an owner of a 391, I will say that you definitely made the right choice. That thing was a pig. If you want to stick with Stihl I would recommend an MS 261. If you want to go to another brand, an Echo CS 590 or CS 600 would be good, or a Makita/Dolmar PS 6100 or whatever Makita is calling their 60cc saw these days. You will be pushing all of your budget and in ten years you will still be liking your choice.


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Assuming your wanting new and not used??

 

If new and stihl only 261, great all around 50cc saw. Or you could ask for used in for sale thread.

 

Prefer new, yes. Thanks for all the suggestions

 

Woody where in upstate NY are you located? If You could wait a few months you can check out a lot of saws at the 2018 upstate NY GTG.

 

I have a version 1 261CM with 16” bar and it fits me great. For firewood I cut some softwood and some Maple. Average size would be about 16” and it handles it all with ease. Good solid construction and reliable.

The newer version 2 is out and I have seen it in Canada on sale for $600 so must be able to be had cheaper in the States. It’s lighter and bit more powerful than my older version and gets rave reviews all around.

I do use my 170 for clearing small stuff and limbimg. If what you typically cut sounds about like what I do you would be served well by the 261. Good luck with the hunt

 

Can't mind a good 261. Paid 600$ last October for the one with the fancy looking cover. Oh and it has a decompression valve for that big ole motor it's got in it..

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BTW, this is made by Echo. It has a real "pro" cylinder. I've never run one myself but on paper, it sure looks perfect for you. Also, everyone on the internet loves them, so it must be a great, right(?)

 

261c ; 362c and a 441c all mint condition and for sale ... have vids of saws in operation

 

That’s your best option right there. Get to see a lot of different saws in action.