Looking at a new backup saw for smaller firewood,brush clearing,cutting limbs back and the occasional downer tree. Like to keep the weight less than 10.5 lbs. Concerned 2hp in the 180 won't be enough for 10" plus limbs. Prefer Stihl but would consider Husqvarna or Echo although I don't know much about the service from the Echo dealers.
I like my 170 for trail and brush clearing. It’s so light and easy to tote around. Great for limbing the Spruce and Tamarack we have on our land. I haven’t used it on anything much bigger than 6” softwood though. I would think it would leave a lot to be desired if cutting 10” hardwood. I could be wrong but anything that big I grab my 261.
If you can't find an affordable Husky 346XP, then a fine 2nd choice would be a Husky 350 or the Stihl 250. The 250 is especially underrated IMHO ..... and I own no Stihls, just Huskies!
I like the good things I'm hearing about the MS250.I haven't ruled out an MS 261 but can but a 250 for almost half the price.I also read that the 261 is bulkier than the old 026 I loved to use. This won't be my only saw as I have a like new 362 carb.saw which will be my saw for the bigger cutting. Have also thought about a 545 Husqvarna and 490 would be easier to stay with Stihl as I have bars and chains that will fit.
As far as the "home owner" line of saws go, my vote goes to Echo. They are built every bit as good if not better than the others for less money. I have had a fair bit of use on several models and my experience is you pull the string they make noise and cut wood for years. I only own one and it is a CS3400 top handle saw I got for free about 7 years ago needing fuel lines, it has been drama free until this summer when I started it up after a 4-5 month rest and the seals were starting to leak. $10 in parts later it is back to it's old self.
I love my 241. It's 10.6 pounds and the power to weight ratio is as good as a saw can be. but the price is also. I've cut many cords of oak with it!
Picked one of these up a few years back and its been hassle free since. Echo - CS-310, 30.5CC Chain Saw with 14" Bar | Reinders
I was in the same boat a few years ago. My wife kept after me to get a light saw for limbing and small trees. I fought the idea but then started looking. I first borrowed a neighbor's 250 and liked it. In the end though, after discussing this with the man who does the work on Stihl saws, he guided me to the 180. I at first scoffed thinking that would just be a toy saw. Not so! In fact, he told me that is the only saw he used at home any more and he does heat with wood. In the end, I did buy the 180 and have never been sorry. Most times, unless I and felling trees or bucking the bigger stuff, the 180 tends to be my go-to saw (but that may change now I have the 261). Right after I got that 180 I had been bucking a red oak. If memory is right it was about a 22 or 24" diameter...and I just had to try it with the 180. Yes, it cut the wood fine albeit a bit slower. The thinner bar and chain make a huge difference in performance! The only thing I have noticed is that you do tend to sharpen the chain a bit more often and being a smaller chain that means you no doubt have to buy chain a bit more often but it is not a big deal; it's not that bad. Just sharpen a bit more often. I really like the lightness especially when limbing and clearing trails. Much easier on the body. The neihbor's 250 was also good and I have nothing bad to say about it. As for Stihl, Husky or Echo, that is pretty much saw preference. Some like one; some like the other. They are all good.
Lots of guys around where I live use the ms170 and ms250 for their pole building or fence building business. I think the echo line is a good choice also.
I'd find a used husq 350 over a 250. I'd take the husq over the 250, more HP and weight is about the same. I'm biased too because I have 2 350's
