Second Saw Recomendation

I have a feeling this group of enablers will have some excellent input on this topic!

I’ve got a Stihl MS250 that’s about 14 years old. It’s a great saw. I’m running an 18” bar with a yellow Stihl chain. Cuts most of what I need without an issue. On some bigger rounds of hardwood, it’ll struggle bit. Not surprising given the size of the saw.

So I’m thinking of getting something with a bit more grunt. I’d like to keep it lighter and easier to move around as I’m not a big dude. LOL. I’m leaning towards Stihl since the MS250 has served me very well. However, I’m willing to look around.

So have at it! Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts.

 

My 362 with a full skip chain does ok with a 28” bar.

even with the full comp chain it’s not bad, but you can tell it’s working much harder.

If you’re going to run a full comp, then step up to at least a 400 or 462.

I have zero clue what an echo or husky equivalent to those would be.

for milling purposes and larger stuff, I’m hoping to add a 462 or else step right to the 661.

 

Budget?

 

Oh boy this is going to be fun.

 

I don’t know what cc a 250 is, but I’m sure a 400c would put a smile on your face, or 261c, 362c, 462c, 500i
I’ve never cut with 362, but I have the rest and they are all light saws.

 

A 250 is 45cc.
Can you say a bit more about your intended usage? Size and volume?
Most here, myself included start recommending "pro saws" when possibly a farm and ranch saw would be fine. If the budget allows a well cared for pro saw will hold resale much better.

 

Husqvarna 562 xp

 

The amount of plastic vs metal in the cases in some of those pro vs ranch saws. That’s the way it was described to me.

 

Without parameters....Stihl...311. If you're open to other brands, Echo 60cc class.

 

If your budget allows skip right to the ms400. Same weight as the 362 but way more power. It’s also bigger than your 50cc ms250 enough to make it a real compliment in a two saw plan.

If you don’t want to stretch your budget that far then consider a ms261. It’s the same displacement as your 250 but will have more power and it weighs less too. It’ll do everything the 250 does and a little more.

 

+1.
If you're not completely hooked on the Stihl koolade, run one of these 562's. I'm confident you'd like it.. a lot. The last sale at HL supply had them for $700, so if you're frugal you can find deals.

 

A little more info on your cutting ,How much,bar length you want ,weight of saw you would like and of course price range and I could give you a better idea all the manufacturers make good saws and ones to walk away from I am sure everyone here has a opinion as do I but I am sure we can properly spend your money for you just give us a little more info JB

 

If you’re hung up on new and Stihl, the 400 seems to be “the saw”… Having almost the full cc spectrum covered in what I own, my 268 is the 1 saw that does everything I need. If I had to give up every saw but 2 I would keep my top handle and the 268.

 

You can buy 2 590s for the price of a Stihl and have a perfectly capable 60cc
20" bar saw that easily handles a 24"
I ran one for over 7 years

 

The Husky 562 XP handled these logs with a 28 inch bar no problem!

 

Let me see if I can get the sequence right for these type of threads...
"Well, since you got a 250, might as well get a 362. And if you're looking at a 362, might as well get a 400c. And if you're looking at a 400c, might as well get a 462. And if you're looking at a 462, might as well get a 500i. Get it with a 28" lightweight and don't look back." The answer is 500i.
There, I just spent 2k for you.

 

Lol, the evolution of a saw recommendation thread in one post.

 

LOL! Scope creep! Happens all the time. I start looking at something for $x, the justify a bit more…then I’m at $y….which ends up being 3.5 times more than $x.

I cut wood up north in VT. I’ll occasionally bring the saw back to the flatlands for some landscape work. I’m cutting mostly firewood sized logs; with the random bigger rounds of hardwoods. This would probably be the occasional use saw with the MS250 doing the bulk of the work. More of a “want” then a “need” at this point.

 

I guess it depends on what you consider firewood size.