Upgrade help

[TGB]

Agree, the Stihl 261 is a good saw but it doesn't sound like you need that sort of power and it's out of budget. If you can stretch to the 241, I'm guessing that would do for you.

 

For what you get and for what you need. I'd strike the 181 off the list. Ok for small stuff. Pruning small trees, topping posts, etc. But if it's upto 12" on a regular basis, you'll be replacing the 181, (and Husky equivalent) soon. The oil pumps are twaddle on the 171/181 - cheap but twaddle. And like the 171 & 211, they leak oil almost from new; it's wear on the pick-up pipe. Stay clear of the easy chain tensioners. They have plastic cogs that wear quick.

 

 

[Glide]

I can get the standard 251 or a 231 

how do oleo Mac 440s compare? Can get a decent price and trade in on my 028 

stihl dealership won’t offer me anything and don’t seem to want to sell me a saw lol

[Glide]

Or even a zomax 5010 but it’s chinese ? 

[David Cardiff]

Diffin have a husky 550xp for €514 incl vat

great saw 

[huskykev]

23 hours ago, NFG said:

Think you'll find its http://www.irishforestryproducts.ie - as opposed to .com

Theres goes my discount so! 

[BishBashBosh]

Stihl 241 is a pro grade saw (better construction, adjustable oiler and better power to weight ratio) than some of the other saws you've mentionned.  I'd throw the Dolmar PS-420 SC into the mix, on a 14" bar it'll fly and is a rugged and dependable saw, amazon has a price of £330 to give you an idea, but Shavey on here is the man to contact.  Depends on how much dealer support is important to you.

 

I really don't like tool less chain adjusters, minimal benefit but plenty of downside.

 

Easy start/start assist however, I really like. Having had shoulder issues and various surgeries the jerk/grab of some 2 strokes is the one thing that can really aggravate it. I've never had an issue with these types of recoil starter, they add about 100g weight and 10mm width to most saws, well worth it for me. The Huskie versions I've seen have 4 lugs against 2 on the regular version so may be more durable by speading the wear?

 

Stihl's Elasto-start is just a starter handle with some give in it, Ergo-Start is spring assisted.

Dolmar above is a full spring assist iirc.

Huskie, Smart Start is just a combined choke/start switch, not a recoil assist. Husky documentation and dealers frequently muddle this with their assisted start. Those models have an "E" designation, often lumped together with tool less chain adjusters.

[arbogrunt]

Just got an Echo 390esx....what a superb little saw....on a par with a 346xp.

[Sheepy]

261 all day long no point having anything less with stihl.

[TGB]

261 all day long no point having anything less with stihl.

Nice saws - but are you trying to get a rise from Stubby?

[spudulike]

On ‎20‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 12:44, Glide said:

Or even a zomax 5010 but it’s chinese ? 

Great saws, I got pretty fit when I had one in to fix, all that replacing parts and pulling it over with no starting. Gives you a pretty good workout!

You don't cut much with it though