Time to replace Stihl 038.

[Peter 1955]

I'm not a professional, and can't justify some of the incredible machines now on the market. I had a Stihl 023 which I replaced at well over 25 years old with an MS251. ( And in my exceedingly humble opinion, the 251 is gutless compared to the 023 ).

My other saw is probably even older ( I think someone dated it roughly in another thread somewhere ) an 038. Now given its age, I feel it must be living on borrowed time, so I've got to consider a replacement. I want it to cope with a 20" bar, ( the 038 spends 90% of its time wearing a 16" ) and ideally I'd like it to use the same bars/chains as the 038. Also, apologies to fans of other brands ( including my son, and his boss ) but I really would like it to be a Stihl. I bought a Husky leaf blower, and it's great, but it always feels wrong to be using it to me. 

So, my question to the folk here with experience and knowledge, what are my options? The obvious replacement is the MS 391. ( Like for like, ish ). I reckon a 261 wouldn't be man enough for a 20" bar, from what I read. Is the 362 a contender? What about the Pro saws? Are the 462 and 400 overkill, or are they the way forward? I worry about cutting edge technology sometimes, I've seen it make life an absolute doddle when it works correctly, and when it doesn't, it can render equipment virtually unusable. Floor's all yours folks, thank you for your thoughts. And yes, if there's something from another manufacturer that's the answer to an old git's prayers, feel free to suggest it. I'm only sitting here looking at pictures and figures, you folks are handling them. Ta. 

[GarethM]

251 isn't bad on an 18", but I tend to use mine with the tractor chipper and just fits in the cab. Light enough for long amounts of snedding and felling before the chipper, gutless for anything too intensive.

 

261 fine on an 18" on the woodpile, but would hate to lug it further than the pile as it's bloody heavy.

 

What about the 271 ?.

[tim361]

Speak to Robin on here and buy an ms361 from him. Had a couple of saws off him now and whole thing has been faultless. 

[Peter 1955]

Thanks for those thoughts chaps, appreciated. As I'm merrily Googling, it appears to me that the 391 is spec wise just a modern 038. Same weight, same power. 361 and 362 are a tad lighter, and a tad more powerful. Strong contenders, but still only a minor upgrade ( seemingly ).  The big leap in performance comes with the 400 and 462. Anyone have experience of these? 

By the way Gareth, I don't run an 18" bar on the 251, but I agree with you that it's gutless. I expected it to be a step up from the 023, but I don't reckon it is. 

[Rich Rule]

400 is a great saw.  Not used one with a 20” bar, usually 18”.

 

I have a 20 on my 441.

 

261 heavy Gareth?  I presume you don’t do this full time with a comment like that.

[GarethM]

I do a lot of firewood processing, couple of hours at a time ringing logs on the pile.

 

Anything down the fields usually means the 251, not because it's light but just fits in the cab of the tractor whilst still being able to use the pedals.

Edited September 8, 2022 by GarethM

[Peter 1955]

3 minutes ago, GarethM said:

I do a lot of firewood processing, couple of hours at a time ringing logs on the pile.

Snap. All the heat in our house comes from wood, or ( when the cold weather payment comes in, ) coal. We use a lot of wood. 

[GarethM]

I'll admit to being a lanky weakling if that helps boost my chainsaw swinging cred?

[Rich Rule]

Gareth, I was just yanking your chain.

 

I have barely used a 260(1) in the last 20 years.  We used them at college and a few companies I have worked for/with have them for light duties.

 

I really like the 360…. Class of saws for that type of work; that’s changed now though with the 400.

[GarethM]

I got the sarcasm 🙂