MS 250 up-grade

[rowan lee]

The old man and I have a 250 each, one with a 14'' and the other with a 16'' bar.

Thinking of trading one of the 250's (the older machine) for bigger saw at our local stihl dealer. This saw will be for domestic use around the estate on small scale occasional felling and weekend firewood duties. I would like to run an 18'' to 20'' bar (max.) on this new saw - but don't want to go down the professional stihl range. Thinking about an ms 290 or 390.

 

 

Any comments and suggestions welcomed please.

Rowan.

[Big J]

but don't want to go down the professional stihl range.

 

Why not? What you get with the pro saws is better performance, lower vibration, lower weight and they don't cost a great deal more.

 

My recommendation would be the MS261. If you compare it to the MS291, it's the same power, 400g lighter, lower vibration and only £25 more from FR Jones.

 

No brainer, in my opinion!

[morten]

Why not? What you get with the pro saws is better performance, lower vibration, lower weight and they don't cost a great deal more.

 

My recommendation would be the MS261. If you compare it to the MS291, it's the same power, 400g lighter, lower vibration and only £25 more from FR Jones.

 

No brainer, in my opinion!

 

+1 on getting a pro saw. The 25x, 29x, 39x series just isn't up to the job when used extensively.

 

I'd consider the MS 261 or MS 362 (if you need more power, at the cost of additional weight and bulk).

[Big J]

I had an MS250 for a month - it broke very quickly. The MS260 that replaced it I still have a year on with a grand total mechanical repair list of chainbrake springs.

 

Jonathan

[samarb]

Just about to trade in 250 for 261 in next couple days had a 390 and I thought it was about same as 250 just a lot heavier.

[rowan lee]

Thanks for those helpful comments. The 261 looks a nice bit of kit and has adjustable chain oil flow as well. Hadn't looked at the weights in any great detail, but yes the 290 + 390 are a little over a kg heavier then the 261! Not so good if Im doing lots of continuous firewood cross cutting.

 

My mate has a 260 and although it is only 5cc bigger then the 250 i have, its seems to have much higher rev's and poke.

A 261 would def. be a top of the range domestic saw then? Not sure about an 18'' bar on a 50cc saw though professional or not, and that might be an issue for me, as i would like to cross cut timber in a wide billet clamp if possible.

Maybe the 361 is worth a look as well.

[morten]

A 261 would def. be a top of the range domestic saw then?

 

The 260/261 is a "pro" saw. Stihl classifies them as "forestry" saws.

 

http://stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Chain-saws/Petrol-chain-saws-for-forestry/21775-130/MS-261.aspx