Mythbusters: the ms200t

[pie eater pete]

MS200T was/is prolly the best climbing saw out there but the new Echo 360TES and the 2014 or any updated MS201T is gonna be an excellent saw too. If i had to buy another climbing saw in the morning it would be a new 201T. I'm not too rough on kit so i've been lucky so far.

 

Took words out of my mouth! Rev wise the 360 is on a par with the 540 but build quality stomps on it..200s are awesome but wont last forever. Ny next topper will be the 360.

[Mountain man]

When people have been using an 020 for 15+years, with no damage issues, its not unreasonable, IMO, to expect the 540 to be able to be used in the same manner without it disintegrating.

 

My 540 was under 6 months old, the rear AV mount snapped and the saw tore in half

 

The fuel tank was already leaking from a split joint and the top handle was cracking at the thin point where the switch and triggers are.

 

IMO, they are simply not fit for purpose.

 

I'm going to change my mind about the 540, I've had a couple of build problems but I let them slide, just bad luck I thought.

Then yesterday morning this happened, someone plonked something on top, it broke the aluminium bit holding the chainbrake rather than the chain brake.

So it means the replacement of the whole engine casing, waiting for a price but not looking forward to it.

Great saw, powerful, but not a patch on the 201 build wise.

[CJM]

I thought i would give my 540 a run out today

Then the chain flung itself off when I was reducing an awful hedge

I lost my tempter and let's say 540s don't really fly well

[scotspine1]

I've seen some 200ts around for silly money.

I had 2 or 3 after my 020s so I feel I can speak with some authority on the subject.

They were a good saw, not without faults(carbs mostly) and yes, early201s were poor ( remedied through an upgrade)

But if you pay through the nose for an old 200 you're a mug.

The 201 is a great saw, the 540 is a great saw.

It's the most important tool in a climbers armoury, get a new saw if you possibly can.

 

Pointless retro nostalgia IMO.

 

Here's the facts Mountain man.....

 

 

Stihl MS200T - a pro saw used by professionals.

 

 

 

Stihl MS201T- a substandard hobby saw used by amateurs and people who dabble in treework.

 

 

 

 

Husqvarna T540 - a small, frail and inferior homeowner logging saw for cutting conifers and other softwoods

 

[Joe Newton]

Here's the facts Mountain man.....

 

 

Stihl MS200T - a pro saw used by professionals.

 

 

 

Stihl MS201T- a substandard hobby saw used by amateurs and people who dabble in treework.

 

 

 

 

Husqvarna T540 - a small, frail and inferior homeowner logging saw for cutting conifers and other softwoods

 

 

 

Hmm, this'll ruffle a few feathers!

[Mortimer Firewood]

We have a 540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next to the bread board still struggles on a bloomer

[chris hennelly]

.....seems to be a lot of argifying about top-handles.......surely a good carpenters saw and a blow lamp will suffice?

[treefolk]

Had all 3. The 201 I got rid of immediately as it was total pants. 200 was great but carb problems were it's weakness. I have to say I prefer the 540. It's been trouble free for about 8 months of regular use. Obviously not in line with everyone's thinking so good job there's a choice out there!

[wicklamulla]

horses for courses. All i know is i'm quite careful with kit and accept the performance differences between various brands, but if a saw is poor imo i will say so.

[arbormonkey]

i have a 2 month old 201 an its still aload of shite hard to start a massive lul in power from when you actualy press the trigger and anything happening get a t540 xp throw the techshite bar for a sugi bar an stihl chain