Dead Stihl, time for a new one :(

[Redleicester]

Chaps, just heard from my local farm place that my poorly saw I took in last week is rather more than just poorly. It's taken to dumping the contents of the oil tank all over the first log it gets anywhere near.

 

It's an MS280, which appears to be the bastard step-child of the pro and domestic ranges, and has thoroughly split. They're quoting £400+vat to repair, so are advising junking it and getting a new one...

 

I haven't yet had the time to go down and have a look and a chat through with the mechanic, but the oil tank had certainly split right through and it's clearly done some damage along the way too. The mech is frustrated as he prides himself on fixing everything and anything, and we're out in the sticks so it's proper farmer-fix-everything-with-baler-twine territory.

 

So, the question is, what do I replace it with... I don't have the funds or inclination right now to go for a new saw. At the time the 280 seemed to fit the bill rather neatly - I'm a homeowner, not a pro, but I have 18 acres, and a biomass boiler so I churn through 8-10t of wood a year. This is a combination of stuff I fell in the woods (pine/spruce/beech), clearing and storm fall (willow, alder, oak) and then we have also taken to buying in bulk loads (27t the last one) which arrives as laaaaarge logs. The 280 with an 18" bar has suited well, though it's been a pain on the larger trunks obviously. It's not too heavy, handles nicely though my biggest criticism is at times it's felt down on power. On the one hand it's felt not man enough, other times I've longed for something smaller.

 

In the end, I suspect I can see myself having two saws - a light weight thing for limbing and tidying and something a bit bigger than the 280 for logging. Thus at the moment I'm trawling the Bay of Fleas for options.... and I'm wondering about going down the Husky route with a 357XPG, assuming it's a step up from the 346 which seems around the same weight and power as the 280.... Or I could just get another 280..... or something else.... Around £300-350 seems to offer a variety of options, and vastly preferable at present to £600+ for a new one.

 

Whaddya think?!

[Redleicester]

Oh to add, I'm assuming whatever I pick up from Fleabay would want for a new bar, but assuming I stick with .325 and 18", I guess I can carry on using the stack of Oregon chains I had made up for the MS280?

[NFG]

Hi

 

A Dolmar 420 would get you up & running, its a good saw, several on here own one luckyeleven? (I dont, but would like one & have to avoid the stand in a local dealer). Its pro construction; adjustable oiler, alloy case, no gimmick flip caps & dosnt cost too much, were talking around £265 from Amazon.de .

 

Allegedly its as heavy as a 550xp but that wouldnt put me off, just seems solidly made, very good value & well spoken of in this forum. Only downside (for you) is the chains 3/8th .050 gauge.

 

After that save up & get a Husky 365 which I do have and it flies on 20" b&c and fine for a larger bar if needed. Its 70cc & goes through the larger rounds of oak I cut easily. I got mine form FR Jones Husqvarna 365 X Torq chainsaw (70.7cc) at just over £500 this is a bargain.

 

E-bay requires caution; there are a lot of fakes, nicked stuff & complete wrecks described as 'Im selling this for my father who has only cut down a few trees' meaning half the Amazon rain forrest. You get a warranty with new as well.

 

Alernatively theres Makita or Echo which make some good saws for a decent price, have a friend with 620sx who swears by it & it does a good job, Makita also seem pretty solid.

 

Edit: Oh & welcome to the forum!

 

N

Edited September 22, 2015 by NFG

[Luckyeleven]

I do indeed have a dolly 420, Having only had it for a few months its still on trial, but so far it continues to impress, mine came with a .325 bar and sprocket,

 

maybe its 42cc engine would be bit on the small side for your needs, it will pull an 18inch bar IF the chain is sharp, you can modify the saw to get more power but it willl void the warranty

[Redleicester]

Thanks chaps, and especially for not declaring "gerroff the bigger saws and pick up a toy one from B&Q!"

 

Totally agree with the caution over Ebay - my worst concern would be something stolen, slightly battered I can deal with. There's one particular seller I've already I've had an HS45 and FS450 from both of which have been in very good nick - ex-FC/EA or council machines. I'm sure they'd be done to death by a pro, but for my use they've been pretty much bob on.

 

To be honest it's one of the things that has infuriated me with this MS280 failure - on all the other gear, including the tractor and mowers I've been able to source and fit parts / filters etc cheaply and either sort them myself or get one of the lads from the farm next door to help me. That was what I was hoping for with Stihl, but it seems out of all the choice in front of me I picked the wrong model!

 

Appreciate the input, keep the answers coming...

[Redleicester]

I do indeed have a dolly 420, Having only had it for a few months its still on trial, but so far it continues to impress, mine came with a .325 bar and sprocket,

 

maybe its 42cc engine would be bit on the small side for your needs, it will pull an 18inch bar IF the chain is sharp, you can modify the saw to get more power but it willl void the warranty

 

That would be a worry - yes it's cheap but it's already 1hp down on the Stihl out of the box, particularly as I was thinking of going bigger not smaller!

[felixthelogchopper]

Thanks chaps, and especially for not declaring "gerroff the bigger saws and pick up a toy one from B&Q!"

 

Totally agree with the caution over Ebay - my worst concern would be something stolen, slightly battered I can deal with. There's one particular seller I've already I've had an HS45 and FS450 from both of which have been in very good nick - ex-FC/EA or council machines. I'm sure they'd be done to death by a pro, but for my use they've been pretty much bob on.

 

To be honest it's one of the things that has infuriated me with this MS280 failure - on all the other gear, including the tractor and mowers I've been able to source and fit parts / filters etc cheaply and either sort them myself or get one of the lads from the farm next door to help me. That was what I was hoping for with Stihl, but it seems out of all the choice in front of me I picked the wrong model!

 

Appreciate the input, keep the answers coming...

 

Harrythecat, I would imagine . Haven't found anybody with a bad word to say about him. He is also a member on here.

[Redleicester]

Aha, that would be the chap! And he just so happens to have a 357XPG...

[felixthelogchopper]

Aha, that would be the chap! And he just so happens to have a 357XPG...

 

Great saw, I have 2 myself. Happy running an 18 inch bar.

[billpierce]

don't overlook the Dolmar/Makita and Echo saws!