Recommend me a STIHL Saw

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clr8ter

Feeling the Heat
Oct 4, 2010
275
Southern NH
Looking to upgrade my saw. I currently have an Echo CS400. I'd like to go from the 400's 40CC, to a minimum of 50CC. I'm ONLY interested in a Stihl. I burn about 4 cord a year, I have cut around 20 cords in the last 5 years, I also use the saw to cut trees on my 3 acres. Recently, I have been cutting some 14-18" dia pines, and in the past, I've wanted to cut 20"+ oak and maple logs. The saw is not quite up to the task.

So, which Stihl would you guys recommend?
 
MS 362. Get an 18" bar and one 24/25" bar. Use Stihl RS chain and thank me later.
 
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Uh, my apologies. I did not mention price is an issue. $700 is a bit much. Although, I agree with you, nice saw. Also, good idea on the dual bar thing. For some reason, I had not thought of that. FWIW, I expect to get $200, MAYBE, for my saw. It's in nice shape.
 
Jags said:
So what is your price point?
Click to expand...

+1. We can't help with a recommendation without a budget. I agree with Jags - an MS362 will definitely do what you've mentioned you want to do. You'll also be able to do all that with an MS261 but it will just take you longer.
 
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There's a really clean 036pro over on AS right now for $350 plus shipping and another woods ported 036pro for $400 but seller is willing to deal.

You could also contact Dexter Day on this forum or AS. He seems to keep a few of these in his stable and occasionally parts with them if the price is right.
 
Well, 400 is about my budget...
 
clr8ter said:
Well, 400 is about my budget...
Click to expand...
in your case, you would probably be best served with a 60cc saw. You can't afford new, so you're going to be stuck buying used. If you're only buying used, then I would opt for pro grade construction. Your options are limited since you only want Stihl. They are
036 or 036pro
ms360
ms361(not happening because it is a ridiculously awesome saw)
ms362(not happening because it's a newer model Stihl)

At $400, you might catch an 044 or ms440 on CL, but it's very unlikely as they are very highly regarded/sought after. There are probably some more options (I'm not really familiar with the Stihl lineup), but I buy all my saws used and you will usually get more for you're money in the used market buying Husky's.

With your budget/needs, you will be restricted to the used market. You have a 40cc saw, so don't buy a 50cc. I would muffler mod/retune the Echo to get a little more performance out of it in the meantime, and start looking for a 60cc+ Stihl. If you're handy, you might be able to get one with a lightly scored cylinder on the cheap, and then rebuild it.
 
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Interesting. I keep hearing about the Muffler Mod. Could you explain, as it relates to the 40cc Echo? On the used saws, I don't know. I am handy, but, getting finicky 2 strokes to run right isn't my strong suit. Also, I am looking to keep weight down. I can't really lug around a hugely heavy saw. If that becomes the case, I'll have to just limit what I buy in cc's to conform to the weight issue. That and cost is why I specified 500 originally.

But, how about this. In YHO, how much money (and which one) would it take to buy a new Stihl that will meet my needs?
 
clr8ter said:
Interesting. I keep hearing about the Muffler Mod. Could you explain, as it relates to the 40cc Echo? On the used saws, I don't know. I am handy, but, getting finicky 2 strokes to run right isn't my strong suit. Also, I am looking to keep weight down. I can't really lug around a hugely heavy saw. If that becomes the case, I'll have to just limit what I buy in cc's to conform to the weight issue. That and cost is why I specified 500 originally.

But, how about this. In YHO, how much money (and which one) would it take to buy a new Stihl that will meet my needs?
Click to expand...
IMHO I have a stihl ms 270 and a 16 inch bar it cost $450 cdn three years ago. It is a great saw, I cut 5 bush cords per year, not so much big ugly stuff but the saw cuts it all. It is a great saw and easy to maintain , price for these saws seems to be around that 4-500 dollar mark. Don't go cheap or you will regret it as I did with some Poulans, growl growl .
Good luck
 
Remember folks - the OP already has a 40cc saw and is looking for an upgrade in power.

My personal opinion is that with a 40cc not cutting it (pun intended), the next step should have a noticeable improvement. 50cc is basically one step above, going with a ~60cc saw would catch your attention. It can be argued till the cows come home, but my opinion is that a 60cc saw is probably the best combo of size/weight for average firewood purposes if a one saw plan is used. An 18" bar for light saber action in the typical woods and the ability to run a bigger bar on that occasion you need it.

I also understand that if the funds don't allow...the funds don't allow. Maybe consider running the Echo for a bit longer and stuffing the piggy bank with a little more till you can get "that" saw. In the Stihl market that puts you squarely in the 036 or 36x market (for new).

The MS 290 is the largest selling saw in Stihls line up, it will pull a 20" bar quite well. The 311 and 391 don't get my vote because of the power to weight ratio. The 362 is the smallest saw that will run a 25" bar (if that is a consideration).
 
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I have a Stihl 025 (45 cc) that has seen a lot of use on oak and hickory, and with an 18" bar I have cut up some quite large stuff. But then I found a used MS361. I had no idea that a world like that was out there. The MS361 cuts at least 50% faster. My brother in law found a used MS360, and he is thrilled with it as well. Knowing what I know now, I would save up, work nights, have a garage sale, or do whatever to get a 60 cc saw.
 
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Jags said:
Remember folks - the OP already has a 40cc saw and is looking for an upgrade in power.

My personal opinion is that with a 40cc not cutting it (pun intended), the next step should have a noticeable improvement. 50cc is basically one step above, going with a ~60cc saw would catch your attention. It can be argued till the cows come home, but my opinion is that a 60cc saw is probably the best combo of size/weight for average firewood purposes if a one saw plan is used. An 18" bar for light saber action in the typical woods and the ability to run a bigger bar on that occasion you need it.

I also understand that if the funds don't allow...the funds don't allow. Maybe consider running the Echo for a bit longer and stuffing the piggy bank with a little more till you can get "that" saw. In the Stihl market that puts you squarely in the 036 or 36x market (for new).

The MS 290 is the largest selling saw in Stihls line up, it will pull a 20" bar quite well. The 311 and 391 don't get my vote because of the power to weight ratio. The 362 is the smallest saw that will run a 25" bar (if that is a consideration).
Click to expand...
Jags point taken, always good to read op.
 
kingquad said:
There's a really clean 036pro over on AS right now for $350 plus shipping and another woods ported 036pro for $400 but seller is willing to deal.

You could also contact Dexter Day on this forum or AS. He seems to keep a few of these in his stable and occasionally parts with them if the price is right.
Click to expand...

I checked $350 out and it appears the price had dropped. It is in good shape, would suit the OP's needs and fits his budget.
 
clr8ter said:
Interesting. I keep hearing about the Muffler Mod. Could you explain, as it relates to the 40cc Echo? On the used saws, I don't know. I am handy, but, getting finicky 2 strokes to run right isn't my strong suit. Also, I am looking to keep weight down. I can't really lug around a hugely heavy saw. If that becomes the case, I'll have to just limit what I buy in cc's to conform to the weight issue. That and cost is why I specified 500 originally.

But, how about this. In YHO, how much money (and which one) would it take to buy a new Stihl that will meet my needs?
Click to expand...
You already own a 40cc saw, which is perfect for limbing. IMO, it should be a saw that still sees a good bit of use regardless of what you buy. Because of EPA emissions regs, modern saws are pretty restricted at the muffler. A muffler mod is simply opening it up or removing the restrictions (ie. baffles) in the muffler to allow better flow. Power gains from this can be significant. WARNING: This absolutely requires you to retune the carb. If not, the saw will run extremely lean and will score the cylinder. There is plenty of info about this over on AS.

Also, Jags post is spot on. Personally, I would steer clear of the MS290. It will get the job done with a 20in bar, but the 036 and ms36x series saws are much better in every way(power, weight, build quality).
 
OK, let's see. Yes, I was planning on selling the Echo. Can't really afford or justify 2 saws. What is "AS"?
 
Just wondering why you are limiting to only Stihl? There are other very high quality saws out there!
 
clr8ter said:
OK, let's see. Yes, I was planning on selling the Echo. Can't really afford or justify 2 saws. What is "AS"?
Click to expand...
Arborsite.
 
Cause I like Stihl. I think Husky and Johnsered is the only other real choices out there. Neither of them float my boat....
 
I was kinda in your position recently.. because of everything Jags said, and that you can rebuild a MS362 pro model a lot easier than the farm/ranch models I figured the MS 362 would outlast me.. and it cuts sooooo nice...
 
Dolmar? Makita?

You can pick up a nice HD rental Dolmar 6400 in Makita colors for about $275. If you call around to your local HD store Rental Department, they can look up on their computer any stores in your area that may have a saw for sale.

By the way if you have only run an echo 40 cc saw, the Dolmar saws really rip!
 
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A Makita saw from a HD rental dept? You've got to be kidding me. I would go out and buy a Poulan Wild Thing before that. As far as Dolmar, I don't know much about them, other than the fact that I never sees them around here. The other big brands, I can name off one or more dealers within 15 miles of my house. Also, the Stihl dealer is only a few miles away, and is a very established heavy equipment dealer, so they're not going anywhere.
 
clr8ter said:
A Makita saw from a HD rental dept? You've got to be kidding me. I would go out and buy a Poulan Wild Thing before that. As far as Dolmar, I don't know much about them, other than the fact that I never sees them around here. The other big brands, I can name off one or more dealers within 15 miles of my house. Also, the Stihl dealer is only a few miles away, and is a very established heavy equipment dealer, so they're not going anywhere.
Click to expand...

I see from your sig that you're a Stihl Guy and if, as you said before, you're not good at tuning then I guess you should stick w/ that for the service. But if you would take a Wild Thing over one of those HD Makitas I think you'd be making a mistake.
 
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