I bought a MS290 and I don't care who knows it!

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ikessky

ikessky

Minister of Fire
Sep 2, 2008
862
Northern WI
Got to the Stihl dealership tonight fully expecting to buy a 390 and to get heavy pressure to step up the 361 or bigger. Well, I was greatly surprised. The salesman/owner asked me about how much I cut, what type the wood it is, how large are the trees, etc. He looked at the rack of saws and said, "I really think the MS290 is going to work well for what you are doing." I asked about the 390 and he basically told me that I'm not getting much more of a saw and there is a reason that the 290 is one of their best sellers. So I now own a MS290. He filled it with gas and bar/chain oil, showed me all the different features and adjustments, and told me to stop by after running it for a while and he will check the adjustments and make sure everything is going well. Threw in some HP pre-mix oil for me also.

So, I'm sure that a fair amount of people will chime in and say I should have bought the 361 and that the saw is underpowered. I guess in the long run, I think this will serve my needs for quite a few years. I don't cut all my wood in one day, one weekend, or even one month. I'm not in a race or competition. I'm sure this saw will run circles around the clapped out Johnsered that I used for most of my stuff last year. When I am ready to buy a new saw or upgrade, I will definitely be using this same dealer. What a relief to not deal with pushy salesmen who always seem to be more concerned about profit margin than what the consumer actually needs.
 
Any new saw is better than the old one being replaced and it doesn't matter what the saw is if the owner is happy in the end. A lot of good saws out there and worth listening to an experienced dealer. I'm sure you will be happy now get sawing.
 
Off to the bunny hill, ya wimp. %-P Enjoy the new saw, I'll bet it's a great performer for you. I'm jealous, but don't really need a new one (yet). Sounds like a heck of a good dealer to do business with, too...the place I bought my tractor from is the same way. What a breath of fresh air that is to find someone who pays attention to the customers' needs and doesn't try to oversell. Rick
 
ikessky said:
Got to the Stihl dealership tonight fully expecting to buy a 390 and to get heavy pressure to step up the 361 or bigger. Well, I was greatly surprised. The salesman/owner asked me about how much I cut, what type the wood it is, how large are the trees, etc. He looked at the rack of saws and said, "I really think the MS290 is going to work well for what you are doing." I asked about the 390 and he basically told me that I'm not getting much more of a saw and there is a reason that the 290 is one of their best sellers. So I now own a MS290. He filled it with gas and bar/chain oil, showed me all the different features and adjustments, and told me to stop by after running it for a while and he will check the adjustments and make sure everything is going well. Threw in some HP pre-mix oil for me also.

So, I'm sure that a fair amount of people will chime in and say I should have bought the 361 and that the saw is underpowered. I guess in the long run, I think this will serve my needs for quite a few years. I don't cut all my wood in one day, one weekend, or even one month. I'm not in a race or competition. I'm sure this saw will run circles around the clapped out Johnsered that I used for most of my stuff last year. When I am ready to buy a new saw or upgrade, I will definitely be using this same dealer. What a relief to not deal with pushy salesmen who always seem to be more concerned about profit margin than what the consumer actually needs.
Click to expand...

I've only got 6 or 7 hard years on my MS290 with absolutely no trouble and no signs of slowing down. In fact, me and my underpowered, overweight saw are going to cut a couple cord tomorrow. We're getting a new chain and a new peavy. And we are going to cut the sh_t out of some Doug Fir - the only REAL fir.
 
Hey, I bought a MS270 and I don't care who knows it!

YEP, you read that right, a 270, 270, 270.

I bucked 5 cord a couple weeks ago, no problem, and I might use it a couple times a year other than that, but I ain't no logger, and I ain't no lumberjack.

You got a great saw!
 
My lil' 250 has treated me well and I have treated it well.

I have to admit that it probably is too small for some of the trees I have been dropping (oaks and elms) and a 361 is in the future. I am borrowing a 460 today to help with a particular oak tree I dropped!! Should be a fun day!
 
Go ahead and take that $250 you saved yourself back to the Stihl dealer and pick yourself up a MS180. Then you'll have a nice handy little limber that doesn't break the bank. I got mine a couple weeks ago and I don't even put it down until the wood is over 8"-10". I got it with a 12" bar so it really will stay a limbing saw.
 
aandabooks said:
Go ahead and take that $250 you saved yourself back to the Stihl dealer and pick yourself up a MS180. Then you'll have a nice handy little limber that doesn't break the bank. I got mine a couple weeks ago and I don't even put it down until the wood is over 8"-10". I got it with a 12" bar so it really will stay a limbing saw.
Click to expand...

Now, that sounds like a cool little tool to me. I could use something like that in my modest lineup of saws. Rick
 
I know several with ms180. Son has one in his lawn business. It has a 14 bar,narrrow kerf chain and up to maybe 8 inch branches it keeps up with the 026 or the 280. Super light, easy to handle, used and abused about 4 years now. great saw. I got a brand new OEM adjustable carb off ebay for about $8 that will go on it someday. Runs ok now, but the high is not adjustable.
Not a bucking saw at all, but I think would be a great addition to your 290 shelf.
Well under $200 here.

k
 
I used to run a 038 mag and a 1990 026. The 38 mag got stolen so I still had the 026 and recently got an Echo cs-346. To each his own! I don't care what anyone thinks, but I really like that Echo on the small stuff. I'm getting older and it's easier on my back. That Echo will scream if carb is adjusted right.
 
I took it on a small break in run when I got home from work tonight. Cut off some dead maple branches and cut up some mountain ash that I took down last fall. I really think that this saw runs great. I can't wait to try it out on some bigger logs. That will have to wait until I get the rear brakes fixed on the truck though. :mad:
 
my 029 super farm boss is still purring on the same plug and no carb adjustment from 1999 or 2000. Runs great and good power. I was thinking about the 361 but deceided that this one has treated me well, why upgrade. I may do the muffler mod one of these days but I hate to play with something that runs so well!!!
 
I have a fairly new MS 290 and love it. High Five to my 290 brother. Youll love it.
 
Congrats ikessky, its always nice to fire up a new toy. I dont think we are gonna get AOD,s blessing though. But who cares. :lol:
 
I'm going to let the $250 I saved stay in the bank and collect interest. Add that to the money I save by heating with wood and I'll buy a second saw once my boys are big enough to use it (at least 10 years down the road).
That, or I'll swap a built 350 into my truck. ;)
 
ikessky said:
Got to the Stihl dealership tonight fully expecting to buy a 390 and to get heavy pressure to step up the 361 or bigger. Well, I was greatly surprised. The salesman/owner asked me about how much I cut, what type the wood it is, how large are the trees, etc. He looked at the rack of saws and said, "I really think the MS290 is going to work well for what you are doing." I asked about the 390 and he basically told me that I'm not getting much more of a saw and there is a reason that the 290 is one of their best sellers. So I now own a MS290. He filled it with gas and bar/chain oil, showed me all the different features and adjustments, and told me to stop by after running it for a while and he will check the adjustments and make sure everything is going well. Threw in some HP pre-mix oil for me also.

So, I'm sure that a fair amount of people will chime in and say I should have bought the 361 and that the saw is underpowered. I guess in the long run, I think this will serve my needs for quite a few years. I don't cut all my wood in one day, one weekend, or even one month. I'm not in a race or competition. I'm sure this saw will run circles around the clapped out Johnsered that I used for most of my stuff last year. When I am ready to buy a new saw or upgrade, I will definitely be using this same dealer. What a relief to not deal with pushy salesmen who always seem to be more concerned about profit margin than what the consumer actually needs.
Click to expand...
ive got a 180 that runs good!
 
The pro tree guys around here use the stihl 290 and the husky 455 exclusively. You bought a great saw, and I think you will be happy. I may step up to a mid 50 cc saw some day, but my 350 does the job pretty good for now.
 
I bought the MS 290 last year and I thnk it's a great saw,No problem's at all,It's great for the 10 cord a year I use it for!!
 
90 degree, is that VH? Awesome, but Van Halen not Van Hagar!!! :cheese:
 
How hard is your 290 to start? Mine can be a bear at times. I'm wondering if I shouldn't bring it in for adjustment.

Matt
 
Might just be because it's new, but it only takes a few pulls to "pop" then maybe two more on the cold start setting. Once it is warm, it has started on the first pull for me.
 
You freeking did WHAT??? A 290?? OMG! ....oh wait a minute...the 290 %-P . Yeah, thats a good saw. Used one many-o-times.

Hey, somebody had to do it. :)
 
EatenByLimestone said:
How hard is your 290 to start? Mine can be a bear at times. I'm wondering if I shouldn't bring it in for adjustment.

Matt
Click to expand...

On super cold days my 290 can take 4-5 pulls to start, but that's with zero maintenance. Anything short of very cold and it's 3 pulls.
 
Jags said:
You freeking did WHAT??? A 290?? OMG! ....oh wait a minute...the 290 %-P . Yeah, thats a good saw. Used one many-o-times.

Hey, somebody had to do it. :)
Click to expand...

You're from Illinois, so I guess I'll give you a break! ;-P
 
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