I know we all like to help others spend money on new toys so I thought I would post for some help. I currently have a Husky 51 that has served me well for about 12 years. Still works great. I don't need another saw but a new toy is always nice. I was thinking of getting a small (lighter) saw for cutting limbs and small trees. I cut 5 to 10 cords a year. Most trees are 18 inches are less around. No big saw help please as I don't want to spend alot of money (yet). I was looking at the small Stihls. How is the 170? and what type of chain on these small saws? Comes with an 18 inch bar, which is really 16 on the Stihl. I don't want the safety chain that comes with these average homeowner saws. Thanks for helping to spend my money.
New Saw (2nd saw) help please
- Thread starter Roxburyeric
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Danno77
Minister of Fire
smokinj
Minister of Fire
Joey
Feeling the Heat
Cuttin 5 to 10 cords a year with a 170, would be quite a task, i tried to do it with the 180. It did do the job,,,but took some work. I sold my 180 and picked up a MS 250, with 18" bar and .325 chain. It does everything I ask it to do. I also cut around 5 cord a year. Just my opinion. Under 300 bucks for a new MS 250 is a great price ...once again, in my opinion...good luck to ya.
Danno77
Minister of Fire
I think it sounds like he will continue to use the Husqy to do the heavy work, but wants something smaller and lighter to help.Joey said:
My 170 came with a 16" bar, but the chain is that low kickback kind, and I kinda went through it pretty fast. Overall for $179.00 I am happy, Planning on cutting up another couple cords with it this year anyway, and if the job gets bigger I'll move up to a bigger saw.
Bigg_Redd
Minister of Fire
Roxburyeric said:
How much did you spend on the computer you used to type and post this? And how long will that computer last? My new saw cost just over half of what this computer cost, and the chainsaw will NEVER wear out. I'll be pretty happy if I get another couple years out of this computer.
If you want a Stihl, and you want to cut 5+ cord per year I personally wouldn't bother with anything smaller than a 260/270/280. And even those are minimums.
Danno77
Minister of Fire
Why does everyone keep suggesting he gets a saw in the 50cc range. did you read his post? He ALREADY HAS a 51cc saw that weighs under 12lbs (dry powerhead)...Bigg_Redd said:
Bigg_Redd
Minister of Fire
Danno77 said:
So you're saying he's already got a tickler? Maybe the question should be why does he want another tickler?
Danno77
Minister of Fire
Redd, you break the 4 cube barrier and suddenly everything else it a kid's toy. You are almost as bad as Jay with his 880!Bigg_Redd said:
Got Wood
Minister of Fire
I am having similar thoughts as the OP. I have a 290 and a Husky 142. The 142 recently died on me. I really liked that saw and used it for limbing and smaller diameter cutting. I would like to replace it with a saw to cover the same type of cutting. I like having a second saw too, comes in handy. Have not looked around much yet.
Flatbedford
Minister of Fire
I picked up a used MS180 for $100 a few years ago. It has a 14" bar on it. I have been running the safety chain that the dealer had in stock. I don't remember the size of the chain. It is great for small stuff, limbing and trimming. It is nice and light too. I don't use it often, but sometimes it is the perfect saw when I don't feel like lugging the 036 around.
Stock bar & chain (PMMC3 chain, .043 3/8 Picco) really is the best setup on the MS170/MS180. Green label chain it is but it cuts excellent without dragging down the saw RPMs. Makes for very fast cuts in small diameter wood.
I'd be looking for a used MS180 or the newer MS181. MS181 is a tad pricey for what it is IMO. Flatbed's $100 MS180 is the kind of deal you should be looking for.
+1 on sticking with the 14" bars on the MS170/180 too.
I'd be looking for a used MS180 or the newer MS181. MS181 is a tad pricey for what it is IMO. Flatbed's $100 MS180 is the kind of deal you should be looking for.
+1 on sticking with the 14" bars on the MS170/180 too.
Danno77 said:
Once he runs a 660, he'll use the Husq for limbing ;-)
5 cord a year is a CitySlicker. They buy wood, not saws
hh:
HittinSteel
Minister of Fire
ISeeDeadBTUs said:Danno77 said:
Once he runs a 660, he'll use the Husq for limbing ;-)
5 cord a year is a CitySlicker. They buy wood, not saws
hahahaha I cut about 4 cords a year..... On the hunt for a good 395XP right now lol
DanCorcoran
Minister of Fire
"5 cord a year is a CitySlicker. They buy wood, not saws..."
I have a cabin in the WV mountains with 7.5 acres of hardwood. If I'm lucky, I burn the stove 30-40 days a year. Why would I want to buy wood OR cut more than five cords a year? Just curious how folks in NY would do it...
I have a cabin in the WV mountains with 7.5 acres of hardwood. If I'm lucky, I burn the stove 30-40 days a year. Why would I want to buy wood OR cut more than five cords a year? Just curious how folks in NY would do it...
To clarify I will continue using the Husky 51 for cutting down trees and bucking them up. The new smaller, lighter saw would be for the limbs and small cutting jobs and just nice to have 2 saws. I think the Dolmar 460 is to close to the 51. I do think the 170 or the 180 /1 are the right Little saw, just wanted to hear from others who have them and what bar/chain combo to use. Since I cut 5 to 10 cords a year I don't consider myself a "City Slicker" and to get a jab in - I don't need a big saw to compensate for something else that is too small. Just kidding guys! Like the post says - a 2nd saw, not a replacement.
Thistle
Minister of Fire
ISeeDeadBTUs said:5 cord a year is a CitySlicker. They buy wood, not saws
I live 'in town' but have access to 10 + acres of Oak & Hickory,plus do the occasional cutting for hire & burn 3-4 cords on average a year.Plus milling.Have been cutting since I was 17,worked for a local tree service from age 18 to 21.I'll put my 288XPW against anything you own. :smirk:
Thistle
Minister of Fire
HittinSteel said:
There's a couple on Ebay I noticed recently,1 looks really good.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Husqvarna-3...638692823?pt=US_Chainsaws&hash=item43ab6a81d7
amateur cutter
Minister of Fire
Yea Thistle, speakin of a 288XP, my 064 got outrun by about .75 second in a cut by a 288. Real bummer too 
nice saw though. Now I gotta go back to the bench for some more mods. Suggestions? A C
nice saw though. Now I gotta go back to the bench for some more mods. Suggestions? A C
Danno77
Minister of Fire
My suggestion is that he has you by three CCs. You need the three CC advantage. Sell me the 064 and mod yourself a nice 066...amateur cutter said:Yea Thistle, speakin of a 288XP, my 064 got outrun by about .75 second in a cut by a 288. Real bummer too
amateur cutter
Minister of Fire
Danno77 said:My suggestion is that he has you by three CCs. You need the three CC advantage. Sell me the 064 and mod yourself a nice 066...amateur cutter said:Yea Thistle, speakin of a 288XP, my 064 got outrun by about .75 second in a cut by a 288. Real bummer too
Yea Danno, therein lies the rub, I'm runnin an 066 slug & jug in the 064 chassis, sooooooo...... it may be time for some porting action. A C
Dolmar 420.
I can't tell you how much I enjoy this smooth-running, easy-strating, powerful little saw. I only found out about Dolmar when I bought my RedMax from the same dealer. They have a big log pile out back (every saw shop should have one), and the guy stuck it in my hand and brought me out back. Didn't take more than a dozen cookies to lighten my wallet by $300.
I can't tell you how much I enjoy this smooth-running, easy-strating, powerful little saw. I only found out about Dolmar when I bought my RedMax from the same dealer. They have a big log pile out back (every saw shop should have one), and the guy stuck it in my hand and brought me out back. Didn't take more than a dozen cookies to lighten my wallet by $300.
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