Limbing saw suggestions

[kingquad]

Fabs isn't looking for a top-handle........

That's why I said "small limber or top handle", but yes, the echo's I was referring to are top handles. I'm really more interested in knowing why he wants a smaller saw when he's got a really nice 50cc saw. I know that the 261 doesn't have the "sideways balance" of the 346, but it should be able to get the job done for limbing.

CAD is a b!+^h though.

 

[fabsroman]

Do you do a lot of overhead limbing or climbing? I couldn't imagine using anything smaller than my 346 for limbing. Is the 50cc too much for what you're doing? Just wondering. There are times when I think a small limber or top handle would be cool to have, I just can't justify spending the money. Are you stuck on Stihl only? I understand if you've got a good dealer. I'm all about keeping the local shops in business, but there are other good brands out there. The echo top handles have gotten some good reviews over at AS, but only once they've been modified. They are dogs without a muffler mod from what I've read. Price is good though.

I don't really plan on doing, much climbing at all, and zero overhead limbing. As far as I am concerned, all cutting should be done at about waist height to help prevent injury. For the most part, I fell trees in the wide open where I don't have to worry about limbing until the tree is on the ground. An exception will be coming up here shortly. My dad wants to "prune" a bunch of limbs on the oak tree in his front yard. This tree is a monster and was a monster when my parents moved in 28 years ago. The house was built in 1967, so I would assume the tree 50 years old or more. Well, my mom told him that there is no way he is going to do it without "Fabs" being present to run the saw. Nice of my mom to throw me under the bus now isn't it.

Talking about this oak made me go and look for a picture of it. It is the one behind the left side of my truck and that pic is from 2003. The tree looks thin in that pic. Also found a pic of it from 1990 and it looks even thinner.

I don't really care too much about the dealers as long as the have the saws in stock and I can get parts from them when I need them. If/when I have problems with any of these saws, I will fix them myself with help from the knowledgeable people on this board if need be.

Looking for a saw to use on the small stuff. Like 8" or less, or when reducing splits that are too long, which isn't all that often since the furnace will take 24" logs.

Do I "need" another saw? Nope. Do I "want" another saw? Yep.

 

[mikefrommaine]

Just to be clear the ms 150 is available either rear or top handle. Further google-fu and I see it was listed in the us dealers 2012 price list. And it may be m-tronic.

I have a ms200 and 026 as part of my four saw plan. I bought the 200 cheap knowing I could flip it. At first I didn't really see a use. I don't really see myself using it over an 026 for limbing. Of course the 026 is a full pound lighter than a 261 though. But the more I've used it the more I like it (ms200). It's a great around the house and trail saw.

 

[fabsroman]

That's why I said "small limber or top handle", but yes, the echo's I was referring to are top handles. I'm really more interested in knowing why he wants a smaller saw when he's got a really nice 50cc saw. I know that the 261 doesn't have the "sideways balance" of the 346, but it should be able to get the job done for limbing.

CAD is a b!+^h though.

Yep. Next you should ask me why the hell I want a MS362.

To answer your other question, I am pretty brand loyal. Bikes are almost all Colnagos. Components are almost all Campagnolo. Saws are all Stihl. Cars/trucks are Ford. Shotguns are Beretta/Benelli. Rifles are Ruger. Hand tools are mostly Craftsman. Writing instruments and watches mostly Mont Blanc with a Timex or two. Lots of Columbia clothing for everyday, hunting, fishing, and shooting. Until a brand pisses me off, I tend to stick with it.

 

[MasterMech]

Just to be clear the ms 150 is available either rear or top handle. Further google-fu and I see it was listed in the us dealers 2012 price list. And it may be m-tronic.

I have a ms200 and 026 as part of my four saw plan. I bought the 200 cheap knowing I could flip it. At first I didn't really see a use. I don't really see myself using it over an 026 for limbing. Of course the 026 is a full pound lighter than a 261 though. But the more I've used it the more I like it (ms200). It's a great around the house and trail saw.

Is that an MS200 or an MS200T? MS200 is a rare bird indeed.

I don't really care too much about the dealers as long as the have the saws in stock

And Fabs, I'll bet you have to order that MS201.

 

[kingquad]

I don't really plan on doing, much climbing at all, and zero overhead limbing. As far as I am concerned, all cutting should be done at about waist height to help prevent injury. For the most part, I fell trees in the wide open where I don't have to worry about limbing until the tree is on the ground. An exception will be coming up here shortly. My dad wants to "prune" a bunch of limbs on the oak tree in his front yard. This tree is a monster and was a monster when my parents moved in 28 years ago. The house was built in 1967, so I would assume the tree 50 years old or more. Well, my mom told him that there is no way he is going to do it without "Fabs" being present to run the saw. Nice of my mom to throw me under the bus now isn't it.

Talking about this oak made me go and look for a picture of it. It is the one behind the left side of my truck and that pic is from 2003. The tree looks thin in that pic. Also found a pic of it from 1990 and it looks even thinner.

I don't really care too much about the dealers as long as the have the saws in stock and I can get parts from them when I need them. If/when I have problems with any of these saws, I will fix them myself with help from the knowledgeable people on this board if need be.

Looking for a saw to use on the small stuff. Like 8" or less, or when reducing splits that are too long, which isn't all that often since the furnace will take 24" logs.

Do I "need" another saw? Nope. Do I "want" another saw? Yep.

Like I said, "just wondering". Lots more info on this stuff over at AS too. If I were you though, I'd at least consider a top handle for a smaller saw. I've got a 346xp, and I do all of my limbing with it and it is awesome. If I go any smaller, it will be a top handle.

 

[kingquad]

Yep. Next you should ask me why the hell I want a MS362.

To answer your other question, I am pretty brand loyal. Bikes are almost all Colnagos. Components are almost all Campagnolo. Saws are all Stihl. Cars/trucks are Ford. Shotguns are Beretta/Benelli. Rifles are Ruger. Hand tools are mostly Craftsman. Writing instruments and watches mostly Mont Blanc with a Timex or two. Lots of Columbia clothing for everyday, hunting, fishing, and shooting. Until a brand pisses me off, I tend to stick with it.

Nothing wrong with that. Like I said, "just wondering".

 

[mikefrommaine]

Is that an MS200 or an MS200T? MS200 is a rare bird indeed.

And Fabs, I'll bet you have to order that MS201.

It's the rear handle. Could probably get 4x what I paid for it on eBay. But I find it's the first saw I grab for cutting some scrap 2x4's to size or turning an odd shaped pallet into kindling. Also used it for some trail work before the big snow storm. It's definitely more compact and quicker handling than the 026. And after I got all the old fuel out of the tank it's been running great. I it didnt have a brand new 14" bar I'd be buying a 12" bar for it.

There is definately overlap between an 026 and 200. Something super light like the 150 might be a better partner for the 261.

 

[kingquad]

It's the rear handle. Could probably get 4x what I paid for it on eBay. But I find it's the first saw I grab for cutting some scrap 2x4's to size or turning an odd shaped pallet into kindling. Also used it for some trail work before the big snow storm. It's definitely more compact and quicker handling than the 026. And after I got all the old fuel out of the tank it's been running great. I it didnt have a brand new 14" bar I'd be buying a 12" bar for it.

Big saw in a little saw body. I wish I had one.

 

[Jack Fate]

Funny I couldn't live without my top handle ,If stolen would be next day replaced with another 192 T (even though its plastic dogs , that consequently slipped my mind)

 

[MasterMech]

Funny I couldn't live without my top handle ,If stolen would be next day replaced with another 192 T (even though its plastic dogs , that consequently slipped my mind)

Jack what do you use yours for the most and how would you feel about it if it had the back handle setup? Same saw, just a rear handle on it.

 

[Jack Fate]

Yep. Next you should ask me why the hell I want a MS362.

To answer your other question, I am pretty brand loyal. Bikes are almost all Colnagos. Components are almost all Campagnolo. Saws are all Stihl. Cars/trucks are Ford. Shotguns are Beretta/Benelli. Rifles are Ruger. Hand tools are mostly Craftsman. Writing instruments and watches mostly Mont Blanc with a Timex or two. Lots of Columbia clothing for everyday, hunting, fishing, and shooting. Until a brand pisses me off, I tend to stick with it.

ahhh now I see Campagnolo snob ya I've seen your kind before

I'm a suntour man myself

 

[fabsroman]

ahhh now I see Campagnolo snob ya I've seen your kind before

I'm a suntour man myself

I don't think they even make Suntour anymore. Correct me if I am wrong. I used to run their freewheels on my 1985 Mino Denti. Actually, I still run them on it and have about 5 different ones. That bike has over 40,000 miles on the original Super Record and it is still going. Heavy as an anchor with downtube shifters, but still going.

 

[fabsroman]

And Fabs, I'll bet you have to order that MS201.

Yeah, the nearest dealer to me, an Ace Hardware, has the MS201t in stock on the shelf, but they don't have a MS201 rear handle on the shelf. They are also the ones that took a month to get me a Stihl cant hook. Meanwhile, the John Deere/Stihl dealer a couple miles further away had the MS261 and MS660 the day after I told the salesman I wanted them. They also did a great job locating my John Deere ZTR 445 after the newer "improved" model came out with the Briggs/John Deere engine in lieu of the Kawasaki and hydro gear driven transmissions instead of the hydraulic transmissions. Just looked at the Z445 on Deere's website and it looks like the Z445 is back to the dual hydraulic transmissions. Anyway, the service on big ticket items has been much better at the further dealer. For small/common Stihl items the Ace Hardware dealer has great stock. However, if you have to order something from them "Fogetaboutit".

 

[fabsroman]

It's the rear handle. Could probably get 4x what I paid for it on eBay. But I find it's the first saw I grab for cutting some scrap 2x4's to size or turning an odd shaped pallet into kindling. Also used it for some trail work before the big snow storm. It's definitely more compact and quicker handling than the 026. And after I got all the old fuel out of the tank it's been running great. I it didnt have a brand new 14" bar I'd be buying a 12" bar for it.

There is definately overlap between an 026 and 200. Something super light like the 150 might be a better partner for the 261.

The MS201 is 3 pounds lighter than the MS261. The MS192 is 4 pounds lighter than the MS261, but with less power than the MS201 and plastic dogs versus metal dogs. The plastic dogs is what really turned me off on the MS192.

 

[Jack Fate]

Jack what do you use yours for the most and how would you feel about it if it had the back handle setup? Same saw, just a rear handle on it.

I use it in the trees off a ladder lot . Grooming my woods . I swear I could heat with limbs only if I could only make it more feasible .
Also use it on the ground to clean trunk of limbs .Also bucking small stuff .I really use it a lot ,more than I should .I think it performs better than its specs.

No I would not buy a rear handle version. I like top handle

 

[Stlshrk]

But, if you'd like an endorsement for Echo, my little cs400 runs well, starts easy, is lightweight, and fills the role nicely. I know, I know, devil's advocate. But I've not regreted that purchase either. And, it has bumper spikes.

 

[Jack Fate]

I don't think they even make Suntour anymore. Correct me if I am wrong. I used to run their freewheels on my 1985 Mino Denti. Actually, I still run them on it and have about 5 different ones. That bike has over 40,000 miles on the original Super Record and it is still going. Heavy as an anchor with downtube shifters, but still going.

Ran out of business by the Evil walmart of bike parts .Modern deraillurs still use the suntour slant parallel design .I got a 73 LeJeune with that freewheel on it to ,Total custom gearing each cog was put on that freewheel alacart .Those were the days ,Now you need batteries to shift
I run touring bikes now, I can't leave old school utility. I did once, what a waste of money ,I could have bought 1/2 the sthil line on that one bike

 

[Thistle]

My wee Echo top handle is the oldest saw I own.Had it 31 yrs.Tough little sucker,barely 8lbs.Years ago was dropped 25ft one day,dented up the sheet metal muffler cover,other scratches/scrapes,but started right up.Not as fast as newer saws but starts right up every time.If it ever dies,I'll look for a comparable replacement.

 

[fabsroman]

Ran out of business by the Evil walmart of bike parts .Modern deraillurs still use the suntour slant parallel design .I got a 73 LeJeune with that freewheel on it to ,Total custom gearing each cog was put on that freewheel alacart .Those were the days ,Now you need batteries to shift
I run touring bikes now, I can't leave old school utility. I did once, what a waste of money ,I could have bought 1/2 the sthil line on that one bike

Yeah, I have Shimano reels for fishing and Shimano components on my MTB because that is what the box store Gary Fisher came with. Would have gone with SRAM for the MTB had I known better. All 7 road bikes have Campy though.

That is something that I really, really liked about those old freewheels. You could gear them up any way you liked. I remember working at the bike shop and the rack/board of cogs hanging on the wall. I could probably do it to the cassettes too if I really wanted to spend the time and energy. You would think that the cassettes would be super easy to modify however you want nowadays, but that just isn't so. Should be able to buy individual cogs to change the gearing on them.

Have not gone the battery route for shifting just yet. Taking a break from cycling purchases for a little bit. Might go electronic when I feel as though it is time to upgrade the stable.

lol - I think I would have made a good dent in the Stihl lineup just with my Colnago C50 with Zipp wheels and Record Components. With what I own in bikes, I could have easily bought the entire Stihl chainsaw lineup. Might have been money better spent at the end of the day.

 

[smokinj]

With a 346 its kinda silly wanting another rear handle saw. Only thing thats going to help much is a top-handle saw. Everyone loves to chase the next saw but use that money for part-time help!

 

[MasterMech]

Only thing thats going to help much is a top-handle saw.

What is the advantage of a top-handle on the ground? If I can have the power to weight ratio of a top-handle with the back handle for control/safety reasons, why not?

 

[smokinj]

What is the advantage of a top-handle on the ground? If I can have the power to weight ratio of a top-handle with the back handle for control/safety reasons, why not?

In his case having a 346xp another small rear handle make no since at all. Never seen any tree fall when all the limbs are on the ground either. But, with that said I cant see why either make any since but the top handle a litte more because it would fit nich a little better than a rear. (Short Answer Niether) Run the 346!

 

[fabsroman]

In his case having a 346xp another small rear handle make no since at all. Never seen any tree fall when all the limbs are on the ground either. But, with that said I cant see why either make any since but the top handle a litte more because it would fit nich a little better than a rear. (Short Answer Niether) Run the 346!

Now you sound like my wife. "What do you need more than one gun, saw, bike, car, or truck for?" lol

Just kidding, my wife doesn't really give me much grief over all that. She asks every once in a while about the differences, but doesn't really give me grief.

 

[smokinj]

Now you sound like my wife. "What do you need more than one gun, saw, bike, car, or truck for?" lol

Just kidding, my wife doesn't really give me much grief over all that. She asks every once in a while about the differences, but doesn't really give me grief.

I have the cdp11 pro Really no need to chase a bunch of saws when you split the middle with that 346. If you just got to have another saw look much bigger!