Stihl ms250 vs Husqvarna 455 rancher?

[aansorge]

I just bought a chisel blade chain for my 250 and it makes for a wonderful combo. It is plenty powerful for most stuff and yet light. I ran my uncles 26 (professional model) for a day and it was noticeably heavier (even though in reality it is only about a pound) and really didn't seem any faster.

The 250 has been very reliable (7 years or so). It always starts right away if you follow the starting procedure: Full choke for 3 pulls or so until it pops once. Then it will start right away on 1/2 choke.

two thumbs up...

 

[DanCorcoran]

I just bought a chisel blade chain for my 250 and it makes for a wonderful combo. It is plenty powerful for most stuff and yet light. I ran my uncles 26 (professional model) for a day and it was noticeably heavier (even though in reality it is only about a pound) and really didn't seem any faster.

The 250 has been very reliable (7 years or so). It always starts right away if you follow the starting procedure: Full choke for 3 pulls or so until it pops once. Then it will start right away on 1/2 choke.

two thumbs up...

Can you tell me exactly what numbers are on the Stihl package for the chisel blade chain? I'd like to get one, but want to make sure I get the right one (their numbering system is wacky, with very similar numbers for very different chains).

 

[btuser]

I was unimpressed with my MS250 until I ditched the chain it came with and got a semi-chisel chain. Totally different saw that's absolutely perfect for me. Nice and light but will chew through anything without being scary. If I did it again I'd get the same saw but go full-chisel.

 

[velvetfoot]

I had my MS250 for about 6 years and really like it.

 

[MasterMech]

Can you tell me exactly what numbers are on the Stihl package for the chisel blade chain?

Should be 26RS-68, or 26RSC-68 for 18" loop.

 

[aansorge]

Can you tell me exactly what numbers are on the Stihl package for the chisel blade chain? I'd like to get one, but want to make sure I get the right one (their numbering system is wacky, with very similar numbers for very different chains).

(broken link removed)

The above link is for the exact chain I bought. If you have the 16 inch bar (shorter than a 16 inch bar on a 026 by the way), this should work. Works great for me! The agressive teeth really let the saw's weight provide enough downward pressure to cut through. With the old chain, even with sharpening every other tank, I had to use a little leverage to get the saw to work. Not anymore.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

I replaced the 20" safety bar and chain that came on my 455 Rancher (from Lowe's) with an Oregon Power Match 16" bar and an Oregon full chisle chain and it made a great little 'second saw' for limbs and small trees. I also bought a 20" Power Match bar and full chisle chain for the 455 but I've not used it yet. But of course, it can't come close to the performance of my Stihl 441. That saw will cut way more than my ability to cut allow me to cut.

If you want pro performance from your saw, buy a pro saw and establish a good working relationship with your local dealer, be it Husky or Stihl.

 

[aansorge]

Then again, I cut about 10 cords a year with my little 250 (I cut for both myself and my uncle who owns the land I cut on) and have gotten 6 to 7 years out of it with little problem. Even a "homeowner" stihl is a good saw that will put up with a lot of hours of abuse.

My uncle has a professional series 26 and it seems little better than my 250.

 

['bert]

I often start my cutting day with my MS250, then about 3/4 of the way thru the day i remind myself that I paid a bunch of money to have the 361. So i cut with it for a bit before I create a reason to go back to the little 250. Buy the 250 and put some good chain on it when you feel comfortable with it. You will not regret your choice.

 

[Chazz11b]

<---- old 031 in the middle.

I can't say about that particular Stihl model by experience. I've only heard praise for the most part. Sounds dependable. I own a 268 husky, a ms261c Stihl, And an old but good running good cutting 031av Stihl. That older 48cc starts on the first pull most of the time. Fires right up with the choke all the way off. Strong running and dependable saw.

Just dependability alone of the 250 sounds like a winner. Don't get me wrong I love my 268 over the 261. I traded an old 20 something cc echo for it and 25.00 for it to some yuppie that said it was too big for him. Replaced a few lines and hoses slapped a new plug in her and she hasn't failed me yet.

Unless you're going to start selling firewood and taking down fatty hardwood trees you don't need a pro model. Or you're going to try out being both an arborist & sell firewood like me up here around Seattle.

Hell moving from an electric to gas powered period. Is like moving from an '82 diesel VW rabbit to a Callaway Corvette. Careful you don't get whiplash . Save your cash and buy some 2 stroke oil, bar oil, a box of files with a few handles, and an extra chain just in case.

Stay away from the garbage they sell at the big box stores. For what you save or spend you're much better off with a dealer. Especially if you fudge something up. The big box store guys are just going to send you to a dealer. The dealer's just going to look at you funny and smile on the way to the bank. Stick with Stihl brand 2 stroke oil. It has stabilizer in it to keep the fuel good longer.

Dealer,250, and you being happy will come soon after. A good dealer wont try to up sell you either. He may even have an older 250 there for less. Not likely though most used saws sold by shops are pricey. Good luck.

 

[bigbarf48]

Holy thread revival

Edit: lol didn't even realize I was the OP of this thread. This was one of my first threads here!

 

[BrotherBart]