Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Stihl Chainsaws

I have a Stihl blower and a Stihl weedeater. Cheap McCulloch chainsaw tore up after 12 years. Should I replace with a Stihl MS 180 C-BE 16" ($239) or just go with another cheap chainsaw from Lowes ($139)?

We have two Stihls. Any saw will need work at some time. If you have a dealer that can keep it running, a Stihl should be a good saw.

My Dad bought a Stihl chainsaw with a 20 inch bar when I was a toddler. I turned 30 today and that saw runs like a champ.

I don't think the 180 will be all that great of a saw for you. The 190 C maybe. But she's another Benjamin in cost. Was looking at one this morning to add to the stable.

If your looking at a cheap Stihl you might as well get the cheapo from wherever. Unless you buy one of the "pro" models your really only paying for the name without the quality.

Will use it mostly around the house. I have 4 acres (1.5 cleared with big pines), the rest blackjacks/pines. Some use at the hunt club clearing limbs and small trees out of the way for stand sites.

I've had the same Stihl for 28 years. They are the last word in chainsaws.

When my old Homelite craps out, I'm buying one of these bad boys.

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/farm-and-ranch-saws/ms290/

My Stihl 290 was among things the thieves took from camp a couple weeks ago. I'll be replacing it with the 291 since the 290 isn't made anymore, without reservation.

A bit more $ than you're looking to spend but you won't regret it.

^^^^this^^^^^


Facts.
Stihl makes some good products. That is not one of them.
Their homeowner line is cheap, one ring, low hour rated motors.

There are better alternatives.

My 026 hasn't seen real hard use since I bought it new in 1994 but I've certainly put some miles on it and it still runs like a champ, every time I fire it up.

When I was looking to pick up a smaller saw for yard work, etc. I talked with one of my local stores that carries husky and stihl. The guy there said if I wanted to work on my own saws, the smaller/lower priced husky's were a better choice due to the ease of working on them. Not sure if it's a design thing, or he was just was wrong, just passing it along for thought.

You guys are going to get accused of being me.

You folks that have ten year old Stihls have darned good saws. They wer top of the line when they were made and will last a long time. Todays Stihl pro saws and great too. Less that pro you are not looking at great saws.

The bean counters have taken to quality out of what once was a great tool.

If you have a Dolmar dealer you can get a pro model Dolmar for around forty bucks more. Farm Boss is not a pro saw.

We have two Farm Boss and one Dolmar of the same size. The difference is worth many times the forty bucks in cost.

Look around and see what brand will get serviced best - when (not if) you need it.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check them out.

Jim

Stihl makes three grades of saws, homeowner, firewood and pro. The homeowner line is the cheapest and least durable. The firewood saws {Farm Boss, Wood boss} are good saws that will last through alot of cutting. Naturally the pro series are the most expensive and most durable but unless you're going to be using daily you probably don't need one.

Agree with that statement 100%.

But if you can get a pro saw for pocket change over the mid class why not.

I had a crew here cutting some trees that were too close to the house and the insurance company said they had to go. They had a 5-6 Stihl pro models and I was impressed to say the least. That is all this crew uses they told me.

Yes Blackheart said it spot on !!