
Posted: 8/21/2017 3:06:16 PM EST
I apologize if this has been beaten to death, I did a quick search and only came up with a topic for electric chainsaws.
I recently purchased some land (5 acres) that I will need to do some clearing on. Nothing significant, mostly just getting rid of shrubs and smaller trees around the larger trees I plan to keep. There are however two dead trees that have about 18"-24" trunks that I will need to take down. After doing some quick research I came across the Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss. My dad as well as a good buddy of mine both have Stihls and love them but I honestly dont know the first thing about chainsaws as far as what to look for. What size bar should I look for? 16"? 18"? 20"? No budget requirements really. Just need to know what to look for here. |
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On the right track. I'd drop the couple extra dollars and get a Stihl 261 pro grade saw. Will last you about twice as long as the 271, 2 pounds lighter, and way more power.
If you're going to fell a tree 24" in diameter you want a little more than that on the bar, general use an 18" bar will do most jobs and not get too heavy but a longer bar is handy for special jobs. |
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"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how 'kind' President Obama was to them. Not me!" The President DJT
I'm an advocate of the 3 chainsaw, two tractor, one wife, one God plan. |
Originally Posted By sea2summit:
On the right track. I'd drop the couple extra dollars and get a Stihl 261 pro grade saw. Will last you about twice as long as the 271, 2 pounds lighter, and way more power. If you're going to fell a tree 24" in diameter you want a little more than that on the bar, general use an 18" bar will do most jobs and not get too heavy but a longer bar is handy for special jobs. View Quote ETA: Don't forget the chainsaw chaps and helmet/face shield/ear pro combo. My chaps have saved me several times and the helmet has kept my bell from getting rung as well. The screen type face shields is much more pleasant on a warm day to wear than safety glasses. |
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Goldie, did you say Wing Attack Plan R?
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Originally Posted By FZJ80:
Pretty much this. I cut about 8 cords of wood a year, plus woods road cleanup. In general, people tend to go too cheap and too big of a saw. I do 90% of my work with a 16" bar. I have another saw with a 20" bar for the big logs. Are you going to be cutting near the ground? Are there rocks in Texas? Buy some extra chains. View Quote |
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Originally Posted By FZJ80:
Pretty much this. I cut about 8 cords of wood a year, plus woods road cleanup. In general, people tend to go too cheap and too big of a saw. I do 90% of my work with a 16" bar. I have another saw with a 20" bar for the big logs. Are you going to be cutting near the ground? Are there rocks in Texas? Buy some extra chains. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By FZJ80:
Originally Posted By sea2summit:
On the right track. I'd drop the couple extra dollars and get a Stihl 261 pro grade saw. Will last you about twice as long as the 271, 2 pounds lighter, and way more power. If you're going to fell a tree 24" in diameter you want a little more than that on the bar, general use an 18" bar will do most jobs and not get too heavy but a longer bar is handy for special jobs. ![]() Also, don't skimp on PPE, purchasing AND using. I still have a right leg thanks to kevlar chaps. Oh, I have an MS270. Other than the stupid carb intake boot ripping every few years (known issue with that model), been a great saw. It has a LOT of hard hours on it. |
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Our adventures in micro-homesteading: www.minnesotahomesteading.com
On Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MinnesotaHomesteading If I'm butchering the English language, I'm probably on my phone. Sorry about that. |
I run 3 Stihl chainsaws, 261 (16"), 362 (20"), 460 (28").
The 261 gets the most use by far. |
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The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand. Richard Harding Davis
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A pro saw is the way to go. It will be lighter, have more power, last longer, and generally be much less of a PITA. If you don't work on small engines, pick the brand based on the dealer you like. Don't shop only by bar length....look at the engine size when comparing saws. Personally I would not go lower than 50-60 CCs for a general use saw. I have Stihls and a Jonsered and both brands have been good.
There's nothing wrong with having different size bars for different jobs. The manual/specs will tell you the minimum/maximum lengths that are recommended. I use a 20" the most, but a shorter bar is nice. You don't need a 24"+ bar to cut a 24" tree, but you do need to know what are you doing to fell a tree that size. Consider finding a tree guy that will get them on the ground for you on the cheap. |
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thanks for the feedback guys.
right now I'm 100% looking at Stihl but is there any other brands I should be checking out? How about Husqvarna? |
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Originally Posted By superspud:
thanks for the feedback guys. right now I'm 100% looking at Stihl but is there any other brands I should be checking out? How about Husqvarna? View Quote |
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Also, as others have suggested, please buy good PPE. Chaps are a must. The Stihl chaps are good for the smaller saws but I personally run Labonville
X-TremeCompetition Chaps. They are fairly light, comfy and full wrap. 10 layers of Kevlar will stop even the big saws. Labonville Chaps |
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Originally Posted By Pavelow16478:
Also, as others have suggested, please buy good PPE. Chaps are a must. The Stihl chaps are good for the smaller saws but I personally run Labonville X-TremeCompetition Chaps. They are fairly light, comfy and full wrap. 10 layers of Kevlar will stop even the big saws. Labonville Chaps View Quote ![]() Non-scientific testing. |
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"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how 'kind' President Obama was to them. Not me!" The President DJT
I'm an advocate of the 3 chainsaw, two tractor, one wife, one God plan. |
You don't need a pro saw for 5 acres, unless the extra money doesn't matter in which case just buy an 18" MS261 and be done with it.
Stihl's consumer grade saws are no better than anyone else's. I would go with an Echo CS-450P over a MS-271. Some improved features over the Stihl and still plenty power for medium duty cutting. |
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I would rather have a Husqvarna or a Stihl, I have a Poulan. I abused my first Poulan taking down 5 trees on my old property, taking out several freeway bushes down to the root, junipers, cactus, and many, many pines on my Aunt's farm. It was still running strong, so I sold it due to hours and bought another one. All I do is chop up firewood these days and maybe take out a tree a year, so it will serve me a long time. I will keep a Husqvarna on my Amazon wish list for a long, long time, until I am drunk shopping and find one severely discounted.
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We President now!
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Originally Posted By superspud:
thanks for the feedback guys. right now I'm 100% looking at Stihl but is there any other brands I should be checking out? How about Husqvarna? View Quote I would also suggest buying from a dealer. I am convinced many manufacturers have different models they supply to the big box stores (Home Depot, lowes) that are a little less quality. |
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My father's chainsaw is an ms290. He cut many trees down with it.
Although I dont have much experience in other brands id still recommend Stihl. From the town i live near (population 20k) to the population i came from (3000) there was stihl dealerships and repair places. I dont recall seeing much for Husqvarna and other brands. There must be a reason why many forestry departments use Stihl |
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Originally Posted By superspud:
thanks for the feedback guys. right now I'm 100% looking at Stihl but is there any other brands I should be checking out? How about Husqvarna? View Quote |
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decided on the Stihl for sure. There is a very reputable Stihl dealer here in the area that my dad and several friends have been using for years.
Its a tossup between the 271 Farm Boss and the 261 C-M at the moment. I won't be using the saw all the time but I certainly want to get something that will last a long time. we shall see. Thank you all for the suggestions and help. |
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261 C-M seems like a no brainier if those are what you have narrowed it down to.
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Originally Posted By 1Zach1:
261 C-M seems like a no brainier if those are what you have narrowed it down to. View Quote Remember, I'm not living in the forest where I will be using it all day every day. Just need it to help me clear some land at first, then will only be using it on rare occasions if a tree or limb falls. |
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ms362, 24 inch bar
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Originally Posted By HullBreach: Nah I bought a gun because stabbing people with bullets just doesn't carry the same message of "Get the fuck out of my house"
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I honestly think the farm boss is fine for your needs. Spend the extra on another bar, chains, and PPE.
My ms270 is not a pro series, runs just fine, and had likely seen more cutting than your saw ever will. Personally I would save the difference. Oh our local dealer will double your warranty if you buy a six pack of Stihl premium oil. Do that. Damn good oil too. |
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Our adventures in micro-homesteading: www.minnesotahomesteading.com
On Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MinnesotaHomesteading If I'm butchering the English language, I'm probably on my phone. Sorry about that. |
Originally Posted By Rat_Patrol:
I honestly think the farm boss is fine for your needs. Spend the extra on another bar, chains, and PPE. My ms270 is not a pro series, runs just fine, and had likely seen more cutting than your saw ever will. Personally I would save the difference. Oh our local dealer will double your warranty if you buy a six pack of Stihl premium oil. Do that. Damn good oil too. View Quote |
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By superspud:
Well it cost 50% more so thats certainly something to consider, but yes I'd rather have it. We will just have to see how I'm feeling about it in the next week or so. Remember, I'm not living in the forest where I will be using it all day every day. Just need it to help me clear some land at first, then will only be using it on rare occasions if a tree or limb falls. View Quote ![]() |
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"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how 'kind' President Obama was to them. Not me!" The President DJT
I'm an advocate of the 3 chainsaw, two tractor, one wife, one God plan. |
Who doesn't like more HP in a lighter weight package? Pro saws run at a little higher rpm too.
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The Farm boss with 18" bar is all you need.
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NRA Endowment Member
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I like the husqvarna 572xp 24" bar. 72cc engine great saw I use that more than my 450 rancher I have a STIHL 026 that never wants to run for crap I do believe it needs a carb to tune it up a bit
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pulled the trigger on the 20" MS 261 C with a few accessories. unfortunately, its probably going to be getting some use real soon with this storm.
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Originally Posted By superspud:
pulled the trigger on the 20" MS 261 C with a few accessories. unfortunately, its probably going to be getting some use real soon with this storm. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/327444/chainsaw-291752.JPG View Quote ![]() |
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"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how 'kind' President Obama was to them. Not me!" The President DJT
I'm an advocate of the 3 chainsaw, two tractor, one wife, one God plan. |
Would be good idea to run the first couple tank fulls with quality pre-mix during break-in. Then Stihl Ultra oil unless the $20+ a gallon for pre-mix doesn't concern you.
Use good gas +oil and keep the air filter clean and you'll never wear it out. |
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Looks good glad to see you sprung for a case. I like to catch the leaks before they make it to the shop floor. Yeah use good quality gas oil mix and mix small amounts so it does't sit in the can.
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Chicken Farmer by choice hunter of shade tree's and hiding spots by nature.
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Originally Posted By superspud:
pulled the trigger on the 20" MS 261 C with a few accessories. unfortunately, its probably going to be getting some use real soon with this storm. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/327444/chainsaw-291752.JPG View Quote |
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Originally Posted By superspud:
none as of yet. its on the list of things I'm going to start researching. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By superspud:
Originally Posted By Pavelow16478:
Great choice! What is your plan for sharpening chains? ![]() |
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Originally Posted By Pavelow16478:
I use this with Stihl files. Easy to use, gets the chains very sharp, repeatable, and removes very little material. www.amazon.com/dp/B071SD5R99 View Quote |
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Our adventures in micro-homesteading: www.minnesotahomesteading.com
On Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MinnesotaHomesteading If I'm butchering the English language, I'm probably on my phone. Sorry about that. |
The best $30 I ever spent regarding chainsaws. Literally couldn't live without it.
Granberg Chain Sharpener |
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Originally Posted By Rat_Patrol:
Those are $20 at Menards. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Rat_Patrol:
Originally Posted By Pavelow16478:
I use this with Stihl files. Easy to use, gets the chains very sharp, repeatable, and removes very little material. www.amazon.com/dp/B071SD5R99 ![]() The Granberg on another poster linked works great as well. All metal construction. |
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I got the stihl 2 in 1, like that it fits in my carhartt hammer pocket and I can hit a few links if I'd idiot it into a rock or it starts cutting slow.
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"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how 'kind' President Obama was to them. Not me!" The President DJT
I'm an advocate of the 3 chainsaw, two tractor, one wife, one God plan. |
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The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand. Richard Harding Davis
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For sharpening chains I've settles on two items. The Pferd 2 in 1 file system (identical to Stihl). It is fast and sets the depth gauges at the same time you're sharpening the cutter.
For a quick touch up, I use a Granberg stone on a dremel. I use the Pferd every third sharpening or so to keep the rakers in check. This is way quicker than the Timberline (yes, I have one), way quicker than an off the bar grinder (yes, I have an Oregon one), and it is one step instead of messing with a seperate depth gauge and flat file. 2-3 minutes a chain. No reason not to keep them very sharp. |
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Turns out, it was a different elephant.
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