Posted: 1/9/2017 10:39:04 AM EDT
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My cousin has a stretch of fence line that needs to be cleared out with some large mesquite trees mixed in. Only his go to tree climber Echo doesn't have the size to handle the big stuff and his old Stihl has sat for a few years because it wouldn't run. I offered to give it a look and he hands me the case.
I get it home and open it up to find a well used 029 Super Farm Boss. I drained the old gas and gave it a once over. Everything seemed in proper order so I poured some fresh gas in it and gave it a few pulls...nothing. After scratching my head for a minute I pulled the filter and poured a drop of gas into the carb. She fired up after that but would bog under throttle. I readjusted all of the carb settings and finally got her running good. I figured I would run a full tank of gas through it to test it out. I cut down a bunch of scrub cedar and the saw ran as well as could be expected but damn if that thing isn't a pig. Felt like swinging a cinder block around. I've never used a homeowner grade saw before and I guess my pro grade MS260's have me spoiled. The build quality and power to weight ratio are night and day. It was a bit of an eye opener and makes me really appreciate the pro grade saws all the more. I'm still feeling that chunk a day later, when I can run a couple tanks of gas through my saws and never think twice about it. The moral of the story is buy a pro saw and your wallet will hurt, buy a homeowner saw and your back will hurt. 
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I made that mistake myself, bought a brand new shiny M270. Just didn't have the green for any more saw at the time.
The damn boot between the carb and engine likes to crack and suck air. I've replaced it twice (and its a PITA to do). Known issue on that model saw. I'm tempted to mold my own replacement from a superior material than they used factory. At least save me some $$ since those boots are bringing close to $40 now, and they are HARD to find. If I still cut like I used to, I'd pick up a 50cc pro Stihl in a second. My brother scored a nice one at auction (I forget the model, pro grade, upper 50's or lower 60's cc displacement) couple years ago. For what I do now around here, my MS270 gets the job done good enough. |
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They're not bad saws. Still miles ahead of a Pouland. Just heavy and cheaply assembled.
For bucking firewood were the extra weight is not much of an issue the 029/290 would do fine. I may go cut up a dead oak with it before I return it to see how it does. Even with 6 extra cc's I could only feel maybe a tiny bit more power than the 50cc 260 running a 2" longer bar but I was only cutting small stuff with a half dull chain so it's hard to tell. |
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Quoted:
I'll cover shipping  I have a little over $150 into it and I have had only a few tire kickers offer way less. I was wanting to sell it so I could fund the rebuild on the other 026 parts pile I have but maybe I should just part it out and recover some of the costs. I really wanted a 044 to rebuild or similar. I did have someone offer to trade my 026 + $400 for his MS260 
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Quoted:
I have a little over $150 into it and I have had only a few tire kickers offer way less. I was wanting to sell it so I could fund the rebuild on the other 026 parts pile I have but maybe I should just part it out and recover some of the costs. I really wanted a 044 to rebuild or similar. I did have someone offer to trade my 026 + $400 for his MS260
I would avoid fleabay if you part it out. Great for buyers, sucks to sell there. |
| I think we paid $125 for my first MS260 at a pawn shop a couple years ago because it needed some clutch work. Out of the shop it still came in under $200 total. Then I got the second MS260 Pro for $225 from a neighbor. You couldn't buy one new MS261 for what I have in these two arguably better saws. |
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Chainsaw snobs...
My current saw: https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/14257485_1093271424084965_8889592781726699132_o.jpg?oh=cfe2f13316629d8634d17d7892c222fb&oe=591BAFEC 
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