Posted: 8/2/2009 5:06:01 PM EDT
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I'm looking at getting a new chainsaw. Main use is for cutting down trees and cutting up firewood. But someday I also plan on taking a log home building course with it too.
I'm looking at the Stihl MS 260 Pro, but I saw one in my area on craigslist that is a MS 390 20"bar (says it's new) going for $300. The MS390 is a "mid range" saw and the MS 260 is a "professional saw". The only difference I can see from Stihl's website is that the 260 Pro has the anti-vibration technology. Are there any other differences other than the 390 having more power? Does the 260 Pro have some other features that make it better? $300 for the 390 seems like a pretty good deal. What says the arfcom chainsaw experts? |
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that is pretty cheap for a 390. like previously said its either hot, the guy needs $$$ or he broke something up on it. if you go look at his saw tell him you want to take it to a shop and have them look it over. let them do a compression check because that will tell you a lot about the internals. i would try and find a saw around the size of that 390. its better to have a little more power than not to have it at all. most professionals run 440's and up.. |
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That's a great price on the MS 390 but it's a beast of a saw, it's 13lbs dry (add in the bar,chain, fuel and oil and you've got a heavy saw).
I use a MS 280 w/ a 18" bar for my GP/Firewood saw. It's light enough that I don't get fatigued packing it all day, the 18" bar balances well, and it's powerful enough to fell the larger trees. Go to http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/ to do a side by side comparison. |
this is what we run..
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MS 460 STIHL Magnum™ Chain Saw | |
DISPLACEMENT | 76.5 cc (4.7 cu. in.) |
ENGINE POWER | 4.5 kW (6.0 bhp) |
WEIGHT (powerhead only) | |
Flush-Cut | 6.6 kg (14.6 lbs.) (Shown on this page) |
| Wrap-Handle | 6.9 kg (15.2 lbs.) |
FUEL CAPACITY | 800 cc (27.1 oz.) |
CHAIN OIL CAPACITY | 325 cc (11.0 oz.) |
OILOMATIC® CHAIN | 3/8" RSC3 |
RECOMMENDED RANGE OF GUIDE BAR LENGTHS | 40 to 80 cm (16" to 32") STIHL ROLLOMATIC® E Super |
NOTE: STIHL recommends #3624 (33 RSC3 84) OILOMATIC® saw chain and 25" 3003 000 4030 Ematic™ guide bar combination. | |
A great saw for the demanding professional. |
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Well, I have both.
However, for the price, go for the bigger one. The only thing I don't like about the 390 is that I didn't get an aggressive enough chain. I'll change that soon. The 260/250 is a great cutting saw for its size. I like its chain much more than the one I got on the 390, even though it is 16" vs 20" for the 390. I also have an old 038 (I think) AV Magnum, but it is a monster to use for more than about an hour at a time. |
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Quoted:
390 is a pretty good saw especially for $300. What do you intend to do with the saw when it comes to log homes? Reason I ask is if you plan on milling with the 390 you will need to keep it to pretty small logs or you will be disappointed. Honestly, I don't know. I was just looking at the Great Lakes Log Home School website and they recommend the 260 Pro. I figured if I was going to get a saw for cutting firewood I might as well get one that will work for the course if I take it in a year or two. |
I would get the 260. Good power to weight ratio. In a year or 2 if you need a bigger saw get another one. 
The pro saws are easier and cheaper to work on and rebuild if needed. Make sure it comes with RSC chain. The safety chain doesnt cut as fast. Chainsaw chaps are a good idea also. 
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A thing to consider is weight. I don't know what a 390 weighs, but if it's not a pro saw, I bet money it's heavier per hp than a similar pro saw. I'm partial to the MS 361, but that may be more than you want to spend for a new saw. I have an 056 as well, which is one hell of a saw, but not much fun to haul through the woods all afternoon. The only reason I mention it, is because I got that, with a new 24" bar and chain, for only $250. The older 0xx saws are great bargains, imo. |
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I have an 026 Pro (pre-emission 260) and I can highly recommend it. The nicest thing about it is the power to weight ratio. It doesn't beat you up to hang on to it all day. Chain speed is very respectable even with a 20" bar. It is not a saw to mount a 36" bar on and go out after the big wood, but for what it is it is very well designed.
ETA: 260 weighs 10.6 lbs; 390 weighs 13 lbs. The 260 also spins at a higher RPM. |