sub 10 pound saw options?

[Derf]

If someone were looking for a (as Walter calls it) UOMS (Ultimate Old Man Saw), something uber light, what would you recommend?... If the 346Xp and 550XP are in the 10 pound range, I'm looking for something under 10 pounds, something very easy to start, low compression or spring assist. Not necessarily a top handle climbing saw, but I won't rule them out. Looking for something in the high 30- to low 40cc range that's good for pruning and small firewood duty. Doesn't have to be fast, but does need to be reliable. Best bang for the buck and power to weight recommendations appreciated.

Dolmar PS32 : 32cc 9lbs
Dolmar PS35 : 35cc 9.7lbs

Echo 355T : 35.8cc top handle, 8lbs
Echo 361 : 35.8cc 8.1 lbs
Echo 370 : 36.3cc 10.1 lbs

Husqvarna
135 : 41cc 9.7lbs
435 : 41cc 9.2lbs
439 : 35cc 8.6lbs
440 : 41cc 9.7lbs
540 : 38cc top handle 8.6lbs
543 : 43cc 9.9lbs

Stihl
MS 170 : 30cc 8.6 lbs
MS 180 : 32cc 9 lbs
MS 211 : 35.2cc 9.5lbs
MS 250 : 45.4cc 10.1lbs

MS 193 : 30cc 7.6lbs
MS 201 : 35cc 8.6lbs

MS 241 : 42.6cc 9.9lbs

 

[Deets066]

Ms 200T

 

[Dub11]

http://opeforum.com/threads/nib-440-mmws-361-and-200-rear-handle.13649/

The 200 rear handle one here for sale would be the winner!

 

[EvilRoySlade]

May not be the most liked answer but electric might be the winner. Correctly sharpened chain and you’d have a ninja sword.

 

[Deets066]

May not be the most liked answer but electric might be the winner. Correctly sharpened chain and you’d have a ninja sword.

Pics

 

[EvilRoySlade]

I retract my previous statement. I never looked at electric weights. 12, 13, 14# normal.

 

[EvilRoySlade]

Pics

Of foot in mouth?

 

[deye223]

MS241

 

[Terry Syd]

I've never looked at these lightweight saws before. In these small displacements a bit more displacement creates a substantial percentage increase in overall displacement.

For example the difference between the MS211 at 35.2cc and the MS 250 at 45.4cc is a 29% increase in displacement for only a 6% increase in weight.

Is the MS250 really only 10.1 lbs?

 

[Adamski]

Ms241

 

[whitesnake]

Hard to not pic a ms241 out of that list. But a little spendy.

 

[Bigmac]

Stihl ms150 5.7 lbs, I would like to try one myself just to see...

 

[Terry Syd]

The MS241 looks like a great saw to mod with the strato function. I'd bet the power could be bumped up a fair bit. It is a pro saw and you have to pay the price.

However, the homeowner MS250 at 45.4cc and 10.1 lbs looks like a cheap lightweight option. If it is anything like the MS029-390 range, it probably needs a different air filter to breathe, plus a few other mods to get the power up. Throw on a 3/8 LP lightweight bar and chain - and the little POS could be neat little saw with good reliability.

I searched around but I couldn't find any threads for modding the 250. It looks like an overlooked saw for mods. Does anyone remember a thread on modding these saws?

 

[Deets066]

The MS241 looks like a great saw to mod with the strato function. I'd bet the power could be bumped up a fair bit. It is a pro saw and you have to pay the price.

However, the homeowner MS250 at 45.4cc and 10.1 lbs looks like a cheap lightweight option. If it is anything like the MS029-390 range, it probably needs a different air filter to breathe, plus a few other mods to get the power up. Throw on a 3/8 LP lightweight bar and chain - and the little POS could be neat little saw with good reliability.

I searched around but I couldn't find any threads for modding the 250. It looks like an overlooked saw for mods. Does anyone remember a thread on modding these saws?

They really like a muffler mod. Timing advance helped a little. And that’s all they really need to pick up some zip

 

[Terry Syd]

Along with the MM, I'm betting an air filter mod (maybe just a nylon mesh) and a modded carb, and the engine would be performing more like a strong 45cc saw. Throw on the 3/8LP bar, and the damn thing could be a cool saw for an old fart like me.

 

[czar800]

The MS241 looks like a great saw to mod with the strato function. I'd bet the power could be bumped up a fair bit. It is a pro saw and you have to pay the price.

However, the homeowner MS250 at 45.4cc and 10.1 lbs looks like a cheap lightweight option. If it is anything like the MS029-390 range, it probably needs a different air filter to breathe, plus a few other mods to get the power up. Throw on a 3/8 LP lightweight bar and chain - and the little POS could be neat little saw with good reliability.

I searched around but I couldn't find any threads for modding the 250. It looks like an overlooked saw for mods. Does anyone remember a thread on modding these saws?

This is a old Thread on a ms250. The only thing I don’t like about the saw is the Easy start.

http://opeforum.com/threads/what-to-do-with-a-ms250.2199/page-2

 

[Johnmn]

How about an 026 if buying used? Slap an elastostart on it and call it good.

 

[Steve]

If you are looking at an Echo CS370 you might as well get a CS400. Same frame and has gobbs of power. Starts on one pull all day after the first start of about 3-5 pulls. Has the spring assist starter and new are $300. I used one for 2 years till I replaced it with my 550xp.

 

[jk14]

Absolutely loving my 241's, light, nimble, easy to start and surprising amount of power for 42cc's. I'm not going to say it's the best bang for the buck though as I have not run all the others and the ms241 is not cheap. However it is well worth the money in my eyes.

 

[Stevetheboatguy]

I have a husky 41 that I put a poulan 4620 motor in. It's probably the lightest saw I own and it will cut like a mother. And if he has a bum shoulder you could pop a easy start recoil from a 141 on it.


Steven