Disaster Recovery/Clean-up Saw

[michaelmj11]

I have been assured that you boys here are capable of giving a higher quantity of higher Quality responses than the people over on Arbor Site. So here goes.




I just got finished doing 3 weeks of mission clean up work after the tornadoes that hit Mississippi on Dec 23.

I have a MS 661, which I Love. It cuts through anything, as long as I can hold the saw up. I was grateful to be able to work with a mission group that had a BUNCH of Stihl 250/251, and after about the first week I was daily requesting to check a 250/251 out for myself. (They said that once upon a time they had a few Husky's, but that they just did not hold up as well as the stihl's [perhaps this can be attributed to less than professional quality operators/handlers])

I really enjoyed the work, and would like to do this sort of disaster relief agian, so I was looking into getting my own mid/small saw for cutting limbs/canopy and some of the mid sized branches, you know things less than a foot in size. One of the guys in charge of the organization introduced me to Dolmar's and I have spent some time reading up on them. They seem know for their durability and dependability, even more so than Stihl/Husqvarna

Here are the dealer realities. When there Was a Husky dealer in town they were ignor-anus's with extra arseholes to boot, and thus went out of business. I have a Great Stihl dealer. The nearest Dolmar dealer is an hour away.


OK the Money thing. Yes I have a NICE big saw, but I saved up for a while before buying it. I bought it because I'm crazy and am trying my hand at woodworking with Osage Orange, Boise 'dark, Literally the toughest wood on the continent. So obviously I am willing to wait/save to get a quality product that fits my needs. Soooo, Let us say that in a normal consideration/decision things go this way: 40% PWR 40% Cost and 20% durability/dependability. For instance, you would not tell someone wanting to cut down rose bushes and boxwoods, even though the saws (new specs) say they have the same weights, you don't tell them to go buy a MS241/MS261, you tell them to go buy a MS180/181/211, mostly because they don't need the PWR, nor need to spend that much.

In this question/consideration/decision, I would like you to think like 37% PWR 37% durability/dependability and 25-6% Cost


So then, the question is; which saw?

Dolmar 421
Stihl MS250/251
Stihl MS241
Stihl MS261






P.S.
I know husky's are good and everything, but even seeing their model numbers pop up makes my eyelid twitch. There is not a dealer, and I'd rather deal with traveling to see the Dolmar folks, if you just NEEEED a reason (Dolmar's have prettier shapes and colors).

 

[Keith Gandy]

Welcome to OPE Michael! U made the right decision. 12" wood and under 241c/421 and 12" wood and up 261c

 

[huskihl]

241 and 261 are pro saws. 250 is a homeowner saw, but cheaper. 421 and 241 are pretty similar in size and build. But the dolmar is cheaper. Just depends on whether you want a 40 or 50cc saw. All of the saws you mentioned will work just fine. Pick the dealer and saw you like

 

[michaelmj11]

What 261 can't cut small wood?


But in all honesty, the whole standard bar sizes etc is new to me, so could I put a small bar (like what would come on a MS181) on the 261??

I know I can put bigger bars on the 261, like a 20-25 inch. As in they would physically fit, but running that large a bar risks damaging the saw.... and defeating the point of getting a lighter saw.

So the question is does the 261 accept smaller bars without any special steps/adjustments?

 

[michaelmj11]

241 and 261 are pro saws. 250 is a homeowner saw, but cheaper. 421 and 241 are pretty similar in size and build. But the dolmar is cheaper. Just depends on whether you want a 40 or 50cc saw. All of the saws you mentioned will work just fine. Pick the dealer and saw you like

With the new specs on the MS261 listing it as only weighing 0.9lbs more than the MS261 I think that if I decide to go the Stihl route I'd get the 261, unless the answer to the bar size question changes things.

 

[DELETED (Struggle)]

MS250 with a muffler mod and re-tune are great light weight saws and if it gets damaged or stolen they are a cheaper in cost. Parts are everywhere for them. Lots of tree services even use them due to them being cheap and can take a lot of abuse.

 

[michaelmj11]

MS250 with a muffler mod and re-tune are great light weight saws and if it gets damaged or stolen they are a cheaper in cost. Parts are everywhere for them. Lots of tree services even use them due to them being cheap and can take a lot of abuse.

Interesting, you are the first person to suggest the 250, there is a used one for sale in the next town over, at a friends Stihl shop. $250.... ironically.

 

[huskihl]

With the new specs on the MS261 listing it as only weighing 0.9lbs more than the MS261 I think that if I decide to go the Stihl route I'd get the 261, unless the answer to the bar size question changes things.

261 uses a standard 3003 bar mount, same as your 661. 241 uses a smaller (but lighter) mount. 241 will allow a smaller series of bars, but I'm not sure what the shortest 3003 mount bar is

 

[michaelmj11]

261 uses a standard 3003 bar mount, same as your 661. 241 uses a smaller (but lighter) mount. 241 will allow a smaller series of bars, but I'm not sure what the shortest 3003 mount bar is

Ok the # numbers get too me sometimes. Was that a mistype in your last sentence when you said "241"?



Ohhh, and is there any difference OTHER than length between the bars (beside how they are hung/attached)?

 

[huskihl]

MS250 with a muffler mod and re-tune are great light weight saws and if it gets damaged or stolen they are a cheaper in cost. Parts are everywhere for them. Lots of tree services even use them due to them being cheap and can take a lot of abuse.

Nothing wrong with a 250. I was pointing out differences that I know of. I have an 039 and love it.

Ok the # numbers get too me sometimes. Was that a mistype in your last sentence when you said "241"?



Ohhh, and is there any difference OTHER than length between the bars (beside how they are hung/attached)?

I believe the 241 uses a 3005 bar mount, which is a smaller family of bars, common with an ms170. Lighter, thinner, and probably narrower from top to bottom. A 16" 3005 bar would be lighter than a 16" 3003 bar. And they aren't interchangeable

 

[fearofpavement]

The Stihl MS260 family takes a 3003 mount bar. This is the same bar mount used all the up to and including the MS660. sprocket pitch and gauge may vary in different models. ie, most of the 260s are sold with a .325 sprocket and bar but that can be changed if desired. I believe the Stihl MS250 takes a 3005 mount bar.

 

[fearofpavement]

I type slower than Huskihl

 

[huskihl]

I type slower than Huskihl

Not much
But yes, that's what I thought also

 

[michaelmj11]

Not much
But yes, that's what I thought also

Lol, well thank you both.

The Stihl MS260 family takes a 3003 mount bar. This is the same bar mount used all the up to and including the MS660. sprocket pitch and gauge may vary in different models. ie, most of the 260s are sold with a .325 sprocket and bar but that can be changed if desired. I believe the Stihl MS250 takes a 3005 mount bar.

Soo, which saw would you recommend? Or should I wait for your typing?

 

[Keith Gandy]

241c is 3005 mount and usually comes with picco setup but a .325 rim.sprocket kit can be purchased. I like the 18" picco bar with PS chain. Smooth and fast

 

[michaelmj11]

241c is 3005 mount and usually comes with picco setup but a .325 rim.sprocket kit can be purchased. I like the 18" picco bar with PS chain. Smooth and fast

Why such a long bar? I would think a 12-14 would be plenty.

 

[Keith Gandy]

Why such a long bar? I would think a 12-14 would be plenty.

Reach without bending over as far. A ported 241 handles 14" wood pretty easily

 

[huskihl]

Cuz it's 4-6" more you don't have to bend over lol

 

[huskihl]

Reach without bending over as far. A ported 241 handles 14" wood pretty easily

How does a dozer operator learn to type so fast?

 

[michaelmj11]

Cuz it's 4-6" more you don't have to bend over lol

Lol