Not so pros 4 new and without politics

[Mastermind]

Ok dudes, I'm going to be that guy with the stupid question.
My Dad told me tonight he wants a new saw. His old 029 super was never the easiest starting.
Keep in mind, severe arthritis in his shoulders. Bad back. Just got cortisone in his back last week and his knees today..

16" bar is what it will run. I figure a decomp would be a plus, if said model has one. I think electronic carb for no tuning is also the way to go. Stihl or Husqvarna.
So...ms261? 550mk2? Something else?
What would you guys recommend in this case?
I'm going to have him try my ms180 this weekend but I know that will be smaller than he wants.
I have a 346xp ill have him try too but there isn't a new direct replacement to that model.

Without a second of hesitation.

MS261CM

1 million percent.

 

[Woodpecker]

Yah thanks for the phückin' help "tree guy".
View attachment 455688View attachment 455689

Yeah I know you know I would’ve been there in the rain to help if you asked.

 

[Woodpecker]

Without a second of hesitation.

MS261CM

1 million percent.

I’ll second that. Nice and light but still strong enough to do a lot of work. Good do everything size saw for an older person to use.

 

[Mastermind]

I’ll second that. Nice and light but still strong enough to do a lot of work. Good do everything size saw for an older person to use.

We have one here for a rebuild that we ported 8 years ago. After a couple thousand hours.....

Needs a crankshaft, and a piston. Big end bearing let go. Been running on Stihl Ultra at 50:1 all this time.

 

[LAWN BOY]

I've heard many great things about the 261 cm. My dad's 550 mark 2 auto tune has been a great saw so far.

 

[hacskaroly]

So...ms261? 550mk2? Something else?

I agree with a MS 261c option, however if he is having issues with arthritis then maybe a MS 251c-be will be a good option with the helper pull cord and the tool-less clutch cover. Not as much power as the 261, but might be a more painless option to start and maintain. It might take some of the frustration out of starting, running and maintaining the saw with physical limitations, especially as they get worse. If you are going to inherit the saw, then push for the MS 261c!

I believe the MS 251c-be comes with a 16" inch bar (maybe 18" but the shop might swap to the 16 and give you back the difference - I used to do that when selling saws).

Edit: I have a MS 261c - love it!

 

[Only the Tony]

Ok dudes, I'm going to be that guy with the stupid question.
My Dad told me tonight he wants a new saw. His old 029 super was never the easiest starting.
Keep in mind, severe arthritis in his shoulders. Bad back. Just got cortisone in his back last week and his knees today..

16" bar is what it will run. I figure a decomp would be a plus, if said model has one. I think electronic carb for no tuning is also the way to go. Stihl or Husqvarna.
So...ms261? 550mk2? Something else?
What would you guys recommend in this case?
I'm going to have him try my ms180 this weekend but I know that will be smaller than he wants.
I have a 346xp ill have him try too but there isn't a new direct replacement to that model.

Can't remember what dad has but it has the easy2start on it. Much easier for him to start at 78 than the regular pull start ones. I'll take a look this weekend if I can remind myself to. He uses it quite a bit cleaning up around the farm.

 

[hacskaroly]

Can't remember what dad has but it has the easy2start on it.

I believe the only ones with the easy start are the 180c-be, 211c-be and the 251c-be.

Edit: I had a lot of customers with shoulder issues that really liked these saws, it kept them in the game without killing their shoulders. Younger people tend to just rip the pull cords out....they don't pull start like a normal saw, you actually pull slowly and let the mechanism kick the saw over.

 

[LAWN BOY]

I believe the only ones with the easy start are the 180c-be, 211c-be and the 251c-be.

Edit: I had a lot of customers with shoulder issues that really liked these saws, it kept them in the game without killing their shoulders. Younger people tend to just rip the pull cords out....they don't pull start like a normal saw, you actually pull slowly and let the mechanism kick the saw over.

Dont some of the leaf blowers have that too? If I recall correctly that is why my uncle has broke the recoil on his Stihl handheld blower 3 times now.

 

[GCJenks204]

Ok dudes, I'm going to be that guy with the stupid question.
My Dad told me tonight he wants a new saw. His old 029 super was never the easiest starting.
Keep in mind, severe arthritis in his shoulders. Bad back. Just got cortisone in his back last week and his knees today..

16" bar is what it will run. I figure a decomp would be a plus, if said model has one. I think electronic carb for no tuning is also the way to go. Stihl or Husqvarna.
So...ms261? 550mk2? Something else?
What would you guys recommend in this case?
I'm going to have him try my ms180 this weekend but I know that will be smaller than he wants.
I have a 346xp ill have him try too but there isn't a new direct replacement to that model.

I’ll be a little different in my recommendation, I read Arthritis so… MS261CM Arctic.

 

[Mastermind]

I’ll be a little different in my recommendation, I read Arthritis so… MS261CM Arctic.

Can't see a downside....

 

[AlfA01]

Never have I saw a tractor so stout that it could tie a knot in a tree.

lol. It does look like there’s a knot in that trunk. These old olives can get pretty wild growth patterns.

 

[Stump Shot]

Ok dudes, I'm going to be that guy with the stupid question.
My Dad told me tonight he wants a new saw. His old 029 super was never the easiest starting.
Keep in mind, severe arthritis in his shoulders. Bad back. Just got cortisone in his back last week and his knees today..

16" bar is what it will run. I figure a decomp would be a plus, if said model has one. I think electronic carb for no tuning is also the way to go. Stihl or Husqvarna.
So...ms261? 550mk2? Something else?
What would you guys recommend in this case?
I'm going to have him try my ms180 this weekend but I know that will be smaller than he wants.
I have a 346xp ill have him try too but there isn't a new direct replacement to that model.

Ed,
For the prices Bruce at HL Supply has on Husqvarna's right now, it's going to be hard to justify something else. I'll help you keep running whatever you decide to get for your father and if through Bruce help with a warranty issue if need be. Either way you go, I would get new, so it has the best chances with the least amount of issues.
https://www.hlsproparts.com/chainsaws-by-Husqvarna-s/1061.htm

 

[hacskaroly]

Dont some of the leaf blowers have that too? If I recall correctly that is why my uncle has broke the recoil on his Stihl handheld blower 3 times now.

Its possible, but the OP was just asking about chainsaws.

 

[Czed]

 

[Woodpecker]

Morning fellers…

I believe the only ones with the easy start are the 180c-be, 211c-be and the 251c-be.

Edit: I had a lot of customers with shoulder issues that really liked these saws, it kept them in the game without killing their shoulders. Younger people tend to just rip the pull cords out....they don't pull start like a normal saw, you actually pull slowly and let the mechanism kick the saw over.

Ed,
For the prices Bruce at HL Supply has on Husqvarna's right now, it's going to be hard to justify something else. I'll help you keep running whatever you decide to get for your father and if through Bruce help with a warranty issue if need be. Either way you go, I would get new, so it has the best chances with the least amount of issues.
https://www.hlsproparts.com/chainsaws-by-Husqvarna-s/1061.htm

The 550 and 250 are great alternatives. I like them and personally don’t have a bad thing to say about them. Heck the 550 with heated handles is infinitely easier to source than a 261 artic even though @GCJenks204 could help with that. I’m not a brand war guy and like most any saw… usually

The only reason I didn’t mention anything other than the 261 above is the power to weight ratio given what Ed said about his dad’s physical condition. The assorted other “farm” type saws are really perfect for most homeowner around the house chores, but are typically farther behind the power/weight/durability ratio. Add in a potentially stubborn old guy and the situation could be tricky.


On the other hand my good friend Stayner @SCHallenger had a really nifty kick starter welded up for his ported 462. So I guess where there’s a will there’s a way. I believe he had it based on the video below. Maybe he’ll chime in and clarify.

Note if you don’t have time for the backstory in the video the kickstarter is featured at the 4:00 mark

Some steel square tubing, a 12 pack, and an afternoon, and a handy dood could probably have one fabbed up easy.

 

[Mastermind]

Good morning fellas.

 

[redline4]

Thanks guys.
I'll talk to him today and see what he is thinking.
Good to know the 2 saws that I had in mind were probably the best options.

Now


Go
Friday
Yourself.

 

[GCJenks204]

Morning / Evening All. Happy FriYAY MFers!!!

 

[ray benson]

Good morning. 36°F/ 2°C going up to 54°F/ 12°C. Rain coming in later this afternoon.