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Woodwackr

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What do you think's been done to that little clamshell 180 to get handling a 20" bar?
About all that can be done…MM and timing advance. Brad did “port” one years ago, but…🤣
 

Woodwackr

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All sorts of questions come up, MS 250 with 32" bar running 3/8 chain - pushing it, but why use a green chain if you are going to break all the rules?? At that price, I would buy a 261!

View attachment 455051
that bar is worth more than the saw, lol
 

dadstillsurfs

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If I was picking a saw for the task list and budget, I think I would look at one of the Echo top handle saws. It doesn't sound like his son NEEDS a falling or bucking saw. When I worked as an arborist, I bought a top handle Stihl and never looked back. I climbed with it, limbed and bucked up to maybe 18" diameter rounds with it and if my memory serves me right, I even used it to notch some lumber.
Great tool, easy to handle and useful.
Mine came in a plastic case that held the saw, squrench, file, file card and a couple plastic wedges.
 

IffykidMn

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If I was picking a saw for the task list and budget, I think I would look at one of the Echo top handle saws. It doesn't sound like his son NEEDS a falling or bucking saw. When I worked as an arborist, I bought a top handle Stihl and never looked back. I climbed with it, limbed and bucked up to maybe 18" diameter rounds with it and if my memory serves me right, I even used it to notch some lumber.
Great tool, easy to handle and useful.
Mine came in a plastic case that held the saw, squrench, file, file card and a couple plastic wedges.
I no longer climb knees gave out with age still do occasional bucket work and detest top handles for groundwork and more so for occasional users.

Do work with a group/club 150-200 members(typical homeowners) doing volunteer trail maintenance and building every year of appx 80miles of trail, of the members I can think of 3 off hand that are authorized to use the clubs one top handle 200T everything else is rear handle 261 and 194c saws.

I used to keep an Echo 355T in my vehicle at all times because it was small and compact before replacing it with a 2511P :thumbup:
Two boys operate a small tree service and have more saws than I but they are worth it and if I was buying them a birthday present, I would spring for the extra $50 and go with the 550XP but they already run Stihl 261🫣

Sorry for straying off topic just giving my opposing view of top handles for typical homeowners.
 
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Eakf

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because it was small and compact before replacing it with a 2511P :thumbup:

That's a really good point for overlanding type use. Small, lightweight, sips fuel and bar oil, quart of each goes a long ways without taking up a ton of space.

I prefer my 2511 when I'm on an atv or in steep terrain doing trail work. You can get a lot done with a 12" bar.
 

IffykidMn

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That's a really good point for overlanding type use. Small, lightweight, sips fuel and bar oil, quart of each goes a long ways without taking up a ton of space.

I prefer my 2511 when I'm on an atv or in steep terrain doing trail work. You can get a lot done with a 12" bar.
T top handle or P rear handle?
 

Jusgunn3

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Look in the for sale section, plenty of good options.

 

Dustin4185

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I gave him the options discussed. Pretty much what I expected, I just wasn’t sure which Echo would be recommended. We have a 355T at work and I keep in the UTV or tractor so we can clear field roads or cut limbs overhanging fields. I don’t think he wants to go with a top handle, but I put it out there. I also sent him the link for the 550XP. I really think it would be ideal for his use. Thanks for the suggestions!
 

Jusgunn3

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Echo…

 

mainer_in_ak

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Echo…

Dang, that's a great deal! If the kid and the dad end up with a 590, I have a set of felling spikes, a 24 inch bar and a loop of lpx the kid can have.

No youngster should start out with a screamer. Too easy to have a violent kick-back or get too thin on hinge wood, too fast.

The 590 has a low exuahst roof and is governed on the high jet. They settle around 12,400 out of the wood and have a very forgiving torque band. Cut speed is a bit slower than a 620p which is good for a youngster.

24 inch bar would be ideal. It gets that youngster a little further away from his cuts when bucking or limbing.

A cut injury is a life-changing injury. The entirety of a 590 timberwolf with lpx safety chain reduces that risk.
 

Dustin4185

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Dang, that's a great deal! If the kid and the dad end up with a 590, I have a set of felling spikes, a 24 inch bar and a loop of lpx the kid can have.

No youngster should start out with a screamer. Too easy to have a violent kick-back or get too thin on hinge wood, too fast.

The 590 has a low exuahst roof and is governed on the high jet. They settle around 12,400 out of the wood and have a very forgiving torque band. Cut speed is a bit slower than a 620p which is good for a youngster.

24 inch bar would be ideal. It gets that youngster a little further away from his cuts when bucking or limbing.

A cut injury is a life-changing injury. The entirety of a 590 timberwolf with lpx safety chain reduces that risk.
I should have mentioned his son is in his 20’s, lol. I told my supervisor he needs to make sure he has a good set of chaps. He’s recently married and they are just starting out.
 

RichE23ACR

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How about the only saw that endorses @jacob j.

View attachment 455037
BiltHard is a horrible company to deal with, they make junk and do not have any sort of customer service! I bought a splitter from them that was terrible at best. It leaked oil, wouldn't retract without percussion persuasion. I contacted BiltHard and they wanted me to send a video. Their system wouldn't not accept the regular video format from my Samsung Galaxy. Finally they agreed to look at the splitter if I crated it & paid to ship it back. Seriously bad company! I recycled the splitter for scrap.
 
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