Small chainsaws

[LouCi4er]

Chainsaws in Greece are expencive,nothing like the prices you guys get used too.Stihl,Husqvarna even Echo are really expencive.New CS 590 (its not called Timberwolf here,only CS 590) goes for 600$,only Makitas have resonable prices.New ms 211 was 380€(it is more than 400$ but anyway).There was an offer from Stihl back in the day (i don't know how you call it,withdrawal maybe?) where Stihl gave you a 80€ discount (like 100$) if you bring an old any condition/brand/gas or electric for disposal chainsaw.My friend brought a Bosch electric chainsaw and paid 300€ for the 211,i was right there.

If you can find a modified picco rim,you can get a K041 bar and you will be good to go.I think Red97 had modified rims also,not sure but send him a pm.Only thing thats not "professional" on the 490 imo is the plastic frond handle.I already ordered a new aluminum handle from the cs 500es (European model) for 7$.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Well, I went and done did it. Scored a new Cs490 for $239 shipped on fleabay! To good of a deal to pass up. Excited to get it, open up the muffler and get it in some wood.

Make sure you are able to richen the H screw adequately if you open the muffler. You will probably need to defeat the limiters on the mixture screws. Don’t forget pics n vids...

 

[FergusonTO35]

You can buy an Oregon standard 3/8 small spline rim (18720-7 tooth) which is a direct fit to your saw but some say that lp chain don't fit perfect on 3/8 rims and you might have exccesive wear on the chain or the rim.I run mine with 16" .325 058 bar/ chain and its perfect,light and fast.Whatever you decide look for a k095 bar which fit the 490 with minor grinding or a k041 which fits perfect.

The 18720 is a direct fit on my 500P, see no reason it wouldn't work on the 490.

 

[GeorgiaVOL]

They FINALLY shipped the parts I ordered for my Shindaiwa 300s so hopefully I can get it running soon. It sure is a lightweight little rear handle saw.

 

[fearofpavement]

For my small saw I use an MS180 or 018. They really cut well for their weight with that tiny .043 chain. When I fell a large oak, I start working it back from the top to the stem. I start with the MS180 and then move up to an 026 when needed. Then I go to a Stihl 039 and then whatever I felled the tree with. I try to always use the lightest saw that will do the job. Maybe (probably) that's because I'm old and weak.

 

[friendlywithbears]

For my small saw I use an MS180 or 018. They really cut well for their weight with that tiny .043 chain. When I fell a large oak, I start working it back from the top to the stem. I start with the MS180 and then move up to an 026 when needed. Then I go to a Stihl 039 and then whatever I felled the tree with. I try to always use the lightest saw that will do the job. Maybe (probably) that's because I'm old and weak.

I'm always surprised what I can throw at the 180 and have it chug through. Sometimes I find it more fun than my 50 or 70 cc just because of how light it is.

 

[thedude74]

Make sure you are able to richen the H screw adequately if you open the muffler. You will probably need to defeat the limiters on the mixture screws. Don’t forget pics n vids...

Good advice. Will do.

 

[thedude74]

Chainsaws in Greece are expencive,nothing like the prices you guys get used too.Stihl,Husqvarna even Echo are really expencive.New CS 590 (its not called Timberwolf here,only CS 590) goes for 600$,only Makitas have resonable prices.New ms 211 was 380€(it is more than 400$ but anyway).There was an offer from Stihl back in the day (i don't know how you call it,withdrawal maybe?) where Stihl gave you a 80€ discount (like 100$) if you bring an old any condition/brand/gas or electric for disposal chainsaw.My friend brought a Bosch electric chainsaw and paid 300€ for the 211,i was right there.

If you can find a modified picco rim,you can get a K041 bar and you will be good to go.I think Red97 had modified rims also,not sure but send him a pm.Only thing thats not "professional" on the 490 imo is the plastic frond handle.I already ordered a new aluminum handle from the cs 500es (European model) for 7$.

It's crazy how much chainsaws cost in other countries. May end up getting a 3/8 rim and a modified 3/8 lp. Just to compare. Have a few used bars that may work. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[fearofpavement]

Recently I've been using a Stihl 024 Super. I didn't remember having one but when I grabbed a saw off the shelf, that's what it was.
I was using it to slash brush, small trees and some medium size trees. The MS180 throws chains if used to cut brush like I needed to.

 

[thedude74]

Just wanted to say thanks to you guys for helping me to decide on a small saw based on input and personal experiences. There is a wealth of knowledge here on the opeforum.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I'm always surprised what I can throw at the 180 and have it chug through. Sometimes I find it more fun than my 50 or 70 cc just because of how light it is.

I feel the same about my Echo CS-400. It really runs strong for it's size.

 

[Mutley]

Small saws? Who needs them lol!

 

[thedude74]

Looks like the little echo 490 arrived today. First impression upon opening the box. Feels light, nimble and compact. Haven't run it yet. Perhaps in a few hours. Already ordered a 3/8 rim for it.

 

[kfd518]

I’ll say it again , love my 261’s but my 346 is growing on me.

 

[thedude74]

Got a couple tanks through the little echo 490 tonight. Did some limbing, bucked up 6"-18" spruce, some 10-12" Birch. It's getting stronger already. Dang this thing rocks for clearing small stuff and limbing! Looking forward to pulling the limiters and doing a MM tomorrow.

 

[thedude74]

Is the 490 a 'small chainsaw'? Feels like it. Certainly not trying to derale this thread. Muf mod, limiters pulled, trimmed and retuned. Like a different animal now. Good Lord the stock muffler has some tiny ports. Looks like something you'd see on a 38cc poulan or even smaller. Doesn't bog down in bigger wood now...throttle is MUCH more responsive.

 

[Mutley]

Recently I've been using a Stihl 024 Super. I didn't remember having one but when I grabbed a saw off the shelf, that's what it was.
I was using it to slash brush, small trees and some medium size trees. The MS180 throws chains if used to cut brush like I needed to.

Have you tried using a shorter bar on the 180? I regularly use a small saw to cut brush in my trailer so that I can get more in (thus saving on trips to dump it) - If I run a 14" bar with a 53D/L chain on one of my Echo top handles, it almost always throws a chain. But with a 12" bar & 45D/L chain, it rarely does. I don't claim any knowledge on why it's like that, but it is (for me at least).

 

[FergusonTO35]

'Round here, 50cc would be considered a medium size saw. You seldom see anything bigger than 70cc, not that many old growth trees being cut nowadays.