STIHL The Official Stihl Chainsaws Thread

[FergusonTO35]

I'm not in a hurry by any means. Truth be told, right now I don't put enough hours on the saws I do have although hopefully I'll be able to soon.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Sounds great, Echo needs to get off their rear and come up with EFI.

So, what's up with the MS-290? Are they a good farm and firewood saw? Seems like you can always get a nice one for well under three bills from Fleabay or FB. If the 290 is just a bigger MS-250 then I would say it's a winner.

The ms 210, 230 and 250 are the same series. The ms 290, 310 and 390 are the next one. The 210 is 35cc, 230 40cc, 250 45cc then the next run in that era is the 290 at 57cc the 310 at 59cc and the 390 at 64cc. These are all good saws, then awhile back they made the 270/280 all its own series and kinda weird looking ect and short lived. Then the current ones are the 211/231/251, 271/291, 311/391.
Now the new current ones are the 162/172/182/212. All these are homeowner clamshells so a bit heavier but the 290-390 are excellent saws that have cut a ton of wood.

 

[hacskaroly]

Truth be told, right now I don't put enough hours on the saws I do have although hopefully I'll be able to soon.

I hear that, I spend more time working on saws than using them...I think I am getting close to having a good base to work with. I have a USFS wood permit that allows me up to 12 cord/year for free, I really need to start putting a dent into that.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

Sounds great, Echo needs to get off their rear and come up with EFI.

So, what's up with the MS-290? Are they a good farm and firewood saw? Seems like you can always get a nice one for well under three bills from Fleabay or FB. If the 290 is just a bigger MS-250 then I would say it's a winner.

As far as efi I’m not sure any other saw company will invest in it, echo makes a good saw and everything but not sure they feel they have enough market share spend the time and money. Husky has seemed to be investing more in battery as of late and Stihl is too but almost sounds like husky wants to go completely battery at times. Where my wife works they all had dealing with husky on warranty and or buying parts because so slow. Have 4 saws in back that need 200$ ish carb I guess because the solenoid was bad and you can’t buy them separately like Stihl.
Been waiting on the carbs for 3-4 weeks.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I don't feel so bad about not getting the MS-260 as I just got an Echo CS-501P with original bar and chain for $225.00 plus shipping!

 

[Mastermind]

Let me just whip this out...

 

[hacskaroly]

Let me just whip this out...

I bet that was awesome sounding when that happened!!

 

[bogieboy]

So, the 500 is a true EFI engine? Does it have a fuel pump, ECM, O2 sensor?

Fuel pump yes, ecm yes, no O2 sensor, the primer bulb primes the fuel pressure then the crankcase pressure powers it after

 

[markds2]

Let me just whip this out...

View attachment 437386View attachment 437387View attachment 437388View attachment 437389View attachment 437390

MS462 Series 1 Randy?

 

[Mastermind]

MS462 Series 1 Randy?

Yes sir.

 

[jacktheripper]

Yes sir.

Was there some kind of known issue with those grenading like that?

 

[lehman live edge slab]

MS462 Series 1 Randy?

I don’t know exactly what I’m guessing but I don’t think it’s a version 1 462 because I don’t see the diverter on cases.

 

[Mastermind]

Was there some kind of known issue with those grenading like that?

The piston is prone to cracking on the intake side. Stihl revised the saw a couple of years ago to remove a notch in the piston. That revision was serious. Different case halves, and a new cylinder and piston. In my opinion, this unit should have been recalled.

I don’t know exactly what I’m guessing but I don’t think it’s a version 1 462 because I don’t see the diverter on cases.

It is a first version. The diverter has been broken off.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I don’t know exactly what I’m guessing but I don’t think it’s a version 1 462 because I don’t see the diverter on cases.

Guess I was wrong

 

[lehman live edge slab]

The piston is prone to cracking on the intake side. Stihl revised the saw a couple of years ago to remove a notch in the piston. That revision was serious. Different case halves, and a new cylinder and piston. In my opinion, this unit should have been recalled.

It is a first version. The diverter has been broken off.

If I remember correctly the version 2 has a silver label instead of white on the front of case. Which will allow a person to tell unless the sticker is gone.

 

[Mastermind]

If I remember correctly the version 2 has a silver label instead of white on the front of case. Which will allow a person to tell unless the sticker is gone.

True. The serial number says that this is a version one.

 

[markds2]

Yes sir.

I have the exact same issue with the same model saw in my shop at the moment, I'll get some pics later

 

[Burchie70]

Randy I finally got the MS441C for $300, here’s a few pictures.