What Chainsaw do you run?

OK ---well -I'll check that out..........................................................

 

Word.

What saw are you running?

 

I have an older 021 also a older 170, and my new 261CM All of these are Stihl saws.

 

Sharpened the chain on the MS 250 and finished bucking up the trunks that the tree removal guys left for me to turn into firewood. Avoided hitting the dirt cutting through this time, and it was just starting to slow down when I made the last couple of cuts. Still plenty of dirt in the bark from laying on the ground for a month and all the rain.

 

Great Day!!! Do NOT be afraid of the newer electronics on the newer Stihl saws!!!
Decided to start my new 261 CM after letting it set in my garage for the last 4 - 5 months. It had about 1/4 tank full (my mistake, I usually store them full)
Guess what --it started on the 3rd pull and ran like a top! To all the naysayers - it was with regular pump gas (Mo ethanol included) I did switch to the new full synthetic oil mix.
I was impressed -to say the least. Nuff said!

 

Ran the husky 550 this past weekend…. Felt good after a couple months running it!! Here’s to chainsaw weather

 

Stihl MS-291 and Stihl HT103. I live on 10 very wooded acres. Lets just say they both get used A LOT. The 291 is less popular than the catchy "Farm Boss," but it actually has a touch more power via a larger engine/ larger displacement.

I limbed ~100 Ponderosas this summer, up to about 15ft. I have shoulder muscles I didn't know existed.

 

My first time using wedges this morning. (NSFW:Lack of PPE)



https://youtu.be/RbYQOKCOOzw

 

Nice work ! Is that the new saw?

 

Yep. Very happy with it so far

 

Finally joined the “chain gang” as my brother in law calls it. I had three oak trees fall on my yard after Ida, two striking my house. My brother in law picked me up a Stihl MS 251 Wood Boss with an 18” bar. I asked him to pick me up something decent for a first saw, and it worked well for limbing and bucking medium sized logs.

Don’t recall what model Stihl he had, just that it had a 24” bar and a LOT more power than mine.

 

When I was a kid my Gramps had a Wright blade saw. Weighed a ton but he cut a lot of firewood with that old beast. It got traded in in the 70’s on a little Homelite EZ that also cut a ton of firewood over the years. When I had to go out and buy my own saws I learned quickly to keep away from those dang McCullough saws that would never start.

The Homelite EZ series were getting to be hard to find, so for my minimal homeowner use I ended up with a fleet of Poulan built saws. I always bought used saws and they were pretty cheap but functional. I couldn’t touch a Stihl used as every one I saw was more than double the price of a new Poulan.

Biggest issue I have with the Poulan was fuel degradation of primer bulbs and fuel lines. Second issue was bar oil leaks out and makes a mess during transport or storage.


A few weeks ago I found a Stihl MS170 at an estate sale. It looked close to new but had a repair tag and a horribly dull chain on it. Bar looked beat too as if all the cutting was plunge cuts or carving. Price? $10. A short filing session later and topped off the gas and bar oil and it started on the third pull. First impressions are it’s a really great little homeowner saw. I haven’t seen any leaks yet either!
Anyone need some Poulan parts?

 

Modified my cheap eBay dog. The lowest spike/tooth was too long and not shaped properly. It made cutting a bit difficult. Quick test and it is MUCH better. The chainsaw also sits flush on the workbench too.

Finished up with a sharpening and top off of fluids.

 

Operator melted the handle on a 500i two days ago :/

 

This must be an interesting story? I would one melt a handle on a chainsaw? Idling?

 

Tree was on fire. Happens.

 

Bad storms + dying Willow means free firewood. I call it the giving tree.

Going to have to get the 251 out before winterizing it:

 

Why on earth would you do this "winterizing it" Fall winter and early spring is when I run my Saws the most. In the warmer times, I hate getting sticky saw chips on my sweaty body! -Oh well to each their own!

 

Typically “winterization” takes place during any season when prolonged lack of use occurs. I use a small amount of stabil in the fuel tank and run the saw until it smokes a bit and shut it down. Leave it on the rack with the tensioner loose and the bar oil full.
Leaves the fuel lines full and less likely to dry out.

 

If that is what works best for you - so be it. I - for the last 40 years of wood heating and chain saw use have never done this. Maybe in my olden days of a Poulan or cheapy Homelite I should have. Nowadays running nothing but Stihls including a 20 y/o (021) and a 17 y/o (170) , and a new 261CM, they set all summer (in my garage) and start right up. Especially the new 261 with the M-tronic system. I NEVER let them set for more than 6-8 months without running. all of the saws are given TLC during "cutting time", which is anytime I come across free/easy wood. Only time I WILL NOT cut is when it so hot and/or humid that I am sweating.
Actually I am going out tomorrow to cut some wood for Daughter and SIL in St Louis. I am waiting for them to tell me what size "SOLO" fire pit they have.