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Hi all, looking into getting a Stihl chainsaw.
there are a lot of options out there.
my criteria is this:
1. best bang for the buck
2. I really only want to buy one in my life time
3. application would be for farm use when I need to cut some trees from time to time
4. a commercial grade without being in the landscaping business
5. I do not want to spend more than $600

thanks in advance

I have a MS290 Farm Boss that I like, I cut about 5-7 rick of firewood yearly. I use it about 50% of the time along with my John Deere CS56. I have used the MS290 for about 4 years & not one problem. I am sure you can get one for well under your price limit. Just my 2 cents :thumbsup:

ksgrassguy said:

Hi all, looking into getting a Stihl chainsaw.
there are a lot of options out there.
my criteria is this:
1. best bang for the buck
2. I really only want to buy one in my life time
3. application would be for farm use when I need to cut some trees from time to time
4. a commercial grade without being in the landscaping business
5. I do not want to spend more than $600

thanks in advance

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I would go for the ms 391 with a 20inch bar right a 550$ before tax great saw my cousin has one and the power it has is amazing :thumbsup:

I have both 290 and 391. Both are very good saws. If you are just cutting every now and then I would go with the farm boss. I have an 18in bar on the 290, and it will cut any thing I put in front of it. I have a 25in bar on the 391, I know it's almost too much bar for that saw but I only use it when I would have to double cut or falling larger trees. The added weight of the 391 could be tough if you dont cut a bunch.

My suggestion...... MS170. I won mine at a raffle, but they're around $150. They hold a 14 and 16" bar. Handles good. Light weight. Stihl quality. MS 170 Homeowner Saws - Henderson, TX | STIHL Dealer (J&B saw is in henderson, texas in case you didnt notice.) They have it for $179.99 but prices vary. I'm a teen so i need something easy to use and this is it.

The MS170 would be too small for you, go for a MS 290 or MS 291 or MS311, that's my 2 cents worth aswell.

066 said:

The MS170 would be too small for you, go for a MS 290 or MS 291 or MS311, that's my 2 cents worth aswell.

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I agree. I have a 170 and really like it, but it's underpowered for anything more than a trim saw. It's just what I need to do a little pruning, and to take down some 4-5" stuff.

Realize this is a old thread but can't let bad advice go without a reply . Op wishs a saw which will last a life time then a MS 261 is pro grade and will do everything he will ever need with a 16 " or 18 " Bar and Chain !

I think that the best overall chainsaw for what it sounds like you are doing would have to be the MS 271 Farm Boss, a great multipurpose chainsaw.

The MS 311 is a very good mid-size saw, we just replaced a 2005 model that had a ton of hours (we are a power company) which most likely would equal a lifetime for the average homeowner.

It was around $500.00 with tax.

My personal favorite is the MS 201T, this is a small trim saw but has incredible power.

Tyy said:

Realize this is a old thread but can't let bad advice go without a reply . Op wishs a saw which will last a life time then a MS 261 is pro grade and will do everything he will ever need with a 16 " or 18 " Bar and Chain !

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Only good advice I have seen in this thread, I have a hard time letting bad advice go too. If you want a saw that will last a lifetime then it has to be a pro saw. The MS 261 is perfect for the description the OP stated. As for Stihl I know with the MS series the 2nd number has to be a even number to get a pro saw and they will have metal cases instead of plastic like the rest. I kind of wonder what the OP ended up getting? LOL