I bought this stihl ms250 about 7 month ago..the best stihl chainsaw that perfect home owner like me..easy to start..but must follow step by step before start..with 20inch bar , good for home owner..but if you want your chainsaw long lasting , dont give your toy to another people..they will ruin everything..carb setting..chain , bar
Agreed... it is a good saw. Yeah, lending out tools like these can end up costing you in the long run, especially if the person you are lending it to doesn't know how to operate it properly and ends up causing engine damage (which may only show at a later time when the saw ends up failing sooner than it should). Also if they don't know how to properly sharpen the chain, it could end up costing you a chain.
Thanks for the informative video. I bought a Stihl 250 last year and it came with an 18" bar. I also bought the Stihl hard case for it. It's been the best saw that I have ever owned. It started right up, even after sitting all winter. I only use non ethanol gasoline in it and that seems to make starting it much more reliable. I give it two pulls on full choke and it burps. Then I switch to half choke and it starts with one pull each time.
I got an MS250 in 2012, still running fine. My yard is mostly a hill that is forested and each year we have to take down 2-3 trees that are dying or have fallen against other trees; aside from the occasional beech, they are either sugar maple, hickory, or oak, and typically at least 15-18 inches thick quite a way up. Because of the topography and the widowmaker position of the trees, or the occasional tree that needs to fall AWAY from the house, I'll sometimes call a tree service just to cut the tree down and then I take care of it - while I cut most of it by hand just for the workout, I do the big segments with my 250 so I can move them to better locations, but the 250 cuts these pretty wide, very hard hardwoods quite well. I'd initially bought a Husqvarna but didn't care for how it was put together - for me, the way the Stihl is set up is easier to use and maintain.
Hi Douglas, thanks for some really great feedback... very much appreciated. I'm sure your comment will go a long way to helping others figure out if the Stihl MS250 saw is going to suite there needs. Also good to hear that the saw is working well for you.
Yes, the 250 will cut with the best of them. I run 18 inch .063 bars on mine with RS chains. I have two MS 250’s, one a brand new 250 and the other a Farmertec MS 250 that I built last year. I also have a Stihl 025 that I restored. It was made in ‘95 in Germany. I also have a MS 251. I have a shop full of Stihl pro saws. I use what I feel comfortable with or need for a particular job. My saws cover from 16-36” bars, but I keep 20” bars on them most of the time.
Hi John, thanks for the comment and great to hear from you. Yeah, I believe the 250 is the new version of the older 025. Guessing your 025 still cuts like a champ? Sounds like you do a fair amount of cutting with so many saws and those large bars. What is your preference... the MS250 or MS251? very similar saws with minor differences. Especially on a farm, a 16 or 18" bar would be a good fit (depending on what one is doing of course) but I guess a 20" is also a good all-rounder.
Thanks for the demo, and your opinion on the 250. I was preparing to get an MS231 CB-E, but my local dealer had sold out due to EOFY promotion deals. He gave me a rundown on the MS250 & the MS251 which made me rethink what would be best. After some serious thought, I chose to go with the MS251CB-E with an 18-inch bar and chain. As luck would have it, he had only one MS251CB-E left in stock, and he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. The deal included the 'woodman chainsaw case' and three spare chains. The 250 & 251 are so close it's like a slightly bigger brother and it his sister. But the big difference for me is the easy starting & slightly better fuel consumption. So far, I am pleased with my choice and dare say I would have been quite happy with the MS250 had there been one available. The MS231 CB-E has a smaller engine, but with a 16-inch bar and chain I think it would have been a nice saw to own and probably good enough, but it wasn't meant to be. :)
I watched several videos on this chainsaw (inc ProjectFarm.... Love PF!) and bought this chainsaw. Good lord it's hell to start. The guy at Ace had trouble starting - had to take a break after 20 pulls. I have the same problem, sometimes I can start on the 5-10th pull, normally 20-50. I turned 40 this year and I suspect my shoulder has fewer warranty years than my Stihl!
Something sounds wrong... It shouldn't be that hard to start. When the saw is cold, are you setting the Master Control Lever to the bottom position (Choke shutter fully closed), then giving it a few pulls until you hear the engine burp (should only require 3 - 5 pulls), then moving the Master Control Lever to the Starting throttle position (second from the bottom - should only require 2 - 3 pulls) and giving it a few more pulls... it should start right up. Could also be possible that the spark plug is fowled making starting more difficult. Or maybe the gas... is the gas fresh and mixed correctly?
@@GrantBurton Thanks for spending a minute troubleshooting it! Yes I move all the way down to the cold start, and move to the second from bottom after the burp. I had wondered bad gas the very first time I tried and struggled with it - I figured Ace probably had demoed it and left gas in there a while. I dumped it all out and used a fresh can with the Stihl-brand little oil bottle. That didn't seem to make a difference. I also wondered about the spark plug but I haven't looked at it (haven't ever changed one so have put off doing that). It is really intermittent. My first experience I was able to start it one time after three projects' worth of trying - I just had to stop from being so exhausted. I called Ace hoping they'd replace it or help me troubleshoot it, but one store didn't have a guy for it and the other's one was out on vacation. I had pumped about 40 times in 100F heat and just gave up that day. The next day I pulled it one time and it started up on the first pull. Ever since then it's been manageable to start but a chore. I only use it if I have a lot to cut.
I changed the coil and carb on my old ms250. starts like burt says. trik is to set coil trigger gap and position properly. for ME , I filed out a gruv in the saw plastic case bottom. my saw gets used in 25'F weather. . cold cuts. 🦊
Hi Yasmin, thanks so much 😁😎 Awesome to hear there are people out there that enjoy the content... and reassuring that I must be doing something right, although I don't know if a would go so far as to say 'kicking ass' yet... more like getting my ass kicked 😂😂😂 haha. My channel is so small but I'll keep chipping away at it. Thanks for the encouragement, it's comments like yours that make it that much more worthwhile. Have a fantastical day.
Thanks Grant for the most informative video. I fully agree Neil and his Staff at Belmore Forest and Garden Equipment are always there to help and advise.
The way I see it, if you're running a 14-16 inch (35-40cm) chain, there are better options. The MS170 at roughly HALF THE COST is excellent for someone who may only need to knock down a few limbs or do storm cleanup. If you're making the investment the 250/251 will pull an 18 inch (46cm) chain with ease and can even handle an aftermarket 20 inch.
Hi Ryan, that makes sense, although also depends on how much one intents to use the machine at a given time (so knocking down only a few limbs, the 170 would likely be fine). I'm pretty happy on the MS250 with the option to run from 13" to 18" bars on the same saw... nice flexibility. Thanks for leaving a comment, nice to hear from you.
I was told by the dealer not to run it hard over about half an hour. So I don't, and let it warm up so you don't burn up your piston. Works well for its size. There's no kickback on this because I can overpower the saw. So probably varies person to person. Moving up next chainsaw. Thanks for the info.
Hi William, definitely works very well for its size. Agreed, but I think it goes for any saw, letting it warm up properly before maxing out will go a long way to reducing wear and tear on the engine. I think the kickback would be more pronounced with a longer bar (18 inches) when compared to a short bar (14 inches) as the tip has more leverage to kick up... but yes, it's very manageable. Agreed... this saw isn't meant to be run all day, every day, 24/7 at full tilt... for that Stihl's Professional range of saws is a better choice. Thanks for your comment.
For the price and engine size, yes the 250 has 'em all beat. If you are willing to go a little higher in price and weight the Echo CS-501P will spank the 250 easily. And its a real pro saw with magnesium crankcase too. I have both saws and love them both. For a general purpose saw as shown in the video I like the 250, for big hardwood I take the 501P all the way.
I was going to buy this stihl saw but ended up with a shindaiwa 402 i gotta say i paid less and was very impressed on the shindaiwa. The company i work for uses everything stihl so im real familiar with stihl so my point is if you cant buy a stihl get a shindaiwa its a higher end eco saw same makers.
@@GrantBurton good question as this is my first shindaiwa I'm not sure how's their tech support but the dealer I bought it from is super awesome he explained alot about the chainsaw I know there's 5 year consumer warranty and 2 year commercial warranty it's quite and powerful 40cc he explained that sthil makes their engines rev high so it wares out quicker next thing we know we're buying another sthil he sells sthil, ehco, and shindaiwa which sthil cost more so he could of just fed me crap and sold me the sthil but he sold me reliability instead which was cheaper.
The warranty on that Shindaiwa saw sounds good 👍 Keep us updated as to how well the saw is working for you after some use. Thanks for all the info... much appreciated.
@@GrantBurton yes thanks man I'll keep that update coming so far I used it to cut some iron wood for about an hour and the saw did really awesome with no issues i just needed to adjust chain as it stretched a little.
Hi Zafar, thanks very much. If you are looking for a chainsaw that is suited towards cutting ‘all day every day’, then STIHL’s professional line of saws is what you are looking for… something like the STIHL MS260 or MS261 (it’s similar to the MS250 in size but more powerful).
if you ever owned an 029 you would be disapointed in the MS250. mine was purchased new but it was always an inconsistant running saw and it came along on firewood gathering trips but my 036 was such an awesome saw the only time the MS250 got used was when a friend that knew how to operete a saw came along to help they used it. I sold it and got a new MS400 and will now have the stone axe reliable 036 as my back up saw
Thanks for the feedback. I guess if a person is looking for a more powerful saw, the MS261 is a good choice... powerful and robust and also has good reviews.... suppose it depends on what its intended use is.
Hi Bendang, the Stihl MS201 is an arborist saw so not comparable to the MS250. If you need a saw that is similar to your MS170 but has more power, then the MS250 is a good choice.
I think STIHL are really good but Husqvarna also make very good chainsaws… although I don’t think I have enough experience to make a proper judgement call on which is the best.
Hi Marc... nope... just an old pair of jeans 😎😂 Things are wild in Africa 😂😂. I actually don't have a pair of chaps... couldn't afford them at the time. Thanks for the comment. Nice to hear from so many people all over the world.
I just bought one of these. Came with a 16" bar. I'm in Alberta Canada. I've cut two trees so far. One pine about 14" diameter and a spruce at 11" diameter. Felling took about a minute. Limbing and cutting to 16" length took over an hour each. This saw cut this without any trouble. I've got two more trees to go to fill my second firewood rack.
Hi RW, thanks for the feedback... it's awesome to hear the saw is working well for you. I'm still very happy with mine... enough power fo my needs at the moment. Sounds like you have a couple more hours of cutting ahead of you. Let us know how that goes.
Hi, the oil system / tank is pressurised so if you use the saw and put it away, there will be some pressure in the tank and a small amount of oil will run out until there is no more pressure. Oil will likely also run out of the groove in the bar. Before I pack my saw away, I let it cool down, fill the bar oil (which will release any pressure because you're opening the tank), place it on a piece of newspaper and it doesn't leak. A small amount runs off the bar, but hardly anything. Maybe also check for a cracked oil tank?
Hi Paul, I think it’s Eugenia. It burns ok… nothing compared to burning thornwood but it gets the job done. Nice for a lookie fire though 😂 Yeah, it’s a great little saw, good quality and performance for the price.
I've got one, come get for 100.00 , worst investment on a tool I ever made , fuel line from carb to tank will break at tank end , gut the muffler as soon as you get, total plastic , for the money I paid new , it's not worth it , get a good used saw . I use saws every day, that said, I would never buy a stihl, get a pro model echo for casual use , get your money worth .
@@GrantBurton the reason I picked up an 021 was because I have lots of ms 250 parts left over from my MS 250 build and 025 restoration. These parts go right on an 021, because the 250, 025 and 021 are basically the same saws and the 024, 026 and MS 260 are basically the same saws. I have lots of 260 parts, too, since I have built or restored the 024, 026 and 260..
I have one acre that needs a lot of limbs cut down and just a few big oak trees. I'm getting a MS250 for real good deal and almost brand new with a 16-in and I would like to buy a 20-in bar just in case. Is the MS 250 big enough to run a 20-in bar or should I get a bigger chainsaw. Also what brand bar and chain should I buy for it just being a homeowner?
Hi Chris, I think the MS250 running a 16" bar will work well... using the 20" bar in anything other than very soft wood is going to be a bit much for the saw to handle. If you are wanting to use a 20" bar, I think the MS261, or possibly a bigger saw, is a better suited for that size bar (of course with a properly sharpened chain). The MS261 with a 18" bar is a good combination. As for brand of bar and chain, I've just stuck with Stihl (haven't tried anything else). The MS250 is a nice homeowners saw so If you are getting the MS250 for a real good deal, why not just get it and run it with the 16" bar for a while and see if it does everything you want it to do?
Owned mine since 3/13 ! 18 inch bar,normal tune up stuff,92 Octane is all I use.Only part replaced is the pull cord and the cover for it.Its cut thru 2 diff pines that fell and almost 2 ft in diameter.Keep it Clean,chain sharp,NGK plug it will last.
That muffler looks different than the U.S muffler. It sounds like it runs way richer than the U.S ones as well. Do you know if the ones in your country have a CAT in the muffler?
Hi Viper, I don't think they have a CAT in the muffler but I would have to check (the part number is 1123/11ADSH). Maybe mine is in need of a mixture tweak... I'll have to look into that next time I use the machine.
Great saw even with an 18" bar. Muffler modded and carb adjustment and now it really cuts! Just wish I didn't feel like I wasted my money on a 260 and had just gotten a 60cc saw for my next saw. Granted the 260 I have a 3/8 pitch chain on and I think I may have to switch to then perhapss maller 325 pitch chain then perhaps it will finally cut like I expected based on my 250 performance which had been stock for my previous 15 years or so until I muffler modded it.
@GrantBurton I just pulled the muffler and the outlet is in like a depressed square. I opened it up to that almost like it was made to originally open thar far? Then I reinstalled the screen and bent the deflector more open. Wish I had done it 15 years ago lol
Ive had mine for a couple of years now and its been great. My ms441cm is broke down right now and im having to use my ms 250 to cut up a big oak. The trunk is about 30" in diameter and although its not as fast as my 441 its handling it just fine. This is the first time in 10 years that my 441 has let me down,but its the most complicated saw ive ever tried to work on. I think that after i get it fixed its gonna get replaced with something simpler
@@rogerstern2542 yup,I agree with you I never could get it back together right,then my basement flooded and the saw was under 2ft of water for a few days. I salvaged the 28" bar and chain and trashed it. I think I'll eventually settle on an ms400c with a 25" bar. That's big enough for all my trees I think
Great video, I just bought my MS250 today. Can’t wait to start using it. From what I understand they will stop making them do to EPA requirements. Two saws left at my shop and bought 1 of them. 😊 400 bucks u can’t go wrong.
Hi Veronica, thanks very much 😊 Absolutely can’t go wrong with this little saw… lots of bang for buck. I’m sure they will still be around a long time in places like South Africa… pretty sure our EPA requirements are non existent 😂😂. Please give us some feedback once you have used the saw a bit.
I trust you. You are standing next to a Husqvarna mower. Professional home owner tip, I keep a can of compressed air in my saw kit to blow off the caps before fueling/oiling.
I’ve also found mine to be reliable and easy to start and have only been using the STIHL 2-stroke oil and ethanol-free gas. That said, the chainsaw is only about 2 years old now.
Hi, I’ve never actually used any of the Husqvarna chainsaws so can’t really comment. They are a reputable brand so I guess they are pretty good. The only Husqvarna product I have is a ride-on lawn tractor.
Good video, Grant! I bought an MS50 20 years ago and have used it to cut about 6 cords of wood every winter, as well as other miscellaneous jobs. It still runs like it's new and has needed no particular maintenance other than cleaning the air filter occasionally. I just changed the drive sprocket for the first time. I'm still running the original 16" bar too.
mine is about that old too. i got a new carb and coil kit from A'zon . $28. runs and starts better. 38:1 gas/oil mix is good for me. Torx-27 bolts. 🦧 20" roller tip bar it runs best at about -5 'c air temperature. North of Toronto canada. crank end seals shud soon be replaced. ?
I bought this stihl ms250 about 7 month ago..the best stihl chainsaw that perfect home owner like me..easy to start..but must follow step by step before start..with 20inch bar , good for home owner..but if you want your chainsaw long lasting , dont give your toy to another people..they will ruin everything..carb setting..chain , bar
Agreed... it is a good saw. Yeah, lending out tools like these can end up costing you in the long run, especially if the person you are lending it to doesn't know how to operate it properly and ends up causing engine damage (which may only show at a later time when the saw ends up failing sooner than it should). Also if they don't know how to properly sharpen the chain, it could end up costing you a chain.
Thanks for the informative video. I bought a Stihl 250 last year and it came with an 18" bar. I also bought the Stihl hard case for it. It's been the best saw that I have ever owned. It started right up, even after sitting all winter. I only use non ethanol gasoline in it and that seems to make starting it much more reliable. I give it two pulls on full choke and it burps. Then I switch to half choke and it starts with one pull each time.
Thanks very much. They are great little saws.... and plus one 👍 for the non ethanol fuel.
@@GrantBurton kalo di indonesia tertulis by stihl in cina. bukan maden in german
Probably the best saw on the market for the money.
Hi George, thanks for the comment… I’m still really happy with mine 😁
@@GrantBurton really?
@@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk Yeah, I think it's an awesome little saw, very happy with my choice.
How about Chinese saws
@@bekabeka71no.
I got an MS250 in 2012, still running fine. My yard is mostly a hill that is forested and each year we have to take down 2-3 trees that are dying or have fallen against other trees; aside from the occasional beech, they are either sugar maple, hickory, or oak, and typically at least 15-18 inches thick quite a way up. Because of the topography and the widowmaker position of the trees, or the occasional tree that needs to fall AWAY from the house, I'll sometimes call a tree service just to cut the tree down and then I take care of it - while I cut most of it by hand just for the workout, I do the big segments with my 250 so I can move them to better locations, but the 250 cuts these pretty wide, very hard hardwoods quite well. I'd initially bought a Husqvarna but didn't care for how it was put together - for me, the way the Stihl is set up is easier to use and maintain.
Hi Douglas, thanks for some really great feedback... very much appreciated. I'm sure your comment will go a long way to helping others figure out if the Stihl MS250 saw is going to suite there needs. Also good to hear that the saw is working well for you.
Yes, the 250 will cut with the best of them. I run 18 inch .063 bars on mine with RS chains. I have two MS 250’s, one a brand new 250 and the other a Farmertec MS 250 that I built last year. I also have a Stihl 025 that I restored. It was made in ‘95 in Germany. I also have a MS 251. I have a shop full of Stihl pro saws. I use what I feel comfortable with or need for a particular job. My saws cover from 16-36” bars, but I keep 20” bars on them most of the time.
Hi John, thanks for the comment and great to hear from you. Yeah, I believe the 250 is the new version of the older 025. Guessing your 025 still cuts like a champ? Sounds like you do a fair amount of cutting with so many saws and those large bars.
What is your preference... the MS250 or MS251? very similar saws with minor differences.
Especially on a farm, a 16 or 18" bar would be a good fit (depending on what one is doing of course) but I guess a 20" is also a good all-rounder.
As a Stihl mechanic myself I can confirm I love the ms250 and bigger saws
That’s great news to hear… thanks very much. They are awesome little saws.
@@GrantBurton they are and they are pretty easy to fix usually it just something simple that breaks
Grant! Great video, just got two of these saws for free after sitting for 10-15 years and this video has helped me better understand my "new" saws!
Hi James, thats awesome... hopefully after a service they will both run great. keep us updated on how they are running.
Thanks for the demo, and your opinion on the 250.
I was preparing to get an MS231 CB-E, but my local dealer had sold out due to EOFY promotion deals.
He gave me a rundown on the MS250 & the MS251 which made me rethink what would be best.
After some serious thought, I chose to go with the MS251CB-E with an 18-inch bar and chain.
As luck would have it, he had only one MS251CB-E left in stock, and he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse.
The deal included the 'woodman chainsaw case' and three spare chains.
The 250 & 251 are so close it's like a slightly bigger brother and it his sister.
But the big difference for me is the easy starting & slightly better fuel consumption.
So far, I am pleased with my choice and dare say I would have been quite happy with the MS250 had there been one available. The MS231 CB-E has a smaller engine, but with a 16-inch bar and chain I think it would have been a nice saw to own and probably good enough, but it wasn't meant to be. :)
Awesome “big” little chainsaw. I’ve had mine a couple years. Handles firewood cutting and 25”ish tree felling just fine. It’s a lil bulldog no doubt.
Agreed… packs a good amount of power for its size and weight. Thanks for the comment.
I watched several videos on this chainsaw (inc ProjectFarm.... Love PF!) and bought this chainsaw. Good lord it's hell to start. The guy at Ace had trouble starting - had to take a break after 20 pulls. I have the same problem, sometimes I can start on the 5-10th pull, normally 20-50. I turned 40 this year and I suspect my shoulder has fewer warranty years than my Stihl!
Something sounds wrong... It shouldn't be that hard to start. When the saw is cold, are you setting the Master Control Lever to the bottom position (Choke shutter fully closed), then giving it a few pulls until you hear the engine burp (should only require 3 - 5 pulls), then moving the Master Control Lever to the Starting throttle position (second from the bottom - should only require 2 - 3 pulls) and giving it a few more pulls... it should start right up.
Could also be possible that the spark plug is fowled making starting more difficult.
Or maybe the gas... is the gas fresh and mixed correctly?
@@GrantBurton Thanks for spending a minute troubleshooting it! Yes I move all the way down to the cold start, and move to the second from bottom after the burp. I had wondered bad gas the very first time I tried and struggled with it - I figured Ace probably had demoed it and left gas in there a while. I dumped it all out and used a fresh can with the Stihl-brand little oil bottle. That didn't seem to make a difference. I also wondered about the spark plug but I haven't looked at it (haven't ever changed one so have put off doing that).
It is really intermittent. My first experience I was able to start it one time after three projects' worth of trying - I just had to stop from being so exhausted. I called Ace hoping they'd replace it or help me troubleshoot it, but one store didn't have a guy for it and the other's one was out on vacation. I had pumped about 40 times in 100F heat and just gave up that day. The next day I pulled it one time and it started up on the first pull. Ever since then it's been manageable to start but a chore. I only use it if I have a lot to cut.
I changed the coil and carb on my old ms250. starts like burt says.
trik is to set coil trigger gap and position properly.
for ME , I filed out a gruv in the saw plastic case bottom.
my saw gets used in 25'F weather. . cold cuts. 🦊
Hi Grant! We love your videos and are so stoked to see South African UA-camrs kicking ass!! Keep crushing it dude!!
Hi Yasmin, thanks so much 😁😎 Awesome to hear there are people out there that enjoy the content... and reassuring that I must be doing something right, although I don't know if a would go so far as to say 'kicking ass' yet... more like getting my ass kicked 😂😂😂 haha. My channel is so small but I'll keep chipping away at it.
Thanks for the encouragement, it's comments like yours that make it that much more worthwhile.
Have a fantastical day.
Thanks Grant for the most informative video. I fully agree Neil and his Staff at Belmore Forest and Garden Equipment are always there to help and advise.
Hi Pieter, thanks for the comment 😊 definitely… all of my interactions with them have been a wonderful experience.
The way I see it, if you're running a 14-16 inch (35-40cm) chain, there are better options. The MS170 at roughly HALF THE COST is excellent for someone who may only need to knock down a few limbs or do storm cleanup.
If you're making the investment the 250/251 will pull an 18 inch (46cm) chain with ease and can even handle an aftermarket 20 inch.
Hi Ryan, that makes sense, although also depends on how much one intents to use the machine at a given time (so knocking down only a few limbs, the 170 would likely be fine). I'm pretty happy on the MS250 with the option to run from 13" to 18" bars on the same saw... nice flexibility. Thanks for leaving a comment, nice to hear from you.
I was told by the dealer not to run it hard over about half an hour. So I don't, and let it warm up so you don't burn up your piston. Works well for its size. There's no kickback on this because I can overpower the saw. So probably varies person to person. Moving up next chainsaw. Thanks for the info.
Hi William, definitely works very well for its size. Agreed, but I think it goes for any saw, letting it warm up properly before maxing out will go a long way to reducing wear and tear on the engine.
I think the kickback would be more pronounced with a longer bar (18 inches) when compared to a short bar (14 inches) as the tip has more leverage to kick up... but yes, it's very manageable.
Agreed... this saw isn't meant to be run all day, every day, 24/7 at full tilt... for that Stihl's Professional range of saws is a better choice.
Thanks for your comment.
Not being a jerk but there is ALWAYS a way to get kickback.
I needed a bit bigger saw to cut firewood every year. I have the MS 311 with a 20 inch bar.
That’s also a nice saw… How is the MS311 working for you?
This is a nice detailed kind of video. Thank you so much for such a lot of infos. Hope to see some more videos coming😊😊😊.
Thanks very much. Yeah… there will be more videos coming up on the channel. Thanks for watching.
Going to buy a new stihl today. Looking at either this saw or the 251 wood boss. For my own firewood cutting
Awesome, thats great... once you've bought it, let us know which one you decided to take and why.
Which did you end up going with? How do you like it?
And don't forget the cup jock for the chunks that throw back and that.
For the price and engine size, yes the 250 has 'em all beat. If you are willing to go a little higher in price and weight the Echo CS-501P will spank the 250 easily. And its a real pro saw with magnesium crankcase too. I have both saws and love them both. For a general purpose saw as shown in the video I like the 250, for big hardwood I take the 501P all the way.
Thanks very much for your comment. It's a great general purpose saw, small but powerful.
I was going to buy this stihl saw but ended up with a shindaiwa 402 i gotta say i paid less and was very impressed on the shindaiwa. The company i work for uses everything stihl so im real familiar with stihl so my point is if you cant buy a stihl get a shindaiwa its a higher end eco saw same makers.
Thanks for the info... What is their support like and how available are parts for those machines?
@@GrantBurton good question as this is my first shindaiwa I'm not sure how's their tech support but the dealer I bought it from is super awesome he explained alot about the chainsaw I know there's 5 year consumer warranty and 2 year commercial warranty it's quite and powerful 40cc he explained that sthil makes their engines rev high so it wares out quicker next thing we know we're buying another sthil he sells sthil, ehco, and shindaiwa which sthil cost more so he could of just fed me crap and sold me the sthil but he sold me reliability instead which was cheaper.
The warranty on that Shindaiwa saw sounds good 👍 Keep us updated as to how well the saw is working for you after some use. Thanks for all the info... much appreciated.
@@GrantBurton yes thanks man I'll keep that update coming so far I used it to cut some iron wood for about an hour and the saw did really awesome with no issues i just needed to adjust chain as it stretched a little.
Thanks great video
It's a pleasure.
I like my ms170
Great watching your video ....whats the good option for cutting most of the days of the week and around 8 hrs a day
Hi Zafar, thanks very much. If you are looking for a chainsaw that is suited towards cutting ‘all day every day’, then STIHL’s professional line of saws is what you are looking for… something like the STIHL MS260 or MS261 (it’s similar to the MS250 in size but more powerful).
Excellent. Thanks for a great review.
Hi James, it's a pleasure 😁 and thanks for watching.
if you ever owned an 029 you would be disapointed in the MS250. mine was purchased new but it was always an inconsistant running saw and it came along on firewood gathering trips but my 036 was such an awesome saw the only time the MS250 got used was when a friend that knew how to operete a saw came along to help they used it. I sold it and got a new MS400 and will now have the stone axe reliable 036 as my back up saw
Thanks for the feedback. I guess if a person is looking for a more powerful saw, the MS261 is a good choice... powerful and robust and also has good reviews.... suppose it depends on what its intended use is.
MS201 or MS250 for best smallest Chainsaw from Stilh. I have MS170 but like to have little more power.
Hi Bendang, the Stihl MS201 is an arborist saw so not comparable to the MS250. If you need a saw that is similar to your MS170 but has more power, then the MS250 is a good choice.
@@GrantBurton Thankyou so much.
I will...
Wow, I was really surprised all those trees were planted so close to that wall.
I'm not sure what was there first but those trees are pretty old, so I guess the wall was built after.
Also, if you don't like the saw, these brand and model hold their value and can be sold used on eBay between $200-$300
That is a good point... good quality products normally hold their value. I'd like to get my hands on a few more @Stihl products to try out.
250 is a great saw
Definitely... works very well for its size. Made easy work of two pretty large trees a couple months ago.
Is stihl the best brand for chainsaws
I think STIHL are really good but Husqvarna also make very good chainsaws… although I don’t think I have enough experience to make a proper judgement call on which is the best.
It's a little bull terrier, if you know the art of maintaining a chainsaw, then there's not much the 250 can't do for you. 👌🇦🇺
Yeah, it's such a versatile little saw. Thanks for the comment.
Good review! I am not sure you were wearing your safety pants or chaps! 🤔 Marc, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦
Hi Marc... nope... just an old pair of jeans 😎😂 Things are wild in Africa 😂😂. I actually don't have a pair of chaps... couldn't afford them at the time. Thanks for the comment. Nice to hear from so many people all over the world.
I just bought one of these. Came with a 16" bar. I'm in Alberta Canada. I've cut two trees so far. One pine about 14" diameter and a spruce at 11" diameter. Felling took about a minute. Limbing and cutting to 16" length took over an hour each. This saw cut this without any trouble.
I've got two more trees to go to fill my second firewood rack.
Hi RW, thanks for the feedback... it's awesome to hear the saw is working well for you. I'm still very happy with mine... enough power fo my needs at the moment. Sounds like you have a couple more hours of cutting ahead of you. Let us know how that goes.
My new 250 is hard to start compared to my old echo 440.
Hi, is it harder to pull or it has trouble starting?
Mine will leak bar chain oil all over the place, can this be fixed?
It's brand new.
Hi, the oil system / tank is pressurised so if you use the saw and put it away, there will be some pressure in the tank and a small amount of oil will run out until there is no more pressure. Oil will likely also run out of the groove in the bar. Before I pack my saw away, I let it cool down, fill the bar oil (which will release any pressure because you're opening the tank), place it on a piece of newspaper and it doesn't leak. A small amount runs off the bar, but hardly anything.
Maybe also check for a cracked oil tank?
Thanks
@12:12 - Yeah that can be bad for any guy. 😂
Haha... that can be a bit problematic
Thanks m8
It's a pleasure.
I’ve had my 250 for years, great little saw.
Looks like some soft wood you’ve got there. 🤔What is it, does it burn hot.
Hi Paul, I think it’s Eugenia. It burns ok… nothing compared to burning thornwood but it gets the job done. Nice for a lookie fire though 😂
Yeah, it’s a great little saw, good quality and performance for the price.
If people are Worried about dirt on their Caps Brush the caps with a toothbrush first
Haha... yeah, I suppose so... give it a quick brush off before opening it up.
@@GrantBurton It's true it works
Stilch, and that.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I've got one, come get for 100.00 , worst investment on a tool I ever made , fuel line from carb to tank will break at tank end , gut the muffler as soon as you get, total plastic , for the money I paid new , it's not worth it , get a good used saw . I use saws every day, that said, I would never buy a stihl, get a pro model echo for casual use , get your money worth .
Bad gas bro
Can’t say that I disagree with you on the ms250. I have two of them, both with 18” .325 bars.
Hi John, that’s great to hear. They are awesome little machines.
@@GrantBurton yes, they are. I also have an 024,025, 026P and a MS 260P and a bunch of big saws - 19 total.
@@johnclarke6647 Oh wow, that’s a lot. I’m guessing you either have a big farm, have a tree felling business or just really like collecting saws 😎
@@GrantBurton grant, I guess the latter.
@@GrantBurton the reason I picked up an 021 was because I have lots of ms 250 parts left over from my MS 250 build and 025 restoration. These parts go right on an 021, because the 250, 025 and 021 are basically the same saws and the 024, 026 and MS 260 are basically the same saws. I have lots of 260 parts, too, since I have built or restored the 024, 026 and 260..
I have one acre that needs a lot of limbs cut down and just a few big oak trees. I'm getting a MS250 for real good deal and almost brand new with a 16-in and I would like to buy a 20-in bar just in case. Is the MS 250 big enough to run a 20-in bar or should I get a bigger chainsaw. Also what brand bar and chain should I buy for it just being a homeowner?
Hi Chris, I think the MS250 running a 16" bar will work well... using the 20" bar in anything other than very soft wood is going to be a bit much for the saw to handle. If you are wanting to use a 20" bar, I think the MS261, or possibly a bigger saw, is a better suited for that size bar (of course with a properly sharpened chain). The MS261 with a 18" bar is a good combination.
As for brand of bar and chain, I've just stuck with Stihl (haven't tried anything else).
The MS250 is a nice homeowners saw so If you are getting the MS250 for a real good deal, why not just get it and run it with the 16" bar for a while and see if it does everything you want it to do?
@@GrantBurton thanks for the detailed answer bro! I think u r right and I need to bite the bullet and get a 261 just in case😉
I bought the 251 6 years ago. It did not come in a box. Came with a 18 in. Bar. Same cc, no problems with the saw. I'm in the states
Hi Vincent, thanks for the feedback… they are really great saws.
Owned mine since 3/13 ! 18 inch bar,normal tune up stuff,92 Octane is all I use.Only part replaced is the pull cord and the cover for it.Its cut thru 2 diff pines that fell and almost 2 ft in diameter.Keep it Clean,chain sharp,NGK plug it will last.
Hi Ron, thanks for the feedback... it's good to hear that many people are reporting that these MS250s are great little saws.
That muffler looks different than the U.S muffler. It sounds like it runs way richer than the U.S ones as well. Do you know if the ones in your country have a CAT in the muffler?
Hi Viper, I don't think they have a CAT in the muffler but I would have to check (the part number is 1123/11ADSH). Maybe mine is in need of a mixture tweak... I'll have to look into that next time I use the machine.
@@GrantBurton Thank you for the reply! I don't hear an issue just an observation of the difference.
I didn’t hear a meow when I put my ear up to it so I’m assuming mine didn’t come with one
@@jonnysnipes3123 Some people say engines purr like kittens. I guess you could could say a chainsaw screams like an angry cat.
BUY a maul
Great video thanks for sharing
Hi Romaldo, thanks very much 😊 are you also looking at picking up a new saw?
I have one and I love it!
That’s great to hear… they are nice chainsaws. Thanks for the comment.
MS 250 is just perfect for cutting down logs it's outworked at 271 and 270 so I prefer the 250 good power
Hi Ian, thanks for your feedback, thats good to hear.
Я из России, штиль 250 хорошая пила
Спасибо за ваш комментарий. (Thank you for your comment)
Love it. About the perfect saw for around the house. Not too big yet very capable.
Agreed... Definitely a great little saw.
I have the ms 250 with decompression button, easy start. Great machine.
Hi Mark, that’s good to hear. I don’t think there are many of those MS250 easy start versions around now days, or at least not here in SA.
Great saw even with an 18" bar. Muffler modded and carb adjustment and now it really cuts! Just wish I didn't feel like I wasted my money on a 260 and had just gotten a 60cc saw for my next saw. Granted the 260 I have a 3/8 pitch chain on and I think I may have to switch to then perhapss maller 325 pitch chain then perhaps it will finally cut like I expected based on my 250 performance which had been stock for my previous 15 years or so until I muffler modded it.
Hi Stanley, thanks for the feedback, the 250 really is a great little saw. What muffler mods did you do?
@GrantBurton I just pulled the muffler and the outlet is in like a depressed square. I opened it up to that almost like it was made to originally open thar far? Then I reinstalled the screen and bent the deflector more open. Wish I had done it 15 years ago lol
Ive had mine for a couple of years now and its been great. My ms441cm is broke down right now and im having to use my ms 250 to cut up a big oak. The trunk is about 30" in diameter and although its not as fast as my 441 its handling it just fine. This is the first time in 10 years that my 441 has let me down,but its the most complicated saw ive ever tried to work on. I think that after i get it fixed its gonna get replaced with something simpler
441 is nightmare to work on. Enough of a bitch I didn’t buy one.
@@rogerstern2542 yup,I agree with you I never could get it back together right,then my basement flooded and the saw was under 2ft of water for a few days. I salvaged the 28" bar and chain and trashed it. I think I'll eventually settle on an ms400c with a 25" bar. That's big enough for all my trees I think
Just bought mine. Came with 20 inch bar.
Awesome, that longer bar is going to be handy.
Great video
Thanks very much.
i have stihl 025 buy in 1998, its same saw
Great video, I just bought my MS250 today. Can’t wait to start using it. From what I understand they will stop making them do to EPA requirements. Two saws left at my shop and bought 1 of them. 😊 400 bucks u can’t go wrong.
Hi Veronica, thanks very much 😊 Absolutely can’t go wrong with this little saw… lots of bang for buck. I’m sure they will still be around a long time in places like South Africa… pretty sure our EPA requirements are non existent 😂😂.
Please give us some feedback once you have used the saw a bit.
I trust you. You are standing next to a Husqvarna mower. Professional home owner tip, I keep a can of compressed air in my saw kit to blow off the caps before fueling/oiling.
Thanks for the tip 👍
I just work wit mine 250.Start on third pull evrything i use is original.Two stroke oil and chain oil
I’ve also found mine to be reliable and easy to start and have only been using the STIHL 2-stroke oil and ethanol-free gas. That said, the chainsaw is only about 2 years old now.
Run a ms 261cm and you’ll put that ms250 in your next yard sale
I'll have to try one of those out sometime.
How do you feel about the Husqvarna 435?
Hi, I’ve never actually used any of the Husqvarna chainsaws so can’t really comment. They are a reputable brand so I guess they are pretty good. The only Husqvarna product I have is a ride-on lawn tractor.
Good video, Grant! I bought an MS50 20 years ago and have used it to cut about 6 cords of wood every winter, as well as other miscellaneous jobs. It still runs like it's new and has needed no particular maintenance other than cleaning the air filter occasionally. I just changed the drive sprocket for the first time. I'm still running the original 16" bar too.
mine is about that old too.
i got a new carb and coil kit from A'zon . $28. runs and starts better.
38:1 gas/oil mix is good for me.
Torx-27 bolts. 🦧 20" roller tip bar
it runs best at about -5 'c air temperature. North of Toronto canada.
crank end seals shud soon be replaced. ?