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 have a Husq 455 Rancher, a Stihl 036 PRO, and I would put my 036 up against anything. I have 20 inch bars and Stihl is always better. I have a 14 inch Homelite that I use to trim branches and beat the HELL out of that saw and it keeps on keeping on. I use non ethanol gas always and keep em clean! Great video.
Hands down one of the best videos of its kind. Bought the MS250 as my first saw and instantly fell in love with Stihl. Also bought the MS311 for the other property. MS250 by FAR is the all around best saw ever made.
Just remember, a dealer is in business to sell you saws, bars and chains.I swap bars and chains from one of my Stihl saws to another, as long as they have the same pitch - 3/8. I am building a Farmertec Ms -250 kit and I will rob the bar and chain from my ms-251 to use on it. I may buy a lightweight bar for it, later, but it will get broken in with the chain and bar from my 251. As long as the oil holes match up and they have the same pitch sprocket on them you can mix and match bars and chains, usually.
Brock, a second thought I had in answering your question about the shorter bar. It is an industry standard to round up to the nearest even number so even if the bar length was 16.5 it would be considered an 18. I measured my Husqvarna 346XP since it is comparable to the saws in your video and it was 18 inches. I am wondering if the saw manufacturers make them slightly shorter to get a little better perceived performance but to be fair, I don't know.
I'm 45 and also just got the 250 today after doing some research on what I need to fell some small trees, cut them up and just general clean up out here. Finally got out on some acreage after being in the burbs the last 20 years!
Awesome video! I’ve got the MS251C. Great saw! One idea for you, start the saw from between the legs or on ground with foot in handle. Little safe. I learn something new every time I watch a video. Great idea milling lumber from your land. Love that
Nobody probably cares but when I was looking at getting my first good saw I decided on the MS311. It was the cheapest saw that had the anti-vibration handle. I have used many saws before and that one feature makes sawing so much more comfortable and less draining on the body. The compression release is another feature it has but I don’t often use it. Also I put a carbide “gold label” chain on it even though I have an Oregon electric sharpener. I just keeps cutting like a fresh blade. It was expensive but it sure pays for itself.
I definitely appreciate the info I wasn’t aware my 391 had that feature when I bought it. Definitely nice to have. I use the compression release. I don’t know if it helps or not but I push it every time
I have pro saws 261c to 661cm. I didn't need but MS 250 was on sale. It's the one saw thats I loan out. Enough saw for most folks. I cover starting run, changing chain. I send w several sharp chains bar oil and few cans of Trufuel. Even it would get grenaded, not out much. Few wanted to buy it.
check out this 36" bar on the 500i ua-cam.com/video/QNpMXqDsvsM/v-deo.html Thanks for watching and check out our other John Deere 2038R compact tractor videos at ua-cam.com/video/G9ccCrIRsgY/v-deo.html And subscribe to our channel at ua-cam.com/users/Rockhillfarmandhomes Buy me a coffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/rockhillfarm Thanks for watching
The strato saws are designed to help lower emissions, the only downside is it takes a few more seconds to warm up but you should always warm up a saw for a minute or two to avoid damaging the piston.
Great video, BUT what kind of wood was it? I own an MS250 and it's very difficult to cut Oak. According to the dealer, I was told that the MS250 doesn't have enough power to cut into well aged oak trunks.
I first bought the 251 45.6cc 3hp and sold it to buy the 271 50cc 3 & 1/2hp. I like the 271 much better and cuts faster and it's with the 20' bar with the yellow chain
The 271 was running lean on the high speed needle and or worn out. One thing to note is that these are homeowner grade(MS250) and farm/ranch( 271 and 391). The pro saws have a magnesium chassis and more power for the same ccs. For example an MS261CM has 50ccs and is 4 hp.
I’ve had a stihl pole saw and then got a stihl t194 and just bought a stihl ms661 that came with 20” bar, but also got 36” bar to run on it. My wife wants to do chainsaw sawmill, so that’s why we got the ms661. It’s a beast for sure.
I don’t know if you saw those videos but I’ve done a little bit of chainsaw milling with the 500i It works but I really think it would do better with a 661 and I don’t wanna spend the money on one. I thought about getting one of those knock off clone saws that are cheaper Weather I get a bandsaw mill or a bigger chainsaw I definitely want to mill more lumber. Thanks for watching
@@RockhillfarmYT I needed one that could run 36” bar and the ms 661 was the one to get. I need to watch the video. Looking at the Alaskan sawmill set up.
I run a 36” on the 500 but the 661 will run it better Here is one of the older videos on the Alaskan mills cutting Hedge, which is some of the hardest wood you will ever cut Milling Hedge with a Granberg Chainsaw Mill - Osage Orange Lumber ua-cam.com/video/3UqxsPpl_Dk/v-deo.html
Good comparison! I got a 391 for my first saw, 25" bar for Alaskan mill and 20 if I have a lot of bucking. Makita cordless 36V is my go to though for small stuff!
Cool video thanks for making. I thought I noticed that the boxes for the chains had different color squares. That's full chisel vs partial chisel. Doesn't make a big difference but slight. There is a video on yt about it. Reguardless thanks for a cool video
I’ve done several of these chainsaw comparison type videos and I always try to use identical chains but it is possible that I mixed them up in this video. We had to take the 270 small engine mechanic and have a tuneup done on it to get it to run right Thanks for watching
Serial number for Stihl chainsaw My MS461 was made in Germany, my MS180 and MS310 was USA. • If the first digit in the serial number is a 1 then it was manufactured in Germany • If it’s a 2 or a 5 it was manufactured in the United States • A 3 means it’s manufactured in Brazil • Serial starting with 8 is Chinese made • Starting with 4 means made in Austria
Nice Brock, but I'd love to see it again after a tune up as this is the saw I use the most frequently. I don't use it near as much as you probably do, but I have never experienced that bog. She just spits out chips and moves on
The 271 chain looked dull to me ... Lots more dust in the chips. I bought a bunch of chains for my 250 from a company called Upstart Chains. They were so cheap that I can change them instead of sharpening and always keep a fresh new chain running.
I don’t know why you put the .063 gage chain on both saws. .063 chains are pricy because you can only find them at a Stihl dealer. I stick to .050 gage chain, which can be found at most chainsaw dealers.most of my chains are 3/8, .050, 72, which is a 20 inch bar length. If you think your 18 inch bars vary in length, measure a 16 inch bar on a Stihl saw. The bar length on a 16 inch MS 180 or 170 has an effective length of just 14.5”. The effective length on my 18 inch 026stihl is19 inches, as is the effective bar length on my Ms 251’s 18 inch bar length.
I would go with a Husqvarna 550xp they are a little pricey but well worth the price they run anywhere from 450 to 550 in my area for a 50CC saw I bet you it will keep up with a 440 or o44 Stihl
It’s an older saw so maybe they’ve updated the product line at sine point? I’m no expert though. All I had to go off of is what it says on the saw Thanks for watching
The saw you’re calling a 271 looks to me like a 270, those saws sucked and stihl didn’t make them that long, you can see why! Im 100 percent sure thats a 270. Someone must have put on the wrong badge on the starter.
Well, you probably know a lot more about it than I do. I’m no chainsaw expert. I’ve heard a lot of people say it so that’s what I do. I generally let the saw run for about a minute before I start cutting. It seems like if I try to rev it immediately after starting sometimes it will bog down or almost die but that goes away very quickly Thanks for watching
I think it’s always a good idea to warm up the equipment before running at work speed. One minute of idle is worth the peace of mind, especially in colder weather.
Absolutely incorrect. Just as important with a 2 stroke. People believe they don't need to be warmed up because they don't need oil pressure. It's not about that. It's about piston, ring, cylinder wall clearance
i just bought a new MS271 ...best small saw i have owned.
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 have a Husq 455 Rancher, a Stihl 036 PRO, and I would put my 036 up against anything. I have 20 inch bars and Stihl is always better. I have a 14 inch Homelite that I use to trim branches and beat the HELL out of that saw and it keeps on keeping on. I use non ethanol gas always and keep em clean! Great video.
Hands down one of the best videos of its kind.
Bought the MS250 as my first saw and instantly fell in love with Stihl. Also bought the MS311 for the other property.
MS250 by FAR is the all around best saw ever made.
Just remember, a dealer is in business to sell you saws, bars and chains.I swap bars and chains from one of my Stihl saws to another, as long as they have the same pitch - 3/8. I am building a Farmertec Ms -250 kit and I will rob the bar and chain from my ms-251 to use on it. I may buy a lightweight bar for it, later, but it will get broken in with the chain and bar from my 251. As long as the oil holes match up and they have the same pitch sprocket on them you can mix and match bars and chains, usually.
Great comparison video! I just picked up a ms251 as my first saw, and loving it so far.
Thanks for sharing
The 251 is a great first time saw or a homeowner saw for a couple cord of firewood to just trimming or cleanning up around the yard.
Brock, a second thought I had in answering your question about the shorter bar. It is an industry standard to round up to the nearest even number so even if the bar length was 16.5 it would be considered an 18. I measured my Husqvarna 346XP since it is comparable to the saws in your video and it was 18 inches. I am wondering if the saw manufacturers make them slightly shorter to get a little better perceived performance but to be fair, I don't know.
Thanks for sharing
Im 13 and just got the ms 250 for Christmas. It seeqm good so far after cutting up some pallets
Congrats on the Saw. It should serve you well
@@RockhillfarmYT thanks!
I'm 45 and also just got the 250 today after doing some research on what I need to fell some small trees, cut them up and just general clean up out here. Finally got out on some acreage after being in the burbs the last 20 years!
Congrats on the new Saw
Researching my first saw and this is quite helpful. Well done 👍🏻
Thanks for watching
Awesome video! I’ve got the MS251C. Great saw! One idea for you, start the saw from between the legs or on ground with foot in handle. Little safe. I learn something new every time I watch a video. Great idea milling lumber from your land. Love that
I’m glad you like the video.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. I’m hoping to spend a lot more time with the chainsaw mill this fall
Nobody probably cares but when I was looking at getting my first good saw I decided on the MS311. It was the cheapest saw that had the anti-vibration handle. I have used many saws before and that one feature makes sawing so much more comfortable and less draining on the body. The compression release is another feature it has but I don’t often use it. Also I put a carbide “gold label” chain on it even though I have an Oregon electric sharpener. I just keeps cutting like a fresh blade. It was expensive but it sure pays for itself.
I definitely appreciate the info
I wasn’t aware my 391 had that feature when I bought it. Definitely nice to have.
I use the compression release. I don’t know if it helps or not but I push it every time
I have pro saws 261c to 661cm. I didn't need but MS 250 was on sale. It's the one saw thats I loan out. Enough saw for most folks. I cover starting run, changing chain. I send w several sharp chains bar oil and few cans of Trufuel. Even it would get grenaded, not out much. Few wanted to buy it.
check out this 36" bar on the 500i
ua-cam.com/video/QNpMXqDsvsM/v-deo.html
Thanks for watching and check out our other John Deere 2038R compact tractor videos at ua-cam.com/video/G9ccCrIRsgY/v-deo.html
And subscribe to our channel at ua-cam.com/users/Rockhillfarmandhomes
Buy me a coffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/rockhillfarm
Thanks for watching
Just picked up the 271. Great saw, decent power and weight. Makes pretty quick work out of firewood.
What oil do I need to lube the chain?
I know that it uses 50:1 for the gas.
Just bar and chain oil.
Thanks for watching
The strato saws are designed to help lower emissions, the only downside is it takes a few more seconds to warm up but you should always warm up a saw for a minute or two to avoid damaging the piston.
Great video, BUT what kind of wood was it? I own an MS250 and it's very difficult to cut Oak. According to the dealer, I was told that the MS250 doesn't have enough power to cut into well aged oak trunks.
I don’t really remember that day, but 99% of all the wood on my property is oak
I first bought the 251 45.6cc 3hp and sold it to buy the 271 50cc 3 & 1/2hp. I like the 271 much better and cuts faster and it's with the 20' bar with the yellow chain
can’t go wrong with any Stihl. :)
Agreed
Thanks for watching
The 271 was running lean on the high speed needle and or worn out. One thing to note is that these are homeowner grade(MS250) and farm/ranch( 271 and 391). The pro saws have a magnesium chassis and more power for the same ccs. For example an MS261CM has 50ccs and is 4 hp.
Yes sir. I decided I wanted a pro saw so I ended up getting the 500i
What do you mean running lean on high side?
@@dentondunn4346 it was bogging out in the cut. Needs just about 1/8 turn out on the H screw.
Looking forward to your Alaskan Mill videos Brock, I just picked up 1 myself. I also picked up one of those Timber Tuff TMW-56 cutting guide.
Cool. I’m excited to get started with it. I don’t really know what I’m doing so it’ll be a learning experience
I’ve had a stihl pole saw and then got a stihl t194 and just bought a stihl ms661 that came with 20” bar, but also got 36” bar to run on it. My wife wants to do chainsaw sawmill, so that’s why we got the ms661. It’s a beast for sure.
I don’t know if you saw those videos but I’ve done a little bit of chainsaw milling with the 500i
It works but I really think it would do better with a 661 and I don’t wanna spend the money on one. I thought about getting one of those knock off clone saws that are cheaper
Weather I get a bandsaw mill or a bigger chainsaw I definitely want to mill more lumber.
Thanks for watching
@@RockhillfarmYT I needed one that could run 36” bar and the ms 661 was the one to get.
I need to watch the video. Looking at the Alaskan sawmill set up.
I run a 36” on the 500 but the 661 will run it better
Here is one of the older videos on the Alaskan mills cutting Hedge, which is some of the hardest wood you will ever cut
Milling Hedge with a Granberg Chainsaw Mill - Osage Orange Lumber
ua-cam.com/video/3UqxsPpl_Dk/v-deo.html
Love my 029's 290's and my 066 magnum tuned handles everything I need pure beast for. Looking for a 036 magnum a memory or two 😊.
Nice video. I got the MS260. Thanks for sharing Brock.
Thanks for watching
Good comparison! I got a 391 for my first saw, 25" bar for Alaskan mill and 20 if I have a lot of bucking. Makita cordless 36V is my go to though for small stuff!
Thanks for sharing
391 is a heavy saw ,i rather go for the 400
Brock like the comparison we are looking at the 261 just to use around the property thanks
God Bless All
PaK
261 is great saw
Cool video thanks for making. I thought I noticed that the boxes for the chains had different color squares. That's full chisel vs partial chisel. Doesn't make a big difference but slight. There is a video on yt about it. Reguardless thanks for a cool video
I’ve done several of these chainsaw comparison type videos and I always try to use identical chains but it is possible that I mixed them up in this video. We had to take the 270 small engine mechanic and have a tuneup done on it to get it to run right
Thanks for watching
Serial number for Stihl chainsaw
My MS461 was made in Germany, my MS180 and MS310 was USA.
• If the first digit in the serial number is a 1 then it was manufactured in Germany
• If it’s a 2 or a 5 it was manufactured in the United States
• A 3 means it’s manufactured in Brazil
• Serial starting with 8 is Chinese made
• Starting with 4 means made in Austria
Nice Brock, but I'd love to see it again after a tune up as this is the saw I use the most frequently. I don't use it near as much as you probably do, but I have never experienced that bog. She just spits out chips and moves on
Yeah, when you’re buying a used saw you never know what kind of condition it’s in. I plan to get it running better and do it again
Small frame vs large frame bar mount. Marketing tactic on the small frame to make the little saws sound more impressive on paper.
My MS271 (2019)has 3.49 hp and the 261 has 4 hp. Maybe yours is older and that's why it's only 2.6 hp?
Good video!😊
The 271 chain looked dull to me ... Lots more dust in the chips. I bought a bunch of chains for my 250 from a company called Upstart Chains. They were so cheap that I can change them instead of sharpening and always keep a fresh new chain running.
Thanks for sharing
Good video 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Brock, I would begin by changing the air filter and spark plug. It is hard to to tell from a video but it sounds like it is is starved for air.
Thanks
Should let the saws hit max rpm before contacting the log. Faster cut and easier on the saw.
Thanks for sharing
I don’t know why you put the .063 gage chain on both saws. .063 chains are pricy because you can only find them at a Stihl dealer. I stick to .050 gage chain, which can be found at most chainsaw dealers.most of my chains are 3/8, .050, 72, which is a 20 inch bar length. If you think your 18 inch bars vary in length, measure a 16 inch bar on a Stihl saw. The bar length on a 16 inch MS 180 or 170 has an effective length of just 14.5”. The effective length on my 18 inch 026stihl is19 inches, as is the effective bar length on my Ms 251’s 18 inch bar length.
I want the 391
It’s been a good saw for me
Looking forward to seeing the saw mill in action
Yes sir, You and me both
A good all around bar size is 20", you can and will take down most tree's, except the really big boy's!
I would go with a Husqvarna 550xp they are a little pricey but well worth the price they run anywhere from 450 to 550 in my area for a 50CC saw I bet you it will keep up with a 440 or o44 Stihl
Thanks for the feedback
I honestly don’t believe you. I have a 550 xp and it’s highly unlikely it will keep up with a saw with 20 cc and 1 kW more.
I've heard husqvarna saws can be hard or take a while to get parts for... main reason I went with a ms271.
Yes, the 271 has a Stihl big mouth bar, while the 250 has a small mouth bar.
Chainsaw lovers 👍💪
yes sir
Now all saws are more expensive . Crazy.
The MS250 is a 3.1 horse power saw. Don't know where you got 2.2 horse power ???
kw, not hp
The 271 is actually 3.49hp saw
Thanks for sharing. What did I say?
Definitely don’t want to put out bad information
I dont remember for sure now but i thought you said like 2.5 or 2.6hp on the 271 lol no big deal, i just wanted to share info.
That is not an MS271
What do you mean? One of the saws was a 271. Says it on the side
@@RockhillfarmYT I have 271 I bought in 2013 and the one that you say says 271 the cover is completely different than my 271
It’s an older saw so maybe they’ve updated the product line at sine point?
I’m no expert though. All I had to go off of is what it says on the saw
Thanks for watching
@@RockhillfarmYT probably right but that was great video thank you for sharing
MS271 is a clam shell design, like you said unless they changed the design but that is definitely not the same as any 271 I've ever seen.
The saw you’re calling a 271 looks to me like a 270, those saws sucked and stihl didn’t make them that long, you can see why! Im 100 percent sure thats a 270. Someone must have put on the wrong badge on the starter.
Your a little off on hp , ms250 is 3.0 & ms271 is 3.49 !
He said it as KW, not HP.
My 271 will eat that log up. Yours isn't running right for some reason
It’s simple, men lie about length all the time. Stihl is just make some guys feel more endowed!
Check out project farms test and comparisons of chainsaws
It’s 2 stroke not 4 u don’t need 2 warm them up
Well, you probably know a lot more about it than I do. I’m no chainsaw expert.
I’ve heard a lot of people say it so that’s what I do. I generally let the saw run for about a minute before I start cutting. It seems like if I try to rev it immediately after starting sometimes it will bog down or almost die but that goes away very quickly
Thanks for watching
I think it’s always a good idea to warm up the equipment before running at work speed. One minute of idle is worth the peace of mind, especially in colder weather.
Absolutely incorrect. Just as important with a 2 stroke. People believe they don't need to be warmed up because they don't need oil pressure. It's not about that. It's about piston, ring, cylinder wall clearance
Inconclusive.
Unfortunately
Thanks for watching
P0
Walking heart attack!
Thanks for watching
Now all saws are more expensive . Crazy.
Now all saws are more expensive . Crazy.