Stihl MS280

[chugbug]

Hi guys , I just signed up and could use some help picking out a new saw . My saws are really old , homelite super ez automatic and a homelite vi955 , my dad was a dealer 25 years ago or more when I bought them and untill now they have done a pretty good job . But with oil cost it looks like I will be burning wood again . I want to replace the smaller of the two saws the super ez and would like to stay around the same weight of 13 pounds . I hear all good things about the Stihl saws and was looking at the MS280 , its close to the same weight and has a bigger displacement than my EZ , IT should run circles around the old homelite. What is the general opinion of the 280 ??? Was also considering the echo cs520 but I feel the Stihl is probably a better saw .

[Dave Shepard]

Welcome to the Forum, chugbug! What's a chugbug? ;D

I haven't run a 280, so I can't help you there, but I do like the other Stihls I have owned/used.


Dave

[chugbug]

Hey Dave , A chugbug is one of my favorite top water bass lures !!! I love to fish as much as I like to cut wood !!!

[ladylake]

In the Stihl lineup I'd get the MS361, just a little more wieght than the 280 and way more power, kind of spendy though, I think aroung $570 or so. I own 2 Echo CS510 saws that I love, light, handle nice and can really cut. The Echo is built better than the MS280 which is more of a homeowner saw and maybe not quite as good as the MS361. I've owned those CS510's for over 8 years with no problems. Also own 2 044 Stihls one for 20 years and the other for 7 with no trouble either. Try and buy gas with no ethonal, use Stabil and try and run the at least every month or two.   Steve

[SawTroll]

In the Stihl lineup I'd get the MS361, just a little more wieght than the 280 and way more power, kind of spendy though, .....

Exactly!

[chugbug]

Thanks for the information , I thought the stihl  would be better than the echo . But I hear the echo's are a good saw also . It depends so much on the different models in each brand . How does the echo cs 520 stack up ?? I want to keep the weight down around 13 pds. if possible and still get a good saw not a home owners toy. My back won't take much more weight for my primary saw , I have the bigger saw in the VI955 if I need it just for the big stuff.I picked up a stilh 310 the other that a friend had and it seemed alot heavier than my super ez.I see that the weightsposted by most manufactures  are for just the power head , no bar or chain , kind of hiding the true weight , the ez is 13 1/2 total with gas bar and chain.

[sawguy21]

What ladylake said. The MS280, while a decent saw, is a lighter duty homeowner unit. The internal construction is somewhat different than the more robust Echo. FWIW, the MS280 is no longer available here itwas too close in price to the MS361.

[ladylake]

Full of gas and oil with a 20" bar and chain my CS510 wieghts 15 lb 1 oz on a good scale, a MS361 or MS280 will be around 17# full. A Stihl MS 260 will be about 15#, the old Husky 346xp about the same with the Husky NE346xp a little more and the Dolmar 5100s a little more yet. You'ld like the powerband on the Echo, lots of torque.   Steve

[SawTroll]

Full of gas and oil with a 20" bar and chain my CS510 wieghts 15 lb 1 oz on a good scale, a MS361 or MS280 will be around 17# full. A Stihl MS 260 will be about 15#, the old Husky 346xp about the same with the Husky NE346xp a little more and the Dolmar 5100s a little more yet. You'ld like the powerband on the Echo, lots of torque.   Steve

Yep, except that I don't know (or care) about the Echo....... :

[chugbug]

Well the echo cs 520 is sounding better all the time , I'm sure the ms361 is a good saw but a little more than I want to spend right now . Can you guys think of any down side to the 520 , weight and price seem about right , and there warranty is good at 5 years.

I did a little reading on the stihl ms 260 , sounds like a good saw also , light weight , I think about the same price as the echo 520 ,  I need to compare the specs a little more but if I'm right the 260 might be lighter !!! What would be the vote between these two saws ???

Anybody have a current ball park price on the stihl ms 260 pro??

[ladylake]

Both are good saws, you should be able to get the Echo for $380 or so, list price in the Stihl MS260 is $469 so maybe $439 would buy it.   Steve

[chugbug]

Thanks for all the help guys and for mentioning the stihl ms 260 , I had looked right over it . Now to make up my mind which one to buy , I will have to get around to some dealers and see how the two saws  feel . I know a real good echo dealer in my area but not any friendly stihl dealers.

[SawTroll]

Thanks for all the help guys and for mentioning the stihl ms 260 , I had looked right over it . Now to make up my mind which one to buy , I will have to get around to some dealers and see how the two saws  feel . I know a real good echo dealer in my area but not any friendly stihl dealers.

The MS260 is a good saw, that I personally like, but the anti-vibe and air filter systems are proof of its pretty old design...

Run one to get a feel of the AV before buying one - someone called it "the carpal tunnel machine", and not totally without reason...........