Stihl MS 291

[kenskip1]

I was at my local Stihl dealer just being nosy and happened to look at a new MS 291 with an 18BC. The balance seemed good along with the weight.Anyway as of now a own 7 saws 6 in good working condition.I do not require a large saw but something in the 3+ Cubic Inch displacement.I have looked at the Husky 455 and the Echo CS590. All are possible candidates however the Stihl MS 291 seems to fit my grip better.I have several smaller saws a 445 Husky, a Husky 51, a Stihl 025, and a Shinny 352.My Stihl O41 is stihl running strong however the weight is becoming more noticeable.Being very near the ripe age of 59 I think the 291 would fit the bill. Anyone have run this model?What are the opinions about it. Thanks for your time and effort, Ken

[SLawyer Dave]

I have the MS 290 and love it.  Never tried the 291, but I guess it is going to replace the 290s to comply with the new emission rules.  Same power, 1 pound lighter.  Can't go wrong with Stihl.

[SawTroll]

I have the MS 290 and love it.  Never tried the 291, but I guess it is going to replace the 290s to comply with the new emission rules.  Same power, 1 pound lighter.  Can't go wrong with Stihl.

:D  You definately can, but the 291 seems to be quite an improvement over the 290. Make sure you buy the "clean" version, and not a "c" vewrsion with add-ons.

Still it is a "homeowner" type of saw though, and may be priced a bit high for what it is (it is here).

I suggest the OP takes a hard look at spending a little more money, and buy a pro quality Husky 555 or Jonsered 2158 instead. 

[Andyshine77]

In that price range, weight, displacement and so on, the only saw to have is the Echo CS-590, it's a mag case saw at a reasonable price.

[weimedog]

In that price range, weight, displacement and so on, the only saw to have is the Echo CS-590, it's a mag case saw at a reasonable price.

Specs please! Price, wt, displacement etc.  SO have an "Echo" question.... If I was to pick a Echo model to mod in the price, weight, displacement class as those older Husqvarna 350,s what should I find??

Never ran a 291 but I feel as if I need to to fill out the experience set I have. Certainly enjoyed an older MS260 I had some time on!

[Andyshine77]

In that price range, weight, displacement and so on, the only saw to have is the Echo CS-590, it's a mag case saw at a reasonable price.

Specs please! Price, wt, displacement etc.  SO have an "Echo" question.... If I was to pick a Echo model to mod in the price, weight, displacement class as those older Husqvarna 350,s what should I find??

Never ran a 291 but I feel as if I need to to fill out the experience set I have. Certainly enjoyed an older MS260 I had some time on!

The CS-590 is 59.8 cc's and comes in at 13.3 lbs. It will run with any saw in that displacement class, and then some. I personally don't care much for 60cc saws, but at $400 with excellent build quality, it's a standout IMHO. With a simple mm it will run pretty close to most stock 70cc saws, and do so with plenty of torque.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHHeHqKnAUg&list=UUDzYN6LbndM64YHQp_JOb4Q

The CS-500P is a full on pro 50cc saw and a bit more expensive than the old 350. I have a little experience with that model, and I can say it is a runner.  Right now I don't think Echo has anything in the 350 price range. I can tell you that a Dolmar 421 will eat a 350 or my old 353 for lunch, and be right with or ahead of a MS260. The Dolmar 421 really does run like a 50cc saw, even with less displacement. With proper tuning you can in fact overcome displacement IMHO. Now my mm 346xp with a compression pump is a different story.     

[JohnG28]

Compression pump?  ???

[SawTroll]

.....

The CS-590 is 59.8 cc's and comes in at 13.3 lbs.  ....

....

The power specs are 3.0 kW/4.1 hp - not on par with the stronger 60cc saws.

[Andyshine77]

.....

The CS-590 is 59.8 cc's and comes in at 13.3 lbs.  ....

....

The power specs are 3.0 kW/4.1 hp - not on par with the stronger 60cc saws.

Stronger on paper, but not necessarily in the real world. The 361 in the video I posted was put on a dyno and did very well, with 5.028 HP. For caparison a stock 660 had 5.785 HP. Obviously the dyno may not be calibrated to the same standard as the manufactures. Or perhaps manufactures fudge the figures a little.

   

[Andyshine77]

Compression pump?  ???

I set the squish clearance to a more appropriate number. In doing so I also raised the compression about 20psi.

[SawTroll]

.....

The CS-590 is 59.8 cc's and comes in at 13.3 lbs.  ....

....

The power specs are 3.0 kW/4.1 hp - not on par with the stronger 60cc saws.

Stronger on paper, but not necessarily in the real world. The 361 in the video I posted was put on a dyno and did very well, with 5.028 HP. For caparison a stock 660 had 5.785 HP. Obviously the dyno may not be calibrated to the same standard as the manufactures. Or perhaps manufactures fudge the figures a little.

They don't "fudge" that much - I simply don't trust that dyno.

[7sleeper]

But what do you trust?
We have videos emerging on the net about a unmoddified solo 665 beating ported saws (562 & 362) in cutting matches, although I have read since ages from you that solo numbers are exagerated!
We have videos of this echo saw beating a good ported 361, but still we hear your repetitve line "impossible" because the numbers published by the top two players are impecable ...

To be honest slowely but surely I am wondering which manufacturers are really optimistic with their numbers!?!

7

[SawTroll]

7, the Solo 665 is a much larger and heavier than those it was compared to, so that comparison really is totally irrelevant, except for the fun of doing it. The 665 weights more than most 70cc saws, according to KWF.
Solo has for some time now quit lying on the power output, they lie more than others on the weight by now.....

Anyway, I can't see that your comments are relevant in this thread, except as another personal attack on me.  :

[7sleeper]

I am not attacking you. If any one else would have made the same comment imy answer would have been the same. It just happens to be you who always makes these comments. To be honest I highly respect you but simply have a different view than you.

The reason I mentioned the example of the solo had absolutely nothing to do with your comment on weight or handling, but simply with the fact that a unmodified 65cc saw is faster in the same wood than ported 60cc top saws of the top two players! If you still neglect to see the obvious then I am unable to help you.
For all others I truely wonder when seeing a comparison of a classic engine build unmoddified 66cc saw with 3.6KW/4.9hp beat a ported 3.5KW/4.7hp saw, I truely wonder which brand is exagerating their power numbers!

7

[SawTroll]

OK, different wiews are of course OK - there would be no fun if there wasn't!