he local arborist I talk to has switched to electrics for all his climbing saws. my local power company has switched over to electrics. my local fire district has added electics to all their front line response trucks. bottom line: if you're a person who uses a saw for less than a full tank of gas at a time, you will get better performance out of a modern electric.
@@d6893my personal saw is an MS260, and it does a thing electrics won't do. I run it with a 32 inch bar and a semi skip chain, and cut small wood standing with the handle resting against my hip. that said, it weighs twice what a milwaukee electric weighs, and up to the length of bar the milwaukee comes with, it doesn't cut any faster. I also heat with wood, so I run it long and hard when I run it. a person who only runs a saw for short periods, and especially someone who already has a better line of cordless tools, will get better service from a modern electric.
Hmmm, yet all power tools on construction jobs are battery. You can't even find a corded power tool at the big box stores. What makes chainsaws different?
I had complete tears in the Rotator Cuffs, in Both shoulders, so I have eliminate all hard pulling, well, everything from my life. I'm going to electric. So while you yagoos are pulling and pulling on your 250, 500, etc., taking it apart to see why it's not starting, whatever, I'll be cuttin' wood.
I'm so sorry for Canada and California beginning to ban this stuff. It's JUST SO STUPID. These things BARELY contaminate the environment compared to these billionaires and their private jets :)
you would be surprised. arborists, power companies, and fire crews are either adding electric, or converting to electric. high torque, low weight, and guaranteed start are major selling points.
I have stihl and husquvarna gas saws and a Milwaukee electric, that thing is the bomb. Cuts faster, lasts for almost a full pickup bed of firewood, I was skeptical as hell to start with, but it’s proved itself.
Morning donyboy73, I just bought another ms 250 couple days ago. I really ❤ it. First 250 I bought 6 years ago and still running very strong 💪 no issues. Called keeping up with maintenance. I am close to 70 now and still no problems starting. You have a great day young man. Enjoy life. 😉 ❤🦅🦅🦅🙏👏
I've picked up 2 of these saws in really nice condition for dirt cheap in the past month (one was $25). The elderly owners couldn't pull them over anymore.
My old Husq hasn’t been started since early last year and it fired right up yesterday with some fresh gas. Having equipment that starts is easy when you follow Donyboy!
Sometimes installing an Elasto start rope and handle is a big help. Stihl makes them for most models. They also make 1mm cylinder base gaskets for many models.
On a somewhat related note, that chainsaw reminds me of the 1988 SkiDoo Formula MX470 I used to own - twin cylinder, 462cc, and had around 155 psi compression per cylinder. Let me tell you, it was definitely something else to pull over!
I like my 250. Used it for my firewood permit last year. I haven't used it since. I drained and ran it dry per Stihl storage instruction and it's in a case in the basement. Should be good. I'll run it soon just so it gets some work. Once I got used to starting it it was fine. Once it's warm it is very easy to start.
I don’t hate electric. But… it’s not time to transition. It’s time to hoard the good gas stuff before they take our choice away. The electric is a nice supplement to the gas for small limbing jobs and such but that’s about it in my book.
I have several of the EGO line of rechargeables, including their original model of chainsaw. The saw is impressive, but NOT on par with fuel mix models of same size. For quick and light work jobs the electric advantages outweigh the lower cutting performance; add bar oil, slap in a battery and away we go! Storing it is also way more simple, pull the battery and put it on the shelf; no fuel mix to dump and run-out, no worry about gummed-up fuel system. But, for medium to large jobs, the 572XP or 7310 comes out to play - mine have compression release deleated and I am 70 y/o.
I wrote a comment and it just disappeared , RU-vid is weird sometimes . Basically , a lot of gas saws will remain compliant including the one shown here , it won't be battery or nothing .
The electric saw changed my 84 yr old friends life ! He can cut wood again! He does not need someone to come tug on a saw starter rope.. think a little about others before trashing … one day you might be lucky enough to be 84!and still cutting wood.
I've worked on a few of these MS250s myself. NOT IMPRESSED. I call them "Might Start 250s!" Don't knock a rechargeable until you've tried it! I used my dad's Ryobi battery powered chainsaw and I was COMPLETELY blown away. I had a few trees that had fallen down on his place, and I didn't want to drive back to my place and get my Craftsman or Stihl, so I thought I'd try his out. WOW. I grabbed a few batteries (just in case) but never needed them. The first battery did the job and still showed a full charge. VERY impressive. Of course, the unit is practically new, and the chain is very sharp, and I don't know how it will fair after a lot of use and few years down the road.
Hey Don great channel, we have a small engine shop as well, what ive done for some older gents is just add a few washers to the spark plug and lower the compression, way easier to start. God bless
Sure😂😂😂 and an extra battery cost as much if not more than a gas powered Stihl saw😅😅. No thanks I'll stick with gas. Maybe the people that have a hard time pulling it should work out some. Maybe I'm being a jerk? But the whole being forced to go battery is a scam in my opinion,
You try starting that saw, then talk to me about working out. My experience is that it's not about muscle and brute force, but how you use it. talk to your wife - she'll explain it to you. And - no ones forcing you to go battery." Don't like it, don't buy it. Easy
Yes it has a lot of compression and its a bit difficult to start but its one of the best small chainsaws produced by Stihl.Actually i have people asking to buy any used maybe found in good condition due to the success of this model
250 is very good and reliable saw. I think the real issue is as suggested at the end. The strengt just isn't there anymore. We all are getting old. And if you haven' t learn easier pulling technic it is time to move toward electric, or ergostart or pressure reliev valve model.
Putting the saw on the ground and putting a foot in the handle while pulling makes it easier… I’m in the senior category and can still start my cold MS461 and MS661 saws in that way. I can start my MS261 using a knee lock. Once warmed up all of them will restart from the knee lock position.
I am 86 6-4 220 lbs I have never been able to hand crank my Stihl. I finally learned how to start by drop starting. Hold it waste high and forcefully push it toward the ground while pulling on the starting handle. I can start it every time now. This is my 4th chainsaw and the most trouble.
I had a MS310, same set up. Loved that saw. Guy at worked nagged me until I sold it to him. Instant sellers remorse even though I hadn't really used it since 2012.
Thank you for posting. Someone gave me a MS250. I thought there was something wrong, but it pulled so easy when I removed the plug. I thought maybe I was missing some type of compression release. I found out that if you pull the rope until it makes the first hard grab, then pull it hard, it seems to get easier. I guess I'm getting too old!
Why not come up with a simple plan that is repeatable between MS250's by reducing static compression. Perhaps a thick base gasket or little machining. I don't find 160psi 'high compression' but perhaps on this design it really makes starting hard.
@donyboy73 Just thinking.... is it possible to replace the starter with one from a saw that included the 'ez start feature'? Or it totally different design, and not applicable. Thanks for your videos.
I bought a MS250 in 2018 after hurricane Michael. Im telling you after trying to start the thing I am already too worn out to cut wood. I hate the damn thing. I just recently bought a Husqvarna 135, so much easier to start and cuts great too.
I have a Stihl BR 320 backpack. I replaced the rings and piston, cylinder, spark plug, exhaust/muffler, carburetor, gas filter and gaskets. It runs. But the Low speed adjustment has to be fully in (Clock-wise). Back it out and it stops at about 1 turn CCW. Should I just accept that I have no adjustment or is there something causing that problem. I've had and used this blower for 20 years approximately. I mixed fresh fuel.
I have this saw and I have to admit it is hard to start. I found using a good fuel and keeping the carb clean helps a ton. Now if I could just figure out why I can’t turn the saw off we would be in business.
Not really the answers I was hoping for. I don't care particularly "why" my brand new saw won't start. Was really hoping for some tips on how to tell when the darn thing burps before you flood it. Edit: I figured it out. The saw is great. The first burp is so faint it could be a fly farting. Don't pull full choke past 3-4 ( my unit doesn't have the gas bulb). Start pulling on semichoke until it goes. Let it run about 10 seconds. Then try the full run. If it will not run with selector switch on "run" then go back to semichoke and warm up more. I actually like it more than my Husqavarna 260 Rancher 20". Although it is tricky to start, it runs like a champ. Don't go electric!!
The first pull let's off compression! Once the compression is released, pull until it "burps", next put throttle in run position. Pull until it starts! WARNING: If it floods leave in run position and pull until it starts!! I have one and it's great... unless I flood it!! But I have learned how to start mine.
Ok, too much compression! 🤔 What is your advise when the second & third pull ( on a cold start) the cord blocks abruptly? I am strong enough to pull this cord. This situation never happened with my 35 cc ms 211…I know lower compression! Thanks!
Probably one of the horridest saws ever unleashed by Stihl on an unsuspecting World.If you,on the other hand want one of the best all-round saws Stihl have produced in ages in the same power range-save up your pennies and treat yourself to a ms261 c-m,you wont regret it.And just to make yourself feel a lot better,next time you have a garden bonfire-throw your 250 onto it-it would be criminal to try and sell it on.....
I have the ms251, same thing, hard to pull over. There is a lot of complaints online but no one has straight out said, "it's the saw, there is nothing wrong". Thanks for being someone who finally said it, I've been scratching my head about this issue for a long time.
I have a Stihl MS290...same problem. You have to be a gorilla to start it! Is there any way to put a decompression fitting on one? I hate to use it. No 'lectric for me.
I’m going to have to disagree on this one. I’ve been working on several 250s and they’ve been pretty easy to start (save the diaphragm stretching ethanol problem) except for one that has come in recently that will not spin until you take out the plug. I’m working on a 441 magnum that’s easier to pull.
Well, I just cut down a good sized maple last Saturday with my MS250, went through almost 3 tanks of gas, saw will be 6 years old in September. She worked like a champ and cut that maple like a hot knife through butter. Sure she has lots of compression, but I'm an old farm boy and I have never had problems starting this saw. I love Stihl, high RPM and super fast cutting IF you keep it maintained, which goes for any gas powered equipment. A battery powered saw could NEVER do what this mighty MS250 can do. I would say battery powered is ok for trimming a few branches, but for felling and blocking up good sized trees, gas powered rules⛽🤘
Have a MS170 which I bought new, was a devil to start from day one. Just replaced the carburetor w/ a chinee from Amazon. Super easy to start now AND will idle, whish I would have done that years ago.
I enjoy your videos much. I bought a well used 250 for $ 90 (too much) at auction, didnt know it was going to rip my fingers off. Wanted a lighter weight saw than my old 031 but a little bigger than the 170. I might have an oiling problem, it does oil but I dont think enough. Preveas owner got the bar blue. Iwatched your video on install new pump but I dont want to go to work and expense if it is no better than what I have now.
I believe there was suppose to be a ban for pushmowers, leafblowers, weed eaters and chainsaws powered by combustion engine, in California this year. But apparently they didn't do that, propably because of the election year. Or am i wrong?
The 038 is of similar difficulty to start and the cylinder head has a flat spot that should have a decompression valve there. after drilling this location and tapping 27 TPI X 3/8" thread I installed the valve and now this saw is very easy to start. If you are mechanically inclined, this is the solution. Only thing left to do is hole saw the cover plate.
I have an Stihl MS 193t, it's a 30.1 cc I had time a difficult time pulling it over. Compared to my MS 170 it was awful. I first thought the compression was too great do to carbon build up on the piston head, not so. I then replaced the recoil starter assembly with a new Stihl recoil starter. I when I received the new starter assembly, I noticed it had two dogs inside the recoil gear., my old unit only had one. The first start required half the effort, wow! A few months later I installed a Stihl Elastostart. That reduced the required effort a little more. I was going to sell My MS 193T not now. I love it.
I had a couple of these, (ms-250) pull your arm out of the socket saws and the only thing that helped was a aftermarket jug and piston. Definitely a problem with this model.
I have the ms290. Its heavy and hard to start, doesn't have easy start. I have to step on the handle to start it. It has a lot of power, not a big deal. I'm on six acres so I need a gas chainsaw with power. I will admit mixing is a pain so I wait til I have a big job to mix and use a full can. I did buy a dewalt battery pole chainsaw for trimming low branches.
I bought a Dewalt and it leaks oil like crazy, the manual says to drain the tank when done using it so they are well aware of it. Can you imagine buying a new vehicle that leaked oil and the manufacturer told you to drain the oil when you weren't driving it! I wouldn't promote Dewalt electric saws.
Trying to start these saws on the ground and any large saw has an extreme stress on your shoulder, no matter how old you are. Drop starting is way less stressful on your body. If you're just learning, make sure you have the chain break engaged.
