Light saw

Floody Boreland

Need to clear some light bushes, whins,etc so want a light manoeverable saw with a short bar.
This looks about right if a bit pricey. Also comes without the rear handle so unsure which is easier to use.

Any help appreciated.

http://www.donegan.ie/stihl-ms-150-p-1085.html?osCsid=d45391cb878422781877ca3bae7ed2fd

Nekarsulm

I would suggest you scroll on down the page and consider either the MS170 or MS171. Half the price of the one you were thinking of, and still very able saws. The perfect weight and size for fencing, cutting whins , ivy etc. The fuel tanks are smallish, but that's the only slight criticism I would have. Keep the chain razor sharp, they have small engines and a blunted chain will really drag them down.

Neighbour is a dealer, and got a junket out to Virginia Beach in the USA, where Stihl build the smaller saws. He was telling me that they were shown the warehouse, the size of an aircraft hanger, he claimed. tens of thousands of 170's (couple of years ago), Stihl's biggest selling saw, most going to Russia. There they are the saw of choice for families cutting their heating firewood. Due entirely to the facts that they are 1) Good little saws, and 2) Affordable for the average Russian family.

PS never used one with the "tool-less tensioner" but most web reviewers prefer the ordinary two nut method of tightening the chain.

ABlur

Floody Boreland wrote: »

Need to clear some light bushes, whins,etc so want a light manoeverable saw with a short bar.
This looks about right if a bit pricey. Also comes without the rear handle so unsure which is easier to use.

Any help appreciated.

http://www.donegan.ie/stihl-ms-150-p-1085.html?osCsid=d45391cb878422781877ca3bae7ed2fd

That's very pricey alright. I have a Stihl MS 181 cost €300 cuts everything I've put in front of it so far would recommend.

Floody Boreland

Nice saws but really after something lighter as my elbow joints feel the strain after an hour or so with an average saw..aging you see. The MS150 is over 2lb lighter.

Nekarsulm

Light costs money.
How light do you want to go? !!

Floody Boreland

Is there a lighter saw with a good brand name?

kay 9

Next option is a top handle but they ain't going to be that much lighter. If the 180 is still to heavy, maybe consider getting someone on to do it for ya as they are pretty lightweight. Meant in the best possible way. Chainsaws and physical/mental fatigue don't mix. Too many accidents with saws and they are seldom minor. Best of luck whatever you decide on. Safe cutting. Ps. Maybe consider a battery saw. Then pro ones are surprisingly good, be plenty good for the likes of whins.

Oldtree

imo Stihl 020T still going after a decade

ford2600

Stihl tooless chain tensioner is junk. I changed mine to standard system.

Sir Arthur Daley

kay 9 wrote: »

Next option is a top handle but they ain't going to be that much lighter.

Top handle saws should not be operated on the ground.

kay 9

WikiHow wrote: »

Top handle saws should not be operated on the ground.

I know due to many accidents where People tend to use them one handed. Nice little pruning saws though, clean cuts and saves having to purchase a 150 rear handle or similar. I agree though, to be used in the tree.

grizzlyadams

ABlur wrote: »

That's very pricey alright. I have a Stihl MS 181 cost €300 cuts everything I've put in front of it so far would recommend.

+1 , bought one 2 weeks ago as a spare or backup and have to say I am impressed , light to use but also robust , gave €360 for it

GrandSoftDay

Have a stihl 181 and 211 here. Two very good saws and haven't missed a beat and I have a lot of work done with them.

Reindeer

Floody Boreland wrote: »

Need to clear some light bushes, whins,etc so want a light manoeverable saw with a short bar.
This looks about right if a bit pricey. Also comes without the rear handle so unsure which is easier to use.

Any help appreciated.

http://www.donegan.ie/stihl-ms-150-p-1085.html?osCsid=d45391cb878422781877ca3bae7ed2fd

Those are cute little saws, alright. However they are good for only the smallest trimmings you would need. At that price, there are a slew of 30-40cc saws that weigh less than 9lbs that will do the job twice. Echo, Stihl, and Husky have a lot on offer. Many have already mentioned Stihl. So, in your price range you could have a look at the Echo 400 series, or maybe even 300 series, and Shindaiwa(which many Echo's are a simple rebadge thereof).

vinnie13

Nekarsulm wrote: »

I would suggest you scroll on down the page and consider either the MS170 or MS171. Half the price of the one you were thinking of, and still very able saws. The perfect weight and size for fencing, cutting whins , ivy etc. The fuel tanks are smallish, but that's the only slight criticism I would have. Keep the chain razor sharp, they have small engines and a blunted chain will really drag them down.

Neighbour is a dealer, and got a junket out to Virginia Beach in the USA, where Stihl build the smaller saws. He was telling me that they were shown the warehouse, the size of an aircraft hanger, he claimed. tens of thousands of 170's (couple of years ago), Stihl's biggest selling saw, most going to Russia. There they are the saw of choice for families cutting their heating firewood. Due entirely to the facts that they are 1) Good little saws, and 2) Affordable for the average Russian family.

PS never used one with the "tool-less tensioner" but most web reviewers prefer the ordinary two nut method of tightening the chain.

i hav a ms170 and its a great work horse would recommend one
best value for money

monkeynuz

I have the ms170 as my middle saw and it tends to be the one I reach for the most, have had it 6-7 years and it is great was using it with 15" bar today on some 2' diameter willow and it was fine not quite as quick as my big 72cc saw but then I wouldn't expect it to be and it is much lighter than my big saw. Great saw you won't be disappointed if you buy one and Donegans are a good bunch of lads. See what price they can offer you on the othe saw if you phone up tell them the man from kerry sent you lol they'll know who you mean!

Reindeer

BTW, if you are willing to pay top dollar for Stihl, they also make a read handled version of the 201T. It needs a muffler mod to come alive and match the old 200, but it's a great little saw if you find you just got to spend 600 bills.

Echo has a really nice 360/355 rear handle that carvers seem to love. That thing weighs nothing and is nearly half the cost.

mayota

+1 on the ms170. Better saw than the ms181 IMO.