So I'm in a predicament, I want a bigger bar and a saw with more power but still manageable. I currently have an Ms180 with a 16" bar and it's great for smaller stuff but I've noticed on some of my clean up jobs, it just doesn't seem to have the power to get through some of the bigger trunks of the trees. I'm not doing anything major, just a couple of tree jobs here and there and some treebelt cleaning for some farmers. I was thinking of the ballpark of an Ms291 with a 20" bar, do any of you guys have experience with this saw and bar combo? I would be buying a used one as I just don't have the work to pay for a brand new saw. I have also seen a couple of Ms310's with 20" bars on Facebook for around 300$. Does anyone have experience with this saw and bar combo? My question to you guys is, is it worth it? Is it worth putting the money into a bigger saw for the few times I'm going to need it? I've juggled between this and a couple of other things to addon to my little business since I do want to get into cleaning up shelterbelts/treebelts more for farmers since it's a decent little gig. Thanks in advance! I appreciate any advice you guys can give.

yes, its worth getting a bigger saw, it's easier on you, it makes the job go faster, and it will always be worth money if you take care of it

I have the Stihl MS290 with the 20in bar, it is a great saw. I do not have any trouble cutting up trees with it. I use a Stihl MS170 for smaller stuff. This works for me.

I have a 290 with a 20" bar and have had it for about 15 years, it has served me well for my needs which is cleaning stuff up around the farm and keeping stuff away from the fences. It along with a battery powered extendable pole saw does what I need to get done. I have been pleased with it, if I was cutting a lot of big stuff I would want a 4 series Sthil but for farm stuff it works great. Now if I was doing this farm stuff for a business, I would look at the 261 series they are a professional grade saw, and are a little lighter, better balanced and made that the 291 but also more expensive.

Maybe look at one of the other brands too. I have an older friend who is a Stihl dealer that doesn’t like Stihl chainsaws other than the 500i.

Ive ran a MS 291 Farm Boss saw for the last 14 years with an 18 inch bar. Lotta fire wood and have fell some pretty good sized trees with it. Wont consider any other brand of saw but Im stubborn!

Spend the money on a ms261 with a 20” bar. It’ll handle anything you throw at it and it’s a great sized combo for what you’re looking to do. Get it with the electronic ignition.

I run all pro series stihl saws all day everyday but in your case I would consider an echo or Husqvarna as well. You may be better served keeping a real sharp chain on the saw you got instead of looking for a new on as well.

I have a MS290 and a 029 with 20" bars and they handle most anything I want to or need to cut. Including a red oak with a 42"butt that blew down in the yard.

Picked the 029 up at a garage sale

What Donner above said. A properly sharpened chain is your best friend. Plenty of you tube videos to watch for help.

And I also ran pro series Jonsereds and Huskys my whole life, but bought an Echo 590 at an auction a few years ago. Fairly impressive for a 59cc saw. They also offer a 40cc saw that might do the trick.

My stihl saws are getting old but sill perform- 036 , 038 , and my bigger saw is an 044 , I run all 25 inch bars

I bought an MS 261 pro series with a 20" bar ten years ago. It is a very good saw.

I've been running Stihl saws for forty-five plus years. The new style gas and oil caps suck. That's why I didn't call it a great saw.

Also, the 261 was the only Stihl I've owned that needed repair, it somehow got dirt in the carb which made it run poorly.

I've dropped many trees cut hundreds of cords of firewood over the years and would recommend Stihl but have zero experience with other brands.

I do have two really good Stihl dealers nearby which is a huge plus.

MS-362 is my suggestion as it’s professional model saw. It’s an investment that will last 20-25 years. Don’t settle for a homeowner saw.

Middle number even it’s a professional model, middle number odd it’s basically a homeowner saw. I cut around 1000 cord with my MS-361 over 18 years and it never saw the inside of a shop.

Replace the caps with new ones, they are a wear part. We had a oil cap come off on a customer's tennis court... if caps act up its time for replacement

I’ve heard great things about stihl but will never spend my money on one. My work saw is Stihl but a Husky will be coming shortly.
I replaced my 55 Rancher with a 562xp. Same weight, more power. Now the Rancher just cuts hole in the ice.
If you’re using it to actually cut a bunch of trees & bucking, I’d go with a pro saw. Your back will thank you.

For all the more you do why not pick up a good used Homelite XL12 or Mcculloch 1010? They can be found anywhere for 50-200. Just make sure you have earplugs.

my starting point for a saw is a 460, 461, 462 size saw with a 28in bar

General rule of thumb to saw life

if you occationally cut with a bar like a little felling and your willing to take a little more time letting the saw work
displacement in CC/2.5=max bar length
50cc/2.5=20 so if you run a 261 with a 20 inch bar you can do a bunch of cutting for years especially if you only say 1/4 of the time have the entire bar in wood

I ran a 260 with the 20 inch bar it came with and most of the time I was not bar deep in wood all the time.

My great uncle said , great saw the first thing I do is put a 16 inch bar on it and change the sprocket from .325 to 3/8 and I run full comp chisel chain.

I didn't quite understand until I was in bar length or longer wood ever day I cut , tank after tank of gas

for better life displacement in CC/3=max bar
50/3=16.667

run good oil and gas and clean the saw out after every day of cutting with the blow gun on the compressor.
flip your bar fairly often some people say every time you put a new chain on , I sharpen on saw so that can be a long time but if you flip it when you clean your saw you should be solid

dress your bar when ever you feel a ridge or bur forming on your inspection when you clean.


now advice on used saws is a little like dating a chick on her 4th X husband , she has baggage
she might look good on the surface but either she is really bad at picking men or she has a few issues of her own.
also you would be the guy she is picking so um yeah.

Chain saws can be damaged so easily then tried to cover it up.
so either DEEP discount on a used saw and figure it is near parts saw status or you really need to know what your looking at.

I cut between 25-35 cord a year along with some clearing. I have/use the following, 261 (18” bar), 360 (20” bar), 441 and 661 both with 25” bars.

With that said, if I had to choose one saw, it would be the 360. Weight, power and fuel usage is best for 90% of the wood I cut.

I have 4 each Stihl and Husqy.
and parts saws to go with.
Dollar per mile the Husqys are
winning hands down.

These all work well and get service.
I'd rather put service into a pro grade
than a home owner farm rancher grade.

Never owned one that didn't need work.
Others milage will vary.

I wanted to try a new Echo but it was
Carona time blues and none at the dealer .

OP, buy the 500.
(Fun spending other people's money lol)