I inherited my gramps stihl ms251 when he passed last September. My grandmother bought it for him after his first heart attack 3 years ago because of how light and easy to use it is. Her hopes were to be able to give him the chance to still do some of the firewood cutting needed to heat the home. Unfortunately it was only used once or twice for a few minutes by him as he never really fully recovered, so it really became my saw as I took over with cutting wood for them. I cherish it, along with his 96 ford f-150 and many other things he left for me. These are great saws. I’ve been very impressed with the power and ease of use.

I'm still using a Stihl 021 I bought in the mid 90s, it's solid. We heat with wood, it gets a lot of use.

My recommendation to as a saw mechanic, the first thing you should do is take the exhaust off and inspect down the exhaust hole for damage to the piston and cylinder wall, a quick peek will tell you a lot about a saw, take care!

I am an Echo person. Have a trimmer that is more than 20 years old still using!!

Great video. I have ran a stihl ms 251 once for cutting some firewood and i didn't really like it. It wouldn't stay running and it kept bogging down a ton, it was a really finicky saw to use. I'm a big fan of Stihl and this was a surprise to me, but after thinking about it i think it had a carb issue or something. I have a older Ms 180c that we use a ton for cutting firewood and i love it! In a couple weeks I'm getting a stihl ms 271 farm boss which is going to be awesome! Thanks for the videos i enjoy watching them when i have time.

For me Echo and Stihl are my go to brands I’ve had good luck with them. I love my FS56, FS91 and SRM225 great trimmers, I use them in my lawn business. For the blowers I use my BG55 (now known as BG50), PB250 and PB500T. I would like to look into the BR600 maybe next year. As for chainsaws, I have my old Stihl 018c which is good enough for me because I don’t do a lot of cutting. If I were to get another one I would probably get an Echo CS400 or Ms180/70 don’t need anything to big.

I'm not loyal to any brands of equipment, as long as it gets the job done I'll own/use it but I do buy the best I can afford. My trimmer is a Stihl FS94R, brush cutter is an Echo SRM2626, blower is an Echo PB2620, mower is a Scag, and my trim mower is a mid 90s 2 stroke Lawn Boy. I have about 40 chainsaws of all brands, but my regular use ones are an Echo CS355T, Husky 346XP, Husky 357XP

That chainsaw would be over the top for my use. Back in the day we used to go up and get our firewood to heat our home but that became a pain in the butt with the Forest Service permits in the mid-1990s. A small electric chainsaw takes care of my oak limbs that fall off our tree in big windstorms.

I always remove the spark plug from any saw I'm working on. The plug color gives me insights into current state of tune. While the cover is off I check the air filter. The ms251 has a washable air filter btw. A small engine tachometer is helpful for adjusting and tuning the carb.

I like stihl, i bought a fs120 to replace a 63cc trimmer, and i can say it works better even with half of the engine volume, plus it's lighter and vibrates a lot less, i can say its an excellent quality brand, my dad also has a ms661 for forestry work and it cuts though wood like hot knife through butter

Nice saw, I picked up a barely used (maybe 3 or 4 uses) ms290 farm boss that sat for 7 or so years. Drained the gas and threw in some fresh after it fired up on the 7 year old fuel checking for compression. Runs like a champ. Would I buy a new one? No... but for $100 used I grabbed this one for fire pit wood. A true testament to fuel stabilizer.

We have a troybult tb130 lawnmower that we have had for years now and it is still in great condition and works great

I think it depends on the intended use. Anytime I have worked for a company that depended on power equipment for income, it has been Stihl. I have rebuilt a few Stihl saws now and enjoy working on them for the most part. Like most companies they have cheaper models that aren't as good. As far as something for a homeowner that might use it once or twice a year, the price tag isn't worth it. If it's going to be left in a shed to collect dust, it might as well be a cheaper brand.

I’m stuck on Husqvarna chainsaws. It was the first chainsaw I got and it lasted for a long time. It was a small one not much power but it was perfect cause I didn’t have much experience with chainsaw. That was 10 years ago. When people ask me what they should buy, I always mention that they should always consider their skill level with chainsaws. I just got a new Husqvarna 450 rancher and that thing cuts like a dream. I’ve become more comfortable with chainsaw saws and cutting down bigger trees.

The bar tells a story... I would pull the bar and make sure the oiler holes are clear. When a chain is very dull it makes a lot of fine dust that will clog the oiler holes much easier than chips will. A chain that dull can destroy the piston and cylinder because there will be less load than normal on the engine, causing it to over rev and overheat. I have a feeling the rakers are too high on that chain. Also if no oil is getting to the bar the chain will actually seize up in the bar that will bog the engine some making it feel like there is a problem with the engine.

I’ve enjoyed my FS56 until today when I bent the shaft tube in half 😂. I’m trying to hunt down a used part or parts machine now. Great video!

Well brother as you know, I work on saws,hedge trimmers, and weed Wackers probably 80% of the time. Your evaluations on what YOU would use and what You would shy away from are spot on. Not to mention that's coming from a guy with a great understanding of how these machines work. Yes, I'm talking about you. The deal breaker for ME would be parts availability. A spur gear for a Stihl hedger is $75 from the dealer and it's rare to find them on eBay and impossible on Amazon. My experience tells me echo is the best option but the warranty is worthless unless you have 2 of the same machine. 1 to use while the other is getting warranty work . Great video and I appreciate your thoughts. Take care. Zombie Dave

Stihl is the best chainsaw Ever Produce

That saw is a PERFECT home owner saw for casual use. Its not one to cut every day cord after cord bucking up.. But for a weekend guy or if you own a small property its Awesome.

I'm an echo fan, the more time I spend working on small engine equipment the less time I have for working on my own. All my echo and Stihl equipment rarely have issues.

Everyone can’t afford the high end equipment I get that IMO maintenance goes along way even on china junk thanks for sharing 😊

I currently have 5 echo trimmer I was given due to not running. the 225 and 230 are nearly brand new. then I was given a BR320 with zero compression and a 021 saw. got every piece operational with a fee hours work and under 200$ I was also given a homelite bp250 that sadly I cannot find parts for. the shell is mint.

What is in your spray bottle that you’re using to clean the saw and then hosing it off?

I have a Stihl 026 from 1996. Runs great. I would never by Craftsman anything that uses gas. I have had no luck with craftsman devices that take gas OR electric to run. other than their handheld wrenches/ screwdrivers, which are good.

only stihl i have is a msa 120c chainsaw for carving and a Stihl leafblower (bga57) both are battery operated. Do have a g660 from holzfforma for heavy work wich is basicly a ms660. i generally feel stihl is a bit expensive. The batterys also are not cheap in my case more expensive then the tools themselves. My favorite gas chainsaw is a echo cs-350TES the tophandle model, its supereasy to work on and does everything i need. Bought the first one 2nd hand about 6 years ago, still runs great. i own 3 these days 2 of wich have aftermarket cilinder kits on them from china. one of them is a rear handle model, I still buy cheap parts from ebay etc for these saws to be able to keep repairing them for a long time and having a couple of them running means i always have a backup as well if a saw starts acting up for whatever reason. i have a tiny zenoah and a shindaiwa chainsaw as well, i really like the japanese chainsaws, much better value then Stihl in my book :)

That cleaner is magical!

Hi mate I got a Husqvarna 120 marks I just replace the carburettor it won’t stay running it has a lot of compression it starts on choke when I take of choke is bogs down do you think you could tell if it’s the carburettor.

I have husqvarna and stihl, the husqvarnas I have had run for 30 years and the stihl i got in 2019 which I bought through my work at a great discount. 390 and 572 are my husqvarnas and my stihl is a 462 the 390 and 462 are well tested while the 572 is new this fall and so far so good. One big problem I see is people use gas with ethanol in their small engines and that is a huge problem anything I own small engine wise gets premium gas and even if gas has sat for the summer or winter I have never had a problem starting them or running poorly. I notice as I drive around the country lot of people own a skid steer but owning one doesn’t mean you are able to operate one properly it is fun to watch as it’s similar to watching the best comedy you have ever watched. The same goes for saws, a dull chain and it doesn’t matter how big your saw is it’s not cutting and causes lot of extra wear on the bar and chain.

Just out of interest, how would you rate a Husqvarna 525RXT trimmer? My parents bought one a few years back, but we're only really using it now due to me being a apprentice at a tractor dealer that also sells Stihl equipment, and having to use it for the grass some times. I'm honestly happy with it, the strip head does a good job, though I'm using Stihl line as that's really easy to get for me, and the bade has been doing a very good job at our old barn to clear bushes. Also started right up when I pulled it out of storage without chocke.

I got a stihl fs 40c for 50 bucks and its basically the same as a 56rc but with a curved shaft, it also performs very well in tall grass that's like 3-4 feet tall

That chain wouldn't cut hot butter. You can actually burn up a saw running a dull chain. It will cause the engine to overheat and score the piston, rings and cylinder. Stihl, Husqvarna , and Echo for handheld equipment is the only way to go.

I have a Stihl 271. It’s been fantastic for four years. I have five acres of woods and I use it frequently. I would also buy an Echo or Husky

Can I ask what are you using to clean it? It look like it worked awesome. I could use that on my own saw.

Nice job on the clean up!! Looks just like new! Now, inexpensive tools; I think they have a place. Perhaps a person has a one time job (like a fallen tree after storm). No point in paying a lot of money for just the one job, then never using it again. So, it's a judgement call.

Now this is a topic I could go on for a long time about. For context, I work as a wildland firefighter during the summer, and I work as a landscaper during the spring and fall. I’ve used lots of saws, and lots of other 2 stroke tools. I’ll try and keep this brief to avoid a novel on brand loyalty. In short: brands mean little when it comes to individual tool quality expectations. Stihl does indeed make a great chainsaw, and they also make a poor chainsaw. It depends on the price point, and how much you’re willing to spend. For a cheaper Stihl saw, you’re on par with cheaper brands like home lite, craftsman, etc. so I wouldn’t mind getting any of them. For a large, falling saw, it really comes down to Stihl or Husqvarna. With a mid size saw, I’ve heard plenty of guys sneer at Echo, but their products that are made in Japan are exceptional quality and reliable to no end. I’ve used a mid size echo saw to clear trail and it never let me down when other brands did. In the end, brands CAN give you some idea of what to expect, but it’s a little like a sports team, in the “my guys are better than your guys” thing. As someone who prefers Stihl saws and equipment, I like to poke fun at “Husky” guys, but given enough care and equally skilled operators, I know for a fact that a good husqvarna saw is as good as a Stihl any day. It’s just like cars: buy what you need, or what you want. But don’t rag on guys for real about what they’ve bought; a homeowner doesn’t need an MS881 or a 3120XP for trimming their roses. If anyone has any questions or opinions they’d like to share, I’d love to hear them.

I had 2 stihl saws and now im with Husqvarna all the time.

I would definitely use a saw that size or bigger. I would though go with the Echo 620 if l were buying a new saw. Love the 580 blower for its weight. We got one of the limited edition black ones from echo.

Enjoyed your video and good advice.

I have an Echo CS-310. What a great little saw. Absolutely trouble free. I have Hitachi/Tanaka equipment too, a string trimmer, hedge trimmer and blower. No complaints about that brand either. The string trimmer probably gets more hours of use than anything else and it, too, has been absolutely trouble free. About the chainsaw chain, I replaced the original once with an Echo (made by Oregon) chain from Home Depot that cost $25. After about two weeks I ruined it by hitting some metal. So I took a chance on a set of three "Zentop" chains from Amazon for only $24. I've been pleasantly surprised. I've done a lot of cutting in the last couple of weeks and it's still slicing through logs and throwing big chips at me. Wow. For $8 a chain I don't plan on sharpening them, just replacing when it's time.

Hi Inside House Garage, Just a question I cant seem to find many answers about. I was normally using my Briggs and Stratton mower one day but I accidently overfilled the fuel. I dont know if that has anything to do with this, but now it wont stop unless I take out the spark plug. Any ideas? Yes Ive tried burning fuel, didnt work.

I love my stihl chainsaws and my echo stuff. I don’t have a problem with whatever brand anyone uses. What I do have a problem with is those that have the money to buy a good solid equipment, but go with the cheapest one and then complain because it isn’t holding up. Echo does make some outstanding equipment.

The bluing on the bar appears to be the normal heat treatment coloration. Once the paint is worn off the bar the bluing shows... I've see it on my MS170, MS270, MS261 and MS461 and none of them have been run dry of bar oil or run with very dull chains. I also see that bluing on the bars on Stihl saws dropped off at the saw shop where I buy saws and consumables. Sharpening the chain is imperative! It's got plenty of life left in it. Clean the air filter and blow the debris out from under the covers also. Cleaning under the covers keeps it cooling properly. Clean the bar groove and oil ports on the bar and flip it over. The bar may need to be filed to remove the burr that forms with use but that is normal maintenance. You could pull the muffler off and look at the cylinder to see if it has scoring... It seems to run okay so it may not be an issue. Judging by the paint wear on the bar it probably has more hours on it than you estimated... but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. As you can tell... I've got all Stihl saws and will continue to buy Stihl. I primarily run the 261 and 461. They are pro saws. The 170 is okay for small jobs... I sold my 271 when I bought the 261.

I want to know what degreaser you're using! That stuff looks amazing.

I don't have any specific brand I prefer as I have a variety of equipment from many different brands, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, Homelite, etc. I also collect and use vintage chainsaws and I'll add any vintage saw to my collection no matter what brand it is, I have some pretty large saws in my collection with large displacement engines and all of the saws in my collection run. I make it my goal to get every new saw I acquire running if possible, also all of my saws are pre chain brake era so they do not have chain brakes. The oldest saw I have is from the early 1950s.

What kind of cleaner are you using on that chainsaw and are you spraying it off with water

What kind of detergent you use for cleaning in this video ?

What cleaner were you using on that saw? It worked amazing

What do u use to clean your chainsaws with and the sprayer?

When it comes to chain saws, I would suggest to always remove the covers for inspection. Chainsaws tend to get a lot of dirt and wood chips accumulated under the covers that can interfere with cooling. I really like Stihl equipment although it is a bit pricey. I also like Echo a lot. For me, I would only have a need for a chainsaw maybe once or twice a year. I have a Ryobi that has never been out of the box. As little as it would be used, it is sufficient for me.

Good day Yes 170 I found in dump, needed clutch & bearing & new chain . $30. Boy looks like new after cleaned up. Thanks

Great job cleaning the saw. What cleaner did you use? Thanks.

what product do you use to clean equipment

Woooh, had one of these. It was a wonderful saw. It finally died, so I bought my 024av, which is a cool saw.

I also like the old Macs and some of the homelites for different things

From my limited experiance using electric chainsalws, using one with a dull chain can cause the chain to heat up even if the oiling sistem operates as designed. Not only can it cause damage to the board but its also quite hard to use that way so I just spend the extra 10 minutes on my electric chain sharpener to help myself in the long run.

What is that cleanner ?? Seems to clean perfectly without any scrubbing !

I’ve been following your channel and so far I’ve learn a lot thanks to you! Kindly name that degreaser spay you use please ??

What are you spraying to clean your tools?

Good Morning. Love your videos! What kind of degreaser are you using ?

I have an MS170 I bought 12 years ago, run it with Amsoil Sabre 50:1 it's been great. A relative purchased a Ryobi 14" gas chainsaw and I got to use it, ran several tanks of fuel through it and I was surprised at the good build quality.

I have a Homelite handheld blower and I replaced the primer bulb and fuel lines but the primer bulb still won’t prime with fuel

At around 3:36 you mention that the chain is a bit dull. You are the master of understatement with that comment. I could tell the chain was horribly dull as soon as you started on the log. That could easily have contributed to the bar wear as you mentioned, along with your concern about the oiler contributing as well.

dang its like november, I cant seem to find any non wet wood how are you doing so well?

What did you use to clean the saw?

I have 3 Poulans and an old Mac. Two more somewhere in the hoard. I just bought a Ryobi 18v 10”. Not very powerful, but ok for light trimming after a hurricane. My shoulders aren’t what they were 40 years ago, or even 10, for that matter.

Oh my lord, what cleaner do you use?! That stuff is amazing

As others have said pull the covers to inspect. Oily sawdust has a tendency to cake up around the bottom and around the cylinder. I'll clean my saws at every 2 or 3 days

Hello IHG, I’m curious about how you view husqvarna saws?

What did you use to clean up that saw? Seems to work pretty well.

i just got a stihl FS55RC what do think about that one.

What did you spray on there to clean it? That stuff worked great!

I like most brands. I can't choose really they all have pros and cons. I have tried and repaired most

Tough one here but I think you have the right idea, definitely a dull chain. Probably just some education. I prefer the older Stihl saws if anyone is looking at their homeowner line. MS250 over the MS251, and MS170 that you can take the air cleaner off by hand without a tool. I think they were built better. I like the 210, it's heavy for the power but you get a better air filter design, flip top caps and fully adjustable carb.

what general cleaner and degreaser do you recommend? your stuff always seems to cleanup nice so thought I'd ask.

Looks really clean now, my wondering was if he wanted it serviced, plug, filter etc, and the chain sharpened. I guess that is your next question to him, he may of forgotten how to start it. This is why knowing a history or problem is good. You did say at introduction of video you had no information on this item, the way you like it, well, that’s okay on free/cheap repair projects for yourself. I would ask him what would you like me to do, I’ve given it a good clean run well, chain is oiling well but my suggestions may be a new bar and chain for an example dependent on the capability due to wear on original chain. Rick😊

Echo does indeed make a 56v lawn mower

Eric. Yesterday I was going to cut my grass and The Lawnmower kept on turning off every time it moved away from the Choke. It ran fine on choke but after it went to the run position it turned off on me. Do you know why? So I had to use my neighbors lawnmower.

The ms 194 is great love it for in the tree

I know that hustler is a mower brand, but what are your opinions on it?

What kind of cleaner did you use?

the quality of the local dealer has more impact on which saw you should purchase than the brand. If you have a great stihl guy nearby great, a great husky guy nearby great, talk to your local dealer ask how much a diagnosis costs, ask how much a carb or clutch kit is, ask how much to replace main bearings, get a feel for what it could cost you to repair. Both saw brands have high and low quality models. The main difference for homeowner vs farm/ranch vs pro is power to weight ratio, how easy it is to repair, and how long the repair parts will be on the market. Echos are quite well built and shouldn't be sneezed as you arent paying nearly as much for the name decal, but the dealer support may not be anywhere close.

Have one of these exact saws a Model 251, has cut a lot of wood for me. Only major complaint is cold start, first of the day this is the most difficult saw to crank and takes more pulls than any saw I have ever seen. Why the guy sold it to me, he could NOT start the saw. This model lacks a purge / primer bulb. Also I was never impressed with the one bar nut on a saw of this size, with that said, no issues always seems to hold the bar in place. You can check the oiler as far as working and not plugged up by revving the saw up and pointing tip at something you'd like oiled. My MS 251 also burnt the paint off the bar. This happened as the chain got really dull and ran hot, the saw has enough power that you do not notice a dull chain becoming worse and worse! This saw in the video, you'd do well to take to a shop with an automated chain sharpener machine, which will also set your raker depth while at it. Inexperienced users will do well to stay with the stock anti kickback safety chain. More experience users may find a professional chain does better for them, when comes time to replace. Also one thing you should have checked is bet is about time that air filter needs brushed off or even replaced. All in all a good saw, but I'd recommend going with the next model up if you are seriously cutting firewood, or pros should buy a model intended for commercial use. Mostly because of the starting issue, I've purchased an nearly 60 cc Echo saw, with compression release and may eventually sell my MS251. Most pros seem to prefer the Stihl brand, and can't argue they hold their resale value too outrageously well. Echo seems to give you more saw for your money, and I'll never wear mine out for just cutting fire wood. Guys with your old Stihl, 021, 026, 028's bragging how they've lasted decades: from what I heard their new saws do not perform as well or last as long as those old ones. New emission regulations and something had to give, running them too lean for longevity. Homelite USED to be a great brand of saw when they were all metal, made in Port Chester, NY. Homelite Timberland 45, and similar models: don't get me started. Since about 2000, Homelite chainsaw means junk and nothing but junk. First thing happens them is the chain brake locks up, poor cheap design, non repairable, you have to just remove it if you want to cut wood and risk the kickback hazard. Look on Ebay to see examples of the dragging chain brake overheated and melted the plastic case, and I could simply rest my case right there. Carburetor return spring is too weak, coils are problematic. So being the good old name has been totally RUINED, you can't even find Homelite brand in the big box stores anymore. Appears they're still being produced, although the name has been changed to protect the guilty. Meaning: saws have been rebadged with another name and color. One can HOPE they put as much money into re engineering the problem area(S) as what they did on the marketing side. I wouldn't hold my breath, just buy a saw which says Stihl, Echo ( Shindawa ) or Husquavarna on it and be done.

A great saw,I have 2 of this model 1 is much and was bought at auction X council here in western Australia,have had it for many years,and is a top saw,,this model is legendary,the other one come along the other day a x sthil I know had it and only had 3 tanks put Thur it not even broken in so I grabbed it for half the all books 📚,,it is the easy start model and is 1200 new in Australia,and have a husky and a 361 for big timber the timber is very hard compared the usa Canada, the 251 is light and great up to 1ft , in western Australia we have one particular gum it is called Wando,you can run new chain or just sharpened and the will go blunt in 30 cuts ,with stuff is like iron jarrha is much softer and splits easy cheers David

It smoked a lot so I’d say there was too much oil, check to see if the oiler even works. Funny the muffler was not discolored. I have several saws, my go to one was a stihl 290, just bought a stihl 362ms. Big bucks but I cut my firewood and do some milling. Constantly playing with a saw or not being able to work is not a savings. Always use premium gas, no ethanol. Running a dull chain overheats the saw and shortens it’s life.

Did you actually pull the bar off and check the oiler with that clutch cover off? Usually the tiny hole in the bar side that leads to the bar grove/rail is culprit of a toast/unoiled bar. Stihls 3-in-1 sharpening system is excellent for homeowners who don't cut enough to get a chance to get good at sharpening.

I have my eye on a used stihl ms171 chainsaw, do you think its worth it? Im curious to know your opinion

YAAY Echo!!!!!! Go Echo, Go Echo, Go Echo! (Doing the stir the pot dance.) As I have said before, Echo has always been very reliable. Replace wear and tear parts and they are running again. No guess work. Thanks IHG.

Still using a 25 year old Stihl 036 Pro which runs great.

Good morning

My choice for garden use is sthil ms 180 harskarvana 129lk

A saw is only a blasted saw and all can be fixed to cut to your taste or swapped out till it does. That saw needs filing BUT the dept gauges need taken down 3 or 4 licks with a flat file. The chain is a dab tight as well. They need to be easy to move by hand. All my stuff has been used commercially by me or free or both, which is best or very CHEAP. And it's the MAINTENANCE that keeps stuff running well and productive and not killing the operator to get anything out of it. Don't be afraid to try stuff except running cheap oil in anything 2 or 4 cycle. THAT will BITE you, or dull stuff as well. Thanks and Blessings!

Dull chain & apparently at 1 time there was/is an oiling problem. I always allow 'em to warm up then check the oiling. I always put the tip of the bar against the butt end of whatever I'm cutting & rev up the saw to see if it's oiling.

For me my Stihl products would be Handheld blower: Stihl big 86 because it doesn’t have easy start. Backpack blower: Stihl br 800 x because I want more power. Trimmer: Stihl fs 70 because I need a bit more professional trimmer. Finally, Chainsaw: Stihl ms 362 c-m because I like the m tronic feature

New to your channel and it is very refreashing to hear someone be so open minded about bands. Also I have to ask and hopefully you'll spill. What is the cleaner you're using? It's fantastic.

Anemic when compared to a 261. Try a ported 4xx,500i or 661. That homeowner stuff doesn’t even compare to the magnesium case pro series saws

Does that chain look too tight? At a solid idle, most chains will turn a bit. This one came to an abrupt stop and did not move at all. Is that the reason the bar is burnt?

I have a Stijl 045 av that I bought in 1979 and a farm boss MS 271

A good video idea would be Husqvarna chainsaws vs Stihl chainsaws. I use both of them for firewoods. My house uses fire woods only lol

This saw has an oiling problem. The bar has been overheated by the darkened color outside the groove. Maybe the groove is packed with sawdust, or the oil pump isn't functional. Either way, as you said, the chain needs a serious sharpening. You post great videos. Keep up the good work.

I'm a Stihl guy!!....I won't switch brands because I'm too invested in them, and there's a Stihl dealer 5 minutes from my house.....believe it or not, parts are Very cheap at the dealer. I even have my older Power saws converted to run Stihl bars/chain....so if something breaks in the field, I can run To the dealer immediately.