Mid-Range Stihl Chainsaws: **Got one** But I have more questions.....

[Woodchuck]

Man, I am old school.   I still operate a 038Super with a wrap on it.   It might be heavy, but so am I.    Imagine the emmisions. LOL!!!!

My saws are all run on 110 octane leaded gas 

[dreamunelk]

My Husky is so old I can not remember when I bought it.  I have a still farm boss in my work truck.  A little on the heavy side.  It is a good stout reliable saw.  For the money for a good mid range saw I don't think you would regret a farm boss.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

088 w a 56" bar cut many trees w that and loved it

[Whitpirate]

Got a 30 year old 034 and a 046 with an airbox mod.  Heavy but reliable saws.  I'd buy a 290 for your application.

[Mudman]

Im running a 310 with a longer bar and skip tooth chain.  Its a firewood saw and rips pretty darn good.  Im happy but its a heavy saw.  If I had the $ I would have went with a pro model.  Longer bar means less bending over which is a big deal to me! 

[Dbax129]

I've got a 290 for sale... Has a 24" bar. Pm if interested.  Trying to get $300

[woodswalker]

I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic  chain and learn to file it.  Will do you for everything you need to do.  As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.

[jackmaster]

I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic  chain and learn to file it.  Will do you for everything you need to do.  As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.

the only bad thing with a short bar is ya gotta bend more, i dont about you fellas but the ole back aint what she use to be  i have a 28 on my 36 and it is plenty of saw for cutn wood abd it gives you plenty of room to stay away from the business end when whippn through brush.... what it comes down to OP is whatever makes you comfortable, if you dont have much expierience with a saw then you should really have someone go over the do's and dont's thats for sure, i know i have cut into my leg a couple times and that was when the saw was idling down, one little simple thing cured that,and i wasnt using chaps which wasnt to bright

[woodswalker]

I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic  chain and learn to file it.  Will do you for everything you need to do.  As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.

the only bad thing with a short bar is ya gotta bend more, i dont about you fellas but the ole back aint what she use to be  i have a 28 on my 36 and it is plenty of saw for cutn wood abd it gives you plenty of room to stay away from the business end when whippn through brush.... what it comes down to OP is whatever makes you comfortable, if you dont have much expierience with a saw then you should really have someone go over the do's and dont's thats for sure, i know i have cut into my leg a couple times and that was when the saw was idling down, one little simple thing cured that,and i wasnt using chaps which wasnt to bright

We wont dicuss chaps.  Never used them 30 years ago...I do NOW for sure...37 stitches changes your mind after a CLOSE call.

[TheHunt]

Humptulips made a statement of a 38 super.. I loved those saws.  I but I cut 150 cords of wood in one year while going to college to make money.  I have gone through 4 56 Mags...

I also agree a 28 inch min bar length will save your back.   

[jackmaster]

I'd look for a good condition 036P, hang a 20" bar on it with a Super L Klassic  chain and learn to file it.  Will do you for everything you need to do.  As was pointed out, a 20" bar will CUT 40" and its not too long and bad-habit forming.

the only bad thing with a short bar is ya gotta bend more, i dont about you fellas but the ole back aint what she use to be  i have a 28 on my 36 and it is plenty of saw for cutn wood abd it gives you plenty of room to stay away from the business end when whippn through brush.... what it comes down to OP is whatever makes you comfortable, if you dont have much expierience with a saw then you should really have someone go over the do's and dont's thats for sure, i know i have cut into my leg a couple times and that was when the saw was idling down, one little simple thing cured that,and i wasnt using chaps which wasnt to bright

We wont dicuss chaps.  Never used them 30 years ago...I do NOW for sure...37 stitches changes your mind after a CLOSE call.

funny how it takes stuff like that to change a fellas mind huh 

[woodswalker]

Prior to that..the worst injury I had from a saw was a burn on my belly when the saw and I went off a log and the muffler tagged me.  The one that got my leg was fellling a clump of wolfy cedars, was limbing and one broke...which overloaded another...which broke and smacked me over backwards and the saw got into my leg...all the while i was rolling my wrist up to get the chain brake.

[andersonjk4]

Thanks for all of the info guys.  I have gotten a lot of good opinions here.  I am going down to look at saws this weekend.  I am heavily leaning toward the 290 Farmboss, but the 362 has drawn my interest a little.  And I will definitely be looking at the chaps too thanks to woodswalker... 37 stitches... ouch!  And I have a cousin who just about cut his kneecap in half when a saw kicked back on him. 

I've got a 290 for sale... Has a 24" bar. Pm if interested.  Trying to get $300

Thanks for the offer.  If I were closer I would take a look at it, but unless you are planning on a trip to Spokane then I think you are too far away.

[syoungs]

are all stihl 290's the legendary farm boss? theres one at a pawn shop I know of that has a sthil bar, its a 290, but doesnt say farm boss on it, my buddy has a farm boss that is excellent for what we do with em, my old 31av and 45 super are about wore out and impossible to find parts for, need to get into a newer saw.

[hntrspud]

Yes they are the "Farm Boss". The "wood boss" was the 028, now is the ms270. The bar was probably either replaced or they just didnt put the "Farm boss" bar on it.