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View Full Version : smaller chain on stihl ms 290

josh1981
01-15-2007, 12:16 AM
hey all. I have a stihl MS 290 chainsaw. Works great! But I was wondering would a smaller chain be better for cutting smaller brush and stumps, etc? and if so why? I have an 18 inch on there now.

Thanks
Potchkins
01-15-2007, 12:38 PM
what's your delima... why do ask? tell us more about what your tring to do
josh1981
01-15-2007, 12:46 PM
Well I have dug around stumps before to cut them and have hit the ground a little before. Figure a smaller chain will eliminate this problem. Dont want to dig too much around them, ruin the yard... And figure it would be better for small trimming.

Basically an ms 180 saw with ms 290 size and power.
probe1957
01-16-2007, 11:33 AM
I have two Stihls. One with a 25 inch bar and one with a 14 inch bar. They both have their uses. To me, a saw with an 18 inch bar would be a good compromise. If it were me AND I was just going to have one saw, I would keep it at 18 inches and just be more careful.
josh1981
01-16-2007, 01:36 PM
I have two Stihls. One with a 25 inch bar and one with a 14 inch bar. They both have their uses. To me, a saw with an 18 inch bar would be a good compromise. If it were me AND I was just going to have one saw, I would keep it at 18 inches and just be more careful.

Sounds good. I think I am going to get a smaller saw and be more careful with the 290.
probe1957
01-16-2007, 01:39 PM
That is the way I would go, Josh. I recently bought my 14" Stihl for about $170. Handy as heck too.
josh1981
01-16-2007, 01:43 PM
That is the way I would go, Josh. I recently bought my 14" Stihl for about $170. Handy as heck too.

which model did you get? Im looking at the ms 170 and 180 c-b miniboss. Any thoughts on these?
probe1957
01-16-2007, 01:50 PM
I got the 170 because they had a promotion for it. For another $10, I got an extra chain, a carrying case and a hat.

Now that I think about it, I am pretty sure you could get the extra deal on any Stihl saw, but the price was right on the 170.
josh1981
01-16-2007, 02:09 PM
170 bucks- not bad not bad.

Interesting. I got the carry case for free when I bought my ms 290 but no extra chain or a hat. Of course now I have 2 new chains.

ANyway thanks for the help. Appreciate it.