Stihl 291

[casemx 270]

Hi just read an article in FMJ about them also my mates interested in one ,he currently runs a 290 2010 model .So are they any good ? I know they are not in the professional range of stihl saws but what are peoples views ? Thanks

 

[Lincs Lass]

Stihl are allways changing the models ,now all the new ones are built to tighter emisions ,which isnt allways the best thing ,
The reveiws on the 291 sound ok but depends how often you are going to use it ,,a few times a year and stuck on the shelf for months doesnt do any saw any good ,,have you looked at the husqvarna 455 ,same engine size ,its still a tryed and trusted model for its age and its the basic carb ,no fancy eco carb

 

[casemx 270]

Is the husky any good then ?

 

[Lincs Lass]

I like huskies,,other folks like stihl ,,each to their own

 

[rich8100]

Age old debate.

What sets them apart is the husky saws rev higher, its what timber fellers prefer, fast in the cut meaning less chance of ripping the timber.

Stihls are more torque and grunt on the cut, good for logging timber or for milling timber.

Both however do not like being left on the shelf for months.

The 291 is a domestic type saw. Go for a pro model instead. Easy way to tell is the colour of the rear hand guard. The 362 is a nice saw. Plenty of grunt.

I would also reccomend looking into aspen fuel if you are only.going to use it now and again. Its a synthetic fuel but doesn't eat away at fuel pipes or carb bits if left for a while. Also doesn't go off. Its a bit pricey so I've seen but people have been raging about it.

 

[Mursal]

Jonsered also a high reving saw, a first cousin of the Husty, usually a bit cheaper.
A little one 36cc to 45cc (maybe a 2140, not to sure of the new numbers) with a low profile chain can cut some stuff, it thinks its a 60cc saw. And not to heavy, so you can use it longer with safety
But they need minding as there is a lot of plastic.
Stihl haven't discovered plastic yet ................

 

[Lucas Mac]

I have the smaller 271 for two years now for occasional use, I really like it, it starts easy and has lots of power for the 18 inch bar, it's not too hard on juice either. The anti vibration is very good too. I looked at the huskys because I hated my old sthil 251 in the end, but they didn't look as well built as the old ones, and I got a good deal on the sthil trade in

 

[casemx 270]

I like huskies,,other folks like stihl ,,each to their own

Been to have a look at some husqvarnas today the guy said that they dont get the problems with autotune like they used to . I m interested in the rancher 455 but not sure yet .

 

[Mike6120]

Been to have a look at some husqvarnas today the guy said that they dont get the problems with autotune like they used to . I m interested in the rancher 455 but not sure yet .

What else was he going to say.....

 

[Mike6120]

I would also reccomend looking into aspen fuel if you are only.going to use it now and again. Its a synthetic fuel but doesn't eat away at fuel pipes or carb bits if left for a while. Also doesn't go off. Its a bit pricey so I've seen but people have been raging about it.

As you say, the Aspen is expensive... One option is to run the saw on normal petrol/two stroke mix while working, and then use Aspen in the last one or two fills before finishing work and putting the saw away....

 

[Lincs Lass]

Been to have a look at some husqvarnas today the guy said that they dont get the problems with autotune like they used to . I m interested in the rancher 455 but not sure yet .

Wished I had bought a 455 when I changed my small saw ,,bought a 435 instead but it does what it needs to

 

[rich8100]

As you say, the Aspen is expensive... One option is to run the saw on normal petrol/two stroke mix while working, and then use Aspen in the last one or two fills before finishing work and putting the saw away....

Sadly that doesn't work. As using aspen the saw needs a re tune to use aspen. It is a man made fuel after all.

So.would need to retune when switching or on pump fuel the saw would run lean and eventually sieze.

 

[General-Lee]

Recently bought a saw always been a Husky back handle man but the salesman said that due to where they originate Stihls are designed and made for hard woods.

Also to run the higher grade 2 stoke oil but if not used for a while use motorcycle oil??

 

[john432]

I'd recomend a Husky 550 xp, their fast!, buy it online from the likes of F R Jones and save yourself a fortune, I bought the Jonsered version online from the States ,saved quite a bit.or the 560 if you need a bigger saw.I should just add, that the autotune does seem to make the saws quite frugal on fuel, cut a lot on a tank full.

 

[Lincs Lass]

Recently bought a saw always been a Husky back handle man but the salesman said that due to where they originate Stihls are designed and made for hard woods.

Also to run the higher grade 2 stoke oil but if not used for a while use motorcycle oil??

Husky XP oils ,,burn cleaner and specifically designed for husky engines esecially the XP range and auto tune engines

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Been to have a look at some husqvarnas today the guy said that they dont get the problems with autotune like they used to . I m interested in the rancher 455 but not sure yet .

Husky's had a few well publicised issues early on with AutoTune. I've had two Stihl saws (black handled pro saws) since 2012 with the equivalent M-tronic and they have been absolutely fine.

Better to use a fully synth. 2-stroke oil in the premix, keeps the rings, chambers and ports much cleaner than regular oil.

 

[Lincs Lass]

I had a 560auto tune ,,nothing but trouble ,,it went back 3 times ,,never again

 

[Simon Chiles]

I had a 560auto tune ,,nothing but trouble ,,it went back 3 times ,,never again

How long ago did you have yours? My son has a 560 auto tune and it's been a good saw. No trouble yet but only had it a couple of years. It has the power of my 268XP but not much heavier than my other 350. We love it! Whether it lasts as long as the 268 remains to be seen. It's lasted 29 years so far and still going strong. It had 6 months of continuous work after the hurricane in 87 and done a huge amount of work since.

 

[Lincs Lass]

How long ago did you have yours? My son has a 560 auto tune and it's been a good saw. No trouble yet but only had it a couple of years. It has the power of my 268XP but not much heavier than my other 350. We love it! Whether it lasts as long as the 268 remains to be seen. It's lasted 29 years so far and still going strong. It had 6 months of continuous work after the hurricane in 87 and done a huge amount of work since.

Two,two and half year ago ,,ran perfectly for a couple of months ,then it lost its memory so had to go back for a sortware reboot,,ran it hard for a couple of days and did the same so back it went ,,chip problem so they changed the whole carb .
it ran for another couple of months and then I couldnt switch it of,,it started to over rev ,quite scary ,found out then the crank seal had failed ,,all within 6 months ,,couldnt be doing with it so took it back and swaped it for a 365 ,,good old fashioned design thats never been a problem

 

[john432]

Two,two and half year ago ,,ran perfectly for a couple of months ,then it lost its memory so had to go back for a sortware reboot,,ran it hard for a couple of days and did the same so back it went ,,chip problem so they changed the whole carb .
it ran for another couple of months and then I couldnt switch it of,,it started to over rev ,quite scary ,found out then the crank seal had failed ,,all within 6 months ,,couldnt be doing with it so took it back and swaped it for a 365 ,,good old fashioned design thats never been a problem

From posts on the Arb Forum, there were a lot of issues with the first 550 and 560's from the autotune playing up to oil leaks from the chain oil tank into the crankcase. Think the general opinion is that their pretty much sorted by now. I'd say whatever the make of saw, a fully pro model is worth the extra investment for the speed and power ,even if only cutting up fire wood.