arborist chainsaw - Stihl MS192 TC-E??? Vs. ????

[stayalert]

I have transitioned from occasional land owner style chainsaw use towards prof. chainsaw use. This Summer I've been taking on a ton (est. a few hundred Hrs. between May and Sept. with a bunch more scheduled for the Fall before Ski season) of chainsaw/tree work (which I love)....For ladder work and small pruning type stuff I have gotten away with using a 20 or so year old Craftsman which has worked hard and owes me nothing. My Craftsman has no vibe isolation or chain brake but it is small and light. I have decided that I am ready to invest in a "modern" replacement.

I'm considering a Stihl MS192T C-E for ~$360. I have a husky rancher 455 also which I have been very happy with but am wondering about what to shop the Stihl against......any comments useful or otherwise would be appreciated......Of course.....I will need to fashion a new scabbard out of hockey sticks if I get a new saw......The lack of vibe isolation doesn't bug me but when the Craftsman is warmed up sometimes the idle is just high enough to start the chain spinning..THAT bothers me as I continue to try to keep the red stuff I have on the inside of my body.
Best....

Rob M
Norwich, VT

PS I have proximal jonsered, Stihl, Echo, Husky dealers......

 

[e9999]

have you tried lowering the idle?

 

[D'Animal]

Your craftsman is more than likely a Poulan Micro 25DA.

The head to head comparison on the MS 192T is the Echo CS 341 and the Husqvarna 338XP.

As far as your chain turning at idle when warm, check the clutch spring(s). The original Poulan Micro 25 used on long spring. The newer DA version has 2 long springs or three individual springs. The tension can be weak in the springs and when they get warmed up, they will stretch and the clutch will engage at a lower RPM. Clutch springs loosing tension after 20 years of service is more than acceptable.

 

[stayalert]

have you tried lowering the idle?

lol yup.

1) idle too low. standing on ladder or in tree -yank to start or;

2) idle too high - climbing or repositioning with saw running and chain freewheeling

 

[stayalert]

Your craftsman is more than likely a Poulan Micro 25DA.

The head to head comparison on the MS 192T is the Echo CS 341 and the Husqvarna 338XP.

As far as your chain turning at idle when warm, check the clutch spring(s). The original Poulan Micro 25 used on long spring. The newer DA version has 2 long springs or three individual springs. The tension can be weak in the springs and when they get warmed up, they will stretch and the clutch will engage at a lower RPM. Clutch springs loosing tension after 20 years of service is more than acceptable.

Good to know Thanks - off to research more....

 

[dohcdelsol93]

ms192 and 338xp are good saws to start out with.

If you want real power the MS 200T is the way to go.

IMHO avoid the echos. They are usually not as common and any parts you need will be special order.

 

[stayalert]

I went witht he Sthil Ms192. I've a few tanks of fuel through it and am very happy so far.

 

[e9999]

well, found myself an arborist saw today.
Too good a deal to pass even if it's not a Stihl: used Echo CS341...
Just the size I was lusting after...
Damn, back up to 4 saws... I was only down to 3 for all of 3 days or so...

 

[stayalert]

update - having owned the saw for a few weeks now and run it for about 30 full tanks. (I am currently full time felling, limbing & chipping hundreds of trees during the construction of Mtn. bike/ski trails on private property) I can fully endorse this saw. Its the first chainsaw I've had that I actually can say I wish the fuel tank was larger - its that comfy & light....

 

[D'Animal]

I would honestly lose sleep if I only had 3 or 4 saws.

Damn, back up to 4 saws... I was only down to 3 for all of 3 days or so...

I'm glad you are happy with it. Arborists saws have come a long way when it comes to user comfort and ease of use.

update - having owned the saw for a few weeks now and run it for about 30 full tanks. (I am currently full time felling, limbing & chipping hundreds of trees during the construction of Mtn. bike/ski trails on private property) I can fully endorse this saw. Its the first chainsaw I've had that I actually can say I wish the fuel tank was larger - its that comfy & light....

 

[e9999]

spent 4 hours in a tree yesterday. Well, really it felt more like climbing up and down 2 million times... But the little arborist saw did fine. Sure glad it's light. I bet my wrist would hurt a hell of a lot more today than it already is, otherwise. Had to use a fair amount of one-handed saw holds, uncomfortable as I am with the notion. Ouch, I can feel it typing, even.