Climbing Saws

Guy, I think it comes down to weight, compactness, and balance. Hanging on your harness or holding it in your hand...hands, I meant hands...the top handled saws feel better. I agree the Silky feels the best. I have made some pretty big cuts with a Silky...two hands.

It's good to hear all of these reviews before I buy another saw. The ms 261 has been getting a little heavy these past couple of days and I really should buy one soon.

I like the price of those Tanaka saws on Amazon. It seems to be a good saw too especially for what your spending on it.

I don't like complications with saws, and I don't like the sound of the chips learning habits??? That sounds like a mess, but maybe they help I've never used one. Sounds like the more involved the saw is the more parts to go bad and fail.
 
JeffGu said:
And if you want a Tanaka that's a different color... buy it with Hitachi's name on it... :)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AYRKKJU/ref=psdc_552918_t2_B009LB9J9C
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I was given this saw as a gift. After using 200ts for so long this thing felt like an unwieldy beast. It's wide, like junk in the trunk wide. Which is kinda surprising considering the engine is smaller. It gets really hot after awhile too. That being said it's a decent saw for the price.
 
GreenMntnBoy410 said:
I was given this saw as a gift. After using 200ts for so long this thing felt like an unwieldy beast. It's wide, like junk in the trunk wide. Which is kinda surprising considering the engine is smaller. It gets really hot after awhile too. That being said it's a decent saw for the price.
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How's it compare weight wise to the 200/201? Been kicking around e idea of getting one for side jobs. Right now I just use a ground saw, but that's getting old
 
macswan said:
How's it compare weight wise to the 200/201? Been kicking around e idea of getting one for side jobs. Right now I just use a ground saw, but that's getting old
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It looks like they may feel about the same weight, the trick is you are getting a smaller engine and less capacity for more weight. Once the 201 is all fueled up it would definitely be heavier than the Tanaka, but dry the Tanaka is ever so slightly heavier. ;)


Tanaka

Engine Type PureFire® Two-Stroke
Displacement 32.2 cc
Output 1.6 HP
Fuel Tank Capacity 9.9 Fl. Oz.
Oil Tank Capacity 6.0 Fl. Oz.
Carburetion Walbro® Diaphragm
Bar & Chain Brand Oregon® Sprocket Nose
Opt.Bar&Chain Combinations 12", 14"
Pitch 3/8" (low profile)
Dry Weight 8.4 lbs (Powerhead Only)
EPA Phase 3 Compliant Yes
CARB Tier III Compliant Yes
Gas/Oil Ratio 50:1 (JASO FD Rated)
Warranty 2-Year Commercial Use, 7-Year Consumer Use,
1-Year Rental Use


Stihl MS 201

DISPLACEMENT 35.2 cc (2.14 cu. in.)
ENGINE POWER 1.8 kW (2.41 bhp)
POWERHEAD WEIGHT 3.71 kg (8.16 Ibs.)
GUIDE BAR LENGTHS* (Recommended ranges) 30 to 40 cm (12" to 16") STIHL ROLLOMATIC® E or STIHL ROLLOMATIC® E Light
FUEL CAPACITY 310 cc (10.5 oz.)
CHAIN OIL CAPACITY 220 cc (7.4 oz.)
OILOMATIC® CHAIN 63 PS3
POWER SOURCE Gas
 
macswan said:
How's it compare weight wise to the 200/201? Been kicking around e idea of getting one for side jobs. Right now I just use a ground saw, but that's getting old
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Feels heavier but not unreasonable. Chain speed is slower due to the smaller engine so it struggles with bigger pieces, especially hardwood.
 
My bad, in an earlier post I said it was about the weight of the 150, but I meant the 201. I was going to make a comment about the engine displacement being between the two, and must have lost my train of thought. With both of them fueled up and full of bar oil, I didn't notice any difference in the weight. I did notice the difference in the balance and size of the saw, however. I think the 200 and 201 have the best feel and balance of them all, so I honestly don't expect any other saw to be as good in that regard. I like the Tanaka because it has enough power to do the job, has a pretty nice overall feel to it, and costs about a third what the Stilh 201 costs. Cheap enough that I don't mind letting other people use them. I don't let anyone touch the Stihl saws, because if I break them I have only myself to blame. If someone else broke them, I'd feel bad while I was disposing of the bodies, so I just don't let anyone use them.

ML, I also really like the look and weight of the little 150 and think I'd like it. The small engine doesn't really bother me... when the work requires more power, I'd just switch saws. I think it would be nice to have a very light saw and get all the little stuff done first, rather than lug a heavier saw around the whole time. But I do lots of things differently than most folks, and I have a lot of patience on a jobsite.

Another saw I had considered was the 192T which is lighter than the 201T and I think the engine is about the same size as the Tanaka, if I remember correctly. I see a lot of them in use, and we call them the poor man's 201, around here. I've never heard any of the local guys complain about them being too gimp. I only see that stuff online. One guy, who isn't a climber but manages an outdoor power shop (he does own a bucket truck), cuts more firewood than anyone I know and says the 192 is the saw he uses 80% of the time.
 
JeffGu - Get you a MS150 and you won't regret it. I liked mine so much that I bought a an extra just in case the first got damaged. Weight? After using the MS150 you will find the MS201 feeling like an anchor. As with any in-tree saw, a sharp chain and proper cuts go a long way. I say that because the MS150 may not be as powerful as the MS192 and MS201, but good technique will make you greatly appreciate its lighter weight. I'd feel a bit lost if I didn't have one with me when aloft.

The only reason I would want to get the soon-to-be-released replacement for the MS201 is because it will use a longer bar. Hopefully have M-tronic, too.
 
John_KAYS said:
I know, I know, I know... Not again.

I figure everyone is tired of discussing this, but the MS 200t is no more.
What are you all using instead?

Echo
Husqvarna
Stihl
?

Is the 201T the next step? With Mods?

Does anyone have anything to say about the MS 193T?

I thought I would at least ask for words from the wise before going out and making a purchase.

Thanks and I'm sorry to be beating a dead horse, but it has been a while and there are a few new saws in the line up.
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I think it is like a ford and chevy thing.
I have 8 climbers, six of them them were given the T540xp and the other two got the MS200T,
That was early 2014, so the 540's were the 2013 model that lasted less than a year, (program ran them too lean),
the other four were 2014 models,,the serial number starts with the year,,
they still run great. since then, only one MS200T left but got 4 more MS201T saws,
I can get the MS193T for $309.00 ,,,not worth it to me but may be something worth checking out if you are not going to put it into major production.
Jeff
 
Hoowasat said:
...bought a an extra just in case the first got damaged...
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See, that's my problem, too. I tend to buy something, and if I like it, I buy another for backup. So, I'm always having to allow for that. I didn't buy two 201T's because I already had a 200T in excellent condition with only half a season's use on it. But, I really think you're right... I'd probably love the saw, because I don't try to force the saw to work harder than it wants to and I'm happy to let it cut at whatever speed it likes. As you said, keep it sharp and adjusted and it will cut. I'm going to look into them, again. Weight and price look right, and I might just give one a try. Thanks for the info on it!
 
monkeylove said:
I always like the looks of the Stihl 150 for pruning work, it might just be a tad to small.
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:endesacuerdo:no, generally speaking its not Unless your cutting through 14 inch petrified wood regularly. Im really liking the small bar tip its equipped with for getting in the tight spaces. Well it is small ,but its got some balls for its size. All about the technique when useing it for larger cuts. Don't plan on chain speed to cover errors
 
although the ms150 is a nice pruning saw, and can do a bit more on larger diameters, what gets me is when the power dips off on something not that big, but too big for it.

Another thing I am aiming for is 1.3mm track width, as the 1.1mm is part of the problem.

I also want the most aggressive chain for the hitachi when it turns up. (if someone knows the best one?)
 
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tuttle said:
although the ms150 is a nice pruning saw, and can do a bit more on larger diameters, what gets me is when the power dips off on something not that big, but too big for it.

Another thing I am aiming for is 1.3mm track width, as the 1.1mm is part of the problem.

I also want the most aggressive chain for the hitachi when it turns up. (if someone knows the best one?)
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I got an echo 355 the thing is a lil beast! Highly recommend it best bang for buck
 
One thing about the hitachi, as the comments above, I will run it for a bit, if it gets hot, is heavy, out of balance, or some other issues, I will mod it, I can do all sorts to the body, put vent holes where needed, and discard parts that might be the weight issue.
 
image.webp

It arrived yesterday, although at first glance it looks poor quality compared to a Stihl, after some cuts and a bit of revving it does do the job, a bit brutal on the cuts, so not really a neat pruner, but good enough for dismantles.
After some close inspection of the plastics and fittings, the plastics are of a very high composite construction, and would take more abuse than a Stihl, some of the fittings are of a low standard..... Only time will tell.
 
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