Stihl ms151 advice!

Mparko93 · Apr 16, 2022

Hi Guys,

I'm an apprentice here!
I've just bought my first saw, a 200t off an old work mate who needed the cash

I'm wondering though; whats everyones opinion on the new Stihl ms151 t ???
I'm moving into a new place soon that has a bunch of fruit trees and I'm thinking of getting one as my pruning and deadwooding saw so lighten the load over my saws and as a good starting saw for my partner to use around the property

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Vicente · Apr 16, 2022

I haven't used it, but for a saw in in that size range I'd do the msa160t over a tiny gas saw, I bought mine when we were doing a lot of brush clearing in the summer, with the mid grade battery you can make an absurd number of cuts no starting makes it, really easy to use in and out of the tree, my 201 only rarely gets used anymore basically just when I've got a bigger top to cut or making wood on a removal, sometimes for bigger pruning when I just have to remove a spar or a couple large cuts.

snunyabizness · Apr 16, 2022

I have ran it both with 12" and 14" bars both 1/4pitch and I like 12" better on this saw. Definitely port the exhaust, it will turn it into a screamer. The weight and balance are nice. Awesome climbing saw.

Reach · Apr 16, 2022

The Stihl 151T is a great little pruning saw. However, I strongly advise against allowing your partner to use it as a “starter” saw, as it is a top handle saw. Top handle saws have unique operating characteristics and are designed for professional use up in the air only, and should not be used as a general purpose saw on the ground. Largely this is because of the difference in the way the saw reacts to a kickback, and the way the bar tip tends to drop at the end of a cut.

A much better choice for a starter saw would be a Stihl MS170, as it is a light weight, low power rear handle saw.

Vicente · Apr 16, 2022

Reach said:
The Stihl 151T is a great little pruning saw. However, I strongly advise against allowing your partner to use it as a “starter” saw, as it is a top handle saw. Top handle saws have unique operating characteristics and are designed for professional use up in the air only, and should not be used as a general purpose saw on the ground. Largely this is because of the difference in the way the saw reacts to a kickback, and the way the bar tip tends to drop at the end of a cut.

A much better choice for a starter saw would be a Stihl MS170, as it is a light weight, low power rear handle saw.

I agree with the rear handheld saw for general use, I don't use a to top handle saw on the ground nor did anyone else on the crew, I love my 170 though.
Don't buy one of the saws with the tool less adjustment thing.
Edit:
I do use the msa160t on the ground it's super convenient, makes fast work of cutting awkward stuff up that doesn't want to run through the chipper or just cutting brush, whether for brush clearing or getting limbs down to size for dragging to the chipper. Do to the 160s small chain size and low torque I don't feel that kick back is any more dangerous than on my 170 probably less so.

Mparko93 · Apr 19, 2022

Vicente said:
I haven't used it, but for ca saw in in that size range I'd do the msa160t over a tiny gas saw, I bought mine when we were doing a lot of brush clearing in the summer, with the mid grade battery you can make an absurd number of cuts no starting makes it, really easy to use in and out of the tree, my 201 only rarely gets used anymore basically just when I've got a bigger top to cut or making wood on a removal, sometimes for bigger pruning when I just have to remove a spar or a couple large cuts.

What's a ca saw sorry?
Is the MSA 160t a top handled?

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Barc Buster · Apr 19, 2022

It’s a good enough little saw if you have to have Stihl. However, I’d recommend you take a strong look at the very good Echo cs2511 instead. Just to name a couple advantages it’s lighter, cheaper, and has an adjustable bar oiler. There aren’t many Echo’s I’d rec over Stihl but this is one of them.

I’ll echo what @Reach has said about having a rear handle be the starter saw. Back when I started my company the Stihl 021 (ms211 in todays saw world) was the main all around groundie tool. The ms170/180 is a good choice as well. Also check out the Echo 4910 for a pro quality saw at around the same price.

Vicente · Apr 19, 2022

Mparko93 said:
What's a ca saw sorry?
Is the MSA 160t a top handled?

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Should've just been "a" saw but I use swype on my phone and don't pay enough attention.

Dan Cobb · May 11, 2022

Reach said:
A much better choice for a starter saw would be a Stihl MS170, as it is a light weight, low power rear handle saw.

My little MS170 has been a really reliable little saw. The light weight makes it a pleasure to use cutting little stuff when I don't need power and saves run time on more expensive saws. BUT, I've always hated the front chain tensioner. I wasn't going to order one of the aftermarket side tensioner kits from China. My Stihl dealer had previously said they didn't make a side tensioner kit for the MS170, but I found a video of installing a Stihl kit. Went and picked up a kit today (from the dealer who said they didn't make one) and now have side chain tension adjustment. Hallelujah.

27RMT0N · May 11, 2022

I have the MS180, it's a few more bucks than the 170 but not much, and is a little more powerful for the same weight.

I've added some actual metal dogs, small muffler mod, lighter bar and the cheap little homeowner saw rips pretty good. Had it for 5 years without a single problem. I've been on a brush and small tree thinning job for the last two days and it's run all day, as an ideal little saw for material the size I'm dealing with at that site. Too much cutting for a battery saw, and even a 261 is much bigger than needed.

Edit: Here is the project:

Jonny · May 11, 2022

The MS-180 is a hoot. Really fun saw to use. Very lightweight, comfortable enough ergonomics and antivibe, pretty powerful for what it is, and inexpensive.

Vicente · May 12, 2022

I love my 170 that thing rips for how small it is, I usually use smaller saws when I can.

Christrees · May 12, 2022

Yeah the 170s the perfect starter saw for noob. That's usually what I recommend to clients. But for me other than trying out a buddies 194 I've only used 200t or a ms 201.i don't see much benefit in losing that power just to have a little less weight. I'm good with a 201. The 194 wasn't bad though. That's what I'd recommend a 194

Vicente · May 13, 2022

I don't like the 193/194 very much, if you're working for $ I think it's pointless, not a consistent or strong running saw as a 201 and weighs basically the same, I have one as my back up saw one of the other guys uses it because I basically haven't touched it since I got a 201.

Jonny · May 13, 2022

I got an MS-192TC, and I love it. Put a lot of hours on it, and have had zero issues.
It’s a little slow if you bury the whole 14” B&C in hard wood, but it’ll still get through it ok. Comfortable to run, nice antivibe, powerful enough for such a lightweight.

Briefly ran a co-worker’s MS-194T and wasn’t impressed. He doesn’t like it either, and uses it as a little saw to keep next to the chipper for little cuts to make stuff more chipper friendly.

27RMT0N · May 13, 2022

If that's the saw one has already, obviously it makes sense to put it to use there, but man sitting next to the chipper for the occasional cut is what battery saws are just PERFECT for.

Vicente · May 13, 2022

27RMT0N said:
If that's the saw one has already, obviously it makes sense to put it to use there, but man sitting next to the chipper for the occasional cut is what battery saws are just PERFECT for.

We use my msa160t for that it's perfect for the quick occasional cut.

Christrees · May 13, 2022

Jonny said:
I got an MS-192TC, and I love it. Put a lot of hours on it, and have had zero issues.
It’s a little slow if you bury the whole 14” B&C in hard wood, but it’ll still get through it ok. Comfortable to run, nice antivibe, powerful enough for such a lightweight.

Briefly ran a co-worker’s MS-194T and wasn’t impressed. He doesn’t like it either, and uses it as a little saw to keep next to the chipper for little cuts to make stuff more chipper friendly.

Right I'm not saying it's amazing or anything. I just figured that was the price range. I just broke out a new 201 for the season man it's cutting like a mother fucker. Hand picked all day the last 2 days and I believe all day today 2. I cut 2 big spruces yesterday. Got a monster maple for today. Cutting for the village of Philadelphia and man every 1 has been huge this year.