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Stihl ms311 thoughts

Started by vanasse603, December 05, 2014, 05:45:00 PM

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vanasse603

I'm looking into buying a new saw. Always been a husky guy don't know much about stihl. Need some thoughts on there ms311 seems like a newer version of the ms310.
Forestry Operations
1947 Farmall A with trip bucket
Husqvarna and sthil

ladylake

 A Echo Cs590 is by far the best saw in that price class, pro built saw for the price of Husky and Stihl home owner saws.   around $400 new.   Steve
Timberking B20  18000  hours +  Case75xt grapple + forks+8" snow bucket + dirt bucket   770 Oliver   Lots(too many) of chainsaws, Like the Echo saws and the Stihl and Husky     W5  Case loader   1  trailers  Wright sharpener     Suffolk  setter Volvo MCT125c skid loader

landscraper

I have a 311 and it's ok.  Cuts fine, a little heavy maybe.  Nothing to write home about but it is a steady performer.  I'll pick up my 460 before the 311 unless I am in a pile and want a short bar.
Firewood is energy independence on a personal scale.

SawTroll

A large and heavy "homeowner class" saw, with a plastic case and a clamshell engine.

Too heavy for the power - but it does of course cut wood.
Information collector.

Wallys World

I have one also. It works good, it is a little heavy, but it is lighter than my 056 with the same 20 inch bar. I still like my 440 with the 20 inch bar.
Wood-Mizer LT28G25, Wood-Mizer EG10 Edger, Wallenstein Timber Talon log loader trailer, Wallenstein GX640 wood splitter, Wallenstein WP835 Fire Wood Processor, Kubota BX 22 TLB, JD 445, JD Gator, Home made arch, Stihl 024 Super, MS251, MS311, MS440 Magnum & MS660.

weimedog

 310's were the top of the Stihl "Home owner" designs, along with the 390's. The MS311,391 are the X-torq versions for lack of a better description. Stihl's answer to the Husqvarna 455,460 line of saws. These Stihl's are basically an all metal crankcase / cylinder assemblies despite what you might hear. Their down side from the builder's perspective is it's harder to modify for performance than the pro saws from either Stihl or Husqvarna because of the cylinder & crank case design. But for a typical person.. who cares?? If they want more power, buy a pro level saw! The difference in price upgrading to a "pro saw" is less than having a saw shop modify a homeowner saw anyway.  BACK to the topic.. Those motor's are set in an all plastic case which isn't bad really but the genesis of criticism for saw snobs.

My only real complaint is they seem to have a really soft anti vibration setup that takes away that sense of connection to the work. Not important really. Just to me. Like a set of ice skate not sharpened right so they feel "off".  Or a dirt bike with the wrong suspension set up for a given track.

They might be heavy for what power they make ... but as compared to what?? Other saws in that class? I don't think so. They cut just fine. I have a friend who has had a MS310 since they came out and has cut hundreds of cords of fire wood with his.

Like so may decisions, this should come down to what you like and more importantly the dealer. Do they support what they sell and stock parts... Saws do rough work and live a violent life! Parts will be needed over time regardless what you buy.
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

msjdgman

If you are still seriously thinking about the 311, why not spend the few bucks more for the 391?  Same weight with more power.  I am very pleased with my 391.
Stihl MS250, MS290, MS391
JD 80EV

SawTroll

Quote from: msjdgman on December 09, 2014, 06:09:57 PM
If you are still seriously thinking about the 311, why not spend the few bucks more for the 391?  Same weight with more power.  I am very pleased with my 391.

The 311/391 are even heavier than the 310/390, so at least take the 391 if you have to.
A much better option would be to find the money for a Husky 555 or Jonsered 2158. Those are much neater and lighter, and real "semi-pro" saws, not just large "homeowner class" saws.  :)
Information collector.

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