written by on 11/06/2010
I'm on my 4th season with this saw. Not a problem with it since new. It has never been back to the dealer. I cut my own and other(s) firewood with it each and every year. It has more than enough power for the average homeowner. The only complaint i have with the saw is with the gas and oil caps. They can be a bit of a pain in the butt to get on and off however, if that's the only problem...it's easily over looked. I've owned several other models of chain saws and by far this has been the best to date. I'd put this saw up against any other in it's class and would bet on it time and time again.
written by Treeclimber57 on 30/12/2009
The MS270 is a nice little 50cc mid-range saw. It was not intended for hard professional work, however we run it beside the professional MS260s and MS361s every day. It has power about equal to the 260, however it is slightly heavier.
An excellent choice single saw for the homeowner who is only cutting firewood. If you want a slightly better saw (read more expensive as well!), I might recommend the 361 or the 346XP.
However, for the cost, you will not go wrong on the 270.
This saw, if maintained properly will last you a lifetime.
written by on 12/08/2009
I have been very pleased with my Stihl MS270. In my opinion, this is the perfect all-around saw. I used it to cut firewood each year. I cut about 16 cords a year and have not been disappointed with this saw yet. If you are only going to own one saw, it's hard to beat the MS270.
written by on 12/03/2009
We purchased this saw to replace a mcCullough that was twenty years old. We had a severe storm that resulted in a large amount of trees down on our farm. Nobody wanted to use the old loud, short bar mcCullough. I had been fond of the saws i used at work so we purchased the Stihl. It is a good little saw and does its job well. I use the yellow dot chin ( I am not sure what it is officially called). If you are new to chainsaws use a low kickback chain not a yellow dot. The yellow dot cuts better and faster. We have an 18" bar on it and it handles it well. I love the balance of the saw it is fairly light weight and it has power. The 18" bar balances the saw out well. The only thing I do not like is the fuel consumption. If I am cutting I want to be cutting, not filling up the fuel tank. Th tank is not that small that it is a major problem but it is just an annoyance. If most of your work is 12"+ logs go with a larger saw. The MS270 will cut them no problem but it takes time. I would buy this saw again or possible go to a MS290 for more power.
written by on 09/02/2009
I made a mistake on the original review of the Stihl MS270. I got the 18 inch not the 20 inch that it came with (for some reason the suppliers are only ordering the 20 inch bar length, but are happy to convert it) . The 156 inch would work better a lot of the time, but I use the 18 inch as measuring gage and sometimes the longer length is handy.
The saw continues to cut very well. I have lost count of the cords run through.
I had the saw flood out totally once. I think it was a combination of frozen up and flooded (cutting in a lot of flying ice and snow conditions).
I could not get it going, so I quit (I was froze solid anyway, it was -20F) and went home and thawed it out, and tried clearing it a few times. Upshot was I thought it was going to the dealer for repair when I re-read the flooding clearing procedure in the manual, and I was doing it wrong.
Once I did it right, it fired right up.
I am having chains break cutting frozen wood. I suspect its either the links are not done right when they build the chain (all done locally, only factory assembled chain comes with the saw), or its not getting enough oil. I didn't have the problem with using the original summer oil even in winter (the guys said the oil reservoir heated up anyway). since I went to the winter oil two chains broke.) They ok the winter oil for summer use, and I do cut a lot in the summer as well.
Maybe the one downside is not being able to adjust oil quantity. Oregon chain saw manuals says broken links are an indication of not enough oil. Oil more and or dilute. I am diluted with the winter oil, so not more to do other than try summer oil again maybe.
I Stihl think it may be the best all around saw, despite the popularity of the MS280 and MS290.
written by MS270 on 29/12/2008
I have cut around 24 cords of wood with it. With the new isolator system there is not wear out factor.
It handles will, is wlel ballanced and has good power.
I opted for a 16 inch bar as I was on pre stack wood and the versitlity was more importnat than depth, not cutting any trees down, just rounds out of a pile.
Most of the wood is under 16 inches, and the rare stuff not can be cut from two sides.
I got the C model, nothing fanyc, no easy adjust, or auto start, all manaul. I was skeptical of the auto oiler but has worked abosultey fine.
If I was cutting trees and limbing a lot, then the 18 inch would be the choice for the length and reach. Otherwise the 16 works better for what I do.
Only issue has been cutting laying down logs in snow and it eventually ices up. Hard to clear all the snow off the logs. Just the way it is, but I usually have a full or close to full truck then anyway (or am cold and frozen and time to hang it up.
The adjusting tool is cheap as hell and needs a grind to get squre enough to adjust.
I can work a pile of stacked wood for a full truck and the saw is not part of the fatigue.
written by on 11/07/2008
Great chainsaw, I would buy the Stihl MS270 again and reccomend it to any one doing heavier work despite the effort it takes to start.
written by on 24/06/2008
This thing can cut! I owned a craftsman before so thats not a fair comparison. Cut against Husky's and Johnsred's and they don't compare to this speedster. I love the tool free tensioner. I've owned it for 3 years now and it sees moderate use. I use the rm and rs chain by Stihl with little change in performance. A little heavier than a comparable Huskvarna but seems to have alot heavier bar than the Husky. Hopefully the last saw I'll ever need!
written by ttmfrc on 02/06/2008
I give the Stihl MS270 a 9 because, surely, nothing ever deserves a 10. This is the second chainsaw I have ever owned. The first was a Craftsman that I got for $10 in a yard sale, so I can't complain. Anyway, it finally gave me enough trouble that I went shopping. I had admired my father-in-law's Stihl MS250 for years, but wanted a little more, so I got the MS270 w/18" bar. This thing is amazing. No need to even try to compare it to the Craftsman - the Stihl is an entirely different class of power tool.
I thought it was a little pricey, but after the first cord of wood, forget about it! Easy starting (its new) and the quick chain adjuster is so great it makes you wonder wha its not on all saws.
written by on 27/12/2007
The Stihl MS270 is a good all round mid-range saw. Well balanced and decent power.
Powerful enough for 90% of firewood/clearing jobs. Reasonably light, and well balanced. And the decompression valve for easy starting is good. There is however not quite enough power to run a longer bar (20" and above) despite what dealers will tell you.
written by forestmiis on 05/11/2005
I'm using the STIHL MS270 chainsaw, and I am pushing nearly 100 tanks of fuel through it. I am very content with it. Compared to the STIHL 026 which I have also used, the MS270 is faster, smoother, and it's anti-vibe is amazing.
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