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ms290
« on: February 22, 2014, 10:20:16 am »
Stopped at the local pawn shop yesterday. They had a pretty clean 290. I fired it up in 4 pulls......Carb. seemed to be adjusted nice. Quick response an a 4 stroke tone when opened up.  He had 250.00 on it, got him down to 225. w/little effort. Can anyone tell me anything about em'? I've always been pretty much a husky guy. Just lookin to pick up a limber,brush saw.

I had a low hr. 250 for a short time. It had some carb. issues, once that was cured it was a good runner, for a little saw.

Is the 290 a discontinued saw?
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Re: ms290
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2014, 11:00:35 am »
They still list them under farm and ranch saws .Very popular model ,56.5 cc,3.8 HP .For a firewooder they do okay .For a ground saw for a tree triming outfit not so good .Lucky to make it  a year .Those guys are tough on them .More like medevil truth be known .


That price would be in line with what a clean relatively low usage MS 290 would fetch in these parts .
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Re: ms290
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2014, 11:21:15 am »
Since you know Huskys I would compare the Stihl 290 to a Husqvarna 455 Rancher.   Both are clamshell engines. 
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Re: ms290
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2014, 01:09:01 pm »
290 is replaced with 291 now.   $225 would have to be a really clean working 100% one IMO. 

30 min muffler mod with carb retune can get you a 20%-23% quicker cuts, 23 most I seen and quit checking since. 


limber brush saw, it weighs 13lbs plus PHO.

I could set you up with a poulan 3500 60cc pro grade build magnesium crankcase and lighter PHO for less money for more cc.  Sun faded covers and scratches on covers from use. Top end looks like new. New lines etc.
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Re: ms290
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2014, 05:06:41 pm »
We have one on the shelf at work, it gets very little use.  I will typically sign out the MS390 and a top handle saw for the day.

When I do have to sign out the MS290, I typically have to give it plenty of warm up time and then fight to keep it running.
(We are not allowed to work on them....maintenance personnel get upset when you try to do their jobs for them)  So I just don't tell them about what I fix ;)  The MS290 w/18" .325/.50 semi-chisel set-up does cut well, but I would consider it a 'hand full' for limb trimming all day!

Now, if the truth be known...these saws do not get treated awfully well.  Most guys that are cutting on the crews are just waiting to get back into JD tractors and start the mowing season.  So if they can handle the beatings, then the can't be all that bad.


As far as price.....pawn shops aren't what I would consider in the top ten places to get stuff from.  $225 seems pretty high for a saw you know very little about the history(in could have been sitting in a 55gal barrel of water for a month).  Seen a few on C-list for $200 that look minty(just from photos).





Scott (did you get it?) B
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Re: ms290
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2014, 07:34:48 pm »
Quote from: 3000 FPS on February 22, 2014, 11:21:15 am
Since you know Huskys I would compare the Stihl 290 to a Husqvarna 455 Rancher.   Both are clamshell engines. 

YES, I gotcha now.....didn't realize it was the clamshell, you all refer to.......thx

I think I'll just hold out till the funds come a little better. I really need to pick up something that will handle a 24" bar w/o being under powered.
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Re: ms290
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2014, 08:16:36 pm »
Quote from: gunrac on February 22, 2014, 07:34:48 pm
Quote from: 3000 FPS on February 22, 2014, 11:21:15 am
Since you know Huskys I would compare the Stihl 290 to a Husqvarna 455 Rancher.   Both are clamshell engines. 

YES, I gotcha now.....didn't realize it was the clamshell, you all refer to.......thx


I think I'll just hold out till the funds come a little better. I really need to pick up something that will handle a 24" bar w/o being under powered.



Look for something of a minimum of 60cc or bigger for a 24" bar.
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Re: ms290
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2014, 08:30:16 pm »
Quote from: 3000 FPS on February 22, 2014, 08:16:36 pm
Quote from: gunrac on February 22, 2014, 07:34:48 pm
Quote from: 3000 FPS on February 22, 2014, 11:21:15 am
Since you know Huskys I would compare the Stihl 290 to a Husqvarna 455 Rancher.   Both are clamshell engines. 

YES, I gotcha now.....didn't realize it was the clamshell, you all refer to.......thx


I think I'll just hold out till the funds come a little better. I really need to pick up something that will handle a 24" bar w/o being under powered.



Look for something of a minimum of 60cc or bigger for a 24" bar.

I run a buddy's husky 460 w/a 24". I had it sharp, had to hold it back ......It was underpowered, IMO.......I'll be wanting to get near or into the 70cc class.
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Re: ms290
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2014, 08:42:23 pm »
I totally agree with you.   Sometimes it is just a matter of expense.   
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Re: ms290
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2014, 08:46:58 pm »
In my experience with the MS 290, it best suited for a 16 or 18 inch bar. It is or rather was Stihl's best selling saw.
Check the 290 and the older 029's out on eBay. They bring a nice price!
The 290's weakness as well as the MS 310 and MS 390 or rather the whole family of these popular series of Stihl saws are the main bearings. They have "plastic" races!
I rebuilt another 290 this afternoon. Bought it on eBay. Scored cylinder and piston. Very clean and low hour saw but the previous owner must have run it with the chain too tight. The crank bearing on the clutch side was damaged enough causing the crank seal to leak....burned up the cylinder and piston.
Replaced the cylinder and piston and the crank bearings/seals with after market parts offered on eBay. Note...the after market bearings have steel races! Go figure???
The saw now runs fine.....I hope to turn a profit on this saw but to do so....my time would have to be worth Chinese wages but Stihl saws are my hobby!  ;D

Dave
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NOTHING BUT STIHL! 028WB, 029, 029 Super, 024, 026(2), 026PRO, MS250, MS290(2), MS310
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