Join! Do a search and you will be reading all thru winter!
Best site around for answering your questions!
I was very well informed!
Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: arboriste site

If you are only cutting a few cords a year, a MS250 would probably do it for you. If you are doing more than that, you might want to consider a MS270 (Wood Boss) or MS290 (Farm Boss). Since you have a $250 certificate, I'd probably spend the extra money and get a 270 or 290.

Think outside the box. buy the stihl, sell it on ebay NIB. Then buy what ever you want/

Thanks for the tips and the ideas fellas!!

bertman,
I did join the arborist site and will look for info there as well...I figured I'd ask on this forum first because it's one of my favorites.

with the certifacate....id go with a 310 or 390....there the same weight as a farm boss but with more power and bar.i must say tho....a 20 inch farm boss is pretty hard to tire(the saw that is....u will get tired)
good luck

If you are going to use the saw quite a bit for a number of years and you can afford a little more saw, I'd consider a MS361. I have not run a 290 but they are kind of heavy for the power they have. Additionally, they are rated at a 16-20" bar. I have generally found that one (sometimes two), bar sizes down from max is where the saws run best. Meaning, the 290 will probably do better with an 18" than a 20".

The 361, is a full pound lighter, is rated to a 25" and is a pro grade saw. You'll still need to take care of it properly. I think most people run them with a 20" and they do extremely well there.