Stihl MS 261, experiences or opinions?

[STIHLFULLSKIP]

the 261 is one of the finest firewood saws on the market, extremely well built, and durable. it is the first 50cc saw that i have owned that handles a 20" well.

[ladylake]

 I dont get it, everytime Stihl or Husky comes out with a new model everyones acts like it's the best thing since sliced bread, sure it's a good saw but I just watched some vids on youtube where the little bit lighter 346xp and ms261 were neck and neck far as cutting speed and the old ms260 was a little behind but no night and day difference. Certainly the 261 is a good saw but it doesn't blow the others away .  I might be inclined to run a muff modded ms260 or 026 as they are lighter.    Steve

[quietrangr]

The 261 uses a large mount bar, which is about a quarter pound heavier in the Oregon narrow kerf line. It also is .6 pounds heavier than the 346, for a total of .85 pounds heavier than the 346 Husky.

I have read good things about the Husky but there aren't many dealers around and they tend to be hardware stores without dedicated small engine mechanics, at least around here the Stihl dealers tend to be mower shops with mechanics.

I don't think you can go wrong buying a Stihl. They are definitely good products. I'm seriously looking at buying a 261, despite it's weighing more than my 346. I was very impressed with the construction and design when I looked at one at the dealer.

[STIHLFULLSKIP]

 I dont get it, everytime Stihl or Husky comes out with a new model everyones acts like it's the best thing since sliced bread, sure it's a good saw but I just watched some vids on youtube where the little bit lighter 346xp and ms261 were neck and neck far as cutting speed and the old ms260 was a little behind but no night and day difference. Certainly the 261 is a good saw but it doesn't blow the others away .  I might be inclined to run a muff modded ms260 or 026 as they are lighter.    Steve

i happen to own 2 of the new echo cs500's as well. they are light for sure, but the build quality reflects that. they start very easily, and run good, but they won't run with a 261/346 for sure. i would rather have the 261 be a little heavier, and know it is more durable.

[ladylake]

 The lighter 026, MS260 were plenty durable.  I'd think the added wieght comes from  the 261 being a strato saw, seems like most stratosaws gained wieght.   Did you muff modd your CS500 as all Echo's come with clogged up muffs and will gain more .    Steve

[STIHLFULLSKIP]

yes both mufflers have been opened up, and limiters trimmed. my only two real dislikes on the cs500, are the air filter and the spring in the recoil start. this saw would even be lighter with a regular recoil in it.

[Al_Smith]

Here is what others are saying about this saw, Ken

http://www.arboristsit

Geeze of all forums on the net why pray tell would you link to that one ?

You try linking on that forum to this one or even mentioning another forum on that site it will get you a little banning because of how anal the adminstrater is about things .2 cents worth .

[jimbarry]

Just a newbie here in the world of logging, thought I'd throw in my 2 cents on the Stihl 261. I aquired two saws yesterday from the recent passing of my father in law. One is a fairly new Stihl 261 and the other is a yet to be identified Husq.  See http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,54308.0.html

I personally own a smaller Stihl 230 after a recent cylinder burn out of a Husq 357xpg. I use it mostly for limbing and thinning.

So we were up in the woods yesterday chunking up recently felled white birch and some type of maple. 8 to 16 inch dia logs. I started with the Husq and it cut through with no ... problems ... at ... all. Even though the chain was filed unevenly resulting in the saw wanted to cut to the right, there was no effort other than slight pressure needed. Curiosity got the best of me and I started up the Stihl MS261 since it was a recent purchase. New chain, nice and sharp. Started up it, and cut into the same wood. DEFINITELY not the same performance. The 261 didn't have the torque. Not a saw I would want to buy if I had to buy one, neither would I recommend it IF the person had the option to buy the Husq. Now the Husq had a thin kerf chain and about half life left on the teeth. Maybe that makes a difference, don't know.

Even the sound comparison of the engines would like comparing sports car to a go kart. Could be a muffler issue.

Just my 2 cents.

[gspren]

  Now that I have run the 261 a few times I like it, it doesn't cut as fast as my 044 but I wanted a lighter saw for limbing and smaller firewood logs. I think the 261 with a 16" bar will make a good companion to my 044 with a 20" bar. There are no good Husky or Jonsered dealers near me so I didn't consider them. On Thursday while traveling I stopped at a Husky dealer out of my local area and looked at a 346 just to see what was being bragged about and it has a cheap feel to it so I'm glad I got the 261.
Gary

[STIHLFULLSKIP]

Just a newbie here in the world of logging, thought I'd throw in my 2 cents on the Stihl 261. I aquired two saws yesterday from the recent passing of my father in law. One is a fairly new Stihl 261 and the other is a yet to be identified Husq.  See http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,54308.0.html

I personally own a smaller Stihl 230 after a recent cylinder burn out of a Husq 357xpg. I use it mostly for limbing and thinning.

So we were up in the woods yesterday chunking up recently felled white birch and some type of maple. 8 to 16 inch dia logs. I started with the Husq and it cut through with no ... problems ... at ... all. Even though the chain was filed unevenly resulting in the saw wanted to cut to the right, there was no effort other than slight pressure needed. Curiosity got the best of me and I started up the Stihl MS261 since it was a recent purchase. New chain, nice and sharp. Started up it, and cut into the same wood. DEFINITELY not the same performance. The 261 didn't have the torque. Not a saw I would want to buy if I had to buy one, neither would I recommend it IF the person had the option to buy the Husq. Now the Husq had a thin kerf chain and about half life left on the teeth. Maybe that makes a difference, don't know.

Even the sound comparison of the engines would like comparing sports car to a go kart. Could be a muffler issue.

Just my 2 cents  you may want to check the tune on that saw, no saw will run right if it is out of tune. both of my 261's are nearly as strong as my 361. the new stihl stratos' make lots of torque, that is what the are designed to do.