Change in Stihl design?

ovrszd · Jan 4, 2015

TomSeller said:
How do you like the 018? My main saws are a MS261 and a MS441, but I want something smaller that stays on a tractor to clear the misc fallen tree that I come across, etc. There is a local used MS180 without the ez2start for $150 that looks almost new on CL that I am hoping to take a look at tomorrow.

I'm trying to think what I paid for my 250. I think it was $250ish. Can't remember what I paid for the 018, been too long. Of the two I like the 250 the best. The 018 is a little light on guts. Great trimming saw. Light weight. Easy to handle. I carry the 250 on my tractor all the time.

Tom, I think the 180 would be a great addition to your fleet. It would fit a need that the 261 and 441 don't. I'd probably go for it were I you.

Rustyiron · Jan 4, 2015

Talk about outta touch, I can't kill my 044 that I think I've had for at least 20 years, and it's not that it doesn't get used. It's my "grap first" saw, my 041 Farm Boss is even older.

Stihl Man · Jan 4, 2015

Just some food for thought.. I do 90% of my limbing with a top handle saw. Nothing nicer than having the ability to reach out while in the middle of mess and having a free hand.. Plus being so compact just makes things so much easier..
That being said, extra caution is always foremost..
Top handle saws are dangerous on the ground or in a tree..
I run 020T,MS261,MS441...Stihl

Rustyiron · Jan 4, 2015

Stihl Man :welcome:
My little MS200t is usually involved with my limbing also.

nebraskasparks · Jan 4, 2015

You folks were right. Went back into the shop and it was a 260 Pro with the split casing.. not the 261. I keep my MS 170 for all my small stuff and small saplings 3-4" and my 026 and 260 for tackling all the big trees that come down and heat our house. I couldn't try another brand of chain saw. Well maintained and sharp chains...an 80 buck piston ring and carb set every ten years or more and you're stihl cutting. Thanks again for your help.

TomSeller · Jan 4, 2015

Stihl Man said:
Just some food for thought.. I do 90% of my limbing with a top handle saw. Nothing nicer than having the ability to reach out while in the middle of mess and having a free hand.. Plus being so compact just makes things so much easier..
That being said, extra caution is always foremost..
Top handle saws are dangerous on the ground or in a tree..
I run 020T,MS261,MS441...Stihl

Welcome. I have an MS192T that if I knew how much I would use it, I would have bought a MS200T. I have cut professionally and I know the dangers of a top handle yet I use it for the same reasons you mention. I am interested in adding an MS180 mostly because I can share saw chains with the 192 and it would be small enough to keep on the tractor and leave the top handle for when I need a top handle. The thing I don't like about the little 180s is the ez2start. It seems to add bulk and about a lb. Plus I think I would throw my shoulder out yanking on it, expecting it to be like the other saws. On the other hand, maybe I should buy the ez2start for when I am an old fart. Good choice in your 261 and 441, I have the same saws.

TomSeller · Jan 5, 2015

nebraskasparks said:
You folks were right. Went back into the shop and it was a 260 Pro with the split casing.. not the 261. I keep my MS 170 for all my small stuff and small saplings 3-4" and my 026 and 260 for tackling all the big trees that come down and heat our house. I couldn't try another brand of chain saw. Well maintained and sharp chains...an 80 buck piston ring and carb set every ten years or more and you're stihl cutting. Thanks again for your help.

Well, they are hard to keep straight for sure. Your 260 should have the flippy caps which is probably what confused matters. I have a 026 that is on semi permanent loan to my brother, I am not sure I will ever get it back. They and the 260 are legendary saws. Not all that much oomph, but VERY reliable and very comfortable to use.

That reminds me, I need to sharpen his saw chains, I bought the CBN (cubic boron nitride) grinding wheels a few weeks ago and need to try them out.

Stihl Man · Jan 5, 2015

Rustyiron said:
Stihl Man :welcome:
My little MS200t is usually involved with my limbing also.

Thax
You can't beat limbing with one. Only down side is when you put in down the next one (saw) is going to weight more.. Lol

TomSeller · Jan 5, 2015

Stihl Man said:
Thax
You can't beat limbing with one. Only down side is when you put in down the next one (saw) is going to weight more.. Lol

I picked up the little MS150T when I was at the Stihl dealer last week. Now that is light, even with ez2start. Awful little, maybe okay for trimming brush.

Stihl in tree saws

Stihl Man · Jan 5, 2015

TomSeller said:
Welcome. I have an MS192T that if I knew how much I would use it, I would have bought a MS200T. I have cut professionally and I know the dangers of a top handle yet I use it for the same reasons you mention. I am interested in adding an MS180 mostly because I can share saw chains with the 192 and it would be small enough to keep on the tractor and leave the top handle for when I need a top handle. The thing I don't like about the little 180s is the ez2start. It seems to add bulk and about a lb. Plus I think I would throw my shoulder out yanking on it, expecting it to be like the other saws. On the other hand, maybe I should buy the ez2start for when I am an old fart. Good choice in your 261 and 441, I have the same saws.

I think the combo is spot on.. Best of a little of everything.. It is amazing just how well the little saws cut. Never ran the 192..
I have found myself quite often bucking with the 020T just because it was already in my hand...lol
Have you found that your 261 can't discharge the chips fast enough and occasionally clogs the bar and sprocket? The clearance in the clutch cover is just not enough.. My Stihl dealer said I am not the only one that has had the trouble. He has had same trouble..