Stihl MS 261 C-M 18" vs 20" Bar

[buck12]

My 260 is about 9 years old and has been a great saw. The 260 was replaced by the 261.

 

[sd455dan]

Spent all day trying to rewind the spring, that's it, going into the trash/crush pile, never will I own a H again. Total pieces of uyt78urueiwy!

Looked up new spring, can't distinguish whether they come coiled or not, carbs same, made in China uidhjehuihgfruih!

As a side note, they, children, bought me a new H riding mower few years back which has less than 150hrs., cuts uneven, changed spindles twice, lost count of blades and

I'm fed up with it too.

Could Put it on ebay.

The huskys sell well , even as parts not running I bet that saw brings $75 or more + whatever it costs for shipping.

Just bought a used H 350 off ebay for $100- but the shipping was $68

knock off complete pull start covers are ~$20

 

[dodge man]

I had to look up noodling on Google. I’ve been doing it lately and didn’t even know it. Yes the shavings do look like noodles. My 261 did clog up twice but if I was careful, not a problem. I just bought a MS 261 and switched from a MS250 and was thinking how much better the new saw stays clean under the cover. I got the chain nice a sharp and it ripped those rounds in half like crazy. I assume they cut with the grain quicker than across it?

 

[minton]

Could Put it on ebay.

The huskys sell well , even as parts not running I bet that saw brings $75 or more + whatever it costs for shipping.

Just bought a used H 350 off ebay for $100- but the shipping was $68

knock off complete pull start covers are ~$20

My wife mentioned selling it....I'll tell you what I told her, 'I couldn't sell someone something that is a piece of sgyjki and be able to live with myself'.

I know you mean well and appreciate your input.

 

[minton]

I had to look up noodling on Google. I’ve been doing it lately and didn’t even know it. Yes the shavings do look like noodles. My 261 did clog up twice but if I was careful, not a problem. I just bought a MS 261 and switched from a MS250 and was thinking how much better the new saw stays clean under the cover. I got the chain nice a sharp and it ripped those rounds in half like crazy. I assume they cut with the grain quicker than across it?

I hadn't heard of it either...I need to make some lumber out of any of the pines that are usable (lumber for myself and not public) so I'll be noodling...looking at the MS 261.

 

[minton]

My 260 is about 9 years old and has been a great saw. The 260 was replaced by the 261.

I'm considering the MS 261...glad to hear you've had good results with your 260.

 

[minton]

I had a 261 and it was a great saw. Being a pro model Stihl, it's built well and will last a long time. Only weakness was poor chip flow. If you noodle with that saw it will get clogged up something fierce. Stihl changed the clutch cover on newer models to save weight, and I don't know if that makes the problem better or worse. For regular cutting it will probably be fine for 99% of users.

I sold my 261 when I got a larger 60cc Husky that was much more powerful and not much heavier. I just stopped using the 261 enough to keep it around. Sold it to a forum member here.

I would buy another 261 in a heartbeat if I needed a 50cc Stihl. Husky and Echo also make good 50cc pro saws.

Is Echo a subsidiary of H?

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm considering the MS 261...glad to hear you've had good results with your 260.

Owned an MS 261 for quite a few years now. It's been flawless - no problems to report whatsoever. I did have the dealer put an 18" bar on it when I bought it. The MS 261 is my "light" chainsaw; I have a 40 year old Homelite Professional Model for my "heavy" work. The only thing I wish the MS 261 had was an auxilliary manual oiler for when I'm working dry, long dead cedar logs. The Homelite came standard with one of those auxilliary oilers (thumb operated) and I always find it very handy to add extra oil when cutting dead wood. Keeps the chain cooler and it lasts longer.

 

[Motorboatin]

Is Echo a subsidiary of H?

No, Echo has always been a Japanese company with manufacturing plants in the US

Chainsaws are made in Lake Zurich, Illinois

 

[coxhaus]

I bet the Stihl 361 or what ever is current will make firewood, BBQ a lot faster than a 261. I have owned lighter chainsaws not the 261. I have a Stihl 36 with a 18 inch bar and their was a big difference in speed cutting firewood. It pulls right through. Have you thought about the bigger chainsaw? My 36 has a compression release which makes the bigger chainsaw easy to start.

 

[minton]

No, Echo has always been a Japanese company with manufacturing plants in the US

Chainsaws are made in Lake Zurich, Illinois

Okay...that's encouraging, their color reminded me of the H. Thanks for the input.

 

[minton]

I bet the Stihl 361 or what ever is current will make firewood, BBQ a lot faster than a 261. I have owned lighter chainsaws not the 261. I have a Stihl 36 with a 18 inch bar and their was a big difference in speed cutting firewood. It pulls right through. Have you thought about the bigger chainsaw? My 36 has a compression release which makes the bigger chainsaw easy to start.

Yes on the larger versions available...have to look the Sthil 36. Have a portable diesel generator w decompression lever, when I forget to use it and try to start generator, the pull cord will jerk the gen. halfway across the garage.

 

[dodge man]

I looked at some bigger Stihl saws in the farm and ranch category. For the same money as the MS 261 you could get a bigger saw but they weighed more. I’d say unless you do serious logging a 261 is more than enough saw for most people.

 

[sd455dan]

My wife mentioned selling it....I'll tell you what I told her, 'I couldn't sell someone something that is a piece of sgyjki and be able to live with myself'.

I know you mean well and appreciate your input.

Not trying to be snarky,
but the 345 is the same basic design as the 350. These clamshell huskies and jonsered 2150 models are sought after because they are easily modified and people like to port them / raise compression/ muffler mod them. After market cylinder and piston kits can be had for under $40.

If you really don't want that Husky- someone on ebay WILL bid on that saw because they are going to tear it completely down and modify it. they will probably thank you

Right now there aren't many listed either.

A 350 i almost bid on about 2 weeks back- (locked solid) still brought $86 plus shipping.



Husqvarna 35 Parts Chainsaw GREAT LOOKING BUT LOCKED UP | eBay

Found a 345 runner with 2 bars and free ship 16 bids at $172 - 2 days left on auction...

here is a modded version
Husky 357 intake /carb and ported 346 xp cylinder/350

HUSQVARNA 350 XP PORTED - YouTube

Or an older vid of a 346XP ported
Husqvarna 346 xp ported by Brad Snelling - YouTube

 

[coxhaus]

Yes on the larger versions available...have to look the Sthil 36. Have a portable diesel generator w decompression lever, when I forget to use it and try to start generator, the pull cord will jerk the gen. halfway across the garage.

The Stihl 36 became the 360 and then the 361 and maybe the 362. I am not sure about current model but they are all the same saw. I think the 36 and models were a Pro model. If you get it with a 18 bar and chain the weight is not too bad. It sure does make short work of cutting firewood, BBQ wood. We use a lot of BBQ wood in Texas. I have a big 700 pound smoker.

 

[minton]

Owned an MS 261 for quite a few years now. It's been flawless - no problems to report whatsoever. I did have the dealer put an 18" bar on it when I bought it. The MS 261 is my "light" chainsaw; I have a 40 year old Homelite Professional Model for my "heavy" work. The only thing I wish the MS 261 had was an auxilliary manual oiler for when I'm working dry, long dead cedar logs. The Homelite came standard with one of those auxilliary oilers (thumb operated) and I always find it very handy to add extra oil when cutting dead wood. Keeps the chain cooler and it lasts longer.

Interesting, well I definitely want an auxiliary oiler so if the 261 doesn't provide that, then it would be off my list. Thanks for the input.

 

[buck12]

I bet the Stihl 361 or what ever is current will make firewood, BBQ a lot faster than a 261. I have owned lighter chainsaws not the 261. I have a Stihl 36 with a 18 inch bar and their was a big difference in speed cutting firewood. It pulls right through. Have you thought about the bigger chainsaw? My 36 has a compression release which makes the bigger chainsaw easy to start.

The 260 has a compression release so assume the 261 does as well.

 

[coxhaus]

The 260 has a compression release so assume the 261 does as well.

I think all the PRO Stihl's had compression release for easy starting.

 

[dodge man]

I got my 261 just a few weeks ago and yes it does have compression release. No auxiliary Oiler though but you can adjust the amount of oil dispensed with a simple screw.

 

[coxhaus]

I cut almost all dry wood mainly oak. We have a lot of different oaks with post oak about the hardest. I do not feel like I ever needed a manual oiler. I only use Stihl oil for both chain bar and 2 cycle. I like the Stihl bar oil.