Change in Stihl design?

nebraskasparks · Jan 3, 2015

It's been a few years since I checked out the new Stihl line. I have 3 Stihl saws... MS170 for limb trimming (hot knife through butter), my old reliable 026 Farm Boss (2002) with 20 inch blade (rebuilt it a couple years ago due to CONSTANT use) and newer 261 Pro. All have been exceptionally reliable. Went in for some oil and noticed that newer models do not have the anti vibration "split" design for the 261/50 cc models where the cover for the air filter detaches. Have they done something inside and just gone with one poly cover?

TomSeller · Jan 4, 2015

nebraskasparks said:
It's been a few years since I checked out the new Stihl line. I have 3 Stihl saws... MS170 for limb trimming (hot knife through butter), my old reliable 026 Farm Boss (2002) with 20 inch blade (rebuilt it a couple years ago due to CONSTANT use) and newer 261 Pro. All have been exceptionally reliable. Went in for some oil and noticed that newer models do not have the anti vibration "split" design for the 261/50 cc models where the cover for the air filter detaches. Have they done something inside and just gone with one poly cover?

Are you sure you have the 261? The 260 has the pronounced "split" for the air cleaner. The first picture is of the new 261 and the second of the "split" 260. The anti vibration has to do with the handles.

nebraskasparks · Jan 4, 2015

Thanks Tom. I'm not an expert at chain saws but I dearly love the Stihl line after 14 years using them. Gave up an old McCullough and haven't looked back. Definitely have a 261 Pro that has the split. If the anti vibration is in the handles...what's the purpose of the split versus no split other than access to the air cleaner etc?

TomSeller · Jan 4, 2015

nebraskasparks said:
Thanks Tom. I'm not an expert at chain saws but I dearly love the Stihl line after 14 years using them. Gave up an old McCullough and haven't looked back. Definitely have a 261 Pro that has the split. If the anti vibration is in the handles...what's the purpose of the split versus no split other than access to the air cleaner etc?

Could you post a picture of your 261 with the split at the filter? To my knowledge, that would be a special model. I have both the 026 with the filter split and a 261 which does not.

nebraskasparks · Jan 4, 2015

I'll fire one off tomorrow!

s219 · Jan 4, 2015

The 261 didn't come out until 2010/2011, so that may be one way to determine what you have. I bought my 261 when that model first came out. Here's more info on the changeover from the 260 to the 261:

Dreams become reality: The new MS 261 | STIHL | Stihl, Viking, chain saws, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, clearing saws, high-pressure cleaners, lawn mowers, trimmers

If you have a split top cover, it's either an 026 pro or a 260. The 261 has only ever come with the one-piece cover.

The top cover design doesn't really have anything to do with the anti-vibe, and some current model Stihls still have the split design. My 461 (new for 2012/2013) still has a split top cover. From what I have seen, models with the one-piece top cover have superior filtration to the more classic split design.

davesl708 · Jan 4, 2015

I can only offer that I have a three year old MS290 Farmboss. The vibration damping is internal and separate from the case/handle. Works great and takes on trees more than twice its size. Never fails to start. I use an 18" bar. Having cut about sixty trees so far I have no complaints.

nebraskasparks · Jan 4, 2015

Thanks s219. I'll send a picture later today. Makes sense that less garbage would get in with the one piece top cover and less things to get tangled in the body from a safety view point.

ovrszd · Jan 4, 2015

It's easy to get "out of touch" with the Stihl model changes. Basing that on the fact that a Stihl lasts so long. I have an old 018, a 250 and a 361. I'm sure I'll use them until I do something stupid like run over them with the tractor. Can't see myself wearing them out. I have a chainsaw tote box that goes on my QH. Last Winter I was hauling my tractor on the GN trailer with my 361 in it's storage box, in the tote box. Hit a rough place in the paved road where a culvert had been replaced. Threw the saw out of the tote box. It landed in the middle of the road, going 50 mph. Busted the hinges on the plastic storage box and dumped the saw out into the soft grass shoulder. Didn't put a mark on it that I could find.

TomSeller · Jan 4, 2015

ovrszd said:
I have an old 018, a 250 and a 361.

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.

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..