Modern equal to mythical Stihl 026 chainsaw?

[Rock Crawler]

My father bought a Stihl 026 back around 1990, we estimate 1990 as the latest possible year as that was when he built his house out on farm property and had the saw. He thinks it may have been purchased a year or two earlier.

The saw has been a total beast, a workhorse that has no equals. This thing is near mythical in it's tireless performance and near zero down time. But one day, even the mightiest beast will die. So I am starting to consider a new Stihl that can attempt to replace the light weight, high power, ultra reliable and insanely durable 026 model.

Are saws today made to the same caliber of this legendary steed, or is there no real modern equal of a saw of such stature as the legendary 026?

I really would like to stay with Stihl, as this saw has proven to be so durable and long lasting that I have no good reason to look for "better" brands, I am not so sure a better brand could possibly exist.

If your a Chainsaw guru, please enlighten me on what is out there today that can be considered a suitable match to the 026.

 

[jeff9366]

Stihl MS261.

I used to own a Stihl 026.

 

[CobyRupert]

The saw has been a total beast, a workhorse that has no equals. This thing is near mythical in it's tireless performance and near zero down time. But one day, even the mightiest beast will die. So I am starting to consider a new Stihl that can attempt to replace the light weight, high power, ultra reliable and insanely durable 026 model.
.

I've had the same opinion of my Husky 55. A beast for 20 years w/ no problems until (I think) an air leak cooked it last year. Or maybe it was just age. Nothing a new piston and top end couldn't fix (for about 1/4 the price of a new saw). Viola! Now it's a new saw again. Hope to get another 20 years out of it.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I've had the same opinion of my Husky 55. A beast for 20 years w/ no problems until (I think) an air leak cooked it last year. Or maybe it was just age. Nothing a new piston and top end couldn't fix (for about 1/4 the price of a new saw). Viola! Now it's a new saw again. Hope to get another 20 years out of it.

My aluminum case stripped at the left side pivot bolt hole that holds the kick-back brake lever. I have tried an aluminum thread repair epoxy that the Stihl dealer suggested, but it only held the tiny threads for a few hours and then I was back to a flopping around, non functional safety brake. This saw doesn't have thousands of hours on it, as we do firewood duty maybe 20 hours running time a year. Other than that I use the saw as storm blow down trees that end up crossing into yard. It gets a good bit of time sitting in the garage not seeing sunlight for months... But I know that the safety is compromised, and even with light homeowner use over 27 years it will likely fail at some point. I'm sure that if I were a tree guy as a profession that even a Stihl saw would wear out in just a few years of daily use....

Is Husky Husqvara, is that something else? The only "Husky" equipment I've known was very cheesy looking light duty yard tractors sold at retail stores.

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes, Husky is slang for Husqvarna (IMHO).

 

[LD1]

The 026 has many equals and some brands and models are even better. You show a lot of bias in the tone of your post and since you have brand blinders on...then all I can say is that the ms261 is what you want to spend your $600 on

 

[Rock Crawler]

The 026 has many equals and some brands and models are even better. You show a lot of bias in the tone of your post and since you have brand blinders on...then all I can say is that the ms261 is what you want to spend your $600 on

:laughing:

Yes, as far as chainsaws go, I drink the Stihl koolaid pretty hard. I have had a Crapsman saw and some other saw that was called "Wild Thing"... both were trashy junk compared to the little orange one that my father had bought and now I use. I can't see going to a different brand after having such a great service life from this product/brand. When I buy a new say, it will be Stihl/Kubota/Kioti Orange unless there is VERY compelling reason to consider another brand of similar product....

 

[4570Man]

Husqvarna and Kubota orange is pretty close...

 

[Ortimber]

Stihl MS261.

I used to own a Stihl 026.

Yep 261 is a great saw...

 

[ning]

Still loving the heck out of my Stihl 031AV which my mom bought in 1975.
It's noisy and heavy but pulls like crazy... if I was in the firewood business I'm sure I'd spring for something lighter, quieter, more fuel efficient and cleaner.

If you love the 026, buy some likely-to-be-needed spare parts now so that in 10 years when you need them you'll be able to do the work quickly... and don't believe the shop if they say they can't find some part or other to fix it. My mom's saw shop changed hands about 10 years ago, and she took the saw in to them to fix the starter - the cord pull wouldn't retract - and they basically told her to buy a new one. I told her to bring it to me, I pulled the starter pawl and it'd just gotten stuck, put it back together and it still runs (she did get a smaller lighter unit for her handyman since at 76 she doesn't cut her own firewood any more!).

(I put a 24" bar on it - it originally had a 20" - and just use it for bigger stuff, and have a small 14" saw to cut limbs off after felling trees.)

 

[xyz123]

If I was going to buy a 261. Pass on the OE 261. Get the newest lightest one = NE T2 version.

Clutch cover looks like this. Showing 362 II for clutch cover style on new II 261 too.

Same with the 362. Dont get the OE pig, get the NE T2

 

[lpigott]

I'm own Husky Stihl and Echo myself. The big Pro Series Huskies are hard to beat. For smaller saws these days the Echo is a nice saw and the color matches Kubota good too.

 

[crazyal]

If you like the saw then I would repair it. Ebay is a great place to find used parts for chainsaws if new is too expensive.

 

[TomSeller]

I have had a Stihl 026 for years, I have it on loan to my brother now. Super good legendary saw without reproach. It has cut I don't know how many cords of firewood and only had to go in the shop once for a carb cleaning/adjust (brother is not mechanically included). That spot in my 3 Stihl saw lineup is now filled by a Stihl MS261. Equally as good with more power.

Husky, Echo and others make good saws and I am not here to say they are not. To each his own. But If I were you I would get a Stihl MS 261 and not look back. Great saw.

 

[Blstr88]

Ive got a 260 and two 261s...happy with all three. The 260 is absolutely my preferred saw though...Ive never measured and they all look very close in size but it feels narrower to me as well as more powerful, doesnt seem to bog down as often as the 261s.

Keep an eye on craigslist, plenty of older saws all over there. Id buy another 260 if I found one, and I really want a 200T top handle next.

 

[ike]

I have had my Stihl 026 Pro (has decompression release) for 20 years and would not part with it. It has been a great all around saw that is light and well balanced. Also, have a 2003 Vintage Husqvarna 372xp that shares the chores. Both saws have been flawless. Sold my old Stihl 017 and Still 190T.

 

[s219]

I have owned/run three pro saws that are modern 50cc equivalents to the 026, and those are the Stihl 261, Husky 550XP, and Echo CS-501P. For my money, the Echo is far and away the best value, but all three saws are top notch.

 

[yomax4]

I have an 026 Pro that I use for limbing with a 20" bar. I never use it for anything over 6". I did a muffler mod to it and an adjustable carb. The thing really came alive. Not really large enough for a go to firewood saw for my cutting needs. ( 20 cord yr.) but I would never get rid of it.

 

[Spindifferent]

If my 025 ever dies, I'll buy a new MS 250...

 

[tomplum]

If my 025 ever dies, I'll buy a new MS 250...

Reading this as I have an MS250 and could use something with a little more snot. I saw Craigslit mentioned. To me you would have to know the saw to buy one used. I'm sure I'd end up with a brick in an orange case off the list. Heck I wrote two people on CL two days ago and got no response for something I'm sure no one else wants.