Longer bar for Stihl M261 - relative novice.

[Jrasband]

Exactly what I'd run, as well. Anyone who thinks they should be run with bigger bars isn't cutting a lot of large-diameter oak.

I'm presently running:

36cc = 12" (T435)
63cc = 19" (036 Pro / predecessor to MS362)
85cc = 28" (064 AV / predecessor to MS660)

I would never cut down a large diameter oak, at least not on my own property, unless it was a liability. Also, I know the 261 with a 20" bar would have no problem with it either unless I was cutting up 10 large oak trees in one day. One large oak = no problem.

 

[WinterDeere]

I would never cut down a large diameter oak, at least not on my own property, unless it was a liability. Also, I know the 261 with a 20" bar would have no problem with it either unless I was cutting up 10 large oak trees in one day. One large oak = no problem.

"Large" is a relative term. To me, that means anything over 40" diameter at breast height, and you're never tackling that with a 20" bar on any saw, or any bar mounted on an MS261.

White oaks in particular, can grow very large here. The largest I brought home was over 6 feet in diameter at knee height, and still over 4 feet diameter 15 feet up, where hurricane Sandy had snapped it off.



That's a 36 inch bar on the Stihl 064 in the photo above, running full-chisel skip chain, apparently the day I bought and first installed that bar (ca.2012/13).

But even the red oaks are usually over 30" diameter by the time they either die or get damaged enough to take them down. MS362's, which are 26% larger displacement than MS261's, still struggle to pull a 20" bar through these without slowing down quite a bit. Anything can be done with infinite patience, but it's going to be slow, and it's going to be frustrating feathering the thing so tenderly that it won't constantly stop in the cut.

We get a lot of oak here, it's probably our most prevalent fire wood, excepting a brief window when all the ash started dying.

 

[Hay Dude]

Sounds like we got a “who’s hung bigger” debate brewin.

I found another nice used 661C. Looks good. $650! Now we’re talkin….
Only one problem, the 3 hour drive each way kinda takes away from the great price.
I’m trying to see if he will dump the tanks, separate the bar off the saw and UPS it to me.
I sold a guy a saw that way. Went fine.

 

[masseyrider]

I've had a 261 with a 18" bar for years.
It's an OK saw but I wouldn't call it great by any means.
I don't have any larger trees to cut down so I'll stay with the 18" bar.
I don't think the 261 would do all that well with a larger bar.

 

[Hay Dude]

Why is the only measure of a saws worth how well it performs buried dawgs-deep in hardwood?
I bet most people use saws for mostly other uses.

 

[KeithT]

I run a 20” bar on my 261C because I like the extra reach when limbing a downed tree. I have a 25” bar on my 500i for the bigger stuff. Still have my old Dolmar 7900 with a 32” bar that I leave on all the time for the rare 25-30” oaks I get into

 

[WinterDeere]

Why is the only measure of a saws worth how well it performs buried dawgs-deep in hardwood?

It's not! But the OP's question was about needing a longer bar on his 261, and he lives in the mid-Atlantic region, so we've already assumed he's buried to the dogs in hardwood.

I bet most people use saws for mostly other uses.

Agreed. That's why we keep smaller saws.

 

[WinterDeere]

Sounds like we got a “who’s hung bigger” debate brewin.

Until someone from redwood country shows up, and starts laughing at all of us.

I found another nice used 661C. Looks good. $650! Now we’re talkin….

That might not stay available for long, if it's in good shape. Seller sounds trustworthy?

Some like to ask for a photo of piston with muffler removed, but that can be a lot to ask of a seller with a hot deal.

 

[Hay Dude]

Until someone from redwood country shows up, and starts laughing at all of us.

Redwood is big, but soft. Pretty easy cuttin.

That might not stay available for long, if it's in good shape. Seller sounds trustworthy?

Some like to ask for a photo of piston with muffler removed, but that can be a lot to ask of a seller with a hot deal.

Turns out, he is not in the part of MD I thought he was.
He’s “only” 2&1/2 hours away, not 3.
Still a lot of fuel & tire wear….

Tough decision.

 

[Hay Dude]

"Large" is a relative term. To me, that means anything over 40" diameter at breast height, and you're never tackling that with a 20" bar on any saw, or any bar mounted on an MS261.

White oaks in particular, can grow very large here. The largest I brought home was over 6 feet in diameter at knee height, and still over 4 feet diameter 15 feet up, where hurricane Sandy had snapped it off.

View attachment 3572340 View attachment 3572350

That's a 36 inch bar on the Stihl 064 in the photo above, running full-chisel skip chain, apparently the day I bought and first installed that bar (ca.2012/13).

But even the red oaks are usually over 30" diameter by the time they either die or get damaged enough to take them down. MS362's, which are 26% larger displacement than MS261's, still struggle to pull a 20" bar through these without slowing down quite a bit. Anything can be done with infinite patience, but it's going to be slow, and it's going to be frustrating feathering the thing so tenderly that it won't constantly stop in the cut.

We get a lot of oak here, it's probably our most prevalent fire wood, excepting a brief window when all the ash started dying.

View attachment 3572394View attachment 3572399View attachment 3572402View attachment 3572491View attachment 3572576View attachment 3572489

I like that 064…..nice saw
Would like it even better with a lightweight bar