Longer bar for Stihl M261 - relative novice.

[WinterDeere]

I mean even poulan sells their little plastic saws 46cc with a 20" 325.

Good lord I hope a stihl 261 50cc pro saw could pull it that cost $700.

Heck I ran 36" on a 65cc poulan and 32" on 59cc stihl. Anything can be run.

It all depends on your patience. Some people even drive 4-cylinder pickup trucks, others are bolting roots blowers onto their v8's.

 

[5030]

Far as I know, every Echo model has the adjustable oiler. They also have what I consider the best brush cutter - weed wacker around.

 

[Hay Dude]

It all depends on your patience. Some people even drive 4-cylinder pickup trucks, others are bolting roots blowers onto their v8's.

theres also the crowd that buries their 20” bar in gravel, then complains “this saw sucks” lol
A 261C with a sharp, aggressive chain can cut very well, except buried in 20”+ hardwood all day.

 

[WinterDeere]

I've actually been toying with the idea of buying another smaller saw, so I can stop using my top-handle job for every small task. Top handle saws are great for their intended purpose, but not exactly the safest tool in the shed for working on the ground, which is mostly what I'm doing with it.

The 261 is one I've never really looked at, but probably should. Looks like a nice size/weight compromise to pair with an 036 and 064.

I had two 40 - 50cc saws, until I pared down to three saws a dozen years ago, thinking I'd just use the top handle for everything.

 

[mjonesnh]

I've actually been toying with the idea of buying another smaller saw, so I can stop using my top-handle job for every small task. Top handle saws are great for their intended purpose, but not exactly the safest tool in the shed for working on the ground, which is mostly what I'm doing with it.

The 261 is one I've never really looked at, but probably should. Looks like a nice size/weight compromise to pair with an 036 and 064.

I had two 40 - 50cc saws, until I paired down to three saws a dozen years ago, thinking I'd just use the top handle for everything.

Also have a top handle for smaller cutting, very handy but smaller cc's Have a Stihl MS-170 that is mounted on my tractor in a 3" PVC pipe that gets most use when at farm and anything up to about 8". Stihl 026 that was my dad's and Ms-362. 362 wears a 20" bar except when need arises have a 25". Have most trees and limbe covered up to 4'

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I am still amazed at this $130 Chinese saw I ordered from Walmart free shipping. It starts on 2nd pull and really works well. It would be a great backup saw anyone cutting lots of wood and I've cut some fairly large trees with it.
Apparently I got a lemon Sthil but it's way better than the MS291 I had ($600).

 

[BnRidge]

I wouldn't go longer than 18" on a 261. I've had one since 09, cut 5-10cord/yr, mostly white and red oak. File the rakers so the engine draws the chain nicely without bogging down. If so, 18" in white oak takes time and patience. Perfectly fine, just takes time. And patience. A few years ago I was looking at many trees 30"dia and up to cut up, so I went with a 462 with a 24" bar. It's like those stunt shows at the fair where they have a rocket powered saw slicing through a giant log in 4.7736seconds. Not really, but that's how it seems sometimes. Big rounds, I don't heft them up on the splitter anymore, I just slice and dice them so I can handle them easier. Would not have been so with the 261.

 

[Streetcar]

Back when men were MEN!
Actually I didn't know until I looked you can still buy a 2 man saw like that.View attachment 3558095

That saw is mostly for decorative use now

 

[xyz123]

It all depends on your patience. Some people even drive 4-cylinder pickup trucks, others are bolting roots blowers onto their v8's.

See that is my way of thinking too. I like the v8 in the vega.

To me 46cc 16" and the Poulan 415 was sold with 24". But it pulled that 36" with 32" buried like nothing. One of the strongest 65cc I ran to date.

I used to run 16-20 on 084's.

This was just for fun one day after fixing some saws. 16" on ported 3120 and 394.

 

[xyz123]

I am still amazed at this $130 Chinese saw I ordered from Walmart free shipping. It starts on 2nd pull and really works well. It would be a great backup saw anyone cutting lots of wood and I've cut some fairly large trees with it.
Apparently I got a lemon Sthil but it's way better than the MS291 I had ($600).View attachment 3558237

If you measure bore and strike betting it comes out to 56.5cc like the rest of them.

They sell them as 58cc-68cc but all been same bore stroke so far.

Cut great for the little cash they cost for the China clone of the old Zenoah saws.