New Stihl 260

[buck12]

Bought my first real saw today a Stihl 260. I know the 261 is out but none of the dealers in my area had one and did not know when they would get one. I got home in time to cut a few limbs in the yard. So far it's so much better than the Poulan I have been using. I wanted a light weight saw that will last and this seemed to fit the bill. It will get a good workout tomorrow at the hunting camp. The only thing I am disappointed in is the case. The case has a cheap hinge like a $2 Walmart tool box. Even the hinge on the Poulan case is an actual plastic hinge. Thanks to those that posted answers to my questions in previous threads.

 

[om21braz]

You're going to enjoy that saw - probably about $50 cheaper than 261 also.

 

[xyz123]

What does a new 260 cost now days and did it come with .325 chain?

I just picked up a 026 pro to play with and it dont pull 3/8 worth a crap compared to my other stock 0-50cc saws that pull 3/8. Just a few of them I have backed back down to .325, like a Jonsered 490 that I wasnt happy with the way it pulled 3/8 in hardwoods.

 

[JakeBrake]

Bought my first real saw today a Stihl 260. I know the 261 is out but none of the dealers in my area had one and did not know when they would get one. I got home in time to cut a few limbs in the yard. So far it's so much better than the Poulan I have been using. I wanted a light weight saw that will last and this seemed to fit the bill. It will get a good workout tomorrow at the hunting camp. The only thing I am disappointed in is the case. The case has a cheap hinge like a $2 Walmart tool box. Even the hinge on the Poulan case is an actual plastic hinge. Thanks to those that posted answers to my questions in previous threads.

Now I'm worried about my cases, so I checked them. The case for my 1980 Stihl 031 has plastic hinges. The case handle broke years ago. The case for my 2005 Stihl MS310 has the cheap type that bends the plastic and will fail eventually. All latches on both cases are still working.

 

[thatguy]

I am borrowing my dad 031 AV and when/if it stops working the 260/261 is what Id like to replace it with.. Its way more saw than I probably need - BUT being a professional model I am assuming it will still run strongly like the 031 does as it gets older..

congrats on your new purchase.. I assume you are wearing your chaps and ear protections

brian

 

[buck12]

What does a new 260 cost now days and did it come with .325 chain?

I just picked up a 026 pro to play with and it dont pull 3/8 worth a crap compared to my other stock 0-50cc saws that pull 3/8. Just a few of them I have backed back down to .325, like a Jonsered 490 that I wasnt happy with the way it pulled 3/8 in hardwoods.

Cost is $519. You can get the 260 with either .325 or 3/8 and 16", 18", or 20". I opted for the .325 after seeking advice on TBN.

 

[buck12]

Ran the saw a little today (two tanks) and was impressed. Of course the only thing I have to compare to is my Dad's Poulan and Husky. I am not sure that I like the flip caps. The gas cap works fine but the bar oil cap seems a bit finicky. I am sure I will get used to it.

 

[whistlepig]

You'll like the 260. It's "right-sized" for my small farm. Small enough for easy handling but big enough for the tough jobs. Watch them there flip caps. They'll trick you into thinking they are locked. I poured a half tank of bar oil down my pants leg and on my boot. Bar oil stays a while on pants and boots.

 

[xyz123]

They'll trick you into thinking they are locked. I poured a half tank of bar oil down my pants leg and on my boot. Bar oil stays a while on pants and boots.

:thumbsup: I cant remember off hand if it was the 361 or 200T that got me good like that. I'm thinking it was the 361 :ashamed: and those over thought out caps :confused2:.

 

[LD1]

Congrats on the purchase:thumbsup:

 

[Will_C]

I bought my 260 last fall. I wanted a light saw for some property line clearing I have been working at-I used it for about 1 hour on that project. The light weight was really appreciated, but cutting 4-8" limbs and saplings did not tell much about the power of the saw.

I have since burned about three tanks of fuel helping my brother cut a tri-axle load of logs. The 260 seems to be picking up power with each tankful. It won't cut with my brother's 460, but what can you expect? I could easily cut the whole load with the 260-the 20" logs would take a little time-but I would be enjoying the lightness and handiness of the 260 on the 8-14" logs.

Will

 

[Runner]

Buck,

What size bar did you get with your saw? I think the 16 inch is standard, but I'm wondering how the 260 works with the 18 or 20 inch bar.

Anyone have any comments on the longer bars for this saw?

 

[General Lee]

Watch them there flip caps. They'll trick you into thinking they are locked. I poured a half tank of bar oil down my pants leg and on my boot. Bar oil stays a while on pants and boots.

You got that right. Today I topped off the bar oil reservoir and *thought* the cap was fully seated. Went to start the chain saw (cold start) and as I'm tuggin, oil is slinging everywhere. Lost about 1/2 a tank myself.

 

[gravel13]

Buck,

What size bar did you get with your saw? I think the 16 inch is standard, but I'm wondering how the 260 works with the 18 or 20 inch bar.

Anyone have any comments on the longer bars for this saw?

I too would be interested as to what size bar you got. I have an older 290 that I bought with a 16" bar then got a 20" last year. The 20" works fine but I could have probably just bought the 18" from the get go and saved my self a little money on bars.

 

[slowzuki]

I bought my 260 with a 15" (metric 16") bar. I really enjoy having a good saw after using junk. I've got maybe 100/150 tanks through it now and its been reliable. The only negative thing I can say is I have to clean my air filter a lot more frequently than friends who cut with me with husky's turbo cleaner thing. To be fair, its a 2 sec flip of the thumb and wipe of the screen but you notice the saw getting lazy and have to remember to clean every tank.

 

[Will_C]

I have a 16" bar on mine. I am cutting hardwoods, so I thought that a 20" would be a stretch-and I have a Husky 66 with a 20" bar.

Will

 

[Quickster2]

I have a 20" bar on mine. No issues. 3 saws total 14, 16 & 20 on the 260.

 

[buck12]

I bought it with a 16" bar. Actually the dealer had two 260s both with 18" bars. Per my request he changed it out to a 16" bar and took $10.00 off the price.

 

[mscheer772]

The gas cap is a pain in a** to reseat. Haven't had a problem with the bar oil cap.

-Mike-

 

[dodge man]

I'm not sure what saw I have, maybe a MS250, probably not near the saw the 260 is. I also have problems with the oil cap. I've found its easier to put back on if you don't quite fill it to the very top.