Suggestions on 20” pro saw

[pbove1]

I have converted to all Stihl chainsaws with M-Tronic (with the exception of the fuel injected 500i).

I love the electronic engine management and would not go back. The 261 with a 20" bar is by far our most popular saw, the one everyone grabs first. I'm actually going to have to pick up another one to add to the rotation.

 

[mrgreenjeanstx]

Looking at adding a 20” saw to the fleet and have been looking at a new Stihl 261C.

Without a brand warfare eruption, is there any reason I should look at another comparable brand?

I like Stihl because my neighborhood dealer is very good and I like Stihl‘s business model. That might overwhelm the temptation to buy another brand that is only slightly better.

Little hesitating on the non adjustable carb, but that’s my only perceived drawback.

This is a saw I intend to use weekly as a general purpose small to medium size grab & go saw.

Constructive, non brand warfare thoughts appreciated.

I have had a 260C for close to twenty years. Still running strong. Great machine would highly recommend it. I think it will suit your purpose very well. Only reason for me to get a new one would be because of age not operational issues. I believe the 261 is the newer model number for this machine. I went in years ago to my Stihl dealer and wanted a commercial saw and that is what they steered me to. It was a great choice for me.

 

[hummertom]

I have had and have multiple brands from Craftsman , Poulan and Echo but never a Stihl, mostly due to cost and my frequency of use, but I have used one and the are awesome, the reason most tree guys and loggers use them is because down time is waste time. I understand the reason you don't find Stihl at the big box stores is that Stihl dealers almost always offer in house service.

 

[joedozer]

Looking at adding a 20” saw to the fleet and have been looking at a new Stihl 261C.

Without a brand warfare eruption, is there any reason I should look at another comparable brand?

I like Stihl because my neighborhood dealer is very good and I like Stihl‘s business model. That might overwhelm the temptation to buy another brand that is only slightly better.

Little hesitating on the non adjustable carb, but that’s my only perceived drawback.

This is a saw I intend to use weekly as a general purpose small to medium size grab & go saw.

Constructive, non brand warfare thoughts appreciated.

 

[joedozer]

We dont have a pro saw. We have the Husky 460 Rancher came with a 24 inch bar but we put a 20 inch bar on and it will sling a 20 inch chain. Definitely not a pro saw though.

I have several steel saws they’ve been great. My first one was an 034 avback in 1988. It is still running today. I have their weedeaters. I have two of their small electric saws. The thing that I find very appealing is dealer support. I have a brand new 261. It is a little monster. It cuts very well has a compression release and you could adjust the amount of oil going to the bar all things I like I have John Deere tractors, stihl, Power, Tools, and if either one of those companies made socks, I bought them to good luck

 

[Hay Dude]

What size and kind of wood are you generally cutting? What saw(s) do you currently have? How often are you cutting? When you cut, how long are you cutting at a give time (ie 15 min to get a limb out of the way, all day to get firewood prepped for winter, or somewhere in the middle?

I run Stihls, and can't really comment on any of the other brands. I have an 024, 026, two 036s, 064, and an 066. My 024, 026, and both 036s wear an 18" bar and run .325 chain. My 036s are set up to run 9 pin rims and I run the depth gauges shorter than spec (.030 to .035). They outrun my 026 by a fair amount, and would come very close to keeping up with my 064 when cutting stuff in the 12" range. I normally use the 026 for limbing and cutting stuff under 8" (which isn't much), and the 036 saws do most of my felling and bucking.

I'd pass on the 362. My understanding is that it's a turd compared to the 034S/036/MS360/MS361. If you really want a Stihl in the 60cc range either find a used 036, MS360, or MS361.

Practically speaking, I wouldn't go any smaller than an Ms261. Their smaller saws are only a LITTLE lighter, but you loose a LOT of power. The 261 was a noticeable step up from the 026/MS260 (3.5 hp to 4.0 hp). I've not run one, but at a measly 10 lbs, 4.0 hp is a lot of power for such a light weight saw. Personally, I would recommend running it with an 18" bar instead of a 20". I'm sure it will pull a 20" okay, but its extra bar and chain length that the engine has to pull, and weight you have to carry around. My 026 saw does okay with an 18" bar, but would be better suited with a 16" (I mostly cut hickory). A friend of mine has multiple 026 saws that he's been using since they were new and came to the same conclusion many years ago. He runs 16" bars on all of his 026 saws. I only run the 18" to minimize the number of different bars and chains I need to keep track of. Based on the saws I have, and how I use them, I'd say the 261 with an 18" bar would be a great option if 75% of what you're cutting is under 20". If you're routinely getting into wood that's over 24" across, then I would look at something bigger. That would be either a used MS361 (or older), or a new 400 (almost the same weight as a 362, but significantly more HP) which is going to be expensive. My guess is that the sweet spot for the bar length with a 400 will be 24". Realistically, between the 261 and the 400, Stihls 360 series of saws is becoming obsolete.

Currently have Makita/Dolmar 6401 w/ 24” & 20” bars.

So far the newly added Stihl has plenty for the 20” bar.

 

[MarblemountLane]

My favorite small saw is the Homelite Super EZ Auto I bought new in December 1974 (after using my parents’ EZ’s for a few years). I have more than one. My “new” saw is a Husqvarna 385XP I bought in 2002 when I needed a bigger saw. I have 28” and 32” bars and an Alaskan Sawmill for that. The EZ will pull 20” especially with skip tooth chisel or semi chisel (preferred for firewood). I have a 20” on my Super XL but they’ll pull 24. I inherited a Jonsered 625II (from what I can tell, it’s a Husky 61 but red instead of orange) with 24” bar. Pretty good saw. I don’t suggest you follow me, but you can find deals on great used saws. And saws from before all the emissions insanity tend to be less troublesome. After the marketing geniuses killed McCulloch and Homelite, Stihl and Husqvarna owned the woods, and they made great saws for a lot of years. But I’m leery of the new stuff. My brushcutter is a Stihl FS250, but I miss the Homelite XLs I ran 50+ years ago.

 

[EdwardL]

Looking at adding a 20” saw to the fleet and have been looking at a new Stihl 261C.

Without a brand warfare eruption, is there any reason I should look at another comparable brand?

I like Stihl because my neighborhood dealer is very good and I like Stihl‘s business model. That might overwhelm the temptation to buy another brand that is only slightly better.

Little hesitating on the non adjustable carb, but that’s my only perceived drawback.

This is a saw I intend to use weekly as a general purpose small to medium size grab & go saw.

Constructive, non brand warfare thoughts appreciated.

I have a MS290 with a 20 in bar. Never had it fail. I cut about 10 cords a year for heating.

I had one Stihl dealer say that husqvarna was bought by Poulan and they have cheapened the huskqvarna saws.

That being said I also heard that Stihl has changed their chains, and the older chains will not run on new saws, so you end up buying a new bar too.

 

[TrainsByDeere]

I have 3, 8’ pole saw with a 10” blade, an 18” chain saw and a 25” chain saw. Each has a different use, with the 25” for trees and big logs. It’s a bear to handle. 18” is my everyday, and pole saw for reaching under bushes and hitting limbs the tractor or trucks would hit on my road. All Stihl and like them all.

 

[sd455dan]

My favorite small saw is the Homelite Super EZ Auto I bought new in December 1974 (after using my parents’ EZ’s for a few years). I have more than one. My “new” saw is a Husqvarna 385XP I bought in 2002 when I needed a bigger saw. I have 28” and 32” bars and an Alaskan Sawmill for that. The EZ will pull 20” especially with skip tooth chisel or semi chisel (preferred for firewood). I have a 20” on my Super XL but they’ll pull 24. I inherited a Jonsered 625II (from what I can tell, it’s a Husky 61 but red instead of orange) with 24” bar. Pretty good saw. I don’t suggest you follow me, but you can find deals on great used saws. And saws from before all the emissions insanity tend to be less troublesome. After the marketing geniuses killed McCulloch and Homelite, Stihl and Husqvarna owned the woods, and they made great saws for a lot of years. But I’m leery of the new stuff. My brushcutter is a Stihl FS250, but I miss the Homelite XLs I ran 50+ years ago.

Same for me, mainly older saws for now. Don't mind carbed saws.

2 modded husky 350's one open port one closed port, my main Go to's set up one with a 16" bar which I added a tooth up on the primary the other with an 18. I like them because they are a very light firewood saw and with unlimited coils they scream. Want to add superlight bars next.

Dads old McCulloch ProMac 700, 24" bar not a screamer but that saw has torque and is hard to bog.
Little Stihl ms020 top handle that needs some work what a screamer, and a new MS660 clone in a kit, I need to put together for a 92cc big cube saw - going to reduce the squish and also muffler mod it before it ever gets fired up. Starting with a 28" bar for it.