Thanks for the update that the oil line was all it was for leaking. I’ve had my MS261c for just under 3 years. It’s fantastic. I think anyone who cuts their own firewood and is producing around 4-5+ cord per year should upgrade to a pro saw, or start with an entry level pro saw if they can. It’s 100% worth it. Right now I’m a one saw guy… but if I had multiple saws they would be different sizes, and used for purpose based on size. I’ve been eyeing the MS400… My Dad has had the farm and ranch saws for years and got an MS180 for light work to be easier on his body. After running my saw he ditched the farm and ranch and got a 261c with a light bar. That’s a really nice setup. Like you, I run an 18” bar on the 261. It’s a good all-around size for what I do and the saw feels pretty balanced with it weight-wise.
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. The MS261 is certainly a saw that I wish I had made the jump to several years ago. My Farm and Ranch Stihl saws were always good. But once you've experience the difference of the professional grade - you realize why people upgrade. It's unbelievably powerful. Have a great week!
Great vid. Thx for the 1-year update. I agree, having more than 1 saw is helpful. I have a 4-year-old MS 171 that I regularly use w/ a 16” bar, and a 20+ year old Farm Boss w/ 16 & 20” bars. I only use the Farm Boss for larger diameter trees, or when I need the extra power / steel dogs (the 171’s plastic dogs aren’t much use). I try to use the smallest (lightest) saw that will get the job done, but still run the FB a bit regardless. I use my saws about as much as you do, and for the same reason. No complaints about either saw. I agree, cleaning & performing routine maintenance protects your investment in all of your tools. Lack of maintenance can cost you big time in the long run.
I've often wondered about those plastic dogs on the smaller Stihl saws. I never thought they'd work as good as the biting teeth on the metal dogs. I agree with your thought - use the most light-weight saw required for the task at hand. Thanks for the great comment!
Time flies when you're having a good time in the woods! Congrats on the anniversary, we're happy to hear that the splitter has been good to you. Cheers
Finally got my MS261 about a konth ago after my buddy who works for Stihl recommended it. First weekend I had it, I cut down no joke about 1,000 saplings on our property from an overgrown island of trees. So far it has been amazing, loving using it!
Some mic trouble at the end of the video there. 🎤 I've always made sure my equipment was kept clean and well maintained to ensure it lasts. It's an investment, after all. The saws cut extremely well!! Thanks for sharing, Chad!
Good Morning Sir 😇👍👍Yes Canadian Split-fire log splitters are truly OUTSTANDING 👍😇💪 Ho boy, that firewood full of bugs is need to be dry out 🧐👍👍At 12:43 ( what happening with your voice Sir 🤔 Be Well Sir and No Potatoes Pealing duties 🤣🤔👍
Good morning, Dave. The Canadians certainly know how to make good equipment and a great log splitter. :) I had some problems with the microphone during recording at that 12:43 mark - I tried to fix it while editing, but that's the best it would do. Thanks for watching. Have a great week.
I’ve watched and enjoyed a few of your videos today as I really would like to upgrade to a 261. I note your comments on why 261 was right for you (vs 500i). I currently use a 230 so even the 261 is a big step up! I like the idea of having two saws as currently my back up is a bow saw! I recall you mentioning that you were debating between 261 and 261 CM and, even though some your friends were saying go 261 you went for the 261 CM. I haven’t come across a video with you explaining your thought process on that and wondered if you could share both why you decided CM and if you still feel that was the best choice. Best wishes, Keith
Hi Keith! Thanks for watching our videos. And I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. You're right- I don't recall if I ever addressed why I chose the CM version vs the non-CM version. I can make a video about that in the future. The decision really came down to the recommendation of the owner at our Stihl dealership. He mentioned that the CM is a better saw for compensating for fuel differences. He explained that the fuels even from different stations, or during different times of the year - will ignite/combust differently in the saw. He also mentioned that as the seasons change, and the air/fuel mix needs tweaking - he's found that the CM version just runs better -because it's always making the necessary adjustments automatically. Ultimately- I trusted his advice, and knew that I realistically wouldn't be adjusting the carb of the non-CM version with each tank of fuel, or during different seasons. So the CM version was right for me.
Thanks for the comment! The MS261 is an amazing saw. I've been using that Saber by Amsoil mix - at up to 100:1, for a few months now and it works great! Here's a video where I talk about that mix oil: th-cam.com/video/CN488q0LpoQ/w-d-xo.html
I've got a cheap Ryobi and an MS400CM. The saw I use depends on the job. It Im doing any serious bucking or falling, I get the Stihl. If Im doing branches, brush, or anything where I might get my bar in the dirt or throw a chain, I will grab the Ryobi.
You've got a great combination! The MS400 Stihl is certainly a powerhouse! I've never used one in person - but some of my content creator friends have that model and rave about it. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. We appreciate it.
Hickory is easy splitting other than it's a little stringy. If you want a wood that will tell what your splitter is made out of, get you some Elm. Certain types of Elm have a twist in the grain and it is tough to split.
Thanks! I don’t think I’ve ever seen any Elm on our property. Primarily we have Oak (Red, White, Pinoak, and swamp oak), Maple (hardwood), Hickory, and Cherry.
Watching you cut that size hickory, you're at the limit really. The 500i with a long bar would allow you to stand up to buck & cut that in 2/3rds the time. The 261 is really for limbing and for climbing through the brush easily with. Glad the leak was fixed. Ive seen that same problem before.
On the 261 - I don't notice much difference in power between the 16" and the 18" bar. On my old 271, I did notice a slight difference. On the 290 - again, just a slight difference.
I like your new saw. I have been a logger here in Northern California for years. A small suggestion for you would be to wear chainsaw gloves, helmet with earmuffs and a face shield and boots with steel toes. Tennis shoes will not stop the chain from cutting your feet. The company I work for would chase me out of the woods if I came dressed like you. All it takes is a small accident and it could claim your life before medical could reach your spot.
Not everyone needs to suit up in medieval armour everytime they step foot out of bed, you'll note the company lawyers are absent on private ground. Do what your skill and comfort level dictates.
The new MS261 is an amazing saw. I do have gloves, the cutting helmet with earmuffs/face shield. I don't always use those items when I'm bucking firewood. I do wear safety glasses. As far as my feet - a good set of steel toe (yet light weight) boots are on my wish list for the future. Thanks for looking out for my safety - I do appreciate it.
Thanks for the update that the oil line was all it was for leaking. I’ve had my MS261c for just under 3 years. It’s fantastic. I think anyone who cuts their own firewood and is producing around 4-5+ cord per year should upgrade to a pro saw, or start with an entry level pro saw if they can. It’s 100% worth it. Right now I’m a one saw guy… but if I had multiple saws they would be different sizes, and used for purpose based on size. I’ve been eyeing the MS400… My Dad has had the farm and ranch saws for years and got an MS180 for light work to be easier on his body. After running my saw he ditched the farm and ranch and got a 261c with a light bar. That’s a really nice setup. Like you, I run an 18” bar on the 261. It’s a good all-around size for what I do and the saw feels pretty balanced with it weight-wise.
Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. The MS261 is certainly a saw that I wish I had made the jump to several years ago. My Farm and Ranch Stihl saws were always good. But once you've experience the difference of the professional grade - you realize why people upgrade. It's unbelievably powerful. Have a great week!
Great vid. Thx for the 1-year update. I agree, having more than 1 saw is helpful. I have a 4-year-old MS 171 that I regularly use w/ a 16” bar, and a 20+ year old Farm Boss w/ 16 & 20” bars. I only use the Farm Boss for larger diameter trees, or when I need the extra power / steel dogs (the 171’s plastic dogs aren’t much use). I try to use the smallest (lightest) saw that will get the job done, but still run the FB a bit regardless. I use my saws about as much as you do, and for the same reason. No complaints about either saw. I agree, cleaning & performing routine maintenance protects your investment in all of your tools. Lack of maintenance can cost you big time in the long run.
I've often wondered about those plastic dogs on the smaller Stihl saws. I never thought they'd work as good as the biting teeth on the metal dogs.
I agree with your thought - use the most light-weight saw required for the task at hand.
Thanks for the great comment!
Time flies when you're having a good time in the woods! Congrats on the anniversary, we're happy to hear that the splitter has been good to you. Cheers
We love both our Split-Fire machines. Thanks for watching!
Finally got my MS261 about a konth ago after my buddy who works for Stihl recommended it. First weekend I had it, I cut down no joke about 1,000 saplings on our property from an overgrown island of trees. So far it has been amazing, loving using it!
Very nice! They are a very useful saw - and so FUN!
Some mic trouble at the end of the video there. 🎤 I've always made sure my equipment was kept clean and well maintained to ensure it lasts. It's an investment, after all. The saws cut extremely well!! Thanks for sharing, Chad!
Thanks for watching. I tried to fix the microphone issue while editing - but it didn't clean it up as much as I had hoped.
Good Morning Sir 😇👍👍Yes Canadian Split-fire log splitters are truly OUTSTANDING 👍😇💪 Ho boy, that firewood full of bugs is need to be dry out 🧐👍👍At 12:43 ( what happening with your voice Sir 🤔 Be Well Sir and No Potatoes Pealing duties 🤣🤔👍
Good morning, Dave. The Canadians certainly know how to make good equipment and a great log splitter. :)
I had some problems with the microphone during recording at that 12:43 mark - I tried to fix it while editing, but that's the best it would do.
Thanks for watching. Have a great week.
I’ve watched and enjoyed a few of your videos today as I really would like to upgrade to a 261. I note your comments on why 261 was right for you (vs 500i). I currently use a 230 so even the 261 is a big step up! I like the idea of having two saws as currently my back up is a bow saw!
I recall you mentioning that you were debating between 261 and 261 CM and, even though some your friends were saying go 261 you went for the 261 CM. I haven’t come across a video with you explaining your thought process on that and wondered if you could share both why you decided CM and if you still feel that was the best choice.
Best wishes,
Keith
Hi Keith! Thanks for watching our videos. And I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
You're right- I don't recall if I ever addressed why I chose the CM version vs the non-CM version.
I can make a video about that in the future. The decision really came down to the recommendation of the owner at our Stihl dealership. He mentioned that the CM is a better saw for compensating for fuel differences. He explained that the fuels even from different stations, or during different times of the year - will ignite/combust differently in the saw. He also mentioned that as the seasons change, and the air/fuel mix needs tweaking - he's found that the CM version just runs better -because it's always making the necessary adjustments automatically. Ultimately- I trusted his advice, and knew that I realistically wouldn't be adjusting the carb of the non-CM version with each tank of fuel, or during different seasons. So the CM version was right for me.
I,v got a few saws and you cant go wrong with a 261 they run great and are very reliable. Stihl says 50:1 but iv always run 40:1 in all my equipment.
Thanks for the comment! The MS261 is an amazing saw. I've been using that Saber by Amsoil mix - at up to 100:1, for a few months now and it works great! Here's a video where I talk about that mix oil: th-cam.com/video/CN488q0LpoQ/w-d-xo.html
I agree on the 40:1 , that's what I like also,
I've got a cheap Ryobi and an MS400CM. The saw I use depends on the job. It Im doing any serious bucking or falling, I get the Stihl. If Im doing branches, brush, or anything where I might get my bar in the dirt or throw a chain, I will grab the Ryobi.
You've got a great combination! The MS400 Stihl is certainly a powerhouse! I've never used one in person - but some of my content creator friends have that model and rave about it. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. We appreciate it.
I'm an equal opportunity chainsaw owner. I have a Husky, a Stihl, and a Jonsered. I too, like to rotate through them. The Husky 357XP is my go to saw.
"equal opportunity chainsaw owner". That got me. :)
Hickory is easy splitting other than it's a little stringy. If you want a wood that will tell what your splitter is made out of, get you some Elm. Certain types of Elm have a twist in the grain and it is tough to split.
Thanks! I don’t think I’ve ever seen any Elm on our property. Primarily we have Oak (Red, White, Pinoak, and swamp oak), Maple (hardwood), Hickory, and Cherry.
Watching you cut that size hickory, you're at the limit really. The 500i with a long bar would allow you to stand up to buck & cut that in 2/3rds the time. The 261 is really for limbing and for climbing through the brush easily with.
Glad the leak was fixed. Ive seen that same problem before.
Doesn't it when you upgrade to 18' bar that saws power declines?
On the 261 - I don't notice much difference in power between the 16" and the 18" bar. On my old 271, I did notice a slight difference. On the 290 - again, just a slight difference.
I like your new saw. I have been a logger here in Northern California for years. A small suggestion for you would be to wear chainsaw gloves, helmet with earmuffs and a face shield and boots with steel toes. Tennis shoes will not stop the chain from cutting your feet. The company I work for would chase me out of the woods if I came dressed like you. All it takes is a small accident and it could claim your life before medical could reach your spot.
Not everyone needs to suit up in medieval armour everytime they step foot out of bed, you'll note the company lawyers are absent on private ground. Do what your skill and comfort level dictates.
The new MS261 is an amazing saw. I do have gloves, the cutting helmet with earmuffs/face shield. I don't always use those items when I'm bucking firewood. I do wear safety glasses. As far as my feet - a good set of steel toe (yet light weight) boots are on my wish list for the future. Thanks for looking out for my safety - I do appreciate it.
I wish we had Hickory and other hardwoods here in Montana, for the most part we've only got Cottonwood and Ponderosa Pine in my area.
I really do like our PA hardwoods. The Hickory, Oak, Cherry, and Maple make great firewood (and flooring!). Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.
I have three saws that I use for cutting wood I have a sthil ms 261 cm and a sthil ms 250 c and a jomac chainsaw that are amazing
Very nice!
Take an axe to that shag bark and save your chain. That stuff is rough on chains
Thanks!