I’ve had my 261 for several years now. I’m not a professional, but I do heat with wood as do my parents. So I cut a large volume of firewood every year. (8000 feet high in the Colorado mountains) The saw has worked flawlessly every time. Phenomenal saw!
Regarding the decompression valve... using it takes stress off the recoil starter and pull cord and will prolong the life of those components. On some of the arborist and logging web sites guys reported breaking pull cords often until they started using the decompression every time. As such I use it on my saws even when they are warm... That is better than breaking a pull cord in the middle of a job and it costs you nothing to use it!
@@Human1337 I bought my 261 cm 2 weeks ago now. I dont know if its just me, or if this is normal since i have never used a chainsaw with deco valve, but when i used it last weekend the starter cord seemed felt like it had no resistance. is it the same on your 261? I have the newer model too if that helps.
I’ve had mine 4 years now. I cut 15-20 cords a year with it. Best saw I’ve ever owned. Power to weight ratio is unmatched suckers a beast for cutting firewood
Idle The saw for 5-10 seconds before turning it off! I recently took my m-tronic (ms 362-cm) in to the dealer because once the saw warmed up (after 15 minutes or so) it would die and wouldn't restart. luckily they replaced the carb under warranty and told me the saw saves an idle setting when it is turned off. so just let the saw idle for 5-10 seconds so it saves the proper idle and you can avoid this inconvenience! Update/further info. They replaced the carb, because the air-filter was letting small amounts of dust into the intake, clogging the fuel modulator valve. I cleaned the air filter everytime, and that wore down the seal enough to let the dust in. Very finicky tech to get clogged like that, but if that is the main issue, m-tronic could still be worth it. If I ever needed another saw, I'd probably get a conventional carb though. I'm glad Ace hardwarecould find the problem, but this is an issue they need to inform customers of. TLDR don't clean air filter until visibly dirty. Otherwise seal breaks down quickly.
Whenever I look up chainsaw reviews I always look to see if you reviewed them. I love your videos and I will continue watching them for as long as possible
If I could afford to hire a person to do my wood cutting maybe I would but until then I'm glad the saw has a decompression switch.... Every pound lost helps, and anything making it easier means I can work longer.
Just grabbed this saw (manual carb ). This video pushed me over the edge for getting it. SO, much more information than the local dealer who I bought from..I wasn't going to buy another stihl! I've had a huskavarna 350 for 22 years, and the muffler got loose and distroied the thread in the cylinder. I'm gonna order a rebuild kit. Rebuild it with my son (20), and give it to him. I also bought a stihl ms251 and it stopped oiling. Saw is just 2 years old. "Couldve" been my falt? Not sure. BUT, there WAS, still oil in the tank. Was pissed, STIHL PISSED. Lol.. I will admit, I do, love this 261! Most powerful saw that I have owned. Pulls a 20" bar like a champ. I WILL LEAVE THE OILIER WIDE OPEN.
Love your videos mate, my old 261 going on a few years now and flogged within an inch of its life but still keeps crackin along. Thanks for the top videos and cheers from Australia!!!
Ive had mine since 2011 i have a 24 bar my only saw and a 16 bar live in Oregon north idaho and have cut wood in Vermont and new Hampshire love this saw.
@tuberocker69 yes with a skip toothe blade it works well for cutting shit on the ground and work well enough for falling timber if u going in and not trying to cut Nascar fast . Ya. But if I actually need a falling saw I go t0 my o44 sthil .but I can cut 99 % of trees with my ms261 with a 24
Just don't over load the saw and finisee the saw. The saw is a high rim saw keep blade sharp dont boog down and u should be fine 👌. The big obstacles for the 261 is it doesn't have a falling handle so it a stand up saw so stand up iam 6,2 so I except the slower speeds of a 24 over a 18 . Cause it the best lightweight saw ,and i don't have to bend over as hard.
Bought one last week to replace my ancient 026. It was more of an upgrade and had many more improvements than I expected. I have about 10 tanks of gas through it now and it works very well. The anti vibe is much improved, the air filtration is miles ahead, it has more power, captured side cover nuts and I personally like the toolless caps. I would buy one again tomorrow if I needed to!
Got mine when I as tossing up between this and a husky 550xp. Actually wanted the husky but the local dealer was not as good as the stihl guy. So I totally love my 261 and don't regret buying it at all. It has more than enough power for my needs and definitely feels well made. Starts easy, runs hard, easy to manage.
I've got an ms310 and a ms441cm that's never given me a minutes trouble other than routine maintenance over the 10 years that I've had them. On the other hand,my 8 year old husqvarna 550xp just got rebuilt for the 2nd time. Be glad you got the stihl. 👍
Bought this saw based on your recommendation, and yes, it's better than I expected it to be. I've had larger/heavier, but my experience tells me the 50cc range is where 99% of my jobs sit. The "Q" model with the extra brake on the handle cost an extra $140, and I couldn't figure out why. It's in the low teens here in temperature today and it started right up. Hell yea!
Great presentation (I like the vid comparing this chainsaw to the MS271 Farm Boss too). Just traded in my MS290 Farm Boss for the 261 Pro. More and more happy I made the switch.
Thanks much. I'm also very happy with ours. We still run a couple 290's, and I'm not sure what it is, possibly just age, but they just don't even come close to the 261, or our new 291.
I was seriously looking at the farm boss for over over a month and walked in to buy just that and then I saw this one next to it for $200 more and I went back and forth and the guys at my shop are good to me and he was telling me how this is his go to saw on his farm....soooo I just bought this saw this afternoon and raced home to try it out (in the friggin rain, just my luck) and I gotta tell the world (I may be a bit sheltered when it comes to higher cost equipment) but THIS IS BY FAR AND AWAY THE BEST.... THE. BEST! SAW! I HAVE EVER PUT MY PAWS ON! IMO, worth every penny of the $620 + tax + extra chain and 2 new felling wedges (total was like 702). This saw just made a mockery of the wood I just threw at it and it made a laughing stock of all the other chain gear I'm running. If your looking for a great saw I would just say bite the bullet and buy it! In 7-10 years when I go out and grab it off the shelf and it starts and cuts without fighting me then every penny will be justified. I'll make back the cost on my first down tree clean up job. Sooo friggin worth it. I never thought I'd get excited over a flipping chainsaw but the performance and ability of this saw I have never experienced in my hands before today. I'm awestruck over it. Man was I butt hurt when I swiped my card, but it was a "buy once cry once" type of purchase. I figured go big or go home and I don't ever in my life want to buy another saw for the intended role this saw was purchased for. ....and with the great luck I've had with other stihl gear I've collected through the years I fear not. If it doesn't grow legs and walk away on me I bet this saw will still be running when I'm on my death bed.
Decomp is also helpful after driving up into the mountains to cut. The altitude gained can put additional pressure on cylinder if piston is in sealing position, then you go to yank the cord and further compress that pressurized air.
Decompression valve - I need it on occasion to start the saw. Slightly miffed at your comment that because of this I shouldn't be using the saw. I have arthritis everywhere in my body, I'm not built like a man (being female!), and I don't have the snap in me all the time to get it going. The valve helps. Not everyone is built like you.
I think what he is trying to say is if you struggle to start the saw without a decompression valve, then its gonna be a struggle to use it with the power to weight ratio. It's a light & very powerful saw & kickback would seriously hurt anyone who is not prepared to "manhandle" (sorry for the term if you're a female) this saw. You don't have to be his size to start a saw without a decompression valve. I'm a smaller guy & I start my dad's old 026 (which is a pain) with no decompression valve. Get a less powerful saw if you have all these problems.
Aorold8v8 57Heinz I think what she is trying to say is, she disagrees that she should stop doing things just because it’s harder for her, and she appreciates when technology can extend what the human body can do (do you wear glasses, because if you can’t see, you should probably leave serious work to those whose eyes work right in the first place.).
Thanks for highlighting this. I don't think it matters if you have arthritis or not, if using a decompression valve makes a saw easier to start then you shouldn't have to feel guilty or lesser for using it. Some people will always believe that unless you can do things the "strong" way (in my experience, usually the dumber way), then you shouldn't be "using a saw in the first place" and you should "let someone else do that for you". Tools are built with these features (decompression valve, AV mounts, heated handle, etc.) in order to make working with them less likely to result in injury, and so that you can work with them for a long time. If he is uncomfortable with the fact that this means a greater diversity of people able to do this job then that's his problem, and neither you or I or anyone else who isn't built like him need to justify that.
I've used the 261 and am now using the 261c love the saw. We mostly use the 361/362 or 362c saws but I prefer the 261. We also use the Husky 365, but it's a heavier saw, more power but heavier. When your having to saw for 7-16 hours a day the weight difference matters. My only complaint is when it warms up after a hour of continuos use it tends to take three or more pulls to get it started. I mostly hotstart it with one pull.
I was drooling over one at the new Runnings store a couple hours ago. I thought they were more expensive $599 isn't bad and they have 10% off senior discount so could have my dad buy it and get $60 off. Don't really need it but I have been wanting one.
yer i love em" used them alot of years back, had stupid chain tensioner on em, and just not enough power, have been gravitating to the new ones at work, cos do fair bit of log, n light, n i aint gettin younger"
Had a couple Stihls over time and each time wanted to upgrade. I hummed and hawed over which one to get and finally decided to shell out the extra cash for this one. It’s a phenomenal piece of equipment and I love the M-Tronic. Some may scoff at the M-Tronic and I get that, but the biggest advantage of it to me is the ease of starting it provides. Stihls can be notoriously hard to start, I had a little MS-170 that drove me nuts, but no more with the M-Tronic. If you buy one I also recommend getting it with a full chisel chain. I switched to one on my old 170 but I found it wasn’t powerful enough to push through logs and would bog down a lot, not so with the 261. Sure you gotta sharpen them more often but a far better chain, just be sure to bring up the revs a little before you lower the saw onto the wood or it’ll kick on you as the teeth dig deep.
I collect and use 11 pro saws and 8 non pro saws.I have a carb ms261 and it finds its way to the truck 90%of the time.My favorite saw.The 362 I really like but is heavy after the job.sir I like all your videos.
I need the decompression function. I tore up my shoulder(rugby) but too young to give up a saw although I am over 50. Glad they have a decompression function in a smaller saw. I have a friend with an old 290 farmboss and I find it very difficult to start without decompression.
I just bought one today at ace hardware. Been looking to get a saw for a while and now that I have a big fire pit I need to feed it lots and lots of wood. Looked at just about every brand of saw. I'm hoping the $$$$ I paid for the MS261CM is worth it!!
I love this saw!!!great power to weight...wanted a saw that was lightweight but powerful and this is the saw I needed...cant say enough about it...plus American made
actually, sorry to break it to ya, but their made in Germany, literally says it right on the saw. But its not a bad thing! Germans know what their doing, no if where made in china........yeah
Mine says Built in USA with domestic and foreign parts right on the saw as well as the bar has written on it. So mine is made in USA. I am sure it has to do were you live probably in North America you get the USA built models. Like in Europe you get them probably made in Germany.
I run a Husky 562XP and a MS261 CM. The 261 is almost always the first saw I grab. The weight to power is pretty damn good. There is no contest when is comes to bucking big beech and maple, though. The 562XP is the go too for that. I love them both each in their own way, though I lean towards Sthils in general.
When my 026 finally dies I'll probably get one of these. However my 026 will never die because it's the best saw stihl has ever made. I think it's 15-20 years old now. 9-10 cord a year.
Old Stihls never die, not with reasonable care. My 1985 009L has only 75 lbs compression and shouldn't even start. It starts on 1 or 2 pulls and cuts like crazy even in 110 degree weather. Crazy!
Very nice review, I appreciate it. I think it's hilarious though when dudes think decompression valves are to make it easier for the user to start the saw. It may be marketed like that but any experienced mechanic knows why it's really there and it ain't cuz you're special lol
Here in Ontario, I also picked up a MS261 (I was lucky, my dealer still had a non-electronic model, made in Germany). I had to learn how NOT to flood it. Great first couple of hours of operation on hardwood.
First off let me start out by saying I wish you a speedy recovery, your channel is very informative and I hope to see you back on your feet soon. I have a question regarding the ms 261 cm, my chains song recently died and I’m left with a bunch of 20 inch 3/8 pitch chains and was wondering if the saw has the capability to handle them? Also wondering what your thoughts on .325 vs 3/8 pitch chains? Your friend from Pa.
.325 vs 3/8 is really just personal preference, the 3/8 will stay sharp longer, but requires more power to pull through the cut. The 261 will take 3/8, but you will have to put a different drive sprocket and bar as it comes stock with .325. Not sure how well it'll pull a 20" 3/8 chain, never tried it.
Sounds like a saw i would like. The idea of the decomp.valve caught my interest.Because of working hard all my life, i don't have all the dexterity as a much younger man would. My left rotator cuff is giving me a fit now after my right rotator cuff (that's my pull the rope arm) went south about 5 years ago. I've still got enough life in my arms,shoulders to still do some lighter lumberjack work. With that valve, perhaps i can still pull start that saw 6 or 8 years or more. Maybe by then you will be using it! Or hiring the work ouch!
Hello excellent tutorial. I was going to purchase the Farm Boss but have a chance to pickup a prior model MS 261 without electronics. Is there any upgrades other than the electronics to newer version.
Human, I need some insight. I currently have a Stihl MS310, I want to buy a new saw and the 261 looks tempting but it’s 50 cc compared to the 310 being 59 (?) I like the power of the 310 and cutting almost all PA hardwood would I be happy with a 261? I definitely want to go pro grade. Thanks.
Sam Simpson The ms310 is 3.1 horsepower and 13.6 pounds while the ms261 is 3.0 horsepower and 10.8 pounds. So the 310 is only .1 horse more while it weighs almost 3 pounds more. I’m willing to bet you would not be able to tell a difference in power but would definitely be able to tell a difference in weight and durability. If you truly think you need a 60cc saw, save just a bit longer and step up to the ms362 or husky 562, either or. But I feel the 261 will do anything the 310 will, and then some. Just my 2 cents.
Great review...still torn between this model and the MS 362 C-M for acreage use. I know I probably wont be able to get by with just one saw, but I'd like to try. Your thoughts between the two? Was thinking an 18" bar on the MS 261 and a 20" bar on the MS 362.
Thank you for your review. I always enjoy watching. I've been running a 028 Super for several years now. It still runs strong, although it is a pain to get started. It was my grandfathers though, so I am wanting to ease up on its use which requires a new chainsaw. I don't cut a tremendous amount; firewood and property maintenance, help in some storm cleanup, clearing spots for hunting, things of that nature. The 028 does 85-90% of everything I need and I just borrow my dads 372 when i need something larger (its crazy though, when the 028 and the 372 are both laying on the ground, i pick up the 372 almost every time no matter the situation). My question is this, will I be satisfied with the 261cm or should I step up to the 362cm? I have held both (not cut with either) and their is a definite weight difference. I like the light more nimble feeling of the 261, but its not like the 362 is crazy heavy or anything (heck, i think it weighs less than my 028). Is it an appreciable step up in power? Is it an appreciable step up in power from the 028 to the 261? I guess my two options are this really; buy a 261 with the option of buying a 70cc down the road, or just buy the 362 and be done. Heck, for what its worth one of the local dealers has a 462 (only 13 lbs) for 1000 bucks right now, but I don't really NEED one that big currently as my main saw.. What would you suggest?
I'm not a huge fan of the 362, I think you'd do well with either the 261 or 462. Not that you need it or anything, but the 462 is my favorite saw currently.
I blew up my 260 and replaced it with the 261 cm and the thing has made my hair turn gray. After the 1 year warranty ran out I had to replace the ignition coil, 2 fuel solenoids, and the kill switch. I wanna throw this saw into the fucking chipper. It does however, have a lot more power than the 260.
I`m in the same boat, have a MS661. The M-Tronic saws is crap, has been to the local dealer 3-4 times, now it is to the Stihl importer here in Norway. If it does not start at the first pull, it will not start at all. Gasoline is coming out the exhaust, stone dead machine due to flooding. The local dealer changed the complete carb, worked well for about one tank of gas, now it is dead again. Stay away from this crap, that is my advice.
The problems with the M-Tronic system isnt the system itself. Its the solenoids on the carbs. They have plastic internals that are delicate to ANY kind of grit that can pass through the 30 micron fuel filter. Stihl knows this. I'm a Stihl technician. They are working on solenoids that have metal internals that still are as flexible as the plastic ones that can withstand any grit. They cant use a more restrictive filter because it restricts the fuel flow too much. 99% of the M-Tronic problems will be solved by a new solenoid and resetting the controller back to factory settings. Just keep your fuel, fuel cans, and around the fuel cap clean and itll help alleviate the problem.
Get husky 550 m2 its way better..in every way includeing better than those clumsy sthil bars.if you check online to people that don't work for big company's or have aggendas can see all the problems with the pistons" and more.cylinders .exctra.if you buy a sthil get 461 ..or 462 just inspect it demand it ..the guy behind the counter is most likely ..watching porn on his phone or lost.and has alot of money.but doesent do real tree wprk.it's very beyond frustrating.miss the ninteys
are you still happy with the 261 cm? are you still running the stock spec chain? I'm looking to pick one up in the next week or two after watching this video if you are still happy with the saw. hope you recover quickly for you injury!
Hi Human,,,Thank you for another fantastic video. I hope your hip is healing without any complications. Quick question: I really wanted a 361, but they were discontinued by the time I was ready to buy ( I bought the MS 362) Do you have any preferences between them? Also, I would like to do a muffler mod on the 362, and you answered another post, indicating the M-tronic carb / system would compensate for the modification. Should I enrich the Fuel mixture anyway (to help the carburetor adjust itself?) Thanks Human.
It's been awhile since I ran the 361, so I couldn't give an honest answer to the first question. The second, I think you'll be fine either way, some do add a bit more oil, some don't, either way seems to work fine.
The decompression switch is helpful when your freeclimbing a tree out on a branch and using both your legs to hold on for dear life, it's difficult to give a strong pull in that situation.
I wish you had gone over more how to properly start it when cold and how to properly start it when warm. I read some people talking about resetting this M- Tronic saw. Please explain this for us. Is it just another extra stress pain in the butt we have to worry about constantly or what? Thanks
I been thinking about replacing my Dolmar 5105 with one of these. I have the ms362 and so far I love it other than I feel my old Dolmar had a better chain speed but the Stihl doesn't chip up like the 6100 i had.
Another awesome review! Can anyone tell me if this could be used as a good mid climbing saw? Weight to power seems really good. Decompression valve sounds nice while up in the tree. Accepts a good size bar.
Do you like your ms362 better? I'm looking for a pro saw. I currently have a ms251 and like it a lot but want more power and obviously a bigger saw. Plus I like the bad ass look of the new pro models
It depends, if you're looking for something to also use in the tree, I like the 261 better. 362 does have quite a bit more power though. It's all just trade-offs, get something, give up something.
Great videos man I have watched them all! Question... If you were to buy 2 saws in addition to a ms 180c what would they be? and If you could just buy one saw to do everything from felling to bucking which size would you choose? Thx again!
Really depends on use, if climbing, I like the 261, that 2 lbs. suprisingly makes a big difference in the tree. If only on the ground though, and you do need a bit bigger of a bar, 362 is the way to go. Trade off power/weight.
I’m about to order the ms 261 c-m, what oil and what ratio do you run? I’ve read tons of different options and I’m a best lost on what’s best for the saw, thanks for the great vids sir.
Looking to get one of these (MS261 C-M) myself or a MS362 C-M for bucking harder trees that seem to bog my MS251. Nothing huge and absurd but I would like it to help with bigger stuff so I'm not killing my MS251.
Thanks for your review. I just picked up my new 261cm really liking it so far. I do have a question for you. I am wanting to get a set of good chainsaw gloves that don’t restrict hands much do you have any suggestions? Or work supplies cheap unlined or lined leather gloves and that’s it. So wanting to buy a good pair to use for myself. Any suggestions be greatly appreciated thanks.
Gloves are all personal preference, I generally use thin black rubber coated pairs that I found at our local handyman for $5 for three pairs. Just gotta try different kinds and find what you like best.
Hey good review! I just got this expensive pro saw so that it would last a life time and now I am not sure if it is suitable for farm work. It seems to have too much RPMs for my liking and could do with a bit more torque. Maybe I should have gone for something like the Husky 460. What do you think? Do high rev 50cc chainsaw engines have longevity? Will they not just burn themselves out?
I've not run a that model husqvarna, so can't really say one way or another. I love the 261 though, it's a pleasure to operate. The pro saws are built to last longer run times than your consumer level saw, on a farm, I doubt you'd be able to burn it up from overuse (good fuel, clean filter, and sharp chain of course)
hey thanks for the reply. Yeah I too really like everything about the 261. in fact I actually buy one. I then started to wonder: can a high rev 50cc 3.8hp pro saw (eg ms261cm) perform as well as a 55 or 60cc 3.8hp (eg 291 ) and especially on farm work?
Better, the 291 runs 3.76 hp, the 261 runs an even 4. Maintains RPMs in the cut much better, is lighter, and has better anti vibe, which is amazing if you're going to be doing a whole bunch of cutting (firewood).
You could try putting a smaller rim sprocket on the saw if you want more torque and slower chain speed... Not sure what the saw ships with but if it's a 7 cog try a 6 cog and see if you like that better. Then again, with more use you may find the standard setup is just fine...
should i buy one to go along with my echo 501p? i was looking for a 50cc saw, contemplating between the 550xp and dolmar ps5105s until i saw the new 261 c-m!
@@goldentrucker7921 in the end i went with a jonsered cs2252. my stihl dealer treated me like crap, there was a promo going on for the 261c-m. since there was a work free day on monday i went tuesday. i was treated like trash and was told that the special ended the day that i went so it wasn't available. he wanted me to pay 800$ + for the 261 c-m. in my opinion it wasn't worth it, i went ro my jonsered dealer and he made me an awsome deal. i paid only 50$ more than my 501p and i was able to buy a brand new cs2252!
@@ryy597 I'm pretty much using all husky now. Main reason being the local dealer is multiple times better. Pricing, and friendly. I still have a stihl 441c , and a 200t. Just not worth the cash for buying new. Id rather get a echo 620p, and keep $ in the wallet. That Shindaiwa 491s is the cheapest saw I ever bought, got it on a dealer day. And 1 of my favorites of all time.
@@goldentrucker7921 i agree, all husky dealers that i went had great service. in my local stihl dealership they didn't even knew what was a raker gauge... i converted to husky/echo and never looked back. my favorite saw is also the 501p/491s. i believe they're the same only a different color?
Nice video. I see you're all about the Stihl products. I run an MS290 with extended bar which i really like. Have you tried those orange rubber stihl chainsaw boots? I really like mine. As you seem to have all the Stihl gear I thought you might like to review the boots too?
Would love to get a pair and review them. Don't really have the funds, just cracked a tooth last week, scared to find out how much it's going to cost. Surely in the future though.
I've been debating between the XP 550 and this saw. I've heard there is a ton of problems with the XP and even experienced it when testing one. They bog like crazy.
what do you think about the MS 251 with a 18 inch bar im looking at that saw and the ms 261 i am a beginner at at chain saws just cutting wood around my land that has fallen down do some storms we have had this summer. north western pa area cutting maple black walnut oak and sasafras and a little pine got about 30 trees down
Hopefully you have it figured out by now, but the stihl chains are good, oregon chains are good. I tend to keep Stihl chains on my Stihl saws i haven’t run an oregon yet but i can’t imagine that they’re a lesser product.
Could you possibly make a video explaining chainsaw chain care. I mean by that is when is it to tight, and or to loose and if there's any "pro" tips on keeping the chain last longer.
I recently got one used. Non-m-tronic. It came with a 16” bar and I wanted to put a 20” bar on it. What chain do you recommend? A buddy of mine recommended the stihl duro carbide but wasn’t sure of your opinion.
How well do you think it will pull a 20” bar in exclusively soft wood -pine, spruce, cedar? I’m going to go to the shop and see how well it balances, if no good I’ll go 18”
I know im late, but heres my 0.02 I just put a 20" 3/8" bar and chain on mine (noteL you HAVE to swap out the sprocket, as it is .325 off the shelf got it in some oak today, that sumbitch pulls that chain thru 20" oak as if it were a pine 2x4 if you havent gotten one, get you one
I'm picking up this model in a couple of days. In some of your videos you've mention a small portion of your break in procedure. Is there someplace online showing the proper break in before I start cutting. This will be my first professional saw and want to keep it going for the long haul
I've read into this quite a bit as it's a common question, and the general feeling is that there is no break procedure needed anymore. From what I've read, older saws didn't have quite the close tolerances in the machining that new ones do (robotic machining on new stuff) and needed to be broken in, new saws do not. I warm my saws up at idle for a minute or so before any cutting, but that's just me. Pretty much, run it like you stole it!
Ethanol is only a concern for when the saw will be laid up for 3+ months, or the fuel is 3+ months old. Big issue I've noticed is the octane rating, boss buys 87 octane as it's cheap, I run 93 in all my own saws. The 261 running the 87 octane takes forever to warm up, and willl die at idle until it's been run a good 10 minutes or so. When I put my gas in it, there are no such issues. As a note, stihl recommends at least 89 octane.
Sadly 93 isn't an option where I live. I don't use it all day every day so I've been running the stihl premix fuel that is 92, ethanol free, and has stabilizer in it. It's pricy but worth it not to have carb issues
thanks =) When I first started the channel I was a salesman at a john deere/kubota/stihl/exmark dealer. Fell in love with saws though, then get interested in tree work. My first day of work in tree service is actually one of the video's I did, something like 7 months ago or so.
Do they have the sidecover dog set for this model? Very tempted to pull the trigger on one after fondling at my local real saw shop. From little I know it seems like a lot of great saw for the money. Quick question on the electronic carb does it tune it's self up for things like a muffler mod? I'm sure it's not going to have enough adjustment for a port & polish.
They do have dogs for the side cover, coworker got some for his. Yes it does adjust for muffler mods, have my 201TC and 661C muffler modded and they're doing great. Can't really say about porting though, a bit hesitant to do all that, lol
Human Appreciate the prompt reply you must be a busy man with stupid noob questions like me. But you seem like a stand up guy and I'm proud to call myself a subscriber. I used an extreme example if it ever had the jug off for a ring or the like I might give it a mild port and polish but that should be far down the road if ever. But I'm one of those mo' powa mo' betta types.
Stihl ms261 or the Echo cs590 timberwolf? Im stuck between those two. What would you recommend? I have a ms310 and im looking to get a new saw to give the 310 a lil break and some TLC.
Were you running a 20" bar? If so, how come STIHL recommends 16-18" optimum? I'm currently running a MS291 and want to upgrade, was thinking of this or the 362. Opinions? I know, they're like arm pits, everyone has at least two... but you are on a saw everyday, me, I just cut a lot of firewood on the farm. Primarily hickory,oak, occasionally ash n walnut. Thank you...
I think you'd be fine either way, 362 has noticeably more power, but you'd be surprised at how much difference those 2 or so lbs. can make after an hour of cutting.
Human! Question for you. Did or does that saw come stock with a green or yellow bar ? Reason I ask is because the hole “Professional Saw” May come with the yellow bar. Mine came with the green an want to make sure the dealer didn’t do a swap on me... Much Thanks!
Human, I need a chainsaw for a relatively heavily wooded property. Mostly cutting the occasional (tree small to mid). Also for firewood. What d you recommend. Thinking about a Farm boss 271 or wood boss 251 Thanks
I'd say you'd do well with either one. Very similar saws, 271 just is a bit heavier with a bit more power. Only functional difference is the 271 will pull a 20" bar fairly well, the 251 they don't recommend a 20" bar. I'd probably go with the 251 myself, as you're going to be lugging it around in the woods, having a bit lighter saw makes a pretty big difference after a few hours of trekking through the brush.
Depends, if it's good firewood, it gets split/sold. If not, it just fills up the lot until there's enough to call in the big company and their tub grinder to haul it all away.
I have a large outside wood burner I heat with. I burn any and all wood. 15 cords a year. Too bad u guys weren't closer, I'd have my 661 and 461 over there doin some cutting with ya! Thinking about picking up a new 261 to replace the 211. Thanks for all the great vids btw, always a good time to watch.
![ILLSLICK - WINTER IS COMING [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dwTMeM1zIhQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I’ve had my 261 for several years now. I’m not a professional, but I do heat with wood as do my parents. So I cut a large volume of firewood every year. (8000 feet high in the Colorado mountains) The saw has worked flawlessly every time. Phenomenal saw!
I have had mine for a few months now, it's an incredible saw for all around use, I couldn't be happier with my purchase.
Regarding the decompression valve... using it takes stress off the recoil starter and pull cord and will prolong the life of those components. On some of the arborist and logging web sites guys reported breaking pull cords often until they started using the decompression every time. As such I use it on my saws even when they are warm... That is better than breaking a pull cord in the middle of a job and it costs you nothing to use it!
The Colonial Craftsman ah, makes sense, hadn't thought of that. thanks for the tip!
Human I
@@Human1337 I bought my 261 cm 2 weeks ago now. I dont know if its just me, or if this is normal since i have never used a chainsaw with deco valve, but when i used it last weekend the starter cord seemed felt like it had no resistance. is it the same on your 261? I have the newer model too if that helps.
In my opinion the decompression valve is a must for starting the saw when aloft.
I’ve had mine 4 years now. I cut 15-20 cords a year with it. Best saw I’ve ever owned. Power to weight ratio is unmatched suckers a beast for cutting firewood
Idle The saw for 5-10 seconds before turning it off!
I recently took my m-tronic (ms 362-cm) in to the dealer because once the saw warmed up (after 15 minutes or so) it would die and wouldn't restart. luckily they replaced the carb under warranty and told me the saw saves an idle setting when it is turned off. so just let the saw idle for 5-10 seconds so it saves the proper idle and you can avoid this inconvenience!
Update/further info. They replaced the carb, because the air-filter was letting small amounts of dust into the intake, clogging the fuel modulator valve. I cleaned the air filter everytime, and that wore down the seal enough to let the dust in. Very finicky tech to get clogged like that, but if that is the main issue, m-tronic could still be worth it. If I ever needed another saw, I'd probably get a conventional carb though. I'm glad Ace hardwarecould find the problem, but this is an issue they need to inform customers of.
TLDR don't clean air filter until visibly dirty. Otherwise seal breaks down quickly.
EUREKA!!!
I did not know this, thanks for the heads up!
John Kessler thanks man
I'm glad I could get the word out. :)
Jason Smith
Thank you John,,,,Awesome information !!!
For some reason the 261 just rips! It’s gotta be their best saw pound for pound.
totally agree had a MS 441 like the 261 c better
Thank you for your review of the MS261CM. I was in the market for a new saw and decided to purchase the MS261. I love it, it is a fantastic saw.
Glad you like it =)
I bought one last week love it
Whenever I look up chainsaw reviews I always look to see if you reviewed them. I love your videos and I will continue watching them for as long as possible
If I could afford to hire a person to do my wood cutting maybe I would but until then I'm glad the saw has a decompression switch.... Every pound lost helps, and anything making it easier means I can work longer.
Gotta come back to this type of stuff brother.. you deserve happiness and peace of mind. Much love man.
i Just bought one about a month ago using it mainly for firewood! This saw is amazing and cuts though wood like butter!
Just grabbed this saw (manual carb ). This video pushed me over the edge for getting it. SO, much more information than the local dealer who I bought from..I wasn't going to buy another stihl! I've had a huskavarna 350 for 22 years, and the muffler got loose and distroied the thread in the cylinder. I'm gonna order a rebuild kit. Rebuild it with my son (20), and give it to him. I also bought a stihl ms251 and it stopped oiling. Saw is just 2 years old. "Couldve" been my falt? Not sure. BUT, there WAS, still oil in the tank. Was pissed, STIHL PISSED. Lol..
I will admit, I do, love this 261! Most powerful saw that I have owned. Pulls a 20" bar like a champ. I WILL LEAVE THE OILIER WIDE OPEN.
Love your videos mate, my old 261 going on a few years now and flogged within an inch of its life but still keeps crackin along. Thanks for the top videos and cheers from Australia!!!
Ive had mine since 2011 i have a 24 bar my only saw and a 16 bar live in Oregon north idaho and have cut wood in Vermont and new Hampshire love this saw.
@tuberocker69 yes with a skip toothe blade it works well for cutting shit on the ground and work well enough for falling timber if u going in and not trying to cut Nascar fast . Ya. But if I actually need a falling saw I go t0 my o44 sthil .but I can cut 99 % of trees with my ms261 with a 24
Just don't over load the saw and finisee the saw. The saw is a high rim saw keep blade sharp dont boog down and u should be fine 👌. The big obstacles for the 261 is it doesn't have a falling handle so it a stand up saw so stand up iam 6,2 so I except the slower speeds of a 24 over a 18 . Cause it the best lightweight saw ,and i don't have to bend over as hard.
The bars are more expensive to replace so watch how u use it
Bought one last week to replace my ancient 026.
It was more of an upgrade and had many more improvements than I expected.
I have about 10 tanks of gas through it now and it works very well.
The anti vibe is much improved, the air filtration is miles ahead, it has more power, captured side cover nuts and I personally like the toolless caps.
I would buy one again tomorrow if I needed to!
Very nice, glad you enjoy it!
I couldn't believe all the upgrades- amazing!
Got mine when I as tossing up between this and a husky 550xp. Actually wanted the husky but the local dealer was not as good as the stihl guy. So I totally love my 261 and don't regret buying it at all. It has more than enough power for my needs and definitely feels well made. Starts easy, runs hard, easy to manage.
Glad you like it! I know I do, enjoy your new saw =)
I've got an ms310 and a ms441cm that's never given me a minutes trouble other than routine maintenance over the 10 years that I've had them. On the other hand,my 8 year old husqvarna 550xp just got rebuilt for the 2nd time. Be glad you got the stihl. 👍
Does the job efficiently, feels sturdy. The best I have found for the price.
Bought this saw based on your recommendation, and yes, it's better than I expected it to be. I've had larger/heavier, but my experience tells me the 50cc range is where 99% of my jobs sit. The "Q" model with the extra brake on the handle cost an extra $140, and I couldn't figure out why. It's in the low teens here in temperature today and it started right up. Hell yea!
Very nice, same here, low teens, and starts right up as well. Glad you like it, I know I do.
Human can u make a video how to look after your Stihl chainsaw pls
Great presentation (I like the vid comparing this chainsaw to the MS271 Farm Boss too). Just traded in my MS290 Farm Boss for the 261 Pro. More and more happy I made the switch.
Thanks much. I'm also very happy with ours. We still run a couple 290's, and I'm not sure what it is, possibly just age, but they just don't even come close to the 261, or our new 291.
I was seriously looking at the farm boss for over over a month and walked in to buy just that and then I saw this one next to it for $200 more and I went back and forth and the guys at my shop are good to me and he was telling me how this is his go to saw on his farm....soooo I just bought this saw this afternoon and raced home to try it out (in the friggin rain, just my luck) and I gotta tell the world (I may be a bit sheltered when it comes to higher cost equipment) but THIS IS BY FAR AND AWAY THE BEST.... THE. BEST! SAW! I HAVE EVER PUT MY PAWS ON! IMO, worth every penny of the $620 + tax + extra chain and 2 new felling wedges (total was like 702). This saw just made a mockery of the wood I just threw at it and it made a laughing stock of all the other chain gear I'm running. If your looking for a great saw I would just say bite the bullet and buy it! In 7-10 years when I go out and grab it off the shelf and it starts and cuts without fighting me then every penny will be justified. I'll make back the cost on my first down tree clean up job. Sooo friggin worth it. I never thought I'd get excited over a flipping chainsaw but the performance and ability of this saw I have never experienced in my hands before today. I'm awestruck over it.
Man was I butt hurt when I swiped my card, but it was a "buy once cry once" type of purchase. I figured go big or go home and I don't ever in my life want to buy another saw for the intended role this saw was purchased for. ....and with the great luck I've had with other stihl gear I've collected through the years I fear not. If it doesn't grow legs and walk away on me I bet this saw will still be running when I'm on my death bed.
Decomp is also helpful after driving up into the mountains to cut. The altitude gained can put additional pressure on cylinder if piston is in sealing position, then you go to yank the cord and further compress that pressurized air.
Decompression valve - I need it on occasion to start the saw. Slightly miffed at your comment that because of this I shouldn't be using the saw. I have arthritis everywhere in my body, I'm not built like a man (being female!), and I don't have the snap in me all the time to get it going. The valve helps.
Not everyone is built like you.
I think what he is trying to say is if you struggle to start the saw without a decompression valve, then its gonna be a struggle to use it with the power to weight ratio. It's a light & very powerful saw & kickback would seriously hurt anyone who is not prepared to "manhandle" (sorry for the term if you're a female) this saw. You don't have to be his size to start a saw without a decompression valve. I'm a smaller guy & I start my dad's old 026 (which is a pain) with no decompression valve. Get a less powerful saw if you have all these problems.
Aorold8v8 57Heinz I think what she is trying to say is, she disagrees that she should stop doing things just because it’s harder for her, and she appreciates when technology can extend what the human body can do (do you wear glasses, because if you can’t see, you should probably leave serious work to those whose eyes work right in the first place.).
Thanks for highlighting this. I don't think it matters if you have arthritis or not, if using a decompression valve makes a saw easier to start then you shouldn't have to feel guilty or lesser for using it. Some people will always believe that unless you can do things the "strong" way (in my experience, usually the dumber way), then you shouldn't be "using a saw in the first place" and you should "let someone else do that for you". Tools are built with these features (decompression valve, AV mounts, heated handle, etc.) in order to make working with them less likely to result in injury, and so that you can work with them for a long time. If he is uncomfortable with the fact that this means a greater diversity of people able to do this job then that's his problem, and neither you or I or anyone else who isn't built like him need to justify that.
I've used the 261 and am now using the 261c love the saw. We mostly use the 361/362 or 362c saws but I prefer the 261. We also use the Husky 365, but it's a heavier saw, more power but heavier. When your having to saw for 7-16 hours a day the weight difference matters.
My only complaint is when it warms up after a hour of continuos use it tends to take three or more pulls to get it started. I mostly hotstart it with one pull.
Thanks for the heads up, in the market for a saw and was checking out all of them, you have sold me on the MS261 C-M.
I was drooling over one at the new Runnings store a couple hours ago. I thought they were more expensive $599 isn't bad and they have 10% off senior discount so could have my dad buy it and get $60 off. Don't really need it but I have been wanting one.
yer i love em" used them alot of years back, had stupid chain tensioner on em, and just not enough power, have been gravitating to the new ones at work, cos do fair bit of log, n light, n i aint gettin younger"
Had a couple Stihls over time and each time wanted to upgrade. I hummed and hawed over which one to get and finally decided to shell out the extra cash for this one. It’s a phenomenal piece of equipment and I love the M-Tronic. Some may scoff at the M-Tronic and I get that, but the biggest advantage of it to me is the ease of starting it provides. Stihls can be notoriously hard to start, I had a little MS-170 that drove me nuts, but no more with the M-Tronic. If you buy one I also recommend getting it with a full chisel chain. I switched to one on my old 170 but I found it wasn’t powerful enough to push through logs and would bog down a lot, not so with the 261. Sure you gotta sharpen them more often but a far better chain, just be sure to bring up the revs a little before you lower the saw onto the wood or it’ll kick on you as the teeth dig deep.
I collect and use 11 pro saws and 8 non pro saws.I have a carb ms261 and it finds its way to the truck 90%of the time.My favorite saw.The 362 I really like but is heavy after the job.sir I like all your videos.
Just got one - it's soooo great, loads better than my MS211 - Your review is the thing that made me decide, Many thanks !
Glad to help?
I need the decompression function. I tore up my shoulder(rugby) but too young to give up a saw although I am over 50. Glad they have a decompression function in a smaller saw. I have a friend with an old 290 farmboss and I find it very difficult to start without decompression.
I just bought one today at ace hardware. Been looking to get a saw for a while and now that I have a big fire pit I need to feed it lots and lots of wood. Looked at just about every brand of saw. I'm hoping the $$$$ I paid for the MS261CM is worth it!!
Excellent review, one small safety tip. Try to keep your left thumb locked under the front handle rather than sitting on top. Keep the videos coming.
100% correct, and I'm 100% guilty on using the "suicide grip" as it's known in weightlifting.
I love this saw!!!great power to weight...wanted a saw that was lightweight but powerful and this is the saw I needed...cant say enough about it...plus American made
Very nice =)
actually, sorry to break it to ya, but their made in Germany, literally says it right on the saw.
But its not a bad thing! Germans know what their doing, no if where made in china........yeah
Ben Simons agree sorry meant company is also in U.S....
Well no it's German made
Mine says Built in USA with domestic and foreign parts right on the saw as well as the bar has written on it. So mine is made in USA. I am sure it has to do were you live probably in North America you get the USA built models. Like in Europe you get them probably made in Germany.
I love my 261 C-M .... keep the chain sharp and love it , love it , love it !! :)
I run a Husky 562XP and a MS261 CM. The 261 is almost always the first saw I grab. The weight to power is pretty damn good. There is no contest when is comes to bucking big beech and maple, though. The 562XP is the go too for that. I love them both each in their own way, though I lean towards Sthils in general.
How's your 261 c-m doing? I'm on the fence between the 562xp and the 261. Leaning toward the 261 for the weight savings.
When my 026 finally dies I'll probably get one of these. However my 026 will never die because it's the best saw stihl has ever made. I think it's 15-20 years old now. 9-10 cord a year.
Old Stihls never die, not with reasonable care. My 1985 009L has only 75 lbs compression and shouldn't even start. It starts on 1 or 2 pulls and cuts like crazy even in 110 degree weather. Crazy!
Very nice review, I appreciate it. I think it's hilarious though when dudes think decompression valves are to make it easier for the user to start the saw. It may be marketed like that but any experienced mechanic knows why it's really there and it ain't cuz you're special lol
Just picked one up to replace an old 210C. Thanks for the review.
I was gonna get a farm/ranch saw but now convinced to a smaller pro saw like this one.
I'm a bit late to the party but really enjoyed your video. It was very informative and I learned a bit about my new saw! Thanks Human!
Here in Ontario, I also picked up a MS261 (I was lucky, my dealer still had a non-electronic model, made in Germany). I had to learn how NOT to flood it. Great first couple of hours of operation on hardwood.
First off let me start out by saying I wish you a speedy recovery, your channel is very informative and I hope to see you back on your feet soon. I have a question regarding the ms 261 cm, my chains song recently died and I’m left with a bunch of 20 inch 3/8 pitch chains and was wondering if the saw has the capability to handle them? Also wondering what your thoughts on .325 vs 3/8 pitch chains? Your friend from Pa.
.325 vs 3/8 is really just personal preference, the 3/8 will stay sharp longer, but requires more power to pull through the cut. The 261 will take 3/8, but you will have to put a different drive sprocket and bar as it comes stock with .325. Not sure how well it'll pull a 20" 3/8 chain, never tried it.
Human Thanks man, your awesome!
"If you need the decompression on this, you probably shouldn't be using a chainsaw" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 .. Well said my man.
Sounds like a saw i would like. The idea of the decomp.valve caught my interest.Because of working hard all my life, i don't have all the dexterity as a much younger man would. My left rotator cuff is giving me a fit now after my right rotator cuff (that's my pull the rope arm) went south about 5 years ago. I've still got enough life in my arms,shoulders to still do some lighter lumberjack work. With that valve, perhaps i can still pull start that saw 6 or 8 years or more. Maybe by then you will be using it! Or hiring the work ouch!
You do the best overview videos that I've found.
Hello excellent tutorial. I was going to purchase the Farm Boss but have a chance to pickup a prior model MS 261 without electronics. Is there any upgrades other than the electronics to newer version.
Great video the only thing you left out was the summer, winter air flow port which is in front of the air cleaner.
Human, I need some insight. I currently have a Stihl MS310, I want to buy a new saw and the 261 looks tempting but it’s 50 cc compared to the 310 being 59 (?) I like the power of the 310 and cutting almost all PA hardwood would I be happy with a 261? I definitely want to go pro grade. Thanks.
Sam Simpson The ms310 is 3.1 horsepower and 13.6 pounds while the ms261 is 3.0 horsepower and 10.8 pounds. So the 310 is only .1 horse more while it weighs almost 3 pounds more. I’m willing to bet you would not be able to tell a difference in power but would definitely be able to tell a difference in weight and durability. If you truly think you need a 60cc saw, save just a bit longer and step up to the ms362 or husky 562, either or. But I feel the 261 will do anything the 310 will, and then some. Just my 2 cents.
Great review...still torn between this model and the MS 362 C-M for acreage use. I know I probably wont be able to get by with just one saw, but I'd like to try. Your thoughts between the two? Was thinking an 18" bar on the MS 261 and a 20" bar on the MS 362.
"If you're at a point you need a decompressor on a saw this size........ you probably shouldn't be using a saw." LOL That was funny!!!
Thank you for your review. I always enjoy watching. I've been running a 028 Super for several years now. It still runs strong, although it is a pain to get started. It was my grandfathers though, so I am wanting to ease up on its use which requires a new chainsaw. I don't cut a tremendous amount; firewood and property maintenance, help in some storm cleanup, clearing spots for hunting, things of that nature. The 028 does 85-90% of everything I need and I just borrow my dads 372 when i need something larger (its crazy though, when the 028 and the 372 are both laying on the ground, i pick up the 372 almost every time no matter the situation).
My question is this, will I be satisfied with the 261cm or should I step up to the 362cm? I have held both (not cut with either) and their is a definite weight difference. I like the light more nimble feeling of the 261, but its not like the 362 is crazy heavy or anything (heck, i think it weighs less than my 028). Is it an appreciable step up in power? Is it an appreciable step up in power from the 028 to the 261? I guess my two options are this really; buy a 261 with the option of buying a 70cc down the road, or just buy the 362 and be done. Heck, for what its worth one of the local dealers has a 462 (only 13 lbs) for 1000 bucks right now, but I don't really NEED one that big currently as my main saw.. What would you suggest?
I'm not a huge fan of the 362, I think you'd do well with either the 261 or 462. Not that you need it or anything, but the 462 is my favorite saw currently.
Get the 261, ya won't regret it.
I blew up my 260 and replaced it with the 261 cm and the thing has made my hair turn gray. After the 1 year warranty ran out I had to replace the ignition coil, 2 fuel solenoids, and the kill switch. I wanna throw this saw into the fucking chipper. It does however, have a lot more power than the 260.
I`m in the same boat, have a MS661. The M-Tronic saws is crap, has been to the local dealer 3-4 times, now it is to the Stihl importer here in Norway. If it does not start at the first pull, it will not start at all. Gasoline is coming out the exhaust, stone dead machine due to flooding. The local dealer changed the complete carb, worked well for about one tank of gas, now it is dead again. Stay away from this crap, that is my advice.
The problems with the M-Tronic system isnt the system itself. Its the solenoids on the carbs. They have plastic internals that are delicate to ANY kind of grit that can pass through the 30 micron fuel filter. Stihl knows this. I'm a Stihl technician. They are working on solenoids that have metal internals that still are as flexible as the plastic ones that can withstand any grit. They cant use a more restrictive filter because it restricts the fuel flow too much. 99% of the M-Tronic problems will be solved by a new solenoid and resetting the controller back to factory settings. Just keep your fuel, fuel cans, and around the fuel cap clean and itll help alleviate the problem.
Get husky 550 m2 its way better..in every way includeing better than those clumsy sthil bars.if you check online to people that don't work for big company's or have aggendas can see all the problems with the pistons" and more.cylinders .exctra.if you buy a sthil get 461 ..or 462 just inspect it demand it ..the guy behind the counter is most likely ..watching porn on his phone or lost.and has alot of money.but doesent do real tree wprk.it's very beyond frustrating.miss the ninteys
are you still happy with the 261 cm? are you still running the stock spec chain? I'm looking to pick one up in the next week or two after watching this video if you are still happy with the saw.
hope you recover quickly for you injury!
Hi Human,,,Thank you for another fantastic video. I hope your hip is healing without any complications. Quick question: I really wanted a 361, but they were discontinued by the time I was ready to buy ( I bought the MS 362) Do you have any preferences between them? Also, I would like to do a muffler mod on the 362, and you answered another post, indicating the M-tronic carb / system would compensate for the modification. Should I enrich the Fuel mixture anyway (to help the carburetor adjust itself?) Thanks Human.
It's been awhile since I ran the 361, so I couldn't give an honest answer to the first question. The second, I think you'll be fine either way, some do add a bit more oil, some don't, either way seems to work fine.
The decompression switch is helpful when your freeclimbing a tree out on a branch and using both your legs to hold on for dear life, it's difficult to give a strong pull in that situation.
The one I just bought does not have the fancy electronic stuff on it. I wanted the one without it because I can fix it in the woods if I need too!
I wish you had gone over more how to properly start it when cold and how to properly start it when warm. I read some people talking about resetting this M- Tronic saw. Please explain this for us. Is it just another extra stress pain in the butt we have to worry about constantly or what? Thanks
Thanks for the review; looks like a great light firewood saw for an old bloke like me.
great videos thanks dude
im buying a 261 stihl would u advise the latest model please
I been thinking about replacing my Dolmar 5105 with one of these. I have the ms362 and so far I love it other than I feel my old Dolmar had a better chain speed but the Stihl doesn't chip up like the 6100 i had.
did you do it? i was searching for a 5105 to go with my echo 501p? then i saw the 261 cm
Another awesome review! Can anyone tell me if this could be used as a good mid climbing saw? Weight to power seems really good. Decompression valve sounds nice while up in the tree. Accepts a good size bar.
Hello Corey, I picked mine up about an hour ago and my god that thing is awesome😍
😁👍
Do you like your ms362 better? I'm looking for a pro saw. I currently have a ms251 and like it a lot but want more power and obviously a bigger saw. Plus I like the bad ass look of the new pro models
It depends, if you're looking for something to also use in the tree, I like the 261 better. 362 does have quite a bit more power though. It's all just trade-offs, get something, give up something.
Yeah that's true. Thanks for the response man.
Great videos man I have watched them all! Question... If you were to buy 2 saws in addition to a ms 180c what would they be? and If you could just buy one saw to do everything from felling to bucking which size would you choose? Thx again!
If climbing I'd definitely go with a 201, as for the other, probably a 461.
Thx for getting back with me! Last question if you had to choose between the 261c vs 362c which one would you choose and why?
Really depends on use, if climbing, I like the 261, that 2 lbs. suprisingly makes a big difference in the tree. If only on the ground though, and you do need a bit bigger of a bar, 362 is the way to go. Trade off power/weight.
I’m about to order the ms 261 c-m, what oil and what ratio do you run? I’ve read tons of different options and I’m a best lost on what’s best for the saw, thanks for the great vids sir.
Most, if not all Stihl run 50:1
You should do a review on the ms241c-m or a 026 pro . I learn a lot from your videos.
Can do an updated review on your ms 261 c-m?
Follow up video requested. What’s the largest bar size you can run on this?
@@medjoolmaker 20 in
Looking to get one of these (MS261 C-M) myself or a MS362 C-M for bucking harder trees that seem to bog my MS251. Nothing huge and absurd but I would like it to help with bigger stuff so I'm not killing my MS251.
Thanks for your review. I just picked up my new 261cm really liking it so far. I do have a question for you. I am wanting to get a set of good chainsaw gloves that don’t restrict hands much do you have any suggestions? Or work supplies cheap unlined or lined leather gloves and that’s it. So wanting to buy a good pair to use for myself. Any suggestions be greatly appreciated thanks.
Gloves are all personal preference, I generally use thin black rubber coated pairs that I found at our local handyman for $5 for three pairs. Just gotta try different kinds and find what you like best.
Hey good review!
I just got this expensive pro saw so that it would last a life time and now I am not sure if it is suitable for farm work. It seems to have too much RPMs for my liking and could do with a bit more torque. Maybe I should have gone for something like the Husky 460.
What do you think?
Do high rev 50cc chainsaw engines have longevity? Will they not just burn themselves out?
I've not run a that model husqvarna, so can't really say one way or another. I love the 261 though, it's a pleasure to operate. The pro saws are built to last longer run times than your consumer level saw, on a farm, I doubt you'd be able to burn it up from overuse (good fuel, clean filter, and sharp chain of course)
hey thanks for the reply. Yeah I too really like everything about the 261. in fact I actually buy one. I then started to wonder:
can a high rev 50cc 3.8hp pro saw (eg ms261cm) perform as well as a 55 or 60cc 3.8hp (eg 291 ) and especially on farm work?
Better, the 291 runs 3.76 hp, the 261 runs an even 4. Maintains RPMs in the cut much better, is lighter, and has better anti vibe, which is amazing if you're going to be doing a whole bunch of cutting (firewood).
cool, nice one cheers man
You could try putting a smaller rim sprocket on the saw if you want more torque and slower chain speed... Not sure what the saw ships with but if it's a 7 cog try a 6 cog and see if you like that better. Then again, with more use you may find the standard setup is just fine...
should i buy one to go along with my echo 501p? i was looking for a 50cc saw, contemplating between the 550xp and dolmar ps5105s until i saw the new 261 c-m!
Definitely not worth the money new if you already have a echo 501. I've got a shindawi 491s and it's just as good, and half the price.
@@goldentrucker7921 in the end i went with a jonsered cs2252. my stihl dealer treated me like crap, there was a promo going on for the 261c-m. since there was a work free day on monday i went tuesday. i was treated like trash and was told that the special ended the day that i went so it wasn't available. he wanted me to pay 800$ + for the 261 c-m. in my opinion it wasn't worth it, i went ro my jonsered dealer and he made me an awsome deal. i paid only 50$ more than my 501p and i was able to buy a brand new cs2252!
@@ryy597 I'm pretty much using all husky now. Main reason being the local dealer is multiple times better. Pricing, and friendly. I still have a stihl 441c , and a 200t. Just not worth the cash for buying new. Id rather get a echo 620p, and keep $ in the wallet. That Shindaiwa 491s is the cheapest saw I ever bought, got it on a dealer day. And 1 of my favorites of all time.
@@goldentrucker7921 i agree, all husky dealers that i went had great service. in my local stihl dealership they didn't even knew what was a raker gauge... i converted to husky/echo and never looked back. my favorite saw is also the 501p/491s. i believe they're the same only a different color?
Oh look it's Corey
Nice video. I see you're all about the Stihl products. I run an MS290 with extended bar which i really like. Have you tried those orange rubber stihl chainsaw boots? I really like mine. As you seem to have all the Stihl gear I thought you might like to review the boots too?
Would love to get a pair and review them. Don't really have the funds, just cracked a tooth last week, scared to find out how much it's going to cost. Surely in the future though.
?!
Email me. Aarmga@live.com
We can talk about shoe size and what not
Do you ever take the plugs out of the muffler. Will it hurt the saw
Just picked up a ms261cm. Haven’t used it yet. Wondering if I should just get rid of the spark arrestor right from the start?
I've been debating between the XP 550 and this saw. I've heard there is a ton of problems with the XP and even experienced it when testing one. They bog like crazy.
Husky xp will crush the Stihl just sayin' ... You won't be disappointed
the carbon residue from exhaust gas falls between the cylinder and piston. causing major scara
@@andyd9199 wrong, 550 relies on speed to cut, 261 has the torque to not bog when rpms drop.
E M both cut wood..that’s for sure. I prefer jonsered and husky. Been wanted to try some of Stihls electronic stuff
what do you think about the MS 251 with a 18 inch bar im looking at that saw and the ms 261 i am a beginner at at chain saws just cutting wood around my land that has fallen down do some storms we have had this summer. north western pa area cutting maple black walnut oak and sasafras and a little pine got about 30 trees down
The 251 would be just fine for what you're wanting a saw for. The 261 would be better, but the benefits might not outweigh the additional cost.
Human thank you
What brand of chain do you recommend. Mine tends to dull after cutting a couple trees. Beech nut, 16 inch on stump.
Hopefully you have it figured out by now, but the stihl chains are good, oregon chains are good. I tend to keep Stihl chains on my Stihl saws i haven’t run an oregon yet but i can’t imagine that they’re a lesser product.
Could you possibly make a video explaining chainsaw chain care. I mean by that is when is it to tight, and or to loose and if there's any "pro" tips on keeping the chain last longer.
Sure thing. I'll be doing a series of training videos for our employees here in the next couple of weeks and will include that topic in there.
Also, biggest thing in keeping a chain sharp is not hitting dirt, just a fraction of a second in dirt dulls the chain.
Human still planning these videos? Loving the vlogs, glad your up and about, that fall was nasty!
Got the new ones in Canada. They haul ass! The cylinder is also different.
That saw looks massive there, is that dude really small?
I recently got one used. Non-m-tronic. It came with a 16” bar and I wanted to put a 20” bar on it. What chain do you recommend? A buddy of mine recommended the stihl duro carbide but wasn’t sure of your opinion.
How well do you think it will pull a 20” bar in exclusively soft wood -pine, spruce, cedar? I’m going to go to the shop and see how well it balances, if no good I’ll go 18”
Unsure, though I'd say it likely will depend on how aggressive your chain is.
Does this saw handle a 20” bar without issue? I’m torn between this and the 362. Any thoughts from the comments section?
I know im late, but heres my 0.02
I just put a 20" 3/8" bar and chain on mine (noteL you HAVE to swap out the sprocket, as it is .325 off the shelf
got it in some oak today, that sumbitch pulls that chain thru 20" oak as if it were a pine 2x4
if you havent gotten one, get you one
I'm picking up this model in a couple of days. In some of your videos you've mention a small portion of your break in procedure. Is there someplace online showing the proper break in before I start cutting. This will be my first professional saw and want to keep it going for the long haul
I've read into this quite a bit as it's a common question, and the general feeling is that there is no break procedure needed anymore. From what I've read, older saws didn't have quite the close tolerances in the machining that new ones do (robotic machining on new stuff) and needed to be broken in, new saws do not. I warm my saws up at idle for a minute or so before any cutting, but that's just me.
Pretty much, run it like you stole it!
Also, use 93 octane, I've noticed all my new mtronic saws run like shit on the 87 octane my boss buys, so I take in my own can.
Ethanol is only a concern for when the saw will be laid up for 3+ months, or the fuel is 3+ months old. Big issue I've noticed is the octane rating, boss buys 87 octane as it's cheap, I run 93 in all my own saws. The 261 running the 87 octane takes forever to warm up, and willl die at idle until it's been run a good 10 minutes or so. When I put my gas in it, there are no such issues. As a note, stihl recommends at least 89 octane.
Sadly 93 isn't an option where I live. I don't use it all day every day so I've been running the stihl premix fuel that is 92, ethanol free, and has stabilizer in it. It's pricy but worth it not to have carb issues
thanks =) When I first started the channel I was a salesman at a john deere/kubota/stihl/exmark dealer. Fell in love with saws though, then get interested in tree work. My first day of work in tree service is actually one of the video's I did, something like 7 months ago or so.
Have you used anf is so what do you think of the 550xp?
Do you what the total length including motor and bar ?
Cheers
very good review !! ive been looking at the 391 and 361 and i think ill just step up to this pro saw
Do they have the sidecover dog set for this model? Very tempted to pull the trigger on one after fondling at my local real saw shop. From little I know it seems like a lot of great saw for the money. Quick question on the electronic carb does it tune it's self up for things like a muffler mod? I'm sure it's not going to have enough adjustment for a port & polish.
They do have dogs for the side cover, coworker got some for his. Yes it does adjust for muffler mods, have my 201TC and 661C muffler modded and they're doing great. Can't really say about porting though, a bit hesitant to do all that, lol
Human Appreciate the prompt reply you must be a busy man with stupid noob questions like me. But you seem like a stand up guy and I'm proud to call myself a subscriber. I used an extreme example if it ever had the jug off for a ring or the like I might give it a mild port and polish but that should be far down the road if ever. But I'm one of those mo' powa mo' betta types.
Stihl ms261 or the Echo cs590 timberwolf? Im stuck between those two. What would you recommend? I have a ms310 and im looking to get a new saw to give the 310 a lil break and some TLC.
Are there different versions of the 261c like "cm" etc can or are they all advertised differently .
Were you running a 20" bar? If so, how come STIHL recommends 16-18" optimum? I'm currently running a MS291 and want to upgrade, was thinking of this or the 362. Opinions? I know, they're like arm pits, everyone has at least two... but you are on a saw everyday, me, I just cut a lot of firewood on the farm. Primarily hickory,oak, occasionally ash n walnut. Thank you...
I think you'd be fine either way, 362 has noticeably more power, but you'd be surprised at how much difference those 2 or so lbs. can make after an hour of cutting.
Human! Question for you. Did or does that saw come stock with a green or yellow bar ? Reason I ask is because the hole “Professional Saw” May come with the yellow bar. Mine came with the green an want to make sure the dealer didn’t do a swap on me... Much Thanks!
It honestly doesn't make a difference in my opinion. Both are going to cut the same, and you can use yellow chain on it just fine.
The depression valve is made for your wife, saw is for your son, maintenance for your daughter, and the work is for you.
Did you make a magnetic vise for sharpening saws in the field on truck bed if so can you post a video or picture on it
I’ve been considering one of these. Thanks for the information.
I bought this saw last year and it is well worth the money.
Absolutely. I went ahead and bought it; I cut firewood for sale, and so far this cutting season, that saw has been a beast!
@@mytmouse57 Thats awesome man! I've since added dual dogs to mine and have an 18" sugihara bar!
If you can only get one saw and seeing as this saw and the 500i weight is the same. Which one would you get?
Would this be a good saw for climbing when the 16" bar isn't big enough?
Of course, the head is pretty light.
Human, I need a chainsaw for a relatively heavily wooded property. Mostly cutting the occasional (tree small to mid). Also for firewood. What d you recommend. Thinking about a Farm boss 271 or wood boss 251 Thanks
I'd say you'd do well with either one. Very similar saws, 271 just is a bit heavier with a bit more power. Only functional difference is the 271 will pull a 20" bar fairly well, the 251 they don't recommend a 20" bar. I'd probably go with the 251 myself, as you're going to be lugging it around in the woods, having a bit lighter saw makes a pretty big difference after a few hours of trekking through the brush.
Thanks
What do you guys do with all that wood!!?? I'd love to have that much wood laying around my place.
Depends, if it's good firewood, it gets split/sold. If not, it just fills up the lot until there's enough to call in the big company and their tub grinder to haul it all away.
I have a large outside wood burner I heat with. I burn any and all wood. 15 cords a year. Too bad u guys weren't closer, I'd have my 661 and 461 over there doin some cutting with ya! Thinking about picking up a new 261 to replace the 211. Thanks for all the great vids btw, always a good time to watch.