I got the non c version of the 261 liked it so much I bought the 261c a week or 2 later to make sure I'd never be without, both are great I prefer the c because it auto resets to run. They're a great strong lightweight saw I just go straight from my 540ixp to a 261 now haven't used my 201tc in a year and that was just too run it.
Ms261c
- Thread starter SeanRuel
- Start date
Maplegeddon213
New member
- Location
- Stevens Point
Disagree on power, 261 feels stronger to me, years experience with each. It also has more cc.
The Husky is 50.1 cc’s with 4 horse and the Stihl is 50.2 cc’s with 4 horse, so they are essentially the same on paper. The Stihl is a pound lighter, but that’s to be expected from an ALL plastic saw. The Husky has more grunt, balls, and power, and simply pulls harder.
I've never had the opportunity to try a Husky 550, but would certainly like to. Not set on any brand and have Stihl, Husky and Echo in my truck every day. That said, I always choose the lightest saw that gets the job done well, and a pound adds up to a lot over a day. If something feels like a toy and still gets the job done well, I say play away. But I'd love the chance to run them head to head.
My groundie kept grabbing one of my climbing saws (540 MK3’s) because of how light and capable they are. I finally got sick of him dulling my climbing saws so I bought him his own. He freakin loves it for general ground work.
Z'sTrees
Branched out member
- Location
- Hartsel CO
2nd that, i like keeping those climbing saws nice and sharp. Thats what those 50cc saws are for, imo. Much rather use a rear handle on the ground when the work is not up close and personal like in a tree.
I keep a T540i beside the chipper. Nothing better than grabbing a saw and pushing a button to take care of those forks the machine won't take.
It also takes less time to sharpen the shorter chain and the full chains are cheaper when it comes time to replace. That's just me though.
I have never been to anger management classes, but I did once for the pure joy of it throw a bag of poop at one of my groundies when I was in a big OG fir. Asshole!I used to have a coworker (who was sent to anger management classes more than once...) who used to blow his top if he saw someone using a top-handle saw on the ground. I agree with that 100%, he certainly wasn't wrong, but he was an asshole
- Location
- Scariff
I run the Stihl MS 261 for two years now, it’s the best 50cc saw on the planet, savage power to weigh ratio, the handle feels beautiful in the hand, what are you looking for, a lump of iron, it’s the top selling 50cc saw on the market, because it’s the best. Happy Trails to you !!!
I have a chainsaw addiction and I kind of want to buy a 550 just to try it out, even though I have two 261s.
Treestuff has it with free shipping and a free Flow/Fusion rope wrench setup for orders at that price level (I already have one....) so it's tempting.
I do like that the 261 is lighter, and don't really want another chain type to stock since the 550 is .325 instead of the 3/8 I have spools of, but.... new toys??
Treestuff has it with free shipping and a free Flow/Fusion rope wrench setup for orders at that price level (I already have one....) so it's tempting.
I do like that the 261 is lighter, and don't really want another chain type to stock since the 550 is .325 instead of the 3/8 I have spools of, but.... new toys??
Matias
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Silicon Valley
you can change the sprocket...
Both my 550s were swapped out to 3/8 chain and I haven't noticed any significant reduction in performance. One is ported and will pull 3/8 on a 20" bar. The stock saw I leave at 18".
The 261c and the 550xp ....... I truely love them both. I use them both, although I don't have a 550xp. One of the tree services I work with primarily run the hooskies. These 2 saws are identical as @rico has mentioned. 50cc and 4 bhp.
So, power wise, they are identical. The difference is in the chain speed. 550 spins faster, or should I say revs quicker. It's all in the port work of the cylinder and timing. I have not used the 550 in the tree for crane work. The 261 rides the ball with me till I hit bigger diameter wood. I love the lightweight feel of the saw. It helps when hanging off the saddle for the most part of the day.
All said, I find myself wanting a 550xp. Built like a tank, with paying the price of a little more weight, it cuts like a rabid animal. If the top handle of my 261 ever breaks, It'll get a custom aluminum replacement.
So, power wise, they are identical. The difference is in the chain speed. 550 spins faster, or should I say revs quicker. It's all in the port work of the cylinder and timing. I have not used the 550 in the tree for crane work. The 261 rides the ball with me till I hit bigger diameter wood. I love the lightweight feel of the saw. It helps when hanging off the saddle for the most part of the day.
All said, I find myself wanting a 550xp. Built like a tank, with paying the price of a little more weight, it cuts like a rabid animal. If the top handle of my 261 ever breaks, It'll get a custom aluminum replacement.
The 261 and the 550XP MK2 are both great little saws, but have a different feel. The 261 is lighter and nimble, and the 550 MK2 is the clear winner when it comes to power, balls, speed, and flying through wood. With the capabilities of the 540 MK3 I no longer use a 50 cc aloft, and instead go directly from the 540 to a 562 XP, a MS 400, or a 500i depending on my needs. If you use the 261 aloft then the lighter weight might be worth the trade off, but if you are using the 50 cc's for both general ground work and climbing I think the 550 MK2 is a superior saw.
Z'sTrees
Branched out member
- Location
- Hartsel CO
Sidetrack... How does that t540 mark 3 compare to a 200t?
Been many moons since I had my hands on a truly good running 200t and sometimes the legend doesn’t always live up to the hype. I will say that the MK3 is one kickass little saw, and probably the best top handle I have run to date. I work with a fella who is a Stihl fanatic. He has a large quiver of 200t’s and modded 201’s, and a day of running one of my MK3’s was all it took for him to realize that the MK3 had much more power, speed, and balls than any of his Stihl top handles.
The 201 in its stock form is a joke, but if Stihl were to take the fuel injection technology from the 500i and put it in a 40 cc top handle saw they would fucking own the arb top handle market for the foreseeable future.
The 201 in its stock form is a joke, but if Stihl were to take the fuel injection technology from the 500i and put it in a 40 cc top handle saw they would fucking own the arb top handle market for the foreseeable future.
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