Stihl ms261

MikePoor

MikePoor

Location
urbana, il.
Has anyone else tried the new ms261? I've had one for about a month. Seems like a big step up from the 260. The hp rating is up to 3.75 which is right there with the new husky 346 (3.7) & Dolmar 5105 (3.8)
 
i got to run one last weekend. its a great little saw. my buddy has run 026's and 260 pros. the only gripe he has with this saw is the new muffler. he did say that he was planning on doing a muffler mod to it. it's not noticeably heavier then the 026 and does a good job pulling a 16-18 inch bar, 20 might be too much unless you muffler mod it.
 
More apparent cutting power because of increased efficiency with the stratified engine?
We have the 441 but I never used the predecessor so I've no comparison there.
Slight derail on same topic - Does or will the new 201 have a similar power advantage maybe? Not that the 200 is any slouch in the power department anyway.
 
I tried one two weeks ago and almost bought one but i just don't need another small saw.
I didn't notice the weight but it seemed a little stronger than my 026 in the cut.
 
Been running this saw for a full 7 mos now. I did a muffler job on it myself (that made a big difference) it's just keeps getting stronger and stronger. The new filtration system is a major improvement.
 
I've had mine for 11 months, a lot more power than my 260 pro, a bit bulkier and I can fell the weight difference.

Been running a 20" bar and yellow chain on it for pines and cedars, plenty of power but not sure about hard woods.
Keep 16" on the 260pro
 
I have built some 261's and believe me they turn out very strong , I like the 261 and ran one for a couple weeks sure stock there not to bad for power but once ported they are a total different animal and I mean total , way more torque and the people that own these saws love them to death
 
Yep still lovin mine. Need to send it to ehp! Ed......brother I still can't believe how much power you can get out of a saw!???! With no longevity issues compared to stock. The Husky 3120 and Dolmar 7900 you "did up" still freakin' torch through stuff! The first saw you did yrs ago dolmar ps5100 finally died. I've been through 4 5100's only the one ported......they all died with about the same hours? If I ever slow down I need to get Ya' my STIHLs and others! 346NE!
 
Mike thanks for those kind words , I always have time for people like you so anytime you want to send just let me know but be warned those 261's turn out unreal compared to stock , The 50cc 346 husky I have a ton of out there and no problems at all and I got loggers cutting pine with them and if they can last a logger they must be good cause these guys can fry a stock 357 in about 4 months , the 346 is lighter and has more power than a stock 357 , 1 saw that also works very well is the new 365 xt husky then port it , The 261 stihl and the 365xy husky motors are built pretty much on the same idea from the factories , The 365 makes a ton of torque ported and I have 5 loggers running these saws full time cutting hardwood timber and they all love these saws , No I have not ported the new 461 stihl yet but have looked at the pictures of the cylinder and crankcase and am very sure they would make a very strong saw as well , Mike I live not that far from you now as I moved 5 hours south from where I use to live
 
I've had mine for a little over a year now,pound for pound one of the best saws i have owned,cuts circles around the Jonsered 2159 i had
 
One thing about the new 261; it is now out in Germany with the M-tronic autotune. Likely they will be phasing out the non-M model there and here in the US, as they did with the 441 which is only available in M-tronic now.

My 026s are all woods ported, so they all pull 20 inch bars no problem. Not sure I like the 261 any better yet.
 
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