Stihl MS261 stalling when chain brake applied

[stihlmadasever]

2 hours ago, twsread said:

We bought six 261s and after a season of running well the crank has worn on four of them and we are seeing the same issue.  Really unimpressed as we'd been looking after them.  First signs were needle bearings going and before long it would stall and not start with the chain brake on.  Now considering buying new saws and not sure what to replace them with.  Any suggestions?

560xp's

[twsread]

I thought that might be the case!  I'd love to switch to Husqvarna but we have a lot of Stihl saws, spares and experience.  We have volunteers who use the chainsaws and learn on them and I'm lead to believe that Stihl saw are traditionally more forgiving.  However, clearly the 261s have not been up to it.

 

Thanks!

Tim.

[Blah]

We took ours back to the dealers. They covered crankshaft replacement, new drum, sprocket etc FOC, covered by Stihl. The saws were out of warranty but we did have proof of purchase from there.

[stihlmadasever]

33 minutes ago, twsread said:

I thought that might be the case!  I'd love to switch to Husqvarna but we have a lot of Stihl saws, spares and experience.  We have volunteers who use the chainsaws and learn on them and I'm lead to believe that Stihl saw are traditionally more forgiving.  However, clearly the 261s have not been up to it.

 

Thanks!

Tim.

Stihl ms241 would be ideal for learners and small felling courses.

[Fredward]

Surely if you are adament that it has to be stihl, then talk to your dealer about your requirements and expectations? However if you want something reliable and cheap (plus cheap to fix) I'd recommend Echo. Just make sure you have a parts supplier.

[Haironyourchest]

Why do some models do this - prematurely wear out the crankshaft - and other dont? It puzzles me, can anyone give a technical reason for this?

[carlos]

21 minutes ago, Haironyourchest said:

Why do some models do this - prematurely wear out the crankshaft - and other dont? It puzzles me, can anyone give a technical reason for this?

i heard there was a dodgy batch of clutch drums that  werent  100% true where the needle bearing sits, not sure if this is the case or not, shame as good saw otherwise.

[carlos]

38 minutes ago, Fredward said:

Surely if you are adament that it has to be stihl, then talk to your dealer about your requirements and expectations? However if you want something reliable and cheap (plus cheap to fix) I'd recommend Echo. Just make sure you have a parts supplier.

yep we have some echo 501,s as a 261 replacment and they seem pretty good and reliable although parts seem hard to source.