Homeowner Slightly Larger Saw - Stihl 260 or ???

[aesmith]

Hi,

I've been using a Stihl 180 for a little while now, and I'm feeling the need (desire) for something a bit bigger.  I'd like to be able to handle an 18" or maybe longer bar.  

I'm really happy with the 180 that I bought second hand, it needed a few routine things fixed but that was straightforward enough and parts readily available.  So my first thought was another second hand Stihl.  I just missed an MS260 for sale locally which I think might have been just the job.

 

However I'm interested in opinions about which models are worth looking at.  There also seem to be more Husqvarnas around second hand in the area, but I'm not sure what models would be worth considering.

 

The other option would be cheap Chinese, I don't really like the idea but there's a Mitox dealer almost within walking distance. 

 

Would be cutting almost exclusively fallen wood

 

Thanks in advance, Tony S

[spudulike]

First of all, don't get hung up on bar length, a 14" bar on an MS260 would be nice, a 16" acceptable, 18" wouldn't be nice and remember, you can walk round the other side to complete the cut on the rare occasion you need to. An 18" on a small saw would be boggy and knock the balance off.

A good MS260 would be a good hop up on the 181 as it is a pro saw and are generally pretty robust. You would need to ensure it has an OEM top end as many have been lashed with Chinese ones after seizing but I still get good ones in for service every now and then.

 

[gary112]

Husky 346xp if you could find a goodun that would do the job

[neiln]

Husky 365.  That's why what I got to compliment my 180.  Small saw does 85-90% if the work, big saw for the big stuff.  I considered  ms261 but got the husky in the end.  I suspect if you get the 260 and a 16" bar it would do everything and you'd sell the ms180.

[aesmith]

Thanks for the comments.   There have been a couple of occasions when I've really struggled with a short bar, bearing in mind that a Stihl "14 inch" bar is only just over 12" from spikes to tip.  Once was a log which was well over twice the cutting length, and for the life of me I couldn't work out a neat way of cutting that.

Thanks for the suggestions as well.  Huskies seem to come up more often second hand round here, there were two 365s advertised the other day, although maybe that's bigger than I need.

[Sawchip]

3 hours ago, aesmith said:

Hi,

I've been using a Stihl 180 for a little while now, and I'm feeling the need (desire) for something a bit bigger.  I'd like to be able to handle an 18" or maybe longer bar.  

I'm really happy with the 180 that I bought second hand, it needed a few routine things fixed but that was straightforward enough and parts readily available.  So my first thought was another second hand Stihl.  I just missed an MS260 for sale locally which I think might have been just the job.

 

However I'm interested in opinions about which models are worth looking at.  There also seem to be more Husqvarnas around second hand in the area, but I'm not sure what models would be worth considering.

 

The other option would be cheap Chinese, I don't really like the idea but there's a Mitox dealer almost within walking distance. 

 

Would be cutting almost exclusively fallen wood

 

Thanks in advance, Tony S

A "Genuine" Second hand ms 260 that has had a easy life is what everyone wants ! ...so you will pay a premium for a good one. Unless your consistently cutting firewood 15" -18" a lot of the time you may like to consider the 024 ms 240 as well.

One other point...if your familiar with working on saws then a second hand saw is a more viable option allowing for the chance it will need some work sooner than later , but if not then maybe consider a new saw of your choice.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2018 by Sawchip

[Ratman]

Thers this 026 on ebay at min, has had previous work i think i.e non original choke lever fitted by looks of things, obviously would have to ask if it has a genuine top end or not like spud mentioned but apart from that its hard to say. Looks cosmetically ok, strong money for its age but again, a good solid genuine example will fetch a premium i guess.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F332845727971

[arbaholic]

stihl 260 with an 18 inch bar is a beauty of a saw ?

[spuddog0507]

i know a guy up in north yorks with 3/4 brand new 260s in the boxes he aquired them several years ago when a dealer retired and the lucky basket got them at cost, will he sell me one NO he wont,

[neiln]

i was looking new, although end up with a great used 365xt, but I considered this lot

 

ms461  £781 - 6 horses, a full on stage coach, no pony and trap here. £130 per horse
_________________________________________________________________ too costly line, wet dream saw but remember I only buck woo
dolmakitasach 7900  £550 - 5.7 horses ------the stand out £96/horse....but after failing to get one delivered for over 2 months, and trying 2 different on line dealers, i came to my senses and returned to thinking stihl or husky
365 xtorq £550 - 4.83 horses ----- £113.  fr jones, a very good dealer, are about 3 miles away so this saw makes a lot of sense
550xp £515 - 3.75 horses why would anyone?..well anyone after a great, light saw would, but if weight isn't an issue then, no.
ms391  £498 - 4.5 horses £110/horse  if weight is no issue this is a worthy contender.  its a farmboss/homeowner saw though
ms261 £495 - 4.16 horses £118/horse  i got a bit put off by the cranks made of soft cheese issue
husky rancher 555 £483 - 3.8 horses £127/horse
didn't consider the ms441  its much lighter than the 461, but similar money and less powerful, and weight isn't an issue for someone that only bucks wood, at home, running a tank or 2 through it, so the ms441 was ruled out very quickly.