New saw 45-50cc - which one?

[doobin]

8 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

Stihl 261, it’s a pro saw.
The crankshaft problem was fixed years ago.
Mine is a 2017, I thrash it a lot.
241’s are ok but underpowered.

I must have just been unlucky with the two crankshafts I had then. Was wondering if it was due to running on picco, but unless the picco sprockets are a fraction oversize on the bearing hole then it can't make a shits worth of arsehole!

 

The 241 is only underpowered if you need more power. Your 261 is underpowered compared to my 362...

 

Power to weight is a personal choice based upon the task in hand.

[Jd44027]

Thanks all,

Am seriously tempted by ms261 but guess it's a bit overkill....

Will the 241 pull a 16 or 18" bar if required?

[Ratman]

Thanks all,
Am seriously tempted by ms261 but guess it's a bit overkill....
Will the 241 pull a 16 or 18" bar if required?

Stihl lists the 241 to run a 14” 16” or 18” but i think you’ll be fine with the 16” and would be nicely balanced too. You can cut from the other side remember if your log is 18”-20” thick, so no need for big engines and big bars, think of your body. Swinging more than needed weight and power everyday means more time having hot baths from aches and pains etc. Go to the dealer and hold one of each, get a feel, or as some have offered on the forum pay them a visit and have an actual cut. Choice is yours though [emoji106]

[Ty Korrigan]

The 241 is my No.1 ground saw.

I can wave it around all day and often have a strop nearby to send it to the climber

My 261 No.2 saw always on hand.

I run a 45cm bar on one and my older saw just sold off I ran a 40cm bar due to a lack of compression.

I generally jump from 241 to the 500i with the 63cm bar.

Keep the 261 fueled up nearby.

I'm having stalling and starting issues with the 241 (2 years old intense use) then it stopped oiling Friday so I stripped it down this morning and shame on me. Behind the clutch was a clagmire of McClag.

I blew out and rinced the oil pump and pipes, cleaned the tank out.

It runs better and oils now.

If it keeps playing up I've a new fuel solenoid to try and fit.

I run semi-chisel chains on all of them.

Now school has started and Mrs Lee can return to work, I've treated her to a Stihl battery ground saw.

No struggling to start, no cutting out, lighter and less bother. Easier to fuel for her too.

That runs a micro-picco chain.

I might borrow it for hedge reductions.

   Stuart

 

 

 

[Fatboy2017]

I see you stated you had a preference of Stihl and Husky, but I would seriously consider a Makita / Dolmar saw, much cheaper and light, powerful and very reliable, great saws built to a high quality, ask Shavey ( Andrew at AJ axes and saws)

[Jd44027]

@Ratman thanks for that. I've checked out a number of different stihl models at a few local sellers and definitely helps. A 16" bar would cover 99% of anything I ever come across so that's great.

 

@Ty Korrigan thts helpful, definitely leaning towards the 241. Guess there have been a few dud ones as mentioned earlier on this thread but on the whole seems to be pretty reliable.

 

[Jd44027]

8 minutes ago, Fatboy2017 said:

I see you stated you had a preference of Stihl and Husky, but I would seriously consider a Makita / Dolmar saw, much cheaper and light, powerful and very reliable, great saws built to a high quality, ask Shavey ( Andrew at AJ axes and saws)

That interesting, did have a brief look at the makita EA5600 

Makita EA5600F45DN Petrol Chainsaw 18″

WWW.RADMORETUCKER.CO.UK

 

Obvs this is a bit higher again in terms of power/cc - anyone been using this & have some feedback @shavey I guess you've had a lot of experience with the makita/dolmar range - would there be any particular models youd recommend based on what I was looking for?

 

[doobin]

I was keen on trying a petrol Makita, but two things stopped me. Firstly, the power/weight ratio I was after was very specific, and only the MS241 or CS501SX really fit the bill. Secondly, my dealer said that although he sells Makita battery saws he won't sell the petrol saws any more as they had multiple issues with some of them under warranty and Makita not wanting to know.

[Rough Hewn]

I must have just been unlucky with the two crankshafts I had then. Was wondering if it was due to running on picco, but unless the picco sprockets are a fraction oversize on the bearing hole then it can't make a shits worth of arsehole!
 
The 241 is only underpowered if you need more power. Your 261 is underpowered compared to my 362...
 
Power to weight is a personal choice based upon the task in hand.

Just checked, mines a 2018.
No, there was definitely a problem with the earlier models.
I actually quite like a 241 and worked with one for several months. It probably would be a good choice for the OP.
Just love my 261 more.
[emoji106]

[Ratman]

As above, the makita is 1.3kg heavier than the 241, granted it has more power etc but your only playing at home. You can match the power of the makita if thats what sways you with a 261 and only add .4 kg to the weight of what a 241 is, that puts the 261 at .9 kg lighter than the makita. Both antivibe figures come in a lump less on the stihl too than the makita which can help towards those achey fingers at the end of a logging session too. I’m not a pro but do favour stihl over other brands, just my opinion, thats not to say that the makita etc arent great saws. Money wise and suitability for your needs i think the sthil fits your bill.