Stihl MS260 for me?

[jamesfwpurdy]

Its probably a little early to be raving about this saw, MS261 in the end, after only having used it for a day but its fantastic and (in my novice opinion) well balanced, straight forward to use and feels powerful enough for everything I want to do with it plus extra I'm sure. Plus the bonus of getting it for £110 less than RRP of the 260. Thanks for advice guys, and well done for linking your website Jonsie I've got my eye on half your shop now

[WoodED]

look at the husky 346xp,, it is so much more of a better saw than the ms 260.. i have both.

tho the ms 260 is a blady good saw and wont let u down mins is 10 years old and has been used daily

[WoodED]

i agree with you 100% owning both saws i love my husky 346xp

[morten]

Would the MS 261 run an 18" reasonably ? If so would you recommend buying it with the 18" or getting the stock saw for every day firewood work and buying an additional 18" bar and chain as a backup ?

 

The 260/261 will run with an 18" bar, but it'll struggle a bit. You should run with 15" bar primarily, since it is much more comfortable than an 18" for 90% of your work, and then swap bar/chain when required.

 

Be sure to get 18" bar/chain with the same dimensions (.325" / 1.6 mm) otherwise you'd have to change sprocket over as well, but I guess your Shihl reseller will sort you out OK.

[minnnt]

I also have both the 346xp and the ms260. I don't think the husky is particularly hard to maintain? Infact both saws are pretty damn easy to look after! I've recently fallen back in love with the stihl, it has been cutting like a hot knife! treated it to a new 16" bar and chain and it is really happy cutting anything. seems to rev higher than the 346xp which is strange because it shouldn't! who knows.

 

the husky is better made and is a more aesthetically pleasing.

 

Have you considered the 357xp or ms361?

 

cheers.

[Flyguy]

I also have both the 346xp and the ms260. I don't think the husky is particularly hard to maintain? Infact both saws are pretty damn easy to look after! I've recently fallen back in love with the stihl, it has been cutting like a hot knife! treated it to a new 16" bar and chain and it is really happy cutting anything. seems to rev higher than the 346xp which is strange because it shouldn't! who knows.

 

the husky is better made and is a more aesthetically pleasing.

 

Have you considered the 357xp or ms361?

 

cheers.

 

Thanks for the comments. Obviously everybody has their own opinion and both are good quality pro-level saws. However, I get the overall feeling that the Husky 346XP is generally held in higher regard than the Stihl MS 260.

 

However, given that the MS 260 has been discontinued and that the MS 261 is now the current saw this comparison is a bit moot.

 

The 261 claims to have addressed many of the issues people didnt like about the 260 and has more power, lower emissions and lower vibration levels (apparently).

 

As such, would anyone like to comment on how the 261 v 346XP comparison stacks up now ?

 

Thanks !

 

FG

[Jamlala]

Don't discount the 346XP at all even compared to the MS261, we have been increasing sales with it the last 2 years so that must tell you something about its performance. But hey, I would say that wouldn't I?!

[czhey]

Don't discount the 346XP at all even compared to the MS261, we have been increasing sales with it the last 2 years so that must tell you something about its performance. But hey, I would say that wouldn't I?!

 

Never tried the 261, but i LOVE my 346xpg compared to a 260.

 

Had it 18months and only had problems when i've done silly things!

 

Better feel and lower vibes than MS260. Cuts plenty fast for me with 15" bar, I don't think i'd use a 18" bar all the time, if you need it and don't mind the weight get a bigger saw?

 

 

 

Charlie.

[Traefaelderen]

The ms261 can run the 18" bar.

I would preffere the 15" bar, because the engine will then run at higer rounds and give higer effect.

If you put a 18" bar on the ms261, the engine have to drag 8 more teeths through the cut, which gives harder work to the engine and lower effect. "In smalls terms".

And I would buy an spare chain.

Peter

[ChrisSaunders]

I did my CS30 and 31 at Plumpton and had the use of their MS260 saws during the course. Though the machine seemed thoroughly competent but it was a tad heavy for me - I'm only a skinny little bloke.

The first saw I bought was a 346XP which I preferred to the MS260 as it seemed lighter, better balanced (for me) while being no less able. Then I read about a chainsaw which has one of the best power to weight ratios of any saw ever made - the venerable Husky 262XP.

 

I bought a reasonable one off ebay for £138, then bought another from the same source to plunder for spares which cost me £50 or so. A spent a few evenings in the garage cleaning things up, fitting new filters, plug, chainbrake, sprocket, starter cord, and tuning up; and now have a saw which I can only term 'awesome'. It happily runs a 20inch bar, has never let me down, is beautifully balanced, is absurdly powerful for its size and weight; and cost me far, far less dosh than an MS260, a 346 or an MS261.

 

Some folks have to have the latest, newest things equipped with the latest gadgets and widgets, but I would not swap my 262xp for anything, ever. I know of no other saw which can match its versatility, and it makes me feel good to know that to get such a brilliant saw cost me so little.

If you are looking for a powerpacked saw which will outperform pretty much anything else similarly sized and you are on a budget, I wholeheartedly recommend the 262xp. Owning one feels rather like being a member of a very exclusive club.

 

CS.