Stihl MS261 - first impressions

[morten]

I went into a local stihl dealer the other day as i saw the 261 and they also had a 341 and there was not much difference in the weight, if anything the 341 felt lighter/more balanced even though it is supposed to be heavier

 

Matt

 

Didn't event know about the MS341, tbh.

 

I have attached a PDF file with a side-by-side spec comparison of:

• MS 261
  
• MS 341
  
• MS 362
  

 

Similar, but some notable differences.

StihlComparison-MS261-MS341-MS362.pdf

[morten]

spark plug removal is harder than it should be

 

So true. The spark plug shield that has been introduced on the MS 261 is way too difficult to remove! It takes a torx spanner, and a lot of fiddling around to remove a plastic/rubber shield, before you can get at the spark plug with the combi spanner. Wouldn't like to have to do that in freezing temperatures with cold fingers!

[morten]

So true. The spark plug shield that has been introduced on the MS 261 is way too difficult to remove! It takes a torx spanner, and a lot of fiddling around to remove a plastic/rubber shield, before you can get at the spark plug with the combi spanner. Wouldn't like to have to do that in freezing temperatures with cold fingers!

 

Well, I was wrong! I just realised, that you can actually force a combi-spanner through the rubber shroud of the shield in front of the spark-plug. So it isn't really any more difficult than on the old 260. Possibly, I should have read the manual before jumping to conclusions

[santacruz]

Removing the plug is a pain. Bits collect in the shielding plastic, then fall down the hole when you remove the plug. The only way to stop it is to blow it out with the air line before removal. Pants.

[goodoldboy]

just bought a MS 261 but have been unable to try it out as I've got a bad back at the mo.maybe its my age but i seem to be buying lighter, smaller saws - i'm thinking of getting a MS 200 (rear handle) anyonr got one of these?