Stihl MS261 or MS271???

[Timbur]

I'll be after a new saw towards the end of the year and am a Stihl fan as that's what I trained on and that's what I've used since. It'll be used mainly for logging, coppicing, scrub clearance and very rarely a bit of felling.

 

Have Stihl sorted out the issues with the bearings/clutch yet on the MS261?

 

If not is the MS271 worth a look? A more agricultural saw by all accounts but is it more reliable? Bigger chain and slightly less power from what I can tell but is there more to it than that??

 

I know half of you lot will just say "buy a Husky 550" but try and stay on topic if you can

 

Cheers

 

Tim

[Ian C]

Buy a Husky 550!

[burrell_]

even better buy a husq 560xp

im not half and im a stihl man that 560 is one hell of a saw

[born2trot]

Husky 550

[WoodED]

husky 550xp or a husky 346xp.... nuff said

[Big J]

I love my 346xp. Used to have an MS260, which was reliable but very slow and horrible for vibration. I've use an MS261 but they are much heavier and no more powerful.

[Timbur]

(slowly bangs head on wall)

[swinny]

i have a ms261. Its a cracking saw have you read up on the sprocket, rim/spur and crank issues etc?

 

I changed mine to a spur sprocket and changed needle bearing (didn't need to but did it foe piece of mind ) and its a belter! running a 15" bar, and an oregon chain.

 

I was using it for conifer bashing one day (removals) and when it was out of fuel i was passed my old 024 which was ready fueled up and it was loads lighter and felt really nice!

 

Apart from that good saw

 

"E" clip that holds clutch drum on went missing the other day i'd noticed when i stripped to clean, anyhow replaced it now.

 

isn't a 271 a landscapers type saw? i.e more heavier also? (not looked into specs though! )

[spudulike]

(slowly bangs head on wall)

 

Ever get the feeling that they don't like your shortlist:lol:

 

Guess I would review the info and perhaps try the new Husqvarnas:thumbup:

[Big J]

(slowly bangs head on wall)

 

I know you don't want to hear it, but you are flying in the face of overwhelming evidence.

 

I used to be hardline Stihl, and just over a year ago I listened to advice gathered here and got a 346xp. It's a better saw, which isn't to say that the MS261 is a bad saw, only that the Husqvarna is better.

 

Subjective loyalties aside, why would you want to spend you money on an inferior machine?