Stihl MS 261

[Chris Sheppard]

Is the 550 reliable? What size bar is best?

 

Mine has been.

 

13" is mega flickable but pulls 15" well too.

[Kay 9]

Got the 550xp recently with 15" b&c and it pulls it stronger and faster than any saw I've ever used for a 50cc. Well impressed.

[TreeswingerPerth]

Get husky 560 , great saw .

TS

[WoodED]

I have three MS 261 saws and they are constantly cutting out when the chain brake is applied. I am losing valuable time when they have to go back to Stihl dealer for repair. The dealers will not loan a saw when the saws are in. I ran 260,s for years with no problems. Can anyone suggest what saw to use professionally to take over the job of the 260. The 261 is a big failure.

 

We have this problem. It is either a busted clutch spring or a melted needle bearing. Husky 550xp is the way forward

 

 

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[jonnygurkha]

550xp all the way. I was thinking of a 261 until a friend bought one and had no end of trouble. So pleased with my 550, it is such an aggressive, zippy saw. Great for snedding

[KGBFINGAR]

My 261 had aprolem with the clutch drum bearing a while back , dealer repaired it and I've had no bother since , love mine .

[Eddy_t]

It's amazing how many stihl lovers are now recommending the 550xp 560 is better!

 

 

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[Kay 9]

It's amazing how many stihl lovers are now recommending the 550xp 560 is better!

 

 

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As you say eddy, I WAS a stihl lover until I got this 550xp. Best piece of machinery I've bought in years. F**cking animal power to weight ratio:D

[Chris Sheppard]

It's amazing how many stihl lovers are now recommending the 550xp 560 is better!

 

 

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Depends what you want it for though doesn't it. 560 is great, no doubt about it, but for smaller thinnings the 550 on a 13" is just plain ace - feels similar to an old 242 but pulls similar to a 357.

 

If we get the bigger hardwood thinnings we're waiting on comfirmation of, then a 560's on the shopping list though.

 

I'm defintely not in the stihl camp and doubt I ever will be, but comparing a 261 and a 560 isn't really a fair comparison - ones a 50cc and the other's a 60cc.

[Eddy_t]

Depends what you want it for though doesn't it. 560 is great, no doubt about it, but for smaller thinnings the 550 on a 13" is just plain ace - feels similar to an old 242 but pulls similar to a 357.

 

If we get the bigger hardwood thinnings we're waiting on comfirmation of, then a 560's on the shopping list though.

 

I'm defintely not in the stihl camp and doubt I ever will be, but comparing a 261 and a 560 isn't really a fair comparison - ones a 50cc and the other's a 60cc.

 

Never compared em, the 550 is definitely the 261 killer, without doubt, but I'm glad I spent the extra £100 on the 560, with the extra poke! And for the weight there isn't much between the 2, I think that many will switch to husky though, even with the occasional negative review from some members with the bad batch of saws...

 

 

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