stihl261

[woodyguy]

For that sized tree I'd suggest a 362. I've got a 241 which with an 18 inch bar will happily deal with 24inch poplars and is really gutsy. All chainsaws are equally straightforward to use. Stihl is generally very good just not the 261. And finally don't bother with gloves ie chainsaw gloves are a waste of money and nobody uses them.

[mark_goldfinch]

The MS261 clutch bearings are £7ish and should be regarded as a service item - not a big issue if you keep an eye on them.

 

There has been a warranty upgrade/recall to change the clutch drum to the spur sprocket type which is supposed to sort any premature wear and clutch rattling.

 

A bigger problem is that Stihl parts are only available from the dealer.

 

As your looking for a good reliable workhorse of a saw how about a Husqvarna 365?

At 70cc it would allow you to use a bigger bar than a MS261.

 

Cost about £530 - so plenty left to spend on PPE and training:thumbup1:

 

Yeah £7 isn't a problem but it should still last longer than a day. Didn't no about the recall is it worth a call to stihl as the warranty on the saw runs out next month.

[Howard R]

Yep should last longer than a day not good.

 

Mine was still ok after a year of not continual use.

 

My 261 was in for a coil replacement under warranty and the dealer changed the clutch drum to a spur type as a warranty recall.

 

 

Campanula - please do wear gloves!

You can assess the risks and decide if you need chainsaw cut protection or gloves without.

[humpo48]

The MS260 was a great saw and still is, mine is still going strong. The 261 had a lot to live up too and it does not. Other Stihl saws and brush cutters are great but not this one. But that's just my opinion. I always wear chainsaw gloves.

[campanula]

Oh, cheers for the advice guys. Training - obviously, we are not idiots but cannot stump up for us all to do a course(4-5 adults) but we are paying a tree surgeon (many years of experience) to come and spend the day in our woods and take us through basic safety issues (not that I am planning to use it - it's strictly Felcos, Silky and my Tina knives for me).

Howard, yep, I think gloves are worth having - the whole wood is a bramble patch and I grow briar roses!

[Mark Bolam]

If you manage to cut the back of your left hand (chainsaw glove protection area) whilst using a chainsaw, you are doing something very, very wrong.

Biggest load of HSE bollocks in the history of the timber game.

 

Thorns, AV, cold etc. are real reasons for wearing gloves.

[Joe Newton]

It's not for cut protection Mark.

 

Its for dealing out back handed slaps without leaving a tell tale bruise.

[Stubby]

Yeah £7 isn't a problem but it should still last longer than a day .

 

I have a 10 year old 372 and its never had/needed a clutch bearing ....

[doobin]

If you manage to cut the back of your left hand (chainsaw glove protection area) whilst using a chainsaw, you are doing something very, very wrong.

Biggest load of HSE bollocks in the history of the timber game.

 

Thorns, AV, cold etc. are real reasons for wearing gloves.

 

In a nutshell. Two safety features of the saw have to fail first. Next time this tired topic comes up, someone please link to this post?

[mark_goldfinch]

Yeah £7 isn't a problem but it should still last longer than a day .

 

I have a 10 year old 372 and its never had/needed a clutch bearing ....

 

Our 260s are the same more much more reliable than the 261. That's why we are going to try the huskys.