ms260/261 or other options?

[Nick Connell]

We use a 260 with a 16" bar as a general ground saw and it's perfect!

[maria warwick]

261-CM ……. love it !

 

It's like any saw……..look after it and it will look after you ……. ( now ducks behind sofa )

 

After watching a worker throwing ( literally ) his chainsaws around , a couple of weeks ago , I'm surprised anything would have survived long in his hands……..

[rovers90]

How many gears do they have ? Do they have a reverse gear ?

 

Ha ha, it was well after wine o'clock when I wrote that!

 

"Metal gearboxes eh? Like the Stihl contra GS, 041G and the old homelites? All modern saws still have the same metal bits as what they were 20 years ago."

 

Just telling you what my mate who services chainsaws and has done for 30 years told me and has shown me. A lot of modern Stihl and Husqvarnas have plastic parts in them now as opposed to the older models which used metal. Hence they are not lasting as long and are having more problems.

[SawTroll]

I would say that a 550xp brings a smile to more faces than a MS261

 

It probably is the best 50cc saw available ATM.

There is very little doubt about that (none really) - and the MS261 simply isn't what a 50cc saw should be - too large, heavy and clumcy. The 026 is much better in those regards, but it lacks in performance. The Dolmar 5000 series suffer from much of the same as the 261.

[Ian C]

Don't touch the 261with a barge pole ! Cheaply manufactured and it shows . Go for the similar priced / power model husqvarna you won't regret it

 

Agree.

[Hotrod81]

Have a 261 mtronic and it is great for cross cutting and cutting firewood but is not the greatest for snedding softwood. Had a demo of a 550 for a week before I bought the stihl and loved it cutting wind blown Sitka. Better to sned with but the stihl holds its power better in the cut. That being said mate has a non mtronic 261 and it is hopeless. If I had tried it before I would have bought the husky. Local stihl dealer better than the husky one so that played a part.

[Backpain]

I've had my MS260 since 2008. I cleaned it and looked after it and its never had a plug change or proper all over service and its never let me down. This generation of saw is bullet proof in my opinion.....which is why I insisted on a MS660 not the new 661. Have an old 044 which was rebuilt last year its bullet proof too and dead easy to fix. Did to work on a 261 and it was a nighmare taking it apart. Have a new T540xp Husky which we call the screamer...its mint absolute beast of tool so I would consider a smaller Husky to replace the 260 when need, which I think will be never at this rate.

[worden84]

Are company have got a 261 and a 261c. I'd say stay well clear they are always breaking. Nothing like the old 260 which was a great ground saw

[arbogrunt]

agreed. I have a 261C its bloody awful....what with that and my 550xp...I've totally given up on E-carb saws. Ended up buying an Echo 450...no fireworks there and not my felling saw of choice...but its 100% reliable and starts on the second pull - everytime. Oh, and guess what...my tendon problem in my right arm has cleared up!

[Ian C]

261 was the worst saw I ever bought.