Which saw to go for ms252 c-be or ms261 c-m

[Farmerjames86]

I'm looking at buying a new saw. I use one on the farm for firewood fencing and some felling in woodland. I've narrowed down to a ms 251 or a 262 ms251 is a property saw, 3.0hp and 5.2 kg weight or spend a little extra and go for a ms261 3.9hp but same weight.

 

 

What would you all advise?

 

Thanks james

[Starscream]

I have a 261 and love it. 16" bar and it's great but happily runs an 18". Spend the extra and get a pro saw. Others may say go for the husky equivalent 550xp or 560xp. Heard very good things about those as well.

[stihlmadasever]

I have no experience with either saw but the new stihl chainsaws are...how can i put this delicately...crap.

They are notorious for being unreliable,even if you get a new one that runs for a while,id wager my mortgage it'll be in the workshop before the guidebar warms up.

 

Get the older model 261- no cm or cbe nonsense.

[RichieR]

Does it have to be a stihl? Husqvarna 550 or 560 I can vouch for but the lads on here are turning to echo and dolmar

[Starscream]

I have no experience with either saw but the new stihl chainsaws are...how can i put this delicately...crap.

They are notorious for being unreliable,even if you get a new one that runs for a while,id wager my mortgage it'll be in the workshop before the guidebar warms up.

 

Get the older model 261- no cm or cbe nonsense.

 

So you have no experience with these saws but you have a rather heavy opinion. I have a mix of saws, stihls and huskys, and the ones that have pee'd me off are the huskys. I love my t540xp but am having absolute dramas at the moment starting it when it's warm. After a while of 10 pulls in a tree just to get it started, I soon break out the 201t. Horses for courses.

[stihlmadasever]

Its on now...stihl,husky,dolmar,echo the debate starts here...again haha.

Good luck mate

[stihlmadasever]

So you have no experience with these saws but you have a rather heavy opinion. I have a mix of saws, stihls and huskys, and the ones that have pee'd me off are the huskys. I love my t540xp but am having absolute dramas at the moment starting it when it's warm. After a while of 10 pulls in a tree just to get it started, I soon break out the 201t. Horses for courses.

 

I only use old stihls,261's 044,441 660 200t,and all are great,never had a problem with any and thats why i recommend an older stihl saw.What ive read on these forums and been told is that the newer stihls are problematic hence in my opinion i recommend avoiding them.

[stihlmadasever]

Whats the issue with the 540 if you dont mind me asking,ive had one a while,it rarely gets a run out just now but when i have its been an absolute demon.

[Starscream]

I only use old stihls,261's 044,441 660 200t,and all are great,never had a problem with any and thats why i recommend an older stihl saw.What ive read on these forums and been told is that the newer stihls are problematic hence in my opinion i recommend avoiding them.

 

Ah ok, fair enough. I had a 200t and highly rated it but it got stolen I don't have any experience with other older stihls.

The 540 just doesn't like starting warm. I'll be up there wasting energy just trying to start it! I love using it though, it's got great grunt. When I get some down time I'll strip it and clean the carb, pipes etc, see if that helps.

[stihlmadasever]

Ah ok, fair enough. I had a 200t and highly rated it but it got stolen I don't have any experience with other older stihls.

The 540 just doesn't like starting warm. I'll be up there wasting energy just trying to start it! I love using it though, it's got great grunt. When I get some down time I'll strip it and clean the carb, pipes etc, see if that helps.

 

Never heard of a 540 having starting issues,had mine in the lock up for 6 weeks,put fresh fuel in and it started straight away.Hope you get it sorted, as you say its got great grunt-even when its nose is buried in the wood.