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261 stihl #6990550
09/14/20 06:36 PM
09/14/20 06:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 74
Tennessee
C
chicken1 Offline OP
trapper
chicken1  Offline OP
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C

Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 74
Tennessee
Did not need another saw but that has never stopped me. So I picked up a 261c today and really like it so far. Anybody have any experience with one?

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990604
09/14/20 07:14 PM
09/14/20 07:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Trapset Online content
trapper
Trapset  Online Content
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
I’m interested in the response you get. My 391 laid down on me again today and I had to drop down to the 250 for work that was a bit bidg for it. May be a new saw in my future.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990610
09/14/20 07:18 PM
09/14/20 07:18 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,892
new york
M
mike mason Offline
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mike mason  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,892
new york
The 261 is a great saw, run it almost every day.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990641
09/14/20 07:57 PM
09/14/20 07:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,606
Pa
C
coalminer Offline
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coalminer  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,606
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Bought 1 bout 4 years ago, best saw I ever have owned. Had prior Stihl 250, 360,361, best power to weight ratio they have.


My heart belongs to my family.
My body belongs to my work.
My soul belongs to the woods.
Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990652
09/14/20 08:07 PM
09/14/20 08:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,606
Pa
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coalminer Offline
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coalminer  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,606
Pa
I got a 18” bar, it’s ok, if your not going cut big stuff , I’d get a 16” bar.


My heart belongs to my family.
My body belongs to my work.
My soul belongs to the woods.
Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990654
09/14/20 08:08 PM
09/14/20 08:08 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,057
midland, michigan
M
midlander Online content
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midlander  Online Content
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,057
midland, michigan
Bought one about 5 years ago....have not regretted it one bit. Small saw with a lot of torque. As you probably already know, it is one of their pro saws and I reckon it will last as long as I do.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990675
09/14/20 08:33 PM
09/14/20 08:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,821
sw iowa
Outlaw99 Offline
trapper
Outlaw99  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,821
sw iowa
Best saw I’ve ever owned, and I’ve run it ALOT!! One of the most all around versatile saws out there.


Not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters
Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990684
09/14/20 08:50 PM
09/14/20 08:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 140
wisconsin
C
can45 Offline
trapper
can45  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 140
wisconsin
I put a 20 inch bar on it, chain started stretching, so I put the oiler adjustment on full still didn't help. Switched to Stihl Ultra chain/bar oil and it fixed problem, for a few extra bucks its worth it.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990686
09/14/20 08:52 PM
09/14/20 08:52 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 74
Tennessee
C
chicken1 Offline OP
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chicken1  Offline OP
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Posts: 74
Tennessee
Its funny as I grew up I wanted bigger and bigger saws. The last few years they have been getting smaller. Did not want to back up into the saws that start with a 3 but was missing the speed. This 261 is kind of the perfect balance so far.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990690
09/14/20 08:56 PM
09/14/20 08:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 140
wisconsin
C
can45 Offline
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can45  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 140
wisconsin
I put the longer bar on so that I don't have to reach or bend as far.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990727
09/14/20 09:24 PM
09/14/20 09:24 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,376
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Online content
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,376
Green County Wisconsin
I had a MS260 as my main saw 2007 to 2016 then as a backup after a rebuild till 2018 then I sold it for parts

good saw , I would run a 16 inch bar on it and I think you will be very happy with it.

mine came with a 20 inch bar I was mostly happy but in hindsight it was just a touch to much bar for the saw.

I had an uncle that ran a 260 tell me he loved it with a 16 inch bar running full chisel chain , I already owned the 20 inch bar at the time he told me that so I kept on with it.

I think with a 16 it would be a real screamer

the 20 was nice to not need to bend over as much

however when I started cutting a lot more logs where it was just 20 inches of bar in the wood cut after cut after cut till I ran out of gas then gas up and go again for half a day I felt like it was too much for the saw. got into that kinda wood in 2015 bought a bigger saw while I rebuilt that one in 2016 then would alternate saws and it made it 2 years that is when I bought another even bigger saw and sold that one for parts.

Last edited by GREENCOUNTYPETE; 09/14/20 09:29 PM.

America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: 261 stihl [Re: coalminer] #6990738
09/14/20 09:30 PM
09/14/20 09:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
trapper
Lugnut  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
Originally Posted by coalminer
best power to weight ratio they have.


That's why bought my 261 after doing a ton of research. I haven't been disappointed. Lot's of power in a lightweight package.

i don't like the new oil and gas caps, had trouble with the oil cap leaking. I have to make sure there is no debris on the o-ring or seat or it leaks bar oil all over the inside of my case.


Eh...wot?

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990908
09/15/20 04:52 AM
09/15/20 04:52 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 254
IN
R
Ross Offline
trapper
Ross  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 254
IN

My next saw.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990936
09/15/20 06:38 AM
09/15/20 06:38 AM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 179
Wisconsin
lindner115 Offline
trapper
lindner115  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 179
Wisconsin
I've got one with a 20" works great, bar shows some heat marks, may need the ultra bar as commented earlier. Dad loves his with 18" as well.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6990945
09/15/20 06:49 AM
09/15/20 06:49 AM
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,672
Ohio
W
Willy Firewood Offline
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Posts: 2,672
Ohio
I have a similar model and run a 12” bar. It is great for limbing and cutting smaller stuff without the danger of a longer bar.


FRAC LIVES MATTER
Re: 261 stihl [Re: run] #6990992
09/15/20 07:56 AM
09/15/20 07:56 AM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,057
midland, michigan
M
midlander Online content
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,057
midland, michigan
Originally Posted by run
Not impressed with the Stihl 261. I run one. Feels gutless.

Then you got a problem with yours. One of the best power to weight ratios out there. I think they are 4 Hp from a 50cc saw. If it is still under warranty , take it in.

Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6991309
09/15/20 02:40 PM
09/15/20 02:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,586
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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Trapper7 Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 15,586
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
I have an 026 and a 260. The 026 is older and I prefer it to the 260, though they're both good saws. My experience is if you put them away for winter or a period of time make sure you use gas that has a fuel stabilizer in it, or you could have starting problems when you go to use them.


I don't care how nice the hand soap smells, you should never walk out of the restroom sniffing your fingers.
Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6991412
09/15/20 05:26 PM
09/15/20 05:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,804
Greene County,Virginia
R
run Offline
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 14,804
Greene County,Virginia
I'm happy to see wood cutting enthusiasts on trapperman. I put a new air filter in the saw in 2013 and 2018. The 261 feels like a throwaway saw to me. I understand some of the older Stihls were pretty decent.


wanna be goat farmer.
Re: 261 stihl [Re: chicken1] #6991417
09/15/20 05:29 PM
09/15/20 05:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,153
Alaska and Washington State
W
waggler Offline
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,153
Alaska and Washington State
261, 271, 291, all good saws.
I like my 291 with a long bar for limbing down trees and cutting brush, the longer bar makes it so you don't have to stoop so much, really does make a difference.


"My life is better than your vacation"
Re: 261 stihl [Re: waggler] #6991444
09/15/20 06:17 PM
09/15/20 06:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,892
new york
M
mike mason Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,892
new york
Took down 3 soft maples with the 261 today. Flushed the stump with the 462 but cut/limbed with the 261. Great saw!

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