ms260 or ms361

Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Fl_Airboater

ArboristSite Lurker
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
49
Reaction score
3
Location
usa
I already have a 6401 with a 7900 p&c going on it and I am thinking about getting a smaller saw. I can't decide if the 361 is too close in size/weight to the 6401/7900 or if I should go on down to the 260.
 
You already have a power saw I say go for the light weight saw that you can run all day without strain. Plus a 16" bar makes for a perfect size for limbing and topping. The easy answer around here is a 361 for everything, but I don't know how you could not be happy with a 260. Of course a 346XP is also a great saw.
 
You already have a power saw I say go for the light weight saw that you can run all day without strain. Plus a 16" bar makes for a perfect size for limbing and topping. The easy answer around here is a 361 for everything, but I don't know how you could not be happy with a 260. Of course a 346XP is also a great saw.

:agree2:
Sounds like you have the bigger stuff in check and now you need a light weight saw for the little stuff. Get the 260 and don't look back.

Or if you have a "good" Husqvarna dealer in your area then spend the same money on a 346xp and have a saw that will smoke the 260. :jawdrop:
 
How is the 346xp long term reliability wise, nothing more than muffler modded. How much faster is it than a 260? Sounds like I'll be paying the husky dealer a visit to check one out.
 
Why not a 5100s Dolmar to go with the 7900?? The 260 would do you good though.:cheers:
 
i just bucked some 14" logs with my 026 and man its nice wearn a rsf stihl full skip chain, its cuts under its own weight and doesnt bog down at all, i put a 18 bar on mine. ive muffler modded it and it seems to run very good.

i will also that i like bucking and limbing with the 24" bar on my 359 better. expecialy since most my bucking is on the ground the 24" just kinda reaches out there and cuts more with less work. 026 had me bending over more but is noticably lighter than the 359 wich weighs the same as the 361.

its kinda toss up i guess 260 is great litle easy handling saw. so is the 361.
 
Numbers according to the manufacturers:

260 - 50.2cc @ 3.2 hp 10.6 lbs

346XP - 50.1cc @ 3.7hp 11.0 lbs

The 346XP has more power, higher rpm, and better anti-vibe. The 260 is lighter, does not have a catalyzed muffler (green cap) like the 346XP, and has a better bar and chain assuming you switch out the stock safety chains. The 260 Pro adds an adjustable oiler, I don't know if the Husky is adjustable. Both are pro saws so you can't go wrong with either and the Dolmar/Makita saws as you know are also great saws.

361 - 59 cc @ 4.4hp 12.3 lbs
 
Last edited:
I would get a 5100 or 460 or 510 dolmar, my other choice would be a 346 or 450 husky depending on what you want to spend. The 260 is priced too high for what you get, It is a good tough saw and handles great but the power wont impress you and the price is crazy ! Thats my opinion ,you might love a 260 for all I know!
 
I have read some good things on the Dolmar 5100. Man, there are just so many saws I want! lol
 
I have not been impressed with the 5100. My 346 was muffler modded before it ever saw wood, but felt considerable stronger than a 260 or 5100. Too many dealer, parts, and tuning issues with the 5100 for my tastes. No bolt on coil swap to get rid of the rev limiter either.
 
Skip the 361, you got the 6401 for that area. The 260 is a awesome saw, 346 is nice also. See if you can run 'em both, check out the dealers and go from there.
 
Have you run the others? I'm a Stihl head and you can see my opinion after running the others.

346 x 1, 359 x1. I've seen your vid, the husky is quick. I think the Stihl will out perform the Husky over the life of the saw. I've cut all day several days with the husky, bigger dirtier wood than I should, and it does run. The 260 is a tougher more versatile saw in my opinion.
 
346 x 1, 359 x1. I've seen your vid, the husky is quick. I think the Stihl will out perform the Husky over the life of the saw. I've cut all day several days with the husky, bigger dirtier wood than I should, and it does run. The 260 is a tougher more versatile saw in my opinion.

+1...I've got an 026 that won't die no matter what I do to it.I've also got a 346 I bought two years ago that is just about to give up on me.
 
I've got the 260, 361, 441 and 660's, and if you have the 7900, I would say go with the 260. Its that last saw I got and I really, really like it. The difference between the 361 and the 7900 especially if you modd the 361 will not be much of a step.

I say go with the 260, its a great little saw. I had mine modded, and with a 20" 3/8" chain on it and it will pulled a buried bar through pin oak no problem.

Sam
 
For nearly the same price ($50 more here) the 361 is a far better saw than the 260 Pro. For $75 less than the 260 Pro, the 346xp/NE is a great saw. 346xp/NE has an outboard clutch though. If it were me, I would get a clean used older model 026 with the adjustable carb and oiler with the clear gas tank and modify the muffler. Not such great AV on that saw though. All the others talked about here (361, 246xp/NE, and 5100s) have way better AV.
 
346 x 1, 359 x1. I've seen your vid, the husky is quick. I think the Stihl will out perform the Husky over the life of the saw. I've cut all day several days with the husky, bigger dirtier wood than I should, and it does run. The 260 is a tougher more versatile saw in my opinion.

The 260 can be beat by speed but that's it. When the other brands die, the 260 will just be breaking in, ready for many more cuts.
 
Back
Top