Along those same lines Spike, which saw do you see remaining in my sig?
They're both great saws, just as you say, but I simply prefer the 346
They're both great saws, just as you say, but I simply prefer the 346
Bought a Stihl 261. Did I make a mistake?
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albert
Addicted to ArboristSite
Along those same lines Spike, which saw do you see remaining in my sig?
Yeah, but you really chopped up that 261, I wouldn't of kept it either.
HILLBILLYREDNEC
Addicted to ArboristSite
The only thing that would ruin a saw is two things, Bad maintenance and or lack of a sharp chain. The 261 is like any tool if it is treated right and maintained right it will do the job. The 261 is a good saw for the 50CC class saw.
MacLaren
Addicted to ArboristSite
By george, I sure do agree with that!
indiansprings
Firewood Purveyor
There's no reason to jump on you Spike just because you disagree, your not a brand basher, even though you don't sell Stihl's. My 261 has been re-tuned. I think in every brand you will find performance may very from individual saw to individual saw, most are pretty close. Either I've got a strong 261 or a mediocre 346, with the two I've got the 261 is for sure the stronger saw. Again nothing at all wrong with a 346xpne they are a great saw. It's prolly the only reason Stihl turned out a saw as good as they did, competition is a good thing! It would be a boring world if everyone used the same thing, saw diversity is a good thing.
spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
Exactly. We always have to keep in mind that we're only comparing the specific examples that we have on hand, and results can vary.
I jumped in with a different example because the narrative on the site with the 261 often seems to suggest that it has somehow surpassed the 346, and I don't feel that's accurate by any means.
Again, I thought the 261 was really nice, and I don't see how it would disappoint anyone who buys one.
SawTroll
Information Collector
The choise really depends on what kind of 50cc saw you are after, but I'd leave the Dolmars out of the discussion at this point......:smile2:
bigredd
ArboristSite Guru
You did great on the $515 Out the Door price for a 261. Around here it's MSRP only (plus 9.25% sales tax) for anything Stihl, except for one dealer has an annual 2-day sale in October.
I just bought a new 346xp, but would have strongly considered a 261 for the price you paid. Have used the 346xp for a big job removing hack berry trees, and must say it really shines once the tree hits the ground.
I just bought a new 346xp, but would have strongly considered a 261 for the price you paid. Have used the 346xp for a big job removing hack berry trees, and must say it really shines once the tree hits the ground.
deye223
Addicted to ArboristSite
i agree i just got a new 260 pro what pig, so i thought done a muffmod and tune 26 tanks later it go's like a cut cat
STIHLTHEDEERE
This is Koty
i do love my stihl saws,and i feel they are the best on the market. but with that said, i also think that there is not a bad choice in a 50cc pro saw on the market today. i would be happy to own/run any of them. i don't think a guy could make a bad choice in a 50cc pro saw right now.
If I remember correctly mine was bumping 14,200 new, richened up all the way, in warm weather. I felt for sure that it would have lean seized once cooler weather hit.
I'm right with you Spike. I honestly can't say one saw is better than the other, or stronger than the other. They're both just that good. They're both very strong right out of the box. They both respond VERY well to mods. Both of mine were comparable after I finished modding them. I would say that Stihl has met the bar, not surpassed it.
The one that Stihlman441 has...even after modding the muffler, I still left it tuned to 13,800. It's a very strong example. I don't see why they're tuning these so lean when they're already a strato. Like I already mentioned, my dealer already had to replace a topend.
SawTroll
Information Collector
At least not among the top brands - Husky, Jonsered and Stihl. I feel that Dolmar has messed it up in the 50cc class, at least partly due to the EPA........
SawTroll
Information Collector
The rather obvious handling differences are a big deal big deal to me, but probably not to everyone on the planet!
What handling differences are you referring to? I've never noticed in my use. They're both a dream to use for both limbing and bucking. What's not to like?
:biggrin:
:biggrin:
STIHLTHEDEERE
This is Koty
i assume you are referring to the 5105? i would like to try it and also a 346. dolmars are getting tougher to find around here, i am told there is a good dealer close to where i work. i am working hard to close the deal on a new 346, as i found a new dealer only 7mi. from my house.
The rather obvious handling differences are a big deal big deal to me, but probably not to everyone on the planet!
Oh ohh trouble trouble:sword:
albert
Addicted to ArboristSite
For emission reasons I would guess. My take is that the strato saws tolerate being alittle lean compared to non strato's. My dealer's have told me that Stihl doesn't want any equiptment retuned when sold unless elevation is an issue. I wonder how many follow this. I would think they would have a very high failure rate on them. I remember reading about a MS441 on here how cut times didn't change much compared to how it was tuned. Also IIRC Brad had another 441 that was used for miiling that was tuned lean, but didn't fry, but the piston looked like it was pretty hot, but still ran great.
spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
The key advantage is that they don't have to be as lean because they are stratos. The clean air pulse that is ported in between the intake and exhaust charges is what's solving most of the problem there.
