Modding The MS261

[SawTroll]

That is not the case at all Sawtroll and a common misconception with those cutting nothing but clean, softer woods. .325" chain won't last two minutes in most of the wood that Darren cuts. My stock MS261 was more than happy running a 20" 3/8" Tsumura with non skip semi chisel. This modified saw will do it easily. Don't underestimate the torque that the strato saws have as they do not perform anywhere near like a standard 50cc saw. The 261 wasn't my favourite saw but one thing it had in spades was plenty of torque.

Well, I believe that your conditions are very different from what most of the members experience, and slow grown "moutain birch" isn't that soft, even though it is "clean and green"!
IME a 3/8 setup always slow the cutting down a bit on 50cc saws, but not enough to really matter in practical cutting - but then the saws gets less nice to cut with, because of the added weight of the 3/8 setup.

 

[MCW]

Well, I believe that your conditions are very different from what most of the members experience, and slow grown "moutain birch" isn't that soft, even though it is "clean and green"!
IME a 3/8 setup always slow the cutting down a bit on 50cc saws, but not enough to really matter in practical cutting - but then the saws gets less nice to cut with, because of the added weight of the 3/8 setup.

Hey normally I would agree Niko but the strato MS261 does not behave like any 50cc you would have used. I liked the snap and better throttle response of both my Husky 353 and Dolmar 5100-S but as far as torque went the 261 pumped both of them considerably. In fact it was quite freaky that a 50cc saw could pull a 20" 3/8" bar buried in some pretty tough hardwood with a fair bit of pressure on it and continue cutting - I did however have to richen this saw up considerably as it was gutless and way too lean from the factory.
I do prefer .325" for limbing as it's a lot smoother and it is actually a nice chain to use however too many people on AS simply assume that .325" is faster without actually doing the comparo themselves in their particular conditions. "Fast" also has to take into account the amount of extra time spent sharpening .325" if the conditions get even slightly abrasive. In Darren's case with sand impregnated Stringybark assuming .325" is faster is plain wrong and after all, that's where this saw is going to be used.
I love cookie cutting and the associated videos as much as anybody but there is "cookie fast" and "real world fast". They are quite often different.

 

[Stihlman441]

There is more than one reason i use 3/8 .063 on my 261 with an 18'' bar.
All chains are the same.
One file does all.
Can change bars if nead be.
Another thing i found good for what i do is the 3/8 sprocket is larger in dia than the .325 thus increase chain speed slightly.
I have even found a slightly aggressive full chisel chain in clean green (soft for us )Sugargum is sweet to use felling and topping the plantasion trees.

Ya feel for Darren and his sandy Stringbarks,could be more fun if it was sandy Yellowbox.:msp_thumbdn:

 

[Bowtie]

I'd personally run .325 also. Deye u may want to run .404 or 1/2" on the 261?

Of course .325 will perform best, with Oregon LPX or Stihl RSC - no doubt about that! :biggrin:

As usual, two posts from two people that have never tried both on that saw. :bang:

I tried both with new out of the box Stihl RSC chain. 3/8 is much faster.

Maybe you two outta try things before spouting crap!

 

[deye223]

finally got this damn computer up and runing when i go back out too the farm i will show you some samples of the crap on the trees

 

[blsnelling]

It's a myth that anything richer than an optimal tune makes more torque. Sure, too lean hurts it. But fatter than optimal will too.

 

[blsnelling]

Hey ST, the 261 is anything but a heavy turd of a saw. This is one case that I strongly disagree with you. The 261 is a phenomenal saw. In stock configuration, it is the strongest 50cc saw made today. In the woods using them add intended, I can tell no difference between a 261 and a 346.

 

[Jwalker1911]

Hey ST, the 261 is anything but a heavy turd of a saw. This is one case that I strongly disagree with you. The 261 is a phenomenal saw. In stock configuration, it is the strongest 50cc saw made today. In the woods using them add intended, I can tell no difference between a 261 and a 346.

which one takes to the mods better brad?

 

[deye223]

Hey ST, the 261 is anything but a heavy turd of a saw. This is one case that I strongly disagree with you. The 261 is a phenomenal saw. In stock configuration, it is the strongest 50cc saw made today. In the woods using them add intended, I can tell no difference between a 261 and a 346.

lets face it brad he likes a saarb and we like a chevrolet and a hot one at that

 

[blsnelling]

which one takes to the mods better brad?

They end up about the same, but it takes more to get the 261 there. That's the builders problem though. The end result is nearly the same with both saws. You can search my YouTube channel and I did extensive comparisons on the two. It's all documented in the thread linked earlier in this thread. Randy's kind of doing like I did, by doing it in steps, so that he can see what really works. When done, it'll run about like a stock 70cc saw.

 

[blsnelling]

lets face it brad he likes a saarb and we like a chevrolet and a hot one at that

Actually, I sold my 261 and kept the 346 But that doesn't subtract from the fact that the 261 is a phenomenal saw.

 

[deye223]

buy the look of the users browsing this thread list every one is waiting for randys vid and soooooo am i

 

[Jwalker1911]

They end up about the same, but it takes more to get the 261 there. That's the builders problem though. The end result is nearly the same with both saws. You can search my YouTube channel and I did extensive comparisons on the two. It's all documented in the thread linked earlier in this thread. Randy's kind of doing like I did, by doing it in steps, so that he can see what really works. When done, it'll run about like a stock 70cc saw.

I wouldnt mind having that done with my 026 but for now im pretty happy with my muff modded 346 its great for what i use it for(doesnt have the torque of the 026 tho) but for now I think im more interested in making my 066 outrun my dirtbike lol

 

[RichardGrayJr]

I've looked over both saws extensively and cannot come to a definitive conclusion that would make me choice one over the other. I had the pleasure of running both about a month ago. They are truly fine saws. I'm no fan of any particular brand, but the 261 handled well but the 346 seemed to have a bit more "grunt". Either way, I'll own one or the other in the coming months. There is some really good info in this thread.

 

[Jwalker1911]

I've looked over both saws extensively and cannot come to a definitive conclusion that would make me choice one over the other. I had the pleasure of running both about a month ago. They are truly fine saws. I'm no fan of any particular brand, but the 261 handled well but the 346 seemed to have a bit more "grunt". Either way, I'll own one or the other in the coming months. There is some really good info in this thread.

My 346 is running a 16"bar mainly using it for limbing and such its lightning fast and very nimble maybe im not using it to its full potential but it wont hold a candle to the 261 brad has in his videos

 

[walexa07]

As usual, two posts from two people that have never tried both on that saw. :bang:

I tried both with new out of the box Stihl RSC chain. 3/8 is much faster.

Maybe you two outta try things before spouting crap!

Brad and Niko are in my top 10 favorite people on this site - but I also tried both .325 and .375 on my 261 and it felt like a pretty big difference, in favor of the .375 - this was with a 16" bar. But I've got a couple 026's and an 028 that are happier with .325. By the way, the 261 is also the smoothest saw I have that runs .375 chain.

JMHO

Waylan

 

[Mastermind]

I just can't understand why anyone care about how that thurd of an heavy and badly handling 50cc saw can be modded to perform at all! :yoyo::yoyo:

Niko have you ever used one? I'm a huge fan of the 346xp, but this 261 is a very nice, well made saw. It's anything but heavy and bad handling.

I've looked over both saws extensively and cannot come to a definitive conclusion that would make me choice one over the other. I had the pleasure of running both about a month ago. They are truly fine saws. I'm no fan of any particular brand, but the 261 handled well but the 346 seemed to have a bit more "grunt". Either way, I'll own one or the other in the coming months. There is some really good info in this thread.

The 346xp is a faster cutting saw right out of the box.......in small wood. The 261 has more torque and will pull down and grunt when the 346xp will stall. Add to that the fuel economy of the Stihl and....well.

I'll gonna go make a video now.

 

[Jwalker1911]

Not tryin to be a butt kisser by any means but I think its amazing what you guys do with these saws Im still a long ways off but ive learned a lot about how these saws work from reading what Randy,Brad,Stump and tlandrum do to make these things run at peak performance....Tip o' the hat to ya gentleman

 

[TK]

Niko have you ever used one? I'm a huge fan of the 346xp, but this 261 is a very nice, well made saw. It's anything but heavy and bad handling.



The 346xp is a faster cutting saw right out of the box.......in small wood. The 261 has more torque and will pull down and grunt when the 346xp will stall. Add to that the fuel economy of the Stihl and....well.

I'll gonna go make a video now.

When the strato version of the 346 comes out we'll have the fuel economy problem solved Now go make some vids (plural!) We're all visual learners here. We don't understand what you've done until you post a vid :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[blsnelling]

I wouldnt mind having that done with my 026 but for now im pretty happy with my muff modded 346 its great for what i use it for(doesnt have the torque of the 026 tho) but for now I think im more interested in making my 066 outrun my dirtbike lol

IMHI, a 260 will never be a 346 or 261. Putting a bigger carb on a 260 is not a simple bolt on ordeal. Then you have to figure it how to make the choke work, which I never did. It's just too far behind with to many obstacles. Then you're still left with with old school AV and horrible filtration. Now, in not talking about race saws here. I'm talking about being able to build a fully functioning production capable saw.