3"8" chain on a Stihl 261

[bowerskd]

So I was wondering if it made sense or if anyone else out there has a Stihl 261 and they run 3/8 chain on it.

Does that make sense? Pros cons..

I am in the NW and most of my trees are maple, few alder and a few hemlock.

say a 20 or 18" bar.

I already have a 440 (with a 28" bar) for the big stuff. Just wondered if it made sense to run the same size chain

Thanks

 

[tallfarmboy]

I run 3/8 on my MS260 Pro. It's nice to only have one file size to worry about. Might be a fraction slower than .325 and 3/8LP,but it holds an edge longer, in my opinion.

TFB

 

[SawTroll]

20" and 3/8" is a lot of bar and chain on a 50cc saw, but it surely will do it in softer wood!

Personally I prefere 16" and .325 on 50cc saws, but preferences and expectations vary. :msp_smile:

 

[bower4311]

Personally I prefere 16" and .325 on 50cc saws, but preferences and expectations vary. :msp_smile:

+1

 

[Hedgerow]

I run 3/8 on all my 50cc stuff...
.325 annoys me...

 

[SawTroll]

I run 3/8 on all my 50cc stuff...
.325 annoys me...

Not when it is the right chain - Oregon LP/LPX or Stihl RS/RSC (or the semi-chisel variants of both). :msp_smile:

 

[LowVolt]

I have a practically new 18 inch stihl Rollmatic ES bar and three 3/8 RSC chains to go with it. One chain is slightly used the other two have not seen wood. PM me if interested.

 

[Hedgerow]

Not when it is the right chain - Oregon LP/LPX or Stihl RS/RSC (or the semi-chisel variants of both). :msp_smile:

Those do cut well... But not good enough for me to warrant keeping another size and the other consumables that come with them...
The LPX is my favorite of those you mentioned, if I had to use .325...

 

[SawTroll]

Those do cut well... But not good enough for me to warrant keeping another size and the other consumables that come with them...
The LPX is my favorite of those you mentioned, if I had to use .325...

Mine too, it is a tad faster and smoother cutting than the RSC/RS - but no biggie!

Keeping different pitches and gauges of chain never bothered me a bit - it is just a matter of getting somewhat organised!

 

[dooby]

The forestry company i saw for runs ms 261 saws w/24"bars and 3/8chain. the ms362 saws have 28"bars same chain. they seem to work fine. Small chain has it's place, like on a carving or light climbing saw(top handle)IMO. These opinions are from a loggers standpoint. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[SawTroll]

The forestry company i saw for runs ms 261 saws w/24"bars and 3/8chain. the ms362 saws have 28"bars same chain. they seem to work fine. Small chain has it's place, like on a carving or light climbing saw(top handle)IMO. These opinions are from a loggers standpoint. :hmm3grin2orange:

:hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange: Some loggers can be funny!

 

[XSKIER]

I think the biggest drawback to 3/8 on a 50cc saw is the much larger diameter rim sprocket that must be used. I tried 3/8 on my MS260 PRO for a short time, but then went back to .325. The 3/8 required a light touch to keep in the power band. I guess Husqy guys are probably used to that though...

 

[XSKIER]

I'm thinking of picking up a MS 261 C-M and was wondering if the .6 hp increase would be enough to cover the difference in chain pitch. 16" guide, of course.

 

[KenJax Tree]

:msp_sleep:

I think the biggest drawback to 3/8 on a 50cc saw is the much larger diameter rim sprocket that must be used. I tried 3/8 on my MS260 PRO for a short time, but then went back to .325. The 3/8 required a light touch to keep in the power band. I guess Husqy guys are probably used to that though...[/]

:msp_lol: funny

 

[KenJax Tree]

My 346 pulls a 20" 3/8 chain just fine when i need it blocking down

 

[SawTroll]

My 346 pulls a 20" 3/8 chain just fine when i need it blocking down

A lot can be done, but that doesn't mean that it is ideal! :msp_smile:

 

[KenJax Tree]

A lot can be done, but that doesn't mean that it is ideal! :msp_smile:

Its not ideal but it works when "i need" it too:msp_smile: but thats what the 562 is for now

 

[jus2fat]

I'm thinking of picking up a MS 261 C-M and was wondering if the .6 hp increase would be enough to cover the difference in chain pitch. 16" guide, of course.

I didn't think the MS261 C-M was available yet at least here in the U.S.

Are you saying it is available and dealers have the MS261 C-M..??

Too late to call dealers now...Closed for the day.

J2F

 

[SawTroll]

I think the biggest drawback to 3/8 on a 50cc saw is the much larger diameter rim sprocket that must be used. I tried 3/8 on my MS260 PRO for a short time, but then went back to .325. The 3/8 required a light touch to keep in the power band. I guess Husqy guys are probably used to that though...

Yep, and if it does well with 3/8x7, it may do even better with .325x8. You never really know before you have tried the options! :msp_wink:

 

[harrygrey382]

I've just bought a 261 at work and had it fitted with 3/8 before picking it up. The manager said he wanted to keep chains consistent with the bigger saws so the simple kinds can't use the wrong file...
Pulls it ok - had the 16" bar berried in dead yellow box (very hard) and it felt it but was still pulling. It'll mostly be morticing so it won't work too hard. I'd definitely not consider an 18" with 3/8 though - that's comfortably 60cc territory. Even 18" 325 is too much if cutting hardwoods IMO