Brand new MS261 woes.

[Woodpulp]

Now that you have run both the 271 and 261, how would you compare the two?

Actually, my old saw was a 270 so my mistake in my first post, but too early to say. I've only put 2 tanks through the 261 but initial impressions are that it holds it's RPM in the cut a little better even though it's not broken in yet. I expect a noticeable difference once it "wakes up." Guy at the dealer seemed confused why I was trading a 270 for a 261; said it was basically the same saw. I didn't argue with him - he obviously doesn't read AS

 

[Andyshine77]

Woodpulp when it comes down to it a muffler mod is nothing more than an extra port/hole in the exhaust can, you can even buy these deflectors to make the job even easier.Replacement muffler deflection shield for Husqvarna

 

[missedbass]

Actually, my old saw was a 270 so my mistake in my first post, but too early to say. I've only put 2 tanks through the 261 but initial impressions are that it holds it's RPM in the cut a little better even though it's not broken in yet. I expect a noticeable difference once it "wakes up." Guy at the dealer seemed confused why I was trading a 270 for a 261; said it was basically the same saw. I didn't argue with him - he obviously doesn't read AS

I,ve run 10 tanks thru my 271 since Sandy and the saw has been great. I would like to know what I am missing not having a 261

 

[Woodpulp]

I,ve run 10 tanks thru my 271 since Sandy and the saw has been great. I would like to know what I am missing not having a 261

My MS270 was 3-4 years old so it was well broken in - maybe a hundred tanks through it, don't really know. I started cutting firewood for heating last year. Before that I cut storm damage and the odd tree I wanted removed, so I'm cutting a lot more now. The 270 cut well for what I do and I don't really need the 261, but he!!, you only go around once and I just wanted to add a true pro saw to my small lineup. Since I won't have the 270 to run side-by-side with the 261 once it's broken in, it will be a very subjective evaluation for me.

Wish I had the 261 when I cut up this storm-downed red oak two weeks ago. I limbed it up with the 270, then bucked it with the 555. I can tell you when I ran out of fuel in the Husky 555 half way through a large piece, I finished the cut with the 270 and the difference in power was very noticeable. If I can set up a similar situation with the 555/261, it will tell me if the 261 is noticeably faster than the 270.