Sthil Quick Stop PLUS

Hi,

I am a novice chain saw user, home owner, and self confessed "Chainsaw Coward." I live on the East Coast and am looking into chain saws after hurricane Sandy. It used to be once every 10 years, but more recently is is more like every October!

I am looking for the long term, and would like to buy a Sthil 261. There are two to chose from the 261, and the 261 C-Q with the additional Quick Stop PLUS system. The C-Q is about $US 100 more and weighs about one more pound. The Sthil dealer was very helpful in answering questions. However his opinion was that the C-Q PLUS system is not that great because it burns out clutches and he recommended the "Vanilla" 261 without the Quick stop Plus.

I was thinking of going against this advice because I sort of like idea of that extra safety being a novice user. I see the C-Q on other models too. I was wondering if others on this Forum have had any problems with the system, or indeed like the C-Q Quick stop plus system.

Being a coward I intend to have Chaps, Labonville Extreme Competition, a Jacket Swedpro 7 layer, helmet and swedpro gloves (7layer). However I am willing to spend the extra money also on the C-Q, just to have that extra safe factor. Note I am also going for a 18 inch low kick back bar and low kick back chain. Once I get more used to this chain saw thing then I may "Up grade" to something a bit more risky.

Thanks in advance for your kind advice.

Warmest regards, Mike.

hobbes88 said:

Hi,

I am a novice chain saw user, home owner, and self confessed "Chainsaw Coward." I live on the East Coast and am looking into chain saws after hurricane Sandy. It used to be once every 10 years, but more recently is is more like every October!

I am looking for the long term, and would like to buy a Sthil 261. There are two to chose from the 261, and the 261 C-Q with the additional Quick Stop PLUS system. The C-Q is about $US 100 more and weighs about one more pound. The Sthil dealer was very helpful in answering questions. However his opinion was that the C-Q PLUS system is not that great because it burns out clutches and he recommended the "Vanilla" 261 without the Quick stop Plus.

I was thinking of going against this advice because I sort of like idea of that extra safety being a novice user. I see the C-Q on other models too. I was wondering if others on this Forum have had any problems with the system, or indeed like the C-Q Quick stop plus system.

Being a coward I intend to have Chaps, Labonville Extreme Competition, a Jacket Swedpro 7 layer, helmet and swedpro gloves (7layer). However I am willing to spend the extra money also on the C-Q, just to have that extra safe factor. Note I am also going for a 18 inch low kick back bar and low kick back chain. Once I get more used to this chain saw thing then I may "Up grade" to something a bit more risky.

Thanks in advance for your kind advice.

Warmest regards, Mike.

Click to expand...

Forget the "quick-stop"...just get the regular 261...JMHO" ...would be my general initial response...

But sounds like you are 'really scared'..so if it somehow makes you more comfortable..then buy the C-Q.

It's OK to feel that way...you're starting out...so do what you feel the most comfortable with..!!

After you get more experience...I doubt you will buy C-Q again...but first time is the hardest..!!

J2F

if it scares you it ups your chances of it bitting you.hire somebody.!!!!!

if it scares you it probably means you will be more careful. go slow, research, and do it yourself!!!

Mike, the 261 is a great saw and will give you many years of good use. I'd recommend the regular 261. I don't think you need the quick stop system if you are aware of the saw and chain, and that awareness is an important "skill" to have (it makes everything safer).

Get that protective wear and ease your way in. Don't forget that the wood and the loads on the wood can be more dangerous than the saw, so read your cutting situations carefully and think about what gravity will make the wood do. Try to build some confidence, as being tentative with a chainsaw can get you into trouble. Very few situations call for part throttle, so be prepared to commit to a cut and then go full throttle. If you know anyone who you trust that cuts wood, ask if you can work with them for a while.

Good luck!

Hi, for what it's worth I had the same choice to make recently. I am not new to chainsaws -- I have used them on and off much of my life, but I am a novice occasional user, and the saws I had used previously were consumer grade 2-stroke or electric. I upgraded to the MS261 after the derecho storm in June took out 10 trees on our wooded lot. I knew I'd need a more serious tool after one day with my old saw (a Poulan).

I am not nervous about chainsawing, but I do have two kids and a wife who count on me to be able bodied. So I also use all the right safety equipment and am cautious. For example I debated going to a yellow chain given how much cutting I have to do, but decided against it, at least for now.

I didn't think more than a couple of minutes about the C-Q option -- decided against it. The dealer pointed out that it was more expensive and made the saw heavier. He also pointed out the clutch issue. Finally he said that it can cause hand fatigue.

While there are really experienced guys on this site who think the 261 is a small, lightweight saw, trust me, if you haven't been sawing regularly, the last thing you need is the extra weight and hand fatigue, not to mention some of the other issues.

Again, FWIW, I feel pretty safe between the safety equipment, the green chain, and the chain brake. If you take it slow, follow the directions on the saw, get some guidance from folks who know how to do it well, watch some videos and youtube, stay focused on what you are doing, and STOP WHEN YOU ARE TIRED, you will do a lot more to keep yourself safe, in my opinion, then the C-Q option will give you.

Good luck.

The C-Q system is pretty much a complicated system that is of little use. I doubt they will wear clutches more. Saw clutches have an extremely long life these days. The sprocket drums will wear out several times faster than the clutch.

As for the safety aspect... If you are going to cut yourself with a saw, you can do it just as easily with a C-Q. It sounds like you have plenty of respect and a little fear for the saw already. That is good. It was not very long ago that saws had no brakes on them at all. As has been suggested, think through what you're doing and don't get in a hurry. If you get fatigued, put the saw down and come back later. You are correct that you do not want any part of your body to meet up with a moving chain.

Speaking of chain, one of the best safety features you can have is a properly sharpened chain. The better the saw does it's work, the less fighting you have to do to get the job done. I would take the $100 extra for the C-Q and invest it into sharpening equipment. The sharpening stuff will be around long after the C-Q has been disabled and thrown away.

As you can guess, I am not (nor are most here) a fan of the C-Q. If you came into our shop to order one, we would require full payment up front. Those machines NEVER sell.

hobbes88 said:

I am a novice chain saw user, home owner, and self confessed "Chainsaw Coward."

The C-Q is about $US 100 more and weighs about one more pound. . . . the C-Q PLUS system is not that great because it burns out clutches . . .I was thinking of going against this advice because I sort of like idea of that extra safety being a novice user.

Being a coward I intend to have Chaps, Labonville Extreme Competition, a Jacket Swedpro 7 layer, helmet and swedpro gloves (7layer). However I am willing to spend the extra money also on the C-Q, . . .

Click to expand...

First off, welcome to A.S. Mike!

Don't feel like you have to apologize for being cautious. Protective boots, chaps, gloves, safety glasses, and helmet system are 'basic stuff' from my perspective. And YOU have to be comfortable for YOUR use. Just a couple of thoughts:

- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is only good if it is worn. Some of the thicker chaps are hot and heavy, which discourages some people from putting them on each and every time. So you actually might be better off with the standard chaps, which you will be more likely to wear.

- If you feel more comfortable with the C-Q system and are willing to pay for it, go for it. What it does is stops the chain from turning when you release your right hand from the rear handle. If you think about it, the chain should stop fairly quickly when you take your finger off of the trigger (if the idle speed on your saw is properly adjusted). A lot of guys get cuts on their legs if they get distracted, after they have made a cut and lower the saw while the chain is still winding down.

As I understand the C-Q system, if you are still holding the saw with 2 hands it won't stop the chain any faster. I am in the practice of 'automatically' setting the chain brake with my left wrist after making a cut if I am going to take more than a step or 2, or stop to think about what to do next. A lot of guys at chainsaw 'get-togethers' (GTG) make fun of me for this, but is how I feel comfortable working. If I wear out a clutch drum or brake band ($15 to $25) faster, it is not a big deal. But the extra pound of weight, and the extra parts in the C-Q system could be over time.

- If you are a real 'coward', you might want to look for some chainsaw training in your area. Ask your dealer. Around here, the USFS occasionally offers it for trail cleanup volunteers; some of the volunteer storm clean up groups offer it; and there are some commercial training companies as well. Or you might want to find someone to work with for a while to give you some advice and pointers until you feel comfortable and safe working on your own.

Philbert

The best safety investment that you can make is to find an experienced cutter who will teach you about your saw, its maintenance and proper cutting technique. No amount of safety equipment will save you if you don't know what the hell you are doing.

The dealer is right this time. By all means forget the C-Q, and use the inside of your head instead!

Also get some steel toed boots, when you are at it (with the PPE).

I found myself here because I am considering the C-Q for myself when I upgrade for the following reason. I'm a firewood cutter, and I find it incredibly convenient to roll my log lengths over for my back cut with the chains teeth but to do this i need to bog the motor a bit which I don't think is a good long term habit, or turn on the brake which can be a hassle. considering the Q for this reason, but I am spoiled with my CM-VW (heated handles). And to the original poster, there is nothing wrong with respecting your saw. You're no coward