Ms261 question?

[Jkstihl]

I don’t do much cutting, but like the feel, balance and response of a 16” .325 on My 260

Well yeah u carve spoons tho..lol

 

[Jkstihl]

I don’t do much cutting, but like the feel, balance and response of a 16” .325 on My 260

I tagged you in a bob the hedgecutter post so you can bag on his new boat anchor...hehe

 

[Vintage Engine Repairs]

I tagged you in a bob the hedgecutter post so you can bag on his new boat anchor...hehe

Fantastic thanks! I’ll go give him a hard time!

 

[MountainHigh]

it really depends on what you're cutting... out here on the west coast with our "soft" woods, 20 inch is the standard bar for an ms261. but i know guys who cut alot of hardwood back east don't like to go above 16-18 inch

I called a saw shop some years back well after I stopped working in the woods, and asked if they had any 346xp's in stock ... the reply was, "never heard of it" - lol - smallest saw they stocked was 70cc.

This was/is BC logging country and only aging farts like me dared to hide a cute little 50cc saw in behind the truck seat . Putting a 20" bar on a 50cc saw would definitely get you a few odd smirks.

Fortunately, my aging back is still strong and flexible and can handle a short bar easily. They say eating fish helps.

 

[farmer steve]

Im in the south east and 3/8 20" is the standard for the 261. Pulls it just fine in hardwood. Lol at people recommending 16" for a 261. Guess they dont do too much cutting or they have a robotic back.

Do plenty of cutting with my 2 fractured vertebrae. And yes Stihl does say 16-20 " bars on the 261. I just like my 18". A little less wear on the clutch and motor. I'm not cuttin no softwood either . Mixed hard locust and hickory with the 261.

 

[dmb2613]

.325 is the best chain for a 261 , I see no reason to use 3/8 on a 261 , the 325 will cut as fast if not faster

 

[Jkstihl]

.325 is the best chain for a 261 , I see no reason to use 3/8 on a 261 , the 325 will cut as fast if not faster

Yes the .325 is just as good i just prefer 3/8 on all my saws for the convenience.

 

[Jkstihl]

Do plenty of cutting with my 2 fractured vertebrae. And yes Stihl does say 16-20 " bars on the 261. I just like my 18". A little less wear on the clutch and motor. I'm not cuttin no softwood either . Mixed hard locust and hickory with the 261.View attachment 797296

Yes 18" is understandable.

 

[outdoortype]

I know the 261 is rated at 4 hp but it's still a 50cc saw. I would stick to .325 . .325 is smaller and lighter and probably less wear on everything. I understand wanting the convenience of having one chain but you will get much more out of the 261 in hardwood with .325.

 

[full chizel]

Other than less teeth to sharpen and staying sharp a little longer i see no up side with 3/8” on the 261. Everyone is different. I like 18” .325.

 

[Oldsawnut]

Yes the .325 is just as good i just prefer 3/8 on all my saws for the convenience.

Hell yeah.... +++++1234

 

[ATH]

My helper runs a 20" on his 261 at home. I asked him yesterday if is too much - he said no issues at all (cutting hardwoods). I can't imagine the slight difference in thickness of 3/8 is going to make any difference. You also have fewer teeth - so kinda same idea as putting skip tooth on a long bar. That probably makes up for the wider kerf. Neither make a big difference...

 

[outdoortype]

My helper runs a 20" on his 261 at home. I asked him yesterday if is too much - he said no issues at all (cutting hardwoods). I can't imagine the slight difference in thickness of 3/8 is going to make any difference. You also have fewer teeth - so kinda same idea as putting skip tooth on a long bar. That probably makes up for the wider kerf. Neither make a big difference...

3/8 makes a huge difference. It's not only a wider kerf but 3/8 x 7 is larger sprocket than .325 x 7. I haven't ran a 261 but this experiment has been done in the past with 50 cc saws. The rpms drop and the engine sounds like it's bogging. I'm sure I will get flack but there's a reason the mfg spec .325.

 

[KiwiBro]

24" skip picco.

 

[ATH]

3/8 makes a huge difference. It's not only a wider kerf but 3/8 x 7 is larger sprocket than .325 x 7. I haven't ran a 261 but this experiment has been done in the past with 50 cc saws. The rpms drop and the engine sounds like it's bogging. I'm sure I will get flack but there's a reason the mfg spec .325.

Wouldn't the bigger sprocket give you more torque??

I still see your point that they use .325 for a reason. A lot of research went into that torque/chain speed balance and changing sprocket diameter changes that.

 

[BradSt]

Wouldn't the bigger sprocket give you more torque??

I still see your point that they use .325 for a reason. A lot of research went into that torque/chain speed balance and changing sprocket diameter changes that.

No, larger drive sprocket always results in a torque decrease. Think of it like changing the front chain sprocket on a mountain bike...when you increase the size, it becomes harder to pedal.

 

[full chizel]

 

[farmer steve]

Nice vid FC. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[full chizel]

Not my video Steve, but this video is the reason i bought the 261 Picco kit but then got the 241 so never used it.

 

[Oldsawnut]

Looks like the saw did great with 3/8 and 3.25 .... I think whatever you have on the saw you will probably like it.