The MS261 is here!!

[adkranger]

Nice Farmall bucket-tractor!

Nice posts so far, the 261 looks quite tempting indeed. Bring on the vids.....

Is that fancy new clutch cover with captive nuts interchangeable? If so, it would be a nice upgrade for other Stihl models....

 

[CORNFEDMIDGET]

Darn I thought I was going to have more fun with this.

I've got to say the 261 is better than I expected. First it feels plenty light, it also has great throttle response for any new saw, especially for a new strato saw. This may be too early in the game, but I think it does have more power than my 346, and it has great torque for a 50cc saw. Remember my 346 has a MM and non limited coil. Time will prove or disprove my currant opinions. I don't think it handles like the 346, but it's a close call, better than most Stihl's in that respect.

Anyway here's the full vid of Brad's 261 in the wood.. We were cutting hard dry Oak, and some hard maple.

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@4:10 PNW softwood?...nice jab fellas. Love the demostrations with the mini-sledge.

looks like a great little saw. Have fun!

 

[SawTroll]

Sir,

I know I am not a reg here so my opinion doesn't count for much but my wife just walked by the computer and chewed me out b/c men have not respect for their wive's nice dinner tables.

Would you mind continuing to post the great pics of the saw...in the shop, yard, I don't care but not the dinner table. Thanks. :bang::biggrinbounce2:

I never had that problem with my wife

 

[Kenskip1]

Stihl 261

Being a die hard Stihl head I enjoy reading about the 261. The only thing that bothers me is the exposed fuel tank.Not very attractive and also exposes itself to injury.Ken

 

[SawTroll]

..... The only thing that bothers me is the exposed fuel tank.Not very attractive and also exposes itself to injury.Ken

 

[wooddog]

Stihl shows it gained over a pound on their specs. So at 11.6 pounds power head only weight. Does that make the MS261 the heaviest 50 cc chainsaw being sold? That sure seems like it would be closing in on the weight of the MS361 59 cc 12.3 pounds.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS261.html

 

[SawTroll]

Stihl shows it gained over a pound on their specs. So at 11.6 pounds power head only weight. Does that make the MS261 the heaviest 50 cc chainsaw being sold? That sure seems like it would be closing in on the weight of the MS361 59 cc 12.3 pounds.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS261.html

The 270 and the Dolmar 500/510 are heavier than the 261.

The 5100/5105 and the current 50cc Solo may be heavier as well, for true weights, depending if the 261 weight is true or not.......

 

[2000ssm6]

Stihl shows it gained over a pound on their specs. So at 11.6 pounds power head only weight. Does that make the MS261 the heaviest 50 cc chainsaw being sold? That sure seems like it would be closing in on the weight of the MS361 59 cc 12.3 pounds.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS261.html

Seems to be. Also looks to have close to the same power as the 361.

 

[adkranger]

Stihl shows it gained over a pound on their specs. So at 11.6 pounds power head only weight. Does that make the MS261 the heaviest 50 cc chainsaw being sold? That sure seems like it would be closing in on the weight of the MS361 59 cc 12.3 pounds.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS261.html

It's all the dang steel springs they stuffed into the chassis......:monkey::jester:

 

[2000ssm6]

Brad, how many did you dealer get? All standard versions or some C-Qs?

 

[FATGUY]

they actually drove their truck down to their distributor just to pick the saw up for Brad.

 

[2000ssm6]

they actually drove their truck down to their distributor just to pick the saw up for Brad.

Ah, so just one saw? Sounds like that dealer bent over backwards for their customer.

 

[spike60]

Stihl shows it gained over a pound on their specs. So at 11.6 pounds power head only weight. Does that make the MS261 the heaviest 50 cc chainsaw being sold? That sure seems like it would be closing in on the weight of the MS361 59 cc 12.3 pounds.

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS261.html

Over a pound? 11.6 is closing in to the next class. (The new 555 is supposed to be 11.8) I think it's a little harder to "go strato" with the smaller saws and not gain a little weight, especially on a % basis.

But you have to keep in mind that the perception is slanted by what the saw replaces. The 260 really had best in class weight, so it's hard for Stihl to maintain that. It's easy for the 555/562 to be an improvement because the 357/359 was overweight for it's class.

 

[2000ssm6]

MS361 is 12.1, not 12.3, and it is the true empty PH weight.


The 270 and the Dolmar 500/510 are heavier than the 261, no others I know of in modern times.

Where did that 12.1 number come from?

 

[FATGUY]

Ah, so just one saw? Sounds like that dealer bent over backwards for their customer.

They're a stand up operation for sure. Do you want one?

 

[2000ssm6]

Over a pound? 11.6 is closing in to the next class. (The new 555 is supposed to be 11.8) I think it's a little harder to "go strato" with the smaller saws and not gain a little weight, especially on a % basis.

But you have to keep in mind that the perception is slanted by what the saw replaces. The 260 really had best in class weight, so it's hard for Stihl to maintain that. It's easy for the 555/562 to be an improvement because the 357/359 was overweight for it's class.

I think you hit it right on the head. With these new stratos, their extra weight is welcomed with extra power. Good thing is, there are plenty of the old school saws out there for use to choose from.

 

[2000ssm6]

They're a stand up operation for sure. Do you want one?

Naw, my local guy is on the look for one. He isn't going to like hearing about my new(to me) Redmax blower and trimmer though.

 

[SawTroll]

Seems to be. Also looks to have close to the same power as the 361.

:hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange::hmm3grin2orange::jester:

 

[SawTroll]

Where did that 12.1 number come from?

Good question!

It is 12.3lbs/5.6kg, always was.

 

[slipknot]

sure is pretty!!

Brad...have you ever opened up an efco 952/152 just to see what happens after you did your thing to it? I know efco does fall a lil short when compared to stihl, husky, dolmar....efco air filtration sucks...i know..i admit it. I just like them cuz noone else does....but that thread you did while back about the cheap husky 350 was an inspiration to alot of us. I guess my question is if a stock efco 952 is more stout than a stock husky 350 what would happen if you got ahold of an efco 952 or would you even mess with one....that question has bothered me for quite some time....what could someone that knows what the heck they are doing get extra out of one of those "decent" saws? I ask you because you are not a hack..you apply science and numbers to the mix and then make a well thought out thread that we can all understand. Someone with money and a efco 952 talk this guy into it....please. I have efcos but no spare $$
Keep up the great thread!