MS241 for small firewood

[dws_az]

Hello - I've been reading the forums for quite some time and this is my first post.

I currently have a MS362 with a 20 inch bar and an older MS441 with a 25 inch bar.

I'm considering a MS241 for small firewood and limbing. I only cut firewood for personal use and occasionally for a neighbor. I would like input from those that have used the MS241. I find the specs of the 241 appealing (light weight and decent power) for a small saw.

Most of what I cut about 75% is dead/down juniper and oak 10-12 inches then some 16-20 inch juniper/oak and the occasional dead/down 25-30 inch oak.

That said, I'm thinking I could use the 241 for all of the smaller 10-12 inch cutting and use the 362 for the medium stuff. I don't really need the 441 but I have it and it does work well for the rare 25-30 inch oak.

My other option would be sell the 362 and just get a 261. However, the 261 is only a pound or so lighter than my 362 where as the 241 is nearly 3 pounds lighter. As you can see, I've kinda got myself talked into the 241 and with my tax check I can make it happen.

Last, I'm leaning toward staying with Stihl due to the fact that I have a great dealer and have had good luck with the Stihl products.

Your thoughts ?

 

[LowVolt]

Sounds like you have done your homework and have made an excellent choice. I don't have a lot of runtime on mine but it is a well built saw.

Welcome to AS!!!

 

[Franny K]

Hello -
My other option would be sell the 362 and just get a 261. However, the 261 is only a pound or so lighter than my 362 where as the 241 is nearly 3 pounds lighter. As you can see, I've kinda got myself talked into the 241 and with my tax check I can make it happen.

Last, I'm leaning toward staying with Stihl due to the fact that I have a great dealer and have had good luck with the Stihl products.

Your thoughts ?

Are you sure about the part I put in larger type? On the Husqvarna side the comparable models 543,550,562 the big jump in mass is between the 550 and 562. No numbers just picking up and wiggling around.

My thoughts would be if the intention is to run the picco chain it makes sense. In my opinion the 261 is more advanced design and makes more power per cc.

 

[lone wolf]

They are good limbing and light blocking saws you get real good control with it being so light. I use mine on all the take downs to cut the top of the tree then a 440 to log it. Nice to have it beats an MS200T for limbing which is what I used to use before I got one.

 

[dws_az]

Thanks for the replies !

With regard to weight/specs for the powerhead from the Stihl site the weights are:

241 9.9 lbs
261 11.6 lbs
362 12.8 lbs

The 241 sounds like a good saw and its probably what I will go with and keep the 362. If I did not already have a 362 then I'd opt for the 261. I'm sure a 261 with a 16 inch bar would be very nice too....

I have to say that its really nice to have more than just one saw

 

[MCW]

They are great little saws if you are cutting wood under about 14".

 

[paul hill]

Thanks for the replies !

With regard to weight/specs for the powerhead from the Stihl site the weights are:

241 9.9 lbs
261 11.6 lbs
362 12.8 lbs

The 241 sounds like a good saw and its probably what I will go with and keep the 362. If I did not already have a 362 then I'd opt for the 261. I'm sure a 261 with a 16 inch bar would be very nice too....

I have to say that its really nice to have more than just one saw

And three saws are better than two!!

 

[dws_az]

MCW - thanks for the reply. I believe I read one of your posts/videos from a while back and liked what you had to say about the 241.

Yes, most of the wood I'd be cutting with the 241 would be under 14 inches... probably under (10-12) inches. Therefore, that's why I'm strongly leaning toward the 241. The only other option would be the 261 with a 16 inch bar. However, as mentioned in my initial post I already have a 362 and I "think" the 261 and 362 are too close with regard to weight.

 

[Wood Doctor]

And three saws are better than two!!

Interesting that the 261 is that much heavier than the 241. My 026 PRO and an 024 Super weigh about the same.

 

[wood4heat]

I've got a 361 and 024 and while they may not be the exact saws you are considering I can tell you they make a great pair!

Although honestly if I've got the 361 out I'll do everything with it. The 024 is an awesome saw to pull out for smaller jobs though.

 

[cre10]

They look like fun saws.

 

[imagineero]

I've got one and I wouldn't use it as a firewooding saw, even in 10-12". An 026 pro is a brilliant saw and about the same weight and a lot more powerful. I'd take a quality used 026 pro over a 241cm any day of the week. I'm a die hard stihl nut and wouldn't take a 261 for love or money. I think they're a pig of a saw, and feel much the same about the 360/361/362. None of them are gems or have ever nailed the sweet spot between power, balance and weight. In that class of saw the 346 is a real leader. And ported it slays 60cc saws, but kind of unreliable. I've been running ported 346's as grounding saws the last year or two and had a lot of problems with them. Amazingly powerful saw though, very light and good balance, unbelievable power and brilliant limbing saws, also great small wood fallers and buckers. The 241 is really a light limbing saw in my opinion. Nice and light, quick off the mark with a muff mod, but no real power about it. It also comes with 3/8 lo pro which gets blunt kinda quick. It doesn't have the power to drive .325 unless you're in softwoods, but who burns softwoods?

I'd stick with your 362 unless you're looking for a straight up limbing saw. If you find a sweet 026 pro buy it and you'll be a happy man.

 

[dws_az]

I'm relatively new to saws but learning - I've heard good things about the 026 pro.

If I ever run across a good used 026 pro I will definitely consider it.

I can see how its easy to become addicted

 

[farmer steve]

I'm relatively new to saws but learning - I've heard good things about the 026 pro.

If I ever run across a good used 026 pro I will definitely consider it.

I can see how its easy to become addicted

didn't you see the disclaimer when you joined. this site is full of chainsaw addicts.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I'm relatively new to saws but learning - I've heard good things about the 026 pro.

If I ever run across a good used 026 pro I will definitely consider it. I can see how its easy to become addicted

I have a pair of 026 PROs on board now. Not sure why I need two, but the one I like the best is the one that I just restored with a new top end. Then, of course, you really should also consider a little beefier saw with some extra grunt: the 028AV Super--the saw that Stihl should never have stopped making.

 

[MCW]

I would most certainly take an 026 over a 241C as well. They are an awesome saw. In softwoods though a 241C with a 16" bar and picco is like a lightsabre. In clean wood picco is definitely the best choice. Fuel economy is also something that should be taken into account from an efficiency point of view.

 

[wood4heat]

The way this thread is going you'll soon have a 441 as the little brother to your 362. That's the standard advice you can expect here though. Stick with the 241, for what you described it will be a fine addition to your line up.

 

[Wood Doctor]

The way this thread is going you'll soon have a 441 as the little brother to your 362. That's the standard advice you can expect here though. Stick with the 241, for what you described it will be a fine addition to your line up.

But, he can buy a used 024 AV Super for one-third the price of a new 241C. I sold one yesterday for $190. That included a scrench and a new spare chain loop. The saw runs like gangbusters. Dang it! I gave it away. No wonder the new owner gobbled it up without even batting an eye.

 

[MCW]

But, he can buy a used 024 AV Super for one-third the price of a new 241C. I sold one yesterday for $190. That included a scrench and a new spare chain loop. The saw runs like gangbusters. Dang it! I gave it away. No wonder the new owner gobbled it up without even batting an eye.

The other good thing about the 024's is that they have the 3003 bar mount. You can run a 60" bar on one I'd you'd like

 

[Chris-PA]

You can run a 60" bar on one I'd you'd like

Pfft - you can do that with an MS180.