Husqvarana 61 be an upgrade from a ms260?

[Tinman204]

Hey all,

Been looking for a 60cc class saw and found a clean late model (all orange top cover, plastic chain break) husqvarna 61 for sale.

Did some reading on the 61 and it seems like a good reliable firewood saw. My question is would a stock 61 have noticable power over my ms260?

My idea is to get a 61 and use it a bit then eventually gather all the parts and do a 272 or 262xp piston, cylinder and carb swap.

I'd like a 266xp but theres not many for sale around my neck of the wood and when they are for sale guys seem to want big bucks for them.

Figured I could build a big bore saw for the same or less money if I start with a 61. And in the mean time I could use the 61 to buck and fell around the farm here.

Any thoughts??

 

[Rosss]

I have a 61 and like it a lot.
I find it a straight forward saw to run. I initially bought it because the price was very good and it would take the same bars the my 2095 takes. Funny enough the guy was selling because he wanted a saw that started better and was more reliable. When I started it prior to purchase it smoked a lot. Having done nothing but run a number of tanks of gas through it and now it doesn't smoke at all and it starts great. It stalls a bit when used and then left to idle but it starts right back up with a few pulls. I think it just needs a bit of carb adjustment.
I compression tested it and it tested 175, which impressed me as it is a 20 year old saw.

It has punched well above it's weight for me.
I used it to mill 24 inch wide slabs of willow and spruce when my milling saw was down.
I initially tried it on some 15 inch wide willow out of curiosity, not expecting it to do much and it cut that width very well, so tried it out on the larger. It was slow milling that width and required good touch or I would bog the saw, but it was fairly comfortable and it did it. It has cut as wide as 30 inches when milling spruce.

It came with a 16" bar with a poorly maintained chain. I sharpened the chain as best I could and left the chain on it as I wanted it for just doing a bit of cutting to set up for milling and for cutting the less than ideal stuff where I wouldn't want to mess up a good chain. I have cut a bit of fire wood but was using that chain and so can't really say how it would do with a good chain. It did fine with that chain but didn't seem fast which seems to be expected.

I can't compare it to a 260.

I have only had it a few months and would buy one again I really like it! It has been a great saw for me.

 

[Tinman204]

Thanks for the info Rosss, seems like the 61 is a decent saw based on your reply.


My 260 is new to me. Just did a top end and it's running tip top. It's more of an rpm saw and its cuts well but I find its suited to a 16 or maybe an 18" bar max.

I'm looking for something in the 60 cc class with a bit more grunt.

 

[Cantdog]

61 is a good saw....and being a late one makes it even better. The Jonsered 625 is basically the same saw as the 61. Both of these saws are the lowest power versions of this family.....but they are just about bullet proof if not the most powerful. I can't speak for the 260 but have run a few 026s which are very good and popular as well...you will notice the extra 10-11ccs......the 61 do fine with a 20" bar but all the saws in this family handles (balances) best with an 18" bar......not due to a lack of power but handling. It would pair up pretty well with the 260.....use it for felling and bucking and use the zippy 260 for limbing etc. One aspect of the 61 is you can simply bolt the entire top end from a 272XP right on it....taking it from a 48MM bore to a 52MM bore....adding another 9cc or so......if you think you want more power.

 

[decableguy2000]

61 is a good saw, should pull a 24" bar just fine. can always up grade it to a 272. It will be a bit on the heavy side compared to 026. Very easy to work on, still for sale in south America won't hesitate if it was in good shape.

 

[Tinman204]

61 is a good saw....and being a late one makes it even better. The Jonsered 625 is basically the same saw as the 61. Both of these saws are the lowest power versions of this family.....but they are just about bullet proof if not the most powerful. I can't speak for the 260 but have run a few 026s which are very good and popular as well...you will notice the extra 10-11ccs......the 61 do fine with a 20" bar but all the saws in this family handles (balances) best with an 18" bar......not due to a lack of power but handling. It would pair up pretty well with the 260.....use it for felling and bucking and use the zippy 260 for limbing etc. One aspect of the 61 is you can simply bolt the entire top end from a 272ZP right on it....taking it from a 48MM bore to a 52MM bore....adding another 9cc or so......if you think you want more power.

260 for limbing and smaller stuff and 61 for bucking was my idea.

My 260 with an 18" bar and a good sharp chain cuts pretty good in 10-12" soft wood.

I find it lacks power in hard wood and when noodling. I'd like to be able to cut wood faster and into easier to manage sizes so I have to do as little splitting as possible.

That an the possibility of bolting on a 272 top end, Intake and carb means I'll really never need a bigger saw until I wear it out.

A 272xp would be the perfect saw for my needs.

 

[Sleepy]

Stihl's are great saws but I prefer Husqvarna simply because I can go to multiple websites and view their parts system. Can't do that anywhere I have found with Stihl, they require a trip to the dealer.
The 61 is a tough saw which is easily up gradable to 72cc's. I'd buy the one you're referring to in a heartbeat, and don't even need it.

 

[Cycledude]

My first saw back in the early 80’s was a brand new Husqvarna 61 white top, it was a great saw for me, the ignition went out once and that cost plenty but other than that it was mostly just routine maintenance, about 3 years ago I bought a brand new Husqvarna 562xp, I still use the 61 a little , it’s lighter and starts easier.

 

[Rosss]

One aspect of the 61 is you can simply bolt the entire top end from a 272XP right on it....taking it from a 48MM bore to a 52MM bore....adding another 9cc or so......if you think you want more power.

Does it need a new carb if this is done?

 

[Cantdog]

Does it need a new carb if this is done?

Yes and the intake as well...to realize the full potential of the swap.

 

[burnses]

61 is a real simple saw and easy to fix ton of parts for em...good if you have the late type with the one piece ignition....less rubber on the intake side than the stihl.....the 260 is a more modern saw and yes the power is farther up the rpm curve...61 little more grunt and some more weight as well. 18 inch 3/8 sharp and you could really lean on it and still put some good chips on the ground. others should chime in but even if in nice shape should be no more than 200-225 .....not gonna have the fuel milage of your 260 but will prob oil better....

the can

 

[Tinman204]

I find my 260 is bit thin in the oil department.

And I'll admit I'm a big guy (6'3", 275lbs built like brick sh## house) so I tend to lean a bit on saws.

Zingy saws are great if I could learn to not lean on em..

Something with grunt may work better for me..

 

[Sleepy]

When doing the 272 conversion, don't forget the heat shield between the muffler and cylinder that the 61 doesn't use. Part number 503519901

 

[smokey7]

Most of my saws like this are 625 630 and 670 jonnys. Ive built them as 625s thru 272s. I like tge way 630s and 670s run the best. The630 is the most sporty. The 61 625 run well but dont run the higher revs like the cp 630 and 670s do. Its probably the aftermarket 272 jug i used but its all torque and low revs like 12k with faint 4 stroke. Ehere my 630 and 670s run 13+. Still my favorite series to build and run.

 

[Tinman204]

I ran a Johnny 630 on the weekend cutting pine.

Man did that thing cut fast. So fast I was done before I started!!!

 

[smokey7]

I love them saws. I got one with the squish set ported to 104 123 78 blowing 205 that is a flat out runner.

 

[Tinman204]

Well I'm pretty sold on buying a 61 and making it a 272 even if I have to run AM parts.

Theres not many big saws out here on the flat prairies so I'm betting I'll have to build one.

 

[Tinman204]

So I found a clean 266xp at a local saw shop. Guy there said hes gone through it, piston and cylinder have what he describes as zero scoring. Said it's been well cared for.

Hes willing to take my ms260 on trade for this 266.

Here's a picture he posted of the saw.

This leaves me with a couple questions.

First does a the stihl bar on there actually fit?? May be a silly question but I didn't know stihl bars will mount on a husky. figured I'd ask.

Second is this too much saw for firewood and general around the farm use?? I ran one exactly like this last weekend bucking and noodling pine which is exactly like I do and wow was I impressed. I don't limb with it but I'm guessing it may be a bit much for that kind of work?

I have my super mini homelite and an 025 stihl I'm going through right now. Those 2 should cover the bases IF I need a little saw which to be honest I usually grab the biggest fastest saw I have when I do any cutting. Being a big guy I dont find "heavy" saws to be too much for me.

Any issues I should check on a 266 if I'm going to look at this one? They seem bullet proof from the reading I've done. They're an old design but I tend to like the older stuff cause it's tough and simple and I think it's very cool to run an older saw.

Any thoughts?

 

[Cycledude]

One of my brothers has a 266 that he bought brand new , in my opinion it’s a great saw ! I also was unaware that Stihl bars fit Husqvarna .

 

[Tinman204]

One of my brothers has a 266 that he bought brand new , in my opinion it’s a great saw ! I also was unaware that Stihl bars fit Husqvarna .

I agree I've never seen a stihl bar on a husqvarna.

I'd put a 20" Oregon on there anyhow but I dont want to buy a bar that I dont need that's on a saw it doesnt fit!!