Bigger bar MS261??

[jeffp]

Hello I have an MS261 for home use. Large wooded lot with big oak lay downs. Right now it has a 20" bar wondering if I can go larger?

Also I have heard about some exhaust mods for more power but not sure what those are...
Jeff

 

[dmb2613]

The 20 in bar is pushing it , would run better with a 16 or maybe an 18

 

[lone wolf]

Hello I have an MS261 for home use. Large wooded lot with big oak lay downs. Right now it has a 20" bar wondering if I can go larger?

Also I have heard about some exhaust mods for more power but not sure what those are...
Jeff

No, don't go longer but buy a bigger saw if you need a longer bar.

 

[jeffp]

So Atlantic tractor sold it to me w a 20"

 

[lone wolf]

So Atlantic tractor sold it to me w a 20"

Well how does it cut for you, are you cutting hardwood or softwood? Does it feel off balance and nose heavy to you? Ideal bar length would be 16 in.

 

[Bubster]

Those "long" 20 inch bars are there to catch peoples attention. The 260 or any 50cc saw does much better with 16". I would recommend a 362 or some 60 cc class saw for up to maybe a 25" bar.

 

[jeffp]

Well how does it cut for you, are you cutting hardwood or softwood? Does it feel off balance and nose heavy to you? Ideal bar length would be 16 in.

Nose slightly heavy but doesnt bother me. I have a fair amount of oak lay downs to buck some fairly large diameter. On the bigger logs it strains a bit.

 

[lone wolf]

Those "long" 20 inch bars are there to catch peoples attention. The 260 or any 50cc saw does much better with 16". I would recommend a 362 or some 60 cc class saw for up to maybe a 25" bar.

Nothing more than sales trickery, huh?

 

[lone wolf]

Nose slightly heavy but doesnt bother me. I have a fair amount of oak lay downs to buck some fairly large diameter. On the bigger logs it strains a bit.

Well 16 in is what STIHL recommends so that would be optimal.

 

[lone wolf]

Those "long" 20 inch bars are there to catch peoples attention. The 260 or any 50cc saw does much better with 16". I would recommend a 362 or some 60 cc class saw for up to maybe a 25" bar.

I got a 20 on my MS 400 and that works perfect.

 

[Bubster]

Nothing more than sales trickery, huh?

Gotta hand it to them. They were selling 22 and 24" bars on 55 cc Poulans and they were selling quite a few.

 

[lone wolf]

Gotta hand it to them. They were selling 22 and 24" bars on 55 cc Poulans and they were selling quite a few.

If you need a bigger bar, get a larger cc saw. I always thought longer bars on smaller saws looked stupid!

 

[ericm979]

Nose slightly heavy but doesnt bother me. I have a fair amount of oak lay downs to buck some fairly large diameter. On the bigger logs it strains a bit.

Make sure the chain is razor sharp and turn the oiler up all the way.

If you have a lot of that to cut, a larger saw would be the ticket. I feel a 24" bar is too much for a 362 if you're burying it in wood. Even softwood. That's how I bought mine and while it worked for the one tree I had to deal with right then, a larger saw handles a bar that long much better. A 400 might handle 24" ok.

 

[irhunter]

Well 16 in is what STIHL recommends so that would be optimal.

What do you mean by "recommend"? Stihl sells the MS261 with the 16", 18", or 20" bar. I would say, they are recommending all three. At least, in Maine.

To the OP: search on "muffler mod MS261," and you will find plenty of threads and videos.

Roy

 

[lone wolf]

What do you mean by "recommend"? Stihl sells the MS261 with the 16", 18", or 20" bar. I would say, they are recommending all three. At least, in Maine.

To the OP: search on "muffler mod MS261," and you will find plenty of threads and videos.

Roy

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms261/

 

[irhunter]

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms261/

Exactly. When I go to that site....16 to 20 inch bars are options.

 

[lone wolf]

Exactly. When I go to that site....16 to 20 inch bars are options.

I said recommended. This is from the same link I gave you. Recommended by them means it is optimal. The others can be used but will not perform as well. I will bet that saw performs at is best with a 16 in bar and chain.

• POWER SOURCE
  Gas
• POWERHEAD WEIGHT
  10.8
• GUIDE BAR LENGTH (Recommended)
  16
• OILOMATIC® CHAIN
  .325" RM3

 

[Bubster]

I can say that I see a difference in my 550 xp between the 16 and 20 b/c I have for it. Balance wise not so much, but power wise yes. Normally I run the 16 if I am mostly cutting 20" diameter and under. And what I normally cut is around 12-18" .

 

[irhunter]

I said recommended. This is from the same link I gave you. Recommended by them means it is optimal. The others can be used but will not perform as well. I will bet that saw performs at is best with a 16 in bar and chain.

• POWER SOURCE
  Gas
• POWERHEAD WEIGHT
  10.8
• GUIDE BAR LENGTH (Recommended)
  16
• OILOMATIC® CHAIN
  .325" RM3

You got me there.

The owner's manual, however, makes no such claim for one recommended length.

I like these saws with both the 16" and 18". I have never tried a 20" bar on a 50cc saw, but it seems like lots of people are happy with them.

Roy

 

[lone wolf]

You got me there.

The owner's manual, however, makes no such claim for one recommended length.

I like these saws with both the 16" and 18". I have never tried a 20" bar on a 50cc saw, but it seems like lots of people are happy with them.

Roy

Well I would say the 16 or 18 just like DMB already stated.