Deciding between 2 new chainsaws -gimme your opinion

The husky has had zero down time. One bar replacement I believe is the only part needed so far.

 

I got the new 261C-M with the bigger bar and chain set up. Took it out this afternoon for a while and it did very well -- lighter than my older 310. I cut about a tank and a half of gas. The C-M's have no choke or half choke position on the control switch, just the start position and run position. I know they are totally different engines, but this is the way my Hondo 4 stroke mower is and it starts on the first pull 98 % of the time. I was wary of buying a mower without a choke -this one has exceeded my expectations.
Hoping the new saw does the same -- I am tempted to leave the saw out in the cold part of my garage tonight to test out the compression release tomorrow morning!

Thanks to all for your tips and advice!!

 

I compared that with the husky and either way they’re both great saws! Glad you found a new toy and hope it treats you well.

 

Mark, keep us updated in the future on the new saw

 

I've used a wide range of saws from tiny to large. From 180s up to 440s and 462s. Ranging from cutting a tree here or there, dropping and bucking trees for over a week straight, and work on fires. Stihls are by far the best thing on the market as far as ease of use and maintenance from my experience. I've also used Husqvarna, Jonsered, and a number of other brands that I can't be bothered to try to remember the names of.

From what I've gathered in this thread so far, it sounds like most of your cutting is a tree here or there to acquire the cordage that you use for firewood. If that is the case the 261 will fit you just fine. I would only make the move to the 362 if you are consistently cutting larger trees or doing

For casual cutting sure, they are fine. But from the professional side of things they can cause a lot of headache. I can diagnose and get older Stihls running if they are being problematic, but the newer stuff is a lot more difficult because of the "Autotune" as you call it. They start to run into problems when changing elevation, air pressure, etc. and they get very moody about if they want to run properly or not.

 

Great insight with someone from a ton of experience with chainsaws. I do believe the new 261 has been updated and fitted with stihls version of “auto tune “ which probably work out just fine for most of us “homeowner” professionals!

 

I actually did the "un-american thing" last nite and read some in the owners manual. I found it has a couple of features that I was unaware of. It has an adjustment to speed up or slowdown the chain oil flow , and a winter (cold weather) setting.
I also read about the recalibration for the M-tronic system -- when would this be needed?

 

Turn in your “I’m and American Card”. We don’t read no stinking owners manuals here

 

This most likely is for dealer situations?? I know there are things called “firmware” updates ... I just don’t have any first hand experience with such stuff yet as nothing “broke”

 

Just picked up the husky 550 last night... maybe get a chance to break it some this weekend. Enjoy the weekend !

 

Ran 1 tank through the 550 today... what a nice saw to work with.

 

How’s the 261 treating you?

 

I’m sure the new 550xp is now officially broken in! ;-)

 

Really fine -- gone thru about 10 tanks of gas so far. This is next years supply, been working on this for the last 3-4 weeks or so. This pile is actually from ONE tree - a huge Shingle Oak that toppled down on my daughter and son in laws rental property lawn after a 5.9 inch rain downpour late last spring/summer. Before one sees it -- yes there is a few pieces of Osage orange sprinkled in there - off to the left side. This pile is 6-7 ft tall and 3 pieces of split wood deep and about 20 ft long. It has grown since this pict was taken as I "integrated" the pile with bunch of red elm (Slippery elm as some call it) . This tree fell within an hour of the other tree falling as a result of the downpour. I am still not done with bringing the wood home and splitting it -thank heaven for the 27 ton splitter!

 

All Stihls : -- My son in law has the 362 CM with a 24 inch bar -I got to compare it with mine -- For My use I like what I got (261 CM) vs the 362
He also has the 461 with a 36 inch bar -- that thing is huge --too huge for this old fart
One final shout one of the best things I bought is the new Stihl chain filing guide/guage . These things are great -- I have been sharpening all of my friends and relatives saws -- to their delight. It's like going out every time with a new chain, that is if you touch up the chain before you go out the next time.
Best 35 bucks I have ever spent!

 

I agree with the all in one sharpener comments. After decades of hand filing, and getting pretty good at it, it's only 5 minutes per saw instead of 15 or 20. Pfred (blue handles) is the same product...I think they manufacture the Stihl units too.

 

My 362 c-m is a friggen beast. Absolutely love how it chews through anything. I dont know anything about the 261.

 

Sounds like the 261 is working out. I am a big Stihl fan. I used to work at a stable and did all the landscaping. We had a ton of equipment but the Stihl stuff were the only ones that always ran.

My 18" 271 farm boss has been great the past 4 years. I also have the KM131 power head and just got a BG50 blower.

 

I thought the 290 was the “farm boss”