Thread: which 50-60cc Stihl chainsaw

loooking at a new saw as a general use farm/firewood saw.
was looking at a ms291 for 1375 although they currently have a special on the ms311 for an extra $3
so basically at the moment im considering the ms311 for 1378 or even going to the ms261 for 1585.
anyone have feedback on these 2 saws?
cheers

Have seen quite a few of the 261c been absolutely flogged, but they keep going. Provided you're doing proper maintenance on them.
Neat little saw and they have got enough grunt to do some felling work.

Firstly I'd stray away from anything that's not the pro range for the simple fact that they're not user friendly in terms of repair (Stihl will often tell you to throw em away if you properly f**k em), a 261 would be my choice between the two saws mentioned for that alone. Imo, for a great all rounder I'd opt for a 362/400, that'll certainly leave a larger dent in your wallet but you can comfortably run a wider range of bars compared to being limited to a 18" on a 261

I run my 261 with a 20" on occasion and dislike the cutting speeds, 16" is definitely where she shines

@Mackattack at the moment am sitting on the fence between the 261 with a 18" bar or the ms291 with a 20" still haven't decided there is another thread on this in the last couple weeks

Yeap. NOt an easy decision. Had read your thread and 261 seems like could be the ticket. Haven't seen much on the 311 so was wondering if there was a reason for it.
Yeap saw that it will be replacing is a older ms290 that got told to throw away years ago. Was the old man's saw and from what he had said was very disappointing in how long it lasted. Not alot of work and the piston and cylinder are toast.

What are you cutting and how much work? Every day or once in a while? 60cc has a lot more going for it than 50cc, meaning MS362 or the 400. I have the 260 and a 361 - the 260 with a 15" bar on it is like the finger of god, point it at something and it falls over RPM out the ying yang (almost overrevving the thing...). I have 18 and 20" bars for it but seriously, its so good with the 15" I hardly ever put the bigger bars on it. The 361 runs up to 22" quite happily, has enough go to run bigger but oiling is the issue. The 361 is an animal with a sharp chain, it doesn't sound like much being 10cc bigger but the amount of extra go is noticeable and nice when you need it. I've had everything up to 96cc husqy's and 90cc Stihl's - and I don't feel like there's anything around where I am that I couldn't tackle with the 22" bar on the 361. If that won't do it I'm looking at a 40" bar basically, that's big boy toys or borrowing the hydraulic saw off me mate.

I tend to use the 361 for dropping things and anything the 15" bar on the little saw won't get through in one hit - but in every other instance I grab the 260 as it's just so handy and nice to work with. The pro series saws are a lot nicer to operate than what Stihl classes as farmworker or homeowner grades, but they do cost a bit more. It really comes down to do you want a disposable saw if you have a major issue with it, or something that is easily and cheaply rebuildable.

My do every thing chainsaw from ringing and felling medium trees and pointing strainers on the fence line is my 362.
A nice compromise as it's modern revs well and the aircleaner system works well and alot lighter than my 461.
In saying that the 261 is a hell of a saw to.

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Seeing as this thread has a couple 361/362/400 users, heres a tip if anyone is looking to comfortably run bigger bars on these saws (the stock oiler is stingy as). You can buy the internals of the 462 high output oiler and switch them out with yours, effectively giving you a 2x the output

MS462 Control bolt with set pin, #1128 647 4803
MS462 Pump Piston, #1128 647 0602

My 400 now has no issues oiling 25" and 28" bars

If making firewood from farm trees 60cc and a 20 inch bar are super useful, a pro series saw will pay for itself over the years

sorry @Mackattack the two saws i have it down to at the moment was the ms261 and the ms391
but i see the 362 is on special at the moment $1850 which is a commercial saw which is over my budget but would excellent buying

Not to much work. Wouldn't be every day. Odd bit of fencing and then ringing up firewood/ clearing trees that have blown over. Have a mix of blue gum. Douglas and macrocarpa. Probably end up with around 10cube of firewood a year.

Originally Posted by Mackattack

Not to much work. Wouldn't be every day. Odd bit of fencing and then ringing up firewood/ clearing trees that have blown over. Have a mix of blue gum. Douglas and macrocarpa. Probably end up with around 10cube of firewood a year.

Blue-gum/Macro/10 cube = 60cc plus

depends
big bar big rings heavy lifting on to splitter
smaller bar smaller rings
I try doing the easier wood these days

Originally Posted by bigbear

depends
big bar big rings heavy lifting on to splitter
smaller bar smaller rings
I try doing the easier wood these days

Rip the rings into half or quarters, then lift

Farm trees don’t hold their breath so a small bar can make small rings, they grow, and grow

You walk over there n scratch yer head and go “ shit this was bigger than I thought !”

And often your required to “tidy up” the mess or broken/blown over tree, so you clean up the whole thing, trunk and all

Then leave some cut wood behind for the farmer

Because the farmer is always a bloody good fella