Official MS261CM vs 550XP test

[HolmenTree]

I thought I'd share another pic of my mini version of a MS462C.
Plus a pic of a neighboring beaver's work .
 

  

 

[DonT]

Great thread.  I have a 550xp I bought last September. Right from the start I have had warm starts with it .Dealer replaced the carb this winter and did all the updates but it still is a frustrating saw.  I use it for limbing , beside the chipper , and blocking down medium sized trees.I have tried to follow all the warm start instructions but still struggle with it.Hand this saw to a student employee and they are lost.My saw does not have the hole or slit in the right side of the top cover to release heat as all the new ones have.Does yours have this hole?  As I stated I like this saw and my 562 but warm starts are an issue with both saws. Holding the throttle open and yanking one handed in frustration are not the appropriate way to start a saw. On a positive note I love my little battery powered top handle when up in a tree pruning,it starts real easy.

[HolmenTree]

Don, yes my 2016 - 31 week 550XP has the vented top cover. 
Spike 60 gave good advice in post#11 about the updates and resetting the fuel settings.
 On another forum he mentioned his 10 550s he sold and reset that morning were built in the 32 week, a week after mine.
Yes I like my little Husky top handle battery saw too. Stihl will soon introduce their top handle.

[ButchC]

Great thread.  I have a 550xp I bought last September. Right from the start I have had warm starts with it .Dealer replaced the carb this winter and did all the updates but it still is a frustrating saw.  I use it for limbing , beside the chipper , and blocking down medium sized trees.I have tried to follow all the warm start instructions but still struggle with it.Hand this saw to a student employee and they are lost.My saw does not have the hole or slit in the right side of the top cover to release heat as all the new ones have.Does yours have this hole?  As I stated I like this saw and my 562 but warm starts are an issue with both saws. Holding the throttle open and yanking one handed in frustration are not the appropriate way to start a saw. On a positive note I love my little battery powered top handle when up in a tree pruning,it starts real easy.

Don, I know what you mean when you say hand it to an employee. No employees here but my youngest son wont even run the 550 due to the "quirks" one of them being hot starts. Mine MUST be placed on high idle when warm or it wont go, just pops weakly.

Since I have figured out how to make mine start and go once it is started I am afraid to take it back for updates,, and have to relearn it. I like my 550  but as you guys said, a person ought to be able to start and run a saw without taking a class or keeping notes,,,

[HolmenTree]

Wasn't a hot day today (18C for a high )so didn't have any hot start issues with either saw.
But for quick warm up the 261 won the contest. From cold the 261 was ready to go WOT within seconds.
The 550 took close to a minute.
Both saws with still lots of break in time to come. I'm finding the 261 revs just as high as the 550.
A tachometer will get the numbers when both are fully broke in.

[Kel71]

261 is at the top of my next saw list. I can't wait for you to get
20-30 hours on it.

Those beavers do nice work. Have you trained any to split the wood
or just to buck it like that?

[HolmenTree]

Those beavers do nice work. Have you trained any to split the wood
or just to buck it like that?

No unfortunately it's not in their plan to split the rounds.
They wouldn't be able to roll them to the water if they did.
I'm just happy with the job they do. All they leave behind is the stump and chips
 

[HolmenTree]

Did a little exploring on some more features of the new edition Stihl MS261CM.
Nicely designed air injection to separate dirt and debris from the intake air off the flywheel. Delivering clean air to the air box and air filter.
 

  

 

[Woodcutter_Mo]

Did a little exploring on some more features of the new edition Stihl MS261CM.
Nicely designed air injection to separate dirt and debris from the intake air off the flywheel. Delivering clean air to the air box and air filter.
 

 (Image hidden from quote, click to view.) 

 (Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

 I'm glad Stihl finally started doing this, that's one thing that always annoyed me about the older Stihls is the air filter bay constantly being filled with sawdust.

[HolmenTree]

Actually Stihl introduced their air injection and spring anti vibe mounts on the MS441 over 10 1/2 years ago.

[Canadiana]

Anyone know the differences between the updated 261cm with the more stylish side cover and the older version of the 261cm. Is one rumored to cut faster/last longer? In 14" spruce  n pine the 261cm was just a hair slower than the 044, not trying to derail a thread. I'd love to hear about some 550xp vs 261cm cut times

[Canadiana]

Oops. I see the above

[HolmenTree]

Oops. I see the above

Canadiana, this new edition Stihl MS261CM was just recently introduced .
Like I said I ran Stihls for 25 years during the 1980's 1990's and into 2005 when I bought my first Husqvarna a early edition 372XP with more models to follow.

There's a big shake up in the Stihl corporation with a MS462C recently introduced.
The new edition MS261CM is a whole new design based after the big brother 462.
Very exciting times for this company and it sure caught my attention.
Husqvarna has new models under their sleeve too soon to be introduced. But what I seen so far their prototype of one certain model still has a primer bulb with not much change of design from what they already have for the last 7 years.

[HolmenTree]

This new edition Stihl MS261CM is a whole new model.
50.1cc
4.1 bhp
10.8 lbs

2017 Husqvarna 550XP
50.1cc
3.75 bhp
10.8 lbs.

[ladylake]

 
 Paper specs don't mean much, company's have been fudging the numbers for years.   Steve

[HolmenTree]

At least there are numbers from both manufacturers. 3.75 and 4.1
One says bhp other hp?

[ladylake]

 If they are really close one of them is fudging, Stihl fudged a lot on their best selling saw the MS290 to make sales. They had it rated at 3.8hp when it was more like 3.2hp as any pro 50 cc saw rated around 3.8 hp would cut way faster.   Steve

[HolmenTree]

I may have to setup a homemade all engine water brake dyno to get some kw measurements, something I have put off for too long.
Originally was planned in my Yamaha YZ  bikesaw build over 30 years.
Will be a fair test for these 2 saws as both were bought new at about the same time.




 

[Ed]

Very interested to know the fuel usage on the 261CM, dad bought one last fall......goes through fuel like a pig eating fresh swill.

Ed

[gspren]

Very interested to know the fuel usage on the 261, dad bought one last fall......goes through fuel like a pig eating fresh swill.

Ed

  I have had my 261 for several years, not the CM, and I thought it was easy on gas.