Is the Stihl MS 261 C-M right for me?

[mrselfreliance]

Hi everyone, first time forum user here.  Great place for info.

So I just started heating with wood and will be cutting it all myself.  Well, me and my father will cut about 15 to 20 cords a year together to heat our houses and my sisters.

So to start off, I got an MS230 from a neighbor (for free!, his wife was afraid every time he used it).  So I replaced the chain, tuned it up and it works great.  Cut about 5 cords with it so far this year.... I'm afraid I'm going to burn the thing out...  and a little more power would be nice.  I definitely want to keep it as my backup.

So seeing as how we don't have a husky dealer in my town, Stihl will be my choice.

The diameter of the trees on our land are no more than 15" and on average are less than 7", so 16" bar is what I'm going with.  The trees are mostly poplar, maple, birch and pine.

I want to buy a light saw that I can keep for a good 10 to 15 years cutting about 10 cords of wood annually. 

From what I can tell, the MS 261 C-M sounds like my ideal saw.  Just wanted to see what the more experienced cutters say?

My father who's very experienced just tells me to keep using what I have but I don't want to burn it out.  I want to keep it as a spare/second saw.

[Magicman]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, mrselfreliance.  Having both a 40cc and a 50cc makes perfect sense.   

[sawguy21]

Welcome aboard. The 261 would be a good choice, still light with good power and more aggressive chain.

[gspren]

  I have a 261 from before the C-M but basically the same without auto-tune, I like it for the size trees you are talking about. My experience, and I'm told it's typical, is that it takes about 5 tanks of fuel through it to really wake up and get impressive so if you get one don't expect full power on the first couple tanks.

[DonnerParty]

Sounds like a good fit for what you're doing. I've had a 261 CM for a couple of years. It's a fantastic saw for its size, weight and balance. Stick with the same pitch and gauge bars and chains on both of your saws so everything is interchangeable and you only need one size file. .325 on an 18" bar would be my recommendation for the 261, but it will pull 3/8 just fine.

[mrselfreliance]

Thanks everyone, just wanted to make sure.  I might look for a used one.

[pwheel]

I'm sure you'd like a 261cm. I've got the standard carb version and my only issue is that it's sneaky quick and if you don't have a good touch on the throttle, the saw will blow through limbs and over-rev in a heartbeat and/or the bar tip will head for places you don't want it to be. The conventional wisdom, "Don't cut faster than you can think." comes to mind.

[mrselfreliance]

So I definitely won't be wishing for a 60cc in 6 months with the size wood I'm cutting right?  I just want to make sure I get the right saw for the long term.

And second question.  Should I buy a used non CM version for half the price?  Or is the CM worth it?  And since this is for the log term, would new be the way to go anyways?

[pwheel]

A 50cc saw is all you need for that size wood; the questions is how fast do you want to cut. My MS260 (3.2 hp) will handle that size all day, which means the MS271/291 saws w/standard 16" b/c & .325 pitch chain will work, too.
If you're relatively new to operating chainsaws, I'd suggest new and extend the warranty to two years by buying a six-pack of Stihl Ultra mix oil at the time of sale. I got a good deal on a used 261, but it's always a roll of the dice unless you're skilled at evaluating used equipment and what could be wrong with it.

[gspren]

   It was just over 4 years ago while I was also researching the 261 that I found and joined this Forum and I have been more than happy with both. Update your profile to show where you are and no matter what saw you get stick around and look over the rest of the subjects covered here, it's amazing what all you can learn.

[mrselfreliance]

Thanks for all the advice.  Updated my profile a little bit. 

Does stihl have deals that come around in the fall or spring?  Should I wait?  My MS 230 is doing the job for now so I'm in no real hurry.  And I'll be gone till March, so I won't be cutting for a bit.

[sawguy21]

Stihl usually has a fall promotion, pricing gets a bit better and in the past they included a spare chain, carrying case, a file kit and ball cap. Gotta have that officyall genyouine Stihl ball cap. ;D

[mrselfreliance]

Can't go wrong with a free hat!

How often do they update their saws?  Would hate to buy new and have the next version released shortly thereafter.

[DonnerParty]

There's a new 261 in the works, I believe, and might already be shipping to some dealers. Mainly trying to make some of their saws lighter. Will have to wait and see how much strength and durability gets sacrificed to lose a bit of weight.

My dealer has the "current" 261CM on sale right now. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a new one off the shelf at a discount. Great saws.

[sawguy21]

Why worry about that unless you need to have the newest and bestest?  Products are always being updated as technology improves, have to stay ahead of the competition, and government regulations change (seldom for the better).

[jopoff1981]

261 is a great saw is more than enough for what you're cutting would recommend a 20 inch bar will save your back.

[CTYank]

Another good choice: Dolmar 5105. Couple basic reasons:
1. Dolmar's power figures are more honest than stihl's. Often much more so.
2. Their saws are better values.
3. Most all their saws are "pro-quality". No plasticy "bosses".
4. Dolmar doesn't embargo parts lists, nor online sales.

Were I in your shoes, I'd try a 5105 Dolmar. Their 410 is a real keeper also, IMO.
Likely you won't be needing the dealer much.

[ladylake]

Keep a eye on the muff screen on your 230, they like to clog up and will be down on power if clogged.   Steve

[pwheel]

...How often do they update their saws?  Would hate to buy new and have the next version released shortly thereafter.

Suggest that the latest proven technology is your best bet. The brand new models often have problems.

[mrselfreliance]

Keep a eye on the muff screen on your 230, they like to clog up and will be down on power if clogged.   Steve

Thanks!  I'll check that out.  So far it's just my air filter that freezes up once in awhile and bogs down the saw.  I just bring it in the house for a few minutes to warm it up and then the saw runs great. 

[DelawhereJoe]

I have had the 026 that i got new in the mid 90's, never had to do anything to it aside from an oil cap, spark plug and air filter. If they have improved it you will be very happy. I just picked up a 362 c-m and felled my first tree with it today and wondered where it had been all my life. Took down a 12" gum in about a min for all 3 cuts.

[gspren]

  DelawhereJoe, welcome to the forum, take a minute to do your profile and do an introduction in the general area such as what your wood cutting is, pro, hobby, etc.

[mrselfreliance]

So finally going to make the plunge and buy my new saw in the next couple weeks. 

I might end up with the 362 CM.........  It's less than a pound difference for an extra 10cc's.  Someone want to talk me out of it? 

.........

[DelawhereJoe]

Nope, not gonna try to talk you down off that ledge, the 362 c-m is a great saw.

[VT_Forestry]

I've got both - I like the 261 for the light weight while still having pretty good power, and I like the 362 for the power to easily pull a 20" bar through any wood.  Can't go wrong with either, but don't look at me if you need someone to talk you out of getting a bigger saw  :D

[The Diesel]

I technically have both as my 70 year old dad has a 261cm with an 18" bar and I have a 362cm.  Both are great powerful saws.  The 261cm is lighter and more compact than the 362cm but the 362cm can take up to a 25" bar.

The coil just went on my dads saw and before we figured it out he was ready to buy another one.  He would definitely go with the 261 because of the reduced weight and he doesnt really need the long bar.  He doesnt like using my 362cm because of the added weight and I keep a 25" bar on it for the most part and I have a 20" as my short bar and the added weight is noticeable over the 261 with the 18" especially after a couple hours.

I have cut alot of wood with both and they are both great and you really cant go wrong.  Whats the old saying though - if you can only have one the 60cc is better all around.  My dad would disagree, he loves that 261.

I do find myself grabbing the 261 for the small stuff if they are both sitting there....

[mrselfreliance]

So what you guys are saying is that it would take less time to Junk my firewood with the 60cc?  hmmmm....  since that's what I spend 75% of my cutting time doing I might be sold.

[mrselfreliance]

Just to close the loop, I ended up going with the 261 and I'm extremely happy.  Here's a post with pictures.

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=92459.new;topicseen#new

[mrselfreliance]

Well... will you look at that.  Found my post from 5 years ago while researching for a new saw....

I've had the 261 for 5years now and it's been great!  But, apparently they don't enjoy being driven over with a truck....  Still can't believe I did that....

But here I am...  Thinking of taking the opportunity to try the 362 next...  and start looking for parts to fix the 261.

[sawguy21]

Yeah, they don't stand up well to that. ;D 

[mrselfreliance]

Yeah, they don't stand up well to that. ;D

I somehow managed to run over my fuel can, helmet and chainsaw.... destroyed all of them....  wife thinks I did it on purpose just so I could get new gear haha.  (she knows it was an accident, just lauging at the situation...)

[gspren]

If you end up with a new 362 and a refurbished 261 it wasn't too devastating.

[johnsayen]

Yes. Buy it!

[mrselfreliance]

Will start calling the dealers within an hours range today, but I think I'm going for the 400!!!!!!!!!!!

[lxskllr]

I think the 400 would be a better choice, I have the 362, and it's a great saw, but 60cc is a weird size. It's a true midsize, so it doesn't neatly fit in any category. I don't think of it as a light saw. It doesn't feel particularly light when your slinging it a couple hours, and I don't think of it as a big saw. It'll do some big saw work, but if there's a lot of it to do, the 362 isn't the best choice. A 261 and either a 400 or 462 would be a nice pair.

[HemlockKing]

My 261 c has been good so far other than how the computer runs it so on the edge of lean it bothers me/nervous. But I've been told to not worry and have been running it with no problems. Really light saw that's easy to carry all day

[mrselfreliance]

Yea, we don't have alot of big trees here in N.B but alot of my cutting is Junking firewood.  The extra CC's will be nice.  And if I can fix the 261 I'll keep it for cutting the smaller stuff.