iDRY Vacuum Kilns

Sponsors:

Official MS261CM vs 550XP test

Started by HolmenTree, June 06, 2017, 10:46:34 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Weekend_Sawyer


 For the 261 it's, cold start position, chain brake off, start and let it run without touching the throttle for 90 seconds.

check out the video starting at the 45 second mark.
Imagine, Me a Tree Farmer.
Jon, Appalachian American Wannabe.

HolmenTree

There's nothing further to explain except which models are "version ll".
At this time of posting there may be a version lll or lV :D

Ok. There was a major change in the 261 362 leading up to the 462. The version ll 261 and 362 were introduced in 2016 before the 462 even made a press release.

The differences are the version ll has a newer style sprocket cover and the cylinder fins (not the cylinder) are sloped at a much more backwards angle then the older 261 361 362. Also with upgrades to the MTronic.

What the whole previous conversation started with was my observation of how my MS261CM ll can be cold started and left to idle with the choke on as it warms up not needing a fast idle position on the master control switch.
I don't recommend warm up the saw with the choke on because the owners manual instructions doesn't say that.
If you bring your saw out of storage to cut in hot weather and the last time  it ran was in freezing weather you may need to do the reset procedure as explained.
BUT only if it doesn't reset itself after a few minutes of cutting after a normal by the owners manual starting instructions.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

weimedog

Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

HolmenTree

Are we going to see the 550 mark ll this year Walter?
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

weimedog

Quote from: HolmenTree on February 04, 2019, 04:05:43 PM
Are we going to see the 550 mark ll this year Walter?
Think So...have to ask Bob for certain. So does that mean when they show up your going to have access to one?
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

HolmenTree

Quote from: weimedog on February 04, 2019, 05:22:38 PM
Quote from: HolmenTree on February 04, 2019, 04:05:43 PM
Are we going to see the 550 mark ll this year Walter?
Think So...have to ask Bob for certain. So does that mean when they show up your going to have access to one?
Don't temp me :D
We'll probably get them  first here in Canada from what I've seen in the past with new models.
Only trouble is I'm slowly winding my tree service down and got my sights on retirement.
I never thought I'd ever say that but it sure sounds good right about now.
I'm afraid I may miss out on the 462, 572, 500i......
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

weimedog

Quote from: HolmenTree on February 04, 2019, 07:23:28 PM
Quote from: weimedog on February 04, 2019, 05:22:38 PM
Quote from: HolmenTree on February 04, 2019, 04:05:43 PM
Are we going to see the 550 mark ll this year Walter?
Think So...have to ask Bob for certain. So does that mean when they show up your going to have access to one?
Don't temp me :D
We'll probably get them  first here in Canada from what I've seen in the past with new models.
Only trouble is I'm slowly winding my tree service down and got my sights on retirement.
I never thought I'd ever say that but it sure sounds good right about now.
I'm afraid I may miss out on the 462, 572, 500i......
That doesn't mean you have to miss out on them at all, retirement means you can get them and use them how ever you feel like when ever you feel like...:) I'm hoping to pick up a 572 in March. I'm very much a retiree. Do I need another saw to add to the pile? No. I just want one. Retirement gives that option. Then next year a 562 Mk 2, the saws I don't use go into the saw retirement home. Still will use my goofy Jonsered 2175 (71 with a xpw top end ) for most everything until I can't. 
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

HolmenTree

I'm just getting used to this retirement idea now that I'm 61.
Last month I collected my first check from a retirement fund that I can draw once a year for now without penalties.

I'm holding onto my equipment probably into my 70's :laugh:so I can still go out once a week and do a job when I feel like it. But that definitely won't be a proper endurance test for the most frail of saws.

New 562 Mark2?  I still run my 2012 562 and it's still my best all round saw for what I do. I don't need any improvement in it and it taught me to swear an oath to never work in high heat again. (Its smarter then I am)

My MS261CM is the best small rear handle saw I'll ever need.
The Ms462 would remind me so much as when the 044 was introduced over 30 years ago, but I got it's near identical little brother 261.
Big cube saws I got two of the finest 066 models out there.
And I still have a very nice shape Jonsereds 70E to rebuild. A saw I never got to run even back in the day. So it would be a classic to do a once a week tree job for a customer every now and then.

The only saw I may buy next is the fuel injected MS500i and call it my last.....
Unless of course Husqvarna introduces their own and then I'll need to have one of those too. :)

Making a living with a saw since age 16.

weimedog

See?  that brings back the concept of fun vs. work. Fun is running them when I want until I'm tired to the point of falling over....I keep telling my kids who simply don't get it, its like going on a trail ride with the dirt bikes. Same mentality. Just its a saw. Work is when I cut because I HAVE to or have to fit some one else's time schedule. Huge difference once I was retired. :) While my hip was disintegrating, I was all in with the 560 I built (UOMS) because every day, in fact every task was defined around how much pain it was going to be. Once the hip healed after surgery, NOW I can actually run my older 2171's even 920's with out undue pain....so UOMS is a back up on the back burner. My goofy Jonsereds 2165 & 2171's with a 372xpw top ends are the saw's I prefer, for no other reason than I built them, its fun to run them for me, and I like them. No real rational past that..:) I think they are to me what your 066 is to you. ( THAT'S a cool build concept in my way of thinking BTW) No numbers can quantify those things. Retirement allows that..:) Not certain if the 572 can crack that egg....we will see. It's either a shelf queen like the 2172 is or it will be like that 562 HTSS which was the back bone for a few years because it was easy to live with, probably same as your 562. The 562 MK II will replace it next year, its getting tired between me and my lending it out, it has hours and hours on it. BUT we are having this conversation.....and retirement completely changes the "metrics" about how I approach life, maybe you will as well....just hope ALL of us can retire healthy enough to do what we love and be able to share with our kids and grand kids before the knowledge is lost..
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

gspren

I'm 67 and retired when I was 59, never did make a living with a chainsaw but 20 some years ago I sold enough firewood to pay for my brand new 044 that I still use. I bought my MS261 before the CM happened and I use it most, I have no idea how it compares to the newer ones and maybe that's good :D, and while all I cut is personal firewood I sometimes think about another new saw maybe a 241 just because I can. The wife doesn't know how many chainsaws, guns, etc. I have anyway.
Stihl 041, 044 & 261, Kubota 400 RTV, Kubota BX 2670, Ferris Zero turn

Inaotherlife

I wouldn't go so far as to say my saws are just for fun. But I can't think of any other good reason why I'd have more than two or three.

I had a couple of old ones, then bought a couple of new ones for some work I had to do, and then they kept multiplying.
Now I have a large collection of homeowner sized saws. Echo 2511 and 361. Couple of Craftsman poulan micro 25 and s25da, xl2, 009l, ....oh, and a minty 346....
of the echo variety.
Then a couple of medium sized saws in an old 3400 and a new echo 490.
And my big saw is a gently used 372xp.

The local Stihl guy is having 15% off open house, but I just don't need a 241 or 261, or really any other saw.....unless I was to stumble across a real old big cc saw at a steal of a deal, then I might see if I could rig up some kind of home made mill to cut a couple of big logs I have.

HolmenTree

Another excellent video from the guys out of Sweden.
 Cut4fun posted this on his repair forum a day ago.
Husqvarna 550 XP Mark 2 i jämförelse med Stihl MS 261 - YouTube
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

John Mc

Great review. Wishing he had done it with the exact same chain on the two saws. (I'm guessing that would be a pain, given the different drive link count.)
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

HolmenTree

The little Picco chain on the 261 will need alot more sharpening maintenance affecting production too.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

HotRail

Quote from: HolmenTree on June 05, 2019, 07:45:30 AM
Another excellent video from the guys out of Sweden.
Cut4fun posted this on his repair forum a day ago.
Husqvarna 550 XP Mark 2 i jämförelse med Stihl MS 261 - YouTube
Yep, i referenced this video a couple days ago I think but no link, thanks....anyways very well done and no bias detected in this review.  Only thing is yes, fuel tank and oil tanks on the 550xp mk2 are larger but this imo doesnt account for being heavier. Last time I was on the forums heavy, all the new huskys were the lighter of the two.  (Husky vs. Stihl)  Looks like Stihl took some lessons...

HolmenTree

I was comparing the oil tank capacities of my 562XP and 066 the other day and found they're both the same size. 
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

Cutter Q

I have both a 550xp and 261cm. If my 550 would start every time when I wanted it to I feel like I would prefer that over the 261. But there is no comparison with how easy the 261 starts, so it now has become my primary saw. I brought my 550 in to dealers to check it out and other than a few updates they say everything is fine. I'm actually really disappointed that I'm having such issues with it. I was so pro husky that I even bought my son the 440 toy to play with every time I would pull out the 550 or was up in a tree with my husky 334t.

Thank You Sponsors!