If you could only have one chainsaw (to do it all)?

[Piston]

My one, do it all saw, is the MS361.  I can't say how nice it is to have other bigger and smaller saws, as this is the only saw I've ever purchased up until a month ago.  I am very happy with the 361, so happy in fact, I bought my father a 362 for his birthday after they discontinued the 361.  I really notice zero difference between the two, and wouldn't hesitate to go with the 362. 

Just recently, I did purchase a Stihl Farm Boss which I think is the 290??? It's okay, but overlaps too much with the 361 in size and weight, but nowhere near the power.  I had thought of selling it and getting a MS200 for a great combo. 

So my vote is for a 362 as a do it all saw, 20" bar for good balance. 

(of course, if I had a different saw and was happy with it, I'd probably be recommending something different  :D)

[nmurph]

It's my Stihl MS261. I can cut anything within reason to stay supplied with Oak and Hickory for wood heat. It is probably the lightest saw available with its capability and powers a 20" bar in .063 gauge. If for some reason there was only one saw for each guy, I'll take one of these and guaranteed stay warm. The close up pic is a 16" bar with Rapid Super. The other bar is a 20" Stihl with a replaceable tip. That's the best bar to answer your question in another thread, Texas Rat. My avatar is the same saw. I use it every day.

My stats sheet show the MS261 to be the exact HP as the MS290 and 1/2 pound lighter. it seems to be the lightest saw with some what of HP so far. And if it where to be ported with a muf mod it might come out the overall winner. I will be considering this one for sure along side the MS 361 and others as well.

A stock 550 has the same HP rating as a 261 and is nearly .75lb lighter.

If you need something a little bigger and want to stay with a stock saw, a 562 is a good bit lighter than a 362 and a is a little stronger.

[HotRail]

First post here but, I would agree with a 60cc saw for one size fits all so to speak...if your looking stihl then a good used ms361 or new ms362...husky would be 562xp.  Both Pro saws so not cheap.  I have a ms261 and if you don't need more than a 20" bar this would be better for climbing but still able to handle a ground duties.  Good luck with your decision.

[JohnG28]

a 346 is about 1.5lbs. lighter.

lighter than what?

And do you have the original HP stats on the 346 saw so I can try and get an idea as to how much other saws might gain with a port and muf mod job?

I believe he means lighter than the 361. I have my 361 muffler moded and it made a good difference. A ported 361 would be really nice, I for one just can't bring myself to mess with mine as it is. Already does anything I have asked of it and the 460 gets anything larger anyways.

[TheTexasRAT]

First post here but, I would agree with a 60cc saw for one size fits all so to speak...if your looking stihl then a good used ms361 or new ms362.... ...  I have a ms261 and if you don't need more than a 20" bar this would be better for climbing but still able to handle a ground duties.  Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for the input, so far from what I am hearing and reading in the stats I am leaning toward the MS261 C-M and open up the muffler 80%. And once the warranty is up I would definitely want to port it and even run a pipe to make it the saw it was meant to be in the first place - I'm really not all that concerned about noise pollution.

a 346 is about 1.5lbs. lighter.

lighter than what?

And do you have the original HP stats on the 346 saw so I can try and get an idea as to how much other saws might gain with a port and muf mod job?

I believe he means lighter than the 361. I have my 361 muffler moded and it made a good difference. A ported 361 would be really nice, I for one just can't bring myself to mess with mine as it is. Already does anything I have asked of it and the 460 gets anything larger anyways.

Oy, turns out it's a Husqy, in which I could care less (with extreme prejudice) as to what the specs are in the first place.

As for doing a port job I would think the MS261 series could use the extra oomph. I'm thinking it is a lighter saw than the MS361 and could easily make the same HP with a port and muf job (i.e. - all of the oomph of the MS361 [if not more] plus lighter weight for climbing, not to mention nice to have light weight on the ground too). 

A stock 550 has the same HP rating as a 261 and is nearly .75lb lighter.

If you need something a little bigger and want to stay with a stock saw, a 562 is a good bit lighter than a 362 and a is a little stronger.

I am sure that Husqy makes many a good saws, but I personally prefer the a Stihl chainsaw. Not to mention if one is going to run a Stihl bar to start with, due to there extreme quality, I see no need to use an adaptor plate when they fit Stihl chainsaws to the T. And being Stihl makes the best chains to boot I feel that if I'm going to run a Stihl bar and chain I might as well attach 'em to a beloved Stihl saw to boot. Now keep in mind that I'm not biased against Husqy chainsaws, rather I am extremely prejudist against them. MY BAD but that's just the way it's going to be with me. A friend of mine had a Husqy and it would shock the bejeebers out of you every time you'ld get your hand next to the little hump in the top cover. OYE VEY!!! Thanks but no thanks.

[SawTroll]

Agree with others on the MS361.  Best allaround Stihl saw IMO.
Shep

It is where I am too - but of course the isn't a universal answer!   ;)

My brother likely would have said 056 MagII.....  :D :D

...that is, if it has to be a Stihl...

[SawTroll]

..-..

A stock 550 has the same HP rating as a 261 and is nearly .75lb lighter.

If you need something a little bigger and want to stay with a stock saw, a 562 is a good bit lighter than a 362 and a is a little stronger.

Those Stihl saws aren't really relevant - too far outclassed.... ;D

[HotRail]

I like it...ms261 cm w/muffler mod.  My regular 261 is mm'ed and its a good bit stronger now.  16" bar for climbing and a 20" for ground work.  A lot guys go 3/8" but I stay with .325. 

[Piston]

...I have my 361 muffler moded and it made a good difference. ....

John,
Did you do your own muffler mod?  If not, how did  you have it done?  I've been thinking of having that done to mine but I don't know what I'm doing.   :D

[AdkStihl]

 For Niko........  8)



 

[AdkStihl]

...I have my 361 muffler moded and it made a good difference. ....

John,
Did you do your own muffler mod?  If not, how did  you have it done?  I've been thinking of having that done to mine but I don't know what I'm doing.   :D

Just Google images "MS361 Muffler Mod"........

Some use a Husqvarna 266 or 288 deflector on the left side of muffler, some prefer to slice louvers with a thin cut Dremel wheel.
I've done both.
I prefer the looks, sound and performance of the 266/288 deflector myself

[JohnG28]

...I have my 361 muffler moded and it made a good difference. ....

John,
Did you do your own muffler mod?  If not, how did  you have it done?  I've been thinking of having that done to mine but I don't know what I'm doing.   :D

I can send you pics of it id you like. Did it myself with the 288 deflector like ADK said and screen in case I choose to use it on state land. It makes a difference and real easy.

[Corley5]

2171 Jonsered/372 Husky

[abikerboy]

It's my Stihl MS261. I can cut anything within reason to stay supplied with Oak and Hickory for wood heat. It is probably the lightest saw available with its capability and powers a 20" bar in .063 gauge. If for some reason there was only one saw for each guy, I'll take one of these and guaranteed stay warm. The close up pic is a 16" bar with Rapid Super. The other bar is a 20" Stihl with a replaceable tip. That's the best bar to answer your question in another thread, Texas Rat. My avatar is the same saw. I use it every day.

My stats sheet show the MS261 to be the exact HP as the MS290 and 1/2 pound lighter. it seems to be the lightest saw with some what of HP so far. And if it where to be ported with a muf mod it might come out the overall winner. I will be considering this one for sure along side the MS 361 and others as well.

I own both a MS290 and an MS261, and while I do still like my MS290, I will say that your arms and hands will thank you if you choose the MS261 over the MS290! I like the anti-vibe on the MS261 better, and it may be just my imagination, but the MS261 seems to have a little more torque than the MS290. (Sending out a big hello to the arboristsite guys that are here! Looks like I've got another great hangout place and a great new crowd of people to get addicted to now!)

[ehp]

I would have to say I like my ported 562 pretty good , its nice a light and easy to carry if the trees get to far apart like they do some times logging ,

[nmurph]

For Niko........  8)



 

The weight of an 044 is about 1lb more than what that brochure states. I haven't weighed a 268, but a 61/272 conversion is 14lbs (should be very close).

[Full Chisel]

The weight of an 044 is about 1lb more than what that brochure states.

That's an extra pound of onryness. You need to steer clear of it

.

[SawTroll]

For Niko........  8)



 

Not all 044s were equally heavy, or had the same max power specs.... ;)

The weight of an 044 is about 1lb more than what that brochure states. I haven't weighed a 268, but a 61/272 conversion is 14lbs (should be very close).

The weight and power output of the 044 depends on how old it is - they were not all created the same....

[gspren]

  Regardless of what a saw looks like on paper some saws just feel right and some don't, the 044 feels right in my hands and anyone that I've let use it was impressed. Those that used it were with me, I don't loan it out, that's what I kept the 041 without AV for.

[SawTroll]

  Regardless of what a saw looks like on paper some saws just feel right and some don't, ....

True. 

[Lanternguy]

for me my Echo 450 is great all around but yha if i had to only keep one saw its my Stihl 361 the power and weight feel right to me

[angelo c]

based on your requirements a ported 261CM would be the closest to meeting them.

[outdoortype]

I bet if you buy a 261,361, 362 you won't even need to modify it. They all are lighter,faster and handle so much better than the 029/310.  If you don't mind buying used, the 361 is in a class of it's own.  I am a Husky guy but the 361 has a husky style engine porting(fast acceleration) and is just plain bulletproof.  The early models had a few coil issues but that's it.  The saw that replaced it is really expensive around here $700+

[TheTexasRAT]

Well, I got me a saw. And I bet y'all will never guess which one I got. Especially since I had gone on record as having said "I would never own a Husqvarna".

Well, I got a Husqvarna 350 (52cc). It seems light weight enough for what I want, but am not sure just yet as to whether or not it can do the work load I need it to do.

Keep in mind I did not pick this saw out based on any thing said here on this thread. In fact I did not pick the saw, it picked me. I cut down a couple of dying trees in the back yard and cut them up and then took the firewood over to my neighbor to give to him, as I have been doing for years now. He was so glad to know that he would not have to worry about firewood again for the next coming year, as his Husqvarna had an issue, that he gave me his chainsaw.

He said that it had some issue with the clutch and that he did not want to pay to get it fixed anymore. Being he sends his stuff to shops instead of doing the work himself he said he just as well off buying a new saw anyway.

Ok, so I get the saw home and fuel it up and it starts right up and throttles well. Every thing seems just fine, but I decided to take a look at the clutch. Turns out nothing was wrong with the clutch but rather it was the sprocket worn down to the point that the chain could no longer catch on anything.

Yeah, right now I am a tried-and-true Stilh-Man with a Husqvarna in my hand, and if all works out that I like this saw I will just stick with it, otherwise I will sell it and look for either a Stihl 261, 361 or 362. After I fix it and cut some wood I will come back and let y'all know if I am still as happy as I am right now (to be continued at a later date).

[sawdusty1]

I have a Husky 350 and it is one of my favorites because of it's light weight.  Put a rim sprocket on it and a professional chain.  Always check the torque of your muffler bolts.  They have been known to come loose and the muffler will burn a hole through the plastic crankcase.