Smooth light and powerful ...

[lledwod]

I currently run Stihl 044, 026, ms250, Jonsered 2071, Husqvarna 162se, 262xp, 51, 55, 350, 353. My favourites are the 262xp and the 51/55. I do a lot of trail cutting, firewood cutting, and log building. Probably about 20 gallons a year. The problem is my back and wrists are starting to bother me, and I think it might be time to try something new. I tried a friends 562xp and found it to be powerful and smooth. But I think I need something lighter. For 80% of my work I find 50cc is just fine. I tried 2 different Husqvarna 550's, and wasn't impressed. Ive also run a few tanks through a 362c, again not terribly impressed, but at least it started and idled better than the 550. So I am leaning towards a 362. I love my old saws (especially the 162se and the 262xp) but I wonder would there be a noticeable reduction in abuse to my body running a new saw?

Thanks fo any insight.

[donbj]

Hmmm, seems like you have the weight range covered pretty good. I have a 262xp as well, awesome saw, covers a lot of ground. Also have a 2065 Turbo Jonsered, right up there with the 262xp imo.
What are you looking for in "something new?"

[Ianab]

Pro grade saw for the power and light weight. 

MS 261?

The "pro" rating isn't simply about the cc rating. It's the light weight, power and durability. Of course that costs more. 

[lledwod]

For some reason I thought the 362 was 50cc. Now I see it is 59. Is the 261 a clamshell saw? 

[thecfarm]

I just bought a husky 450E back in Oct. I've used it a lot. Light and powerful. I have a 372 for the big ones. I bury the bar quite often in a wood pile. I push my wood up into a pile, tree length, and saw it that way. Starts up real easy.
I do run a Stihl chain on it, that seems to wake it up. 

[barbender]

261 isn't a clamshell as far as I know, full on pro saw. I have one, it is light and smooth. Torquey little saw, always starts right up and adjusts to conditions flawlessly. I've heard if you run them out of fuel they are a son of a gun to start afterwards.

[tamarackman]

I purchased an Echo cs-501p a few months ago. After about 15 gallons of fuel through it, I feel like it was a good buy. It's my goto saw for just about everything now (feeling, limbing, and some bucking).

Based on the specs, I think it is the lightest and most powerful 50cc saw without a computer. Just a plain old carb.

[ehp]

261 is not a clam motor , very good saw with lots of torque for being 50cc 

[Tacotodd]

Pro-Grade vertically split case. According my local and intellectual Stihl dealer, the smallest of the pro Stihl saws currently made. An ever changing world though.

[teakwood]

For some reason I thought the 362 was 50cc. Now I see it is 59. Is the 261 a clamshell saw?

I have had 4 or 5 MS260 and can't say anything bad about them. you will be fine with the 261

[Fishnuts2]

Find a cherry 346XP Husqvarna.  You can cut trails with a smile!

[PoginyHill]

You might want to visit a physical therapist. There is probably some easy things you can do to lessen your pain. I've experienced that as I've gotten older and the proper stretches can make a world of difference.

[mike_belben]

Id recommend atleast trying a 346xp before you make the decision.


I am in the same pain.. From my fused spine to my fingertips and every joint in between those two points.  Plus my knees and right arch.  Sucks when you feel too far gone to invest in any form of repair.

[HolmenTree]

Yes the MS261 CM is a excellent 50cc saw.

You all may laugh, but my wife has been coaxing me to do yoga with her for the last 2 years.
For the last year due to Covid we do it at home now with a video subscription. Makes all the difference in the world with my flexibility and endurance.

You have to be patient at first,  holding a stretch for a few minutes can be painful or down right uncomfortable. But it becomes easy real quick as the muscles adapt. You only need to do it for 20 minutes at first for the whole session of different stretches.

Becomes very relaxing and brings the blood pressure down. My favorite is finishing the session laying on the mat with my legs straight up against the wall. Helps the blood circulation and drain fluids to your core.
Huge improvement in my knees etc. Sleep like a baby at night.

[PoginyHill]

Agree on the patience. Can't speak to Yoga, but stretching my hamstrings took about 4 weeks before I noticed my back pain was going away.

[lledwod]

Wow. I like where this has gone  It is indeed a fact, after seeing a photo of me working with my saw, and how awkward I  look, that I said to my wife I need to see a physical therapist. I think I need to work my body differently. Stretching sounds like a great idea, better for me and cheaper than a new saw! I have many times considered selling a couple of my nice old saws to justify the purchase of a new one, but in the end I just can't part with them. On the other hand, after years of driving old snowmobiles, I bought brand new last year and have no regrets!

So ..... 346xp, yes I have always wanted to try one. ms261 is also very tempting. 

[Tacotodd]

Now, if only you could BUY a NEW 346XP!

[barbender]

I like new chainsaws as well, I think they're great. I don't get hung up on classic saws any more than I would a snowmobile. Nice to look at and talk about,but to actually go for a ride I'll take the new one, thank you. The Polaris Colt can stay home😁

[lledwod]

It is time for a new piston and cylinder for my 353. Can I bolt a 346xp piston and cylinder on? Anything else need to change?

[421Altered]

I bought a new Stihl ms 261 cm this past week.  My first new saw since 1985 or so.  And I'm like some on here, I really can't part with my old Stihls.  But, I will tell you, this new 261 is the cats meow!  Very smooth, light, and powerful.  I am very impressed with it so far, although I've only put 2 tanks for fuel through it.  For such a nice saw, Stihl has put some very small and flimsy saw dogs on it, not happy with those, so I'll get a aftermarket set for it.  But, this saw is a keeper!!

[ehp]

I ran a stock but muffler modded  261 2 days ago with a 20 inch bar and chain in 3/8's pitch and that saw did very well and handled that chisel chain pretty good 

[Clark]

The Polaris Colt can stay home😁

What did Jesus choose to ride into town on? Sure, most translations say a donkey but one or two say a colt so I'd watch what you say about such a classy snowmobile!

Back on topic, congrats on buying the 261. Arguably my favorite Stihl and one I can't imagine anyone regretting.

Clark

[Tacotodd]

It is time for a new piston and cylinder for my 353. Can I bolt a 346xp piston and cylinder on? Anything else need to change?

If that case is of the vertically split style, then yes. But I'm sure that you'll find stuff that needs replacement along the way.  ???

[Fishnuts2]

It is time for a new piston and cylinder for my 353. Can I bolt a 346xp piston and cylinder on? Anything else need to change?

You bet!  Update the intake boot to the metal band type if it hasn't been done already too.

[Al_Smith]

For light weight yet fairly peppy saw I don't own an actual 3 cuber or a new one .I do have a handy dandy Stihl 024 that does a fair job of it all things considered .
As far as aches and pains it seems inactivity is your worst enemy .It's sure nice to lounge around in you PJ's until noon in bad weather but it doesn't help your physical condition .It's the old use it or lose it thing .