Chain size on Stihl 261

RedHawkRidge · February 04, 2016, 10:42:56 PM

Would like to get a stihl 261 w/ 20" bar -- I think the standard chain/bar is .325". I have 2 other saws, both with 3/8". Will the 261 run a 20" 3/8" chain/bar satisfactorily?
thanks
jim

RedHawkRidge · February 04, 2016, 10:47:08 PM

Also, my preference is to run RS cutters on the chains, if that makes any difference.
Jim

sawguy21 · February 04, 2016, 11:01:12 PM

You can run 3/8 chain as long as it is kept properly sharpened and you let the saw do the work. What are your other saws? The drive link count may not be the same, if you are not making your own loops there may not be any advantage.

zach613 · February 04, 2016, 11:41:45 PM

It will pull it, but not be very happy buried in 20 inch's of oak. it realy shines with a 16 inch .325.... At least that's my experience with my 260 aka a older 261.

DonnerParty · February 05, 2016, 01:33:20 AM

My 261 makes a little more power than the 260. Pulls 18" .325 great. I would only go longer than that if you're looking for more reach. If you're going to bury the bar, and just want to stick with one file size with the 3/8, go 16".

SawTroll · February 05, 2016, 07:24:23 AM

Quote from: RedHawkRidge on February 04, 2016, 10:42:56 PM
Would like to get a stihl 261 w/ 20" bar -- I think the standard chain/bar is .325". I have 2 other saws, both with 3/8". Will the 261 run a 20" 3/8" chain/bar satisfactorily?
thanks
jim

That will depend on the wood, what you consider satisfactory, and your sharpening skills.

I would get at least a 60cc saw for regular use of that setup.

pwheel · February 08, 2016, 10:29:28 AM

Quote from: RedHawkRidge on February 04, 2016, 10:42:56 PM
Would like to get a stihl 261 w/ 20" bar -- I think the standard chain/bar is .325". I have 2 other saws, both with 3/8". Will the 261 run a 20" 3/8" chain/bar satisfactorily?

If you intend to bury the bar in hardwood, the short answer is no, IMO. If you would like to run a 20" bar w/ 3/8" pitch chain, get a 60cc saw minimum, like SawTroll suggested. For comparison, I run a 16" b/c (.325 pitch) on an ms261 (Stihl recommends this combination for the ms261 on the website); the 20" b/c (3/8" pitch) goes on an ms440; the 25" b/c (3/8" pitch) goes on an ms460.

footer · February 08, 2016, 02:55:10 PM

Quote from: pwheel on February 08, 2016, 10:29:28 AM
Quote from: RedHawkRidge on February 04, 2016, 10:42:56 PM
Would like to get a stihl 261 w/ 20" bar -- I think the standard chain/bar is .325". I have 2 other saws, both with 3/8". Will the 261 run a 20" 3/8" chain/bar satisfactorily?
If you intend to bury the bar in hardwood, the short answer is no, IMO. If you would like to run a 20" bar w/ 3/8" pitch chain, get a 60cc saw minimum, like SawTroll suggested. For comparison, I run a 16" b/c (.325 pitch) on an ms261 (Stihl recommends this combination for the ms261 on the website); the 20" b/c (3/8" pitch) goes on an ms440; the 25" b/c (3/8" pitch) goes on an ms460.

I have 16 inch and 20 inch bars for MS660~
I agree, I wouldn't run a 3/8 20 inch bar on the 261.

HolmenTree · February 09, 2016, 01:53:21 PM

Here's a tuning kit for the MS261. With the 63PS chisel chain it will out perform the .325 23RS by 20% as Stihl claims.

zach613 · February 09, 2016, 11:07:57 PM

Do you have a part number for that kit?

HolmenTree · February 09, 2016, 11:28:24 PM

I believe the part# is right there in the photograph.

zach613 · February 10, 2016, 11:17:17 AM

yes that is the part number, just not used to having so many zeros on a oem number.

gspren · February 10, 2016, 02:08:48 PM

Is that available in the US?

HolmenTree · February 10, 2016, 03:37:11 PM

I believe it is from some input I got when I posted this info on here a while back.
May not be available in some U.S. localities as this is 63PS yellow chain, which can be sold to homeowners in Canada.
In the U.S. with the strict liability issues you may only be allowed to buy the 63PS3 green chain.

49er · February 10, 2016, 06:04:23 PM

I really like PS chain on my 3800 Redmax. It cuts 30 percent faster. But on my 50cc saw I like Oregon BPX, that is .325 semi chisel. Stihl RS or Oregon LGX maybe faster but I don't care about that. BPX chain cuts a long time, is very smooth and is fast enough.
Also, I think .325 will not jump off the bar as easily as 3/8. when I stick the bar in brush and pull the trigger.

Greyhound · February 10, 2016, 08:05:02 PM

The 261C will pull 20", 3/8, RS chain, but this is not ideal. 16-18" is much better. PS is supposed to be awesome, but the rim is sometimes hard to find. As Saw Troll says, 20" is 60+ cc. territory.

s grinder · February 11, 2016, 09:28:43 AM

I also run .325 pitch chain and 16"bar on my 261,sweet combo.If i want to go Animal put 20"B/C on my MS660.For my own cutting[firewood]the 261 does 90 percent of my needs.

Loggerpro. · February 14, 2019, 10:29:32 PM

Satisfactorily for me .... NO x 100 The saw is too light for a 20 inch bar, its that simple. It just nose dives , unless you run an ultra light bar which means ultra expensive and ultra non long lasting )

olcowhand · February 15, 2019, 05:43:39 AM

I run a 3/8" Full chisel with a 16" Bar on my MS 261C-M, I did that to keep my sharpening equipment common with my MS 461. It runs that combo just fine. If you plan on burying a 20" Bar in Hard wood while using the dog, expect your saw to ask for a little mercy......

realzed · February 15, 2019, 10:57:36 AM

I use a 20" and a .325 RS chain and it goes through very hard maple when I've been cutting rounds very easily, with no issues at all even with the bar pretty much buried or in fact cutting two logs together with ever more than 20" combined length.
I haven't tried a 3/8 chain but intended to at some point.. my dealer who is pretty knowledgeable says a 3/8 - 20 is no problem..
Also aside from what you might hear about the saw with a 20" bar, it isn't in my experience at all as terribly unbalanced as some might wish you to believe - but it isn't like using it with a 16" bar - granted.. but there are advantages to having the extra length obviously, and the saw certainly with the 20" deal and .325 works well for my purposes.
I can't imagine why it wouldn't also with a good sharp 3/8 chain - but everyone's expectations or results on it are bound to be different and varied!