Second Saw Recomendation

Right now, under 14” rounds and smaller.

 

I rescind my 400 recommendation. Buy whatever 50cc saw fits your budget. Husky 550 is hard to beat. Stihl 261 if you want to stay with Stihl.

 

A 261 has more displacement than a 250.

Harry.

 

Meh…

 

Not sure how “excellent” all the input will be, but I’m sure there is still plenty of it coming…


And next year about this time you’ll be seeking advice about what your 3rd saw should be. Be careful it’s a very slippery and steep slope.

 

Skier76 this. Be prepared for sticker shock for that saw. Ive run my 361 (precursor tho the 362) with a 28" bar and it will handle it but much better with a 20" or 25". Despite the price, a pro model saw will give you great service for many years to come and as stated will hold its value.

There's a new OPE right near you that recently opened up. At the bootom of the hill on Turnpike Rd. "Iron Horse Power Equipment" They carry Stihl. I was in there a few weeks back. Nice place with good selection.

 

I hardly ever disagree with Barcroftb BUT I would consider Echo timber wolf 59cc 5 year consumer warranty and about $450


Husky 550xp about $700 50cc
Stihl 261 probably $800 50cc class
For a backup saw save $$

 

next saw??? 500i?

 

If thats the case then a Stihl 261. My first ran a 20" bar and handled being buried in bigger wood. Id let you run a tank or two through mine if you'd like to try it. My first was standard "carb" version and current is Mtronic.

 

Pretty hard to go wrong with Echo. I like my 501 a whole lot and the 590/620 are nice saws too. Not sure he really needs a 60cc saw for sub 14” wood though. On the other hand I’ve cut smaller with a Dolmar 7910 so I’m probably not necessarily the voice of reason.

p.s. I really like my ms400’s they are pretty much the new king of the 60cc saw class.

 

Barcroftb I agree but 250 is a 45cc.. he is looking for a backup for occasional bigger. I looked up price of husky 550 and 261




I beat heck out of 260 pro for years before I upgraded for bigger wood. It’s hard to cut a log like a pie and bigger saws are fun..

 

Keep an eye out for a pristine used saw. I think you’re in for plenty of grins if you upgrade from a 14 year old 45cc to a fairly new 55-60cc saw. Something with auto tune or M tronic will make life so much easier. Interchangeable bars and chains would be another aspect to consider.

 

X3

 

Everybody is suggesting good saws in husky a 550xp or 562 would be good choices, if you stay with stihl 261 362 are good choices echo 590 from what feedback I get from my customers has been very good and I will throw another out there the EFCO mt 6500 it is a little heavier than others but it is a all magnesium engine I have sold quite a few and customers like them they are @629.00 with a 20"bar, it also depends on the dealer you have near you service is important the new electronic saws are usually not serviceable by owner if they have fuel system issues

 

Hi neighbor. No expert here but here’s what my experiences have been. I do advocate a 2nd saw for those situations where I hung up a bar, won’t start, etc.
Something to get you out of the current predicament. But maybe that’s only me that gets himself in those situations!

I started with a 250 long ago and for sentimental reasons will never let it go. It got a muffler mod a few years ago and a yellow chain like you. Use it a lot for grab and go limbing around the place.

Picked up a 362 last year new and it is fun to use. Came with an 18” bar and I have a 20” on the wall to use but never needed to yet.
A little heavy for a full tank run but that’s probably me.

Caught a used 261 on Marketplace with a 20” bar last year and it’s been a good saw. It’s lighter than the 362 and the 20” bar makes it easy on the back for limbing and bucking those rounds like your describing (<14”).

Soooo…. I think the 261 would be a good choice for you. Catch it used, run it for a bit to feel it out, then send it out for some “sausage” if you want even more. I want to get mine done but procrastinating always gives me something to look forward to.

Then you can start trying to figure out if you want a 362,400, or 500!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Only issue with this is the dealership if he needs parts otherwise echo is a good saw

 

If you have a ms 250 already at 45cc and just want more power and still light may as well buy a ms 261 that’s 50cc class has much more power then the 250. The bars and chains don’t interchange unfortunately because of the mount and a 250 18” bar isn’t as long as an 18” on the 261. So I’d buy the 261 and you could even sell the 250 and buy a truly light saw like a 180 for limbs and such. After running a 261 that weighs the same as the 250 with more power the 250 will sit anyway

 

Thank you! Doing some digging, the 261 does seem like a good option for keeping it within the Stihl brand.

The big Echo is tempting as well. My only concern there is part availability. I do have two Stihl Dealers close to both places.

 

The 362 gets very bar heavy with a standard 28” bar. I have yet to try it with a lightweight bar that is supposed to balance it better.

otherwise it runs nice with an 18” full comp chain.

 

Just a bit of D.A. here...it only takes me one hand to count the times when I've *needed a dealer for my saws in 25 years. The issue with most Stihl parts sellers is that they will be closed on one of the days I can actually visit them. Many shops close (around here) at noon on Saturday. So, if I need something from them my window of opportunity is Saturday only, before noon. I'm driving past a few shops including Husky, Stihl and Echo to go to a *better shop (Echo & Husky) that is 20 minutes further from me. Took me all of five minutes in there to decide I liked it better than the ones in my town. They too have banker hours on Saturdays and are closed on sundays, so I have to plan ahead. Worth it at this particular dealer, IMO. When I visit a dealer, it is usually for either smalls (filters, fuel line, oil, etc.) or a new saw. I am capable of completely rebuilding a saw on my own though I have ever only done it once. Been fortunate enough to be able to have quality equipment that seldom fails me.