Lacking a Ballsy Chainsaw

Great points as I do enjoy winter cutting the most though it's been a bit slim this winter. Only time I don't want to run a saw is when it's 85+ degrees out in the summer. I like getting outta the house in the winter and working in the cold.

 

If you had to say what is the average tree diameter tree and species. When I am cutting in the burn, I target 6-10 inch white spruce. I am cutting beetle kill white spruce that is up to 25+ inches. In past seasons I have use 034 super and 036’s and bought a ported 026 from FHC. I am super happy with the capabilities of the saw, I am cutting in snow from 18-30 inches deep. My 261 is getting ported as we speak. Love these saws. In this section, in the loaded truck thread you can see the wood I have been cutting the last hand full of days. Would be awesome if you could run both saws a a GTG in similar wood you normally would cut.

 

I agree with Rope. A good 50cc pro saw is probably the best firewood choice. The 261 will not disappoint. It'll run a 20" bar no problem. You'll eventually buy more saws but unless you have big wood, the 261 will be your go-to.

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I'm cutting pretty much only scrounged hardwoods up to 24" diameter, maybe bigger here and there but typically unless I can split on site, I try to avoid anything too big to lift into the truck. Where the 211 really struggles is when I'm burying that bar into honey locust, which we have a ton of around here.

 

The 261 will definitely be a great upgrade from the 211. You'll be smiling all day long. The echo 590 is also a great saw. It'll give you more power but it's a little heavier. At $400, it's a great bargain. Certainly worth looking into.


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woody5506 I got a 260 Pro. Not as good as the new ones in power. But it still can run a 20 inch bar and if the rounds are too big you can noodle to put them in the truck.

 

You may not think about it now, but if you run into wood that’s in the 24” plus range, or are passing up a lot of the bigger stuff you may want to consider a 70cc saw....

For instance my biggest saw was a ms362 with a 20” bar....yes it worked great, but I did pass on some of the huge, knarly, knotty hardwood....As time went on and I took on more side tree jobs, I knew I needed a bigger saw, (I also heat my house and hot water with ONLY wood with an OWB!!!).....now I am not trying to sway you to a certain brand/model, but I chose a 461....

I am here to tell you it paid for itself quickly....I first thought I would only use it on the huge wood, but I use it for anything over 20”....if you had a 70cc saw and your 211, you could tackle anything you run into....out of all my saws I could choose to take cutting, it’s the 024 with a 16” and the 461 with a 20”-32” bar...I used to lift pieces that were way to heavy into my truck, now I smile when I noodle them down into easy to lift pieces.....

It seemed a little crazy to spend that much on a saw at the time, but I have not regretted it 1-single time!!!!

 

Here is some of the wood I used to leave behind before I got the 461...that’s a 25” bar when saw was brand new....Red oak..




Once my dad found out I got a big saw, he had a “job” for me, LOL.....he had the top break out of a maple during a wind storm....

 

By the sounds of it, you are looking to use a 20” bar? The 261 will do well, if you’re looking for 25 jump to a larger size saw. A 036/361/362 will do just fine on the 25 bar. If you cutting say 50% or more rounds that are larger than say 20” you may want to consider larger 044/441/442 to the 046/461. As far as size rounds that are large someone stated noodling to smaller size that you can move/load into truck/trailer. May want to consider a 2 saw plan and get a small/large. I would figure out how much wood you cut and at what sizes then size the saw to that. Just for saying you cut 70% that’s less than 16” and 10% at 16-18 then 20% that 18-24. Start with a 261 with a larger saw in your future when budget allows. As the percentage moves higher towards larger rounds then think of a larger saw initially, with a better smaller saw in your future.

 

mint 261c

 

Mint 362c

 

Mint 441c

 

The next mastermind!!!!

 

I think I'm gonna go with the 261C. I can get a new one with 20" bar for about $560-575 cash from a dealer nearby. I've had the 211 a bit over a year now and cut about 25+ face cords with it (8+ cords). Part of me wants to go bigger than a 261 but I think it's unnecessary for now. If that time comes, I"ll ditch the 211 and put that money towards something bigger than the 261.

Again, thanks to everyone for their input

 

That’s a good idear goin with that 261c mtronic model... down the road a righteous muffler mod ; modded combustion chamber and a Real SHARP chain will make that saw REALLY come alive and most important won’t break the bank ! Post a vid when ya get to it

 

Just like #rope said!

Except to me (no offense rope) the 362 just seems like a tweener saw. I had a 391(before I joined FHC) and got ride of it because I had no use for it. U can't think of a reason to buy a new saw for only 4" of bar length. Now for a 1 saw plan, the 362 would be the one.

 

No offense here, I have a few 036’s and like em. There a good saw and the power to weight ratio is good. Wading in snow all bundled gets old with big saws. If I count get my truck within 10 yards of a tree I cut I most likely would use a bigger saw. I prefer the 25 bar, so I don’t have to bend over to cut. But with the snow depth and temps plus I have to snow machine my wood the compact saw is nice. I am happy that I have had time and plenty of overtime to acquire some nice saws. I have a 026, 261, 034, 2x 036, 441, 461. I like all of them and they all have their place.

The OP may just have to buy and try. The good thing is if his wood size changes he can adapt a different saw strategy I have toyed with getting rid of some that I don’t use as much. But my saws have paid for them selves many fold. Hey ya never know.

I bought a 441 mtronic like the saw a lot but weeks after purchas I jumped at the opportunity to pick up a ported 461 and have not touched the 441 since. Stainless muffler has not changed colors yet.

I personally fell the OP is making a wise choice in the 261. Great saw! It is going to be such a upgrade from the 211 I am going to see his smile from here.

 

362c set-up properly with an 18” bar can’t be beat in 16” and under wood imho