Ms261 mtron w/ 3/8 chain?

I've got the opportunity to buy a almost new ( 1 tank of gas) 261 at a darn good price.

Am I crazy for wanting to run 3/8 chain on it? All my other saws use 3/8 and for consistency I'd like to keep them all the same if possible.

It'll have a 20" bar, but will never be in 20" wood. I've got bigger saws for that type of stuff. This will fill the role between my 193t and my 361. Only to be used where the 361 is too big, and the 193 is too slow and small. I've got a bad back and if I don't have to carry the 361 all day, I don't want to unless it's needed.

huskihl Armbru84 DexterDay mike bayerl MasterMech and other 261 owners.....thoughts?

 

I'm no expert, but 3/8th is fine but I'd probably just stick with 0.325 on a stock MS261. My personal MS261 is ported and runs only 16" or 18" x 3/8ths, but in retrospect, I might have preferred to stick with 0.325. In reality there's not going to be huge difference.

 

It'll work fine. Just keep the chains separate and run higher rakers on the 261. Maybe .005" higher than your 361.

That being said, it'll cut slightly faster with .325, but if you don't clock it, you won't notice

 

Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn’t the change require a change of drive sprocket? While the difference between 3/8 and .325 is only .050, I would think the difference in pitch would require a slightly larger sprocket. I’m still learning.

 

What he said. 3/8 is fine with a 20. Send her to Kev for some extra sausage and it may even pull .404

 

That's just crazy talk

 

Yep you'd have to change the drive sprocket to 3/8. But he works for a dealership and shouldn't have any problems getting them to sell it like that

 

Pretty much this in a nutshell stuckinthemuck

 

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Once I sell off a couple saws to pay the bill, this one I hope to send to Kevin to molest.

It's high time I join the ported crowd I reckon.

 

Fwiw, this old thread I just found provides a lot of insight on this topic.

50cc CHAIN shoot out - 3 Bars, 3 Chains, 5 Sprockets, and 1 Saw.

 

Here you go! Ported MS261 Arctic. 'Nuff saiid

Scott ported my MS361. Great work, easy communication, quick turnaround.
Here's a video of my Tree Monkey'd MS361.

 

Ultimately I think the pros of running 3/8th on it will outweigh the cons for ya.

 

I run 3/8" on my 260- just have to stock one size of files.

Will

 

And while you are changing sprockets how about going a tooth smaller? That will let the saw pull the chain better, might not win any saw races, but will let the engine torque it out better...bad idea?

 

I believe the smallest available in both sizes is 3/8x7 or .325x7, which is what they would come with stock

 

Ah, well there goes that idea then...

 

You run 3/8 on 193?

 

Yeah 3/8LP .043, most likely what is on the OP's 193, not not 3/8 like on his 361.

 

I have a 261 with 3/8, then I have another one with 3/8lp and I have put a .325 bar on one and tried it. 3/8 is a bit much more a 261. 3/8lp cuts a little faster but if the wood has dirt on it, it dull very fast. Stihl got it right with the .325 that they come with.

You really aren't going to gain anything other than lighting your wallet about $60. The 193 has a different bar, chain, sprocket, and file size. The 361 takes a different sprocket. I don't see where there is anything to gain. If you want to make it cut better, put a .325 8t sprocket on them. An 18'' bar is the best bar for a 261, again like the dealers most have them equipped.