200 series are clean and mean. I love them. I have a 346xp and a 7900, but I can't put the 262xp down. It just makes me smile.
In my opinion they are close in power . The 257 weighed less and seemed more maneuverable in my hands . But both with a 20 inch bar...I liked the 261 better . Seemed to handle bigger wood a little better . I liked the 261 air filter better too...although both saws rarely would get much dust 0r chips up in that far with the air injection !
I've got an 18" bar on my 257 and, with Pete's chains, it rips up perty good. Do you think a 261, with an 18" bar, would have more useable juice?
Got the saw today. Appears to be what fuzz said it was. It's a very nice 261 with good compression. I'm happy.
No. I used it to trim some pieces and noodle a few rounds. Most of that was cut Monday. It is a good runner. It's a solid firewood saw. Doesn't need a thing, but it is getting a flat top piston.
