Stihl 400, 500, then what

So, Stihl came out with the 500i. Then the ms400cm. Hmmm... wonder if this is a trend with these century-number models. Years ago, they already had an ms200 (and I have one and it's awesome). Maybe they could come out with a 200-x or something so they could keep the 200 number. And also a 600-something. That would be quite a pro saw lineup, 200-300-400-500-600. Oh, wait... a 300? A saw better than a 261? That'd be something!

 

The 300i will be a super light weight high performance 40cc saw with fi and magnesium piston.

 

Now that would be bada$$. You just speculating or know anything, lol.

 

My almost new 261 C-M goes in the classifieds the day that happens...

 

The 300 should be closer to 48 cc. The first number corresponds to cubic inch displacement. Example 500i is 5 cube (just shy).

 

I sure hope so. I'll buy one immediately.

 

I still don't understand them axing the 241 in the states. They still produce and sell them over seas and my dealer said Canada too.

 

I was only speculating on a 300, but if it was 48cc it could be a successor to the 261. The 261 has been around a while now. This would also open up a position for a mid 50cc saw.

 

I would be all over a saw like that like Eggshooterist on a sausage! The 400 is pretty special. I can’t see them calling it the 300 though. Too confusing as they already have the msa300 battery saw.

I could see them using the technology (mag piston) in an updated 261 though. Maybe they slap the Magnum sticker on it or call It a 261 super like they used to back in the day. IDK it’s kind of a marketing fubar because that small saw segment is so crowded…Although as it stands now the mag piston is a bridge to allow over boring a smaller chassis. I believe the ms400 is a proving ground saw for the magnesium piston. Hopefully it isn’t a bridge too far.

Maybe they use it to overbore a 241 chassis, but then your left with pretty close to the 261 displacement. So called pro users don’t really have much use for that size saw. The smallest ground saw most tree services run is a 50cc saw. Poor sales is what kilt the 241 in the first place. The 261 is already pretty close to the lightest pro 50cc saw on the market. It would have to be far lighter than a 261 with near the same or better power to succeed where the 241 failed.

It’s all about the “blade” length here. They stopped selling it here because of poor sales (see above for more on this). The small saw segment is crowded. The good dealer here said they either sold the smaller homeowner saws or would end up putting fellers in a 260/261. In the average consumers mind it was a saw that just didn’t fit in here. Hard sell on weight alone when the 211 was hundreds less and similar “blade” length… Heck back in the day I’d outfit my crew with 021s because they were so much cheaper than the 024. Why give a hammer donkey a nice expensive saw when they are going to ruin either one in a similar timeframe.

Ultimately like Scotty Overkill said your going to start seeing theses smaller gas saws go away in favor of battery powered units. Get used to seeing names like Dewalt, Makita, and Milwaukee mixed in with Stihl, Echo, and Husqvarna as they have a head start with the technology. I’m already eyeing the Makita 40v pole saw and top handle saw to replace similar units I already own. I didn’t run my gas echo pole saw once last year.

 

I'm sure you are spot on. To small for a professional and to $$ for average joe. Makes me wonder why the Husqvarna 543 XP still exists as its basically identical in weight and power, on paper, as the 241.

Now, make a 50cc class saw with the ready to cut weight if my 241 and I'm going to have a hard time not buying one despite not needing another saw lol. Or 13 of the 14 I already have for that matter.

 

It will be interesting to see. Im still undecided on buying a 400 since you informed us of the little weight difference between in and a 462. Ive seen some decent lightly used 462's for little more money than a new 400.
A fuel injected 50cc saw would be awesome. Maybe 300i!

Good point made in the possible decline of gas powered OPE too. The battery powered stuff has really made some leaps and bounds.

 

The 543 is an interesting little saw. It’s a holdover from the komatsu-Zenoah acquisition… It’s hard to say with Husqvarna. Being owned by by Electrolux ( okay not technically but it was spun off so still the same share holders = same same to me) they have a different way of doing business. Maybe as simple as selling up already made stock, or as simple as a peg for Husky to hang their hat on. “We have a 40cc pro saw and Stihl doesn’t.” Who can say really.

In my mind, and I know you have different priorities given your neck Steve, it’s hard to argue for that saw when it weights around 10#s and puts out 2.95 hp in stock form. With the 261 weighing 10.80#s/4hp it’s as tough a sell to the average Joe as the 241 was. In short the 550/261 outsold/outsells those models by a pretty wide margin and gobbled the market share.

 

Yep. Unfortunately I'm special needs. In more ways than one lol.

 

All morning, I have been using my Husky 540i battery saw around my processing area. Supposedly equivalent to a 40cc saw. For small and even medium size logs, it's fine. Never have to start it, just push a button. And it cuts like a laser on this stuff. I have the recommended Husky (also Oregon) narrow kerf chain on a 16" bar, seems to work well and hold an edge well. Hmmm... I wonder if those chains are the same chain, will have to look.

I have a Makita ea4300 that I really like each time I use it, love the way it runs and low weight and overall balance, just nice to run. But so is the Husky battery saw! I recall when I was shopping the Makita, there were some experts saying it was even 'better' than a Stihl 241. I liked the difference of owning a blue saw, so, that's what I bought. Had to buy it from England to get blue color, lol.

As for whomever said that the first number of a 400 or 500 corresponds to cubic inches, that's news to me, interesting. I don't doubt the math, just wonder if that is a coincidence or the real deal. I suppose the ms200 fits reasonably well, being 35.2 cc or 2.148 cu inches. So, an ms300 would be interesting! That would be an interesting gas-powered fleet, 200-300-400-500. What else would one need! Oh yeah, battery saw. And I also like the tiny Echo 2511 for trail-making. I guess they could come out with an ms100.

 

For years, before 261 showed up, I used the Husqvarna 242 for limbing, bucking and felling small trees. Flickable, light and zippy was the appeal of the 242. Got a 260 Pro and was not impressed. Than came the 261 and I retired the 242’s and 260. This was around the same time Husqvarna dealers vanished in my area.
The 242’s were bought from a John Deere dealership and James River bought them out and changed to Stihl.

 

I am looking forward to the 600, 700, and 800.

 

I believe the new naming scheme that Stihl has corresponds with how many kw the powerhead makes divided by 100. So the ms500i makes 5kw and the ms400 makes 4kw.

 

Amen.

 

Son of a gun! If that happens I’m in the same predicament! And I really really like my 261! I wonder how much I’d like a 300i??