Been wanting a 261 since January when i needed part for my 290 and the dealer handed me one and i fell in love with it. Like the P2WR and weight of course. Was going to get one for a self B-day gift in April but tranny went on car. Been browsing ebay and CL looking at saws and timed it just right for this one. Brand new in box with 20" bar. Not bad for $432 including S/H and tax. MSRP is $599 with 20" bar. My only beef was that it was listed as a 261C (which i wanted) but turned out to be a 261. Still a no brainer. The bars from my 290 fit it as well. May sell the bar and scabbard.
The C model is called "Mtronic". The following is copied from the Stihl site: The STIHL M-Tronic™ engine management system electronically controls the ignition timing and fuel metering in any operating condition, factoring in altitude and fuel quality. This system provides professionals with optimum performance, whether you are just starting to work or resuming after a break. I had posted a thread back in the Winter asking opinions about which i should get and decided on the Mtronic as tinkering with carbs is not really my thing.
Thanks Dakota Hoarder Whats saw(s) do you own? Had the dealer not shown me one i wouldnt be in the market for one. Being a member here doesnt help either. Funny thing is i shut the laptop down and a minute later realized i forgot to browse ebay and low and behold there it was. The guy had two of them and sold the other a couple hours prior to my purchase. He had best offer too! Ive made best offers on a great price and never got the item, so i jumped on this of course.
My saw list is on my signature line. I really like my 026 and 260! Perfect weight to power and balance. I run with a 18” bar because I cut to 18” so that’s how I measure my cuts. Otherwise I would go to a 16” and let my bigger saws cut the big stuff. Keep us updated on the performance of your 261!
I guess it is. I know very little about Husky as im a Stihl guy. I own a Husky 334T arborist saw which i use very little but handy to have for pruning/limbing work. Nothing against Husky, just that ive owned four (now five with the 261) Stihl's since 1985 and they have worked well for me.
I've got the m tronic 261, it was advertised with a 20'' bar, i asked, and got a 18'' bar instead, plus an extra chain!! Do i like it, YOU BET, its quite the saw, i tell people it cuts like a lazer, and its fast, and smooth cutting. You got a heck of a buy on it, being brand new in the box.
oh ya, duh i didnt see it. I bought an 026 new in 1993. Bought the 290 in 2010 to replace it. Ill run both 16" & 20" bars from my 290 on the 261. Probably wont cut much bigger (16"+) wood with the 261 as i have the 460 for that. Considering having the 290 ported/modded. Been reading a lot of good things on the forum about it. Speaking of saw hoarding...im real curious about the new MS500i
Brad you'll love that saw. Ours came with a 20" bar and that is what is still on it. The nice part of the 20" bar is that it saves just a little more bending when cutting the small stuff. I had actually bought a 20" bar for the 290 but then got rid of it so now I have a spare bar and chain for the 261.
I’m really curious about the MS500i as well, but no way I’m getting one! I don’t get to use my saws enough the way it is! I must be getting my CAD under control!
Good saws i bought the same one soon after they were introduced 8+ year's ago if memory serves. Never an issue i run 18" .325 rs chain In hardwood I prefer huskys but this has been a good saw. I'm not a computer saw fan I fix everything myself lol
Believe it or not Dennis, up until February of last year the longest bar i ever used on a saw was 16"!!! My thought exactly for running the 20"...back saver. I wont cut larger rounds unless really neccessary. Thanks. I actually googled it and none of them made sense. There are a whole bunch for "CAD"
It came with a .325rm chain and i want a full chisel. I have a few semi chisel, but never really liked them on the 290. I was considering a 461 to upgrade the 460. Also a 193 to replace my Husky 334T arborists saw. The MS500i really has me intrigued too. Uh oh!!! Is CAD contagious?
Could sell the 290 and use the funds to port the 261. And unless you're trying up update the 460 because of its age, there's not much of an upgrade going to the 461. Absolutely nothing wrong with a 461, but I don't believe you'd be able to tell the difference in power between the 2. Other than the cylinder design, they're nearly the same saw. Could also take the $ you'd save upgrading to the 461 and port the 460.
Ewww, your gonna like that saw Brad. 10.8 lbs and 4 horsepower. Good combination. A little more pep than my 550xp which is the saw I grab first. I like horsepower but lightweight is my biggest thing. Yep the longer bars sure make a difference trimming out the branches. I noticed a big difference going from 16” to 18”. My spine is a great test facility LOL
