Time for a saw upgrade, looking for recommendations

My wife bought me a Stihl MS 297 about 6 years ago. It has been a great little saw, but with the amount of firewood I am cutting now I think I need a bit more saw. I don't want to kill this 291.

I cut mainly birch and maple, some softwoods at times. We don't have big wood here, I would say average I deal with is 8-9 inch diameter, and sometimes up to 14-15 inch.

I'm a Stihl guy so please only Stihl recommendations

Which Stihl you guys think would be a good fit?

 

buZZsaw BRAD kind of sort of likes Stihl a little tiny bit and has one or two in his lineup in that size range. What say you Brad?

 

How many cords are you cutting annually? From 2010 until 2019 a Stihl MS 290 (precursor to the 291) with a 16" bar was pretty much my only saw and I cut a lot of wood with it. Served me well until the fine folks here convinced me I needed a pro level saw so I bought a 261 and very soon the 290 became a shelf queen and then sold. Other than basic tune up stuff the only issue with mine was the clutch needle bearings went. It was used to the point where the paint was almost gone from the original bar.

My recommendation is an MS261 which comes in two versions: 261 with a manually adjustable carb or 261c with an mtrontic carb that adjusts automatically. With what size wood you cut a 16" bar should do fine. My first one came with a 20" bar and I did bury it in arge logs and it handled them well.

Being a pro saw its pricey side and many members here who upgraded to one are very pleased with it. I know ThomH123 bought one in the recent years. Im sure he can chime in.

 

See post #3

 

I would expect to cut 100+ cords (face cord / rick) in the next year.

 

In the Stihl lineup the 261’s are the bomb. Great power to weight ratio and longevity.

 

With that much and the size you said I'd just buy a processor or rent one.

 

261 with 16 inch bar and .325 chain is a great combination for an all-around firewood saw.

 

Thanks guys, 261 looks like a winner.

I plan on getting there eventually, but I won't pull the trigger until I can buy it outright, don't want no debt.

 

Hold on a minute. Do you have a limit on how much you want to spend?

 

Sounds like a good excuse to start selling firewood. 261 is a good first step on the ladder.

 

261 is a great saw.. with size your cutting the right size

 

More saw for 9" logs?

 

I love my MS261C, the C is the Mtronic, I don’t think you can get one with an adjustable carb anymore. I like the Mtronic, have given me any trouble.

 

buZZsaw BRAD on Further reflection; is advising a guy to from 55 cc to 50 cc pro saw that cutting 33 cord a year has got me

OP what ae you looking for a back up saw?

 

I thought it was a rabbit hole.

My first pro saw was the 261 bought Summer 2019. Now look at me!!!

 

261 is your saw then. Keep the 291 as a back up.

 

I did the same. Went from a 56cc MS290 to a 50cc MS261. IMO and a lot of others the 290 was underpowered at 56cc.

 

Do you prefer the 261 or Husky 550xp?

 

You can. I've seen them recently in dealers stocks. My first 261 was the adjustable carb. Current one is the mtronic.