Picked up a new “toy” today
- Thread starter mattd
- Start date
Very nice. 260's have been our go-to saws at my workplace for decades. Very solid saws, maybe not quite the screamers that Huskys are, but competent and very reliable none the less. Have fun while using the proper PPE. "Investment" is an understatement, LOL. Looks like you put a 20 inch bar on it? Be aware of Stihl's quirky starting procedure to avoid flooding.
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Be careful, suddenly all the trees start to look like they need a trim, even the neighbors.....ask me how I know.
If you can afford the best, you get a Stihl. Nice saw.
I just got in trouble by my wife yesterday for trimming a tree in our yard with a pole saw…might have taken it a bit too far but wanted it permanently away from the house.
Yes, 20” bar. I’ll pick up a 16” for it later on if needed. Found myself wishing I had a 20” with lots of cuts in the past with my old 18”. This is the M-tronic saw. Starting it is actually very simple!
This is a “pro” series saw with 50cc engine/4hp, 10.8lbs. This one is 1.5 lbs lighter and a half horsepower more than a MS291 which was my second choice. The 261CM has a mag crankcase as well instead of poly. Picked up 2 “yellow” chains and have a “green” on order. Cases also back orders by my dealer so waiting for that too
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I have some trees that need some work !
The best is usually worth the price.
Besides the green (low kickback) vs. yellow (non safety chain), there is also the semi-chisel vs. chisel chain teeth to consider. Chisel cuts a tiny bit faster, but dulls easier with dirty bark. I went back to semi chisel because we cut a lot of dirty material.
This. Stihl makes great stuff, but knowing how to properly start their two-strokes will make your life so much easier.
I have not used the yellow chains before. Is there a large kickback difference between the safety and non safety chains ? Not really concerned, just curious. The yellow one definitely is more aggressive just looking at it.
I have a Stihl 028 Wood Boss that is over 30 years old also. Used it last weekend at my parents to cut up a large tree limb that had falling.
I've experienced kickback maybe four times in four decades and the chainbrake always caught it. It only happens when the top quarter of the bar tip hits something (branch, wood). It's a split second, violent action that cannot be controlled/reacted to quick enough to stop. I use the yellow all the time. The old low kickback chains used to suck. The Stihl design cuts excellent, but the rakers are a bit more difficult to maintain (file down).
lol I love that. I can still hear my wife saying “so we’re gonna play chainsaw today huh?”
Just my $0.02
First thing I did was take the yellow chain of my 271. I put a 20” bar and green chain on mine. If you know how to handle a saw you should be fine…. I like the cut of the green chain. It’s like a hot knife through butter.
Just my $0.02
My 271 never gives me issues. I pull it on full choke until it barks, usually 2 pulls. Then half choke it usually goes the first pull. I give it some throttle and off to work.
Just my $0.02
