261 with a Farm Boss bar?

[3rdHonk]

My boss decided the throw his 550XP after it wouldn't start when the motor was warm (this happens a lot when the saw is warm). It ended up breaking the saw in a few places. When I added up the price to fix the 550XP, he said just go buy a new one.

I'm a Stihl guy (ported 462 and 500i with bark boxes and all the goodies). So I suggested a 261. I'll admit I was I was in a hurry when I bought the saw. The 261 had a scabbard on it the whole time in the the store and I know I should have checked the bar.

When I got home, I pulled the scabbard off and it had a Farm Boss bar on it. I wasn't very happy to say the least. Is this normal??? I just wanted to ask the experts before I go back to complain.

 

[EFSM]

I would assume the dealer had been switching bars around. It's probably a lighter laminated bar vs possibly a solid bar, but I don't know for sure (not a Stihl dealer).

 

[sawmikaze]

It's definitely gonna cut slower with that bar on it.

 

[OnlyStihl]

It's definitely gonna cut slower with that bar on it.

Or not at all. Lucky if the saw even starts.

 

[hacskaroly]

So I suggested a 261. I'll admit I was I was in a hurry when I bought the saw. The 261 had a scabbard on it the whole time in the the store and I know I should have checked the bar.

When I got home, I pulled the scabbard off and it had a Farm Boss bar on it. I wasn't very happy to say the least. Is this normal??? I just wanted to ask the experts before I go back to complain.

@3rdHonk, welcome to the forum!!

Sorry to hear that you ended up with a 261 with a Farmboss bar (18" or 20"?). Those bars come with the 251, 271 and 291s. This could be a goof up by whoever put it together at the store. When I first started putting together chainsaws at work, some of the mid-range and larger saws came with bars and chains separate from the powerhead (no room in the box like the smaller saws such as the 170s, 180s or 211s). While the receiving invoices specified what bars and chains went to which saws, I never received this invoice. Basically I just guessed which at what went with what. One time when I realized I made a goof, I had put the bars and chains that came on the pallet with the powerheads out on the floor for sale, it wasn't until a few days later I realized what I did when I went to put the saws together! After that I got the receiving paperwork every time we got a Stihl pallet, and even for the larger Husqvarna saws too, to ensure I put the correct chain and bar for each saw that it was supposed to have. It was an honest mistake on my part that once I realized I corrected.

Without knowing the dealer you bought from, I would give them a benefit of the doubt, unless you already have some negative interactions with them. Who knows, there might be someone who bought a 271 or 291 and are feeling jipped that their bar doesn't say "Farm Boss", now they won't be the cool guy cutting firewood . The "Farm Boss" bar will work just fine - I am guessing a .325 .050 bar (unless an older .325 .063 version). You might get some funny looks from those "who know". I have a 261 and 271 and the bars and chains are interchangeable. Green chain, yellow chain, Farm Boss logo or not.

If the "Farm Boss" logo offends you, you could always throw a 3/8 sprocket on the 261 and then put a 3/8 bar and chain on it too!!

 

[huskihl]

Isn’t farm boss just a logo on a standard .325 E bar? I mean, I get it. But I think underneath the logo it’s still probably a standard bar. Probably .063 rather than the newer nk .050

 

[el33t]

Isn’t farm boss just a logo on a standard .325 E bar? I mean, I get it. But I think underneath the logo it’s still probably a standard bar. Probably .063 rather than the newer nk .050

Farm Boss is a code name for MS 271 in the US. The current versions of the MS 261 and MS 271 are sold with a .050 bar and chain (23RM3). The standard version of the MS 271 bar differs from the Light 04 of the MS 261 only in graphics.
Farm Boss 18'' bar P/N: 3003 812 3317
LIght 04 18'' bar P/N: 3003 008 3317
Farm Boss 20'' bar P/N: 3003 812 3321
Light 04 20'' bar P/N: 3003 008 3321

 

[Outback]

Boss of the farm is better than being the bar light weight.

 

[sawmikaze]

Isn’t farm boss just a logo on a standard .325 E bar? I mean, I get it. But I think underneath the logo it’s still probably a standard bar. Probably .063 rather than the newer nk .050

It is but I wanted to see how dumb this would get and how many people would type out their ass before I said anything, the more retarded the better.

They even have the new NK bar with the craft beer graphics labeled "farm boss"... and "wood boss" as well.

 

[sawmikaze]

@3rdHonk, welcome to the forum!!

Sorry to hear that you ended up with a 261 with a Farmboss bar (18" or 20"?). Those bars come with the 251, 271 and 291s. This could be a goof up by whoever put it together at the store. When I first started putting together chainsaws at work, some of the mid-range and larger saws came with bars and chains separate from the powerhead (no room in the box like the smaller saws such as the 170s, 180s or 211s). While the receiving invoices specified what bars and chains went to which saws, I never received this invoice. Basically I just guessed which at what went with what. One time when I realized I made a goof, I had put the bars and chains that came on the pallet with the powerheads out on the floor for sale, it wasn't until a few days later I realized what I did when I went to put the saws together! After that I got the receiving paperwork every time we got a Stihl pallet, and even for the larger Husqvarna saws too, to ensure I put the correct chain and bar for each saw that it was supposed to have. It was an honest mistake on my part that once I realized I corrected.

Without knowing the dealer you bought from, I would give them a benefit of the doubt, unless you already have some negative interactions with them. Who knows, there might be someone who bought a 271 or 291 and are feeling jipped that their bar doesn't say "Farm Boss", now they won't be the cool guy cutting firewood . The "Farm Boss" bar will work just fine - I am guessing a .325 .050 bar (unless an older .325 .063 version). You might get some funny looks from those "who know". I have a 261 and 271 and the bars and chains are interchangeable. Green chain, yellow chain, Farm Boss logo or not.

If the "Farm Boss" logo offends you, you could always throw a 3/8 sprocket on the 261 and then put a 3/8 bar and chain on it too!!

I never thought someone could write a novel about a name on a bar. I might need you to help me with a few things.

The 271 is the current "farm boss" and at one time held the title as "wood boss".

The 251 is now the "wood boss"

It's just a name on a bar..that's all.

 

[Stump Shot]

Place some acetone on a rag and wipe it over the offending lettering on the bar until it just disapears, no more or you'll take the base paint off too. Then go cut wood like it was never on there to begin with.

 

[Ketchup]

I won’t lie, I like the look of some bars more than others. But I’d be more annoyed if they gave me a green chain…which they may have done. That would be worth going back.

 

[full chizel]

I won’t lie, I like the look of some bars more than others. But I’d be more annoyed if they gave me a green chain…which they may have done. That would be worth going back.

Why? Nothing wrong with green chain. Yes, the shark fin crap in between the rackers that oregon has is garbage. Green chain only matters on the nose of the bar.

 

[hacskaroly]

But I’d be more annoyed if they gave me a green chain…which they may have done. That would be worth going back.

If I remember correctly, the 261 comes with a green chain as part of its "original kit".

 

[Ketchup]

Why? Nothing wrong with green chain. Yes, the shark fin crap in between the rackers that oregon has is garbage. Green chain only matters on the nose of the bar.

It’s semi-chisel and the fat double rakers take longer to file.

 

[Sloughfoot]

I wouldn't think twice about taking it back, myself.

 

[OnlyStihl]

I tried to sell my B&C that came with the 261. After a year, and no apparent interest at all, I traded them for a bunch of scrap metal.

 

[redline4]

Should probably show someone in authority exactly where the Farm Boss touched you.

 

[full chizel]

It’s semi-chisel and the fat double rakers take longer to file.

Not all green chain is semi chisel

 

[sawmikaze]

If I remember correctly, the 261 comes with a green chain as part of its "original kit".

What the fukk is a kit ? When I buy a new saw the guys I buy from ask me what bar and chain I want for it.