husqvarna 550xp vs Stihl ms 261

[redoakneck]

The 550 with captive bars nuts, Flippy caps that work, and auto tune is pretty fool proof.

I still like a 346 better, ported with 357 carb and air filter.

Both are very nice

 

[Keith Gandy]

Yeah but I need a saw that will go hard 8 hours a day 5 days a week.
Here's a full pic of the MS261 Performance Kit.

Why wont the 241?

 

[Adirondackstihl]

Thanks guys for your responses
Yes I'm HolmenTree from F.Forum
.

 

[EvilRoySlade]

GCJenks204's ms261

Search for this, I can't link right now.

I have a 550 made fun by an Iowan. I'm thoroughly impressed by its grunt and speed.

Best I can say is buy 2 of each. Leave one of each stock for general use. Send one of each to be properly built. That way it doesn't matter the job, your energy level or attitude, you have a saw to grab.

Glad I could help!

 

[old guy]

Always at wot with the best sweet spot! Willard, that's the best description of the 550, I have one & that describes it to a tee.
I had opportunity to run the latest 261 stihl a couple weeks ago, while it was not as nimble as the 550, it had power to spare.
We were blocking up some 4'' to 12'' white oak & he had the rakers pretty low, but the engine didn't care, it ripped thru that hard wood like a hungry beaver.

 

[Redfin]

Yes but is that the new MS261 II. I heard it's a whole new animal than the old edition.

Either but the new ones are lighter if that is a concern.

 

[GCJenks204]

Willard, in my mind you made a good decision. It's just too bad you didn't do it in January as Stihl Canada was offering a hell of a price on the Arctic version. Can I ask what you paid from which dealer (PM is fine if you prefer). Did you buy it out of Alberta as there is no warehouse in WPG anymore, everything comes from Edmonton to the local dealers.

It's too bad you are still way North of me or I would let you try the ported 261 Roy was talking about above. Here is the link to Scott's final video of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf8uYfL_Hco&list=TLGGUGjGXdaiK8wxNzA1MjAxNw. We are hoping for back to back video of stock vs ported this week in same wood same bar/chain...

 

[Willard]

Hey guys thanks for the responses.
I'm just finishing up a poplar and willow removal job
Will get back to you in a few hours.

 

[Mastermind]

Thanks guys for your responses
Yes I'm HolmenTree from F.Forum

My NE 346 with a extra muffler outlet is strong but I like my out of the box 550XP alot better. Auto Tune with Rev Boost makes very quick spool up and always at WOT with the best sweet spot, no matter what outdoor temperature or age of fuel. Nevet had a pronlem with it yet, same with my 562.
550 ergonomics is alot better too.

So I just went to my dealer and ordered a MS261CM, guaranteed latest off the assembly line of the 200 they have in the warehouse in the city. Will have it in 2 days.
The dealer had a 241 on the shelf sinve 2015 on clearout but I'm not interested and like you showed khntr85 the 241 still has no upgrades.

I tried to order the 261 with the 63PS b/c but it only comes with the .325 23RS. To upgrade to the 63PS I would have to order the 261 63PS Performance Kit (3 loops of 16" 63PS, 1 Picco rim and 16" bar) as an accessory. I alrready have the kit.

Welcome to OPE sir.

 

[porsche965]

The two 550s I run when it gets hot, like over 85 degrees outside the restarts are tough. Have to let it cool down before continuing. This is most often after a re-fuel.

The OE and NE 261 have never had a hot re-start issue. When the 550 won't restart and I have wood to cut it's very close to getting run over by the skid steer just to put it out of it's misery. When running, the 550 is a great saw though.

 

[Willard]

Why wont the 241?

Sure MS241 will cut small pulpwood 8 hrs a day 5 days a week
The one I saw on my dealers shelf comes with a Picco chain which is what I want in 16" on my smallest saw next to my top handles.
I need a backup for my 346 and 550XP which I only use for the smallest trees steady limbing conifer and brushing out heavy undergrowth in lot clearing jobs. These saws only run 16" max for ergonomics and lightness.
I settled on the 261 for now as it had the latest upgrades and can cut with my 346/550.

Always at wot with the best sweet spot! Willard, that's the best description of the 550, I have one & that describes it to a tee.
I had opportunity to run the latest 261 stihl a couple weeks ago, while it was not as nimble as the 550, it had power to spare.
We were blocking up some 4'' to 12'' white oak & he had the rakers pretty low, but the engine didn't care, it ripped thru that hard wood like a hungry beaver.

Thanks old guy, I hope the 261 has their version of Huskies Rev Boost or I'll be disappointed
A saw is only as nimble as the bar and chain on it. You can have a cinder block for a power head but put a 16"b/c on it and you got a nimble saw.

Either but the new ones are lighter if that is a concern.

I heard and will soon find out, that the new edition MS261CM is lighter, has more power with a broader powerband and more ergonomic then the old 261.
But like I said put a 16" 63PS chisel b/c on a 50cc saw and it will out perform one equipped with a Oregon/Husky narrow kerf .325 semi chisel.
I already did the testing with my 338XPT with the Picco 6 t spur and converted to .325 7 t rim sprocket . 6t picco and 7t .325 sprockets are about same diameter.
63PS chisel (not junk 63PS3) out performs the .325 nk 95VPX semi chisel.
In my opinion a 261 or 550 is only nimble with a 16" b/c

Willard, in my mind you made a good decision. It's just too bad you didn't do it in January as Stihl Canada was offering a hell of a price on the Arctic version. Can I ask what you paid from which dealer (PM is fine if you prefer). Did you buy it out of Alberta as there is no warehouse in WPG anymore, everything comes from Edmonton to the local dealers.

It's too bad you are still way North of me or I would let you try the ported 261 Roy was talking about above. Here is the link to Scott's final video of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf8uYfL_Hco&list=TLGGUGjGXdaiK8wxNzA1MjAxNw. We are hoping for back to back video of stock vs ported this week in same wood same bar/chain...

Thanks for the link GCJenks, that 261 performs but if I need power to buck a log that size I'll grab my old edition 372XP with 20" b/c.
Engine mods to me are for only up on the competition stage racing through 3 cuts with a cold start....Work saws a muffler mod and a fast chain touched up throughout the day with a file is all I need. Need more power ...more cc displacement and retain less time at the fuel can
But logging piecework back in the day for example in the 1980's, the longest bar I ran was a 18-20" on either a 630 'sered, 064 and 044. Ran 16" on these saws many times including my 372XP old edition. All eith either 33/35RS 33TS or 72/73 LP/LG. 76/77 LG.

Haven't bought a Stihl for many years.
The only connection I have with Edmonton is I was a technical services manager there for Stihl Canada in 1989. Steve Meriam was my branch manager and Fred Whyte was president in London, Ontario.

Here's what I paid for my MS261CM.
Retail $759.95 CAD
+$15.00 shipping charge
+$99.55 taxes
________
$874.50 CAD ($642.61 USD as of 5/17/2017. 7:55 PM)

Welcome to OPE sir.

Thanks Randy

 

[GCJenks204]

Thanks for the link GCJenks, that 261 performs but if I need power to buck a log that size I'll grab my old edition 372XP with 20" b/c.
Engine mods to me are for only up on the competition stage racing through 3 cuts with a cold start....Work saws a muffler mod and a fast chain touched up throughout the day with a file is all I need. Need more power ...more cc displacement and retain less time at the fuel can
But logging piecework back in the day for example in the 1980's, the longest bar I ran was a 18-20" on either a 630 'sered, 064 and 044. Ran 16" on these saws many times including my 372XP old edition.

Haven't bought a Stihl for many years.
The only connection I have with Edmonton is I was a technical services manager there for Stihl Canada in 1989. Steve Meriam was my branch manager and Fred Whyte was president in London, Ontario.
Here's what I paid for my MS261CM.
Retail $759.95 CAD
+$15.00 shipping charge
+$99.55 taxes
________
$874.50 CAD ($642.61 USD as of 5/17/2017. 7:55 PM)



Thanks Randy

Willard, if there is anything else you are looking for please let me know. I'm sure we could have done better for you on that and still had it for you just as fast from WPG.

 

[skip sail]

Ported 241c with strato gutted with a 16" which is almost 18" Cannon Supermini in C1 mount with a PS sprocket and chain is a heck of a lil beast

thats what i'm going for i reckon

 

[Willard]

Thanks GC. I'll send you a PM.
Our dealer here in Thompson, Nickel City Motors is a busy place.

 

[Keith Gandy]

Sure MS241 will cut small pulpwood 8 hrs a day 5 days a week
The one I saw on my dealers shelf comes with a Picco chain which is what I want in 16" on my smallest saw next to my top handles.
I need a backup for my 346 and 550XP which I only use for the smallest trees steady limbing conifer and brushing out heavy undergrowth in lot clearing jobs. These saws only run 16" max for ergonomics and lightness.
I settled on the 261 for now as it had the latest upgrades and can cut with my 346/550.


Thanks old guy, I hope the 261 has their version of Huskies Rev Boost or I'll be disappointed
A saw is only as nimble as the bar and chain on it. You can have a cinder block for a power head but put a 16"b/c on it and you got a nimble saw.


I heard and will soon find out, that the new edition MS261CM is lighter, has more power with a broader powerband and more ergonomic then the old 261.
But like I said put a 16" 63PS chisel b/c on a 50cc saw and it will out perform one equipped with a Oregon/Husky narrow kerf .325 semi chisel.
I already did the testing with my 338XPT with the Picco 6 t spur and converted to .325 7 t rim sprocket . 6t picco and 7t .325 sprockets are about same diameter.
63PS chisel (not junk 63PS3) out performs the .325 nk 95VPX semi chisel.
In my opinion a 261 or 550 is only nimble with a 16" b/c



Thanks for the link GCJenks, that 261 performs but if I need power to buck a log that size I'll grab my old edition 372XP with 20" b/c.
Engine mods to me are for only up on the competition stage racing through 3 cuts with a cold start....Work saws a muffler mod and a fast chain touched up throughout the day with a file is all I need. Need more power ...more cc displacement and retain less time at the fuel can
But logging piecework back in the day for example in the 1980's, the longest bar I ran was a 18-20" on either a 630 'sered, 064 and 044. Ran 16" on these saws many times including my 372XP old edition. All eith either 33/35RS 33TS or 72/73 LP/LG. 76/77 LG.

Haven't bought a Stihl for many years.
The only connection I have with Edmonton is I was a technical services manager there for Stihl Canada in 1989. Steve Meriam was my branch manager and Fred Whyte was president in London, Ontario.

Here's what I paid for my MS261CM.
Retail $759.95 CAD
+$15.00 shipping charge
+$99.55 taxes
________
$874.50 CAD ($642.61 USD as of 5/17/2017. 7:55 PM)




Thanks Randy

I gotcha. I service the largest local tree service with probably 35 saws in his fleet. He prefers ms250 and 200t for smaller wood

 

[Willard]

Keith, yes alot of those bigger tree service companies go through employees like they do with saws.
I made a few cuts with a client's MS250 once when I was removing his trees.
He complained it was too hard to start pulling the starter rope figuring there was something wrong with it.
I've never owned a homeowner saw in the 43 years I've made a living with a saw, but that little MS250 really impressed me.

It made me think of the time when I had 6 ground employees working for me and how this strong low priced disposable saw would have been appreciated in my saw stable

 

[Keith Gandy]

thats what i'm going for i reckon

I dont have that paticular saw now but rather a ported 346xp and a 2152 but the 241c ported and gutted with a PS setup will run right with them

 

[Keith Gandy]

Willard the problems Ive seen with most of this treeservices ms250s are bearings spun on the crankshaft or blown bottomend seals. He likes them so we rebuild them which is good for me!!!$$$$! Lol. He likes non electronics so I service a fleet for him from ms250, 200t,360,361,440,460,461,660, along with various other equipment.

 

[Willard]

Keith, next winter (my off season for tree work) I'm going to get started in a saw repair sharpening service. I already have a small workshop in my back yard solely dedicated for my saws. It's fully equipped, heated, insulated with 220, 2 steel work benches.
I never fixed or sharpened saws for others but after joining this site I see huge potential. I more then likely will see a few MS250s
Our winters up here are 6 months long with snow and freezing temps
8 hours a day in a nice warm shop making income sounds good to me, should have done it years ago

 

[Keith Gandy]

Keith, next winter (my off season for tree work) I'm going to get started in a saw repair sharpening service. I already have a small workshop in my back yard solely dedicated for my saws. It's fully equipped, heated, insulated with 220, 2 steel work benches.
I never fixed or sharpened saws for others but after joining this site I see huge potential. I more then likely will see a few MS250s
Our winters up here are 6 months long with snow and freezing temps
8 hours a day in a nice warm shop making income sounds good to me, should have done it years ago

Sounds like u will be lookin foward to shop time of the year!! Lol