Saw builders chime in.

[bwalker]

It's not about parts, it's if you have an issue with auto-tune.

Mtronic is easier for the consumer to work with.

 

[TX_Welder]

I consulted @tree monkey on this same topic. Working nights right now with little to do, so I've been binge watching his latest build series. I'll probably take his advice and go the 261 route.

Unless. I did find a pretty clean 260 about an hour from me for what seems to be a reasonable price. $285. If it's still there when I get off nights, and I can work a deal with the seller, I may not be able to pass it up.

If that doesn't pan out, 261 it is.

 

[TX_Welder]

Mtronic is easier for the consumer to work with.

Out of three I've had, two 441's and an early production 462, none have given me a minutes trouble.

 

[Sloughfoot]

I consulted @tree monkey on this same topic. Working nights right now with little to do, so I've been binge watching his latest build series. I'll probably take his advice and go the 261 route.

Unless. I did find a pretty clean 260 about an hour from me for what seems to be a reasonable price. $285. If it's still there when I get off nights, and I can work a deal with the seller, I may not be able to pass it up.

If that doesn't pan out, 261 it is.

Good choice! 260 has Ducati inside.

 

[bwalker]

Out of three I've had, two 441's and an early production 462, none have given me a minutes trouble.

I've never had a problem with Mtronic or Autotune. The fact remains that the Mtronic system is easier to mess with. Easy to reset and the most common failure is the solenoid, which is a easy fix.

 

[Ketchup]

Agree. Also, 550 is prone to annoying starts if not reset frequently. That might be an elevation thing. It’s really common here.

 

[TX_Welder]

Agree. Also, 550 is prone to annoying starts if not reset frequently. That might be an elevation thing. It’s really common here.

Interesting.

 

[Sloughfoot]

I'm too stupid to have an autotune saw but I know exactly how a screwdriver works.

 

[Ketchup]

FWIW, I’d rather have a stock
261 than a ported 260.

 

[bwalker]

Agree. Also, 550 is prone to annoying starts if not reset frequently. That might be an elevation thing. It’s really common here.

I haven't. Noticed this. I live at 3000 feet give or take, but do most of my cutting either at 7000 and up or at 2000. Last week I was high and this coming weekend I will be low.
I've never reset it. I just run it unless I have a reason to.
I also have a Stihl 400C. Do the same thing with it. I have had to reset it once as it became hard to start. Once I did the reset it was fine.

 

[bwalker]

FWIW, I’d rather have a stock
261 than a ported 260.

X 10!

 

[sawmikaze]

I've never had a problem with Mtronic or Autotune. The fact remains that the Mtronic system is easier to mess with. Easy to reset and the most common failure is the solenoid, which is a easy fix.

Everyone I know that kills trees for a living has grown to love auto saws, I certainly do. Unless you play barbies with them I have no idea why someone wouldn't. What sucks about a saw running in it's optimum state all the time ?

 

[Jusgunn3]

I have a ported 346xp NE and ported 550xp MKii, I like them both but the 346xp is faster and feels much more “raw” I guess id say. Maybe not as smooth but a monster. Also have 350/346xps that I like as well. I have auto tune and carb saws and I like both, its nice not to have to tune but then again having to tune the carb is a good skill to have.

 

[TX_Welder]

FWIW, I’d rather have a stock
261 than a ported 260.

X 10!

Reason being ?

 

[bwalker]

Everyone I know that kills trees for a living has grown to love auto saws, I certainly do. Unless you play barbies with them I have no idea why someone wouldn't. What sucks about a saw running in it's optimum state all the time ?

At this point I wouldn't buy a non Mtronic/Autotune saw. Especially give the swings in altitude and temperature is have to deal with.

 

[bwalker]

Reason being ?

Because the new stuff is better in every way. The ms260 was a turd in its day and a bit of a project saw. Most needed the carb replaced with a WT194 and a muffler mod to even run right. The air filter is garbage and leaks around the choke shaft along with being very restrictive. The AV is typical rubber crap of Stihls of that era. Parts will be drying up soon, if not already.
I just cant see porting one at this point.

 

[TX_Welder]

Because the new stuff is better in every way. The ms260 was a turd in its day and a bit of a project saw. Most needed the carb replaced with a WT194 and a muffler mod to even run right. The air filter is garbage and leaks around the choke shaft along with being very restrictive. The AV is typical rubber crap of Stihls of that era. Parts will be drying up soon, if not already.
I just cant see porting one at this point.

Never owned one, bit just looking at the filter design, I can see what you're talking about.

 

[Stump Shot]

I would think parts are starting to dry up for the 026/260 too? I have heard this is the case for the Stihl 044/440.

The 55 is still being made in South America.
Not sure, have heard some rumors about Stihl parts, but nothing definitive.

 

[Fabulous]

Everyone I know that kills trees for a living has grown to love auto saws, I certainly do. Unless you play barbies with them I have no idea why someone wouldn't. What sucks about a saw running in it's optimum state all the time ?

I agree - I let them idle for a few minutes to warm up / adjust and go cut wood. The best carb tuner in the world cannot outdo a computer controlled unit that monitors/adjusts 30-60 per second. Like the Treemonkey said in his video you go from a 12” to a 24” buck and the auto/mtron adjusts to a perfect tune - something that isn’t possible for an adjustable carb tho you can get close. As far as being beholden to a dealer IF something goes south - yea maybe years ago when the bugs were being worked out but in 2025? Seldom do they act up and the fix is widely available now. I could see a guy that has to walk 5mi in the woods being concerned however imho the units are almost bulletproof nowadays

 

[EFSM]

Because the new stuff is better in every way. The ms260 was a turd in its day and a bit of a project saw. Most needed the carb replaced with a WT194 and a muffler mod to even run right. The air filter is garbage and leaks around the choke shaft along with being very restrictive. The AV is typical rubber crap of Stihls of that era. Parts will be drying up soon, if not already.
I just cant see porting one at this point.

Those air filters should have won a gold metal for stupidity. You’d have to specifically design it to be overly complicated to get it so perfectly bad—what is so bad about a choke shaft anyway?