Stihl MS-261 vs Echo CS-501P?

[FTG-05]

My next chainsaw that will join my MS-180 and MS-362CM. Looking for something a little more portable (read: easier to lift and use) but a bit more power than the -180.

Pro saw only. Small difference between the Stihl and Echo of .2 lbs on the PHO (10.8 vs. 10.6). Big difference in the warranty: 1 year for the Stihl; 5 years for the Echo.

Which one would you pick?

Thanks,

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms261cm/#specifications

CS-501P | ECHO-USA.com

Tackle the toughest jobs with ECHO’s best-in-class, commercial-grade outdoor power equipment. Check out our CS-501P here.

www.echo-usa.com

 

[RCBS]

Bought a 501 last fall. Pretty happy with it after unplugging the muffler. Air filtration could be a little better. Nice power for 50cc if you ain't into cookies.

 

[FTG-05]

Bought a 501 last fall. Pretty happy with it after unplugging the muffler. Air filtration could be a little better. Nice power for 50cc if you ain't into cookies.

I don't know what this means?


A local Echo dealer is having a One Day Sales Event tomorrow; 15% off the Echo CS-501P. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on it.

 

[IffykidMn]

I don't know what this means?


A local Echo dealer is having a One Day Sales Event tomorrow; 15% off the Echo CS-501P. I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on it.

Nice power for 50cc if you ain't into cookies.
Simply put as long as you don't care about cutting speed.

If wanting something marginally more powerful than the 180 get the 501.

If wanting something in between the 180 and the 362 power wise get the 261.

The 501 is a nice little saw but compares closer to the 180 and does not even come close to being a 261. IMHO

501 makes for a lightweight homeowners saw for cutting limbs around the yard.
261 makes for a lightweight firewood saw.

Have owned or used 355, 501, 170, 180, 250, 261, which fall within the realm of your question my main saws are 70cc either Stihl or Husky.
End use and expectations need to be considered as well. IMHO

 

[IffykidMn]

Have you considered looking at the Husky 550XP? similar to the 261 but with a better non commercial warranty if you purchase 3qts of their fuel mix? which does not have to be used just purchase at time of sale.

If I was looking for a possible replacement of my multiples of the 026,260 and 261s the 550XP might make a viable replacement.

With recent purchase of a 572 and 592 I believe the non commercial warranty increases to 3yrs with the purchase of their Husky mix oil or 5yrs with the purchase of their Husky pre mix fuel.

 

[FTG-05]

Have you considered looking at the Husky 550XP? similar to the 261 but with a better non commercial warranty if you purchase 3qts of their fuel mix? which does not have to be used just purchase at time of sale.

If I was looking for a possible replacement of my multiples of the 026,260 and 261s the 550XP might make a viable replacement.

With recent purchase of a 572 and 592 I believe the non commercial warranty increases to 3yrs with the purchase of their Husky mix oil or 5yrs with the purchase of their Husky pre mix fuel.

I looked; it's about a pound heavier, almost near 362 weight.

 

[drf256]

Apples to oranges. The 261 is the better all around saw. 261 also strato design, so burns less fuel.

261 available in autotune which is actually great. I used to be against it, but now I wish all of my saws had it.

Forget about the warranty. Echo isn’t known to be good about it, do some web research. It seems that they find a way to blame the consumer and not make good on things. Your dealer might be good enough to change that.

I’ve been deep in the bowels of both saws. The 261 is the better saw, but it’s more expensive too.

 

[IffykidMn]

I looked; it's about a pound heavier, almost near 362 weight.

Did not realize there was that much weight difference, guess I will be sticking with my 26series saws now and into the future.

 

[IffykidMn]

Apples to oranges. The 261 is the better all around saw. 261 also strato design, so burns less fuel.

261 available in autotune which is actually great. I used to be against it, but now I wish all of my saws had it.

Forget about the warranty. Echo isn’t known to be good about it, do some web research. It seems that they find a way to blame the consumer and not make good on things. Your dealer might be good enough to change that.

I’ve been deep in the bowels of both saws. The 261 is the better saw, but it’s more expensive too.

I agree that the 261 is the much better saw but at a price, I have been running 26series saws since the 1980s for a reason and like the nonflippy caps on my 026 better than the 261.

75yr old neighbor burned up his 180 and was looking for a replacement, I loaned him a 261 until he could decide on a replacement.

He ultimately purchased a 501 because of price, his usage of cutting limbs around the yard and his age, he concluded the 501 was a more direct replacement of his 180 but did not anywheres match the 261 for quality or power and had he different requirement/expectations would have selected the 261. He runs a 460 for bucking firewood but still had a mile wide grin on his face when bucking big oak with my 592XP.

 

[FTG-05]

I bought the Echo this morning. Local dealer had one of their One Day Deals for 15% off. Very nice people to deal with.

Haven't run it yet (raining cats and dogs here) but it feels like it will be perfect for what I want it for.

ETA: Oh and the Echo dealer had some Stihl parts! I picked up a MS-362 oil cap; which means I didn't have to stop by the crappy Stihl dealer on the way home (TriGreen Equipment).

 

[Woodpecker]

I bought the Echo this morning. Local dealer had one of their One Day Deals for 15% off. Very nice people to deal with.

Haven't run it yet (raining cats and dogs here) but it feels like it will be perfect for what I want it for.

ETA: Oh and the Echo dealer had some Stihl parts! I picked up a MS-362 oil cap; which means I didn't have to stop by the crappy Stihl dealer on the way home (TriGreen Equipment).

Mod the Muffler and pull the carb adjuster stops as outlined here:

https://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/threads/echo-490.17917/page-4

Retune and you will be very happy with your new saw. Congrats!

 

[Ketchup]

Mufkin mod will void your warranty but I would do it before ever starting the saw. Then save your sheckels and get the 501 ported. It will run very close to a 261 and it’s lighter. It also feels less bulky.

 

[huskihl]

Mufkin mod will void your warranty but I would do it before ever starting the saw. Then save your sheckels and get the 501 ported. It will run very close to a 261 and it’s lighter. It also feels less bulky.

Most Echos are a little bit of a dog out of the box. If both are ported, they run very similar

 

[FTG-05]

Mod the Muffler and pull the carb adjuster stops as outlined here:

https://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/threads/echo-490.17917/page-4

Retune and you will be very happy with your new saw. Congrats!

I read that thread. I do plan a MM pretty soon. However, post #76 talks about removing the tuning covers and tuning the saw - but doesn't discuss any details. What's involved in tuning the saw after a MM?


Thanks!!!

 

[huskihl]

I read that thread. I do plan a MM pretty soon. However, post #76 talks about removing the tuning covers and tuning the saw - but doesn't discuss any details. What's involved in tuning the saw after a MM?


Thanks!!!

Run a drywall screw down into the cap, line up the slots on the carb and cap, pop the caps out with pliers. Trim the limiter tabs and stick the caps back in.

 

[calcutta250]

You’ll enjoy it. I have never ran a stock one rather a ported 4910, it is a fun saw. I have ran a stock m-tronic 261, and the auto tuning is nice, they are great saw as well.

 

[Woodpecker]

I read that thread. I do plan a MM pretty soon. However, post #76 talks about removing the tuning covers and tuning the saw - but doesn't discuss any details. What's involved in tuning the saw after a MM?


Thanks!!!

If what @huskihl told you isn’t clear enough there are probably a buncho Yoo-hoo toob videos on the subject

 

[mainer_in_ak]

I've clear-cut and bucked up about 2 acres of Alaskan birch with the 4910(cheaper 501p). Took a long time to break in, and was significantly more powerful after a coupla of 10 hrs days of bucking.

On the 4910, muffler is really dented up, it's too thin. The clutch cover is really flimsy. The filter cover is absurdly thin. I can see why they're so light.

The 261 is definitely a tougher built saw with a much nicer magnesium clutch cover and a nicer air filter. Stihl did a great job on the 261.

 

[RCBS]

Nice power for 50cc if you ain't into cookies.
Simply put as long as you don't care about cutting speed.

If wanting something marginally more powerful than the 180 get the 501.

If wanting something in between the 180 and the 362 power wise get the 261.

The 501 is a nice little saw but compares closer to the 180 and does not even come close to being a 261. IMHO

501 makes for a lightweight homeowners saw for cutting limbs around the yard.
261 makes for a lightweight firewood saw.

Have owned or used 355, 501, 170, 180, 250, 261, which fall within the realm of your question my main saws are 70cc either Stihl or Husky.
End use and expectations need to be considered as well. IMHO

Correct. I didn't want it to sound as if the saw is slow. It surely won't win many cookie contests in it's category, but again...good power. Easily more torque than my gen1 550. Won't outrun it though.

 

[TreeTard]

261 is a work horse but almost killed me, get the echo for better karma juju and all that jazz. 261 is cursed in my own personal experience