upgrading MS 261 from .325 to 3/8 chain

[old saw fixer]

Looking for info here- Thinking of a 3/8 chain setup for my MS261. My concern is the small clutch drum bearing. A question for those of you that have done this change, has there been a problem with this small looking bearing? Thinking of an 18" bar on a stock saw.
Thanks, Rick

 

[cuinrearview]

Is your 261 ported?

 

[huskihl]

It’s more of a downgrade unless you’d be doing it to have only 3/8 chains on hand

 

[JimBear]

I would think 3/8” x 18” on a stock saw might be a bit much but I am sure that there a folks out there doing it.
I have been running 3/8” chain on my ported 261 for a couple years now & have had no problems. I mostly run a 16” bar on it but occasionally put an 18” on there. I also pull the drum, clean things up & grease the bearing a couple times a year.

As @huskihl said if you are stream lining your chain setup it’s a good plan. I chit canned all of my .325” chains so all I have are 3/8” x .05” up to 28”, my 36” is .063”. No grabbing the wrong chain or bars.

I have run 3/8” on my brothers 260 & didn’t have any problems either. It’s not ported & has a 16” bar.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

I don’t recommend 3/8 x 18 on a stock 261, but I get it if you’re trying to consolidate.

 

[Int1968]

I’m going the other way narrow kerf mike should have a few videos this or next week. Like others have said unless your doing it to consolidate.

most people don’t grease the bearing then wonder why the crank went bad thought if you look through some of the threads here you’ll see stuff about a few “poorly heat treated ones”. Dull chain and dogging in is hard on any saw.

 

[full chizel]

I put the 16” 3/8lp kit on my 261 and it flies through wood

 

[cuinrearview]

I put the 16” 3/8lp kit on my 261 and it flies through wood

If he's talking lo-pro I agree, but "18'" and "lo-pro" usually don't show up together.

 

[full chizel]

If he's talking lo-pro I agree, but "18'" and "lo-pro" usually don't show up together.

It’s probably impossible to find an 18 inch lp bar.

The kit i bought i ordered from the UK. It had the 16” bar, picco rim, and 3 PS chains for $120 American

 

[old saw fixer]

I get it, not a good idea with a stock saw. It will stay .325.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[Int1968]

I have a 20” cannon mini tip bar that i put a Windsor 3/8 low pro tip on used in climbing was on a 261. Cannon makes tips that are interchangeable with the Windsor mini tips their a little bit longer. I’m not sure of the thickness on the Windsor mini tip bars. Im sure someone on here could measure the thickness

im going to put on 325 tip and run the 23 rs pro nk.

stihl sold the low pro kit in Canada not sure if it’s still available here

 

[Int1968]

 

[Int1968]

You should be able to put together whatever you want using a cannon super mini

 

[Int1968]

That’s a 16” light .325 nk bar for comparison both bars mic out similar in thickness, though not as thin as a laminated 201 bar.

 

[Pincher]

My brother fitted his ms261 with a 28" lightweight being he is over 6' tall. He's been standin up and bucking long before it was a YouTube thing. I am shorter so I put a 25" on mine. If you want just plain fast, fit the 3/8 picco bar on your saw. The stihl kit is a 16" bar. Narrow kerf .325 is the latest trend, have not tried it yet.

 

[old saw fixer]

View attachment 329186
That’s a 16” light .325 nk bar for comparison both bars mic out similar in thickness, though not as thin as a laminated 201 bar.

I am patiently waiting for the .325 narrow kerf to be available in the Southern US. At 73 years old, I may be too old to benefit from it before it arrives... It's no wonder I am drifting to Echo.

 

[bulletpruf]

I run 3/8" on my 026 Pro, but it's been treated to a fresh rebuild, muffler mod, and base gasket delete. Now that I have an 036 Pro in the lineup that wears a 20" bar with 3/8, I don't see the need to run the 18" on my o26, so it's going to drop down to 16" and .325.

I also echo what @JimBear said - use 3/8 .050 for shorter bars, but longer bars (for me, 28" and up) get the .063.

 

[pwheel]

I get it, not a good idea with a stock saw. It will stay .325.
Thanks for the replies.

Wise choice. If you ever see the need for a wider kerf with bigger wood, you can always treat yourself to a larger saw...

 

[drf256]

I am patiently waiting for the .325 narrow kerf to be available in the Southern US. At 73 years old, I may be too old to benefit from it before it arrives... It's no wonder I am drifting to Echo.

You can probably get it from someone here.

I run regular 3/8 on my 261, but it’s ported. I actually prefer the Semi chisel RM for actual work. It’s pretty amazing how long the cutters will last. I cut into a metal post under a tree one time and the chain stayed sharp enough to finish the job.

In general, the bigger the cutter, the less teeth to sharpen and the longer amount of time between sharpening. That an additional reason to want the swap.

 

[old saw fixer]

I have moved to using more semi chisel chain my self, in all my saws. I always have a .325/16" on the 261, less of those lil cutters to sharpen!