026 PRO.......How do they rank in the world of smaller saws?

[2000ssm6]

$980???? Good grief. If I were in Aussie land I might look towards a turd Husky or Dolmar:jester: . Nah, just kidding I would have to take out a loan to get the best.:biggrinbounce2:

 

[Lakeside53]

Bit of a muffler mod you reckon eh. Well the muffler look like its been whacked with a branch, so that might be enough excuse to mod it.:hmm3grin2orange:

Doesn't the "C" just stand for the quick-change bar and the easy chain tension adjuster?

Yep.. I was just kiddign - ALL 260's need a muffer mod.. 30 seconds..

 

[Lakeside53]

Geez, thats cheap. Thats about AU$550! It would only cost about US$50 to get it sent to Australia through Airmail.

To get a new one in Australia they are AU$1200!!! Thats about US$980.

I don't think I will ever buy anything from a dealer here any more. Shipping is pretty cheap now from the U.S. and the part etc are already so much cheaper.

Don't you have local sales taxes to pay on imports, and customs clearance fees? Still cheaper, but...


...and then there's that problem of international shipping of a saw that has had gas in it... you'll need to find a friendly dealer in the USA that will ship a dry saw in a box.

 

[martrix]

Don't you have local sales taxes to pay on imports, and customs clearance fees? Still cheaper, but...


...and then there's that problem of international shipping of a saw that has had gas in it... you'll need to find a friendly dealer in the USA that will ship a dry saw in a box.

You're right that you'd have to find a friendly dealer. Would have to check up on the gas part. I would be thinking that the fuel tank and crankcase would have to be bone dry to go on an airplane.

As far as Customs fees, anything coming in to Aus now has a limit of AU$1000. So you can bring in anything that has a value under that limit, and not get charged any fees at all.....as long as its shipped USPS.......couriers are pricks and always charge brokerage fees.

 

[SawTroll]

Bit of a muffler mod you reckon eh. Well the muffler look like its been whacked with a branch, so that might be enough excuse to mod it.:hmm3grin2orange:

Doesn't the "C" just stand for the quick-change bar and the easy chain tension adjuster?

At least over here, the "C" on the MS260C stand for the quick chain adjuster, but the bar is anything but quick to change (or remove, or flip) - one of the draw-backs of that chain adjuster.......:bang: :bang:

 

[martrix]

At least over here, the "C" on the MS260C stand for the quick chain adjuster, but the bar is anything but quick to change (or remove, or flip) - one of the draw-backs of that chain adjuster.......:bang: :bang:

Have to say I agree with you. After a few hours with the saw, I already dislike the "C" options.

They work, but just seem a bit gimmicky and weak.
Would rather the old sturdier style.

 

[RiverRat2]

I like the 026/MS260, but the anti-vibe and air filter system is not good by todays (Husky 346xp and 353) standards.......

If you buy used, beware of the MS260s with fixed high-speed jet.......

A 50cc saw would not be my choise if most of your wood is close to 20", enter the 361, which is a newer and better design......

Just had to........

That was a given trollman

BTW when is tha SaWitch's lil red saw supposed to land??? U better post some good pix!!!

 

[SawTroll]

That was a given trollman

BTW when is tha SaWitch's lil red saw supposed to land??? U better post some good pix!!!

Some time next week, hopefully - we are both looking forward to it!

....will play with the new 339xp this weekend, will be off in an hour or so to the cottage......

:rockn:

 

[bwalker]

I'm with lake . 026/260 is a damn good saw,

The Model T was a fine car way back when, but I dont want to drive one today.....

 

[Tzed250]

Of the 50cc pro saws the 260 has the least bang for your buck. The 5100 and 346 best it in everyway.

Come on Ben, Everyway?

How many Dolmar dealers in the US?

What Husqvarna dealers keep 346s in stock? None around here.

Maybe Dealers and parts availability dont matter though, because I used my 026 in my business almost every day, and the only thing I ever bought for it was chains. Probably on of the most reliable pieces of equipment I have ever owned.

Husky and Dolmar will never sell as many 346 and 5100 as Stihl has sold 026/MS260.

The 026/MS260 track record speaks for itself. The MS260 continues to sell in great numbers because it is such a great saw. The 026/MS260 is like the porsche 911, great from the start, and still great!

 

[bwalker]

Its no secret that Dolmar parts and dealer support SUCK!.
Not so with Husky and both the dealers I use have 346's in stock and at prices that are lower than a 260. Interestingly the local stihl dealer does not stock the 260 or 361.
The 260 isnt a bad saw, it just a fact that the 346 and other saws have passed it technology wise.

 

[Tzed250]

I will agree about the technology, but that alone does not "best the 260 in everyway". Speaking in absolutes requires an extremely strong foundation.

 

[bwalker]

I will agree about the technology, but that alone does not "best the 260 in everyway". Speaking in absolutes requires an extremely strong foundation.

In what way is the 260 superior?
I stand by my statement.

 

[Tzed250]

Of the 50cc pro saws the 260 has the least bang for your buck. The 5100 and 346 best it in everyway.

"In what way is the 260 superior?
I stand by my statement"

Ben, technologically they might be better saws, but you didnt say that. Your statement was that they best it in every way. Then you said Dolmar parts availability was bad. Stihl parts availability is good.

The 260 is superior in sales, nuff said

 

[bwalker]

The 260 is superior in sales, nuff said

Ford sold a ton of Model T's too.
Which means squat to the guy pulling the trigger.

 

[Tzed250]

Whatever Ben, but remember,

There will always be more 026/MS260 triggers being pulled..

 

[blis]

Whatever Ben, but remember,

There will always be more 026/MS260 triggers being pulled..

and it will always be inferior saw compared to 346xp/5100

 

[NovaMan]

I got an 026 with a ported muffler from Lakeside53. All I can really say is it's worlds better than the silly little 14" Wen I learned on. *shrug*

If you buy a saw that's too small or underpowered or too heavy or too vibracious, you'll hate it, but I don't think you'll ever regret buying a better saw than you really need. I could probably get away with a Poulan/Craftsman, but I bought an 026 anyway, and I'd do it again. I like my 026 and the relationships that came with it.

 

[AJLOGGER]

I bought a used 026 but got real lucky. The saw was in great shape and I only paid $126 for it. I haven't cut a ton with it but there have been several days where I cut 6-8 maybe 10 hrs. with it and it never gave me a minutes problem. After all of those hours straight I never noticed performance dropping due to the filter being dirty. At the end of the day I went home and blew it off, no big deal. I think the saw cut real nice, when buried it never bogged. It isn't as fast as a corvette but it is like that turbo diesel, it pulls and pulls.

 

[THALL10326]

In what way is the 260 superior?
I stand by my statement.

Of course you do Ben, you always stand by your statements and as usual they don't mean SQUAT,LOL