260 Pro questions

[LHJim]

exactly what I am looking for

Stihl here,

That is exactly what I am looking for. I know I will probably not cut anything larger than 18" but if I do the 260 Pro will do it. Also as someone mention, the 260 Pro is sort of light and this is what I want. Don't want to feel like I am carrying a sleighthammer in the woods. I know I will prolly be happy with the 260Pro.

I should also mention that my Stihl dealer has the 260 and 260Pro. Not sure if I need the features on the Pro model but it is like $40 more or so.

Do you have the 260 or 260Pro model? I would think its not that hard to start the 260 so maybe I should just get the standard 260 model?

Yeah...this forum has the tendency to get someone to buy "more than they need"

Thanks!

 

[smilin possum]

Heres my nickel,
I have a 025,026, both are good small saws but i'd go for the 290. If you really want a little monster find you an 029 super and mod the muffler. Mine is and it will saw with a 361 Stihl all day long. It cuts what ever you stick it in, and I run a 20" bar on mine. It get the most run time out of all the saws in my sig. Just my thoughts.

 

[zeke573]

Agree the Husky 353 is another good option. Plenty of links on the net about them from original Husqvarna website specs.

 

[oneoldbanjo]

I have an MS260 standard model.....and did not get the 260 Pro. The pro has a compression release that I would never use as it starts very easy without using it, it has an adjustable oiler that I would never use as I only use a 16" bar and the non-adjustable oiler works fine, and the oiler running at idle on the standard 260 has never been a problem as I don't set my saw down and let it idle for more than a minute at a time. If money is any concern for you......just get the standard MS260 and it will serve you well.

My MS260 is my saw of choice for any wood that is not brush or if I am going to be cutting much wood over 10" in diameter. The saw is nimble, cuts well, and is very reliable. If you want a tad more performance and a bit more noise you can drill a couple of extra holes on either side of the existing muffler outlet and then retune the carb to get a bit more performance.

 

[2000ssm6]

just get the standard MS260 and it will serve you well.

:agree2:, no need for a decomp and no need for a adj. oiler unless you will be running a 20" b&c. A 16" b&c is the best combo for a 260 imo.

 

[nmurph]

does the 026 pro have a clutch driven oiler? can the adjustable oiler be retrofitted to the non-pro 026/260?

 

[excess650]

If you're in Manassas, you're not far from the Stihl dealer in Leesburg. I'm sure that he will let you try anything you want.

The MS260 is a nice, lightweight saw. The most similar Husqvarna and Jonsered are the 353 and 2152. More powerful are the Husky 346xp, Jred 2153, and Dolmar 5100S with similar displacement. The comparable Echo would be the CS520.

I have the Stihl 026, Husky 353 and 346xp. The 346xp definitely is the most powerful of the bunch. The 353 and 026 are similar in performance.

If you don't have wood larger than 16", you probably have no need for a saw more powerful than any of those already mentioned.

 

[HittinSteel]

I have an MS260 standard model.....and did not get the 260 Pro. The pro has a compression release that I would never use as it starts very easy without using it, it has an adjustable oiler that I would never use as I only use a 16" bar and the non-adjustable oiler works fine, and the oiler running at idle on the standard 260 has never been a problem as I don't set my saw down and let it idle for more than a minute at a time. If money is any concern for you......just get the standard MS260 and it will serve you well.

My MS260 is my saw of choice for any wood that is not brush or if I am going to be cutting much wood over 10" in diameter. The saw is nimble, cuts well, and is very reliable. If you want a tad more performance and a bit more noise you can drill a couple of extra holes on either side of the existing muffler outlet and then retune the carb to get a bit more performance.

Make sure to test for WOT first if it is a fixed jet. Mine turns 14,250 bone stock on 93 octane.

 

[LHJim]

standard MS260

banjo, thanks for the tip. did not realize that the extra features on the Pro260 is really needed for a 20" b/c. If I am going to get the 16" b/c then might as well get the MS260 and save the money on something else.

I've looked at the Stihl Landowner models and these appear to be a bit more powerful with the MS310/290 but it is also heavier by 3 lbs or so. I may have to carry the saw a couple hundred yards so want to keep weight down if possible.

I looked at the Husky site and see the 346XP listed at $490 (probably with 13" chain) so at 16" chain its probably going to be $520. This 346 also has
3.7hp which is a bit more than the MS260 at 3.2hp. Pricewise the 346XP will probably be a little more expensive than the MS260 cuz the husky is not priced with the 16" chain. I do not think the Husky 353 is listed locally to check out but they are probably priced at $400 or so and this would be a good buy. Seem a lot of favorable reviews on this 353 saw. From the specs sheet I dotted down...it appears the 346XP is the more powerful saw simple because of its 3.7hp but the 11lb may negate the 15% increase in the HP over the MS260 saw.

I *think* I may want to stick with the Stihl saw now and if I want to become spendy down the road I may opt for a Husky XP. Of course, then I will have to decide this...if I have 2 saws, which brand should be the nimble of the two saws and which brand should be the BAD dog of the two But keep in mind I may only carry one saw for a while so the first saw needs to be the all-around saw.

excess650...yeah I know there is a Stihl dealer in Leesburg. Its a bit further away than the other Stihl dealer in Manassas. But I would go for the Leesburg dealer if this Manassas Stihl dealer was a dud. Never bought from a Stihl so I am threading lightly. Have you heard any negative experience with the one Stihl dealer in Manassas? Have you bought from the Stihl dealer in Leesburg? I'd more likely go to chainsaw dealers on weekends so need to be rather local. Of course...good shop trumps anything etc. Thanks for the tip.

Now...what to do...LOL

 

[LHJim]

Make sure to test for WOT first if it is a fixed jet. Mine turns 14,250 bone stock on 93 octane.

What is this? How do you test for this?

 

[Evan]

i would highly recomend the 260 in 18-20" wood , you seem to be right on track by wanting this saw.

my 026 wears a 3/8" oregon 18" lgx chain and hogs through bar size logs. it is superlight and just plain works from limbing to bucking bar sized stuff. i realy like this saw

this is it wearing a big chaincase cover off my 044 aswell as the big dawgs.
great little saw.

ive bucked alot of wood with this thing already this season and it hasnt let me down.

i also have hot rodded 60cc saw, this little 026 has been slowly becoming my go to saw when in 20" and smaller wood, just realy isnt any reason to grab bigger bar and bigger saw.

the other guys should be proud. i havent saidnt anything about how i feel the 361 is a much overated rated saw.

 

[HittinSteel]

What is this? How do you test for this?

I bought a tach to check wide open throttle before I muffler modded it..... turns out what I thought I felt cutting with the saw was confirmed, it screams and needed no mod. Everything you will read on here is that the 260 needs a muffler mod to "wake up". Mine cuts hardwood up to the length of the bar (16") with no problems stock.

 

[snuffstuff]

LHJim

If you ever made it here(70 miles), you could test drive the 260, 460, 025, 290, 200t and echo cs330t. The top handle saws are nice atv tool box saws. I have never run a 361 so I cant comment and stay content with the 260 and 460. For 15% more you are getting a better deal with the 361, but if you dont need it or want it than did you really get a better deal? For 15% more you are getting a better deal with a bigger car over a smaller car, but if you really didnt want a bigger car and a smaller one meets your needs did you really get a better deal?

There are faster, smoother and more powerful saws than the 260 for sure. But the saw has been on the market for a long time because it has proven itself and its what alot of people want. It handles well, carries well, is nimble,narrow and light. For many it has enough power.

 

[peter399]

Your question was very long, luckily the answer is very short, three numbers and two letters.

346XP


The 260 is comparable to the Husky 353 powerwise. But the 353 has superior anti-vibe, air filtration and ergonomics so I would choose it over the 260.
A great saw for less money is the 350. Classed as homeowner
saw but that saw take take a return trip to hell and still run like a champ.

So now the answer was long. I've used 260, 353 and 346 alot! and the 346 is definalty the saw to get. If you can consider Dolmar PS5100 is a good alternative.

 

[blsnelling]

Get yourself a Husky 359. Same saw as the 357XP except a different piston and cylinder. I personally would never use a 260 in 20" wood unless I didn't have a bigger saw. Of course it'll do it, but a 60cc saw is much more at home in that size wood.

The 260 and 260 Pro are the same saw, except the Pro has a decompression valve and an adjustable oiler. Neither one is a must have on that size saw.

 

[sbhooper]

I really like my 260 for the smaller cutting. It is lighter than my 361 and so I don't tire quite as fast. The 361 has its place, too, but the 260 is super easy to start. I run the stock .325 chain on a 16-inch bar and I feel like it is about a perfect combination. However, I think the Huskys are just as good and your final decision should be made based on the best dealer support.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Get a Stihl

I have to say I love the 260, but I use it when climbing sometimes, not on the ground. For your purposes, I would suggest the Stihl MS290, which will accomodate up to a 20" bar (I had two, but the same guy ran over both while moving the same chipper, within one week... he was unemployed shortly there after...) The 290, in my opinion is a great saw, probably better for you than the 260. The price should be right around $380 nowadays. It will weight maybe a pound more than the 260, but the price is right, and it will definately cut lots of wood. If you opt for something a little more beefy than the 290, go with the 361. Cant be beat.

 

[nmurph]

the weight difference is more like three pounds.

 

[bcorradi]

I have quite a bit of experience with 026's and MS260's, and I would have to say the non pro non adj oiler outputs as much oil as the pro with the adj. oiler set to max. I wish Lakeside aka Andy was here to solidify that assumption.

If your looking for a pro saw and leaning towards a stihl, the MS260 non pro would work great for what your wanting to do.

 

[bob-o52]

I always thought bigger was better till I bought a used 026. It came with a 16" bar. Only thing I didn't like was no adjustable oiler, it would run the bar oil out and still have 1/4 tank of fuel, no problem,just had to keep an eye on it.
I discovered Stihl makes 3 different non adjustable oil pumps for the 026, each with different ratios to suit your needs. I went ahead and upgraded to a adjustable oiler.
I've got a 8 saws to choose from, 40 to 88cc. If I could only have 1 it would be the 026.