Chainsaw model lifespan

[Skeena2]

I’m in a situation of rethinking my 2 saw plan. Had a ms261 and a 661. Small one for firewood. Big one for milling and backup firewood. Then a couple years ago stepped up to the 881 and sold the 661.

Recently though my 261 has been giving me issues. I’d be willing to replace it. Sort out issues and sell it later. But the current replacement for a ms261 is a ms261

I’m running into the a similar situation with my ms881. I like it when milling. But for a backup firewood saw it’s comically too big. Plus the 3002 mount means bar selection sucks. But again the replacement for it is a saw I’ve already owed. A ms661.

Which begs the question what’s the general model lifespan of chainsaws. Is a ms262 or ms662 due in the near future (2025) or way farther out?

Not that I’m looking for husky replacements. But the 592 having more power and lighter than the ms661. I would assume that Stihl is already working on their next saw in that class

 

[firebox40dash5]

The old 026, 036, 046, 066, 088 were released in... what, the early 90s? Maybe mid 90s for a few?

They carried on for the better part of a decade as the 0xx series, then for a while longer as the MSxx0... the MS360 was first of those to get a new model whenever the 361 came out (mid 00s?) The 260, 460, 660 & 880 soldiered on for a looooooong time, man.

 

[huskydave]

The Stihl 400.1 is coming out soon, claimed 62.6cc 5.3hp 5.5kg weight. That would be a very good firewood saw. This model has been out for around 11 months in some test areas and it is coming here in the near future. It is light enough for limbing but has enough power to fell decent size trees. I might pick one up myself when they come to Canada. The 261 is getting long in the tooth but it is hard to say when they will discontinue it. It is likely the 400 and possible the 361 will be discontinued after this new 400.1 drops.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

…sold the 661 and replaced with an 880…
Oops.
I ran my 066 as a 1-saw plan for years…24-42” bars. Got older and out of shape so added a built 356xp.
I still primarily cut with the 346 and use a 500i for bigger stuff.

 

[Nickyboy6100]

I love my 261. I bought a 500i for anything too big that the 261 can’t handle. 500i has been a nice saw so far, but much prefer running the 261 since it feels a ton lighter.

 

[J D]

I'd much sooner have a saw thats been around for a while & is well proven with any major kinks ironed out... all the better if its still current so parts aren't a problem (& the longer its been around the less likely you are to have a problem finding parts in the future)

 

[thompsoncustom]

I’m in a situation of rethinking my 2 saw plan. Had a ms261 and a 661. Small one for firewood. Big one for milling and backup firewood. Then a couple years ago stepped up to the 881 and sold the 661.

Recently though my 261 has been giving me issues. I’d be willing to replace it. Sort out issues and sell it later. But the current replacement for a ms261 is a ms261

I’m running into the a similar situation with my ms881. I like it when milling. But for a backup firewood saw it’s comically too big. Plus the 3002 mount means bar selection sucks. But again the replacement for it is a saw I’ve already owed. A ms661.

Which begs the question what’s the general model lifespan of chainsaws. Is a ms262 or ms662 due in the near future (2025) or way farther out?

Not that I’m looking for husky replacements. But the 592 having more power and lighter than the ms661. I would assume that Stihl is already working on their next saw in that class

My question is why are you not happy with the 261 already? Same with the 661 what made you sell it?

 

[fields_mj]

My question is why are you not happy with the 261 already? Same with the 661 what made you sell it?

That's where I was at. Are your current saws worn out, or is CAD making you want something new? I can't imagine a world where I would sell a running 661 for an 880 if my only other saw was a 261, but its not my money so whatever. I also can't imagine a world where you have more than 1 saw, and one of them isn't a 261 or something equivalent. If I were in your shoes, and you have an actual need for a +90cc saw, I'd keep what you have and add either a 400, 462, or maybe a 500 depending on what you're actually cutting. A 2 saw plan is normally a 50cc and a 70cc or a 60cc and a +90cc. If your at 50 and +100, then you're 2/3 of the way into a 3 saw plan.