I'm not sure what to think about my new 260.

[rustyb]

I like the ergonomics and the feel....the fuel & oil caps,...the ease of starting but the cutting speed, so far, isn't what I expected it would be. My old Echo 4600 45cc saw seemed to rev more freely & compared to this 260, was a screamer. Though I can't try them back to back now (I sold the 4600 to help pay for my new 260), I'm quite certain the 4600 would cut nearly as fast if not just as fast and perhaps even faster in certain cases. And, that is with 3.7 less cc's and the same length bar (18")! Also, the Echo was lighter to boot!! The 260 does have more grunt to it though. That I am certain. It just doesn't seem like it revs enough.

Anyhow, maybe what little dissapointment I may have is premature as I have only ran 3 tanks of gas through it. Perhaps the cutting speed will pick up once I put more time on it or, ......maybe it will just require a different cutting technique than what I got used to with the Echo. At any rate, I've been eyeballing the threads on the muffler mods and I'm keen to them however, I don't want to spend the extra money (not to mention that I don't have the time) for a carb which I can adjust to accomodate those muffler mods.

I'm now wondering if the 346XP would have been a better performing saw for my needs. Too bad none of my local dealers had one. Even if they had though, they don't do demos so I wouldn't have known any way. If I wouldn't take a big hit, I'd be very tempted to order a 346XP, try it and sell the one I liked least out of the two.

All thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[jokers]

Hi Rusty, the 346 wil cut slightly faster in the right hands but the 260 is a fine saw. I have to admit being a little surprised that you feel it would be outcut by an Echo. Echo has never been known for high performance which the 260 is(for it`s displacement).

Based on what you describe I suspect that your 260 is not yet broken in and is improperly set up. Have your dealer tach it for you and preferably have him show you what it`s turning. Max factory rpm is 14,000 and power drops off sharply over this speed. It actually will run with the most power and speed in the cut at something less than 14k, anywhere from 13,500 to 13,700 is most likely. Depending on the carb your saw has this may require a jet change which should be covered by warranty in my opinion.

Russ

 

[songercarving]

You will often be deceived going by how fast a saw "sounds" and "feels" like it is turning. Different mufflers will fool you. You may be right be you may be surprised if you put a tach on them.
Stevie

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Open the muffler up before you take the saw to the dealer. The 260 muffler is too restrictive. That way the dealer will be setting the saw up the way you intend to use it forever, and it will not go lean if you open the muffler at a later time

 

[Crofter]

260 Lazy? No its stihl a bit shy!

It will take a good 10 -15 tanks of fuel to really loosen up. There is also quite a bit of extra initial friction with a new bar, chain, sprocket that will improve. My 260 Stihl gets some sideways looks from some bigger saws performance wise so the tuning of your particular saw may be an issue. There definitely is performance gain to be made from the muffler mod, (aboout 25% ) but with the fixed jet carb you have, it is well to approach this with caution since you pretty well cut yourself off from your dealer once you start messing unless he happens to be understanding.

Frank

 

[rustyb]

Jokers,
I don't know about my old Echo outperforming my 260 but from memory, I feel it would be close in certain circumstances....MAYBE, just maybe faster in others??. I suspect you're correct that it's a combination of not being broken in and not tuned.

Songercarving,
You could be right but not only does my 260 sound like it's not reving, it doesn't feel like it's cutting all that fast either.

Huskyman,
I took the muffler apart last night and now I see what every one is talking about. I will feel out the dealer I purchased it from.

Crofter,
I hadn't thought of all that extra friction....just the engine friction. Makes sense to me. As for opening up the muffler, I have made up my mind that I want to do this. I'm just not sure what to do with the carb yet.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

rusty