M-Tronic - Avoid? Or Acquire?

[Mad Professor]

I wish I could afford a $20K new tractor.

Instead I spent $2000 on a 3-cyl Ford 2000 a few years back. Not as fun to work on as my 9n, but a little more grunt, locking diffy, and live PTO. I like the N better.

 

[Mad Professor]

"I wonder what filter was giving Cliff the problems on the MS-660?"

Not my saw, they belonged to the company that was logging my property. The owner said that the filters on the MS-660's plus easily, quickly and they let a LOT of very fine material past them.

It's standard procedure for him to clean them daily........Cliff

The wire mesh filter lets in too much crap IMO. The HD filter lets in nothing. I won't run a wire mesh stihl filter. All the old ones are flocked filters.

I got my 066 OEM with my logosol mill. I cut some ash 4X12" to make a ramp for the mill. Carb was filthy after milling 4 logs with mesh filter. I bought the HD filter assy, no more dirt/crap inside.

Shake off pre-filter every tank and runs fine all day.

 

[Levi of the North]

Well, local dealer was willing to cut me a good deal on an MS 461 + MS 261, but claims that the 261 is no longer available as a carb saw. Gonna shop around and see if anyone has one kicking around in Ontario, or if they'd be willing to somehow procure one from the US. The hunt begins...

Fortunately for me, I visit a lot of chainsaw dealers for work (I do financing of agricultural and construction machinery), so I've got a good excuse to peruse the shelves on company time!

 

[catbuster]

The standard carbureted MS261 may prove to be quite hard to find here in North America. The M-Tronic system works, and if the guy is cutting you a deal on a 461 & a 261 you should take it and run. Plenty of Stihl dealers will tell you to go piss off if you want to haggle.

 

[pavel408]

while I get what you're saying the 440 hasnt been out for quite a while here, not 100% but I thought it was long gone there too so how would it superseded it.

Sorry - typo, of course I meant 441 (i.e. 440->441->462).

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

I had no idea that obdii went through a similar process, or the motorcycle industry is going through the same bs. Fascinating!

This gives me hope for the future thank you!

OBDII is slightly different in that (I believe, not 100% sure) the spec for OBDII was never private, it was published. Which made it easier/cheaper for aftermarket to produce software to interface with it. However, at first there was nothing available to the public at all, then the ones that were available were very expensive. Then prices started dropping quickly.

Stihl/Husky will not publish their API so someone is going to have to get in there and figure it out themselves, which is most likely not going to be easy.

Then there's the issue of trying to produce the software that makes this usable for the masses and distribute that software to those users. This would be nice to be a phone app with a cord.

So this probably won't be fast....or cheap....and once they figure it out, the manufacturers will probably change it lol

I'm semi-interested in figuring out m-tronic interface...and I probably have the ability to figure it out, however, I don't really have the time...4 kids 3 of which play multiple sports and I myself play a couple...it's a real chore just figuring out how to get everyone to their events on time...let alone monkeying with a saw to figure out a proprietary API that 2% of users are interested in attempting to fix themselves.

 

[chipper1]

Well, local dealer was willing to cut me a good deal on an MS 461 + MS 261, but claims that the 261 is no longer available as a carb saw. Gonna shop around and see if anyone has one kicking around in Ontario, or if they'd be willing to somehow procure one from the US. The hunt begins...

Fortunately for me, I visit a lot of chainsaw dealers for work (I do financing of agricultural and construction machinery), so I've got a good excuse to peruse the shelves on company time!

As @catbuster said the 261 in the mtronic version is a great running saw(it even handles a lot more like a husky ), and as much as your already in the dealer if you should have a problem you're already there. And to be quite honest if you're getting a deal on one it should be under 600 cad which isn't much cash really, and if you had to you would have the 461 for smaller stuff in a pinch.
What size bar are you looking to run on the 261. It will pull an 18x3/8 if you want the same chain so you can use the same files.

 

[Mad Professor]

Is a 261 that much better than a fresh 026 with a WT-194 carb, MM, and squish fixed?

I REALLY hate having to buy tools that are useless except for one car/truck/saw, or paying 10% of retail cost on a saw for an "hours" work, and the fact I can't fix it in my tool shed or in the woods.

Yes, my saws weigh more and don't have as good AV or air filters. But all the spares I'll ever need, for almost all, are less than one new $aw. And I have those and parts carcasses:carb kits, gasket/seal kits, P/C/rings, rubber. If it dies I can fix most in 1-2 days.

I don't like going to the car dealer and bending over either.

I guess if $$$ is not an issue buy new.

 

[Okie]

I never said that, but;


There is no need whatsoever for computer controlled chainsaws. Just like there’s no need whatsoever for computer controlled vehicles, appliances, or a vast plethora of overcomplicated, finicky, breakdown-prone, money-sucking-weasel hard-to-work-on-and-diagnose equipment that we are forced to buy every day.

So there! Ha!

Agree with above and I'm a electronic tech and electrician. Good until they fail.

But I'm watching for a self driving chainsaw. (one that will go cut firewood by itself)

so my wife can get some rest.

 

[MountainHigh]

But I'm watching for a self driving chainsaw. (one that will go cut firewood by itself)

so my wife can get some rest.

LOL

 

[Levi of the North]

As @catbuster
What size bar are you looking to run on the 261. It will pull an 18x3/8 if you want the same chain so you can use the same files.

Probably not going to use any larger than 16" on whatever ~50cc saw I decide on. I'm going to put a 28" on the 461 to replicate my dad's setup - great for bucking and felling, but somewhat heavy and unwieldy for pruning and small brush stuff. So whatever I end up deciding on for the smaller saw will be on the lighter/more compact side.

Part of me is tempted to just go with the MS 193T. I really like that little saw, but it's a touch small for when I'm clearing thorn trees and want to buck up a trunk. That'll probably be saw #3, someday...

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

I just asked and I can order the 261 version 2 in a standard carb no problem.

 

[catbuster]

I just asked and I can order the 261 version 2 in a standard carb no problem.

That’s right, but you’re almost guaranteed to pay full price.

Personally, I jump straight from a climbing saw to a 25 or longer. I like standing up and not bending over. It’s probably a bad idea to get of your knees running a chainsaw in small wood, because, well, kickbacks and injury. Stooping over sucks, and it’s really hard on your back.

I’m five and a half feet tall (168 cm or so) with short arms. A 28 on a 461 will come pretty much to my foot level with my arms extended if I hold the saw vertical and my arms slightly out. So I can limb standing straight up without having to worry about running the saw into the dirt. My six-four (193 cm for the metric fanboys) buddy likes a 32 on a 461. Neither of us is a particularly musclebound human being, with me at the 160 lb mark and my buddy at 195. Admittedly, we’re both used to working but the 195 pound dude has about all he wants moving 100 lb repeatedly.

I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that keeping a good posture will more than offset the weight difference. But, again, it’s up to you.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

That’s right, but you’re almost guaranteed to pay full price.

Personally, I jump straight from a climbing saw to a 25 or longer. I like standing up and not bending over. It’s probably a bad idea to get of your knees running a chainsaw in small wood, because, well, kickbacks and injury. Stooping over sucks, and it’s really hard on your back.

I’m five and a half feet tall (168 cm or so) with short arms. A 28 on a 461 will come pretty much to my foot level with my arms extended if I hold the saw vertical and my arms slightly out. So I can limb standing straight up without having to worry about running the saw into the dirt. My six-four (193 cm for the metric fanboys) buddy likes a 32 on a 461. Neither of us is a particularly musclebound human being, with me at the 160 lb mark and my buddy at 195. Admittedly, we’re both used to working but the 195 pound dude has about all he wants moving 100 lb repeatedly.

I guess what I’m trying to get at here is that keeping a good posture will more than offset the weight difference. But, again, it’s up to you.

I pay around 500 bucks after tax for 261s .. I have no idea what they even cost on the shelf.

 

[catbuster]

I pay around 500 bucks after tax for 261s .. I have no idea what they even cost on the shelf.

That’s awesome, they were priced $570 USD at the shop today. Most people don’t get that type of treatment, and I’d bet this guy won’t either. Most shops are full price, no questions if they have to order it in.

 

[Levi of the North]

UPDATE: I found a standard carb MS 261!!!

Called a ton of dealers here in Ontario, none had any in stock, and hadn't been able to order them through Stihl Canada for a couple years. Was about to get one shipped over the border from Detroit, when I found a John Deere dealership that said they had one. Went down this morning, and it was dusty from sitting on a back-room shelf, but it was the real deal. Bought it on the spot.

Tested it on a few stray pieces of firewood lying around the house, and I love it. Great engine note (snorty for a little saw), and it zipped right through anything I touched the chain to.

Going to do a little strip-down and clean to get the dust off and make sure there's no rust from storage, then put it through it's paces this weekend. There's probably a few small ash trees on the woodlot that need bucking.

 

[chipper1]

UPDATE: I found a standard carb MS 261!!!

Called a ton of dealers here in Ontario, none had any in stock, and hadn't been able to order them through Stihl Canada for a couple years. Was about to get one shipped over the border from Detroit, when I found a John Deere dealership that said they had one. Went down this morning, and it was dusty from sitting on a back-room shelf, but it was the real deal. Bought it on the spot.

Tested it on a few stray pieces of firewood lying around the house, and I love it. Great engine note (snorty for a little saw), and it zipped right through anything I touched the chain to.

Going to do a little strip-down and clean to get the dust off and make sure there's no rust from storage, then put it through it's paces this weekend. There's probably a few small ash trees on the woodlot that need bucking.

Congrats on the new saw .
What bar did you end up putting on it.

 

[Levi of the North]

Congrats on the new saw .
What bar did you end up putting on it.

It came with a 16" bar (only option available at that store). I'll try that out for a little while and see whether I find it limiting for day-to-day chores. I still plan on picking up an MS 461 with a 28" bar, so between the two my bases should be pretty well covered for firewood tasks.

 

[chipper1]

It came with a 16" bar (only option available at that store). I'll try that out for a little while and see whether I find it limiting for day-to-day chores. I still plan on picking up an MS 461 with a 28" bar, so between the two my bases should be pretty well covered for firewood tasks.

I run mine with a 16" picco on jobs where I want less mess(very small chips), it does a good job although it's not much faster than something like a stock 241 or a 251 because is not really under any load, it would be better suited with an 18, but thats what the 550 wears.
When I've had 461's I like to run a 24 on them, but they do a good job with a 28 as well, they are a proven saw with a great track record.

 

[CenterTree]

Congrats! Nice find.


Time to update your other thread....
https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/new-stihl-ms-261-non-m-tronic.333808/