Mid-sized saw, between 009 & 460 Stihl's

Bigsnowdog · Jul 10, 2003

I have a Stihl 009 that I have had for about 20 years, and recently got a Stihl 460 with a 24" bar, as I have some really big stuff that I have to cut up, and have wanted a bigger saw.

The 460 is a load if you are doing a range of diameters of cuts.

I am considering getting something in the middle, and have thought about the 026 and 036 [maybe my model designations are wrong....], and wonder what your thoughts might be on this mid range saw idea.

Thank you....

jokers · Jul 10, 2003

If your next saw HAS to be a Stihl you can`t beat the ms260(026) for a midrange saw, the weight of the 360 is too close to the 460 for what you gain in performance. Do what you can to get a saw with both hi and lo speed carb adjustments, there are still some out there with a fixed hi speed jet and they can be a real PITA. If your dealer of choice only has fixed jets do yourself a favor and holdout until the new stock comes in.

Russ

Bigsnowdog · Jul 10, 2003

Originally posted by jokers
If your next saw HAS to be a Stihl you can`t beat the ms260(026) for a midrange saw, the weight of the 360 is too close to the 460 for what you gain in performance. Do what you can to get a saw with both hi and lo speed carb adjustments, there are still some out there with a fixed hi speed jet and they can be a real PITA. If your dealer of choice only has fixed jets do yourself a favor and holdout until the new stock comes in.

Russ

My 009 has both adjustments, but I am guessing from your remarks that my 9 month old 460 does not. It is interesting that, given what you are implying, they are going to more adjustment possibility on a newer model. Refreshing, but backward with respect to what manufacturers seem to do anymore.

HORSELOGGER · Jul 10, 2003

I know everybody here is sick to death of the ms260 pro carb issue, and I have read some in the archives, but now am confused.... I un-wittingly bought one of these pos saws in february, and the dealer I have is a clueless goon, as I have brought up some of what IO have learned here to get the thing to cut worth a rip, and he has no idea what I am talking about. It sounds like Stihl is correcting the problem by sending out new model 260's with an adjustable carb... Does anyone know if it will be a straight swap to the old ones? They should fix em on a recall or sumpin! pos!

jokers · Jul 10, 2003

Direct Swap

Horselogger, the fully adjustable carb for the 026/260 is a bolt on replacement. Since Stihl won`t publicly acknowledge a problem with the fixed jet carb, it is unlikely that Stihl will offer any fix for the problem. Sounds like you are outside the warranty period where you could have harrassed the snot out of the dealer until he did something for you so your best bet is to obtain a fully adjustable carb off an older 026, thoroughly clean it and install a carb kit, and slap it on. You`ll wonder why you didn`t do it sooner. There are old carb kicking around out there and I know atleast one guy who is parting out 026s on ebay.

Russ

HORSELOGGER · Jul 11, 2003

Thanks Russ, I'll look for one!

Jacob J. · Jul 11, 2003

Hi guys- I have two of the fully adjustable 026 carbs left and have installed carb kits in them if anyone needs one. I also have the comparable model Walbro carbs that come on a Makita DCS-540i that I have installed the 024/026 type linkage on that are fully adjustable too.