MS 261

[push-rod]

Is Stihl ever going to build a fuel injected 261 like the 500i ?

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

Anything is possible, but I would doubt it. I'm guessing it would turn a ~$650 saw into a ~$850 saw? That would make for a very expensive small saw. Doesn't seem like a big potential market for that.

More likely to see a fuel injected 661/881 IMHO.

 

[OMEGANOX]

All the RnD funding goes to electrification now, in terms of internal combustion I think we’ve seen all the development we are going to see from Stihl.

 

[Seachaser]

All the RnD funding goes to electrification now, in terms of internal combustion I think we’ve seen all the development we are going to see from Stihl.

If the 500i is as successful as it is now and has the endurance of its predecessors, anything is possible. Wouldn’t surprise me to see every chainsaw go that route. Less models, but one to fit every niche. I think there’s too many now, but that’s me. One top handle, one 40cc, one 50cc, and so on for every class.

 

[user 122190]

Most of the experts hear swear they would never ever ever buy a saw that wasn't carburetor. Stihl is a company that looks to the future and wont be listening to a bunch of decrepit, hard drinking, degenerate, geriatrics, for much longer. I'd say the 500i is a huge success and will be the path forward, the only viable path forward.

Don't invest in anymore carburetor adjustment screwdrivers, as they are going the way of the dodo bird.

 

[stihltech]

Costs will have to come way down for smaller saws to have injection. This is why the MSA300 battery saw was developed. Basically a battery 261 size.

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

Costs will have to come way down for smaller saws to have injection. This is why the MSA300 battery saw was developed. Basically a battery 261 size.

That was exactly my point. Battery saws will replace the 50cc class. Fuel injection is expensive and will likely only be seen on bigger saws where the cost can be absorbed. Until those large saws eventually get replaced by next-gen battery technology (e.g. solid-state) in about 15 years.

That's what my crystal ball says anyway.

 

[DP425]

IMO, you’ll see the smaller saws all transition to battery, larger saws will move to EFI.

Smaller saws, you have packaging constrains for EFI, in addition to the aforementioned added cost. As batteries continue to improve, it just won’t make much sense for gas saws in the 50cc class and below. Most of those saws see relatively light duty anyway (even when used professionally), where two batteries and a quick charger will probably meet 95% of users demand. For the 5% where that isn’t sufficient, manufacturers will expect users to bump up to the smallest size gasser, or pick up a couple extra batteries.

Unless you need a STRONG saw, running all day… it doesn’t make a ton of sense to deal with two cycle mix. If I lived on 1acre or less and didn’t heat with wood, and plan to start selling firewood, the only outdoor power equipment I’d own that wasn’t battery, would be my mower and snow blower.

And depending on actual lot size and driveway length, there’s a strong chance I wouldn’t own anything but battery outdoor equipment, period.

 

[NHden]

I really hate to see development of IC power sources come to an end. As an engineer, I've spent a lot of time with battery systems including lithium ion. I don't think that price, battery run time, battery life, temperature and charge time have really sunken in yet. Three high end series batteries will put you out an extra $1200 or so. $1200 buys a heck of a lot of gas. Plus, you don't have the added electronics and their failure modes, touch or overlay controls that get damaged, and high out of warranty repair costs for this. Even in warranty, unless Stihl improves parts availability, it's going to be really bad when your $2000 saw (including batteries for a day) are sitting on a shelf at your dealer due to lack of parts.

I think the first reply hit the nail on the head. You add a few hundred dollars to price. I know nothing about "i" reliability to date so will hold my tongue

Are batteries the future? Probably but the present is gas ... until that is banned. At that point there will be multiple wars to protect it so no worry for a long time.

 

[NHden]

Sorry to double up on posts but one last thought. As we evolve toward batteries, it would be awesome if the top manufacturers got together and defined several standard power system modules. Your power electronics are most likely to fail due to chemistry, temperatures and normal electronic failures. Wouldn't it be great if A) the module physical and ins and outs were defined and public and B) you swap the bad module like you swap a carb now, where even the OEM carb doesn't break the bank.

 

[Lightning Performance]

I really hate to see development of IC power sources come to an end. As an engineer, I've spent a lot of time with battery systems including lithium ion. I don't think that price, battery run time, battery life, temperature and charge time have really sunken in yet. Three high end series batteries will put you out an extra $1200 or so. $1200 buys a heck of a lot of gas. Plus, you don't have the added electronics and their failure modes, touch or overlay controls that get damaged, and high out of warranty repair costs for this. Even in warranty, unless Stihl improves parts availability, it's going to be really bad when your $2000 saw (including batteries for a day) are sitting on a shelf at your dealer due to lack of parts.

I think the first reply hit the nail on the head. You add a few hundred dollars to price. I know nothing about "i" reliability to date so will hold my tongue

Are batteries the future? Probably but the present is gas ... until that is banned. At that point there will be multiple wars to protect it so no worry for a long time.

Gas won't be the medium they use in twenty years is my best guess. Injection will stay but fuel tech will move forward like it always has in the past.

 

[user 122190]

Gas won't be the medium they use in twenty years is my best guess. Injection will stay but fuel tech will move forward like it always has in the past.

I was thinking the other day about new technology displacing old. I still don't have a cell phone, but phones for landlines are still available. Yet phone booths are all about extinct. Hard to say what the final fallout will be. For most, and certainly for chainsaws, it will be a long while til there is a serious and lasting change.

 

[Lightning Performance]

I was thinking the other day about new technology displacing old. I still don't have a cell phone, but phones for landlines are still available. Yet phone booths are all about extinct. Hard to say what the final fallout will be. For most, and certainly for chainsaws, it will be a long while til there is a serious and lasting change.

No doubt. Replacing old tech with new in baby steps. Fuel will improve or change as always.

You need a Sat phone out there in the boonies

 

[user 122190]

No doubt. Replacing old tech with new in baby steps. Fuel will improve or change as always.

You need a Sat phone out there in the boonies

Yup. Cell coverage is bad. When I'm out exploring the wilderness with the dog, the silence is part of the joy. Don't care that the DOW is rising or falling, nor do I need to call anybody and ask "Waz Up, Bro".