MS261 3/8 pitch bar and chain?

[lambs]

My 261 is currently bone stock, but I have read a lot about AS members doing a muff mod and then switching to a 3/8 pitch bar, chain, and sprocket. This appeals to me, and I may try it when my warranty expires. I like the idea of using the same pitch chain on every saw.

My Stihl dealers (I've asked two of them) do not recommend it, and do not stock 3/8 bars for it. So they say. This does not make a lot of sense to me. I'd think Stihl makes a 16" bar in 3/8 pitch and should be able to figure out which one it is. Maybe they just have no market for them and therefore do not stock them locally.

So if I want to try this set up, any recommendations on 3/8 pitch drive sprocket and bar? And if you didn't do a muff mod, would you try it anyway?

 

[H 2 H]

Here is mine with a 18" 3/8" b/c and it has no problem pulling it

And this pic shows the MM

 

[Stihl-Pioneer]

My Stihl dealers (I've asked two of them) do not recommend it, and do not stock 3/8 bars for it. So they say. This does not make a lot of sense to me. I'd think Stihl makes a 16" bar in 3/8 pitch and should be able to figure out which one it is. Maybe they just have no market for them and therefore do not stock them locally.

If they stock bars for a MS362 then they have them to fit your MS261 because they take the same bar mount. You will need to change the rim sprocket also. If you go that avenue I would stick with 16".

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I have 2 used stihl 16" 3/8 050 bars left off a 026 if you have any trades for them. Husky Echo Poulan bars or parts. Dont own a stihl anymore and a cheap way to find out.

 

[s219]

The saw will surely cut a little worse, since the 3/8 cutter is larger and takes a bigger bite out of the wood. So I'd think you at least need a muff mod to offset the difference.

 

[lambs]

I have 2 used stihl 16" 3/8 050 bars left off a 026 if you have any trades for them. Husky Echo Poulan bars or parts. Dont own a stihl anymore and a cheap way to find out.

Unfortunately, I have no Husky, Echo, or Poulan parts, or I'd PM you to work something out!

 

[lambs]

The saw will surely cut a little worse, since the 3/8 cutter is larger and takes a bigger bite out of the wood. So I'd think you at least need a muff mod to offset the difference.

That sounds right. But it cuts pretty well as is, so I could live with a little worse, and if I MM it, maybe it would be about as good or better.

 

[SawTroll]

You need a 3/8x7 rim that fits a "mini 7-spline" drum, and those are only availiable from Stihl, as far as I know?

 

[homelitejim]

My MS260 is a light saber with 3/8 and a 16 inch bar. All the MS261's up here are sold with 3/8's and 20 inch bars, I had a 20 inch set up on mine and it was fine, went to a 16 now I can lean on it.

 

[lambs]

My MS260 is a light saber with 3/8 and a 16 inch bar. All the MS261's up here are sold with 3/8's and 20 inch bars, I had a 20 inch set up on mine and it was fine, went to a 16 now I can lean on it.

Wow. Good to know! Hmm. I have a 20" bar on my 039. But I like being able to lean a bit, so I'd probably stick with the 16" on the 261. I can always pick up the 039 if I need a 20" bar I guess.

 

[o8f150]

i know its not a fair comparison since i don't have a 260,, but i run a 16" 3/8 on my 346xp and it pulls it just fine

 

[H 2 H]

You need a 3/8x7 rim that fits a "mini 7-spline" drum, and those are only availiable from Stihl, as far as I know?

Oregon made them and they did make a small spline 3/8 8 also :biggrin:

 

[Sagetown]

Back in my younger days the 3/8" chain was the Norm of the day for those medium saws, but that .325 " chain is an awesome hefty looking chain. Now if the temptation to convert is too overwhelming, by all means do it.

 

[H 2 H]

My MS260 is a light saber with 3/8 and a 16 inch bar. All the MS261's up here are sold with 3/8's and 20 inch bars, I had a 20 inch set up on mine and it was fine, went to a 16 now I can lean on it.

There sold here either way here (PNW) also but there is a sticker on the front of the saw that say's .325 :biggrin:

 

[lambs]

Well, to reopen my original post, my 16" .325 nose sprocket wore out recently, so I needed a new bar. I located another dealer a little further away and they fixed me up with a 16" 3/8 pitch ES bar, along with a 3/8 by 7 pin rim sprocket and a couple of new Husky chisel chains (they did not have Stihl in that size). I figured it was worth a try to see if the saw can handle the 3/8 pitch. It can. Although I wouldn't invest in a longer bar in 3/8.

I still have not modded my 261, and at this point may not do it. The 16" bar is quite nimble and the saw pulls it well. Perhaps it is a shade slower than with the .325, but I gladly trade that off for the bigger cutters and the consistency with files and grinding wheels. And if I need a longer bar, I'll go with my 046!

 

[Spectre468]

Around here, they come set up with the 3/8 16", 18" and 20".

 

[tonil76]

This may be stupid question, but why 3/8 is better than .325?

 

[lambs]

Not a stupid question at all. It's all about your preference and what you are cutting. In my case, I am trading off a little speed to get bigger, longer lasting cutters and to not have to change out grinding wheels and round files just for one saw.

See Spectre's response above; in some areas of the country these saws come with 3/8 pitch. Where I live, they come with .325 and two of the three dealers I went to would not sell me a 3/8 bar for my saw. The third one did, and told me they do set these saws up with 3/8 at customer request. They apparently service equipment for a timber company and that customer prefers 3/8.

I was interested to read in my 029 / 039 owner's manual that the 029 was considered by Stihl to be ok with 3/8 pitch up to 20" bars, but it was not even listed for the 261, with similar power. I think though with the wood I am cutting, some softer wood but often red or white oak, a 3/8 pitch bar longer than 16" would be a disappointment on my stock 261. If one were cutting a lot of pine or running a modified saw, I could see trying a longer bar.

 

[rd35]

For what its worth, I am converting my 036 Pro from an 18" 3/8pitch .050 gauge to a 20" .325 pitch .063 gauge set-up. Everybody around me here runs the .325 pitch chain and I am getting ready to buy a roll of full chisel .325 and a breaker/spinner. I have a 7-tooth rim, but I think that 036 can pull an 8-tooth just fine. I will try the 7 first and if it feels like it will handle the 8-tooth with a razor sharp chain then I will switch that out later. I am now cutting 50-60 ricks of firewood per year and I find the .325 pitch chain to work very well for my saws!

 

[Cody]

There sold here either way here (PNW) also but there is a sticker on the front of the saw that say's .325 :biggrin:

I thought that was funny when I got mine with a 3/8 bar n chain from the dealer. I had an adjustable carb version first with the .325 chain and stepped up to the Mtronic with the 3/8. I don't know if the 3/8 makes a difference so much as the mtronic but i'm rather happy for numerous reasons. .325 definitely dulled faster in dry hardwoods, the 3/8 feels a little more aggressive but I rarely notice it