Recommend a 16" 50cc saw that will beat out a Stihl 026

[777funk]

The Stihl has this going for it:
-runs great
-nice build quality
-fairly compact for power
-runs a 16" bar with .325" chain very well

And this that it does not have going for it in my opinion:
-a little heavy probably by comparison to other saws
-burns more gas than some other saws

So with all that said, I like the saw. I owned an 028 wood boss and felt the 026 was a better saw (smaller and just as powerful).

So what is there that will equal or beat out my little 026 (any brand including Stihl)?

 

[earlthegoat2]

This is where it would have been nice if the MS241 hadn’t been discontinued in the US.

IMO, that was a handier package for the .325 16” than the 261.

 

[Mad3400]

If we are talking new, MS 261.


Mad3400

 

[WoodmanSr]

The Stihl has this going for it:
-runs great
-nice build quality
-fairly compact for power
-runs a 16" bar with .325" chain very well

And this that it does not have going for it in my opinion:
-a little heavy probably by comparison to other saws
-burns more gas than some other saws

So with all that said, I like the saw. I owned an 028 wood boss and felt the 026 was a better saw (smaller and just as powerful).

So what is there that will equal or beat out my little 026 (any brand including Stihl)?

Well. You answered your own question unless something I'm missing. 026 in good condition might be hard to best, $ for $. Maintain it & keep a sharp chain.
So specs put 026 at 10.7# pho... not heavy at all.
Is it weight & balance or say Fuel/Oil range. Working time on one fill of fluids? Tank sizes have influence as does new stratocharging type saws fuel efficiency. Not a Stihl guy but own, I enjoy running o-series... excellent engineering for their time, very durable, worth keeping a runner.

 

[irhunter]

-a little heavy probably by comparison to other saws
-burns more gas than some other saws

Very soon, someone will be here suggesting the Husky 346xp.

While we wait, the OP can tell us what saws he is writing about which pull like the 026 but are lighter.

As far as fuel efficiency, I have come to believe the current Stihl pro 50cc saws (e.g., MS261, MS261CM) burn less gas than the older pre-strato saws (026). But, I have never done anything like a careful side-by-side comparison.

While I think of the 026 air filter/choke arrangement as less-than-ideal, the 026 and MS260s seem like excellent 50cc saws. I would not be without one.

Roy

 

[J D]

Yup, if new isn't a requirement & you can find one - a good NE 346XP. If weight is more preferable than durability get a 345/350 & bolt a 346 jug & slug on it.
Open muffler up & set squish for a bit more pep... or get a decent porter to grind on it if you really want it to scream

 

[777funk]

Very soon, someone will be here suggesting the Husky 346xp.

While we wait, the OP can tell us what saws he is writing about which pull like the 026 but are lighter.

As far as fuel efficiency, I have come to believe the current Stihl pro 50cc saws (e.g., MS261, MS261CM) burn less gas than the older pre-strato saws (026). But, I have never done anything like a careful side-by-side comparison.

While I think of the 026 air filter/choke arrangement as less-than-ideal, the 026 and MS260s seem like excellent 50cc saws. I would not be without one.

Roy

You'll be waiting a while. Lol. I have no experience with lighter saws that pull the same. I just figured there probably are some now that we're around 40 years into 026 history.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

If you can, find someone with an Echo 501p and give it a whirl to see how it performs for you.

 

[irhunter]

I just figured there probably are some now that we're around 40 years into 026 history.

I agree. Odd, how little things have changed.

I have very little experience with saws running 3/8LP chain, but the small saws I have cut with (Husky 36 and Stihl 021) pulled surprisingly well. There is a guy on this site who runs MS180s commercially after moderate modification (he does not port them). He has posted his recipe for MS180 mods (see below). I wonder about one of his MS180 running 3/8LP versus a 026 running .325 chain.

Roy


https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/stihl-ms180-upgrades.365661/

 

[WoodmanSr]

Yup, if new isn't a requirement & you can find one - a good NE 346XP. If weight is more preferable than durability get a 345/350 & bolt a 346 jug & slug on it.
Open muffler up & set squish for a bit more pep... or get a decent porter to grind on it if you really want it to scream

I agree 346xp NE is a screamer (own one). But, to be honest I find them thirsty on fuel. Fuel makes HP. Port it up & guess it guzzles even more.

I read OP question different. If desires more fuel efficiency or fuel run-time. Stihl 026, 346xp, 346xp NE, 501P, etc are few ounce to each other. Weight debate seems off the table.

Is the answer Stratocharged model fuel efficiency. Not my choice.

If fuel run-time I only need to compare Partner 5000 platform to 346xp NE. Granted are 1# heavier. Those 5000 series are tankers, love that about them, run-time on the log [Partner 5000, Jonsered 490, Poulan Pro 325]

Measured my units as data.
-- 346xp NE = 500 ml fuel
-- 5000 series = 640 ml fuel
-- 026, don't have one, guessing close to 500ml also.

So, to me, the OP should consider fuel efficiency or tank size. Maybe on path to acquire a Strato... nothing else fills ask quite equal or better.

Edit: so I concede after looking.. Stihl ms261 IntelliCarb & ms261cm Mtronic specify 16.9 oz (500 ml). As Strato model those should have fuel efficiency & power advantages. But, I'm not in camp of $729 DSRP to get fuel economy. Yes, shiny new replacement & unlimited budget.

 

[jackdaripper]

How about you grab a 5105 and run that puppy?

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

The Stihl has this going for it:
-runs great
-nice build quality
-fairly compact for power
-runs a 16" bar with .325" chain very well

And this that it does not have going for it in my opinion:
-a little heavy probably by comparison to other saws
-burns more gas than some other saws

So with all that said, I like the saw. I owned an 028 wood boss and felt the 026 was a better saw (smaller and just as powerful).

So what is there that will equal or beat out my little 026 (any brand including Stihl)?

Depending on what muffler is on that 026 you could get a nice little bump in performance by opening it up a bit. Sounds like you’re mostly happy with it why spend the money on a new saw. Unless you just want something new that is.

 

[StoneyMeadowMaple]

I have a 550xp here, it’s a very handy little saw. I have an 18
On it, I see no reason why it wouldn’t be perfectly happy with a 16 if someone chose

 

[GMB74]

As others have noted, you are talking about a 40 year old antique saw. It was a great saw in its day and still is a very good saw today (assuming it still is in good condition).
All of today's pro-level offerings (550xp, MS261cm, CS501p) are "better' in some way than an old 026. It depends on just what improvement you want from these saws. Price? Current technology? Fuel economy? Weight? Each has a slight advantage over the others in these categories, You can't go wrong with any of them.
It's a Ford/Chevy, Coke/Pepsi situation.
My concern would be which brand has the best dealer support in your area. You still need a place to buy it and will need parts as time goes on.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

026 is nice light saw. Heck I would take the 026 over the 028 super I had.

Muffler mod really helps.
But about every 50cc out there out cuts them.

Even if ported other ported 50cc take their lunch. But great handling saws.

Heck I take a poulan 3000 305 49cc even over the 026

If buying new.

If your wanting light like 026. Stay away from 5100S 5105 550MKII. all right at that 12lb range pho.

If wanting like weight like 026. Look at Gen2 261 and up or even echo 501.

 

[heimannm]

I must take exception to GMB74; Ford and (Diet) Pepsi are vastly superior products no matter how you make the comparison...

That and I love my Mastermind 550XP with an 18" bar, .325 chain.

I did uncover an 026 in the attic this week and will be giving it a full treatment in the coming weeks but I cannot imagine it would ever take the place of my 550.

Sorry for the derail, pay attention to Redneck above as he is one of the few truly objective posters here.

Mark

 

[009Legend]

Here's a bit of a different suggestion, how about one of the Echo CS-4310SX/Shindaiwa 431sx twins?

Yes, not quite 50cc, but they go hard. Was looking at them to replace my bobbling brick 009L but needed new pool equipment, so there went that pile of money.

It is too bad Stihl ditched the 241. But I'd take either of the above to complement my 362 in a heart beat. May not quite be what you're after but might give you ideas.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Here's a bit of a different suggestion, how about one of the Echo CS-4310SX/Shindaiwa 431sx twins?

Yes, not quite 50cc, but they go hard. Was looking at them to replace my bobbling brick 009L but needed new pool equipment, so there went that pile of money.

It is too bad Stihl ditched the 241. But I'd take either of the above to complement my 362 in a heart beat. May not quite be what you're after but might give you ideas.

We cant get those here without shipping in. Then their like 800USD +.

So a 501 for 500USD makes more since here. IMHO

9.62 pho compared to 10.5 50cc

I'd still take a 261 over a 241 with 261 running the set up the 241 used myself. No replacement for cc for mere 4oz Then 4910 just cheaper version of 501.

 

[NSEric]

Here's a bit of a different suggestion, how about one of the Echo CS-4310SX/Shindaiwa 431sx twins?

Yes, not quite 50cc, but they go hard. Was looking at them to replace my bobbling brick 009L but needed new pool equipment, so there went that pile of money.

It is too bad Stihl ditched the 241. But I'd take either of the above to complement my 362 in a heart beat. May not quite be what you're after but might give you ideas.

We dont get the 4310 in North America, it does look like a good saw.
I dont really like any saw that's under 50cc, im a big boy so the 50cc saws feel very light to me.
If I was buying a new 50cc saw, I'd get the echo 501 and do a muffler mod/retune to it.