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

[farmer steve]

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)?

Having run my 026 for many years I really liked it. UNTIL I bought my 261CM. Air filtration is superior to the 026, AV is great, not bad on fuel consumption. Haven't looked up weights for either saw but guessing the 261 may be a bit lighter. The 241 was mentioned earlier. I have one and not close to the 026/261.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

@farmer steve 026 and Gen2 and newer 261.

If the Gen1 261 it is heavier before being redesigned. Easy to tell the difference, fins, clutch cover etc.

 

[chainbrake]

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.

I have a 550xp, and had an MS261cm: both are great saws for that 50CC small tree and limbing type saw. Both saws will run all day and using one of the other is a matter of preference/parts availability. Fortunately, I have a chainsaw dealer less than 1 km away that sells both.

In terms of fuel usage spoken about earlier in this thread, my MS400C burns through about 1.5x as much fuel per hour, but it also can deal with 1.5x as much tree in that same hour. I find that (with all saws), when felling, limbing, and bucking for production, by the time I run through a tank of fuel, it is good time to give my arms a bit of a rest, inspect my chain tension/sharpness and grab a drink of water - whether I know it or not. If I am feeling extra strong and ready, I can always fire up a fueled-up backup saw before taking a break.

 

[RCamo]

I'm not sure why you want something to 'beat out' your 026, are you having problems? The 026 is not a super fast saw IMO but is a good, dependable workhorse. I've had mine for 25+ years, and live in a house built in the 1800's so the saw cuts a LOT of firewood. That being said, I agree with @Mad3400, the 261 is the same basic size and weight but has more power and torque than the 026. I'm running an 18" bar on my 026 and a 20" on my 261 and both seem to handle that well with sharp chains. Egan Performance saws sells a straight shot muffler for the 026 that gives it a bit more power provided you have an adjustable carb on your 026.

 

[John Lyngdal]

First of all, from the symptoms you have developed it's clear that you have been infected with CAD.
Most people here have it at one level or another. My diagnosis is that while still at a low level, your symptoms may become more severe and apparent.

I have a half dozen or so 026 saws, three 346XP, and a 261C; the strength and weakness of each have been discussed accurately. What you need to determine if that will make a difference in the use of your saws and if that difference is worth the cost involved.
I'm old and prefer saws that have spring AV, but I'm not cutting regularly so in the impact isn't that significant.
The air filtration on the 261 is wonderful( I don't own a 550XP to compare it with), but popping off the rear cover of an 026 and giving it a blast of compressed air to the filter at the end of the day keeps the saw running properly.
If I was a day in and day out cutter, fuel economy might be a concern. I pay ~$4 a gallon for ethanol-free fuel and oil might add another $2.50 to the cost of the "gallon" of mix. Last year I used 15 gallons of mixed fuel. If the new saw had 15% lower fuel consumption, my fuel savings would amount to about $15 per year.
One aspect of CAD is the need to service our saws yourself, and the spiffy computerized saws come out short on this aspect. Taking a saw into a shop is like a chainsaw failure moment for me. I think the 026 is the easiest saw I have to work on and repair parts are everywhere. The 346XP is close behind, and spare OEM Husky parts are less expensive than the comparable Stihl OEM parts.

Overall, a Stihl 026 may not have all the whistle and bells on the newer saws, but the last unit produced 23 years ago. It has demonstrated reliability over that time and it would be my choice for an EOTW saw.

 

[chainbrake]

First of all, from the symptoms you have developed it's clear that you have been infected with CAD.
Most people here have it at one level or another. My diagnosis is that while still at a low level, your symptoms may become more severe and apparent.

Yeah, I run with 4 saws: a 30cc, two at 50CCs and a 67-CC saw. If my 69 yr-old shoulders were younger, I'd need two more saws to cover the 70-90 cc range. If I were younger, I'd sign up for arborist, climbing certification.

 

[Mad3400]

First of all, from the symptoms you have developed it's clear that you have been infected with CAD.
Most people here have it at one level or another. My diagnosis is that while still at a low level, your symptoms may become more severe and apparent.

I have a half dozen or so 026 saws, three 346XP, and a 261C; the strength and weakness of each have been discussed accurately. What you need to determine if that will make a difference in the use of your saws and if that difference is worth the cost involved.
I'm old and prefer saws that have spring AV, but I'm not cutting regularly so in the impact isn't that significant.
The air filtration on the 261 is wonderful( I don't own a 550XP to compare it with), but popping off the rear cover of an 026 and giving it a blast of compressed air to the filter at the end of the day keeps the saw running properly.
If I was a day in and day out cutter, fuel economy might be a concern. I pay ~$4 a gallon for ethanol-free fuel and oil might add another $2.50 to the cost of the "gallon" of mix. Last year I used 15 gallons of mixed fuel. If the new saw had 15% lower fuel consumption, my fuel savings would amount to about $15 per year.
One aspect of CAD is the need to service our saws yourself, and the spiffy computerized saws come out short on this aspect. Taking a saw into a shop is like a chainsaw failure moment for me. I think the 026 is the easiest saw I have to work on and repair parts are everywhere. The 346XP is close behind, and spare OEM Husky parts are less expensive than the comparable Stihl OEM parts.

Overall, a Stihl 026 may not have all the whistle and bells on the newer saws, but the last unit produced 23 years ago. It has demonstrated reliability over that time and it would be my choice for an EOTW saw.

I can't speak for the rest of the guys on the Forum, but the reason I.., "Invest"..., in as many powersaws as I do isn't because of "CAD",

Just want to stay prepared in case I get one pinched in a log (Yes, I do hike in with at least 5 Barred up saws to the jobsite),



I mean, pulling out another saw is so much easier than pounding on a Wedge,

It's called "Deductive Reasoning", your welcome.


Mad3400

 

[ElevatorGuy]

If I was a day in and day out cutter, fuel economy might be a concern. I pay ~$4 a gallon for ethanol-free fuel and oil might add another $2.50 to the cost of the "gallon" of mix. Last year I used 15 gallons of mixed fuel. If the new saw had 15% lower fuel consumption, my fuel savings would amount to about $15 per year.

How are you buying your oil for mix? $2.5 per mix sounds high to me. I buy a quart of amsoil dominator for $16, Takes care of 10 gallons.

I only say this because I had a buddy of mine tell me he wouldn’t spend amsoil money until I pointed out what he was paying for the stihl pre mix little bottles. He runs dominator now.

 

[John Lyngdal]

I run Amsoil Saber at 40:1. It's $23/qt at the local farmstore, then I get a 10% discount for being old.
Mixing at 40:1 I get 9 gallons of fuel per quart.

 

[Patrick62]

In my less than humble opinion, the 261 will beat the older 026
Small percentage tho. I loved my older 026, but the cheesy air filter sucked.
I have muffer modded my 261, and it runs strong, and efficiently.
Pulls a .325 chain with authority.

If I were to "retire" and only have 1 saw... it would be the 261

 

[farmer steve]

In my less than humble opinion, the 261 will beat the older 026
Small percentage tho. I loved my older 026, but the cheesy air filter sucked.
I have muffer modded my 261, and it runs strong, and efficiently.
Pulls a .325 chain with authority.

If I were to "retire" and only have 1 saw... it would be the 261

That's what I said when I retired. The 261 is great. Goes good with the other 1 saw plan which is a 462. Which goes good with the other 1 saw plan which is a 400.

 

[firekindler]

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)?

I'll take a Husky 346 over an 026 any day of the week, if you can find one. There was a nice ported one offered for sale yesterday on here.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I'll take a Husky 346 over an 026 any day of the week, if you can find one. There was a nice ported one offered for sale yesterday on here.

I also like my Husky 353 in the same vein. My Stihl 026 PRO will stay with it, but they have become scarce as hen's teeth. Hard to find a Husky 353 these days either.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

I run Amsoil Saber at 40:1. It's $23/qt at the local farmstore, then I get a 10% discount for being old.
Mixing at 40:1 I get 9 gallons of fuel per quart.

I don’t wanna do the math but a quart being 32 ounce nets 10 3.2 ounces of mix for gas at 40.1. You’re running a little fatter than 40:1.

 

[slabMan]

I can't speak for the rest of the guys on the Forum, but the reason I.., "Invest"..., in as many powersaws as I do isn't because of "CAD",

Just want to stay prepared in case I get one pinched in a log (Yes, I do hike in with at least 5 Barred up saws to the jobsite),

View attachment 1229784

I mean, pulling out another saw is so much easier than pounding on a Wedge,

It's called "Deductive Reasoning", your welcome.


Mad3400

Someone has a good sense of humor for sure!

 

[Jeffkrib]

I can't speak for the rest of the guys on the Forum, but the reason I.., "Invest"..., in as many powersaws as I do isn't because of "CAD",

Just want to stay prepared in case I get one pinched in a log (Yes, I do hike in with at least 5 Barred up saws to the jobsite),

View attachment 1229784

I mean, pulling out another saw is so much easier than pounding on a Wedge,

It's called "Deductive Reasoning", your welcome.


Mad3400

You're a very risk-averse person, which is good, but like you, I don’t have CAD either.
I find cutting wood is like going to the golf course. You can't just take one club.

 

[Tobystihl]

I would wager a bet that your old 026 ms260 will outlive all the other saws mentioned, this is something you should consider. No way on earth will a ms261 still be running in twenty years time!

 

[chainbrake]

I would wager a bet that your old 026 ms260 will outlive all the other saws mentioned, this is something you should consider. No way on earth will a ms261 still be running in twenty years time!

chain speed + HP + proper filing + proper technique = production. If the 026 is running well, it has good chain speed and HP for its size. In the small tree firewood and thinning category, the 026 is a workhorse. It is great small pro saw for softwoods under 15" and hardwoods under 12". It can handle some bigger trees if you are patient, and if hours and hours of 20-30" felling and bucking isn't your goal. It is light enough that one can limb trees for hours with it.

If the piston, crank and jug are in good shape, the 026 can still provide many years of good service.

 

[Mad3400]

You're a very risk-averse person, which is good, but like you, I don’t have CAD either.
I find cutting wood is like going to the golf course. You can't just take one club.

Got to stay Vigilant and the golf course is no exception...


Mad3400