Stihl 260 question, & Husqvarna parallel

[Bigsnowdog]

I have two Stihl saws, an 009 and a 460. I want a saw in between, and think, from reading all that I read here, that the 260 is the one I want.

I have read comments here about carburetor adjustments and the lack thereof, and that the newest ones are good now again (?). I asked the dealer about that and he said they have very little adjustment. Does that mean he has the undesirable kind, or is that all there is?

I have a 16 bar and chains for my 460. I asked if I could run the same chain on a 260 with a 16 inch bar. He said I could if they converted it with a different clutch and bar. I don't know if that would cost more, as I forgot to ask. My question is this: Is there any disadvantage to converting to this [what I take to be] wider chain?

I want something much lighter than the 460, but much more powerful than the 009 [which has a 16 inch bar], for limbing and also for cutting down smaller trees. I have a lot of thinning to do in a reforestation project, and the 460 is a heavy load when carried and operated over an extended period of time. I suspect that those of you who carry 460's all day long have little sympathy for that remark.....

Also, for all of you Husqvarna users, is there a more powerful/lighter saw you suggest as an alternative to the Stihl 260? (I'll bet I have opened a can of worms with that one....)

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[brent denny]

The husky equivalent would be the 346 xp. I finally can say that I ran one now and they are definately a great little saw. I personally have a husky 353 which is not quite the screamer that the 346 is and a shindaiwa 488 which is close to the 346 but not quite as smooth in the vibration department. I would say try the 346. I have ran an 026 but dont own one so I cant really say how it would do with3/8 chain but probably staying with .325 would be best. I have also heard the new 026's will have full adjust carbs but have not seen one yet. When your dealer says they have little adjustment, he could mean only one screw or very little range of motion on the screws because of the limiter caps. I guess youll have to ask him to find out for sure.

 

[glens]

You already have the bar, so you wouldn't need a different one.&nbsp; In fact, you should be able to get the saw cheaper by the cost of a new bar.&nbsp; The only thing needing change that I can think of would be the rim sprocket.&nbsp; The clutch should certainly not need changing, and if for some reason there's a spur sprocket on the new saw, then of course the drum would need to be changed.&nbsp; If you have to do <i>that</i>, I'd suggest getting the replaceable rim setup anyway.

Dolmar is reported to be coming out with a "bubble" saw in 50cc in the very near future.&nbsp; Almost everyone who's even touched one of the larger such models thinks they're better than sliced bread.&nbsp; They certainly impressed me.&nbsp; So far they share the bar mount pattern (for their size) with the Husky.&nbsp; If you go with either other brand you'll not be able to share bars with your 460 like you will with the 260.

The fixed-jet carbs on the MS260 have been problematic for some, but "stihltech" here reports good success with them and he is trustworthy and authoritative about such stuff, though definitely the minority on this one.&nbsp; The rumors have been around for at least 6 months now that the newer saws would be coming down the pipeline with twin adjustable jets again.&nbsp; So far as I know, they haven't hit the retail end of the pipe yet, if they are even really on their way.&nbsp; Nevertheless, for the cost of a new Stihl solid bar and rim sprocket, you should be able to get a new "old" carb to bolt on to the saw.&nbsp; Much less for a used one.&nbsp; It might be worth it to you in the financial long run to maintain peripheral parts commonality and go with the Stihl, even if you do have to put an extra few bucks into it at the start if you're unhappy with the carb.

I'm not making any recommendations, though.&nbsp; Indeed, I can't.&nbsp; Just offering you something to consider while you're cleaning up the worms you've spilt all over the floor.

Glen

 

[sedanman]

I have an 026 that came to me equipped with an 18" bar and .325 chain. When I got it, it was my only saw and I thought the 18" bar was a good thing. Now that there are a bunch-o-saws in my quiver I would prefer to have a 16" bar for the 026. I am happy with its performance with the .325 and personally think it would work too hard with standard style 3/8 chain though it might do well with one of the "micro" versions of 3/8, I just don't feel like experimenting, .325 works well so I'll stick with it. The dealer who told you the MS260 had a "little bit of adjustment" was surely referring to the limiter caps. With the caps off there is a full range of adjustment. If you have the saw adjusted properly there is no reason not to have the caps installed. I am waiting for the new 52cc Dolmar, if it's as good as the 7900, I will be selling my 026! I have amassed a collection of fully adjustable carbs (before limiter caps) for the 026 and will be letting one or two go IF I get rid of my 026.


Also, As per the dealer agreement, the Stihl dealer CANNOT sell you a powerhead only, the saw MUST leave the shop assembled and ready to cut wood.

 

[glens]

Hi Paul.

You know, I wasn't aware of that stipulation.&nbsp; It must be that in a recent case for a relative the new powerhead-only purchased was wearing the old bar and chain from the burnt saw brought into the shop.&nbsp; The bad unit left without its peripherals, which I guess was okay.&nbsp; Evidently the (very) good dealer understood the stipulation to mean only that the new powerhead must leave the store fully functionally "dressed", not that a <i>new</i> bar/chain must also be sold with it.

Regarding the .325 v. ³/₈, I have acquired a .325 bar/chain/rim(&times;8t) to see which is faster on my 036, but haven't got around to the test.&nbsp; I'm thinking the .325 will do slightly better.&nbsp; On a 50cc saw the difference might be more pronounced, but perhaps with a 16" bar 3/8 would be quite okay on the MS260.

I'm not arguing with you, Paul, so please don't put me on your ignore list.&nbsp; hahaha

Glen

 

[Ryan Willock]

I run all stihls except for a husky 346xp (PP372xpg is for sale) and if I had it to do over agian (wait a minute, I'll just sell the 346 as well ) I would buy the 026 because of parts avialbility and interchangeable parts (to some degree anyway) with my other stihls. I don't see running a 16'' bar with 3/8''s as being a problem as long as you open up the muffler (which you should do anyway).

Whats wrong with using the 046 all day?? Shoot when I'm in big timber (like I currently am) I primally use my 066G with a 24'' bar and full comp 33rs. Then you don't even have to sharpen your chain as the trees p!ss their roots and fall over just from the sound of the saw

 

[Bigsnowdog]

Ryan, what does 33rs mean?

 

[glens]

33RS = 3/8 pitch, 1.<b>3</b>mm (.050") gauge driver, <b>R</b>apid <b>S</b>uper (chisel) chain

 

[Marky Mark]

I own 3 026-260's 1 Walkers all modded mufflers with fully adjustable carbs and 4 346xp's walkers, 1 from Dan Henry and 1 from Ed Heard as for running 3-8th's to me there is no problem. I unloaded all of my .325 to standardize all my bars and chains. Some are .050 and others are .058. Both have positive and negative sides to them. All square ground 16" bars. The square ground chain is way smoother to run than round ground.
I like the 346 over the 026, it is built ergonomicaly better and you can feel the difference if you run both for a while. The 346 has a better air filter system also. The 346 will blow out an 026 as for speed with any of my race chains or factory carlton square ground.
The 026 has some power to it also but if I had to own just one it would be the 346xp. One thing I have noticed is if you have both saws in the back of your truck the 346 will roll all over and the 026 will stay put. If you are a Stihl man then buy the Stihl because you will always wish you had the stihl.
Ryan is a Stihl guy so he will always dislike husky.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Ryan Willock
PP372xpg is for sale

Why are you sellng it?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

As far as I am concerned there is no sustitute for the 346XP, especially if it is modded. If you are wanting an 026, Ebay may provde you with a good older model.

 

[Newfie]

Coz he squished it!

 

[Ryan Willock]

Dan rebuilt it after I squished it. It didn't hurt the piston or the cylinder/crank or flywheel.... all of that was fine, the crank CASE on the other hand..... well, lets just say that had to be replaced. I want to sell it because I like my stihls better, don't get me wrong the saw has power. Stihl parts are also cheaper for me around here and in better supply. Every thing else I have is stihl so it makes parts eaiser if every thing is the same. Hey no one can say that I have not given huskys a fair chance now can they?

 

[Husky372]

ryan how much you want for the 372?

 

[firtol88]

How much for the 346xp??

 

[Bigsnowdog]

Originally posted by Ryan Willock
I don't see running a 16'' bar with 3/8''s as being a problem as long as you open up the muffler (which you should do anyway).

How do you open up a muffler?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by Bigsnowdog
How do you open up a muffler?

Try this:.......Muffler Mods

 

[wiley_p]

I have been and maybe will always be a Stihl guy, certain saws that they have produced are tough as hell, though it appears the Dolmar is built just as solid, though I don't know of any Dolmars gettin it in the woods out here yet. but for the 026/346 question get a 346 and have Danny build it, keep it wrapped in chaps in the toolbox cause its a Husky, they are fragile. You will be laughing like hell thru every cut.

 

[Ryan Willock]

I tried a dolmar 7900 two weeks ago and did not like it at all. Weird balance and feel nor did I notice much differance between it and my 460.

 

[glens]

Ryan, I commented on the bar-less balance a couple weeks ago when talking about weighing the powerheads up at Jeff Sikkema's house.&nbsp; The Dolmar weighs the same as the 460 (maybe it was .1 lb higher) and has a larger engine, so the power/weight/size ratio is really in favor of the 460, I think.&nbsp; I know that doing math on the published specs gives the decided nod to the 460 on kW/cc.&nbsp; Anyway, without reviewing the information, I believe that by holding the powerheads by the center of the front handgrip, the Dolmar rear handle touched the workbench while the front of the crankcase was about 2" up.&nbsp; The 460 was right around twice the front elevation, which suggests to me with comparable bar/chains on them the Dolmar would be a bit nose-heavier.&nbsp; Does that correspond to what you encountered?

Running Dan Henry 346's at his get-together this spring sure did put a grin on <i>my</i> face.

Glen