stihl ms260/Husky 55 question??

[pike40]

A buddy who has a 260 and I with my 55r cut together today. Now you know going into this there was going to be a race! Well we put on new chains and gave it a go. ALL in all it was basically a dead heat. We switched saws for awhile and both came away thinking the same thing, does not to seem to be very much difference in performance. So my question is really this, I have seen many positives on the 55r on this site but the vast majority prefer the 260 even at $100 dollars more. So my question is simply what did I miss when I bought the 55r?

Also thanks to cruising the posts on this site I am beginning to eye the 372xp longingly.....

Pike

 

[Tony Snyder]

I think you made a good choice.

 

[jokers]

Pike

Here`s what you missed. Being able to beat your chest and say "I have a Stihl, therefore I am better than you"

The differences as you have noted are slight. The 026 weighs slightly less and has slightly more horsepower. It also revs slightly higher at peak power and has side chain adjust.

Russ

 

[jbrody44]

My 55R outcuts my buddies 290 farmboss wich is rated at .25 HP more than the 260. Although pretty close, my 55R clearly beat the 290 repeatedly in bucking red oak, approx. 16" But I don't know what type of chain he was running.

 

[pike40]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Jokers, you know I was thinking the same thing, however I ran stihls a lot 20 years ago and they were just about the only saw in the woods so I will give them their due The old man had a full stable of them, I do not remember the largest but I think it was a 090. Anyway I always look at them when I think about getting a saw. Considering how well respected the 260 is I will take a near tie.

Jbrody, another friend has a ms310 but I am not even going to go there, cant keep a sharp chain on the saw so what is the point of racing him, on most days I think I could take him with the 136.

I will enjoy this one for now until the 372 bug gets the best of me, I think the 55r is pretty decent for the money.

Pike

 

[jokers]

You`re right Pike, the 55 in any form is a great saw for the money. BTW, I have 2 ms260 Pros and 2 026s so I am better than you. LOL. I always look at the Stihls myself pretty much for the same reasons as you, Pike, just that I`ve seen Husky and Dolmar surpass them technologically in the past several years.

Actually the 55 has been a staple for the firewooders in this area and has amply proven itself in my mind.

Russ

 

[grampt1]

I have both saws and I like my 55 because it starts better
and I like the air filtration much better, the 026 gives you a little larger cut(both have 16" bars). Other than that I can't tell any difference when it comes cutting.

 

[pike40]

so Jokers, tell me about the dolmars...I am currently lusting over the 372xp but I am always interested in others. My recollection of the Dolmars from years back is it was really hard to find service. Right now I am thinking a good used 372xp to go with the new 55r would about round me out.

Pike

 

[NeTree]

My money's still on the Husky.... better bang for the buck.

 

[ricksvar]

I've got a 026 and it's a fine saw.However,I really don't think you've missed out on anything.After all it's not the name on the saw or pro or non pro model,but buyer satisfaction and the way it performs in the cut.

If you step up to a larger saw the 372xp stock is a solid performer,mine is for me.

Rick

 

[jokers]

Hi Pike, once again I agree with what you have said. Finding service for a Dolmar may be a challenge.

Those new Dolmar "bubble saws" sure are nice performers and well made. The 7900 seems to be head and shoulders above 70 to 85 cc saws offered by Stihl and Husky in atleast one way or another, hopefully more dealers will crop up. Meanwhile, you can buy a blue Dolmar labeled Makita and find parts and service to some extent at the Makita service centers.

ricksvar has a few good points. BTW, the 372 is my favorite saw and I can`t imagine you being disappointed with one. Open the muffler and it will cut right with the 7900 and cost less while doing it.

Russ

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Pike make your Husky look like this and smoke that 260.

I have a 55 and use my buddy's 260 often, and I like my 55 better. It does have a muff job while the Stihl is stock, and the Stihl has the fixed jet carb which makes it a piece of crap.

Anyways the 55 has more torque and bogs less in the cut, while the 260 cuts faster in softwoods like willow and cottonwood.

 

[pike40]

Huskyman, How loud is that? Also what do think it does to performance? If I can't make one where can I get one? Finally will it void the warranty?

So many questions

Pike

 

[tony marks]

as to the two saws mentioned ,,
how much does ab 55rancher weigh..
ive never owned either but just curious as to wt,, power,, comparisoms.

 

[pike40]

Tony, according to the websites the 55r is 11.4 pounds and 3.3hp and the ms260 is 10.6 pounds and 3.5 hp. I calculate the power to weight ratio to be .46 for the husky and .54 for the Stihl, seems like quite a bit of difference but as I stated in the above post I cannot tell much difference in them when using them.

Pike

 

[tony marks]

if im cutting into fire wood lengths,id pick the heavier saw , for a regular ,go to first saw the 026 [with h l adjustments. ]jmo
this being of the two u mentioned.
i actually settled on the poulan pro 295 with 16 inch and 95vp chain for my cab saw. i sold my 028 ,so im gonna be trying all my 67 drive link chain on the partner,and295. .63 gauge bar of course.
good luck,pike..

 

[Tony Snyder]

What pike40 points out is the very reason that you cannot judge two saws that are close in size by the advertising hype that the manufacturer puts out on spec sheets.