Stihl MS260?

[ihookem]

I just have to ask, why so much difference between a 346 and a 261? What are the specs? Why is the 346 so much better? I have an 026 and I think it is half the saw my 034 is but only 1/2 horsepower less. I'm not sold yet on the 346 but i am looking. What is the difference between the two that makes the 346 so much better?

 

[thejdman04]

A 260 is a great limbing saw

 

[ihookem]

I'm sure it is a great limbing saw but what exactly is the difference? Does the 346 have more compression? It's a smaller motor with more horsepower so you need more compression, higher rpms or better carbs to have more power. In this case something has to be compromised. I hear guys saying a Stihl will last longer and this may be why. The 346 with 1,500 more rpm and higher compression is more likely to fail all else being equal. I am trying to reason why I should buy a 346 and forget the 026 cause I think it's half the saw my 034 is and it's only 1/2 horse less, but the Husky guys got kind of quiet since my last post. If a 346 can really eat the 026 for lunch exactly what makes it so much better?

 

[2000ssm6]

I'm sure it is a great limbing saw but what exactly is the difference? Does the 346 have more compression? It's a smaller motor with more horsepower so you need more compression, higher rpms or better carbs to have more power. In this case something has to be compromised. I hear guys saying a Stihl will last longer and this may be why. The 346 with 1,500 more rpm and higher compression is more likely to fail all else being equal. I am trying to reason why I should buy a 346 and forget the 026 cause I think it's half the saw my 034 is and it's only 1/2 horse less, but the Husky guys got kind of quiet since my last post. If a 346 can really eat the 026 for lunch exactly what makes it so much better?

The husky guys like the 346 better because of the "XP air injection" and antivibe. Antivibe on such a small saw is null to me so throw that out. I can see the point of air injection, this keeps the air filter cleaner longer. I have never had a problem with my 026s air filter and cleaning them is standard maintence, on every saw. So now we have the power. The only 346 I have ran was ported, a very quick saw but a 026 can be just as quick ported. So I can't judge the stock power of a 346 but hearing it from others, the 346 feels like it has 100 more hp. I find this hard to believe. The 026/260 is a older design but I like it better and have no doubt it can outlast a 346. Both saws are great, so it's best to run 'em and make a choice from there. I have and will stick with the 026/260.

 

[ihookem]

And it's only been 6 yrs now. I got that old 026 going and it seems fixed by the dealer. Dont know what he did exactly but I really like the saw now. The chain is razor sharp and I kind of wonder if the chain was sharpened wrong too. The saw rips , it is light and cuts into 16" white oak much faster than before. I use it more than my 034 and my 441. Funny , I like the saw now . I am doing a lot of brush and dead tree cutting for my carpenter business lately for a customer.

 

[ihookem]

Well, I'm back. I took this old saw in for one more repair. It is a cracked case and an air leak. It will be $225 to get fixed. I decided to just put the $225 in a new ECHO 620P and be done with it. ALL THESE YRS. it never ran very good. I guess I can keep the saw till it dies , or put the bar and chain on my 034 and that would be nice too. I never really cared for that saw.