I have a one of those green piece of ..... chainsaws from lowes it's always running like crap. So I end up using my dads stihl 026 that I grew up using... it has never been too much for the small stuff and 95% of the time okay for the biggest stuff I get into. Tring to decided which saw to buy that will be about the same as the 026 and as reliable.
Buying stihl chainsaw
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The 026 is a great saw. I had a 260 which was newer and the same saw as a 260.
Are you only considering Stihl ? The reason I ask is the 261 which replaced the 026/260 gained close to 1 lb and is just a heavier bulkier feeling saw then I would want for a 50cc saw. It also I believe is made in the US along with the smaller 241. I like American made stuff as much as the next guy but with Stihl I'd rather have one made in Germany. You have to go up in saw for that. I've read of quality issues with Americsn made Stihls. Just what I've read online so take with a grain of salt, as with most of what you read on the net.
Check out a Husky 550xp or it's red version Jonsered 2253. Swedish made pro saws that weigh the same as an 026 /260 but handle better and put out 1/2 hp more. As someone who owned and cut hundreds of trees with a 026/260 it falls very short in my opinion of a 550xp or 2253 when placing value on power to weight ratio, and general feel in use when limbing. Ofcourse it will set you back well over $500 bucks so it also comes down to what you want to pay.
That said if your willing to look at used saws and like the 026 there are plenty out there at good prices. Under $300
Are you only considering Stihl ? The reason I ask is the 261 which replaced the 026/260 gained close to 1 lb and is just a heavier bulkier feeling saw then I would want for a 50cc saw. It also I believe is made in the US along with the smaller 241. I like American made stuff as much as the next guy but with Stihl I'd rather have one made in Germany. You have to go up in saw for that. I've read of quality issues with Americsn made Stihls. Just what I've read online so take with a grain of salt, as with most of what you read on the net.
Check out a Husky 550xp or it's red version Jonsered 2253. Swedish made pro saws that weigh the same as an 026 /260 but handle better and put out 1/2 hp more. As someone who owned and cut hundreds of trees with a 026/260 it falls very short in my opinion of a 550xp or 2253 when placing value on power to weight ratio, and general feel in use when limbing. Ofcourse it will set you back well over $500 bucks so it also comes down to what you want to pay.
That said if your willing to look at used saws and like the 026 there are plenty out there at good prices. Under $300
You do have other choices. You might like the 50 cc PP5020, which can be had as a refurb from VMInnovations for $134 delivered, or Dolmar/Makita 42 cc for ~$325, or 50 cc for ~$425 from VMInnovations or Dolmar dealer. All much better values than similar stihl, and the "Dolkitas" are true pro-level quality. Then, too, there's Echo and Husqvarna. They really nail you for the [stihl] label.
Often times, a bit of care & adjustment can help a wee green Poulan work lots better.
I not sure honestly I have heard good and bad about husky but stihl I have always heard good things and a few local places that work on stihls if needed where other saws are more of the backdoor shops which I often hear bad things about so kinda leaning towards a stihl. And I was looking on Craigslist but kinda feel if I am going to spend the money on a good saw this time I might as well go new that will last me a long time.
So true I agree 1000%
I like Stihl I own a few older saws . The 026 the poster has used is an excellent saw and a great value in the used market.
But if buying a new saw, you can pay less and get more saw in the 50cc pro saw category than you can get with a new 261.
I'm sure the Dolmar 5105 will easily run with a 261 at 40% less cost.
A Hudky 550xp or Jred 2253 will outperform a 261 in true woods cutting not just cookie cutting timed cutting, when weight and high speed cutting are concerned. Plus it will probably cut cookies faster too but that doesn't matter to me .
The only way I'd pay a premium for a new Stihl would be on the 70cc saws or bigger. And as long as the Husky 372 / Jred 2172 are still being sold I would even do that. Even the top handle climbing saws no way would I pay the premium for a 201. A good used 200 perhaps. But new not so, there are better new climbing saws out there for less money than a 201.
The smaller saws no, there are better options out there in my opinion from other brands
I've found it to be a good idea NOT to become dependent on saw dealers, especially the arrogant bandits around me. The horror stories were enough to preclude any interest in visiting them. Besides, the stihl dealers proved to be the worst. Never found a saw warranty to be worth anything whatever. Never found need to have a dealer service a saw- it's not rocket-science.
Longevity of a saw will depend largely on care & feeding you give it, especially in terms of chain maintenance. I'm talking precision chain filing. You certainly don't have to burden your credit-card for a long-life saw, thinking immediately of Dolkita. Ferinstance Home Depot rents their 64 cc saws- that's a testimonial. Look around and you might get a used rental saw from one of their stores for a song. Stihl's ace-card is their marketing.
Longevity of a saw will depend largely on care & feeding you give it, especially in terms of chain maintenance. I'm talking precision chain filing. You certainly don't have to burden your credit-card for a long-life saw, thinking immediately of Dolkita. Ferinstance Home Depot rents their 64 cc saws- that's a testimonial. Look around and you might get a used rental saw from one of their stores for a song. Stihl's ace-card is their marketing.
That's exactly part of Stihls marketing expertise. They sell people before they even know what they need or what is the best tool for the job.
A lot of those small shops you mention have some of the best mechanics out there. Stihl just wants dealers to sell their products. Doesn't mean the people selling and servicing them know much about the products.
I've had a Stihl dealer salesman once tell me he never heard of Jonsered and that Husky is just a box store brand! Some young kid salesman who obviously never used a chainsaw and only wants to sell 9 out of 10 customers a Stihl farmboss 290.
Do some research you will see
I've found it to be a good idea NOT to become dependent on saw dealers, especially the arrogant bandits around me. The horror stories were enough to preclude any interest in visiting them. Besides, the stihl dealers proved to be the worst. Never found a saw warranty to be worth anything whatever. Never found need to have a dealer service a saw- it's not rocket-science.
Longevity of a saw will depend largely on care & feeding you give it, especially in terms of chain maintenance. I'm talking precision chain filing. You certainly don't have to burden your credit-card for a long-life saw, thinking immediately of Dolkita. Ferinstance Home Depot rents their 64 cc saws- that's a testimonial. Look around and you might get a used rental saw from one of their stores for a song. Stihl's ace-card is their marketing.
You'd be taking a HUGE risk there, specifically on their 441. I was ambushed, handed one to r&r hosed p&c, pullllleeeeeze. (Should have been covered under warranty, but dealer is a real POS). Never saw such stupid complexity to get to the cylinder. Never again. Avoid as possible.
Longevity of a saw will depend largely on care & feeding you give it, especially in terms of chain maintenance. I'm talking precision chain filing. You certainly don't have to burden your credit-card for a long-life saw, thinking immediately of Dolkita. Ferinstance Home Depot rents their 64 cc saws- that's a testimonial. Look around and you might get a used rental saw from one of their stores for a song. Stihl's ace-card is their marketing.
You'd be taking a HUGE risk there, specifically on their 441. I was ambushed, handed one to r&r hosed p&c, pullllleeeeeze. (Should have been covered under warranty, but dealer is a real POS). Never saw such stupid complexity to get to the cylinder. Never again. Avoid as possible.
Yep so true.
My buddies neighbor just bought a new Stihl 251 to clean up a few dead trees. Nothing wrong with it the saws fine. My buddy has a jonsered 2172 like mine and he tells me his neighbor had no idea why my buddy wanted to run his 2172 when he went to offer help and this guy offered to let my buddy run this little plastic 251.
Scratching my head . Gotta love the power of marketing
I fixed an MS250 once. It had 6 hoses, 2 Ts, Purge bulb and pickup to get fuel from tank to carb.
My Husky 55(s) have a hose and a pickup - they start in 2 pulls cold.
Stihl can engineer a solution where no problem exists.
Wow... I have run some stihls and a handful of others but for as long as I have used a chainsaw I always go back to my dad's 026. That has cut at least 5 or 6 cords a year since 1991 when he bought it new. I cut about 5 cords with one chain last year. I also cut alot with my brother in law. He has a husky it runs good but he seems to go through chains alot more often than the 026. I guess from all the people I have cut with it always seems the 026 was a better saw. I bought the pollen with a 16 inch bar thinking it would be half decent but no matter what I have done it runs like crap. Now it won't even start. After that and all the cutting I have done side by side with other saws the stihls always seemed so much better. Now that I am looking for a new saw and asking around people seem to lean toward husky. But my personal experience is stihl all the way around a better saw. Now coming here I am even more confused.
I went to the local stihl dealer one of the 3 close by and they talked me out of the farm boss and also talked to me about the diffrence in a few other saws. And told me if I am use to ripping on them to start them to say away from ones with the easy start. Said the last as long as you don't rip on it. So they were talking me out of the more expensive saws. Which goes against what most here have been saying about those shops. They also sharpen chains for 5 dollars and I have always hand sharpend a few times and then took them in to have them do it after that. Didn't think 5 was bad and they seem to stay sharp alot longer when they do it.
I went to the local stihl dealer one of the 3 close by and they talked me out of the farm boss and also talked to me about the diffrence in a few other saws. And told me if I am use to ripping on them to start them to say away from ones with the easy start. Said the last as long as you don't rip on it. So they were talking me out of the more expensive saws. Which goes against what most here have been saying about those shops. They also sharpen chains for 5 dollars and I have always hand sharpend a few times and then took them in to have them do it after that. Didn't think 5 was bad and they seem to stay sharp alot longer when they do it.
I bet your Poulan needs the carb richened. It may need some combo of: Carb cleaning, new fuel lines, new purge bulb, maybe new pickup/filter. This is provided that saw hasn't run lean so long that there is piston, ring and/or cylinder scoring. I've seen too many scored strato Poulans - just because they are too lean from factory and buyer doesn't know to tune richer. (And shouldn't be required to know)
Stihl makes a great pro saw. They also make average homeowner saws.
However Husky, Jonsered, Dolmar, and Echo also make excellent pro saws. They all also make average homeowner saws. Husky/Jonsereds pro saws are all Swedish made. All Dolmars are made in Germany. Both are every bit the equal in quality and performance to Stihl.
Sounds like your experience is Stihl vs real cheap box store saws like Poulan. That's not apples to apples.
Apples to Apples would be
Stihl 261 = Husky 550xp= Jonsered 2253= Dolmar 5105. Do some research on these models , go look at them, handle them , run them if you can, then make a educated decision on what you want to spend your money on.
All are pro construction , magnesium cases, durable, 3 of the 4 are auto tune technology, all are light, powerful, and see use with tree service workers and loggers.
You will pay $100 to $200 more ( depending on which brand ) for the Stihl 261. You will not get any better saw for that extra money. Infact the Stihl being the most expensive is the only one with a plastic handle bar. The others are metal. Go figure. More profits for Stihl I guess their marketing ain't cheap gotta pay for it somehow lol
Period
However Husky, Jonsered, Dolmar, and Echo also make excellent pro saws. They all also make average homeowner saws. Husky/Jonsereds pro saws are all Swedish made. All Dolmars are made in Germany. Both are every bit the equal in quality and performance to Stihl.
Sounds like your experience is Stihl vs real cheap box store saws like Poulan. That's not apples to apples.
Apples to Apples would be
Stihl 261 = Husky 550xp= Jonsered 2253= Dolmar 5105. Do some research on these models , go look at them, handle them , run them if you can, then make a educated decision on what you want to spend your money on.
All are pro construction , magnesium cases, durable, 3 of the 4 are auto tune technology, all are light, powerful, and see use with tree service workers and loggers.
You will pay $100 to $200 more ( depending on which brand ) for the Stihl 261. You will not get any better saw for that extra money. Infact the Stihl being the most expensive is the only one with a plastic handle bar. The others are metal. Go figure. More profits for Stihl I guess their marketing ain't cheap gotta pay for it somehow lol
Period
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7acres
Minister of Fire
7acres
Minister of Fire
I agree with your line of thinking regarding brands. Avoid used/Craigslist for a chainsaw unless you are really budget constrained. Buy a pro saw new and treat it right and the trouble free usage will always put a smile on your face. That 261 is a legendary pro saw. Best in class power to weight ratio.
What size bar are you wanting to run on it?
LowbanksArcher
Member
I stick to the brand that i'll get the best service with. The small local shop is a Stihl dealer and has always treated me very well. For that, i'll gladly pay an extra few bucks on the purchase price.
Not sure the one I see comes with a 20 inch bar... but thinking of having them switch it for an 18.
Not trying to start a chainsaw argument because in the end the differences are small but I've got to correct an obvious error.
The 261 is most definitely not the 50cc class leader for power to weight ratio. Unfortunately the 261 gained roughly 1lb from the 260 it replaced. It's over 1/2 pound heavier than a Husky 550 and it's red twin the Jonsered 2253. It produces the same amount of power. It does not spin as high of an rpm either.
The high benchmark in the pro 50cc category is the Husky 550/Jred 2253. The specs ( because we all know specs are not always spot on) have been verified by plenty of builders that post such info online.
However I take online stuff cautiously. I'd rather find out for myself. I've run the 3 saws ( and own one of them) and the 261 is definitely the biggest most chunky of the 3 without anymore power to rationalize the extra weight .
Go run a 550 and then a 261. It will be obvious which saw is lighter and which saw gives the user the impression of more power and faster cuts because of the higher rpm.
I'm not brand loyal Ive got Stihl saws on my work bench. But in the 50cc pro saw category I've got a Swedish saw. I make a part time income with my saws and my 50cc gets the most use. So for me although I thought about a 261 after I ran one the choice was clear in my mind
But all of it is rather silly. They all cut wood.
At the end of the day any pro saw will provide you years of good service if you maintain it. Choose a good dealer that can give you good service, and consider whatever brand it is that they sell. Shop the dealer 1st
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7acres
Minister of Fire
Ah! You are correct. In my mind when I was typing I was thinking of the 260. But we are talking about the 261 here. I stand corrected.
Dairyman
Minister of Fire
The 026/260 is a class leading light weight saw and has a very good reputation totally agree on that. Hey there just chainsaws but I just didn't care for the 261 all so much. But the 026/260 I like better it's way more nimble and light feeling. That's what I look for in a 50cc saw, light and nimble.
Do tell !
I'm not aware of a new edition 261. If it comes in at around 10.5 lbs and cranks out 4hp I'm all ears!Please tell me this new edition 261 has a metal handle bar ! It's a pet peeve of mine I can't stand a pro saw with a plastic handle bar
I know I'm over thinking it but $500 to $600 plus is a lot of money. More so when we are talking on a small tool. Give me a metal handle for that kind of money. It just feels better to me with the rubber wrap and is more durable. Sure a Dolmar 421 which is my favorite 40cc saw has a plastic handle but it's also half the cost !
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Dairyman
Minister of Fire
10.85lbs if my converting is right. Pic taken by a fellow in Europe I believe. Still has the cheesy plastic handle.
![[Hearth.com] Buying stihl chainsaw](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/uploadfromtaptalk1465944215242-webp.181624/ "[Hearth.com] Buying stihl chainsaw")
Well I'll take your word on the weight conversion lol !
But I'm seeing a bar and chain in that picture. Something's not adding up. There's no way the saw could be that light with a bar and chain on it.
Husky / Jonsered claims 10.8 lbs for a 550/2253 power head no fluids. I never weighed mine as power head only so just going on specs. However with a bar and chain it's over 12 lbs. Add in full tank of gas and oil it's 14 lbs.
Either way a 261 on a diet is a good thing. To a guy cutting a few cords a year no big deal. To someone making a living with a small saw a 1lb difference is worth taking into consideration . Especially if you are using the 50cc up in a tree or in a bucket to cut wood bigger than a top handle saw is useful for
But I'm seeing a bar and chain in that picture. Something's not adding up. There's no way the saw could be that light with a bar and chain on it.
Husky / Jonsered claims 10.8 lbs for a 550/2253 power head no fluids. I never weighed mine as power head only so just going on specs. However with a bar and chain it's over 12 lbs. Add in full tank of gas and oil it's 14 lbs.
Either way a 261 on a diet is a good thing. To a guy cutting a few cords a year no big deal. To someone making a living with a small saw a 1lb difference is worth taking into consideration . Especially if you are using the 50cc up in a tree or in a bucket to cut wood bigger than a top handle saw is useful for
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