Help with picking a 2nd (3rd really) saw

[ruger35]

Hi everyone, I know you're thinking another first post saw question and you may be somewhat right lol. I've been lurking for quite a while but finally decided to join because I really enjoy working with my saws and timber.

My dilemma is picking a new limbing and 2nd saw in the arsenal. Currently I run a Stihl MS311 and a 180C. I mostly cut oak and pecan wood for firewood to sell as well as my own smoking wood. So far this year I've cut 3-4 cords. I work shift work so every day off I usually go and find something to cut. Anything from downed trees, to felling and bucking myself.

I like the 311 but a lot of times its just not needed and find even if it takes a little longer, overall on the back the 180c is nicer. Anyway to the good stuff, the 180C is just a little underpowered and I hate the quick adjust chain tension. Here were my options:

Stihl 241/261
Dolmar 421
Echo undecided on model

I have Stihl and Echo dealers within 10 minutes of my house. I really like the idea of the M-tronic and having a servicing dealer close to me is nice, but not technically a deal breaker as I'm sure they would work on other brands. I have read a lot about the Dolmar, everything good and the price point for a pro-like saw is awesome but 0 local dealers around. Can get the Dolmar for half the cost of the Stihl since no sales tax. I've used the Echo Timberwolf and was impressed, but can't decide on a model to compare these to. Was thinking maybe the 361p. I'm really looking for something lightweight, more power than the 180 but not as heavy as the 311.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm kind of jealous of you guys up north with all the wood you get to cut. I really enjoy working with the saws. Up next hopefully once I recoup some money is a new splitter to replace this MTD splitter.

 

[woodhog73]

The ms261 is a 50cc saw. And would probably outcut your ms311 by a fair margin or at the minimum be about the same and is typical pro 50cc saw weight. Light enough to run all day. If you considering this option you could sell both your 311 and the 180 and use the 261. Other great 50cc saws would be a Dolmar 5105 for far less $, Husky 545 or jonsered 2252 also far less $. Or a Husky 550 or Jonsered 2253 for a little less money. All saws I listed are pro saws with commercial grade construction and compete well or exceed the 261 in some areas.

That said if you want a small saw to compliment the 311 and want to save money there is only 1 choice on your list in my opinion ( well probably 2 with echo but I know nothing about echo ) . The Dolmar 421. I've run one a fair amount. Excellent pro grade German made saw for under $350 bucks.

Forget the Stihl 241 way to expensive for what you get. Same performance as the Dolmar. Extra $175 to $200 bucks and you get a saw with a plastic handle, non stainless steel muffler like on the Dolmar, and one bar stud bolt. For a $500 saw ! Stihls name sells that saw in my opinion, if you look at what your money is buying the Dolmar packs a much bigger value.

 

[ruger35]

Thanks for the quick reply. I hadn't considered selling the 311 to replace with the 261 as it is pretty new and I like having two saws when I go to cut. So if I'm keeping the 311, I'm assuming you would say go with the Dolmar? I've been impressed by everything I've read about them, my biggest concern was no servicing dealers anywhere near me.

 

[woodhog73]

The 311 is a fine saw I'm simply thinking that the 261 is going either perform the same or slightly better and is lighter. If I had a 311 and a 261 sitting on the bench the 311 would collect dust. I like light weight , nimble, high output saws so the 261 fits that pretty good. To put it another way I've got a ported 50cc Jonsered and my bigger 70cc pro saw collects dust.

I feel dealer support is important. That's why I buy Jonsereds these days because of the awesome dealer I have nearby. If you don't have a Dolmar dealer nearby and you don't do your own maintenance then that could be a good reason to scratch the Dolmar off the list. Which is too bad because it is an excellent small saw at an awesome price.

Do you have a good Husky / Jonsered dealer nearby ?

If you want another Stihl perhaps a 251 could fill the gap for you at an ok price I'm guessing around $350. It's 45 cc and lighter than the 311 and can out produce the 180.

That said in my opinion having a 60cc saw which you have with the 311 and a small 180 would make a lot of sense for a lot of broad cutting situations. I'm not sure what an in between saw of those sizes will give you. That little 180 can cut a lot of small wood and is at home as a small limbing saw

 

[ruger35]

I do simple maintenance, and like my Stihl saws cause I can have the carburetor off and cleaned in 10-15 minutes. I have a Husqvarna 235 hanging in the shed tore apart. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to get the carburetor out of my Husqvarna and that is what was making me count out the Husqvarna.

The Echo CS361P is 35 cc I think, and is the lightest I've seen at 8.3 lbs. Just wasn't sure if that was enough of a step up from the 180. After reading the other thread, I definitely want something with 2 bar studs.

 

[woodhog73]

I do simple maintenance, and like my Stihl saws cause I can have the carburetor off and cleaned in 10-15 minutes. I have a Husqvarna 235 hanging in the shed tore apart. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to get the carburetor out of my Husqvarna and that is what was making me count out the Husqvarna..

I wouldn't rule out a Husky / Jonsered because of your experience with the 235. The 235 if I'm not mistaken is basically a Poulan ( Husky also owns poulan)

Husky / Jonsered pro saws ( jonsered is identical to Husky only in red instead of orange and uses a straight handle instead of angled)....are exceptional saws. the pro versions are built knowing the saws will see heavy use and need to be serviceable. In fact that's a main reason people buy a pro saw because it's far more cost effective when needing to rebuild it. I've got 2 on my work bench and both are easy to work on. My auto tune saw I haven't needed to do anything on for repair yet and my 2166/2172 ( husky 372xp equivalent) is bomb proof and very easy to work on. I can have it apart and put a new top end in it and back together in less than an hour. And it's been run very hard, and never a problem.

 

[ruger35]

Which auto tune saw are you running? The closest Husqvarna dealer to me is about 30 minutes away. Same thing for a Tractor Supply for Jonsered.

 

[woodhog73]

Which auto tune saw are you running? The closest Husqvarna dealer to me is about 30 minutes away. Same thing for a Tractor Supply for Jonsered.

Jonsered 2252 light and very nimble. The Husky equivalent is the 545. Both are detuned versions of the 2253 and 550 for around $100 less. Identical cases and chassis. Roughly 1/2 hp less otherwise identical

Tractor supply I don't think is a servicing dealer. They just sell them. And I'm not sure if they sell pro saws. I'm thinking just the plastic clam models ( which are fine saws too ) but I'm not sure. But I'm not 100 percent on that.

I know when Stihl started being sold in ACE hardwares they do infact service the equipment. Doesn't mean they are good at it though. You might want to see if you have a regular small dealer on the Jonsered saws. Perhaps there is one nearby that you were not aware of. The move to Tractor supply is only a few years old. The Jonsered brands been sold in small mom and pop dealers since the 1950s so there's still a lot of small servicing dealers out there

 

[jetsam]

I have a 30cc Echo for limbing and it does a great job. It is very light and pretty cheap. No magic carb, non adjustable oiler, regular gear driven chain tensioner. I bored out the muffler and retuned the carb. It has been a great small saw overall.

 

[Jon1270]

I can only think that the 261 would be a great all-around choice. It's more than 2 pounds lighter than the 311, with almost the same horsepower and probably zippier as well. Carry an extra bar in case you get one pinched and need to cut it out, and you won't need the other two saws at all.

All these answers have assumed you'll be buying a new saw. If you want to save money and even more weight, you could pick up a secondhand 026 or MS260. It wouldn't have autotune or quite the power of the 261, but it's a pound lighter and quite capable.

 

[woodhog73]

Jon1270 I agree with you completely. I didn't think to comment on used saws but a nice clean 026 or 260 would be a great addition and fill the gap the original poster is trying to fill. Although I'd probably still run an 026 over a 311 just because it's so much lighter and close enough in output.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion but someone voted 241 in the poll. Last I checked that saw is close to $500 new and it misses the mark so badly at that price. If it were priced at $325 to $350 like the Dolmar 421 then I could recommend a Stihl 241. You could buy 2 very nice used 026s for the cost of one new 241. You can buy a new Husky 550xp or Jonsered 2253 for $50 more than a 241 and it's way more saw. Sure Little bit heavier but probably just as nimble because of it's design, 50cc, much higher output.

And potentially better quality the 241 I'm thinking is not made in Germany like it's bigger siblings but another Stihl plant somewhere else. The Husky and Jonsered are made in Sweden with the bigger saws. Quality control is a 2nd religion for Swedish made Husky products . I've run and rebuilt them long enough to know. I may catch crap for that statement but it's been my experience.

If used saws are an option that opens up a lot of possibilities for under $300

 

[ruger35]

Stopped at a Stihl dealer to check out the saws yesterday. Really liked the 261 and the dealer is great so I ended up going with it. I had already ordered the Dolmar 421 and it had shipped so looks like I may just keep both and sell the 311. Nothing like new toys!

 

[7acres]

Great power to weight ratio on the 261. You'll like it!

 

[D8Chumley]

I can only think that the 261 would be a great all-around choice. It's more than 2 pounds lighter than the 311, with almost the same horsepower and probably zippier as well. Carry an extra bar in case you get one pinched and need to cut it out, and you won't need the other two saws at all.

All these answers have assumed you'll be buying a new saw. If you want to save money and even more weight, you could pick up a secondhand 026 or MS260. It wouldn't have autotune or quite the power of the 261, but it's a pound lighter and quite capable.

Agreed! I bought a used 261C-M from an AS member a few months back, mostly because I have CAD. Really nice shape with 18" bar, $400 shipped. This has become my go-to, love this saw. Unless I'm cutting at work I keep the Frankenstein MS290 I resurrected in my work truck. If it gets smashed or stolen I wouldn't be upset, got it and a parts saw free and made a runner. Good luck with the 261, let us know what you think after a few tanks through it