Advice on buying new Stihl chainsaw

August 31, 2020, 07:34 AM

I have an old 025 (22 years old I think) it has cut lots and lots of firewood.

Last October I bought a new 261, just smaller than what the OP mentioned. So far I cut 2 cords over the past winter with it and it was fantastic! I did put on a new chain by Oregon, and that really enhanced the cutting speed.

August 31, 2020, 09:57 AM

SBrooks

Don't know about the Stihl CM - but I recently stopped using my Husqvarna that had a computer chip in it. Never would start properly. I replaced the Husky with a Stihl MS291. Love it so far.

Regarding the premix fuel - I bought the gallon with the saw so I'd get an extra year on the warranty.

August 31, 2020, 11:30 AM

220-9er

I would recommend the Stihl oil but I get 100LL gas at my local small airport.
The stuff stores well for a long time and doesn't have any alcohol. Runs around $4 a gallon and I use it in all my Stihl equipment.

August 31, 2020, 11:50 AM

Sunset_Va

I have 2 Stihl's, a MS180c , amd a MS 250.

I don't cut extensively, the 180 is light enough to do limbing very well, while the 250 can cut the larger wood. However, I've found that I've needed a even larger saw than the 250 cutting large tree trunks.

All have been reliable. I gave my son my first MS180. Personally, I don't like the easy start feature.

The pro grade Stihl's are expensive for sure.

August 31, 2020, 01:40 PM

slosig

quote:
Originally posted by 220-9er:
I would recommend the Stihl oil but I get 100LL gas at my local small airport.
The stuff stores well for a long time and doesn't have any alcohol. Runs around $4 a gallon and I use it in all my Stihl equipment.

+1000
100LL is all we run in chainsaws, polesaws, leaf blowers, quads, the air compressor, various items with small Honda motors, etc. Anything else with a small motor that may sit idle for any period of time runs 100LL. The only exception is the Briggs and Stratton powered log splitter. I have no idea why, but for over fifteen years and probably over eighteen it has run just fine and had no problems with the horrible crap one gets at the local gas station, even though it can sit for up to eight or nine months at a time. Go figure.

For everything else though, the additional fuel cost is easily covered by the savings on not having to rebuild or replace carbs.

August 31, 2020, 02:04 PM

FishOn

Thanks for the advice guys. After reading the posts and talking to the dealer, I bought a 261-CM. Pro grade but not too heavy. It will do everything I need it to.

August 31, 2020, 02:19 PM

ShneaSIG

261 is an excellent saw - you will be very happy!

August 31, 2020, 03:09 PM

drill sgt

When the fs56 weedeater was purchased 5 yrs ago bought the sealed package 2stroke oil because it extended the factory waranty. use only non-ethenol gas and no problems. previous stihl had to have repaired several times due to ethenol in fuel gas. ..................drill sgt.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: drill sgt, September 02, 2020 12:47 AM

August 31, 2020, 05:39 PM

FishOn

quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt:
When the fs65 weedeater was purchased 5 yrs ago bought the sealed package 2stroke oil because it extended the factory waranty. use only non-ethenol gas and no problems. previous stihl had to have repaired several times due to ethenol in fuel gas. ..................drill sgt.

Yep, the dealer said if I buy one gallon of Stihl gas (2 half-gallon cans that have a 5 year shelf life), that Stihl would double the warranty on the chainsaw. So, I did.

August 31, 2020, 05:56 PM

wingfoot

quote:
Originally posted by PHPaul:
Have not been hearing good things about Stihl consumer-grade saws. Like everything these days, being cheapened to make a price point.

Everything I see says spend the extra money and get a pro-grade, they're still a good saw.

I've had a number of Stihl professional grade equipment and two homeowner grade and if you can afford the professional ones I would recommend them. I had the MS170 chainsaw and it did the job for me which was all light work but I was on a budget when I got it.

August 31, 2020, 07:35 PM

hrcjon

To be clear the 261 is not a consumer saw. And not that it matters in the scheme of consumer saws the stihls are still better than most, but clearly built for a price point as the guy who cuts one branch once a year doesn't give a hoot about anything but price. The 261 is a great saw. Add an 18 bar and decent chain and it will do most anything you might need short of serious logging. I was thinking that today as I had to go deal with a 200yo maple that dropped some large branches that the project involved cutting your way into the problem by climbing over a 10ft high stack of limbs. Could of grabbed anything but the 261 was the best option. Cut for a few hours and appreciated the light weight.
I don't like 100LL for fuel its not really the best for small high revving two strokes. But its better than any ethanol fuel. Normally in most of the US you can get race fuel for about the same price and its overall better.
Anyway good choice.

August 31, 2020, 11:35 PM

FishOn

quote:
Originally posted by hrcjon:
To be clear the 261 is not a consumer saw. And not that it matters in the scheme of consumer saws the stihls are still better than most, but clearly built for a price point as the guy who cuts one branch once a year doesn't give a hoot about anything but price. The 261 is a great saw. Add an 18 bar and decent chain and it will do most anything you might need short of serious logging. I was thinking that today as I had to go deal with a 200yo maple that dropped some large branches that the project involved cutting your way into the problem by climbing over a 10ft high stack of limbs. Could of grabbed anything but the 261 was the best option. Cut for a few hours and appreciated the light weight.
I don't like 100LL for fuel its not really the best for small high revving two strokes. But its better than any ethanol fuel. Normally in most of the US you can get race fuel for about the same price and its overall better.
Anyway good choice.

Thanks. They are selling it with a 20" bar. Should I ask them to put on an 18" instead? It comes with 16 or 18 or 20. Thanks.

September 01, 2020, 03:56 AM

sourdough44

16”, 18”, or 20”, kinda depends on what your expectations are & the power to drive the chain.

Either way, a site like ‘Bailey’s online’ has any replacement part desired. My larger saw has a 20”, smaller, 16.

I recently bought some better quality files from Bailey’s, seems like fewer strokes per tooth to sharpen. Some good videos about the finer points of filing the chain.

My newer favorite way is to put the chain(spare) in a vice for filing. The teeth are help solidly, a few strokes at the correct angle, good to go. I go with the ‘woodland pro’ chain & a Carlton bar if needing spares.

I go at least non-ethanol fuel, partially(or more) 100LL at times. The spark arrestor comes out too, not a biggie if kept clean. I haven’t come close to starting a fire in decades.

September 01, 2020, 07:04 PM

hrcjon

quote:
Should I ask them to put on an 18" instead?

I would. and also switch to 3/8" chain (which will take a drive sprocket change).

September 01, 2020, 08:29 PM

TRIO

quote:
Originally posted by mark_a:
quote:
Originally posted by HayesGreener:
I have four Stihls a ranging from 14-20 years old. We cut up A LOT of windfall trees after hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, and regular maintenance around the ranch. My Stihls all run like a champ and keep on running, but my favorite is the 460. I really don't know anything about the CM models but if it's a Stihl you can count on it. I also use only pre-mixed fuel that comes in the sealed can from Stihl, have not had any carb trouble since I started using it.

I'm glad that fuel works for you. Around here that stuff is $25 per gallon. I thought about picking up a gallon for long term storage in case my wife needed it while I was out of town. Then I realized her not having access to fuel for the chain saw when I'm not around is a good thing...

$25 per gallon. Whew... Between my saws and string trimmers I'd be on food assistance in about a week...

I have mixed emotions about the M-tronic stuff. I'm a big fan of fuel injection in general and I think if I were a pro I would be fully on board. Since I'm not, I think I prefer the simplicity of a regular carb to get me in and out of the woods...

I run a MS-261 with an 18" bar. My buds give me grief and tell me "real men" run at least a 20" bar. I tell them I'm old and tired and I've dealt with being having less length than "real men" all my life so leave me alone...

I found this website to be useful for finding ethanol free gas... pure-gas.org

September 02, 2020, 09:45 AM

FishOn

quote:
Originally posted by hrcjon:
quote:
Should I ask them to put on an 18" instead?

I would. and also switch to 3/8" chain (which will take a drive sprocket change).

Thanks again. I am picking it up this afternoon. Appreciate the intel.

September 02, 2020, 09:53 AM

chellim1

quote:
Originally posted by hrcjon:
quote:
Should I ask them to put on an 18" instead?

I would. and also switch to 3/8" chain (which will take a drive sprocket change).

Why not both?
There are times you might need/want the 20" bar.
Why change the drive sprocket?

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September 02, 2020, 10:09 AM

ensigmatic

quote:
Originally posted by mark_a:
quote:
Originally posted by HayesGreener:
I also use only pre-mixed fuel that comes in the sealed can from Stihl, have not had any carb trouble since I started using it.

I'm glad that fuel works for you. Around here that stuff is $25 per gallon.

Yeah, that's insane and, IMHO, unnecessary.

I use rec gas (real gasoline, un-polluted with ethanol), treat it with Sta-Bil, and use Opti-2 for the two-cycle mix.

The only 2-cycle engine that ever gave me trouble was our smaller snow thrower. Since I started using rec gas, instead of the ethanol-adulterated crap, and learned not to over-choke it, even that one's no longer a problem.

September 02, 2020, 10:10 AM

MNSIG

quote:
Originally posted by chellim1:
Why change the drive sprocket?

There are .325 and 3/8" chains. The drive links need to match the sprocket

September 02, 2020, 10:11 AM

chellim1

^^^ I understand that.
But why not buy the chain that matches the sprocket it comes with?