Husqvarna 550xp mark 2 or Stihl ms261

[Mitjam]

Hello all. I wondering who out there can share some good and bad about these saws. I know it all comes down to choice can’t go wrong with either, juts would like to hear more experience. I’m not brand loyal but I use husqvarna brush cutters with trimmer heads all day at work in summer and they just go so that’s what I stick with. I have way more stihl dealers around me. I’m not worried about cut speed as most stuff I’m bucking up is 12 inch and smaller. I know I don’t need a professional saw but I do like them better than the less expensive homeowner/ rancher saw. Would like to hear about reliability and any issues? Thanks for any feedback

 

[85Hokie]

Husky is a great saw - I have owned nothing but Stihls however.

If you have dealers that close by - that may be a deciding factor.

Some of these new saws have "fancy" ways of starting - easy start recoils. Not sure I favor those - the decompression button works well on them however.

Some of the newer stihls are trying to make the saw lighter by making the bar and chain lighter. .050 gauge has been around a long time and it seems to be the norm over the heavier .063 gauge bar and chains.

 

[Mitjam]

Husky is a great saw - I have owned nothing but Stihls however.

If you have dealers that close by - that may be a deciding factor.

Some of these new saws have "fancy" ways of starting - easy start recoils. Not sure I favor those - the decompression button works well on them however.

Some of the newer stihls are trying to make the saw lighter by making the bar and chain lighter. .050 gauge has been around a long time and it seems to be the norm over the heavier .063 gauge bar and chains.

Ya they are also self tunning. Problem where I live is we get such temp swings I’m not bad at adjusting carb but I would rather not at all lol

 

[Marky]

I just bought a Stihl MS462 and went out of my way to avoid the m-tronic self tuning version. It probably works great until it doesn’t. Then you have no choice but to take to a dealer. When I need to adjust mine I just use a screwdriver. I went with Stihl over Husky simply because of dealers and price. Stihl dealers are everywhere around me.

 

[Moose7060]

I bought a Stihl MS260 in 2002 and it is still my go to saw. No issues or problems. The MS261 replaced the MS260 model in 2010 and wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Have owned a few other Stihl saws over the years and same great experience.

 

[Outnumbered]

The timing of this thread peaked my interest as my 30+ year old Stihl 029 has been having a few issues lately (A new clutch sprocket should be delivered Friday). I will say that I have been able to find parts online or at a local dealer pretty easily. I have recently been looking at buying one more saw and the MS261 is what I am looking at as well due to power and weight. I to prefer the more professional saws as they tend to have a little less plastic and a bit more substance. Given my experience with Stihl, I am a fan as all of the equipment has performed very well and if I wanted to upgrade they were easy to sell.

 

[Mitjam]

The timing of this thread peaked my interest as my 30+ year old Stihl 029 has been having a few issues lately (A new clutch sprocket should be delivered Friday). I will say that I have been able to find parts online or at a local dealer pretty easily. I have recently been looking at buying one more saw and the MS261 is what I am looking at as well due to power and weight. I to prefer the more professional saws as they tend to have a little less plastic and a bit more substance. Given my experience with Stihl, I am a fan as all of the equipment has performed very well and if I wanted to upgrade they were easy to sell.

Yes they are nice saws one part of me likes the self adjusting carb other part likes the simplicity of the carb easy to service or replace and most times easy to set. But like most stuff you buy now they don’t want you to service it yourself you have to take back to dealer or replace completely

 

[Botamon]

No experience with the Husky, never owned one. But I've owned a Stihl MS261 for over 10 years now. Trouble free, starts easily and really cuts. When I bought it, it had a 24" bar on it and I had the dealer change that to an 18" bar because most of the cutting I need done can be handled by the shorter bar. Plus I have a 40+ year old Professional model Homelite with a long bar on it for those situations that call for a long bar.

 

[JohnDB]

Hello all. I wondering who out there can share some good and bad about these saws. ... I know I don’t need a professional saw but I do like them better than the less expensive homeowner/ rancher saw. Would like to hear about reliability and any issues? Thanks for any feedback

Seems a common problem with some Husqvarnas is that they leak bar oil -regardless of what you do to stop it. I've got a 346XP and it's leaked almost from day one, googled that problem and Husqvarna seems to blame the user for it all, never the saw. A quick check on Google looks like 550s have the same issue, but not sure about the Mk 2. Unless I leave the bar oil compartment empty or store the saw on its side with the oiler outlet at the highest point, it leaks bar oil. Total PITA. Don't know if Stihls have that problem, but if they don't then I'd get a Stihl next time.

 

[Mitjam]

Seems a common problem with some Husqvarnas is that they leak bar oil -regardless of what you do to stop it. I've got a 346XP and it's leaked almost from day one, googled that problem and Husqvarna seems to blame the user for it all, never the saw. A quick check on Google looks like 550s have the same issue, but not sure about the Mk 2. Unless I leave the bar oil compartment empty or store the saw on its side with the oiler outlet at the highest point, it leaks bar oil. Total PITA. Don't know if Stihls have that problem, but if they don't then I'd get a Stihl next time.

Appreciate that. Ya I have read lots of ppl having issues with the stihl gas caps leaking, some say if you relieve pressure before and after use it prevents problem. Also ethanol free gas is suppose to help as well. From what I read

 

[JohnDB]

Appreciate that. Ya I have read lots of ppl having issues with the stihl gas caps leaking, some say if you relieve pressure before and after use it prevents problem. Also ethanol free gas is suppose to help as well. From what I read

H'mm. Gas cap leak seems odd. I guess a chain bar oil leak could be a little less deadly than a gas cap leak Like you I'm an occasional user and prefer the usability and performance of the more professional gear. In addition to other posters' comments, I suggest comparing the weight of each of the saws.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I like my Stihl. I think its the same model you are looking at.

I will say this though, and it is not a "bad thing", it's a "me thing".

When you choke it cold, and pull it once, if it sputters (even for a micro-second), you best turn the choke off or it will flood.

On more than one occasion, with my hearing protection in, I have missed the "slight sputter" and them pulled the rope with the choke still on, and it floods that damn thing for sure.

I do like the anti vibration thing they have, and the "decompression knob" works great.

But thinking that I was 25 again when I was in the store, I bought a model that wears me out pretty quick. I should have bought a smalller/lighter model but that is certainly not Stihls fault, it's my egos fault.

EDIT: I just found a picture of my tractor with my saw in the scabbard, and apparently I bought a MS 311, not the 261.......

 

[Dusty71]

I have 2 Stihl MS261’s. I’ve had them for years. Never had a problem with them … ever. The professional grade Stihl saws are absolutely the way to go IMO.

Husky makes a great product as well. Both of my weed eaters are Husky & have been running for decades plus. My son has cut miles of fence line without issue w our Husky’s.

I’m just a Stihl guy for chainsaws. Our Stihl dealer close by is just fantastic.

I would absolutely go with the 18in bar. That bar length lets you maximize the 261’s cutting ability. I’ve got a 462 & a 500i for the bigger stuff. The 261’s are the saws I grab 9 out of 10 times.

They just run. Keep us posted.

 

[Dusty71]

Appreciate that. Ya I have read lots of ppl having issues with the stihl gas caps leaking, some say if you relieve pressure before and after use it prevents problem. Also ethanol free gas is suppose to help as well. From what I read

MitJam,

Never had a gas cap leak with any of my Stihl saws. I would say they all leak bar oil though … common chainsaw issue.

Come to think of it … I’m not aware of a single saw I’ve ever owned that didn’t leak a bit of bar oil from time to time.

Once I tighten that gas cap … it’s closed. Never had a gas leak w my Stihl saws.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I have had a Stihl 271 Farm Boss with 20 inch bar for years; it is a great saw. I also have a Stihl Kombi 131 with articulating hedge trimmer, weed eater and pole saw attachments. The Farm Boss and pole saw both leak bar oil, but that is their only issue.

Husq saws are great saws too, but there are many Stihl dealers/repair shops in my area and near our property in north Georgia.

Whatever you buy, purchase a second bar and chain to have the ability to self-rescue a stuck saw, and get a plastic wedge to keep logs from closing on the saw.

Also if you do not already have them, you need chaps and a helmet.

 

[Dusty71]

I have had a Stihl 271 Farm Boss with 20 inch bar for years; it is a great saw. I also have a Stihl Kombi 131 with articulating hedge trimmer, weed eater and pole saw attachments. The Farm Boss and pole saw both leak bar oil, but that is their only issue.

Husq saws are great saws too, but their are many Stihl dealers/repair shops in my area and near our property in north Georgia.

Whatever you buy, purchase a second bar and chain to have the ability to self-rescue a stuck saw, and get a plastic wedge to keep logs from closing on the saw.

Also if you do not already have them, you need chaps and a helmet.

Elliot,

Great advice. You are spot on.

Always have a few xtra saw blades handy. I do a fair amt of tree work. I always have 3 spare sharpened blades ready for each saw.

Safety chaps, gloves, eye pro & ear pro as well as heavy boots are critical.

I’ve been close to several bad accidents. Protective gear is a must. Once you start to tire out … put the saw down & take a break.

Every close call I’ve had myself or seen was related to operator error … tired leads to mistakes. Typically, after you’ve been at it for several hrs.

Tired chainsaw operators are sloppy chainsaw operators (happens to the best of us) sloppy operators are error prone. Please be safe.

 

[Moose7060]

Leaking gas cap problem? Never heard about that and have been running Stihls for decades.

 

[Flintknapper]

Husqvarna 550XP Mk 2 vs Stihl MS 261 C-M Review

Hi All, I recently picked up a brand new Husky 550XP Mark 2 with a 20" bar and narrow kerf chain (.325/.050) and had an opportunity to compare it with the Stihl MS 261 c-m for a day, so I thought I'd share my thoughts as an initial post. I know these saws have been discussed countless times...

www.arboristsite.com

 

[Mitjam]

I like my Stihl. I think its the same model you are looking at.

I will say this though, and it is not a "bad thing", it's a "me thing".

When you choke it cold, and pull it once, if it sputters (even for a micro-second), you best turn the choke off or it will flood.

On more than one occasion, with my hearing protection in, I have missed the "slight sputter" and them pulled the rope with the choke still on, and it floods that damn thing for sure.

I do like the anti vibration thing they have, and the "decompression knob" works great.

But thinking that I was 25 again when I was in the store, I bought a model that wears me out pretty quick. I should have bought a smalller/lighter model but that is certainly not Stihls fault, it's my egos fault.

EDIT: I just found a picture of my tractor with my saw in the scabbard, and apparently I bought a MS 311, not the 261.......

. If money wasn’t an option and I was super man I love the stihl 500i would be like using a d8 cat to level your drive way

 

[Mitjam]

Ab

I have had a Stihl 271 Farm Boss with 20 inch bar for years; it is a great saw. I also have a Stihl Kombi 131 with articulating hedge trimmer, weed eater and pole saw attachments. The Farm Boss and pole saw both leak bar oil, but that is their only issue.

Husq saws are great saws too, but their are many Stihl dealers/repair shops in my area and near our property in north Georgia.

Whatever you buy, purchase a second bar and chain to have the ability to self-rescue a stuck saw, and get a plastic wedge to keep logs from closing on the saw.

Also if you do not already have them, you need chaps and a helmet.

. Thank yes I’m gonna invest in chaps for sure I have a bunch of helmets that I use for summer with the brush cutter. Thank you