Husqvarna 550xp mark 2 or Stihl ms261

[Mitjam]

They seem to be decent ProSumer saws, the 4910 being a bit more "pro" and 4920 having more power and more weight due to the strato configuration. 50cc and an 18" hardwood is a situation where the chain better be really sharp, ECHO claims it'll cut up to 32" (cutting half from one side, half from the other side), but that's work for a bigger saw, and if it's the only saw a guy has and he's cutting more than 18" (where the engine is loaded for longer periods of time) it should probably be pulled from the cut every 5 seconds or so to flood the bar with cool oil and powerhead with cool air (Buckin' Billy Ray does this regularly with McCullough saws if you want a good demonstration on that).

For the price either saw is a lot of saw!

Personally I prefer outboard rim sprockets because they're fast to change chains and/or sprockets on, though I cut mainly twisty windfalls so that and putting a thrown chain on is more important than when cutting firewood--just something to realize if it affects you personally.

I watch buckin billy quite a bit. I appreciate the feedback

 

[GrassLakeRon]

What model numbers did you and he get?


Milwaukee Electric Power Tools is now Chinese owned (I'm just down the road from corporate) though they make the best and most reliable battery powered saws in my opinion. High torque, cuts fast, no safety to reset every cut, batteries can be used in other tools, and they're very reliable saws that don't break easily unlike other battery saws.

The ECHO Timberwolf is an incredible saw for the money; there are a few plastic parts that regularly fail in tree work but replacement cost is reasonable, and they have incredible power for the size, weight, and price. While other ECHO saws weigh slightly more that tends to also mean (in this case) they're built stronger and last longer.

Husqvarna Corporate announced years back they were building a production facility in China and have since built at least a second and possibly a third. Quality was still good until COVID, then things started becoming unreliable. Older saws are still good and so are many of the newer saws but the quality on any one new saw is hit-or-miss. China has a lot of internal issues affecting why this is happening so consistent quality control is beyond their control.

Chainsaw chain oiler pumps leak because b.) the pump shaft or seals are worn and oil leaks past, but mainly a.) the oil tank isn't completely full. When the saw cools, air in the oil tank contracts drawing fresh air in through a one-way valve. When the outdoor or indoor temperature warms up air in the oil tank expands and pressurizes the oil tank pushing oil past the pump shaft and out the chain oil port. To minimize this fill the oil tank completely and if possible store the saw somewhere where the temperature is relatively constant.

View attachment 145481
(oil pump, disassembled)

1996 Husqvarna 55 Rancher. His was the ms271 farm boss.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

1996 Husqvarna 55 Rancher. His was the ms271 farm boss.

I don't have personal experience with it but understand the 55 Rancher was a bit heavy for a ProSumer saw and if taken care of they lasted well and were very reliable, one of the standout saws in Husqvarna's lineup.

Something must be somewhat off with your brother's MS271 or it's use, it should be on par with the Rancher (or a bit behind it). The most common things I've seen are owners running dull chains on bigger wood (and/or pushing down on the bar), and clogged or improperly installed air filters, and using old gas, all can cause overheating issues. It's certainly not on the level of a MS261, but it's a decent saw.

 

[GrassLakeRon]

I don't have personal experience with it but understand the 55 Rancher was a bit heavy for a ProSumer saw and if taken care of they lasted well and were very reliable, one of the standout saws in Husqvarna's lineup.

Something must be somewhat off with your brother's MS271 or it's use, it should be on par with the Rancher (or a bit behind it). The most common things I've seen are owners running dull chains on bigger wood (and/or pushing down on the bar), and clogged or improperly installed air filters, and using old gas, all can cause overheating issues. It's certainly not on the level of a MS261, but it's a decent saw.

I don't know why is as trouble, just that he does. My husky just wants to cut, anytime anywhere.

 

[ZTMAN]

My MS260 is over 20 years old and still starts cold on the second pull (as it should). Never had an issue with the saw over the years but I did get a new bar and rim sprocket last year just to freshen it up.
I only cut a couple of cords a year, but at this point, the saw owes me nothing.

 

[Flintknapper]

My husky just wants to cut, anytime anywhere.

Yep.

 

[Geezer3d]

Both saws specify 4 hp and they are both at the same MSRP price point. The only difference I can see without actually using them both is that the Stihl is a little bit lighter. I have been using a Stihl MS271 for many years to cut about 10 cords of firewood each year without any issues. I did have a Stilh MS260 pro fail on me about 15 years ago, but I believe it was due to my using some old off brand 2-cycle oil I had laying around. I now use only Stihl synthetic oil.

The 271 (farm boss) is a mid range saw, in between the homeowner and pro series.

My only issue with Stihl in general is that they do not make it easy for the owner to repair his own saw.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

....My only issue with Stihl in general is that they do not make it easy for the owner to repair his own saw.

That is a good point.

STIHL parts are only available from local STIHL dealers (which helps keep dealers open and avoid knock-off parts, so not necessarily a bad thing, but if there's not a local dealer around Internet prices from resellers generally suck), shop manuals are only available to dealers, so if a saw owner wants a shop manual it's doable but more difficult. Labor on saw repair...yeah, you want to do that yourself, so you see the conflicts. The M-TRONIC computer hookup is proprietary and requires Internet connection to corporate, the module was expensive and since STIHL recently doubled the OEM price the aftermarket price jumped to OMG. Usually the module is not needed, so far STIHL lets anyone connect to corporate without issue though that could change any time.

Husqvarna is fine with selling saws and parts over the Internet, though since their move to China-based factories the prices jumped and quality maybe slightly lower, depending. (Remember too we're talking about the top 3 saw manufacturers so parts are high quality in general, and "a little lower" is still better than many other manufacturers.) From what I understand Husqvarna stopped releasing chainsaw manuals around 1981, so it's like STIHL in that regard. Husqvarna was first with electronically controlled saw ignitions and they were so good that STIHL licensed the technology, and managed to screw screw it up for a few years, then figured it out. From what I understand, Husqvarna, unlike STIHL, will sue you for their module if you're not an active dealer and they find you have one. It also requires an Internet connection and won't work without entering a dealer code when I last looked into it.

ECHO saws and parts are available on the Internet for reasonable prices (they were flat out cheap, COVID changed that). If I remember correctly, a saw shop manual used to be listed on the product Web page and freely downloadable, even if you did't yet own the saw, though my memory could be wrong; currently I see they list the Parts Manual. They don't have electronic ignitions or fuel systems so there's no computer hookup. The saw designs are about 20 years behind industry leader Husqvarna so they weigh more, have less power, use more fuel, and are less expensive, reliable, and "relatively" easy to fix.

Husqvarna has in my opinion led the way with interesting saw advancements, STIHL refines them to perfection, and ECHO avoids them and sticks with proven simple designs. Husqvarna has the most power, STIHL uses the least fuel*, ECHO has the most bang-for-the-buck.

*MS400 gen.1 & MS880 series excepted, those are powerhouses.

 

[Mitjam]

That is a good point.

STIHL parts are only available from local STIHL dealers (which helps keep dealers open and avoid knock-off parts, so not necessarily a bad thing, but if there's not a local dealer around Internet prices for reselling STIHL parts are going to suck), shop manuals are only available to dealers, so if a saw owner wants a shop manual it's doable but difficult. Labor on saw repair...yeah, you want to do that yourself, so you see the conflicts. The M-TRONIC computer hookup is proprietary and requires Internet connection to corporate, the module was expensive and since STIHL just doubled the OEM price the aftermarket price jumped also. Usually the module is not needed, so far STIHL lets anyone connect to corporate without issue though that could change any time.

Husqvarna is fine with selling saws and parts over the Internet, though since their move to China-based factories the prices jumped and quality maybe slightly lower, depending. From what I understand Husqvarna stopped releasing chainsaw manuals around 1981, so it's like STIHL in that regard. Husqvarna was first with electronically controlled saw ignitions and they were so good that STIHL licensed the technology, and managed to screw screw it up for a few years, then figured it out. From what I understand, Husqvarna, unlike STIHL, will sue you for their module if you're not an active dealer and they find you have one. It also requires and Internet connection and won't work without entering a dealer code when I last looked into it.

ECHO saws and parts are available on the Internet for reasonable prices (they were flat out cheap, COVID changed that). If I remember correctly, a saw shop manual used to be listed on the product Web page and freely downloadable, even if you did't yet own the saw, though my memory could be wrong; currently I see they list the Parts Manual. They don't have electronic ignitions nor fuel systems so there's no computer hookup. The saw designs are about 20 years behind industry leader Husqvarna so they weigh more, have less power, use more fuel, and are less expensive, reliable, and "relatively" easy to fix.

Husqvarna has in my opinion led the way with interesting saw advancements, STIHL refines them to perfection, and ECHO avoids them and sticks with proven simple designs. Husqvarna has the most power, STIHL uses the least fuel*, ECHO has the most bang-for-the-buck.

*MS400 gen.1 & MS880 series excepted, those are powerhouses.

So from all the replies back and what I read I’ll just buy one of each . Can’t go wrong and I’m sure the wife will appreciate that

 

[MOOTS]

HLSupply.com has pretty much every Husqvarna parts manual for free download. Within the last 20 years or so.

Stihl parts are a simple google search. Model number and add ipl for illustrated parts list; MS271 ipl. Look for DIY Spare parts website. Based out of Europe, but part numbers are there with pictures.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

So from all the replies back and what I read I’ll just buy one of each . Can’t go wrong and I’m sure the wife will appreciate that

Then you need a big-bore McCullough too! (They're the "Harley Davidson of chainsaws" in my opinion.)

 

[Flintknapper]

So from all the replies back and what I read I’ll just buy one of each . Can’t go wrong and I’m sure the wife will appreciate that

^^^^^


My Wife will buy things (shoes, clothes, other) that she doesn't need BUT justifies the purchases on the premise they were "On Sale".

I can't tell you the number of times I've heard that in our 42 years of marriage. So I don't really see why a man can't use the ploy (but you can't).

 

[Flintknapper]

Then you need a big-bore McCullough too! (They're the "Harley Davidson of chainsaws" in my opinion.)

^^^^^

There ya go!

Or maybe find a vintage Homelite (8-29 was 129cc).

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

^^^^^
There ya go!

Or maybe find a vintage Homelite (8-29 was 129cc).

You're supposed to wait on the Homelite stuff until he gets hooked!

But yeah, one vintage Homelite...made from 100% boat anchor steel. They also double as bug foggers...

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

If a person is mechanically inclined the price of a Pro saw is-in my opinion-usually well worth it because they'll appreciate the upgrades and features. However, here's a good reason why people might not want to spend extra money for a pro saw, depending:

 

[Mitjam]

^^^^^


My Wife will buy things (shoes, clothes, other) that she doesn't need BUT justifies the purchases on the premise they were "On Sale".

I can't tell you the number of times I've heard that in our 42 years of marriage. So I don't really see why a man can't use the ploy (but you can't).

Excatly

 

[Mitjam]

You're supposed to wait on the Homelite stuff until he gets hooked!

But yeah, one vintage Homelite...made from 100% boat anchor steel. They also double as bug foggers...

Dad has a homelite smaller saw 45cc maybe. Things still pulls hard 3/8 chain on it. Damn thing makes my hands numb though haha

 

[GrassLakeRon]

In the end it's a coin toss. Ether way you win. It's nice that we still have two great companies.

 

[Donystoy]

My chainsaw experiences.

My first saw was a "Woolco special" Mcculloch that rattled apart the first time I used it from been manufactured with all threaded holes made too large. They installed Heli coils in all the holes, but I was constantly tightening up bolts, especially the muffler. I ended up scrapping it after the muffler became unusable and the cost of replacement was ridiculous.

My next saw was a medium sized Husky. It also gave me grief in that it was always difficult to start. The dealer tried to repair it and swore that it was assembled with the wrong piston. They offered me a new saw at their cost but after no response from Husqvarna I decided to try Stihl. I bought an ms250c that had the plastic chain tightening set up that was a piece of garbage. I ended up ordering the parts to convert it to the standard two nut set-up. Did a ton of cutting with this saw and just recently replaced the ignition coil. Also replaced the piston and cylinder and now have a spare saw that I use sparingly.

During this time, I bought an Echo CS4510 which has turned out to be a great saw. The only issues were a poorly designed handle that broke apart under the saw. Had to cut out plastic and reinforce with steel as a full replacement would only break again due to flimsy design. Also, the clutch assembly is the reverse to Stihl in that the sprocket is on the inside. To replace the sprocket, the entire clutch has to be removed and replaced with a special tool at considerable cost. I won't be buying another Echo.

I was given a Stihl ms290 a few years ago and is my go-to saw for heavy cutting. It is a great saw and has a clutch that has a sprocket that can be easily replaced for $15. So, from my experiences I am staying with Stihl. I also have a couple of Stihl trimmers, a blower and pole saw. All are great!

I also have a Poulan saw for small cutting if I can ever get it started.

Chainsaws require frequent cleaning to ensure proper oiling of the chain. Also top up the fuel before it runs out. Running out of fuel results in a saw hard to start and can also damage the engine from running lean.

 

[Yotekiller]

The 50cc class of saws is one of my favorite and most used out of all of my saws. I own the 261CM and the 550 MK2 and both are excellent saws. I like the Husky a bit more than the 261. I also think Husky are easier starting than Stihl. If I were going to choose again between these two saws, the 550 would be the one. If you want to save a little money and get a very good saw that doesn't have the electronic tuning, the Echo 4910 can still be had new at Home Depot until the stock is gone. This is pretty much the same saw as the Echo 501P pro saw, just some very minor differences. The 4910 will run right with the 261 and 550 with a bit of tuning and is half the price. Do not buy the Echo 4920 as it's not the newer version of the 4910, it's a completely different saw entirely.

For the cost savings, I would choose the Echo 4910 over the 550 or the 261.