I was running this saw for about 2 hours at about a 30-50% duty cycle ru-vid.comUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and it did a great job. I used the lever for the built in sharpener to clear chip buildup out more than to actually sharpen the chain. It managed to cut some hardwood stumps much larger than it's size without bothering the neighbors with hours of 2 stroke noise.
I use an old paint brush along with compressed air. I clean the sprocket cover in the kitchen sink with Dawn and hot water and then blow it off and allow it to dry in the sun. I use high temp wheel bearing grease on the sprocket bearing. I put the E clip back on with kitchen pliers. I clean the sprocket with break cleaner.
Somehow while I was skipping through RU-vid videos this video popped up on the sidebar so I decided to watch it. I have a Stihl MS170 that I mostly use for yard work and clearing shooting lanes for deer hunting and I hadn’t cleaned it since I bought it. Well after watching it I felt pretty guilty that I hadn’t cleaned it so this weekend I grabbed the saw and pulled it apart. Like you I didn’t have compressed air so I used an old paint brush and a small makeup brush that I found laying around and a can of WD40 to help remove the build up. I cleaned the chain brake, the bar and the bar oil holes and the air filter and the inside and outside of all the covers and now it’s squeaky clean and ready to go. I also felt guilty after seeing all the protective gear you wear. I should know better but I often cut without safety gear but soon after watching I bought a Stihl helmet and chainsaw pants. Not feeling so guilty anymore!
Great video Felixia!!! Great and important information...you definitely should shoot more informative videos, it’s always nice to learn and refresh our knowledge on this stuff...suggestion, get the mic closer to you. We all love to hear you better
Great video! I didn't hear you mentioned if this was a new saw or not but it looks like it. Understanding how your equipment works and runs will allow you to take care of little problems before you have a major one :) Mike Morgan (Outdoors with the Morgan's) recently got a MS 261 and loves it. I still like your 500i best. We're still waiting in the States for it to be released :(
@@Femalelumberjack I spoke with Stihl USA several months ago. They don't believe we will get the 500i in the USA. He stated the power curve at max power allows the saw to exceed California Small Engine Emissions Requirement. That dumb state ruins a lot of good things for the rest of the country.
Thanks for an informative video! I have the exact same saw, and I haven't really bothered to read the manual too much. This helps. Just subscribed to your channel!
I had two stihl 026 for 25 years. Great saws and if I had not fell a tree on it once it had still been running. I bought a stihl 261C and expected it to be as good as the old ones. After 3 years of cutting firewood it broke down with crankshaftfailure. Stihl told me I was to blame not using the Stihl motomix oil. I mixed 2% shell-oil as I had for 25 years. Bad stihl service and stihl is not making so good saws as they once did. When the saw is so finetuned that is has to be run on only stihls own oil, I am not so happy with stihl any more. The one 026 left is still running great, on 2% shell-oil.
very impressed at the way you manage to service the whole saw with your gloves on. I start my day with the best intentions but as soon as i need to do any fine work(like removing the clutch clip) my gloves come off, and by the end of the day I'm wakling around with dirty/scarred hands trying to find where my golves went. beautiful smile BTW
You prolly dont care but does anybody know of a way to log back into an Instagram account..? I was dumb forgot the login password. I appreciate any tricks you can offer me.
@Roman Terrell I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Never thought of cleaning out the clutch like you did, why I don’t really know. With the sprocket retaining e clip popping it off and cleaning the clutch out and checking the bearings is super easy as you show. Keeping the bearing lubricated and clean is important not only for the bearing but also keeping the chain brake operating properly by cleaning the goo off. Thanks for the great information, keep it coming!
You can always tell the person who take great pride in their work, and their craft. They are the ones who take great care of their tools as well. Another wonderful video, thank you for sharing.
Great video , i use the 261 for smaller firewood cutting and i think it's about a perfect little saw , light weight , nimble and plenty of power. I blow out all my saws after every use , I take care of my saws and they take care of me . You did a great job .
I don’t normally take my clutch apart, but after watching this video I tried it. It didn’t want to come apart due to all the saw dust and chain lube. Then the heat burnt it to harden it to the clutch drum. I think that is why my chain would sometimes turn at idle.
I bought an MS 261 C-M when I was 15 years old. Now, three years later, it is still one of my favorite chainsaws. With the right technique you can fell larger trees with it, but it is also very suitable for cutting branches and for cutting firewood. Certainly with the tuning kit (3/8P 1,3mm), it cuts extremely fast.
Ma’am I’m a new subscriber, I’m from the state of Louisiana 🦞. Just a good ole country boy, where r u located? Very unusual to see a beautiful woman like yourself working outside like you do ! Much respect ✊
I have exactly same Stihl 261C as my main saw. Twice a year I clean it thoroughly by opening the chain brake mechanism and removing the spring. There is a lot of dirt below as well. Your saw seem pretty new. Mine has a lot of hours on it, but it has never failed. The most annoying thing would be to start early in the morning, drive 1 hour to the site just to find out that the saw is not working. That’s why I always keep my gear in a good shape. Happy sawing 👍🏽
Really great video, and it's a lovely saw... I feel like Luke Skywalker with a light-sabre the way it just slices through stuff... But ... I left mine over winter with some fuel in and now it won't run. I was hoping you would show us how to strip it right down to clean the water out the carb... and do an ultrasound clean of the carb itself, but of course, yours would never have that problem. Thanks for the great video anyway. I'll start keeping mine nice and clean from now on!
Yes it is a very good saw, here comes the big BUT. It is not a monster saw! It is a very good general purpose saw and has enough power for tree diameters of 12 inches and less. It will cut larger diameter trees but there are better suited more powerful saws like the 362 or the 462 for the bigger stuff. It is not that the 261 won’t cut through larger trees it is a matter of how long it will take you. For bucking firewood go for a bigger saw to save yourself effort and time. The 261 is light, easy to use and is a very high quality saw but being a 50 cc saw it has it’s limitations. I have both a 261 and a 462 and use the 462 for bucking the bigger stuff and the 261 for the smaller and really appreciate the lightness of both these saws. I am contemplating having the 261 ported to get a little more power out of it. It seems to be right on the edge power wise for me. Bar size and chain size is a determining factor with the 261. I suggest staying with the Stihl recommendations as far as chain and bars for this saw. 3/8ths chain is asking too much of it I think. I hope my input helps.
I think I'm going to get the 261 for chunking down stems, Great and informative video! My tip for you would be to save those climbing gloves for jobs and get a box of latex gloves for cleaning up your saws!
I change my sprockets the moment they skip, that's why there are several sprockets in my saw kit for all my saws. I also level the bars at home with a linisher that has an abrasive wheel set to 90degrees to a flat table. Nice video lumberchick! x
Lovely video, I would have put some grease on the needle bearing and turned the bar over for even wear.But I am just an amateur and you are gorgeous.xx
Regularly greasing the clutch needle bearing is essential on 261, known to wear crank shaft if left, very common to have a very wobbly bearing and worn cluch drum inner. Also the air injection system is a liability in short grained hardwood like dead eucalyptus, i have taped off the inlet at the flywheel and put air holes in the top cover with good results to keep filter cleaner for longer. Also worth sealing airfilter lip with grease in dusty cutting situations Cracking saw otherwise
If using compressed air near the clutch mechanism, does it actually push the oily wood chips inside ? I do not have air compressor, so I do the cleaning with my old toothbrushes. Every Stihl should be supplied with a toothbrush :-)
Timo Kuhmonen you could use compressed air but I would still recommend to take it apart even more to clean the clutch maybe every second week. They really should come with toothbrush 😆
You might Convert Me from Husky to Stihl, ONLY You Could Do It 🤣😂😁. You Broke it Down to the Clutch, DANNNGGG‼ Good Info tho 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾. Keep'em Coming Sweets💗. Love your Gear ‼ As Always Stay Sweet💗, Safe and Blessed🙏🏾❣❣❣
I bought this saw yesterday. I missed the srewdriver ( TX 27 ) to open the left side of the saw. Have you bought this extra ?? Greetings from Germany Piet
I am a diesel and gasoline engine mechanic. And I just want all of you to know the size of this 200 series and a 600 is not enought that the power keeps you from extending the bar on this. Just so you know this is not a female chainsaw, Thiesens only sells up to the 200 series and most farmers are hard working men. To much power actually drives the teeth over the wood it doesn't bite in and actully just will plain off instead of cut.
Good channel but when it comes to content there are a lot of channel out there about chainsaws and cutting trees. Everyone shows one on maintenance of saws I personally think that the majority of people watching channels like yours. Well I think they have either ran chainsaws full time, or part time. Doing a maintenance clip is in my opinion really not necessary just show more climbing and cutting. I mean if anyone who runs a saw knows all about maintenance.
One of my favourite saws. Have to clean mine this days. But I think it's not gonna look that good 😆 Hardest part... work with the gloves on , how did you do that?
great to see you know how to look after your saws/tools im looking for older stihl 261 as i love to strip and clean them and then i do a simple woods port on them i own stihls/huskys and 3 solos all pro saws and all ported enjoy your work and stay safe .love from ireland,jimmy.
Stephen I will take my words back. I did try the 2nd generation of the 261. My neighbour did put pure gas in my 260 and now it’s broken... did buy a new 261 a week ago and I like it very much. The 2nd generation did have some issues whit the clutch and chainbrake now I have the 3nd generation and it’s a lovely saw
@@thomasvankruijsbergen7639 That's great to here I have bought one 8 months ago and sofar no issues. I am thinking of adding a 661cm to the mix though.
Stephen that’s a nice saw did had the opportunity to try the 661 c-m it’s a beast. Did try the 880 few weeks ago it’s a monster but very heavy. I am thinking to buy the 500i did try it and I like it
