Stihl 261 Vs 271 – Let’s Explore More about Both

Chainsaws are essential for the woods and gardeners as their work is mainly to cut down for gardening or firebreaks.

A good quality chainsaw is necessary because the machine requires an investment that should be made wisely. Stihl has been known for providing the community with the best quality and most powerful chainsaws for decades. In this article, Stihl 261 vs 271 will be under discussion, which involves the brief detailing of both chainsaws and their comparative analysis.

Ms 261 is among the highest quality and most powerful chainsaws available in the market, with features that are preferable to be used by professionals rather than local gardeners or homeowners.

In contrast, Ms 271 is also one of the excellent quality chainsaws. Still, it is preferable for local gardeners or homeowners rather than professionals, which is why it is a budget-friendly product of Stihl.

Stihl 261 Vs 271

Stihl 261 Vs 271 is the topic under discussion here. Stihl is known for the best quality saws in the market. Ms 261 is also one of the company’s best quality and most powerful products, which provides less to no emissions.

It has vibration control features along with a decompression control system. The product is preferable for professionals rather than homeowners because the price it requires and the service it offers are best suited to the professionals.

On the other hand, Ms 271 is also one of the best quality chainsaws though it also emits 50% less emission when compared to other chainsaws of this range available in the market. Ms 271 is a budget-friendly and non-professional saw best suited to homeowners and local gardeners.

Stihl 261

Stihl 261 is a professional, and this chainsaw is not for farmers, local gardeners, or homeowners because the features are not handy but should only be handled and used by the professionals such as; arborists.

However, the quality and features it provides are also costly and require some extra investment to be made as compared to other brands available in the market. Still, this extra money also speaks for the quality. Let’s briefly review the Stihl 261’s specifications, features, pros, and cons.

Specifications 

• The engine has a power of 2.8 kW 
• The weight of the power head is 11.6 lbs 
• The range recommended for the guide bar length is standard at 18 inches, while maximum, it can go up to 20 inches and 16 inches minimum.
• Stihl 261 had a  fuel capacity of 500 cc, which is 16.9 oz
• A chain oil capacity of 270 ccs is available 

Features 

Stihl 261 is a powerful, quality chainsaw designed for professionals with many features. Below is the overview of the main components;

Environmental-Friendly 

Stihl 261 is an environmentally friendly chainsaw as the exhaust emissions produce or equal to low or no emissions level, which keeps the environment clean while working with this chainsaw.

Chain Brake System 

The chain brake system has one of the unique features of Ms 261 as it provides the users with security in case the chainsaw gets out of control. Moreover, chain brakes help to operate the saw more quickly when speed needs to be controlled.

Vibration Control System

Usually, chainsaws give such heavy vibrations that the user gets disturbed while working. Though, Ms 261 has a solution for this, too, as this saw has an anti-vibration system that lets users control the vibration and make their work more relaxing.

The decompression System

The decompression valve is a valuable feature as it controls the pressure of the saw while starting, which is hard to have as heavy pressure can cause danger of burst, cracking, and the problem with the fuel tank. Ms 261 has a solution for this, too, in the form of a decompression valve.

Lubrication 

The lubrication system in the saw reduces the oil usage by around 50% as it does not let the oil get wasted and keeps the system lubricated for a long time by using the internal oil, which is also cost-effective.

Side Access Chain Tensioner 

Conventionally, saws include the system where the screw was required to set the side access chain. At the same time, in this modern era, Stihl has facilitated customers with the bar wrench adjustment for the side access chain, which is more convenient and time-saving.

Pros 

• High-quality saw with durability to last for a long time
• It can work in every temperature, so available at service throughout the year
• Portable and lightweight saw
• Powerful in the sense of capacity
• High-level features
• More specifications than other saws of this price range
• Trustworthy brand

Cons 

• Stihl is known for having problems with its products’ oil or fuel tanks.
• Better for professionals than homeowners or farmers
• Expensive to have in a limited range 
• Professional care is required to handle this high-quality and powerful saw

Stihl 271

Stihl 271 is a handy chainsaw that requires more than just professional knowledge; everyone can use this saw, including; homeowners, farmers, local gardeners, and professionals. Ms 271 is a high-quality product in a reasonable range and has many specifications near the high-quality chainsaws. Let’s have a look at the specifications of Ms 271;

Specifications 

• The engine has a power of 2.6 kW
• Head weight power is around 12.3 lbs
• The standard length recommended is 18 inches, with 20 inches being the highest and 16 inches being the lowest.
• It has a fuel capacity of 500 cc
• Ms 271 has a chain oil capacity of 240 cc

Features 

Stihl 271 is a high-quality saw which is handy and available for middle-range to high-range users. Let’s explore more about the features of this saw;

Environmental-Friendly 

Stihl is known for having environmentally friendly products that cause less pollution. In the same way, this saw by Stihl also creates 50% fewer emissions than the other products of this range available in the market.

Chain Brake System 

Stihl 271 also provides the same facility as Ms 261 and can manage the saw with chains in case the speed gets out of control or at times of unexpected accidents.

Vibration Control System 

Vibrations distract the users a lot. Stihl has tried to make all of its products with a system installed in them that is of vibration control. This not only relaxes the user but also adds more speed to work.

Lubrication 

Ms 271 keeps the saw lubricated while using less fuel, which eventually reduces the usage of fuel or oil by 50% compared to other chainsaws of this range available in the market. This makes Ms 271 cost-effective as well.

Pros 

• Handy and easy to use by non-professionals as well
• Budget-friendly, not so high priced as other high-quality chainsaws of the Stihl
• The design is sleek and portable
• High quality, long durability 
• Trustworthy seen by the Stihl

Cons 

• It takes time to start, which makes creating the saw harder at times
• Reasonably priced but a bit more expensive than other saws on the market 

Stihl 261 Vs 271

Here are some of the main differences between the Stihl Ms 261 and Ms 271;

• Ms 261 has a magnesium case, while Ms 271 has a polymer case
• 261 has a horsepower of 4, while 271 has a horsepower of 3.5
• Nuts are also different as Ms 261 has captive nuts though Ms 271 has loose nuts
• 261 is designed as a compact and lightweight chainsaw, while 271 is comparatively thick and heavy 
• The decompression button is only available in Ms 261
• The quality Ms 261 provides is exceptional, which is why it is more expensive than Ms 271

Conclusion 

Ms 261 vs Ms 271 is the topic under discussion in this article, and a conclusion can be drawn from the above descriptions that 261 is the preferable chainsaw for professionals. At the same time, Ms 271 is preferable for gardeners or homeowners due to the price and quality features they both offer.