Views on Stihls IntelliCarb

Straw

Hi, I am thinking about getting a new limbing saw. Currently I have a 021 (16" bar), 025 (16" bar), and an 044 (20" and 32" bar). Dragging the 044 all through the trees for all but the smallest stuff is taking its toll on me. I am looking at the ms260pro with a 18" bar or the ms361 with 18" bar. I am leaning towards the ms260 for its weight hoping it has enough power to run the 18" bar.

I have researched about the saws and find 50% of the stuff I have read say the IntelliCarb is garbage, while others swear by them. I am wondering if I should buy a new saw and find a fully adjustable carb for it or just buy a used pre-IntelliCarb saw, or just get the new saw and leave it stock.

I am sure the ms361 has the power to run the 18" bar fine, but it is a little heavier than I would like strapped to my belt most of the time. Do you guys think the ms260pro will run a 18" bar and still have good power? I realize the ms260pro is only a little bigger saw than the 025. The 025 can get bogged down very fast on all but the small and medium small branches.

Thanks in advance for any and all help in making this decision.

Straw

Therrin

what's your definition of "small and medium branches?"

What's the target size and type of the wood you'll be cutting with it?

The 361 has plenty of power for the 18" bar, and I dont know about the 260 but my 028 pulls an 18" bar just fine as well. It's almost all I use on it.

For mostly climbing though I'd recommend the 260 even though I've never used one. Lugging the 361 around on your harness all day is kinda a pain. It'll leave your arms shakin at the end of the day (and hopefully you get that far). Working in a tree while exhausted becomes dangerous; even if you arent full body exhausted but you just cant lift your arms anymore.

If your climbing time never exceeds a couple hours it'd be fine though. Try to define the first two(three) questons first though.

Straw

Thanks for the reply Therrin.

The 025 handles anything up to around 10"-12" no problem. It gets a little leaky with gas from the cheesy gas tank vent though. Plus I am working it a lot harder than It probably should be as it is an "occasional use" saw. My old 021 is pretty gutless with its 16" bar and has turned into a back up saw for the 025. I usually pull up the 044 for the rest using the 20" bar first then switching over to the 32". I am looking for a saw to get the 14"-18"/20" sections with basically. The 044 is almost over kill for that range and it seams to be the majority of my aloft cutting these days. The trees are mainly Poplars with some ornamental hardwoods thrown in for good measure lol. I travel all over the US though, so could be any type wood really.

I am not an Arborist and usually do removals of damaged trees / limbs from storms / earthquakes and disease. Or clear lots for new construction / maintain trails etc.

I keep reading bad things about the Intellicarb and thats what has me stumped. Should I buy new and replace that carb / ignition coil with older style or buy used with out the new technology or buy new and leave it stock? I plan to at minimum remove the spark screen maybe even have a custom muffler installed. Would that mess up how the intellicarb worked by changing the pre programmed carb adjustments? I have no idea about this intellicarb other than what I keep reading saying they are junk. Just about every saw Stihl makes now has it. Should I forget my beloved Stihl and go Husky or some other brand now?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.
Straw

Eric Frei

I personally think there's no issue, just go with the intellicarb, you still have mixture screws dont you?

__________________

Bruce Hopf

If you are stuck trying to figure out comparisons in power, or displacement, this site might help. Here is Model Profile: 026 , http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.ns...0?OpenDocument http://www.acresinternet.com/cscc.ns...3?OpenDocument shows for the 026, 036, and the 044.
I use my 024, and 026, for the limbing, and cutting up to 4" to 6", both with 16" bars. with .325" pitch. For stuff up from 4" to 6", I cut with my 034 with a 16" bar, up to 12", or so, and them I go with the 044 with a 20" bar.
Each step up in power, to faster cutting, and weight to carry, is a factor with me, because of a bad back, and I can't stand in one spot for too long. That is why I have my chain saws in steps, the way I do
Hope this gives you a better idea. The 034, or 036, might be a good in between saw for you. The 034, or the 036, has more than enough power to handle the 20" X 3/8" pitch chain with no problems. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Straw

Hi all.

I just ordered a ms260 pro 3/8 pitch, 18" .050 bar with RM chain. I also ordered Stihls Bench mount filing tool. Should come in Saturday or Monday the guy said. Thanks for the input guys.

Straw

Bruce Hopf

Good luck with the new chain saw. I have an 026, and it is a nice handling chain saw. You might want to consider going with a .325 pitch chain instead of the 3/8" pitch.
A Friend of mine tried his 026 with 3/8" pitch, found it was too much for the chain saw (kept it bogged down too much), and then he switched over to the .325 pitch, and it ran nicely.
If it was me, that is what I would do. I run both my 024, and 026, with .325 pitch, and I'm pleased with how it cuts. My 024 has the muffler mod done to it, and the 026 doesn't yet, have it done, but it is going to have it done as well.
Hope this helps you a bit. Bruce

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Straw

Thanks for the heads up. I thought about the .325 chain but the guy said it came with a .063 bar and I was thinking of the extra weight a .063 bar would be. So I last second asked for the 3/8 set up. I'm gonna use this as a climbing saw. So I thought I was doing myself a favor lol I'll see how it goes. If it seams to run underpowered I will look into the .325 set up. I am wondering why the .325 chain runs on the .063 bar and not the other way around. Isn't that like a picco chain? I know it goes 1/4 then .325 etc up to .080. Seams odd to me the 3/8 runs on a .050 bar and the .325 runs on the .063 /shrugs

Thanks for the post

Straw cheers

Bruce Hopf

325 pitch chains come in 0.050", 0.058", and 0.063" gauge sizes. You should be able to get it in 0.050 gauge. I can't see why you can't. Id be telling the dealer what you want, instead of him telling you what it comes in.
Who is always right, the customer, or the dealer? Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Eric Frei

Did you buy local or from USA? Therrin might have got you a deal+

__________________

rick

I was going to suggest a 346XP NE but I'm too late.
From all accounts the 346 is the ultimate limbing tool, with most of those that have used/own the 260 preferring the Husky.

Willard Holmen

You are correct Rick. I put my 026 Stihl into retirement this last spring when I bought my new Husqvarna 346XP NE. This little Husky just blows me away every time I use it. It is fast and smooth!
An important thing about the 346 being the ultimate limbing saw is its outboard clutch. People think an outboard clutch would make a saw wider and more awkward to use, quite the opposite.
The 346's outboard clutch puts the bar/chain closer to the center of the saw for better balance because there is no space taken up stuffing a clutch inside the saw. The weight and inertia of the clutch on the outside of the guide bar pad also balances the saw much better then an inboard clutch model. Plus heat from the outboard clutch is not released into the crankcase of the saw as the inboard one would. On my 395XP I like its outboard clutch over my Stihl 066 because the clutch helps hold the bar/chain in place when I install a new chain on its long 32 inch bar.
Outboard clutchs are the toughest and most practical design for heavy duty cutting, my Stihl 090 [worlds most heavy duty modern chainsaw] has one and its built heavy duty.
Did I mention how much longer the Huskys air filter stays cleaner with its air-injection?
Willard.

Straw

I just brought my ms260 "pro" saw home and couldn't be more dissatisfied with it! My old school 025 out preformed it on EVERY test. From the cheap choke lever etc.. to its cutting proficiency. I tested 16" all the way down to 6" branches with it and the 025 out did it on every step. IMHO the ms260 "pro" is a POS. I am not even going to bring it to the job, This bitch is going strait to ebay I think. I am going to eat about $300 but oh well. I don't know if it is just this saw model (maybe I got a lemon?)or Stihl in general now, but this saw sucks balls. I know I got the 3/8 version but I got full skip chain with it and cant believe the .325 chain would be much better ( I looked at both at the dealer they are very close to the same size not like picco to full sized in diff). I am not sure what to do. should I get a pre- EPA saw made by Stihl on ebay (anything bigger than this ms260 "pro" ) or go with Husky (which I have never owned). This Stihl ms260 "'pro" would have been my 6th Stihl I have owned (never had one single complaint), the brand that I have always swore by. I do not want to even dump another cent into it as I have already invested $811 in it. I am pretty bummed right now and it probably shows in my post, sorry guys.

Straw

Bruce Hopf

Just a couple of questions. Your 025, what does it have for a chain, 3/8" pitch, or .325" pitch?
If it has a .325" pitch, the .325" pitch will pull a lot easier than 3/8 pitch will. I'll have to compare cut widths, and measure with a dial caliper, to see how much narrower the cut is with the .325, compared to the 3/8 pitch.
I thought at first when I got my 024, to switch everything over from .325 pitch, over to 3/8" pitch, for the simple reason, I would be buying one roll of chain to make all my chains, for all of my chain saws.
That was until I got talking to a friend of mine, and he told me to stick with the .325" pitch. He told me that he did that with his 026, thinking the same thing as I did, and he had to switch back over to the .325" pitch, because it had a hard time trying to pull the 3/8 Pitch.
What I would try, before you get rid of the chain saw (if it was me), is take the chain saw back to the dealer, and request them to switch your chain saw over to .325" pitch, to make you satisfied (if they are a good dealer, they would, or should), at no cost to you.
Then give it another try. It might make a world of difference, and change your mind. Hey, anything is worth a try, since you spent all that money. Hate to see a person loose money, if something else might work out better, in the long run.
Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Straw

Hey guys.

Sorry about the EMO post above^. I am sure I over reacted. In my mind I figured the saw would cut and act much better strait out of the box.

After getting the saw apart to see what was what I don't see any evidence of the "intellicarb" it was advertised with and feel lucky I got one of the models with both high and low adjuster screws. I have pulled the limiter out of the high side and am in the process of modding the muffler today.

I will be switching it over to the .325 chain / bar / sprocket combo and see how it goes. I am not sure if the 7 tooth or 8 tooth sprocket will be better and have decided to get both and try them out. I have also decided I will try to match everything up in the .050 size for weight and hopefully torque.

I am also thinking about getting it ported and polished and maybe even larger carb installed. Not sure yet on the carb but am going to work this thing out. Its only money right heh.

Straw

Straw

Just got done modding the muffler. The difference is night and day. As where before it couldn't pull that 3/8 chain to save its life, it has spunked up considerably with the carb re-tuned. Might be hope for this saw after all heh. I still plan to swap it over to the .325 set up and have my fingers crossed for a limbing ripper.

Straw

Bruce Hopf

Glad to hear, that there is a difference with your chain saw . Once you have the chain saw swapped over to .325" pitch, I'm sure that you will see another difference.
Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Willard Holmen

Put some hours on it and it will start to wake up Straw. I don't understand how the saw came new with a 3/8 not the .325. A .325 chisel will help quite a bit,use the smallest diameter .325 sprocket too, go bigger if your straight limbing[9 tooth]. Try the little 3/8 Picco [used on the MS200 etc] it might not be a good durable limbing chain but you will see some good gains crosscutting in small logs.
The 260 is a 25 year old design, yes a quarter of a century, and thats one of the reasons I went to the newer 346 Husky. I just needed a change also. My old 026 was a good faithfull saw,I modded it by milling 20 thousands off the cylinder base, rounding off the protruding edge of the now higher piston at the bottom of the exhaust port and filing 40 thou. off the pistons intake skirt. Easy simple cheap on the wallet reliable mods.
Willard

Bruce Hopf

I was in at Cutter's Choice, down here in London Ontario, and I was after some repair links for .325" pitch chains. The guy behind the counter asked me what make, and model of chain saw I was working for.
I told him, that it was for my 024, and 026. He seemed surprised, that that was on my chain saws, instead of 3/8" pitch. I told him that the .325" pitch, worked better, and he looked at me as if I didn't know anything.
I too don't understand, why the would ship Straw's chain saw with 3/8" pitch either. Must have had a pile of 3/8" pitch stuff on hand, and wanted to get rid of the stuff, and throw it on a smaller chain saw like this one. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Straw

The saw came 3/8 pitch because I ordered it that way. The dealer gave me the option of .325 pitch on a .063 bar or 3/8 pitch on a .050 bar. I picked the lighter set up as I planed to use the saw aloft. Now I am going to get a couple .325 sprockets and a .050 after market bar and chain. I am thinking maybe the Oregon pro-lite bar. I am still looking around for matching stuff. I should be getting payed for a job on Monday or Tuesday so hopefully this week I can find a good .325 set up from one source and purchase online.

Opening up the muffler gave it enough balls to pull the 3/8 through a 16" log as before the chain would get stuck on a 6" branch.

Straw

Willard Holmen

To be honest with you, the .063 bar is lighter then the .050 bar LOL. The narrower kerf [groove] .050 bar has thicker rails then the .063., .050 Stihl chain which is .050 at the drive links but is still .063 between the tie straps.Oregon .050 chain is .058 between the straps. Plus the .325-.063 chain is way lighter then the full sized 3/8-.050.
If your limbing aloft why the 18"? That size alone is defeating the weight issue. Run A 16" or if you can find one use 14",if not you can make one as I will show you.
I have run Oregon Prolite bars, yes they are light, but being laminated durable they are not. In a short time of heavy use the rails spread and they are impossible to resize. Now your stuck with a on- off sloppy cutting chain.I was fortunate years ago to have bought at yard sale prices an old inventory of new Homelite Windsor guide bars from a retired saw dealer.I mod them to fit my own saws. I run a solid body Windsor Speed Tip .050 full sized bar on my little Stihl MS200 top handle. The bar was originally for a little Homelite saw with the narrow 8.2mm slot at 16" length. I cut 2" off the tail now I have a 14" heavy duty bar for my MS200. With the little 3/8 Picco chain I got a durable lightweight setup. For my Husky 346XP I did the same with another Homelite Windsor bar that was 18" which I cut down to 16".
For your MS260 which has a 12.1 mm slot use a Oregon Power Match 16"bar,part#160RNDD025 [.050] or part# 163RNDD025 [.063]. in .325 of course. Don't cut 2" off this bar to make 14" because it won't work, the tail will be too wide. My old Homelite Windsors had a super narrow tail for their application.

Straw

Well I never had any .325 chain or bars. But I did just go put the micrometer to a .050 and a .063 bar in 3/8 pitch for my 044 and both the rails are thicker and center grove on the .063 bar is wider than the .050 bar. Then I put the micrometer to the chains that go with each bar and they are also matched to the bar size. So for my 044 the .050 bar and chain is lighter than the .063 bar and chain.

I got the ms260 because I'm getting tired of lugging my 044 all through these massive poplars I have been working on. My 025 with 16" bar was just to small to do most of the work and my 044 was over kill half the time. It was a toss up of the 260 or the 361. I went with the lighter of the two that could run an 18" bar. The dealer told me the 3/8 pitch .050 set up would be less weight so thats what I picked. I ordered this over the phone and wasn't there to mic. and weigh the parts lol The dealer said Stihl had just re-designed all the chains and changed some stuff about the bars as well. So I listened to what he said and made a decision and now realize I made a mistake heh. I am going to get the .325 stuff. In the past I have only ever had 3/8 pitch or 3/8 low profile / picco chains and bars.

So what you are saying is the .325 pitch .063 bar chain combo is lighter than the 3/8 pitch .050 bar and chain? If that is the case wont the saw pull harder with the .325 pitch in the .050 size? Or is the .325 pitch .050 bar and chain to light-duty and just get the .325 pitch bar and chain in the .063 size?
Thanks for posting and helping me understand the chain bar issue.
Straw /cheers

Bruce Hopf

I don't know too much about the 0.063 gauge. All I have ever used was the 0.050 gauge, in .325", and 3/8" pitch chains, and I'm happy with it. Willard (Holmen Tree) might be able to help you out with that part, better than I can. Bruce.

__________________
McCulloch chain saws
1- Pro Mac 60, 1- Pro Mac 700, 2- Mac 10-10 Automatic's, 2- Mini Mac 30's, 2- Mac 110's,
2- Mini Mac 35's, 1- Mac 140 with Automatic Chain Sharpener,
1- Pro Mac 10-10, 1- Mac Cat, 2- Eager Beaver
2.0's, 1- Mac 1-10
Stihl chain saws
2- 044's, 2- 034's, 2- 024's, 1- 064, 1- 084,
Strunk chain saws
1- Busy Beaver, 1- SpeeDemon Special
Stand Back, I Have A Very Extreme Case of CAD (Chain Saw Addiction Disorder).

Willard Holmen

When you get your .325 chain you will see its alot smaller and lighter then the 3/8. Just run what you can easily get whether its .050 or .063. For weight saving try 16" thats all you need on a MS260 doing aerial work.
Windsor does or did make a lightweight solid bar[not laminated] for your Stihl, its called Windsor "Mini Pro" , its a good lightweight pro bar.
Willard.

porsche965

Straw,

I'm very interested in your outcome. I have a 028 that I'm going through the same thing with.

Thanks.