Trail Tools - Stihl MS-261CM Gas Chainsaw

For my reference, some of the tools and equipment for trail work. What to carry in the pack for different primary tools. Checklist format for getting out the door quickly. In general, numbers increase from bottom of pack to top, for a backpack having a bottom zipper.

CHAINSAW - GAS- STIHL MS-261CM

Approximate weight: 35 pounds, not including fire extinguisher as that is seasonal. Otherwise, 40 pounds.

1. Backpack. 
2. Chainsaw. Stihl 261CM.
1. Guide Bar. Came with Stihl Farm Boss .325" | 0.050 only the 20-inch version of it.
2. Guide Bar. Wish to get Stihl Light 04 .325" | 0.050 with 20-inch length. Part Number 30030086621. Should be $59.99
3. Scrench tool. To adjust nuts to the guide bar.
4. MSR fuel bottle. 30-ounce for gasoline premixed with oil at 50:1 ratio.
1. Fuel. STIHL MotoMix® is super expensive, may want to mix my own. Though at $13 / liter and just 30 ounces used per day, it's a tolerable expense if not sawing regularly.
5. MSR fuel bottle. 20-ounce for oil.
1. Oil. Use eco-friendly oil. Fill no less than 2/3 full.
2. Cap. Replaced locking cap with "MSR Replacement Fuel Bottle Cap"
6. Wedges, plastic (2 minimum, 3 preferred, nice to have mix of long and short)
7. Bar and chain. Chainsaw bar (20 inch) with 1 chain on it in plastic scabbard.
8. Hatchet. For driving wedges and stripping bark and dirt from trees. In some cases, a 4-pound felling axe is appropriate. Prefer to go light unless complex trees anticipated.
9. Tourniquet.
10. First Aid Kit. With customization to include stop-bleed gauze patches and medicine.
11. Chainsaw chaps, PPE. I used to use chainsaw pants, but they were a bit restricting. Stihl brand.
12. Water. 1 Quart, nominally, plus water bottle on bike. Varies by day and temperature, of course.
13. Shirts (2 spare, layered). For end of day on cold days.
14. Jacket. If not wearing at beginning, have in pack.
15. Gloves (1 spare). For end of day on cold days.
16. Safety glasses.
17. Chain (spare). Minimum 1 spare, prefer 2.
18. Wallet. Include sawyer certification card.
19. Fire Extinguisher (5 pound minimum). Required during fire season. See IFPL. In some cases this is not sufficient, and 5 gallons water required (42 pounds!). Here is where having partner to split the load really helps and/or tow cart behind bike.
20. Bar (spare, optional). Extra bar in scabbard in case of pinch that can't be fixed by wedges or handsaw. Though optional, it is highly recommended.
21. Round file (optional). For sharpening chain in the field. Optional if carrying spare chains.
22. Flat file (optional). For removing burrs on drive side of chain or possibly bar. Don't expect to be filing rakers in the field.
23. Flagging tape (optional). In case a cut is marked for future completion. I rarely carry this.
24. Incident report. Also, pen to write details. If medical issue, may be expeditious to photograph incident and fill out the report after medical priority addressed first. Store this in first aid kit otherwise easy to forget.

SUPPLEMENTAL IN PACK (based on circumstances)

Silky Big Boy. Handsaw for swamp work or backup.
Reading glasses. Generally, not required but handy if filing chain.
Food. I rarely eat on the trail, but it's smart to carry a protein bar or similar.
Bike pump. If biking in only, of course.
Ear protection. Foam ear plugs and/or headset as courtesy for partner just in case.
Bear protection. Bear spray or whatever you are comfortable with, or not.
Whistle.

ATTIRE

Boots, jeans, long sleeve shirt, jacket, gloves
Helmet (pfanner).
Heart rate monitor.
Cell phone. Have emergency contacts including sawyer partner. Helpful to text them in the morning so their contact is top of list.

MAINTENANCE
YouTube videos. This is a work-in-progress, I kinda lost the links to my go-to videos for routine maintenance, so rebuilding the list of videos, sorry.

1. Chainsaw Maintenance (Stihl MS 261 Routine Maintenance)

EXPENDABLE PARTS
In general, the Stihl dealership can point you to the right consumable parts, but common items to replace listed below.

1. Chain. Good to have 3-4 chains on hand, bring 1-2 spares in the field each day to eliminate need to sharpen in the field.
2. Guide Bar. Good to have 1 spare guide bar, bring 1 spare in the field each day in case of pinching.
3. Oil. Buy eco-friendly oil. Not only is it better for the environment, but inevitable to get oil on your hands while sawing, so best to be less gross / toxic on your hands. Some say it gunk's up more than petroleum-based oil, but my experience is that it's fine.

HAVE IN CAR

1. Bike Locks. For stops along the way, assuming bike used during trail work.
2. Passes. Discover pass and/or Northwest Forest Pass.
3. Floor pump. For bike tires or even car tires.
4. Shovel. For fire emergency. Might consider pick-mattock as well, for tough dirt.
5. 5+ Gallons water. For fire emergency.
6. Fire extinguisher. For fire emergency. 
7. Dry clothes and towel. For the drive home.
8. TP. For my bung hole.
9. Charging cable. For cell phone.
10. Bucket (optional). In case of tread work. Also to carry home trash.
11. Garbage Bags. To carry home trash.
12. Splitting axe / metal wedges (optional). Handy if cutting close to road, for rare occasions. Impractical to carry on trail because axe is 6 pounds and two wedges at 5 pounds apiece brings total of 16 pounds. Never use metal wedges in a cut while sawing (hope everybody knows that!)

REFERENCES / MISC

1. Guide Bars Stihl Guide Bars reference

Trail Tools - Stihl MSA-220C Battery Chainsaw

For my reference, some of the tools and equipment for trail work. What to carry in the pack for different primary tools. Checklist format for getting out the door quickly. In general, numbers increase from bottom of pack to top, for a backpack having a bottom zipper.

CHAINSAW - BATTERY - STIHL MSA-220C

1. Chainsaw body. Separated from bar and chain for easy fit in pack w/o bonking back of head.
2. Battery (2, AP300S). Stored in special cases "Westcoast Saw Leather Battery Pouch - Fits Stihl".
3. Wedges, plastic (2 minimum, 3 preferred, nice to have mix of long and short)
4. Bar and chain. Chainsaw bar (18 inch) with 1 chain on it in plastic scabbard.
5. Hatchet. For driving wedges and stripping bark and dirt from trees. In some cases, a 4-pound felling axe is appropriate. Prefer to go light unless complex trees anticipated.
6. Oil. MSR fuel container, 20 ounce, filled no less than 2/3 with eco-friendly oil. Replaced stupid locking cap with "MSR Replacement Fuel Bottle Cap"
7. Tourniquet.
8. First Aid Kit. With customization to include stop-bleed gauze patches and medicine.
9. Chainsaw chaps, PPE. I used to use chainsaw pants, but they were a bit restricting. Stihl brand.
10. Water. Varies by day and temperature, of course.
11. Shirts (2 spare, layered). For end of day on cold days.
12. Jacket. If not wearing at beginning, have in pack.
13. Gloves (1 spare). For end of day on cold days.
14. Safety glasses.
15. Chain (spare). Minimum 1 spare, prefer 2.
16. Wallet. Include sawyer certification card.
17. Fire Extinguisher (5 pound minimum). Required during fire season. See IFPL. In some cases this is not sufficient, and 5 gallons water required (42 pounds!). Here is where having partner to split the load really helps and/or tow cart behind bike.
18. Bar (spare, optional). Extra bar in scabbard in case of pinch that can't be fixed by wedges or handsaw. Though optional, it is highly recommended.
19. Round file (optional). For sharpening chain in the field. Optional if carrying spare chains.
20. Flat file (optional). For removing burrs on drive side of chain or possibly bar. Don't expect to be filing rakers in the field.
21. Flagging tape (optional). In case a cut is marked for future completion. I rarely carry this.
22. Incident report. Also, pen to write details. If medical issue, may be expeditious to photograph incident and fill out the report after medical priority addressed first. Store this in first aid kit otherwise easy to forget.

SUPPLEMENTAL IN PACK (based on circumstances)

1. Silky Big Boy. Handsaw for swamp work or backup.
2. Reading glasses. Generally, not required but handy if filing chain.
3. Food. I rarely eat on the trail, but it's smart to carry a protein bar or similar.
4. Bike pump. If biking in only, of course.
5. Ear protection. Foam ear plugs and/or headset as courtesy for partner just in case.
6. Bear protection. Bear spray or whatever you are comfortable with, or not.
7. Whistle.

ATTIRE

1. Boots, jeans, long sleeve shirt, jacket, gloves
2. Helmet (pfanner).
3. Heart rate monitor.
4. Cell phone. Have emergency contacts including sawyer partner. Helpful to text them in the morning so their contact is top of list.

MAINTENANCE

YouTube videos:

1. STIHL MSA 220C YouTube Video Guide to Disassembling, Cleaning, and Reassembling. Full disassembly. Worthwhile once or twice a year as a refresher so you don't screw up. Super handy reference especially for reassembly and indexed for specific points. Tip: Sequence of reassembly as per video is important - if you install the sprocket before the tension spring there will not be enough slack in the spring to install the tension screw.
2. STIHL msa 220c chainsaw maintenance. Worth repeating for technique on untangling chains starting at 8 minutes, otherwise only play first time you get a saw otherwise too basic.
3. STIHL MSA200C Chainsaw Electric Motor Repair. Interesting but not routine maintenance. Worthy if your motor is broken.

EXPENDABLE PARTS

In general, the Stihl dealership can point you to the right consumable parts, but common items to replace listed below.

1. Chain. Good to have 3-4 chains on hand, bring 1-2 spares in the field each day to eliminate need to sharpen in the field.
2. Guide Bar. Good to have 1 spare guide bar, bring 1 spare in the field each day in case of pinching.
3. Oil. Buy eco-friendly oil. Not only is it better for the environment, but inevitable to get oil on your hands while sawing, so best to be less gross / toxic on your hands. Some say it gunk's up more than petroleum-based oil, but my experience is that it's fine.

Trail Tools and equipment

For my reference, some of the tools and equipment for trail work. What to carry in the pack for different primary tools. Checklist format for getting out the door quickly. In general, numbers increase from bottom of pack to top, for a backpack having a bottom zipper.

POLESAW - BATTERY - KOBALT

1. Pole saw. Kobalt.
2. Batteries. Typically carry 4 but up to 6. One 4-amp battery, most are 2.5 amps, sadly two are a measly 2 amps so the weaker ones get left behind to make room in pack for bigger batteries.
3. Other. See section on chainsaw for overlapping requirements such as oil, first aid, fire extinguisher, etc. If no chainsaw and just polesaw, I don't wear chaps because the chain is 6+ feet away so lesser chance, but not zero, of cutting injury.

Commentary: I use Kobalt pole saw for many years and have been happy with it, but recent issues with newer model has me wanting to switch brands next time it breaks.

• Good: It is bigger, 10-inch bar instead of 8.
• Good: No tool is required to adjust chain tension. Previously required a Philips screwdriver.
• Good: Safety lock supports left and right-handed use, well designed too.
• VERY BAD: Motor housing in new model obstructs sight line to the saw, so you cannot see what you are cutting in real time! This is a deal breaker for me, was fine with the older models.
• VERY BAD: Chain gets loosened all the time! More than just normal heat expansion from use. The cover which locks the chain in place is easily and frequently loosened during use, no matter how tight you set it. This is more than inconvenience. A loose chain can get ruined if it falls off.
• Bad: Battery included is only 2 amps. Previously was 2.5 amps. Inconvenience only, as I have plenty of batteries, but I prefer larger batteries, so I don't have to carry as many.
• Bad: Chain tightener puts housing on other side of saw, annoying but no big deal, but more importantly the part that locks it in place is part of the cover, not the saw directly. This makes it difficult to line it up and see that it's connected before putting on cover, cause it's part of the cover itself! Might take some getting used to, but this wastes time in the field and if not lined up properly, chain can slip and then you need to buy a new one if it bends the drivers as it did to me recently, cost is $27 to get a new chain at Stihl, I don't know if Lowes even sells the proper size chains.
• Annoying: Warranty replacement requires physical receipt, per store policy that applies to select tools only, but relates to chain saws and pole saws. Not sure if this is all Lowes stores. This requirement seems to have come about around 2025, I think.

HEDGE TRIMMER - BATTERY - STIHL

Todo: complete this

BRUSH CUTTER- BATTERY - STIHL KOMBI

Todo: complete this

1. eKombi. describe
2. Brush Cutter Attachment. describe.
3. Full Harness. It comes with a single strap harness, which is junk IMO because it relies on gravity on the shoulder, so any lightening of pressure or movement of shoulder causes it to slip off. Thus, you put more pressure on it than preferred, leading to fatigue. I recently purchased their "Double Standard Harness" but haven't tried it yet, and they seem to have upgrades such as "Forestry Double Shoulder Harness", "Advance X-Treem harness", and "Universal Double Shoulder Harness". Currently considering returning it before I open the packaging for one of the other options, TBD.
4.