Sunday, September 20, 2026

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

Todo: complete this, especially verify backpack fits this...
  1. 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
  2. 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.
  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 (optional). I'm more of mindset to photograph incident and get home to fill out the report.
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. 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.

Stihl Guide Bars reference











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