I purchased my Stihl 026 30 years ago. I had to replace the fuel line this spring ('23). That was the first repair it needed after keeping me warm through 30 Northern Minnesota winters. It's the best investment I ever made.

Just got one non running for a few beers from someone who couldn’t get it to work, after a bit of cleaning, a carb swap and a new ignition coil it’s running fantastic and has tons of power. Im super impressed, it has been sitting out in a shed for 15 years and after this little work it’s running like new!

I’ve had an 026 for 29 years and it’s like new. Had a carb kit and new bar and a number of chains. This has been a brilliant saw and I will be sad the day it dies. Very best of German technology and quality.

I rebuilt an 026 this winter. I went down to my Stihl dealer to get a chip diverted for the sprocket cover and was told they are no longer available. I knew I had a couple of chip diverted in my parts box from the various Farmertec saws that I had built in the past few years. I also know dealers on EBay say the chip diverted on the 260- 460 are the same. I found a chip diverted in my parts box from one of these saws and it fit perfectly. It was from a bag of parts labeled ms 440. The nose on the chip diverted fit perfectly behind the first post and the holes fit right over the two remaining posts. I have updated my 026 to 026 Pro specs, but it has an original 026 sprocket cover.

Bought an 026 from a customer of mine for pretty cheap. I love older stihl equipment so I’m sure I’ll have this saw for a long time! Did not know you had to hold the trigger to engage full choke, thanks for that info!

I liked your video Chris. I bought my 026 in 1994 to cut firewood on my 5 acre woodlot after we built our house. Prior to that I used an old Pioneer saw to clear the land where we built our house. I must have cut over 300 trees of various size for our 360' driveway, house site and septic field and it did the job too but then died. So I bought the 026 and have cut 5 to 6 cords of firewood since. I concur with your review of this unit, but would not trade it for anything. The things that have gone wrong with it have, pretty much, been caused my operator error. I just bought an MS271 as a backup. I set it up with a 16" bar and .325 chain so both saws use the same chain, but have not used it yet to comment on. Thanks

Hi. Just bought this model on Ebay. Its practically new. Starts right up. Runs great. I paid $250.

Need to adjust your high idle screw a little. It’s “four stroking” a bit too much, you’ll get a few hundred more rpm and the saw will cut stronger. Nice vid. 👍🏼

@ljd8520

4 жыл бұрын

Need you to have a look at my saw you based in UK ?

@samholden7563

7 ай бұрын

I was thinking the same thing, but I’m no expert on the topic. I’ve just been watching lots of tuning videos to learn how to do it. Glad to know that I might actually know what I’m talking about. 😂

Just got me one from 98'. Classy saw. Handles great. Plenty power

For the switch just drill a small hole and run a tie zip through the hole over the top to hold the switch in place. Simple fix.

@mycatumz640

5 жыл бұрын

Nice

@lawnmowermanlawnmowerman9930

5 жыл бұрын

Yep,I've done that fix many many times in the shops I've worked for. Easiest,cheapest way to fix that slight problem. The 026 is a great saw. I also like the Echo CS 400 and about any of the Red-Max chainsaws.

The reason your control lever does not pop up to the run position on can be two reasons. One, you note but also if the carb nuts are on to tight or not evenly tightened this can also cause this problem.

I fixed the choke switch problem on my 026 with a piece off shrinking tube.

Thanks, i'm looking for one now .

A heat gun could be used to soften the ears on the loose rod and pinch them together to tighten its grip.

The orange air filter covers on the MS026 do not fit properly (seen at 7:10). There is a large gap, and it seems to be a design error. I converted my MS026 to use the MS260 air filter and cover. This required a different way of venting the tank, but at least that stupid gap is gone.

They do not even make the 260s replacement, the ms260, any more. I like the master control lever used by Stihl. You can put a able tie on the control lever if it will not stay connected to the rear housing. If it pop's up you cannot get I into the full choke position which makes starting an iffy situation. The 026/260 are good little saws they have a few weaknesses, like the air filter/choke combination. The 260 has a 44.7 mm piston but is 50 cc or thereabouts.

I didn't know I said "uh" so much lol. I'll work on that.

@dsimp765

5 жыл бұрын

The switch being backwards is actually an asset. I've had mine for 27 years and when you go to set a running saw down with gloves on drag your right thumb up the switch and it shuts off all in one motion. Good luck.

@stonehand49

5 жыл бұрын

Chris Hester ..thanks for review as I just bought a used 026..heavy weight. thanks you nailed it

Great video my friend thank you!

To prevent it from popping out , empty fuel , and let it sit over night with cap off . Then heat up the plastic that holds the choke/Run lever ( without lever in place) and gently push the gap together, and hold until it cools. Dont over do it . On the heating and bending part. EZ PZ.

FYI, Stihl made the 026 from 1988-2002. I have one of the later ones made in 1998. It was a crush damaged saw and I replaced the rear handle with an AM ms 260 rear handles. It works fine but I now have a flippy fuel cap. Flipping the control lever up from full choke to half choke is delicate. If you push it tohard it can end up in the run position, instead of the half choke position. I may replace the control lever with an oem lever to see if this alleviates the problem. My saw cranks and runs fine. I own lots of Stihl saws, mostly big saws,so I am familiar with their design quirks. My 026 has an 18 inch .325 bar and chain. 18 inch is the perfect bar length for the 026. Replacing the rear handle is not expensive or difficult. You can fix that clip on your existing rear handle. There are several videos on UTube showing you how to do it.

@jakeschuster9991

Жыл бұрын

It’s not cheap if you use oem parts it was cheaper for me to buy a parts saw than it was to buy parts from Stihl

It is only counter intuitive if you are a husky user. All Stihl saws operate the same way.. the problem with the master control lever is a common problem that occurs over time. It is an easy repair. After all the 026 is a 30 year old saw.. maybe you should Lear how to sharpen the chain, first.

Thanks for reviewing older model saws !

Thank you for explaining the awful stop-choke gizmo. Mine has had only moderate homeowner use and this has failed. In the run position a slight vibration will cause it to jump to the stop position. The plastics are just too soft. The air filter plastic cover has also failed. The contraption that is rotated and meant to secure the cover to the saw doesn't do its job, so that comes off when locked. Now I'm unable to start the thing and before I spend $200 to have it looked at (I'm in an expensive part of the USA) I'm just going to sell it on ebay and start over with another brand.

Any idea what those three little holes in the side opposite the pull cord side are?? Maybe you could do some research and find out.....I heard a rumor they had something to do with the carb and how it runs......

@samholden7563

7 ай бұрын

You smart ass haha definitely hear a little too much four stroking on the high end.

I bet when you installed the carb you caught the wire that kills the saw around the fuel line 90 at the side of the carb. That would put tension on the arm and cause it to pop out. I would make sure there is plenty of slack in that wire.

Yep that saw is to rich. The 026, 260 saws are great saws ive had one for years of heavy use . Just got a new 261 so we will see how that goes ,the 261s have a better air filter .

@samholden7563

7 ай бұрын

Too much four stroking on the high end

Thank you.

Heat shrink on switch may help keep in place after worn

Maybe drill hole thru the white plastic the red choke rod sets in.place hole just under red rod..run small zip tie thru hole and over red rod tighten tie to hold rod in place..

Great review. Thank.

How dare you mention Stihl and cough cough cough....any other chainsaw in the same sentence. Stihl is the king of chainsaws, 9 of 10 lumberjacks use Stihl, the others are dead...

@TheReal1953

4 жыл бұрын

That's a load of crap. I don't know what a "lumberjack" is, but I was a logger. "Lumberjack" is a Hollywood/sometimes old Canada term. Most shows I worked on were a sea of orange as in Husky. Stihl isn't "king" of anything. It's a matter of preference only. Don't try to sell Stihl to forest fireline fighters who had the saws spray gas mix at them, when they released the fuel caps 'quick turn' feature.

@commiecrusher

2 жыл бұрын

You probably tell people your brand of pickup truck is better than all the rest. Small units and big egos seem to go hand in hand wirh chainsaws and trucks.

Stihl is "okay"? When I was logging in the Cascades it was all anyone used. I'd say the pros beg to differ.

@cobhc1986

Күн бұрын

I don’t doubt that their pro models are good performers in the woods, but from the mechanic’s perspective, Stihl’s designs are not as friendly to the repair guy as certain other brands

What fuel and oil ratio do you use. I picked one of these up the other day and was wondering what was best. I usually run my newer saws 40:1 ratio. Is that ok for this older one. Thanks.

@cobhc1986

2 жыл бұрын

I run 40:1 in all my saws, even the old ones.

@kellyspann9845

2 жыл бұрын

@@cobhc1986 Thank you for the reply. That's what I use in my newer models too. Was afraid it being old it might have been different. Thanks again.

44.7 cc

Great video, my cover over the filter keeps coming off, any fix? What is the standard chain/bar size for the 026. Also has anyone used a chainsaw mill with this saw and how did it work?

@cobhc1986

4 жыл бұрын

Hi, check to make sure the locking knob on the filter cover is properly engaging in the corresponding slot in the filter. If it still won't stay on, the end of the locking knob or the slot in the air filter may be worn out and need to be replaced. I'd say 20" is about as long of a bar that you would want to use with a saw of this size. For milling, you'd be better off with a saw that is 60cc or above. Also, I no longer have this saw, but I think it was set up for .325 pitch chain, although the sprocket can be changed out for 3/8" pitch chain.

You did a good job with this video. Very knowledgeable and added some personal pros and cons. Would have been a "great" video if you had show starting the chainsaw ... some people have different was of doing things and since you definitely know what you are doing it would have been educational to folks like me that don't use chainsaws often enough to be an expert. I'm subscribing and will look forward to your other videos. Best wishes from Mike in Alabama aka Bama Phoenix.

@cobhc1986

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'll be sure to get some footage of starting a saw in a future video. The safest way is to have the saw on the ground with your right foot through the back handle, your left hand holding down on the handle bar and pulling the rope with our right hand. I usually start bigger saws that way. For smaller saws, sometimes I'll hold it by the top handle bar with my left hand and hold the back handle between my knees while pulling the rope with my right. That method is safer than "drop starting".

@captainobvious6025

5 жыл бұрын

@@cobhc1986 Love to drop start when warm...that's how a REAL man...balls and all hanging low starts a chainsaw...

STIHL 026= 2,6 kW= 3,5 hp

Like the home show

Keep it up my friend hoping i see more on the xl 12",ive just picked one up for 30$bucks from thrift store",shes a 1971 homelite super xl ",AO blue model super clean condition

@cobhc1986

3 жыл бұрын

There will be more videos soon

@toughluck686

Жыл бұрын

Super xl is a great saw

Id like to rebuild my 026. Where did you get the carb. Mine has been discontinued.

@cobhc1986

5 жыл бұрын

It was a Chinese reproduction that I found on eBay for around $14. You can find them all day long on eBay.

@phonfish

5 жыл бұрын

@@cobhc1986 Thanks. The local Stilh dealer wants $276 to put a new carb on and make it "emissions compliant". They werent supposed to rebuild the existing carb. Thanks again.

@doncarlton4858

3 жыл бұрын

I got a NOS carb on ebay

Какого года выпуска этот аппарат ?

Wonderful chineseum stuff

Looks like your chain catcher is missing.

7:05 those who are familar with Stihl will recognize this...... Yep..... The Chain catcher / hook is missing....

Nothing wrong with Chinese carbs, use them on most engines what I have and works same as good as those Chinese made with Stihl or other brand logo on.

Sacrilege to put a rubbish Chinese carby into a classic German saw

Have a 0.26 farm boss!! Electronic it's a nice saw. But I really l really like .031 that's nice also but I like even more ms361 !!!! But my old homie homelife. To climb a tree ms 200 un touchable

You were making me mad about 5 minutes into the video but keep up the good work

Listen up...Rumor is.....Heat gun the clothes hanger clamp looking rod holder on the choke on-off switch.Heat then cool a size smaller. Wish I could do it with my wife

@toughluck686

Жыл бұрын

Better stick with the saw it'll last much longer and want cost near as much to re build when it wears out

Rich is good. Lean is bad.

Holy SHIT! way too rich on the high speed jet and if that doesn't fix it then the chike flap is being activated during higher rpm's which will never allow the saw to run correctly. It should be winding up much higher then that, way higher, these saws are screamers when running right!.

@em4703

3 жыл бұрын

Yep. And the muffler, too many holes done to "mod it" by the previous owner. Like 4-5 times too many lol.

Just another husky fan making a video of a stihl chainsaw, " grippin " about something about the saw that he doesn't really like. Well if stihl was his saw that he would prefer like he prefers husqvarna, he would know the starting order and he would sharpen the chain and know what size saw it is by the model number

@cobhc1986

3 жыл бұрын

I know the starting order of any chainsaw. I actually make part of my income by fixing the things. The chain was brand new, factory grind. Also, there is nothing wrong with preferring one brand over another, especially when you do your own repair work.

My 028 will yours

2.6 cubic inch displacement Einstein.

@cobhc1986

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that, but you know, pretty much all other manufacturers go by cubic centimeters. So if someone is used to reading CC's by model number and they're not that familiar with Stihl, they'll have to go online and look up the conversion, if they don't already know how to convert standard to metric, if they want to find out how it compares in displacement to other brands.

CHINA....you said the WRONG WORD!.....goodbye...go get some chow mein.

Plastic, plastic, plastic...I thought Stihls were supposed to be top of the line chain saws? I fell into an 026 and it is my only saw. And, I have to get it running to be warm this coming winter. One third through your video and I am not encouraged. Sigh.

@cobhc1986

6 жыл бұрын

You really can't get away from the plastic these days with any brand. Homeowner grade saws will have more plastic than professional saws, but the pro saws still have plenty of plastic.

@dsimp765

5 жыл бұрын

Be encouraged, this man said this was his first Stihl owned. I bought my 026 brand new in 1991 and I still am running all the OEM parts including the air filter. For the first 10 or so years I cut 5-6 cords of pecan and mesquite per winter. Since then I only use mostly for trimming trees but it Stihl Runs. I'll post some pics soon.

@captainobvious6025

5 жыл бұрын

The 026 is probably one of the most common Stihl saws. It is a workhorse.

Какого года выпуска этот аппарат ?