Okay, I give up.
I've been reading these Stihl threads for months now and comparing the specs online. The specs, pricing, and recommendations don't make sense to me, so help me understand.
Assuming we compare 16" bars (these also take 18" or 20"), here's what I've found:
The cheapest, the 290 Farm Boss, costs $349, weighs 13#, has a 3.8 bhp engine, and takes a 67-tooth, .325"/.063" (pitch/gauge) chain, on an 11 tooth
sprocket (it'll also take a .375"/.050", 60-tooth on a 10-tooth sprocket);
The 270/271 Wood Boss, costs $429, weighs 11.7#, has a smaller 3.4 bhp engine, and takes the same .325" chain as the 290 (but won't take a .375");
The 261 costs $559, weighs 11.6#, has a 3.75 bhp engine, and takes the same chains as the 290 Farm Boss.
So, if you compare to the baseline Farm Boss, the 261 costs $210 more, weighs 1.4# less, has a slightly less powerful engine, and takes the same chains.
The 270/271 costs $80 more, weighs 1.3# less, has an even less powerful engine, and has less chain flexibility.
I don't get it. Why spend spend $210 more just for 1.4# less weight? Or spend $80 more for 1.3# less weight and a 10.5% less powerful engine?
