I have an 026....and 30 other chainsaws. The 026 (260) is a great 50cc class saw but IMHO (I'm a Stihl mechanic) 20" is more than that saw likes. We recommend at least the 290 for 20" firewood duty but if you were a friend you'd leave my shop with the 361.

Another thing to consider is picking up a chainsaw backpack.

I'll cast another vote for the 361.

A 260 is happiest with a 16" bar in hardwood, in my experience. I wouldn't want to saddle it with more bar than that. It is entirely capable of handling 20" hardwood with a 16" bar, and if carrying the saw around is a concern then a lighter, lower-powered saw would be a worthy trade-off. Trail clearing generally involves a lot of walking and relatively little cutting, so power/speed trade-offs aren't the same as with a production firewood operation, for example.

A 361 would be very nice, too, and only a hair heavier.

I`m mostly in agreement with computeruser on this, infact I agree entirely with the first part of his thread.

I also like the 361 and feel that it is one of the best and nicest to use saws currently available but I don`t consider the extra 1.5# that it weighs over the 260 to be insignificant for a saw that will be carried more often than not and besides, if it`s trail maintenance that you are doing, how many trees in the 20" range are you going to be cutting anyway?

I think that the 260 is a real first class choice for trailwork. I just wouldn`t let it out of my sight!

Thanks for all the information and suggestions. I was able to negotiate a very good price on the Stihl 260, so I am now the proud owner of one. I tried it out on an old oak log in my backyard, and that saw is a cutting fool. It cut though the oak like butter without even slowing down. I need,however, to make two comments on things I have seen in other posts on this forum.
1. Stihl's "list price" isn't fixed. I went to three different dealers and they had three different "list prices" (two of these places were the same company, just the dealer in different towns). The difference in "list prices" was $60.00 and each told me they couldn't do any better because Stihl set the price and they couldn't change it. It turned out that one of the dealers gave trail maintainers a discount, however, so I was able to get a price on the Stihl that was about the same as the internet price of a Husqvarna 346xp (the other saw I was considering).
2. Stihl dealers (at least this one) don't have a great set-up and training program for folks who buy saws from them. The "follow-up" after I said I would take the saw, consisted of filling it with gas and chain oil, starting it to be sure it ran, and tossing a owners manual and scrwench on the counter. I had to ask him about a follow-up caborator adjustment (yes, they do one after 2 or 3 tanks of gas). They may have thought that I was experienced enough to not need any training of follow-up (I am), but I could just as easily have been one of the fellows who just completed the required chainsaw training for trail work and had little or no actual user experience. There may be advantages to buying a saw from a local dealer, but good saw set-up and training when you buy a new saw from them isn't one of them, at least for this dealer with me.
Bottom line, however, is that I am thrilled with the saw, and look forward to a lot lighter load when carrying it on the trail. Thanks again for all your input.

Congrats on the new Stihl.

May I say when I bought my 1st new Stihl, the dealer did the same thing as your dealer.

However, as soon as I started to ask about the saw, he spent 15 minutes with me going over everything and was prepared to keep going if I had more questions. This was while there were other folks standing around in the shop. :)

It leads to believe the dealers assume you might have some knowledge because your willing to invest in a Stihl in the 1st place. Know what I mean?

I was/am a little concerned that my dealer said I would not need to do a carb tweak to my new 192T or 361 until it was time for their 1st service. However, I have the service manuals headed my way and I will tweak them myself.

Good luck with your new 260. Get yourself some RSC loops if they set you up with a low-kick chain. You'll realy buzz through your wood pile. ;)

I sent this to torowrench..any other input guys? This saw is killing me..I can't hardly pull the cord, but pull the plug..it's fine. I pulled the side piece off with the pull cord, thinking it was the exhaust that was plugged, saw the the tube coming from the lower section. Cleaned it out with air, everything is flowing..put it back together..I can't hardly pull this cord. I know the basics here...what am I missing on this thing?

I sent this to torowrench..any other input guys? This saw is killing me..I can't hardly pull the cord, but pull the plug..it's fine. I pulled the side piece off with the pull cord, thinking it was the exhaust that was plugged, saw the the tube coming from the lower section. Cleaned it out with air, everything is flowing..put it back together..I can't hardly pull this cord. I know the basics here...what am I missing on this thing? SORRY its a 250 saw