Larger Saw Purchase

[oosik]

When I cut trees on the property(30 years ago, for firewood) I had a very large Sthil(like the 660 or bigger) with a 26 or 28 inch bar. The Ponderosa pine on my property are old growth and run 28 to 40 inches on the butt. It was great for felling and cutting to length. For anything else, it was way to heavy and too long. And as you tire with a saw that big - your toes and front of your feet become subject to loss, you get my drift.

What xring100 (Dave) says about upper body strength is a VERY valid point. I could, back then, handle the big Stihl, safely, for about two hours. Now, I would not even consider using a saw that big. Now, I have two smaller Stihls - MS192 with 14" bar and MS280 with 20" bar. If I can't cut it up with either of those two saws - then to He77 with it.

 

[vtrick00]

Thanks for all the input. Your shared experience definitely will help with my decision. I have 16 acres that is completely wooded. Most of the trees are oak and beech. All being in the size class I mentioned. The dozen or so trees that need to come down are either near my house or driveway. After the last storm. Two were blown over blocking my drive. I was stranded until my neighbor help me cut enough of a path to go to the stihl dealer. That got me thinking about the bigger saw and the other trees that needs to be fell. I'm getting a little age on my carcass and probably couldn't handle very big saws for an extended period. If I plan the jobs out, I would eliminate the trees one at a time making sure I would not be over doing it. I would be using the 261 for most of the work after getting the tree fell. I'll narrow my focus down to a 441 or a 460. The dealer had a 441 on the shelf yesterday and it felt good, weight and balance. Since the 460 weighs the same is the balance similar to the 441? Should the Mtronic be a factor in deciding on which saw?
Thanks
Rj

 

[mikehaugen]

If I had envisioned owning a 660 or 460 I would have definitely bought a ms260 or 261 instead of the 361. As its usued pretty much only for limbing.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=382646"/>

Exactly the boat I'm in. I have a 361 and a really small 015. The 361 is a great all around saw, but find myself wanting a little bit bigger or a little bit smaller saw most times. My next purchase will probably be a 261, but for a bigger saw, a 461 doesn't seem like enough imrovement, and a 660 is probably bigger than needed.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

No matter what you decide, always remember that a chainsaw has NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE OR LIMBS. As previously noted, never use a saw that feels to heavy, or unwieldly...also if you decide to get a new saw...keep your original...worst thing is you stick the new saw in a cut that binds it up...now you need the old saw to cut the new one out. as the food lion would say, "Just my two cents". BobG in VA

 

[Happy Gilmore]

No matter what you decide, always remember that a chainsaw has NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE OR LIMBS. As previously noted, never use a saw that feels to heavy, or unwieldly...also if you decide to get a new saw...keep your original...worst thing is you stick the new saw in a cut that binds it up...now you need the old saw to cut the new one out. as the food lion would say, "Just my two cents". BobG in VA

Very good point! vtrick, not being a wise guy,but how much time under your belt felling and bucking up wood do you have? One worthwhile investment, even if only for your current saw is a good pair of chaps. I can speak firsthand on what a chainsaw does to flesh, not pretty. Chaps are a good investment, a helmet with eye and ear protection doesn't hurt either.

 

[vtrick00]

Great suggestions. I'll invest in a good pair of chaps and put safety first. It's been several years since I did quite a bit of felling. I may contract the local company to fell the couple of trees that are closest to the house.

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks for all the input. Your shared experience definitely will help with my decision. I have 16 acres that is completely wooded. Most of the trees are oak and beech. All being in the size class I mentioned. The dozen or so trees that need to come down are either near my house or driveway. After the last storm. Two were blown over blocking my drive. I was stranded until my neighbor help me cut enough of a path to go to the stihl dealer. That got me thinking about the bigger saw and the other trees that needs to be fell. I'm getting a little age on my carcass and probably couldn't handle very big saws for an extended period. If I plan the jobs out, I would eliminate the trees one at a time making sure I would not be over doing it. I would be using the 261 for most of the work after getting the tree fell. I'll narrow my focus down to a 441 or a 460. The dealer had a 441 on the shelf yesterday and it felt good, weight and balance. Since the 460 weighs the same is the balance similar to the 441? Should the Mtronic be a factor in deciding on which saw?
Thanks
Rj

I have a MS441CM and a MS660. I really don't need anything bigger than the 441. If I was going to buy a 441 it would defiantly be a Mtronic, it makes for a awesome running saw. The 441 has a better antivibe than the 461 or 660. It a smooth/ comfortable saw to run. The 441cm is the Rolls Royce of chainsaws. If were you I would look at the 441CM or the 660. Once you get up the a 461 you are almost up to the price of a 660. If you are not used to running a big saw either saw will give you a work out.

 

[94BULLITT]

I also forgot to saw the 441 likes to turn high rpms and the 660 had a lot of torque.

 

[motownbrowne]

A good combo is a 50cc saw, which you have and a 70cc saw like the 440 series. I have a 50 and 60. Bought the 60 (ms361) first. It was a good compromise. I lived in WA then and there was some big firs to cut, so the 24" bar was handy. Doing it over, I would get a 50 and 70.

90 is overkill for your task. A ms660 is not fun to lug around. Saws that big are for cutting a lot of firewood fast or felling real big timber. The arborist I worked with regularly dropped 40"+ firs with a 460 and 36" bar. It was plenty of power.

 

[newbury]

<snip>A ms660 is not fun to lug around. Saws that big are for cutting a lot of firewood fast or felling real big timber. The arborist I worked with regularly dropped 40"+ firs with a 460 and 36" bar. It was plenty of power.

But if you ever want to CSM they are very handy.