What Chainsaw do you run?

100% agree with the MS261 recommendations.

The details are. You simply can not find a better saw (power to weight) in the same size frame as the MS261.

I ran an MS250 for a few years. It did ok, but it just didn't have the power to pull through some of the trees I encountered. Seemed like it was more work to cut through trees than it should have been. You can go the less expensive route and go that way. Or, you can cut out the middle man and buy the MS261 first, instead of upgrading to it later.

I found a good solid used MS 261 on Facebook Market. Went through it, cleaned it up. I put a foam filter on it and a "Bark Box" (muffler port). I also added some extended dogs and a bigger clutch cover (to throw the chips better).




The saw rips pretty good! Even with a 20 inch bar.

We cleared trails on Saturday. My wife, 2 sons, and I cleared 22 trees in 4.5 hours this past Saturday. Some of them we were able to just drag, Most of them we cut... half of them were this size.



We only had 1 saw with us. MS261 with a 20 inch bar.

 

Now... after having said all that.

I'm looking at doing another project saw this winter. I want something with even more power, that can pull a 25-30 inch bar. The choices I'm looking at are between an MS462 and an MS661. Anyone have any experience with those? Any suggestions on which way I should go?

Either way, the saw will receive a foam filter and bark box, and probably a port job. (I'm also looking at porting the MS261).

As far as I can tell this is how the 3 saws stack up (factory)... on the things that are important to me

MS261
10.8 pounds
50.2 CC
4.0 hp

MS462
13.2 pounds
72.2 CC
5.9 hp

MS661
16.5 pounds
91.1 CC
7.2 hp

With the 661, I really like the sound of 3.2 added hp over my 261... but it comes at the cost of being nearly 6 pounds heavier. The 462 seems to give quite a bit more power, without all the added weight. (Kind of leaning towards MS462)


Also... Does anyone have anyone they can recommend to port a chainsaw in California? Kind of hoping for someone between Bakersfield and Sacramento/Tahoe.

 

The power to weight on the 462 is great. Co worker has a 661 and it rips but is noticeably heavier.
The 500i is an awesome saw with loads power, 0.8 more than 462 and only .7lb heavier.

if price is similar I’d go 500i. It wasn’t available when I bought my 462 (which was a new saw model at the time of purchase)

My 462 has an 18” bar and handles cord after cord of sugar maple with ease.

 

Ya... I was really looking at the 462 (I will check out the 500i though, now that you mention it). A 661 popped up on FB Market that needs a little work, but at a really decent price. I started to fall for it. But damn, at 16.5 pounds... that bitch is heavy! But then I was telling myself it would be for the big cuts, on the big logs and the weight would almost help it sink in to the wood.

I need to re-focus and stick with the 13-14 pound plan... and stop thinking like Tim The Toolman Taylor "rugh, rugh, rugh."

 

Husqvarna 440, wanted a 455 rancher, but I don't need a saw that big that often anymore since I'm not on the farm.

 

If you have the need and or money to have a saw only for big stuff then by all means the 661 or even 880 would be perfect. But realistically a 462 or 500i have all the power you’ll ever need.

 

Knowing me... I'll probably end up with an 881 some day.

I can hear me now... trying to explain, to my wife, why I "need" the most powerful saw Stihl makes. And how I got a "good deal" on it.
At 25 pounds though, it would probably do a lot of time sitting on the shelf.

 

462 or 500i all day. Pick your poison. IMHO 661 and up are mill saws. No way in hell I’m humping around saws that heavy all day. I also don’t see the need. 500 will run any bar length you’d want

 

NOOB question...I have a Stihl MS180. General home use...felling small trees, cutting firewood or the occasional large limb from my neighbor's unmaintained trees that land in my yard. I've love to buy a bit larger/more powerful saw, but I think that's more of a want than a need. Are there any easy/inexpensive upgrades I can do to this saw to get better performance? I love the saw, but if there's something I can do easy/cheap to make it better, I'm game.

 

Did west coast port it or just the exhaust? Heard Gordy wasn’t porting anymore.

 

IDK I’ll ask. I’m working w them today. He said it was ported.

 

Sometimes WCS calls their "Bark Box" a muffler port. That may have been what he meant.
Gordy doesn't port any more... at least he doesn't offer the service any more. I'm sure he still ports engines from time to time. Maybe someone got Gordy to port it for them.

 

Hey y'all, been kicking around thoughts of picking up a chainsaw recently, something that can ride around in a space-restricted 4Runner. I've got some Ryobi 18v tools and batteries already, and searching through this thread I'm not seeing too many people pooh-poohing the 18v chainsaws. Does the hive mind still think they're worthwhile?

 

I think if you're going to be out in the woods, it's best to have a way to clear obstructions. I'd recommend having what ever you are comfortable with using and fits within your budget.

I have friends that carry battery powered chainsaws. That's cool for them... I carry a gas saw. That wont ever change.

 

I have a 535i husky and the smaller consumer grade Stihl battery saw. Had them for under my cap on my Tacoma when I had my great Dane and didn’t want fuel smell for him. They are fine for the odd softwood tree but nowhere near as capable as a pro gas saw. he was a big boy and wouldn’t fit in the cab

 

So, I've really been looking in to the MS500i. That thing is a bad bitchen ripper according to the specs.

I hear a lot of people are really happy with them. But then, as usual, you have a few that incessantly bitch about it. Saying it's a hunk of shit, never runs right, have to take it in to get reprogramed... etc, etc.

I think those comments are the usual to be taken with a grain of salt... BUT... they mention EXACTLY one of the things I typically try to stay away from... SPECIFICALLY - Quote "have to take it in to be reprogramed." I drive a 1st Gen Tacoma specifically because I think all the bells and whistles, and traction doohickies and all that other bullshit is garbage.

So... can anyone, with experience with a 500i, tell me the complaints are, in fact, to be taken with a grain of salt? Because now I think that's my next saw.

 

I've got the 12" bar DeWalt 20V chainsaw to keep in the truck. Love it. I also have a larger Stihl gas one for home, but find myself going to the electric one for almost everything. However, I don't live in the forest and have limited trees on my (small) property. Just used this to take down and cut up five 12"+ diameter (and a few smaller trees) on a friend's property. I think largest one was about 14" trunk. Got through over half of it on one 6Ah battery and finished up with spare 5Ah battery. Most of the trees were semi-dead, so would take more battery power to fell and prune large healthy trees.

They make a 18" bar version and I've seen people put longer bars on them too. For my purposes, the DeWalt 12" is perfect since mostly smaller stuff. It sure is nice to just grab something light (and quiet), add a bit of bar oil, and go to town. In general, was pleasantly surprised at its capability.

 

I have a 500i for my work saw. It's awesome. My guess is the people complaining don't let the saw calibrate before they start sawing. You're supposed to let it idle for about a minute before sawing and the same before you shut it off. Mine was ported by Jason Eagan and has his foam filter, muffler and was reprogrammed for the mods. It rips. You won't be disappointed.

 

Said he ported it himself and got the wcs intake, exhaust and dogs

 

Now that makes a lot of sense. Seems like the ones that bitch the loudest are the ones that are doing it completely wrong

Although I don't like a lot of the technological stuff. I do see where the "self adjustment" could be a big benefit. I cut anywhere from 4000 to 9000 feet when clearing roads. And then also at (basically) sea level when we are clearing orchard (almond) blow over with my father in law.