In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Where's the 500i ?

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by TurboDiesel, May 5, 2020.

  1. Camber

    Camber

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    I don't use the decomp on any saw either. I don't know if it is just me, but the 500 really doesn't seem to need it. Nice load of larch. I miss being able to get it. I would have to drive around fifty miles to get my hands on any.
     
  2. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Nice load. Mine did the same yesterday. Didnt start on first pull after sitting warm for a bit. What bar length were you using Swanman
     
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  3. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    I dont use the decomp on mine but did a few times yesterday. On my 460 i use it all the time.
     
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  4. Swanman

    Swanman

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    Thankfully I only had to drive 15 miles for that load. The dead ones get grabbed up pretty quick. It’s the best firewood around here in my opinion. I burn a lot of Doug fir too.
     
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  5. Swanman

    Swanman

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    I have a 28” on it. I doubt that I will ever run shorter. I plan to get a 32 and/or 36 too. The 361 wears a 24 except when we go camping. I put on a 20 so it fits in the hatch on the camper better.
     
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  6. Swanman

    Swanman

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    I ordinarily don’t use the decomp, but the 500 has pretty stiff compression. I was concerned that the starter rope was getting abused. I read somewhere else that the decomps were kind of sticky on the 500. I can sure do without it.
     
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  7. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Ive actually run all my .375 bars...18, 22, 25, 28, & 36. I seem to like the 22" unless cutting huge wood.
    oops forgot about the 20"...that one no.

    Im the type of cutter who doesnt like to use a bar longer than what i need for the most part, but thats just me.
     
  8. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Few more tanks through her. Bucked some big red oak on Saturday and dead white oak yesterday. Im starting to get spoiled. Using the saw for smaller wood which my other saws could handle. Oh well, spent the money on it, might as well use it! My only gripe is the poor "gas mileage"
    Wearing a 25" bar with full skip chain.. Looks funny with a used bar on it! IMG_4931.JPG
     
  9. EODMSgt

    EODMSgt

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    I agree with you on that. When I found this beech blowdown, I only had the 290 with me so I drove home to get the 500i (I used the rationale that I already had a load in the back of the truck so needed to offload that before I cut this tree up). I didn't need to use it, and could have grabbed the 362, however I bought the 500i so why not use it?

    20210513_103930.jpg 20210513_103958.jpg
     
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  10. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Is that the first outing with the 500i?

    I see the hill you mentioned in the other thread. Reminds me of a a tree i cut years back in our woods. On a steep hill. Had to roll down to the trail. Some keep going down the other side and into the river!
     
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  11. EODMSgt

    EODMSgt

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    It's the first time I took the 500i out on a scrounge however I'm on my third tank of fuel as I have been using it at home. Definitely impressed with it and purchasing it was a great investment. I will probably go to a smaller bar as the 25" is overkill for most of what I get around here.

    It's always an adventure scrounging upslope, however that's where many of my good scores are. Knock on wood, I haven't lost any into the river yet.
     
  12. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    I like the 22" Carlton bar on my 500i. I was bucking 36" red oak last Saturday with it. I have used the 36" bar as well.
    Hoard on:tree: and cut safe :saw: my friend!
     
  13. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Cutting red maple last Friday. More saw than i needed but boy is it fun to cut with! :saw: IMG_5038.JPG IMG_5039.JPG
     
  14. EODMSgt

    EODMSgt

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    One of those days I was glad for the 25" bar.

    20210524_110247.jpg
     
  15. dwyleecoyote

    dwyleecoyote

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    I happened upon an available 500i just over 2 weeks ago while returning a rented tool... manager had heard from a friend I was thinking about it, so he held it back from the sales floor for me to see, I think someone backed out on the order. It looked so sad all nice and shiny like that, so I adopted it, along with a 25 inch light bar, 36 inch light bar, and my first stihl weedwacker with pole saw attachment to keep it company. Sadly, I have not had time to play with it, and June isn't looking good either. Can't wait to get a few tanks through it and see how different it feels from my 460 with 25 inch standard weight bar.... Just finished up an oak tree that yielded 4.5 cords, and got 2 more just like it to do. 3 year plan here I come, finally, just a little more scrounging while all this oak dries. I didn't catch that they threw a green label chain on it by accident, but I have yellow labels on hand, they will trade me next time I go in.
     

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  16. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Your 460 is going to become a shelf queen. Ask me how i know that! Congrats on the new saw!
     
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  17. Horkn

    Horkn

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    the Hustler mower dealer is also a stihl dealer, I stopped there to see the zero turns. no 500i there besides a cardboard cutout.
     
  18. dwyleecoyote

    dwyleecoyote

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    That is actually the plan. The 460 was my dad's last chainsaw, he got it just a couple years before he passed on in 2003. It had a break for several years because I took a long break from burning wood altogether, but over the last 10 years it has been more of a workhorse every year. 2 or 3 years ago it even got a new top end due to carb getting out of whack and wrecking the piston and cylinder. I had it repaired without hesitation, but I just don't want to completely wear out my old mans saw. It will be backup/occasional use going forward. The bar/chain interchangeability is a nice bonus.
     
  19. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Nice to have the memory of him with the saw. My plan is the same. Although im still pondering getting an MS400. 67cc saw Mtronic with a magnesium piston.
    Wanna see pics of the 500 in action! :saw:
     
  20. Lastmohecken

    Lastmohecken

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    Does the 500i oil the 36 inch bar sufficiently? Just curious.
     
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