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

All you Stihl guys help me make up my mind...

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by Driver, Dec 28, 2014.

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  1. Jon1270

    Jon1270

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    Me too. My experience is all with the older models, but I thought the MS460 was more weight than I cared to carry if I didn't have to, and the 064, while fun, felt a little ridiculous for my purposes. I recently got an 044 and it's my keeper. It's only about 6 oz. heavier than an 036 but considerably more powerful.
     
    Jon1270, Dec 28, 2014
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  2. Driver

    Driver

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    Well I can see from what's in your stable in your sig you will be no help at all:rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol:
     
    Driver, Dec 28, 2014
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  3. bigbarf48

    bigbarf48

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    I think a 441 would serve you well. That said, I'd love a 661 for a big saw :D. I don't do any lugging around, as my log loads get dumped right in the front yard, so weight is no issue for me. I just want a big badazz saw :saw:
     
    bigbarf48, Dec 28, 2014
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  4. Driver

    Driver

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    Yeah that's part of my problem as well must be a symptom the CAD for me:rofl: :lol: pretty sure it will be either the 441 or 461, back in my real world where most of my cutting is on steep hilly ground the 661 will just be to much saw, but I do like my chainsaw fantasy world.:)
     
    Driver, Dec 28, 2014
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  5. bigbarf48

    bigbarf48

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    Good choice :thumbs:

    The real world isn't quite as fun though is it :rofl: :lol:
     
    bigbarf48, Dec 28, 2014
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  6. Steven Humes

    Steven Humes

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    I would say just get the 661 because you have the 034 for the smaller 20 inch trees so mine as well get the saw that cost a little more and will save you time. Terrain is only a matter of a truck with 4x4 lol. How often do you only take on saw out with you anyways? No matter what you get you will.enjoy the new toy. :)
     
    Steven Humes, Dec 28, 2014
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  7. bigbarf48

    bigbarf48

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    This is actually a good point. Will the saws you have now stay in service or be phased out by this new saw?
     
    bigbarf48, Dec 28, 2014
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  8. Steven Humes

    Steven Humes

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    Keep buying you will keep using all of your saws.
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2014
    Steven Humes, Dec 28, 2014
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  9. Driver

    Driver

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    Gonna keep what I got the new saw whatever it will be is just an addition to the family. Sooo that is a good point.
     
    Driver, Dec 28, 2014
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  10. bigbarf48

    bigbarf48

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    Something to consider :)
     
    bigbarf48, Dec 28, 2014
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  11. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    For what your explaining, the 441 or 461 would fit the bill. If I remember correctly the 441 has better AV springs then the 461 and plus its Mtronics.
     
    Chvymn99, Dec 28, 2014
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  12. Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

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    I have never tried the 461, but can tell you the 441 is a BEAST compared to the 036! It really handles well, has great AV and big increase in power. So far it has more than satisfied my CAD itch :dancer:
     
    Woodchuck, Dec 28, 2014
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  13. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    The MS441CM has a lot of advantages over the 461, just not power. It weighs within an ounce of a 460, which is significantly lighter than ANY 90cc saw I can name.

    Spring AV system is one that's rather underrated if you ask me. I notice it the most at the end of the day. Sure I like the "wild animal" feel of the MS440/460/461 but it sure is nice to not have your arms tingling at the end of the day. And yes, the "stiff" version of the springs are on all 441s now. (Has been for some time.)

    M-tronic, the saw is properly tuned at all times in all conditions. No carb adjustments, no limiters to defeat, no screwdrivers to carry. The system has proven itself to be rock-friggin-solid reliable for years now. It just works, bar none. You want to do a muffler mod? Carve out the muffler to your hearts content. Then go cut wood. Yup, it's that easy.

    Speaking of mufflers, the 441CM actually comes with a pretty decent one. It's an empty stainless steel can with an outlet that's significantly larger than the original 441's. No baffles, no dual-port front covers to buy.

    Another good one is the Air Injection like precleaning. The filter for the 441/460/461 is the same part, but it's going to stay cleaner, much longer in a 441 than a 461. What does that mean? Well, it sure was nice to run 3-4 tanks for the day and not have to clean the filter once. My 460 was fill the tanks, knock out the filter. It also means that you won't be losing power to a clogged air filter.

    And the power? Well my stock 441CM ran a 28" bar in tough hardwoods with absolutely no trouble.

    So what's not so good about the 441? Well, they aren't a whole lot of fun to work on if you have to do more than change a carb or coil. They certainly do not tear down and assemble as easily as a 460/461, which is probably one of my favorites to work on.

    For those that just can't stand the thought of giving up 5.5cc and maybe half a second in the cut, the 461 is your saw. Otherwise, I'm keeping my 441. :D:saw::saw::saw:
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2014
    MasterMech, Dec 28, 2014
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  14. Carbine

    Carbine

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    X2...They are sweet saws. Lots of torque, I know a couple dealers around here sell a lot of them. I made sure I got ahold of one when they were fresh out on the market lol.
     
    Carbine, Dec 28, 2014
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  15. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    You know, I drooled and wore out the road between my house and the dealer just before they came out. When he finally got one, I was so disappointed because it really wasn't what I wanted in a new saw. (Remember, I had two 460's at the time.) That's not taking anything away from the 461 tho. They are beasts, just not the kind I was looking for. ;)
     
    MasterMech, Dec 28, 2014
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  16. Freakingstang

    Freakingstang

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    whens the Mtronic coming to the 461? only took stihl 14 years to get spring Av's... lol
     
    Freakingstang, Dec 28, 2014
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  17. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    and Air Injection.... :sherlock:

    I've wondered the same thing myself but honestly I think the 461 exists for those who don't want M-Tronic or strato engines, and want a saw that looks (kinda), sounds and feels like the 440/460 did.
     
    MasterMech, Dec 28, 2014
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  18. Freakingstang

    Freakingstang

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    yeah... I hear that.. no emissions famdangled thingy... lol

    i remember cutting wood with my uncle when he was still alive and being out in the woods loading up three trucks and two trailers with big knotted up wood I had a 28" on my 372. His 046 air filter had to be cleaned every tank of fuel and oil. we went at least three tanks that day. he asked me if I was going to check my air filter. (on my 365w 372 topend). I said, nope. Don't need to. I let him run it a tank..... didn't have enough "torque" for him, but was amazed how I cut all day without sharpening or cleaning the air filter.. he noticed how smooth and how light it was. that had to have been in 2004-2005... I have that saw now and think about that day every time I run it. 404 20" bar. he always wanted an 066 with a 25" for the "big stuff"... He never got to run my 066 or 660 before his paralyzing motorcycle accident.

    The 441 non m tronics were a fail when they came out.. same weight as a 460 with what seemed like less power than a 440. I tried to like one of those and just couldn't...
     
    Freakingstang, Dec 28, 2014
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  19. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    They also were a radical departure from the way Stihl had been building saws for the last 30 years or so. Now the new gen Huskies are the easy ones to work on! :bug:

    It's too darn bad that my chances of getting to run a non-Mtronic 661 are extremely slim. It's the only non-strato saw to get M-tronic tech to date and I wonder if there is as big a difference between those models as there is with the other models that went M-Tronic mid-stream.
     
    MasterMech, Dec 28, 2014
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  20. UncleJoe

    UncleJoe

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    How about a used o46/460. Add a 28" bar and you're all set. I have a 10 year old 460 that still does everything I need it to.
     
    UncleJoe, Dec 29, 2014
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