MS461 air filter question

I ran my hd2's with the outerwears and they worked well. My only complaint about the outerwears was you had to make sure it was placed onto the filter properally, otherwise it would collect and trap all the fines on the inside. Mine had a habit of riding up and not always staying in place.

 

Im just doing a little compairing I like to have the filtration that the 441 has that would be nice. Im still trying to decide if I want to cross over to new tech still. One min im willing the next im not. So I have been reading everything I can find on the 441 and the 461

On a positive note I have not found any bad things on 441 cm. The 461 a couple minor issues, the air filter being one and the decompression valve sticking up a little high and easily broke off.

Most of the info online is a couple years old though. I did see a youtube vid where a guy stated he left his filter purposley clogged some so his saw wont run lean. I never had a problem with any of my saws running lean because the filter was to clean not sure what he was getting at on that one

 

I was looking for a 70cc saw for the past year or so. 441c, 461, 372xp all were on my list. Being the 441c weighs the same as a 46, the choice was alot easier imo. 461 for me. Based on a good design IMO the 440/460 series. 372 has been around a long time also, now with xtorq. I'm a stihlhead though at the end of the day.

 

A tank of compressed air or a can of compressed air from walmart is pretty easy to carry and use to blow it out in the field

 

Funny cause i tried a compressed can of air from walmart yesterday and it left alot to be desired in my opinion. Outerwears is $8 and free shipping so I got one on the way...

 

I used the outer wears on dirtbike air filter. We oiled thoso and kept several in a ziploc to readily change out when needed. U talkin about a tacky mess!! Lol!! The low volume can from wal mart does leave alil to be desired. The portable carry tank does a better job

 

Ya those little saucer tanks would be good, if a guy was running wide open cutting...

 

I don't see the need to check the air filter during each tank fill, or even every other for that matter. How much do you really clog up a filter in just one day? I tend to clean my saws after a day of cutting and I don't really notice all that much build up. Granted, I don't have a 461, but my 440s can't be any better at pre-filtering than a 461, that's for sure! Seems you guys are being a little more anal than need be.

 

Dex, I am just wondering what do you like about the 460/461 over the 441?

 

Ive had all 3 . Not sure what Dex will say but I would say torque

 

Having owned all three as well I would agree. I personally thought the 461 was more comfortable to run too; slightly better than the 460, but significantly better than the 441.

 

I would't say anal

I am just trying to get all the info I can to make a good decision on my next saw.

It really helps me to hear what others have experienced with their saws. If I was spending $100 I wouldnt care as much, however its as you know more than that. Basically when I go to buy the next saw I get I want to know I have made the best desicion that I could based on the info I acquired. I dont mean for this post to sound sarcastic its not meant to be

 

It depends on how much cutting you do at once. If you go and cut in a wood pile all day and burn a gallon or more then you'll probably want to tap the filter ot a couple times during that day. If you cut a load at a time then it won't matter. If you do some milling with it then I suggest getting a max flow kit.

 

I agree here, it would take alot of cutting in a day to affect anything if you start with a clean filter. Take my experience as of late with a 261c though, that can affect my opinion of not having that prefiltration of these newer stihls or most any husqvarna. There is a difference for sure between the two.

 

With a max flow I can go cutting for a week and not clean the filter As long as I'm not running a cover.

 

Thanks for your thoughts Dex,

I've heard people say the 441 sips gas, or has good fuel economy, but I've never noticed that on mine! Mine drinks gas like a college kid drinks beer on a Friday night! I do like the A/V and filtration though

I dont have any run time on a 460/461, but maybe I'll change my thoughts after running one, but for now I like my 441cxb

 

Ran 3 tanks through the 461 today non-stop and this is what I picked up. Wood was very green and chain was touched up before I started so there wasn't much dust. It's definitely a thirsty saw in terms of fuel though but I could personally care less about that.