MS 461 is so purdy

Stopped by the Stihl dealership after work and looked at the MS 461. Oh that saw is so beautiful. I have a MS 362 so my line of thinking is the 461 R is a must have in my future. What a 60cc can do a 74cc can do better is what I say.

 

The only thing I don't like about my 461 is that I don't get to use it enough.

If I had a 362 I would step up to the 661. I think the gap is between 362 and 461 is to close. For an extra $200 you get a 91cc saw. Pretty sure there's not much you couldn't cut with a 661.

 

My stable is 362 with a 16" combo, 461 with 20" combo and a 661 with a 25, 28 and now a 32" combo. BUY IT! BUY IT! YOU'LL LOVE IT!!

 

Ralphie, if you could only buy one would you go with the 461 or spend the extra $200 for the 661?

 

I have both so I'd say get the 661 but ask tbe dealer to get it hot, shut it off then restart it hot. If it starts hot pay the man. If not get the 461.

 

I totally agree!!! Unfortunately this test is only valid if it is hot an humid outside. In my experience, all m-tronics and autotunes do fine in cooler weather. Also, it needs to sit for one or two minutes, not just off then immediately on. That lets the heat get to the carb.

 

I have a 661 and I love it! The auto tune is nice because when its cold in the dead of winter 2 pulls and mine fires right up! But I would like the opportunity to tune the saw to what I want. I am thinking that in the future I am going to put a tunable carb on it. With just the power head it only weighs 2 more lbs than the 461.

Go for the big boy!

 

When the weather is warm but the saw is cold it only takes one pull to start. Although after I bought it I was having some issues with it not restarting after it ran out of gas, after I filled it back up of course. The shop upgraded and changed the fuel mixing solenoid and I've had no problems since.

 

I would get the MS 461. $200 more is a lot more money and really what are you going to cut day in, day out that you need a bigger saw for? I cut professionally, cut big trees (not Redwoods granted), but the 461 gets it done.

I got mine last fall and I would say that they are going to modify it soon to autotune. Not really required in my opinion, the thing fire up just fine summer or winter and takes a beating. Yeah I busted the vent button and cracked the air cover when a tree fell on it, but that was hardly the saws fault. Even then it runs so I run it.

I have put 300 cord across it in the last six months for what it is worth...a good saw for sure.

 

Ill second the 362/661 combo , i agree the gap isnt big enough between a 461 and 362 and for big logs its not so much the power advantage the 661 has but its bigger clutch etc etc...its just made to cut big wood in a better way and for a firewooder being able to noodle better and things along those lines...my opinion.

 

The more I think about it, the 661 makes better sense. The price difference is only around 200 and I get a much bigger saw. I bet the 661 wearing a 20 inch bar would chew through some oak.
I like yall's line of thinking men. Don't know when I will pull the trigger but the trigger will be pulled.

 

I know 200 bucks means something different to everyone so its totally subjective what its worth but if you have that saw 10 years what did that 200 bucks mean ? .. probably nothing ... and like i said you will have a saw that is comfortable and capable of cutting big wood...good choice.

 

Occasional use is all the more reason to buy a 661 in my opinion.. if this dude was walkin tough terrain everyday dumpin trees i could see where a weight issue would come in and then it would depend on his personal strength/saw fitness .. people seldom regret more power over not enough.

 

A 661 with a 20 inch bar? What in tarnation!

Seems a waste to me. Buy that 461 a long bar, a few chains, a few beers and have a 10 spot in your pocket. Open up the muffler and if you really want send it for a light port job and some polishing.

That's what I'd do if I ran the world.

 

I think I"m gon a try that just for fun.

 

Dont forget the 10 pin.

 

2 years ago a few guys were cutting a pile and this one guy was doing just that. Rocking a 661 with a 20 inch bar. He wasn't outcutting anyone..he was also standing on the pile and slipped and fell forward while running the saw. I'll never forget that idiot.

 

He didnt chain the saw right.

 

I was just thinking that a 20 would rip. Will probably go with a 25 at the most.

 

I think a lot of people over-bar their saw. Stihl themselves thinks so too because when they do a pick your saw tutorial, they point that very notion out. The tree in my Avatar is a 30 inch Ash and yet I felled that with a 18" bar on my MS 461. Not only dos the saw have a lot more power, it means a lot less filing. I don't know about you guys, but I file enough as is. That was the worst thing abot having a chainsaw sawmill...filing that huge long chain!!