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

I've been needing a bigger saw for quite a while now, been using an 034 and 028 super for the last 15 years, and they are still serving me just fine. Got hit with a severe case of CAD on the way home from church today when I stopped at the hardware store to pick up a few things, but was drawn over to the big orange display. I've been thinking about a 661 but that might be over the top a 441 would probably be plenty. But then I've always been one to think more is better. I'm really just looking for a saw that will ease the work load on me when cutting the big stuff. What do ya'll think?

 

what do you consider big stuff? how long of a bar do you foresee using on a regular basis? a 90cc saw and a 36" bar aren't real fun to lug around when you only need a 70cc saw and 24" bar.

 

If you want mtronic then 441. 461 otherwise. More power with same weight from what I hear with the 461. Never used any of the above. Used a 440 awhile ago at work and really liked that saw, big jump from the 361's we were using IMO. Unfortunately they don't sell it any more due to EPA regs. 661 would be awesome but it might be overkill like you mentioned depending on what size trees your getting into. Good luck

 

my favorite saw for years was an 044/440 with a 20". It was about the same weight as an 036. The 046 was heavier with the 25" but I preferred the 440 for most general use. now the 441 weighs as much as the 461, short of a few ounces due to large fuel and oil tank capacities. I'd be inclined to buy a 461, especially one with extra bananas.

 

I like my 441, but it's as big and almost as heavy as my 660 without the same power. Id personally get a 661.

 

Right now I've got a lot of standing dead and down oak 24"-32"+ the 441 comes with a 25" bar which would be enough for most of my cuttting.

I looked at the 461 at my regular Stihl dealer a while back, gonna head there sometime this week and check em out.

 

Driver, The same thing happened to me. I've been using (happily) my 036 for years. Got the itch to buy another saw and came home with the 441. WOW... what a difference another 10cc makes! With the 25" bar it will make most firewood outings fun. It's not much heavier than the 036 either

 

in that case, i'd go with a 461 and get a 24/25" bar for normal use and a 32" bar for the rare occasions when you need bigger. you can do a lot of damage with a 25" bar, but if you have a 25" bar with big dawgs, it is a 22" realistic cut. the 441 cm seems to have great reviews. I haven't ever ran one of the Mtronic 441's so I can't totally compare experiences, but for 28-32" I'd go 461 if it were me. not much more weight and more powah

I haven't been in a stihl dealer in a number of years. I don't know how much price difference there is between the 441 and 461. the 441 might be plenty for you and you could get it with a number of sized bars. most dealers will add or subtract pricing accordingly.

 

Considering how steep your cutting area is I would think twice on the 661. Lugging it around the mountains may be more than you want to do. I think you would be well served with either the 441 or 461. What size bar do you have on the 034?

 

About a $100 difference in DSRP in my area with 20" bar. Remember not all Stihl dealers sell at the same price...some stick right to DSRP and others will work from that price... I've been wanting a 441 or 461 for awhile here so I'm all about this thread Like I said before, good luck deciding. FWIW I've picked up both saws at a stihl shop and the 461 is no heavier than a 441 to me.

 

Good point on the terrain. I'm running a 20" on the 034.

 

The 441 I looked at today was $974 with the 25" bar, they didn't have a 461 but then again this was a hardware store. Seems to me the last time I looked at the dealer the same saw was around $1049. Hmmm.

 

I have a 441 non M-tronic and a new 661. If you don't want to mess with carb adjustments get a 441 M-tronic. If you don't mind messing with a carb, go with a 461 with either a 25 or 28" bar they are very close in power and weight.

The 461 has an advertised HP rating only .3 HP more than the M-tronic 441. The 441 M-tronic is new technology that actually works. Unless your cutting trees 28" in diameter, and bigger, you won't really need a 661, but it is kinda fun, although overkill for most firewood cutters.

The 441 and 461 are tree eating beasts the 661 is just , well, BIG if you aren't spending most of your life cutting or milling wood. Either the 441 or the 461 will do everything you need it to do. Just buy a 32" bar and chain for the couple of times you cut something really big or when you want to impress the Princess of the Forest.

 

461 is my pick.

 

From the info I gathered this past year I agree. But I haven't used either or even started one for that matter

 

Stihl I would be looking at a 460 461 over a 441.

If choice of 440 044 or 441 I am on the 440 044 train.

 

If possible check around with your local stihl dealers to find the best price because as already posted,some will work with you price wise more then others and especially with the pro grade equipment.I have 3 stihl dealers that are pretty close to home and 2 of them will mostly stick to the retail tag price and the other takes 10% off of the tag price on about everything,with the saws your looking at that would be a decent price difference.

 

Whats a Stihl ?

 

I ran my 028 super for 20 years & never looked up.
Then I got my 044 . What a time saver! Plus it's fun.
Then a 660 mag. More fun. Plus I am running into bigger wood.
Then I catch CAD from you guys & end up with a 661.

Good news is that you can't really go wrong.