CAD again! Bought a new Stihl 462 CM

I had been fixated on a saw with a longer bar for a while. I have been running my 362 with a 25" (really only 24") bar for a while as my big saw. I wanted to put a 28" on it, but according to Stihl and what people have said on here, i was already maxed out with the 24/25" bar. And I would say that is probably correct.

I had seen this 462 CM on the local dealer's shelf for a while, and just couldn't get it out of my mind, because I knew it would or should open up a whole new world for me, and would even take a 36" bar if I wanted. I don't need a 36". I don't even need a 28" but I wanted one, not for cutting big wood, but for reach, less bending over when bucking, and also to reach back into brush and the limbs on big cedars, etc. and today, Osage Orange. I was not disappointed.

I wanted a 32" Lightweight bar, but they didn't have any lightweight bars. I made them mount up a standard weight 32" on the saw and decided that maybe that was a little much, so I went with a 28" standard bar and presently, I mounted a full house semi-chisel chain on it, because I am cutting/clearing a lot of really dirty wood, and a little less tendency for a bad kickback as I am pushing it a little cutting lot of brush and multiple limbs at more or less the same time, and I am cutting my stumps really low to the ground, so I can run over them without worrying about hooking them with equipment, side by side, etc. I hate high stumps, anywhere I might run over them, eventually.

Anyway, getting back to this saw, I had not ever run a 70cc saw before and I could definitely see a difference vs. 50 and 60cc saws. Not to take anything away from the smaller saws, I will still be using mine a lot, but I will say this is a nice addition to my battery of saws. I do love the way that this saw revs up, and just powered through stuff.

The only downside is the extra weight but that is not all bad, depending on what you are doing. I love it for down cuts into limbs, brush, etc. and the reach the longer bars has. I think I am still going to get a 32" lightweight just to have or even a 28" lightweight. It's a little heavy for the falling of trees that I do, as the weight is a little more then I can handle with precision and I will probably used my smaller saws still yet for a lot of that work, unless I am a little scared of the situation and that is where again I like the idea of the longer bar, so I can get a little farther back away from what might happen. It's definitely easier to do face cuts with the smaller saws.

 

The light bars are the way to go. I have a 36” E super that I’ll probably never use again after using a 36” light. Congrats on the new saw!

 

I love the how light a 462 is. And to me a 28 inch lightweight bar is just right.

 

Thanks, guys.
It's crazy how much I have spent on saws and axes this year, but I think I am about saturated now. But I can justify it, now that I am retired and working a lot more on the farm, trying to clean it up some, as the Cedars and Osage Orange, etc has really taken over in the last several years.

 

Yes, absolutely. I would not want a heavier saw for anything I will ever do.

 

Nice saw score. From all the feedback I've read, I think you'll be tickled pink with it.

 

Yes, I am going to want a lightweight bar or two, maybe even one on my 362 sometime. What brand of lightweight bar do you use?

 

That trio needs their buddy 500i to join the club.

 

The store had one on the shelf!
I picked it up and looked at it. It seemed a little heavier then the 462 and more expensive, but I don't remember the price, but I think it was up around $1800, $1900. I didn't mark the price down in my head, because I wasn't really interested, especially for the difference in money and it being heavier then the 462. I am sure it would be one heck of a saw for the person that needed it.

 

My 462 had a stihl 28 lightweight bar on it when I bought it.

 

Tsumara makes good lightweight bars, I have several of them. I prefer a solid bar for felling & the lightweights for bucking.

 

You have a beautiful group of saws there. I have thought of doing your thing -- sell what I have and start over with all Stihl pro saws. As for the 462, I have also lusted for that one. Gonna put a 24 (25) inch lightweight bar on my 362, that is the next purchase.

 

Curious, why a solid bar for felling, what's the difference?

 

Tsumura and Sugihara, I am sure their lightweight bars are great but nothing looks better on a well-kept Stihl than a Stihl Light bar. Looks even better than a Stihl brand non-lightweight bar to me.

As for the 500i, I don't recall it being $1,800; it seems I have seen this saw sells for around $1,300 in many places. Could be wrong.

 

I have ran a majority of all the lightweight bars out there. If budget isn’t an issue...the new cannon Duda lite is a great new bar. Tsumura makes a good bar and also Oregon makes a great lightweight bar. Stihl does also. Any of the above would work great.

 

I’ve been using 2 Sugihara’s for several seasons and have yet to dress either. I would have probably wore 2 Oregon/Husky bars out by this point.

 

Congratulations on the new saw. The 462 is a pretty nice saw. Ive had one for about a year now and tend to forget how powerful it is. Usually run a ms250 or something similar with a 16 or 18 bar. Then break out the 462 and am like, whoa, thats whats up. I have a 25 and 30 inch bar for mine and would be slightly doubtful about it running a 36" very well. My dealer doesn't carry or reccomend the light bars. I asked why, i think he said they are to flimsy and cost more money. I would still like to try one sometime. I went with the full wrap handle and have been glad i did quite a few times. I turned the oiler up for the 30" bar, and sort of forgot about it, til the dang thing was sticking real bad in some mulberry. Im used to a tank of fuel a tank of oil. Thats no longer the case if you adjust the oiler. Just a heads up. Enjoy it and enjoy standing up to buck.

 

That's what I have on my 362. I like the 25" bar, but mine is he standard weight bar. I think it would be better to have a lightweight bar on it, also.

 

Standing up to buck is why I really like the longer bars that and added reach in other situations. The first thing I did was turn the oiler up to max. Actually, I checked it, and it was already turned all of the way up when I bought it. I bet the dealer turned up when they were mounting the 28" bar on it. I like the idea of the full wrap handle, too. and some bigger falling dogs/spikes.

 

The 462 also has a pin you can depress to turn the oil screw further.