Sorry, I got the threads mixed up. I was thinking this was the 500 thread LOL. I haven’t run a 400 yet, so I can’t comment. If I had to guess, I would say it’s quite a bit more powerful than a 362, and not quite as much as a 462
Ran an errand this morning and ended up two buildings down from my local Stihl dealer (not the one i normally go to). My CAD had me curious if they had any MS400's for sale. I went in and looked. None to be seen. Several pro saws...261, 362, 462's on the shelf. I asked and guy didnt know when any coming in. Got rained out this afternoon and forgot to PU a pull rope for one of my saws so i went back. Couple guys ahead of me so i looked at the saws again and i couldnt believe my eyes... How did i not see them earlier? Turns out two came in after i left. The guy was mad as he didnt get my number. What are the odds of this??? I go into the dealer maybe every six months and now twice in the same day. Is it a sign from the chain saw gods? I left without one. Didnt have cash on me and dont have/use credit cards. I called my regular OPE dealer when i left and they didnt know if any coming in either. Id prefer to give them the business instead. What do i do???
piston is made of magnesium, lightweight. 67cc's MS 400 C-M The first chainsaw with a magnesium piston General Technical specifications Features Accessories Documents
So what do you think folks? Is the 400 to big to trim/limb? I’m thinking 20” light bar. Or should I just go with a 261? And no I’m not getting both!!
Well, I was limbing with my dolkita 6421 and it's about the same weight as the 400 when you add a b&c. I switched to the 029s for limbing and while it's 13 lbs without b&c, it's definitely lighter than the 6421 with the 20" b&c. I should"borrow" the ms211cba from my mom for limbing. Power head only is 10 lbs. Nice and light
261 for limbing. You already have experience with it since its the evolution on your 026 and MS260. What bar length were you running on those two DH? Get a 16" for bucking and 20" for limbing. I didnt get the 400...yet. My common sense kicked in and am hesitant now. Oh and you dont have to get both saws now. Get the 261 now and later this year get the 400! The 400 is a tad heavier (powerhead weight) than a 362.
Dang it BSB! Get the 400 so I can get a good comparison! If I get a 261 it will be 18” bar. I wish they had saw demos where you could run each saw for a couple hours to see how the weight felt. Pretty hard to tell just carrying the saw around the shop for a couple minutes. mid the 400 was fuel injected like I previously thought I’d get it for sure. Since it’s Not FI I’m not sure what the advantages would be. Heck... maybe I should sell my 460, 461, and 600 and get a 261, 400, and 500i. Now that’s a perfect 3 saw plan!
The 400 is faster than the 261. It doesn’t feel much heavier in the hand, but I’m certain at the end of the day it will. You’ll get more wood cut in the same amount of time. I run a 16” picco bar and chain on my 261 and won’t go any longer. If I didn’t have other saws i could see a 20”, but I think that would slow the saw way down. Mind you this is in the wood I cut. Oak, hickory, beech, sugar maple. Occasionally I’ll get softer woods but not often. I’m a fan of the 16” bar. On everything if possible. The 400 with a 16” is pure joy. 500 even more so.
Since you are in NC, your dealer may be under the SE Stihl distribution. And they have gotten terrible, my dealer said the company president had died and whoever runs it now, don't seem to care. 1 reason my dealer has started selling Echo's too.
