Looking for a bigger Stihl

[firecracker_77]

Seeking opinions for a saw to handle 25-30" diameter rounds. Want enough power to handle just about any job. Not sure if a 440 or 660 would be better with say a 30" bar.

I'm partnering up with a guy who I co-own my splitter with to keep the cost down here as well. Neither of us would use it everyday, but it would be great to have around when you want to rip and tear.

If I put a 20" bar on those powerheads, it would make bucking a lot quicker for normal sized stuff. Only problem is the fatigue factor. I don't like using heavy saws all that often.

I think people tend to lust after the high h.p. without considering how those are to operate day in and day out.

 

[HittinSteel]

If you're buying new, the 440 is likely not a contender as it has been replaced by the 441.

I'd check out the 461 if it was me. Should run a 28" bar just fine. The 441/460/461, shouldn't be that much heaver than your 290. The 660 is a different story, it is a big honking cumbersome saw.

 

[Freakingstang]

24 to 30" is a big jump. A 440/460 will run a 24" just fine, but will struggle on the larger 32" bars. when I had a 440, 460 and 660, I ran a 20" on the 440 25" on the 460 and a 28-36" on the 660. The 660 is a heavy brute and will wear you out right quick. a 440/441/460/461 would be ideal with a 25" and be able to handle a 28-32 on occasion if you needed it. a 25" will handle one helluva tree.

 

[firecracker_77]

How much faster would a 440 be on a 22" diameter log than a 290? Is it worth spending $600 a piece for occasional use?

 

[Freakingstang]

quite a bit faster. The 290 is a 56cc mid range saw for people that cut 2-3 cord a year imo. The 440 is 70cc saw. it will rip through some 20" hardwood. I'm kind of a saw snob, but for years I only cut with a 65-70cc saw for just firewood. the older I get I like the lighter saw (260 sized) for the smaller stuff.

It depends on how much you cut if you can justify it. If you are only cutting a tree here and there, then you won't be happy shelling out a ton of cash on a big pro saw. I don't remember offhand how much a 290 weighs, but id bet that it is real close to a 440. personally I'd buy a 044/440 and sell off the 290, then down the road look for a nice 260 pro or 261.

 

[TreePointer]

From Stihl's current offerings, I'd go for the 461 right now. If you run into a good deal on a used 660, go for it (you can never have too many saws). Keep in mind that the 661 is supposed to be released in the USA soon (this fall?) with its improvements.

My "big" saw right now is Makita 7901 (actually a 6401 with an OEM 79cc top end). It usually wears a 24" bar and can pull a 32" full comp chain just fine in hardwoods.

I did tell my favorite Stihl dealer to hold a 661 for me when he gets one. It really is unfair because he knows I have CAD.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

1) My 2 year old 440 runs the sh_t out of a 32" bar

2) The 660 is a huge saw and used by very few professional loggers ("arborists" may pipe down now)

3) You need not run a 30" bar to cut 30" rounds - a 24" will work just dandy

4) Forget the 660

 

[Bigg_Redd]

How much faster would a 440 be on a 22" diameter log than a 290? Is it worth spending $600 a piece for occasional use?

For me it has nothing to do with speed. My 440 replaced an 8 year old 290 (the 290 cut many cords and is still running strong) because I was tired of the cut-roll-cut-roll-cut wresting match I'd go though once or twice a year with my 290. With the 440 it's cut-roll-finish. Yes it's faster in the cut but it's main time saving is in not having to dink around rolling and re-rolling big logs.

 

[firecracker_77]

From Stihl's current offerings, I'd go for the 461 right now. If you run into a good deal on a used 660, go for it (you can never have too many saws). Keep in mind that the 661 is supposed to be released in the USA soon (this fall?) with its improvements.

My "big" saw right now is Makita 7901 (actually a 6401 with an OEM 79cc top end). It usually wears a 24" bar and can pull a 32" full comp chain just fine in hardwoods.

I did tell my favorite Stihl dealer to hold a 661 for me when he gets one. It really is unfair because he knows I have CAD.

the 660 is almost the same price as the 461.

 

[TreePointer]

For my firewooding, I don't really need anything more than my 346XP and the 7901. Getting any 70cc saw will be a dramatic improvement over a 290. Heck, even a good 60cc saw (361/362) is in a different league than a 290.

Since you asked which Stihl saw I'd want to cut 25-30" logs, that would put me in the 70cc saws (440/441/460/461). I could go bigger, but I don't like lugging extra weight if It's not necessary. That's why I'd only add a 660 to my stable if I found a good used one. Do I need a 660/661? No. Do I want one? Yes (CAD).

 

[lukem]

Go to the dealer and pick up (not buy...just physically pick it up and hold it) a 660. Have them put a 28 or 32 bar and chain on it. Stand there and hold it for about 5 minutes.

Then do the same thing with a 441 or 460.

Then think to yourself, this 660 isn't going to cut that much faster unless I have this enormous bar buried in hardwoood, is it worth the extra weight?

Then make your decision.

 

[firecracker_77]

Go to the dealer and pick up (not buy...just physically pick it up and hold it) a 660. Have them put a 28 or 32 bar and chain on it. Stand there and hold it for about 5 minutes.

Then do the same thing with a 441 or 460.

Then think to yourself, this 660 isn't going to cut that much faster unless I have this enormous bar buried in hardwoood, is it worth the extra weight?

Then make your decision.

I wanted an ultra lightweight and went to the dealer this morning and picked up a 201T. That at 9 pounds is too heavy to be a one hander. I know what you mean. This saw won't be a daily use saw. I still use my 192 whenever I can. At 7 pounds, there's nothing better to me.

 

[StihlHead]

1) My 2 year old 440 runs the sh_t out of a 32" bar

2) The 660 is a huge saw and used by very few professional loggers ("arborists" may pipe down now)

3) You need not run a 30" bar to cut 30" rounds - a 24" will work just dandy

4) Forget the 660

What he said...

I rarely use my 066, but it is a nice saw to run in really big wood (3'+ stuff). I bought my 066 from an arborist. I bought my 044 from a faller. The 661 is coming out soon. Spring loaded, a beefed up 441-M with 461 style porting. I much prefer the 044/440 over the 460 (I sold my 460). Lighter, smoother, and with a DP muffler cover about the same power.

 

[ScotO]

Just go and buy an 090 and after a couple hours with that saw, you won't ever be asking for a bigger Stihl again......but you WILL be looking for a smaller one!!

I think the 046/460/461 would be the perfect saw for your application. Or a Husqvarna 372XP. Either or (but I still prefer Stihl).
I run the CHIT out of a 30" bar with my stock 372XP and have yet to complain about it. I'll be building my 046 with a big bore kit this winter, and a woods port -squish mod, and a muffler mod.....I am anxious to get to that project! (I may have a 372XP for sale after I get that done!)

 

[firecracker_77]

Just go and buy an 090 and after a couple hours with that saw, you won't ever be asking for a bigger Stihl again......but you WILL be looking for a smaller one!!

I think the 046/460/461 would be the perfect saw for your application. Or a Husqvarna 372XP. Either or (but I still prefer Stihl).
I run the CHIT out of a 30" bar with my stock 372XP and have yet to complain about it. I'll be building my 046 with a big bore kit this winter, and a woods port -squish mod, and a muffler mod.....I am anxious to get to that project! (I may have a 372XP for sale after I get that done!)

No chain brake on that 090. Cool videos on youtube of it.

 

[firecracker_77]

according to this video a 660 is twice as fast as a 361. doesn't matter much...but interesting all the same

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[ScotO]

according to this video a 660 is twice as fast as a 361. doesn't matter much...but interesting all the same

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It's going to be much faster....almost triple the displacement and more stroke, and running at similar RPM's...

Running a 660 is a blast, just not something you want to do bucking firewood all day long.....i'd be leaning towards a 70-80cc saw like the 460.......

 

[smokinj]

All will do the trick. 460 would be my choice.

 

[TreePointer]

according to this video a 660 is twice as fast as a 361. doesn't matter much...but interesting all the same

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Just to make things clear, I am recommending a 70cc+ saw but not a 660/661 because of their heavier weights.

My point regarding a good 60cc saw (like a 361 or362) was that it will show noticeable improvement over a 56cc 290. Bury a 361/362-20" versus a 290-20" in hardwoods and you will see the difference. They also have much better torque than your 290 for making stumps, better fuel economy, better antivibration tech, and better power-to-weight. I have bucked a good deal of 20-30" logs with my 361. Is it the best option for cutting big logs all day? Of course not. That's where the larger saws shine.

 

[mikefrommaine]

If you want to bring one saw a 441 or 461 would work. If you're bringing more than one get a 660, or better yet a 395xp.

Lately I tend to use a 50 cc (254xp) for everyting it will cut and then skip to a 90cc saw.

 

[Thistle]

In all my years I don't recall ever saying or even thinking "Maybe I should've gotten a smaller saw instead.... "

 

[smokinj]

If you want to bring one saw a 441 or 461 would work. If you're bringing more than one get a 660, or better yet a 395xp.

Lately I tend to use a 50 cc (254xp) for everyting it will cut and then skip to a 90cc saw.

I do the same but a 192t 8lbs and quickly move to the 76cc 460.

 

[firecracker_77]

I do the same but a 192t 8lbs and quickly move to the 76cc 460.

I think I'll get the 461 with a 25" bar if I can talk my buddy into buying a 50% stake. I have use of a pro saw whenever I need at a fraction of the price of owning by myself. I don't trust many, but I do believe he's a good person to own tools with.

 

[MasterMech]

I wanted an ultra lightweight and went to the dealer this morning and picked up a 201T. That at 9 pounds is too heavy to be a one hander. I know what you mean. This saw won't be a daily use saw. I still use my 192 whenever I can. At 7 pounds, there's nothing better to me.

Pick up a MS150. Makes a 192 feel heavy.

My vote is the 70cc class. Ms441/461 with a 28" and a 20" setup. The 660 is going to be stupid heavy with a 20" bar and no faster than the 461 with the 20" bar. You'd have to have all of a 30"+ bar buried all the time appreciate the 660's strong points.

 

[JOHN BOY]

You can also look on e-bay and Craigslist There are still many good used saws out there 044/046 440/460 I wouldnt waste my money on a 660 unless it was dirt cheap
Dont get me wrong its one of the baddest saws made ,but the 044/046 440.460 will pull a 28 inch bar easily I run a 20 inch bar on the 044 and it makes very quick work.