460 VS 660?

[north71]

Chad3

Is that what you were getting at?

25" stihl brand.

24" after market

North71

 

[chad3]

PM sent was wondering if you could still get 24" bars anywhere. I still like my 660 with a 25". And it'll run a 36" with out an issue
Chad

 

[Mcbride]

I prefer a longer bar, so not bent over as badly limbing and such.
I have 2 husky saws, both are great ,b ut my fav of the 2 is the 390 XP with 28 inch bar. I bought it new, and its always been great.
The other is a very old 2100 that still runs fine, although i did put a new piston and carb in it about 6 years ago.
I bought the 2100 used, to replace a new stihl that just never ran right.

I have tried many other saws, and found I also really liked Jonsered chainsaws.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

I only cut about 4-5 cords a year, but with some of the big oaks I scrounge my 290 seems like it's just not enough sometimes. I'm thinking about a 460 off CL, but there are some 660's lurking around there. Is a 660 overkill?

If you're getting a big saw on GP I'd just hunt for the saw that is in the best shape for the best price

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I have a 390 with a 20 inch bar, and it will easily cut 95 percent of what I get. I do have some monster trees here, but will probably let most of that stuff stay alive or leave it for a future sawmill(even some sawmill people who saw some of them told me it would take saws that they do not usually use, but have), probably when I am gone. It seems to me that a 20 inch bar is the normal ideal size. My saw will even handle a 28 inch bar. I understand that people have more problem with saws pinching with the longer sizes because there is more flex in the bar (at least that is what my Stihl dealer told me). I would not mind having a larger saw for the really big stuff, but it would not be my every day saw.

 

[southbound]

I have a 390 with a 20 inch bar, and it will easily cut 95 percent of what I get. I do have some monster trees here, but will probably let most of that stuff stay alive or leave it for a future sawmill(even some sawmill people who saw some of them told me it would take saws that they do not usually use, but have), probably when I am gone. It seems to me that a 20 inch bar is the normal ideal size. My saw will even handle a 28 inch bar. I understand that people have more problem with saws pinching with the longer sizes because there is more flex in the bar (at least that is what my Stihl dealer told me). I would not mind having a larger saw for the really big stuff, but it would not be my every day saw.

You may be surprised that the big saw is your got to saw.. I run the 064 most of all and go between 20 and 28 inch bars...

 

[chad3]

20 is a nice sized bar, but a 25 will cut some pretty big trees when bolted to a large powerhead. Main reason I say this is because I'd rather cut through a tree once than have to keep running back and forth between sides. A 25" bar will cut a good size tree all the way up the trunk. Keeps things a bit quicker in the long run.
Chad

 

[golfandwoodnut]

20 is a nice sized bar, but a 25 will cut some pretty big trees when bolted to a large powerhead. Main reason I say this is because I'd rather cut through a tree once than have to keep running back and forth between sides. A 25" bar will cut a good size tree all the way up the trunk. Keeps things a bit quicker in the long run.
Chad

Good points, I may get a 25 and see how it functions on my 390, later I can always get a larger saw. The only problem I see with getting a 25 is that it is still not big enough to get through the big stuff so I will still have to go at it twice.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Where can we get a 24" bar? Just curious.
Chad

Ummm. . . ANY saw shop.

 

[chad3]

I was wondering about actual Stihl bars. Didn't know if they were making them. Should have been more specific than I was.
Chad

 

[Mcbride]

I have a 390 with a 20 inch bar, and it will easily cut 95 percent of what I get. I do have some monster trees here, but will probably let most of that stuff stay alive or leave it for a future sawmill(even some sawmill people who saw some of them told me it would take saws that they do not usually use, but have), probably when I am gone. It seems to me that a 20 inch bar is the normal ideal size. My saw will even handle a 28 inch bar. I understand that people have more problem with saws pinching with the longer sizes because there is more flex in the bar (at least that is what my Stihl dealer told me). I would not mind having a larger saw for the really big stuff, but it would not be my every day saw.

You may be surprised that the big saw is your got to saw.. I run the 064 most of all and go between 20 and 28 inch bars...[/quote

+1.

I find the extra time spent with a small saw, and the way i find a small /light saw kicks and bucks more is far more tiring cutting a given amount of wood, than starting a big saw and just going for it.
I have ran a lot of saws of various brands and sizes, and will take a powerful saw with larger bar every time!
I help out my Dad, and a few friends sometimes getting wood, and always shake my head at them and their littler saws wasting so much time and energy.
My dad has a stihl saw, i forget the model number, but if we are cutting together i tell him to start at the top so its smaller, and i start at the butt of the tree, so i have much more cutting, and i still do about 70 percent of the bucking compared to his little bit.
I just wind my husky up and it cuts fast saving me time and energy.
And like i said before the 28 inch bar means less time hunched oveer if limbing to.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

It looks like I am buying a 660 that was only used a couple of times tomorrow with a 25 inch bar and a 36. I do not expect to use the 36 very often, but it is nice to know I can now cut just about anything. I have a few monsters around here that laugh at my 20 inch bar. It might be overkill to get the 660, but reading reviews from guys that have them and they just think they are the greatest. The only complaint I hear is that Stihl does not make a plastic carrying case to protect the investment.

 

[amateur cutter]

It looks like I am buying a 660 that was only used a couple of times tomorrow with a 25 inch bar and a 36. I do not expect to use the 36 very often, but it is nice to know I can now cut just about anything. I have a few monsters around here that laugh at my 20 inch bar. It might be overkill to get the 660, but reading reviews from guys that have them and they just think they are the greatest. The only complaint I hear is that Stihl does not make a plastic carrying case to protect the investment.

You'll love that saw! I don't like the cases anyway, just one more item in the way when cutting. Put a plastic bar cover on it & don't look back. A saw that big needs to look like it gets used anyway. CONGRATS!A C

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Thats right cutter. To be truthful I rarely use my case now. I usually strap the chainsaw to my ATV and hit the trails. The big orange box seems to get in the way.

 

[Beowulf]

...The only complaint I hear is that Stihl does not make a plastic carrying case to protect the investment.

I also went with a MS660 when facing the 460 vs. 660 choice. I think either would be fine for what I do, but I used a buddies 066 for a day and liked it.

About the plastic cases. I picked up a bunch of new Stihl cases off of CL a while back, cheap. Shipping is really too expensive to sell them, but I am into them cheap enough that I am going to try using a heat gun to mould one to fit my 660. The saw sits in the tray fine; you just can't close the lid because the chain brake hits. I have not seriously started the modification process, but will let you know if it works.

Cheers,

B

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Thanks Beowolf. I got the 660 last night. I am sure it is overkill as the guy I bought from is in the tree business and he said it was too big for his needs as he uses a 440. With the 36 inch bar it is heavy, but when I fired it up you could feel the power. I will take some pics once I do a little cutting. I do have a huge dead Oak in the woods that I got as far as I could with the 20 inch bar, that will be my chance to use the 36 inch bar. I also have a big one near the house that is half dead that I could never figure how to go at it with the 20 inch bar. That one scares me because of some dead branches overhead. I am sure I will mainly use the 25 inch bar for most cutting.

 

[smokinj]

Thanks Beowolf. I got the 660 last night. I am sure it is overkill as the guy I bought from is in the tree business and he said it was too big for his needs as he uses a 440. With the 36 inch bar it is heavy, but when I fired it up you could feel the power. I will take some pics once I do a little cutting. I do have a huge dead Oak in the woods that I got as far as I could with the 20 inch bar, that will be my chance to use the 36 inch bar. I also have a big one near the house that is half dead that I could never figure how to go at it with the 20 inch bar. That one scares me because of some dead branches overhead. I am sure I will mainly use the 25 inch bar for most cutting.

The tree guy using a 440 should tell you what is a more rounded saw...lol

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Smokin, I already have a 390 so a 440/460 did not seem like that much of a bump up. And after reading reviews on the 660 everyone goes nuts over them. I will know more probably this weekend.

As a side note the guy I bought it from just got a job with township and was now supplying him with saws etc. So he thought he would cash in out the 660.

 

[smokinj]

Smokin, I already have a 390 so a 440/460 did not seem like that much of a bump up. And after reading reviews on the 660 everyone goes nuts over them. I will know more probably this weekend.

As a side note the guy I bought it from just got a job with township and was now supplying him with saws etc. So he thought he would cash in out the 660.

lol Just yaking your chain a little...easy to bypass a 660 when you have a 460/880 most would run a 361/660 set up but I think your lacking on both those saws...lol

 

[TheMechanicAndChemist]

Thanks Beowolf. I got the 660 last night. I am sure it is overkill as the guy I bought from is in the tree business and he said it was too big for his needs as he uses a 440. With the 36 inch bar it is heavy, but when I fired it up you could feel the power. I will take some pics once I do a little cutting. I do have a huge dead Oak in the woods that I got as far as I could with the 20 inch bar, that will be my chance to use the 36 inch bar. I also have a big one near the house that is half dead that I could never figure how to go at it with the 20 inch bar. That one scares me because of some dead branches overhead. I am sure I will mainly use the 25 inch bar for most cutting.

The tree guy using a 440 should tell you what is a more rounded saw...lol

I run an old 041 with a new 25" bar and I love the combination- feels right for me. I cut for firewood, mostly... Good luck with your new saw!

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I think the 660 is not going to be my everyday saw, in fact Smokin Jay do you think I could use it for milling? I think it is going to come in real handy for cutting up big Oak, that was just out the picture before. I think all my saws will have some action. I do not use my Husky that much anymore, but it is great for the branches and small stuff. The 390 will handle 90 percent of want I do and the 660 if for the big stuff. I am anxious to try it out with the 25 inch bar. Maybe this weekend.

 

[smokinj]

I think the 660 is not going to be my everyday saw, in fact Smokin Jay do you think I could use it for milling? I think it is going to come in real handy for cutting up big Oak, that was just out the picture before. I think all my saws will have some action. I do not use my Husky that much anymore, but it is great for the branches and small stuff. The 390 will handle 90 percent of want I do and the 660 if for the big stuff. I am anxious to try it out with the 25 inch bar. Maybe this weekend.

Yes it would be above average milling saw. Biggest trick is running as cool as you can. Idling a couple min.s through the long cuts keeping the air filter CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN after every run. Aux Oil er for sure and 36 in. bar set up. If you could get an air compress er next to your milling site is awesome. Just blow it out good after each board. Good chains always! Depending on what your milling will make a big differnce as well. Softer woods and under 25inch it will be pretty fast milling saw.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I took the 660 out for a test drive today, all I can say is awesome. This thing is testosterone in a saw. I cut a few medium sized Oak logs today and it was like a knife through hot butter. It only took 2 pulls to start. I got used to the 25 inch bar real quick, not much bending over and using the tip of the bar more. I cannot wait to get it into some really big stuff as I know that it is what it is made for. Right now I cannot get my ATV down to where the big dead stuff is, because I have my plow on. While the saw is noticeably heavier than the 390 it is still very manageable and it is not like I will be cutting 8 hours a day with it. Everyone should get the feeling of running one these big boys. Kind of like driveing a racecar after you are used to the family car.

 

[smokinj]

I took the 660 out for a test drive today, all I can say is awesome. This thing is testosterone in a saw. I cut a few medium sized Oak logs today and it was like a knife through hot butter. It only took 2 pulls to start. I got used to the 25 inch bar real quick, not much bending over and using the tip of the bar more. I cannot wait to get it into some really big stuff as I know that it is what it is made for. Right now I cannot get my ATV down to where the big dead stuff is, because I have my plow on. While the saw is noticeably heavier than the 390 it is still very manageable and it is not like I will be cutting 8 hours a day with it. Everyone should get the feeling of running one these big boys. Kind of like driveing a racecar after you are used to the family car.

lol every hour on a 660/460 there will be atleast 3 hours of splitting stacking hauling...lol how long you want to work today? lmao so the old saying are you going to carry that thing around all day (16-18lbs) just doesnt hold water...unless your a pro feller and then you darn sure have one lol