Current 70 cc Class Saw Quality

Ragnar

Ragnar

Participating member
Location
Texas
I have been storing a ported MS460 for a few years now and will probably be 5+ more years before I find myself in need of a saw that size again. All my current needs are met with a ported 346XP that I plan to keep. I bought the saw new. I start it every few months and it fires right up.

I am tempted to sell the 460 rather than see it set in storage then just get a new saw if/when the need arrises. The only thing holding me back is that I dont want to sell if I cant replace it with an equally good saw in the future.

I have not been following the new saw market for a while so I am hoping for some guidance...
 
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Saws are so much better now. Sell it. Ported saws are overrated unless you are a feller who tracks long distances and need the most out a smaller cc saw, weight to power ratio. You have a choice of the 500i, 462 or the Husqy 576xp.
 
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Ragnar said:
I have been storing a ported MS460 for a few years now and will probably be 5+ more years before I find myself in need of a saw that size again. All my current needs are met with a ported 346XP that I plan to keep. I bought the saw new. I start it every few months and it fires right up.

I am tempted to sell the 460 rather than see it set in storage then just get a new saw if/when the need arrises. The only thing holding me back is that I dont want to sell if I cant replace it with an equally good saw in the future.

I have not been following the new saw market for a while so I am hoping for some guidance...
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I could be interested in that 460. But truthfully I wouldn’t sell it….. those saws are great, even stock….. they dont make ‘em like they used to…
 
Modern saws are good, full stop. Lots of old-school logger-types will complain about new fangled computer saws and how they can't be fixed in the field, and there is a small amount of truth to that, but I've run a lot of second gen M-Tronic saws for years now without a single problem. They are solid. I also ran 046, 461, 200T, 036, 361, etc for many years so I have plenty of experience with older gen saws as well.

I don't quite understand why you say you have no use for a saw of that size though. Are you only making a few cuts a day, on crane jobs or something? Throw a 20" or 24" bar on that 460 and it will just rip through trunks when bucking fiewood, felling trees, or whatever. Seems a shame to have a good saw sitting around doing nothing, but if you really don't have a use for it, go right ahead and sell it. The market is decent now and moving into the future it may get harder to sell due to either parts arability or newer tree guys being less interested in old gen saws.
 
I am just a hobbyist chainsaw owner. The 460 was my first chainsaw…. Mostly had this saw for fun during storm clean up needs in neighborhoods with large oak and pine trees. Moved from the area and now just have cedar and mesquite around. A 16" bar on the 346xp takes care of all that. I do have a 20” wide tip Cannon superbar and a 28” ES light bar for the 460. It does rip with the 20” especially with a square ground chain. I agree, the saw is already 10 years old so parts may harder to find when needed.

I guess there is a chance I would end up using it to prep some wood for the smoker (old pic). This pecan tree blew down in a park and was able to cut it up for free. Fed the smoker for several years. Perhaps I should keep it just in case I come across another free tree that is too much for a stihl rancher to cut up....

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The allure of a brand new 460 is not going down at all in the next 5 years, so you will have no problem selling it if you choose to. I would hang onto it. I still get parts for my 200T, it's not a big deal. The actual performance of old vs. new saws is irrelevant, what matters is perception. There's plenty of people convinced that old saws are better, and plenty convinced that new saws are just as good if not better, and everything in between. Everything is subjective, absolutely everything...
 
You seem to be creating a problem we’re there isn’t one. You have a nice ported 460 that see very little use, so pull it out a few times a year, put some good ethanol free fuel in it, and run it for a awhile. When your done drain the fuel out of it and put it back to bed… It will be there if and when you ever need it.
 
The 400c is one of my favorite saws of all time, incredible throttle response and great power in a small-ish package. A few bolt ons, WCS dogs, lightweight bar, bark box and high flow oiled filter and it is even better.
 
Chris Schultz said:
I’ve been debating getting one of these…. My quiver has a gap. I go from 200/201 then jump up to 460/500… wanting something in the middle for aloft.
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The 400 is the perfect fit in that lineup. A lot of folks don’t realize that it’s 60cc weight and has more power than a stock 10mm 044 Stihl.

islandarb said:
Saws are so much better now. Sell it. Ported saws are overrated unless you are a feller who tracks long distances and need the most out a smaller cc saw, weight to power ratio. You have a choice of the 500i, 462 or the Husqy 576xp.
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You forgot the Husky 572. Probably their best current 70cc class saw.
 
Ms400 with a 362 full wrap kit. Keeps it nice and slim. And then the items mentioned above in @27RMTON post.
Cutting machine.
I'm a fan of the Jonsered/Husky 2165/372/572/whatever they call them these days. Just what I'm use to, but that ms400 is prettier than the Husky. Not as sexy as the red Jonsered, but close. If they would only get rid of that ugly orange color....
 
This saw will come modified. Buxton runs the Eagan straight shot muffler covers, I’ve been curious to try these out. I like chain speed, so I’ll likely be running a 20”.
 
I run a 20" light on mine, but even stock (before the bolt-on mods) I had a 25" and it felt great in fir. Ported will probably be a whole level up from that.

(I may have recently ordered my first ported saw the other week... worried I'm going to get addicted when it finally arrives and I try it out...)
 
27RMT0N said:
I run a 20" light on mine, but even stock (before the bolt-on mods) I had a 25" and it felt great in fir. Ported will probably be a whole level up from that.

(I may have recently ordered my first ported saw the other week... worried I'm going to get addicted when it finally arrives and I try it out...)
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What did you order?
 
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