500i or 661

colb said:
You have to keep the metal shavings from going into the cylinder, right? Does the muffler open up to allow cleaning, or do you use good technique, air compressor, just raw dog it? Thanks for sharing.

I've had a great time with my ms661. Took it in for a spa date because it had been so long since I bought it and they basically charged me a lookover fee. I've busted the handle while whacking a trunk with the saw. It noticeably does not always start if left in the sun, and I'm curious if that is the mtronic preventing me from doing something bad to the saw. I am now 100% trained to leave it and my other saws in shade.
Click to expand...
I just cut the slots. Open up with screwdriver. When you start it, it blows everything out. Just fine stuff. Done many saws. All good.
 
Crimsonking said:
I ran with just a 200 and 462 for a while. I added a husq 395 (similar to 661) to save my 462 for aerial only. Now I have a spread- Makita 61 cc for small ground and dirty work (semi chisel), the 462, 385 xp for big ground/stumps/dirty work, 395 xp for big felling.

The 462 is tough to beat. Not as torquey as the 500i, but plenty of saw. I would set aside a little from each job for a 661 to eventually reduce wear on your 462 and save it for climbing. The chain will stay sharp longer, too. On big removal weeks, I’ve gone all week with just the 462 and skipped the 200. Sometimes carrying the weight is less work than making a bunch of max cuts with the smaller saw. I wouldn’t have done that with the 500 or 661.
Click to expand...
Very good points, thank you
 
Jehinten said:
I've not run a 500i yet, but I do take my 661 with 36" bar in the air as needed, typically only on crane day. I suspect both saws will perform well on the ground with no issues.


What is the larger saw that your used to using at your company? Any issues with it performing the daily task that another model may perform better at?
Click to expand...
Usually a 661 or 462. I haven’t got much time with a 500i so I was just unsure about spending that much on something I’ve only made a few cuts with and never used it in the air
 
RyanCafferky said:
I just got my 500i. I was waiting since December. It was well worth the wait. Mine has a 28" lightweight bar which is probably a little short considering the power. After running it a few days I also ordered a 32" bar.

For in tree work it is an amazing saw. Similar weight to my MS362C but a whole bunch more power.

My other big saw for in tree cutting has been my 066. That has plenty of power with the 32" I have it paired with but it is heavy.
Click to expand...
Great information! Thank you. That is the exact setup I have been thinking about, 28” and 32” lightweight bars. I’m really leaning towards the 500i
 
Thanks so much for everyone’s responses and sorry mine was delayed. Things came up and I had to use the money for life stuff but it’s saved back up again and I really appreciate all the advice
 
Seth McPherson said:
Usually a 661 or 462. I haven’t got much time with a 500i so I was just unsure about spending that much on something I’ve only made a few cuts with and never used it in the air
Click to expand...
I've had an opportunity to use a 500i a few times now myself. To be honest I wasn't blown away by it, it was certainly a nice saw but I don't know that I'd sell my 661 to buy one. The one that I ran was running a 25" bar.


I did see a 500i in use that was ported with a bark box and running a 28" lite bar. That saw really seemed to rip and was quite impressive. But I have no hands on experience with it.
 
Jehinten said:
I've had an opportunity to use a 500i a few times now myself. To be honest I wasn't blown away by it, it was certainly a nice saw but I don't know that I'd sell my 661 to buy one. The one that I ran was running a 25" bar.


I did see a 500i in use that was ported with a bark box and running a 28" lite bar. That saw really seemed to rip and was quite impressive. But I have no hands on experience with it.
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t sell a saw to buy one, but I wouldn’t buy a 46x or 66x over a 500i.

To clarify, my 500i is ported.
 
Reach said:
Depends on what you’re looking for exactly, but if it’s mostly going to be used in a tree, look at a 462 with a 25” lightweight bar. It won’t feel too much heavier than your 261, but it will positively rip with that 25” on it. It will also be big enough for most of your felling and bucking, if you need bigger just rent a 661 with a 36” bar somewhere.

We run all Stihl Lightweight bars, well worth the extra expense when you’re running them all day. We also run RSK series chains on all our saws, those chains are far more aggressive and faster cutting than the RS or RM chains that most use; you’ll likely have to order the RSK chains though, your dealer probably won’t even know what you’re talking about when you ask for one.
Click to expand...
Great advice! Thank you. I’ll look into those chains
 
I like running the 661, especially over the 660, and the old 066's we're pretty hot. That being said it never felt like a ' big saw' to me. Both the 661 & 660 didn't oil or pull a 36" bar all that well. I felt like they were happier with a 32. We run 394's for our big saws and they'll pull a 36 with authority (and oil it too). Maybe husky will hit a home run with the 592

Haven't run the 500 but the 462 impressed me for a mid size or in tree saw. That 400 cm looks pretty good on paper, haven't had the chance to run one yet.
I've got an affinity for the older stuff though, hell dolmar made a saw with 500i power to weight 15-20yrs ago...
 
Z'sTrees said:
I like running the 661, especially over the 660, and the old 066's we're pretty hot. That being said it never felt like a ' big saw' to me. Both the 661 & 660 didn't oil or pull a 36" bar all that well. I felt like they were happier with a 32. We run 394's for our big saws and they'll pull a 36 with authority (and oil it too). Maybe husky will hit a home run with the 592

Haven't run the 500 but the 462 impressed me for a mid size or in tree saw. That 400 cm looks pretty good on paper, haven't had the chance to run one yet.
I've got an affinity for the older stuff though, hell dolmar made a saw with 500i power to weight 15-20yrs ago...
Click to expand...
400 is also a really nice saw
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom