Stihl ms-660 vs ms-880

[7845Robert]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here so I’ll try to keep on point. I currently have two stihl chainsaws “ms-660 and ms-441” I like the ms-660 it’s a very nice saw. Held up really well. I have about 700 cords of wood to cut this summer and was thinking of getting a ms-880. The problem that I’m having with the ms-660 is that it doesn’t seem to hold its weight when it comes to torque, yes its has a much higher rpm rating but when I cut large timber I wonder if the ms-880 would cut faster. I talked to the dealer and he said that the ms-660 would cut faster because of its rpm being faster, but like I said I wonder “the ms-880 obviously has much more torque”  I would still use the ms-660 to limb and fell. The timber is soft wood (ponderosa pine) from 16” to 36”. I am currently using 28” bars, what size bar would you guys recommend for the ms-880, providing that I buy one.

Any though or have any of you used a ms-880 be for?

Thanks for your time, Robert 

[stonebroke]

Are you using skip tooth chain?

Stonebroke

[chevytaHOE5674]

For 36" softwood an 880 is way overkill and the weight and size of it will tire you out in no time flat. The 660 should make quick work of that size wood.

Sounds like your 660 needs a tune up, or chain needs sharpening.

My 660 pulls skip chain on a 36" bar through 30+" hardwoods with ease.

[tlandrum]

i do not think you will find much difference in the two with a 28 on them but run a 42 and the 880 will shine. have you muffler modded your 660 and tuned the carb. i dont see how a 660 in ponderoso would not just screem. i run a modded ms460 in hardwood all day with no problems. that 660 has plenty of torque.  the 880 is more suited for milling than felling in my opinion.

[7845Robert]

Are you using skip tooth chain?

Stonebroke

Not sure.. I bought a roll and the dealer said that it would work well for soft woods, sounds like I need to tune the saw up. I though about modifying he muffler!

[tlandrum]

the exhaust exit on the muffler needes to be 75% the size of the exhust exit on the cylinder. pull the limiter caps on the carb and tune the saw with a tach to 13500-14000. without a tach tune it til it four strokes or burbles.

[Rocky_J]

There are a multitude of steps to take before buying an 880 to cut firewood. You must be a monster of a man because most men aren't man enough to swing an 880 around all day long.

There is still a ton of power available in the 660, especially the newer ones. There is also a ton of speed to be gained through improvement of cutting style and sharpening technique. 80%-90% of chainsaw users are not very good at sharpening chains. If you're one of the minority who are very good, then you probably wouldn't be considering an 880 for cutting 16" firewood (unless you were into hotsaw competitions). 

[windthrown]

One thing about the 880; it is a rough saw to run from the very high vibration levels. Running the 880 almost rattled my teeth fillings out. The 660 is a lot smoother. The 660 is 6 pounds lighter than an 880. 880 is also a bear to start; harder than a 660. Husky 395 was a lot easier to run as well.

I would add a dual port muffler to your 660 and re-tune the carb to richen up the H jet. I added a DP muffler to my 066 and it made a huge difference. I ran my 066 with a 32 inch bar in Doug fir after the DP muffler mod. No problemo.

DP muffler cover only for the 660 Mag: Stihl part number 1122 140 0800
DP muffler base and cover for the 660 Mag: Stihl part number 1122 140 0603

DP muffler cover for the 660 & 660 W: Stihl part number 1122 145 0801
DP muffler base and cover for the 660 & 660 W: Stihl part number 1122 140 0602

[7845Robert]

One thing about the 880; it is a rough saw to run from the very high vibration levels. Running the 880 almost rattled my teeth fillings out. The 660 is a lot smoother. The 660 is 6 pounds lighter than an 880. 880 is also a bear to start; harder than a 660. Husky 395 was a lot easier to run as well.

I would add a dual port muffler to your 660 and re-tune the carb to richen up the H jet. I added a DP muffler to my 066 and it made a huge difference. I ran my 066 with a 32 inch bar in Doug fir after the DP muffler mod. No problemo.

Thanks you the info, I think I will work on my 660, dual the muffler and retune, will see what that does.

[ladylake]

Set a little on the lean side you'll have no torque on any saw , just high RPM's.   Steve

[peppone]

I have an ms880 and I'm not very satisfied. It is not well balanced in my opinion, but consider tha 28" bar is too short for that saw. I prefer to use husqvarna 3120, more handable and well balanced even in the fat run.

[Ed]

As an 084 owner I can tell you it's not what you want for daily use. The "fun factor" of the big saw goes away really quick if it's used for an extended period of time.
 
A properly tuned 660 will do most everything you need.

Ed
 

[Cut4fun]

I have woods ported 066 and a stock and woods ported 084.  Yes the stock MS660 is a down right dog.
 Like others said put a dual port muffler and adjust your carb first off (if you have a cage inside the back muffler cover open it up too, plus the original exhaust outlet).
If that dont do it look for someone that knows how to do a proper woods port for you.

I usually only break out the 084's for the big rip cutting or biggies.  Bucking type cuts, work on that 660 to get it up to par.

[7845Robert]

I have woods ported 066 and a stock and woods ported 084.  Yes the stock MS660 is a down right dog.
 Like others said put a dual port muffler and adjust your carb first off (if you have a cage inside the back muffler cover open it up too, plus the original exhaust outlet).
If that dont do it look for someone that knows how to do a proper woods port for you.

I usually only break out the 084's for the big rip cutting or biggies.  Bucking type cuts, work on that 660 to get it up to par.

thanks for the info.. it all helps

[Cut4fun]

Check with your stihl dealer on the 660 DP muffler cover. I dont think they have went up this much in 2 years have they?

http://cgi.ebay.com/STIHL-CHAINSAW-064-066-MS660-MUFFLER-COVER_W0QQitemZ360234434531QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Chainsaws?hash=item53dfa53fe3

[windthrown]

What do you expect on FraudBay... 

You can get them from Baileys for $55.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=QS+1122+140+0800&catID=

[Cut4fun]

With shipping and everything added that is only $3.94 difference between FEEbay and Baileys. Baileys being cheaper, GOOD excuse to put a bigger order together. Thats what I usually do. 

I remember these being $42-$45 at one time, is what I was getting at.  I would take a stock cover and open it up with a $8 288 deflector. Thats what I do with the 084 ones now to make my own DP covers.

 

[footer]

What do you do with 700 cords of wood a year? Do you run a full time firewood buisiness?

[windthrown]

There was a used 066 DP cover for sale on the Canadian FleaBay that got no bids. Its a little dinged up, but it was only $20 plus shipping to NA. Maybe email the guy and buy it direct:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/STIHL-MS-660-MAGNUM-CHAINSAW-DUAL-PORT-MUFFLER-COVER_W0QQitemZ160404335735QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Chainsaws?hash=item2558d7ec77

Yah gott'a hunt around for deals these days.

[Al_Smith]

What do you do with 700 cords of wood a year? Do you run a full time firewood buisiness?

Well that would be a full time job . You could heat the average home on just the bark that fell off of that amount .

Big saws like the Ms 880 etc have their place but generally speaking aren't needed in most cases . I have 4 of over 100 cc plus one that only resides in my shed it being an 084 . They don't see much use .One reason a large saw lasts forever unless they are abused .

BTW a brand new 880 with a 42" bar is pushing two thou from a dealer .For that amount you could buy a little saw,mid sized ,90 cc and have enough money left over to go out to dinner .Maybe enough to buy a case of beer too .