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Felling saw

Started by CX3, January 12, 2015, 06:40:44 PM

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CX3

Hey guys I have used a stihl 460/461 a bunch.  I really like them to cut timber.  I also use a 390 husky.  I like it too. 

Im needing a new cutting saw, and it will either be a 661, or a 395.  I have owned a couple 660s but they are turds. 

Is the 661 even out yet, and is it gonna be a ripper or a turd?

I know the 395 husky is mean, but they are just so cheap made it drives me nuts.  Whats the opinions on the 395/661 battle?
John 3:16
You Better Believe It!

ohiowoodchuck

Just seen a 661 today at the Stihl shop in ohio.
Education is the best defense against the media.

coxy

its a stihl of course its going to be a TURD :D :D :D :D :D     most of all the talk on here is about stihl that's got to tell you something not right  :) :) :) :)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  :new_year:

Southside

What about a 372?  Mine beats the snot out of my 660 and uses less fuel doing so. 
Franklin buncher and skidder
JD Processor
Woodmizer LT Super 70 and LT35 sawmill, KD250 kiln, BMS 250 sharpener and setter
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Woodmaster 725 and 4000 planner and moulder
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weimedog

Quote from: CX3 on January 12, 2015, 06:40:44 PM
Hey guys I have used a stihl 460/461 a bunch.  I really like them to cut timber.  I also use a 390 husky.  I like it too. 

Im needing a new cutting saw, and it will either be a 661, or a 395.  I have owned a couple 660s but they are turds. 

Is the 661 even out yet, and is it gonna be a ripper or a turd?

I know the 395 husky is mean, but they are just so cheap made it drives me nuts.  Whats the opinions on the 395/661 battle?

What's cheap made about a 395? They certainly are simple as compared to the competition but that doesn't equate with cheap. Just an a opinion, but I don't understand why it makes sense to carry the weight of those bigger saws when a 390 or 661 can do what's required. That's a reason to rule out a 395 in my mind.

I cut nothing but hard wood. Usually 18 to 26inch with an occasional 28-30inch tree to make things interesting. A tweaked 372 with a 20inch bar is all I need. Don't think either a stock 390 or 661 is going to cut the time enough to justify either the cost or weight for my typical job. But I'm old, and not a pro logger; typically have jobs that run for a couple of weeks then nothing for a while. A younger version of me would have loved to work a modded 390....
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

Pine Ridge

cx3 you know what kind you need, as me and rick have told you many times, tuck your tail and go get you one.
Husqvarna 550xp , 2- 372xp and a 288xp, Chevy 4x4 winch truck

HolmenTree

MS661 has good reviews and in my opinion best designed big displacement saw out there.

The 390XP is time proven but I can't comment as I don't own one.

I do own a 395XP I bought new about 7 years ago, better power and smoother then my 066 Magnum red lite but I seldom use the big Husky.
As a matter of fact no more 395's coming from the factory as they are now discontinued.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

weimedog

Not surprised the 395 would go away....why would someone get one when the 390 is available? Hope they still continue with the 3120 though. It's not overlapping anything in the Husqvarna line up.
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

Dave Shepard

I don't think the 395 is cheaply made. Husky must have a replacement planned, if they've discontinued it. I'm hoping it is a 595 along the same lines as the 576. I've heard good things about the 661, and if they were available last spring, I might have bought one instead of the 395. It's nice that Stihl is finally catching up to 20+ year old Husky technology re: the spring suspension and air filtration. :D
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

Spike60

Because the 395 kicks butt Walt, that's why.  :)

And can we please let Ed's rumor go away and stop repeating it because the 395 isn't going away. Things may be different in Canada, but here is the US there are no plans to kill the saw. There are over 100 of them in stock in Troy, and there are more coming. It has not been discontinued.
Husqvarna-Jonsered
Ashokan Turf and Timber
845-657-6395

HolmenTree

Magnus from Sweden who runs Chainsaw Collectors Forum says the 395XP is now discontinued ???
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

Spike60

Quote from: HolmenTree on January 13, 2015, 12:16:18 PM
Magnus from Sweden who runs Chainsaw Collectors Forum says the 395XP is now discontinued ???

Yikes! I hope this is inaccurate. I do believe that "G" and "W" versions could be going away, but not the standard models. Also, keep in mind that saws can be discontinued for specific markets. The 288 still hasn't been "discontinued" in South America. (wish we could get some!) I have to check with my factory sources. Anything from these guys will be dead on.

If they are truly going away, I'll order a bunch of them before they are gone. Instead of 100 in Troy, there will be 100 in my store.  ;D
Husqvarna-Jonsered
Ashokan Turf and Timber
845-657-6395

CX3

I never said a husky was pure junk.  Just hard to start, hard to keep running because the bolts fall out, or the cheap kill switch quits working again, or the flimsy plastic choke breaks again. 

They do have good air cleaners though.  And cost way less than a good saw.  lol

I just like a stihl saw.  But again Id rather have a hacksaw than a 660 and the 461 is a touch small for me.  It cuts good, but its not a big saw. 

Come on stihl, impress me with the 661!
John 3:16
You Better Believe It!

John Mc

I haven't had any of those problems with the Husky saws I've owned. (Then again, I'm not cutting for a living.)

Frankly, when it comes to buying a new saw, I'm pretty much "brand-blind". I've ended up with Husky and Jonsered, mainly because there have been a several really good shops around here that sell them, and I like the old-timers that run them. Some of these guys are starting to go out of business, so who knows, my next saw may be something different.
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.   - Abraham Maslow

HolmenTree

CX3 is referring to the older Huskies like the 372 and 395XP for example.

The newer Huskies like the 550 and 562XP have the single master control switchs now, just like Stihl has had since 1978.
Only difference I like the Husqvarna style better with its auto on-off.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

Dave Shepard

Quote from: CX3 on January 13, 2015, 09:46:02 PM
I never said a husky was pure junk.  Just hard to start, hard to keep running because the bolts fall out, or the cheap kill switch quits working again, or the flimsy plastic choke breaks again. 

They do have good air cleaners though.  And cost way less than a good saw.  lol

I just like a stihl saw.  But again Id rather have a hacksaw than a 660 and the 461 is a touch small for me.  It cuts good, but its not a big saw. 

Come on stihl, impress me with the 661!

I haven't had that experience with my Husky saws. My new 395 starts on the third pull at 0°F. My Husky 66 has only required AV mounts and a trigger in the last 18 years, and it's probably spent more time in the back of a pickup than it has inside.
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

weimedog

I've had bolts fall out on the 350's. Never the 365/372's. I've had a series of "lean" from the factory Husqvarna/Jonsered saws that were tough to start, once I started tuning my own saws that issue went away...like back in 2004. Then again in 2011 when I finally figured out how to tune my new (then) 2172. As a whole? I don't have any hard to start saws less than 80cc's. And the ones over 80cc's that are tough to start are because I'm old. And can't yank on them as I once could. Like my 2094.
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

so il logger

I cut timber for a living and own both 395 and 660. I have owned the smaller 460 but after cutting with 395 the 660 is a pooch let alone a 460. I hope they continue to sell 395xp. I can deal with buying some thread locker and tightening a bolt here and there  ;)

David-L

 I fell and limb with a Dolmar 7900 in hard and softwood and they have all the power I need. running a 18" 3/8's 73/68 skip tooth. great saws IMO. if you have a dealer close enough there worth considering.



 
In two days from now, tomorrow will be yesterday.

JohnG28

Why skip chain on an 18" bar? Seems counter productive to me.  ???
Stihl MS361, 460 & 200T, Jonsered 490, Jonsereds 90, Husky 350 & 142, Homelite XL and Super XL

HolmenTree

I was going to say the same thing too John but you beat me to it :D
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

JohnG28

Stihl MS361, 460 & 200T, Jonsered 490, Jonsereds 90, Husky 350 & 142, Homelite XL and Super XL

Dave Shepard

Less sharpening would be the only advantage that I could see. It would be really grabby for limbing would be the major disadvantage.
Wood-Mizer LT40HDD51-WR Wireless, Kubota L48, Honda Rincon 650, TJ208 G-S, and a 60"LogRite!

HolmenTree

Actually more sharpening as less teeth take on more abrasion and damage to the cutting edges..... requiring more frequent touch ups with the file.

Several companies developed saw chain in the past for cutting soft metals like aluminum called full house chain. Cutters one after the other with no gaps......non carbide too.
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

JohnG28

Yeah that would be one grabby chain IMO. And the handful of cutters would take a beating pretty quickly. And I'd imagine that saw would handle full comp up to 28-32" with no problem.
Stihl MS361, 460 & 200T, Jonsered 490, Jonsereds 90, Husky 350 & 142, Homelite XL and Super XL

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