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STIHL MS 461 or 661 CM?

Started by Dr. Cornwallis, April 12, 2017, 06:18:45 PM

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Dr. Cornwallis

So I've been bitten by the bug, and it didn't take long to figure out what I already knew, I would need more than one saw. I'm looking for a big saw to compliment my 261 CM and I'm wondering if I want the 461 or the 661 CM. Primary use would primarily be for felling and bucking large laurel and live oaks on my ranch. My gut tells me since I already have a 50cc saw to go big and get the 661.

ButchC

I have both, actually a 660 and a 461 and the 461 came about because the 660 is just plain one heck of pile of saw to fell with, too much saw actually for this 60 year old body. Don't get me wrong tbe 660 is a nice saw, I love to put a 25" bar on it and buck big stuff but the 461 took all of 10 seconds in the wood to become my favorite felling saw. Guess it depends on how big and brawny you are? A 461 is a big leap up from a 261, matter of fact it is a leap up from my 036.
Peterson JP swing mill
Morbark chipper
Shop built firewood processor
Case W11B
Many chainsaws, axes, hatchets,mauls,
Antique tractors and engines, machine shop,wife, dog,,,,,that's about it.

DelawhereJoe

Do you ever plan to get a chainsaw mill and whats the largest tree on your land that you could cut. The 461 will run a 32" bar, Stihl lists the 661 at the same 32" bar but it will run a longer bar then that.
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Dr. Cornwallis

Quote from: ButchC on April 12, 2017, 09:21:47 PM
I have both, actually a 660 and a 461 and the 461 came about because the 660 is just plain one heck of pile of saw to fell with, too much saw actually for this 60 year old body. Don't get me wrong tbe 660 is a nice saw, I love to put a 25" bar on it and buck big stuff but the 461 took all of 10 seconds in the wood to become my favorite felling saw. Guess it depends on how big and brawny you are? A 461 is a big leap up from a 261, matter of fact it is a leap up from my 036.

I guess since you asked I'll brag about my self a little... I'm 6'1", an athletic 225, I spend 4-6 days in the gym and I follow a traditional strength and conditioning routine. I eat red meat and potatoes, I don't eat kale, I don't wear skinny jeans. That being said, I don't want to buy too much saw. I want to be able to run a 32" bar in  hardwood without feeling like I should have brought more saw to the party. Oaks that measure 30"-36" at the base are not uncommon on the property. It would likely be run most of the time with a 32" bar but I would also like the option to run a smaller bar, like a 25". I'm not into beating my self into the ground for fun but if the 661 will cut substantially better with a long bar than the 461 then I'd think the weight penalty may be worth it.



Quote from: DelawhereJoe on April 12, 2017, 09:49:16 PM
Do you ever plan to get a chainsaw mill and whats the largest tree on your land that you could cut. The 461 will run a 32" bar, Stihl lists the 661 at the same 32" bar but it will run a longer bar then that.

I have no plans for a chainsaw mill, however, I do plan on getting more heavily into the tree trimming and removal side of my lawn care business.

ButchC

The 461 is no slouch with a 28" bar but is never going to keep up with a 661 with any bar in any wood but then again a 661 isnt going to keep up with an 880 with same bar in same wood. I still dont think you need a 661 but understand the addiction as I am afflicted myself. If you can throw a 661 around go for it 8)
Peterson JP swing mill
Morbark chipper
Shop built firewood processor
Case W11B
Many chainsaws, axes, hatchets,mauls,
Antique tractors and engines, machine shop,wife, dog,,,,,that's about it.

teakwood

i don't know the 461 but i am sure its a nice saw, i have a 066 and its a beast, i'm sure the 661 has even more power. they are very good saws. the 600er saws are heavy for a 8h day of use, but if you will put a 32" bar on it i would go with the bigger saw.

I had a 088 :o, you have to be one heck of a man, more like a bear, to work a full day with it!!! just to drop start it you have to get a good stand :D :D
National Stihl Timbersports Champion Costa Rica 2018

khntr85

If you are wanting to run a 32" bar a lot, I would say the 661....I have a 461 and with a 25-28" bar its unstoppable....I also only cut hardwood...

WoodBurner19

I also have a 461 with a 20" b/c.  It's a very very strong saw! I use it mostly for bucking up firewood that my logger delivers to me. I also drop some hard wood trees on my property when I need too. See if you could test the saws within your area. You would be more than welcome to run mine if your in NJ :)  Good Luck & let us know what you get.
MS 270 C   MS 461,  Remodeling Contractor, Married, 2 kids, 2004 Dodge Deisel, 2013 4X4 KingQuad, Stihl saws, 35 ton 4way Splitter.

Ikeholt

661 for sure Doc.  No cure yet for CAD.  Keep an eye out for an 880.

Jesper Jepsen

Owning a 661 I can say it is a beast to handle and demands big trees or else its way to heavy. I run a 362 up to 20" and the 661 with a 25" and for the big stuff a 36" bar and it has no problem running a well sharpened 36" chain full depth in oak. The 661 is heavy but I sure love it but it's not a saw for small logs <20-25" it is simply to much power. I tried a 16" bar on it just for fun.. it's actual rather scary to see that cutting speed. The 661 will run a 42" bar if needed.

I would go with the 661 over the 461 it's a never design and is a one nice machine that just longer for working day in and day out wearing you out. ohh and one thing I really love is the easy access to air filter.. Stihl should make that standard on all their saws.

Jesper

khntr85

Well which saw are you leaning towards getting....I would lean towards the 461
If ou only need a 28" bar in hardwood...

Dr. Cornwallis

Quote from: khntr85 on April 15, 2017, 12:12:08 PM
Well which saw are you leaning towards getting....I would lean towards the 461
If ou only need a 28" bar in hardwood...

Well, I'm actually a little torn still. I kind of feel  like the 661 is probably a little more saw than I need but I really don't want the 461 to end up being a little less saw than I need. Correct me if I'm wrong but I feel like because I already have a 50cc saw (261 CM) I would probably be better served with a 661 for felling and bucking larger trees. I know that ounces = pounds and pounds = pain but I think that for a 1.7 lb weight penalty it may be worth it as I like the extra grunt and I also like that the 661 is an M-Tronic saw and a newer design. If the 461 was M-Tronic that would definitely sway my opinion a little more. Aside from weight, the other thing that makes me wonder if a 661 is too much saw is that while I plan to use a 32" bar somewhat frequently, the reality is that the saw will live with a 25" on it most of the time. We have plenty of really large oaks on the property that would require a long bar but we also have way more smaller oaks and pine trees, thus, statistically I'm more likely to be using it to fell smaller ish trees. That being said, I run a 16in bar on my 261 so I don't really have any intentions of ever running either a 461 or 661 with less than a 25in bar.

DelawhereJoe

Get the 461 you will not be disappointed in it running a 25" bar also get your 32" and run full skip chain. You may want to get one of the lite bars for it as it will be nose heavy with the longer bar.
WD-40, DUCT TAPE, 024, 026, 362c-m, 041, homelite xl, JD 2510

teakwood

If you cut smaller trees most of the time get the 461, i am sure she can be used with a 32" bar occasionally and cut some bigger trees also, it's just a little slower.  the 661 weight will kill you if you work on smaller mid sized trees the whole day, for that you just don't need such a big saw. For falling and bucking you're fine with the 461.
i use my 066 for splitting big logs in half for the sawmill, then you really need the big saws hps. or for chainsawmilling, the bigger the better, but then most of the time the log supports the weight of the saw and mill.
National Stihl Timbersports Champion Costa Rica 2018

YellowHammer

I had a 044 series, then 660 and finally own one of the newer 661 models.  All used the .375 chain.   All of the saw were OK but I buck a lot of 28 to 36 inch hardwood logs, of course because we have a sawmill business like lots of folks.  I didn't like the 660, but really like the 661.  I have a 32 inch bar, but use the 28 most because it has better balance.  I wouldn't go back to the smaller saw. 
YellowHammerisms:

Take steps to save steps.

If it won't roll, its not a log; it's still a tree.  Sawmills cut logs, not trees.

Kiln drying wood: When the cookies are burned, they're burned, and you can't fix them.

Sawing is fun for the first couple million boards.

Be smarter than the sawdust

Dr. Cornwallis

Thanks everyone for all the insight. I'm going to order a 661 CM from my dealer with the 28" Lite Bar.

Here is why I'm going with the 661 461:

1. Better AV than the 461
2. Stainless Muffler
3. CM
4. More of dat ass


Some very smart people have pointed out here that the 461 is likely plenty of saw, and I believe it is. For the small weight penalty, however, I'm going to try the 661 as we really do have some massive oak trees here and I think that most of the time bucking and felling, the weight of the saw will be supported by the tree. For limbing and felling smaller trees I will use my 261. If the 661 proves to be too much saw, I'll wait and pick up the next generation of Stihl professional 70CC saw. I'll report back with saw porn when I get it.

HolmenTree

Also run a 18"-20" b/c on that 661 when you don't need the 28". You'll thank me ;D
Making a living with a saw since age 16.

khntr85

I am sure you will love the 661....

I will say I have heard people talk about the AV on the 461...I got one a year ago, and I haven't noticed the av at issue at all....I will say this I had a 362 with spring AV, after I got the ms461 I sold the 362....I actually prefers the 461 AV....

  I tell you I have ran a hand blowers slot at home and work....if people want to know what "numb" fingers feelnlike run a blower for 4 or more hours a day, not fun!!!

Dr. Cornwallis

Quote from: khntr85 on April 18, 2017, 04:54:11 AM
I am sure you will love the 661....

I will say I have heard people talk about the AV on the 461...I got one a year ago, and I haven't noticed the av at issue at all....I will say this I had a 362 with spring AV, after I got the ms461 I sold the 362....I actually prefers the 461 AV....

  I tell you I have ran a hand blowers slot at home and work....if people want to know what "numb" fingers feelnlike run a blower for 4 or more hours a day, not fun!!!

I run a backpack blower now with my lawn business but I used to run a hand lower when I started out as a kid. I think it was a Stihl BR85 or something and while a great blower (my dad still has it) that thing would make your hand go numb after a few hours.

I'm glad to hear that the 661 is likely a good choice. Ill get a couple different length B/C for it. I'm thinking a 20", 28" lite and 36" Lite for starters. If I find a need for something larger I'll cross that bridge when I get there. With a 261 CM w/ 16" b/c and the above 661 combination I feel pretty ready to tackle whatever we have at the ranch as well as make some money this year trimming/felling some trees. Now I just need a bigger truck. I had no intention of ever getting into the tree business when I bought my '16 Tacoma and 5x8 trailer. Right now I'm wishing I had a 3500 and dump trailer.

I may also look into getting a Wood Mizer LT 10 and start doing some light lumber work. Oak boards go for something crazy like $25 for a 1x4x10 at Home Depot. I think I could make a decent amount of money off selling oak boards from trees I fell around here as I don't know of anyone who does it.

khntr85

Yep you have a great combination there!!!

  How do you like your ms261cm....I came close to getting one awhile back, but didn't....let me know how the 661 runs I bet it is a beast!!!

Dr. Cornwallis

Quote from: khntr85 on April 19, 2017, 09:10:37 AM
Yep you have a great combination there!!!

  How do you like your ms261cm....I came close to getting one awhile back, but didn't....let me know how the 661 runs I bet it is a beast!!!

I really like the 261, it's extremely strong for it's size. With only .75 less hp than the 362 and close to two lbs less in weight I think it's a great saw. Its a great general purpose saw and I think it will really compliment the 661 well for limbing/processing and also for felling smaller trees.

khntr85

Quote from: Dr. Cornwallis on April 19, 2017, 04:35:08 PM
Quote from: khntr85 on April 19, 2017, 09:10:37 AM
Yep you have a great combination there!!!

  How do you like your ms261cm....I came close to getting one awhile back, but didn't....let me know how the 661 runs I bet it is a beast!!!

I really like the 261, it's extremely strong for it's size. With only .75 less hp than the 362 and close to two lbs less in weight I think it's a great saw. Its a great general purpose saw and I think it will really compliment the 661 well for limbing/processing and also for felling smaller trees.

Awesome!!!!

Is you 261 mtronic....I darn near pulled the trigger and got a 261...I just truly didn't need it....still may who knows...I rebuild and sell saws, so I play with the profit money, even thought it's not that much lol...

  Hope all goes well , I want to run a 661, like right now LOL!!

Dr. Cornwallis

Quote from: khntr85 on April 20, 2017, 04:47:29 AM
Quote from: Dr. Cornwallis on April 19, 2017, 04:35:08 PM
Quote from: khntr85 on April 19, 2017, 09:10:37 AM
Yep you have a great combination there!!!

  How do you like your ms261cm....I came close to getting one awhile back, but didn't....let me know how the 661 runs I bet it is a beast!!!

I really like the 261, it's extremely strong for it's size. With only .75 less hp than the 362 and close to two lbs less in weight I think it's a great saw. Its a great general purpose saw and I think it will really compliment the 661 well for limbing/processing and also for felling smaller trees.

Awesome!!!!

Is you 261 mtronic....I darn near pulled the trigger and got a 261...I just truly didn't need it....still may who knows...I rebuild and sell saws, so I play with the profit money, even thought it's not that much lol...

  Hope all goes well , I want to run a 661, like right now LOL!!

It is M-Tronic. It's the first M-Tronic saw I've ever had. I almost ordered the non M-Tronic version because I'm usually pretty old school but I'm actually willing to give M-Tronic a fair shot and think it's a pretty great idea. Computers are extremely reliable in cars and have done wonders for them so, I don't see why they won't do the same with chainsaws and other hand held equipment. Maybe I'm wrong but that little 261 rips.

khntr85

Quote from: Dr. Cornwallis on April 20, 2017, 07:10:20 AM
Quote from: khntr85 on April 20, 2017, 04:47:29 AM
Quote from: Dr. Cornwallis on April 19, 2017, 04:35:08 PM
Quote from: khntr85 on April 19, 2017, 09:10:37 AM
Yep you have a great combination there!!!

  How do you like your ms261cm....I came close to getting one awhile back, but didn't....let me know how the 661 runs I bet it is a beast!!!

I really like the 261, it's extremely strong for it's size. With only .75 less hp than the 362 and close to two lbs less in weight I think it's a great saw. Its a great general purpose saw and I think it will really compliment the 661 well for limbing/processing and also for felling smaller trees.

Awesome!!!!

Is you 261 mtronic....I darn near pulled the trigger and got a 261...I just truly didn't need it....still may who knows...I rebuild and sell saws, so I play with the profit money, even thought it's not that much lol...

  Hope all goes well , I want to run a 661, like right now LOL!!

It is M-Tronic. It's the first M-Tronic saw I've ever had. I almost ordered the non M-Tronic version because I'm usually pretty old school but I'm actually willing to give M-Tronic a fair shot and think it's a pretty great idea. Computers are extremely reliable in cars and have done wonders for them so, I don't see why they won't do the same with chainsaws and other hand held equipment. Maybe I'm wrong but that little 261 rips.

  Noni don't think you are wrong....I am also a little skeptical, of course time will tell!!!

Awesomesince72

Good choice on the 661. I'm a strong athletic 5'11" 200 lb guy myself and have owned. 066 since 95'. I'm 45 now and I can tell you that the 66 feels heavy after a couple hours. I picked up a couple 461's in the last couple of years in hopes that a lighter saw would be easier on me.
My thoughts are that I didn't even notice that it was a pound or two lighter than my 66 but I did notice it didn't have near the torque of the big saw. I run 32" skip chisel on both saws and the 461 is a great saw. Maybe with a light weight shorter bar it would be a potent saw.
I really like my souped up 365 with a good sharp 24" chain for day to day use now.
Getting older I guess.

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