first post

[dirtmover1250]

Hello all. Nice forum here. I work in the earth moving industry and havnt spent much time on a chainsaw, but from what ive seen from land clearing professionals and other earthwork contractors, they all have Stihls.

4 months ago i bought my first one. Its an MS180C with a 16" bar. Living in a neighborhood with mature trees, i feel much better having it around for storm damage. Recently i got to run my saw on an abandoned railroad corridor making way for a bike path. After a week of use for about 3 hours a day id say im very happy with the saw. Most of the trees were 2 to 8". I had one dead leaner that was about 15". It had no problem plunging through the tree.

for my next saw im thinking about getting the MS441 with a 24" and 32" bar. since i seek to become self employed, i want a serious saw to drop trees before a construction project. I figure between the 180C and the 441 i can do quite a bit. Any input would be appreciated.

[sandsawmill14]

welcome to the forum  I have a 441 magnum with those bars its ok with the 32" but great with the 24"

[pabst79]

Welcome to FF, the only issue that I can see with your plan is, you're probably going to want a 50cc saw too  :D, can never have enough!  8)

[JohnG28]

Welcome to the forum. I'd imagine you'll really like the 441 if you're happy with the 180! Big step up in every aspect. Enjoy saw shopping! 

[dirtmover1250]

i wonder which saws are good about pushing bars longer then their manufacturers recommendation. they say that even a 660 can only get to a 32" bar, but after digging around ive found people running 36 and 42" bars on them? if thats the case i wont bother going 441 and 880, ill just get a 660 and be done with it. what do you all think?

[pabst79]

There is a big list of saws between the 180 and 660, but if your constantly felling huge trees, the 660 is a better option then the 441, or if the pocket book allows, get 1 of each!

[JohnG28]

As far as I know it's usually the oiler that can't keep up with the longer bars, not so much the saw's power.  What do you plan to cut with the new saw? 60-70cc range is a pretty good all around saw and will handle most firewood and cleanup tasks easily. 90% of the time I grab my 361 or a smaller saw for my uses. Unless you plan to cut 25"+ trees often I would go with something 60-70cc.

[Magicman]

Hello dirtmover1250, and Welcome to the Forestry Forum.   

[dirtmover1250]

thanks all so far. would a 460 run a 36" bar alright?

[ed in idaho]

welcome aboard think the 441 will work fine

Ed

[so il logger]

First off welcome to the forestry forum  I have used a 42 in on the 660 allot, and have had no problems. All of the cutting I was doing was with the grain or noodling. From my experience with the 441 a 36 inch bar would be a bit much, or a 460 for that matter would really pull hard with a 36. I am not sure what you plan to cut but a 24 in bar will take down what most guy's consider a big tree

[HolmenTree]

for my next saw im thinking about getting the MS441 with a 24" and 32" bar. since i seek to become self employed, i want a serious saw to drop trees before a construction project. I figure between the 180C and the 441 i can do quite a bit. Any input would be appreciated.

Welcome to the site dirtmover.
MS441 is a good choice. I recommend  2 sizes  of b/c for that saw , 20" & 28" and I'm  confident  their all you need. Perfect setup. Your 180 can handle the shorter bar lengths.

[Maine logger88]

Yes I agree even a 18" or 20" will cut most trees out there. I posted a video awhile back of a 64" pine that I had no trouble felling with a 24"

[dirtmover1250]

thanks for the input. i went browsing at my stihl dealer again and i gave both the 441 and the 461 a closer look. they both feel pretty good with a 25" bar on it. i think ill go with the 460 just for a bit extra power with the 25" bar, then get the 32" just in case. Its much cheaper to let a bar sit on the shelf then it is to let a saw sit. plus lets not forget the most golden excuse to buy a chainsaw of them all. The need for a 2nd saw to self rescue. ;D

once i pinch my saw i know what not to do after that, haha. im thankful to have been learning with a small saw and small timber. chainsaws can come with a costly learning curve.

[Straightgrain]

Welcome

A saw for yourself or your future employees? :-\

A good great buddy of mine works at a local logging supply store and he frequently tells me how a lot of construction, nursery, and landscaping employees tear-up brand new equipment; willful neglect!

I run the 20" and 28" bar on the MS 361R and it has plenty of power; there are several type of chains (like skipping or carbide) that your dealer can show/sell you that will also optimize the performance of your saw. For construction, I would seek the same equipment our Fire Fighters (salute) use to bust-open asphalt shingles, sheathing, and rafters (at the same time).

Regardless of what type of Enterprise Architecture your future business will have, renting a couple different saws before you make that type of investment makes sound economic sense.

[dirtmover1250]

myself pretty for the most part. looking to be a 1 man army. ill remember that about renting, that would give me the opportunity to try one.

Welcome

A saw for yourself or your future employees? :-\

A good great buddy of mine works at a local logging supply store and he frequently tells me how a lot of construction, nursery, and landscaping employees tear-up brand new equipment; willful neglect!

I run the 20" and 28" bar on the MS 361R and it has plenty of power; there are several type of chains (like skipping or carbide) that your dealer can show/sell you that will also optimize the performance of your saw. For construction, I would seek the same equipment our Fire Fighters (salute) use to bust-open asphalt shingles, sheathing, and rafters (at the same time).

Regardless of what type of Enterprise Architecture your future business will have, renting a couple different saws before you make that type of investment makes sound economic sense.

[mad murdock]

Welcome dirtmover. If money is no object, by all means shop on.  If yo have good support from a service dealer, there are other brands that can save you $$ on the front end and throughout that are just as good (or better) than Stihl.  Jus' sayin'