The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: Cub on October 30, 2018, 11:51:07 PM

Title: stihl 661
Post by: Cub on October 30, 2018, 11:51:07 PM
What are your options about them? You guys have good luck with them? Any and all opinions welcomed. 
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: Weekend_Sawyer on October 31, 2018, 08:48:05 AM
I have the MS661-C M-tronic. I like it a lot!
It replaced my old 066 and has more power and weighs less.
I use it with and Alaskan mill to mill wide slabs the biggest so far was a 42"wide red oak.
If I want to go wider Ill need to get a longer bar.

I'm for it.
Jon
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: Cub on November 03, 2018, 08:19:17 AM
Ok thanks. My 064 keeps giving me fits and I'm about ready to leave it in the garage as a conversation piece and replace it with a 661. 
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: HolmenTree on November 03, 2018, 11:18:05 AM
Rebuild that 064 with OEM parts and keep it for backup. 
MS661 I've demoed and love it but waiting for the 80cc MS500i
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: Cub on November 03, 2018, 12:57:46 PM
So your saying I should just get a 661? Hahaha!!!
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: HolmenTree on November 03, 2018, 08:34:32 PM
Well if you're man enough cub, go for it. :laugh:
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: Cub on November 03, 2018, 09:17:00 PM
I think I can handle it :D. I only use it to drop trees. The job I'm on now is big ash maple and basswood. The 440 doesn't quite have the beans to pull a 28 inch bar through a 46 inch maple. (I mean it does work and I could by). So I'd use the 064 to drop and buck the 1st few logs then use the 440 for the rest. I like a powerful saw with speed when it comes to dropping them big guys. 
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: D2 Cody on November 04, 2018, 10:59:57 PM
I have been wondering about the 661 also. I would like to buy one so i can put a 36 inch bar on it to bore bigger cottonwood and walnut. I would also like opinions and more detail from a few others. I thought about going with the 461 but for 200 some more dollars i can get the 661. Any thoughts or opinions? 
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: YellowHammer on November 04, 2018, 11:26:36 PM
It's a good saw and the one I reach for most times.  A 28" bar balances it perfectly, and allows me to walk with the tip horizontally by the carrying handle, with no unsafe tip down and I can bury the blade in a log and not care.  Plunge cuts, bore cuts, buck cuts, whatever, it's fast and will just drop through a log.  Noticeably more power and zip than my old 660 which I traded for this one.  Not even close to my old 440 Magnum.  I also use a 32" on it for cutting wedding cookies.  
  
We also use it to split and buck the occasional big logs with a 52" bar and skip tooth chain.   I should get an 880 but this works fine.

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/86FC8C14-58CD-4C77-BFD8-E202179AC704.jpeg?easyrotate_cache=1541390541) 
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: leonid123 on January 03, 2019, 09:51:33 AM
I bought 661 this summer, and I can say that it is valid beast. For thick trees just right. Good luck will not regret.
Title: Re: stihl 661
Post by: hedgerow on January 03, 2019, 05:37:42 PM
Quote from: leonid123 on January 03, 2019, 09:51:33 AM
I bought 661 this summer, and I can say that it is valid beast. For thick trees just right. Good luck will not regret.
How many hours do you have on it? I think I have decided I am going to start shopping for a 661 in 2019. I sold my Solo 694 because of no compression release and my shoulder is not good. Kind of ruled out a husky as there seems to be no dealer support in my area.