stihl stuff...

[weimedog]

[DelawhereJoe]

So will the ms 462 or ms 500 hit the US market first ?

[HolmenTree]

I got tired of waiting for the MS462C or MS500i so I built a 066/064 hybrid out of my 26 year old 1992 066 Mag Red Eye.

I got her weighing in at 14.8 lbs PHO and with a upcoming upgrade installing a 046 poly flywheel and pulley on it I will have it down to 14.6 lbs. Same weight as a MS461 or 572XP.
I saved over a half pound just by deleting the heavy dual port magnum muffler and replacing it with a gutted standard muffler.
Lots of lightweight 1986 064 parts.

Not bad power to weight ratio for a 92cc saw with upwards of 7.8 h p.


 

 

 

[HolmenTree]

For backup here is my 1997 066 Magnum running a 28" ES bar that came new with my 066 Red Light over a quarter of a century ago and still has the original sprocket nose. Toughest bar I ever owned.

With its first year heavy duty crankshaft and poly flywheel along with the first decompression valve this saw is suited for 28" to 36" b/c.
This saw and the younger 1997 sibling are the last of the great 1122 series Stihls before EPA stepped in...in 1998.


 

 

[Pulphook]

How do you like that new Stihl "Light" bar ? Durable ?

[HolmenTree]

It is light, when I picked it up in its card board sleeve at the dealer it felt weird how light the package was.
So far it's holding up good and sure makes the 066 feel nimble. Just hope I don't bend it from a tree rolling off the stump or something. 
A bad bend may either pop out the aluminum insert or make it hard to re straighten.
This 26 year old Stihl ES 28" on my 066 here still has the original bar sprocket tip. 
You can see all the hammer marks  after I recently belt sanded all the paint off. I have repeatedly hammered it over the years to straighten it and tighten up the rails.
Rails are still near perfect and no chips.


 

[HolmenTree]

Excuse me weimedog for further derailing your thread, but I guess I'm still on topic with "Stihl stuff."

Well I just confirmed my 066-28" what I thought was a 1996 model is actually a 1997 model....last year of the flat tops.

1997 after serial #133459523 plastic name badge on top cover introduced.
My 066 serial # is 134989911 and has a plastic badge.

Early 1998 after serial # 139176186
•Flat top covers changed to rounded.
• EPA certified.
•Limiter caps on WJ-69 carb.
• New cylinder port timing.
• Smaller exhaust openings.

I guess both of these "older beauties" are keepers

[HolmenTree]

Weimedog and Spike 60 will like this.

I found another way to make my 066 hybrid even more compact, ergonomic and lighter.
I put a Husqvarna 268XP top handle on it .
Bolted right on.
The 066 is much more narrower and 3 ounces lighter!

At the rate I'm going I'll have the 92cc 066 in 13 lb. territory, look out MS500i.


 

^o

[Weekend_Sawyer]

I can't find any information on the 500i.
The guy in the video wouldn't even compare it to any other stihl saw.
I'd like to know it's the size and weight of xxx saw but the power of xxn saw.
It looked like it was really ripping through that log.

What kind of wood was that?

inquiring minds...
Jon

[weimedog]

Weimedog and Spike 60 will like this.

I found another way to make my 066 hybrid even more compact, ergonomic and lighter.
I put a Husqvarna 268XP top handle on it .
Bolted right on.
The 066 is much more narrower and 3 ounces lighter!

At the rate I'm going I'll have the 92cc 066 in 13 lb. territory, look out MS500i.

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)
 
(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)
^o

Yup, that is awesome. Love the "spirit" and the result of saws like that. Actually that would make for a really cool custom saw build...itemize the parts, call is a HTS ( Holman Tree Special ) and do a build video. BET at the mid 14.5 lbs mark there will be a LOT of interested folks.. Have to say I've enjoyed the AM MS660's I've built, add a pair of finger ports and they more than really rip. Love that entire saw series BTW. Wanting to replicate my FJ660 on an OEM chassis when I have the time. Add some of Holman's idea's and that's a crazy capable saw in a 70cc weight class package. Has to be interesting to more than just me.. And if you get that into the low 14's with old school 90cc and carbonation.....why should a mechanical type buy a new saw again?

[olcowhand]

Now you all know why I keep asking if I can send my saws to the "Willard's home for wayward Stihls" for some upgrades!
All the Gun manufacturers have "Custom shops", why doesn't Stihl offer the best and most effective mods in their network?

[HolmenTree]

Now you all know why I keep asking if I can send my saws to the "Willard's home for wayward Stihls" for some upgrades!
All the Gun manufacturers have "Custom shops", why doesn't Stihl offer the best and most effective mods in their network?

Stihl up here in Canada does offer a good supply of older OEM parts which they still stock in their inventory.
I just bought some 066 top cover badges, Magnum chrome decals , airfilters etc some that are over 30 years old. Prices aren't that bad either.
I think it's safe to say availability of OEM 066 /064 parts will be good for years to come.

[HolmenTree]

Weimedog and Spike 60 will like this.

I found another way to make my 066 hybrid even more compact, ergonomic and lighter.
I put a Husqvarna 268XP top handle on it .
Bolted right on.
The 066 is much more narrower and 3 ounces lighter!

At the rate I'm going I'll have the 92cc 066 in 13 lb. territory, look out MS500i.

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)
 
(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)
^o

Yup, that is awesome. Love the "spirit" and the result of saws like that. Actually that would make for a really cool custom saw build...itemize the parts, call is a HTS ( Holman Tree Special ) and do a build video. BET at the mid 14.5 lbs mark there will be a LOT of interested folks.. Have to say I've enjoyed the AM MS660's I've built, add a pair of finger ports and they more than really rip. Love that entire saw series BTW. Wanting to replicate my FJ660 on an OEM chassis when I have the time. Add some of Holman's idea's and that's a crazy capable saw in a 70cc weight class package. Has to be interesting to more than just me.. And if you get that into the low 14's with old school 90cc and carbonation.....why should a mechanical type buy a new saw again?

Yes it is a fun project Walter.
Here's the latest, The 066 is now at 14 lbs 10 oz (6.63 kg) or 14.62 lbs PHO.
If I can remove 1 more ounce it will be 14.55 lbs (6.6kg) the weight of a MS460 or Husqvarna 572XP.
But how accurate are those factory specs?
I'm debating the 046 flywheel, rewind pulley mod to the 066. It will give another 5 ounce weight reduction, but seeing the saw has no decomp I think the 046 starter would be a weak point.
I got a few other tricks up my sleeve to get some more weight off  like a poly sprocket cover from a farm boss consumer Stihl 3003 mount saw.
Also a custom aluminum muffler front cover.
That will easily get it below my goal weight and still be a very functional 92cc saw. 

[UN Hooker]

Hmmm, Wonderin when yer gonna seal the ends of that husky handle, add a fittin & pump it full of Helium ??  Then yer might get that scale to read 10#!!!
             UN

[HolmenTree]

Thats funny
The 3 ounces saved with the Husky handle was significant but the bigger advantage is it makes the big saw alot more compact for ergonomic purposes.
Don't forget this saw us now designed to only swing a 20" b/c with no dogs.

[HolmenTree]

Made my goal 14.9 oz (14.56 lbs) or 6.605 kg. The 92 cc 066 mag is now officially the PHO weight of a MS461.

Don't like the feel of the 268XP top handle so will go another route with a little experimation on a smaller Stihl  model handle bar.


 

 

 

[Mad Professor]

Why would anyone want a new stihl? As bad as a new PU truck that costs half a house.

It will cost you close to $100 to have a dealer, plug it in to "diagnose" it.  Do that for a few years folks....I'll buy gas/oil/chains

I've got a stock of stihls from 80s-90s I can work on and plenty of NOS OEM spare parts and carcasses.  Everything from 40cc-90cc.  I've less into the whole lot than a new 90cc stihl.


Their new stuff turns me away.  When I saw the MS362 at a dealership I thought "what a big fat BOX compared to a 036 or 361.

[lledwod]

Why would anyone want a new stihl?

Seconded. I love all my sturdy old saws. I have had some time (several tanks) running a new auto tune saw. Just not my cup of tea, not to mention we don't have a dealer in town who can deal with the auto tune.

[HolmenTree]

1992 and 1997 066 saws with swapped mufflers.
The dual port magnum muffler on the '97 weighs 1 lb 3.30 oz. The standard muffler now on the '92 I gutted and enlarged outlet, weighs 11oz. Almost a 1/2 lb lighter

[Weekend_Sawyer]

Why would anyone want a new stihl?

Seconded. I love all my sturdy old saws. I have had some time (several tanks) running a new auto tune saw. Just not my cup of tea, not to mention we don't have a dealer in town who can deal with the auto tune.

I like my new Stihl's. I have run a couple of gallons of fuel through my 261 C-M and love it. I used to have an 029 and then an 028 and a husky 455. All good saws for what I do but this saw out performs them.
I replaced my 066 with a 661 C-M and it is just starting to wake up. Out of the box, so to speak, it out performed my old 066 but that saw was pretty tired.
Having said that I have no intention of getting rid of my 440 or 038.
Jon

[derhntr]

Why would anyone want a new stihl? As bad as a new PU truck that costs half a house.

It will cost you close to $100 to have a dealer, plug it in to "diagnose" it.  Do that for a few years folks....I'll buy gas/oil/chains

I've got a stock of stihls from 80s-90s I can work on and plenty of NOS OEM spare parts and carcasses.  Everything from 40cc-90cc.  I've less into the whole lot than a new 90cc stihl.


Their new stuff turns me away.  When I saw the MS362 at a dealership I thought "what a big fat BOX compared to a 036 or 361.

The MS361 is fat compared to the 036 Pro and about 2/3 the saw IMHO

[Spike60]

1992 and 1997 066 saws with swapped mufflers.
The dual port magnum muffler on the '97 weighs 1 lb 3.30 oz. The standard muffler now on the '92 I gutted and enlarged outlet, weighs 11oz. Almost a 1/2 lb lighter

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Amazing that you could save a half pound just on the muffler. I never would have guessed it could be that much.

[HolmenTree]

1992 and 1997 066 saws with swapped mufflers.
The dual port magnum muffler on the '97 weighs 1 lb 3.30 oz. The standard muffler now on the '92 I gutted and enlarged outlet, weighs 11oz. Almost a 1/2 lb lighter

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Amazing that you could save a half pound just on the muffler. I never would have guessed it could be that much.

Bob, yeah I was amazed too. I can still make it lighter.
Stihl built the 066 /660 to last. The rear half of this 066 muffler is double walled and I counted close to 20 spot welds to drill out to remove it and the spark arrestor screen bracket.
The heavy baffle housing is now long gone.
Also thinking to save more ounces by replacing the front half with a aluminum plate.

Here's some pics of the 1122 series development of the muffler before mods to the 066's.
066 muffler on the left and first year 1986 064AV on the right.
Notice the 064 has a larger rear half but being single walled still weighs less the the 066's.

There was a redesign upgrade to the 064 muffler in 1989 as the bottom of the muffler was too close to the crankcase/oil tank and burning out the gasket from complaints in hot countries like Australia.
I remember when working for Stihl in the tech dept in 1989 of the tech update sheet  with the new muffler. A special 4mm thick spacer came with the muffler to fit the 064 cylinder.
Of course the 066 was already in testing with a 4mm longer cylinder exhaust port flange which the 064 got too.
When I look at the two mufflers the older style baffle box was on the bottom of the muffler directing the hot exhaust flow on the bottom. (That baffle I drilled extra holes in front as a muffler mod in the '80s)
The 066 baffle is on top.


 

  

[teakwood]

The MS361 is fat compared to the 036 Pro and about 2/3 the saw IMHO

Really?  Although i have never touched a 036 so i can not compare, but i find the 361 one of the best performing/weight saws from Stihl.  

[HolmenTree]

Stihl top handle battery saw now available in North America!
This is Canadian dollar price.


 

[HolmenTree]

066 Mag hybrid suited up for winter along with the 562XP as backup.

In third pic is a 1990's 066 refitted with 1980's non intelligent air compensation carb setup. Don't need intelli air compensating carb if you clean air filter after every work day.  

More tree removal going into November with -20F below NW windchill. 
Working alone removing 12 tall poplars and 2 shorter ones next to a busy street, 10 feet from the sidewalk and half block from a elementary school.


 

 

 


 

[lxskllr]

Took me a second. I thought, "huh... they call white birch poplar up there.". I guess they've had snow blasted into the bark? Doesn't look like fun working conditions.

[HolmenTree]

Took me a second. I thought, "huh... they call white birch poplar up there.". I guess they've had snow blasted into the bark? Doesn't look like fun working conditions.

These are not  birch, our paper birch are white too but you can see their bark peel when they get older. Birch here is a much  harder wood then poplar.
These trees I'm removing here are white poplar or sometimes called  trembling aspen in other parts of North America .
The shorter more bushy trees in my first pic are black poplar or sometimes called balsam poplar.

[realzed]

Are those current pictures of present day Thompson weather?  
If so, I now recall what I don't miss about North of 55 in November!
Sure never had any buildings that tall when I lived there..
  

[sawguy21]

  X2

[HolmenTree]

Yup it takes a tough breed to live up here, wimps don"t belong here..  JK 

[realzed]

When I lived there I wasn't much of a wimp - at least I didn't consider myself so, as I found actually living up in the Fox Lake, Gillam, Churchill, and Shamattawa areas in January through late March in canvas tents was kind of fun back then at least, but as we returned to 'civilization' for breakups and such, and resided alongside Thompson Drive, I was regularly 'fueled' @ the Burntwood and that somewhat helped I'm sure to deaden the pain ..
Now that I'm a smidgen older I don't at all mind being more 'wimpy' or even considered so - I've paid my cold weather dues and my priorities I guess have changed as I matured, at least as to what I consider I should have to tolerate now..  

[olcowhand]

I hope this thread doesn't also devolve into a "Real men don't use De-comp valves" discussion like the other one.... I'm already feeling wimpy and it's only gotten down to 23F so far.
Willard,
You have mastered the Stihl Mod with that 066 Mag Hybrid...…..

[HolmenTree]

Thanks olcowhand, I can do more to the 066 with a 046 poly flywheel and maybe a poly sprocket cover getting it down in weight to a 65cc saw.
But I'm happy what I got now.

No we won't wander to the real man mentality here  
Randy like myself have spent years in remote work camps when we were young.
But it takes a tough couple to raise a family up here and get the kids through university to make something of themselves hundreds of miles down south.

There is a price to pay to work and live here to enjoy our high standard of living some of the highest in the country.

[realzed]

Yup it takes a tough breed to live up here, wimps don"t belong here..  

According to 2018 Macleans rankings - no kidding!
 
Canada?s Most Dangerous Places 2018: Explore the data
Rating first or 2nd in each of the first 5 most important catagories..! 
My My, how it has changed since the '60's when the worst things were a few fistfights between tough drinking underground miners and/or a few Crowbar Inn imposed nights to 'sleep it off'.
Sounds now like keeping a well running chainsaw could be a far distant second priority to having a well oiled and loaded gun as the best thing a resident could now do there to keep busy these days..   

[HolmenTree]

Those stats are per capita. 14,000 people here and 99% of that crime is in the poor side of town 99% between themselves.
Go to the big city downtown core anywhere and you'll find serious real crime. Mostly domestic assaults here.

Over in my side of town I feel safe to walk my dog any time of the day or night. I don't need a gun or big stick, but with the bush we have here if needed I can grab a stick or a piece of picket fence if needed  

[HolmenTree]

Far worse gang violence etc in the  bigger centers.

[realzed]

Don't get me wrong - I loved Thompson as it was my second home for a while - but it is sad to see how the 'Western' trend as shown also in Sask. and Alta. is going and probably only going to worsen, with time and the demographics being what they are..
On another topic I got my Stihl email announcement about the 462CM last evening..   You beat them by a few days!
Hopeful, since I am presently cutting a lot of hard Maple that the better (at least I assume it would be) washable type of filter that the 462 now wears won't be too far off..
As much as my 261 flings big chips all over the place and I have piles of them ankle deep where I'm working, I do notice the fine powder caught in my present filter and I am reluctant to blow in it too hard for fear of compromising the media.
Do you - considering your long Stihl history, have a feel for how long they often take to adapt and come out with changes such as possibly any new media style filters (if ever) to the fit the 261 saw CM version.
Seems like it would or could be a much better type to sort of return to 'as new condition' by washing verses just banging or blowing it out?  
And since being 'Stihl Stuff' is the gist of the threat somewhat - I have to admit that I do worry about things such as sucking crap into my new saw - since I like it so much I'd like to have it remain with me long-term..  

[HolmenTree]

That black HD2 filter in my 261 is fine.
And speaking of fines which is primarily wood fiber or cellulose is actually a lubricant on a metal surface.

But if fines are working through a filter that's  telling you the filter has been dirty for too long.

It's funny when someone says they put grease on the filter base to better seal fines getting past.  They're just not maintaining that filter enough

Dish soap and warm water is all you need , works better if you put the filter, soap and warm water in a Zip lock sandwich bag and shake like crazy. Rinse it off under the tap.

On my older Stihl nylon filters I put them in my empty sandwich bag from my lunch box. Fill it half full with mixed gas , seal it up and shake.
Filters come out nice and white even after 20 plus years.

[realzed]

I wasn't aware the present 261CM filters were 'washable' I must have missed it... thought the manual only mentioned blowing it out with air from the inside outwards after rapping it on something to loosen up larger particles..
I usually try and clean it every fuel up or two and the carb throat isn't coated - just that the filter gets pretty clogged up meaning I guess it's doing it's job decently- but just an assumption on my part that the new 462 type, obviously being the newest version might and should be a better or more durable material since these type of deals usually improve as things evolve over time.

[HolmenTree]

Washing the 261 filter in warm water and dish soap didn't hurt mine .

I think reason Stihl is not advertising washing them is washing to some end users is washing them in gas or solvent and then blowing them out with high pressure  air.
Like some of the older fuzzy flock filters gas or solvent can soften up the glue and then high pressure air will blow the flock off.

[HolmenTree]

realzed are you sure you read your 261 manual right?
This is what mine says....warm soapy water.


 

[realzed]

Nope Willard - apparently not!  Maybe I should stick more to the 'getting older' thread..
In my best 'male - manual directions aversion-thing' I do somewhat  recall reading filter info, as some looks and sounds vaguely familiar - like the blowing from inside out being logical and thinking to myself that I shouldn't go crazy with the large compressor at home considering the  high pressure - probably is where I gleaned that.
I do understand that I always have had "if a little is good - then a lot should be even better" issues - and imagine the 'Stihl special cleaner' suggestion just threw me off to the point of shutting down thinking "Stihl is just trying to sell me more of their over priced crap - just like K & N does"!
That's undoubtedly where my personal information quest veered off track and ended I'm sure as I then was reminded at that moment to check both my truck and quad filter condition before Winter sets in..
Since I intend today to cut more hopefully later today to beat some snow headed our way, I'll pull it off and give it a go and see how much better using some common sense works for me!
Thanks!
 

[HolmenTree]

Randy, what did your email say about the MS462CM?
Some of the guys in eastern Canada haven't even seen them listed at their dealers yet.
Maybe they only came into western Canada for now.

[realzed]

Hope this opens properly for you..

STIHL - New Product Notice ? MS 462 C-M and MS 462 C-M R, November 2018

They sure aren't giving them away!

[realzed]

If the page opens OK a subsequent click on it will also open the pricing and specifications page.. all hopefully.
I didn't realize they would be so much $$'s - but then I haven't ever priced a big saw out when in any dealerships either. 
Maybe that is sort of the acceptable CDN pricing but it just hit me as pretty steep!
The specs are pretty impressive when it comes to the horsepower/weight ratio though..

[HolmenTree]

Thanks Randy for sharing that.
Yep when you get into 70cc territory $1,400 plus 13%taxes is the going rate here in Canada.
The 60cc  Husqvarna 562XP is pushing $1000 retail.

You gotta make a living with a saw to make the MS462 pay or you cut alot of fuel wood and not shy digging in your wallet. 

I put my MS261CM and 066 Mag to work today and the income they made today would pay for a new MS462CM with 13% taxes included.

Beautiful working day 25 below in the morning and sun shining beautifully.
Even put on a good sweat.
I gave the firewood blocks away thanks to a quick post on the local Facebook buy and sell.
And I'm keeping on cutting and chipping limbs and tops.


 

 

[realzed]

I know how unpredictably dangerous Poplars can be - but those don't look all that bad - or are looks just deceiving? 
I don't mind burning poplar but it has to be well dried and that can take quite a while in our climate here. I have some that is now  3 years cut and split and it burns nice and hot but not many coals!
Friend used to drop and leave it over-Winter on the ground - just scored a couple of lines in the bark with his saw and left it sit and swore by the next Spring it was already starting to dry and didn't rot at all because the score let the cold peel open the bark draw some of the moisture out. 
He basically had tons of it and not much more on his property and always said that it was great clean wood to burn - but you do need a lot of it compared to any hardwood obviously..

[HolmenTree]

White poplar are heavy and these ones are bigger then they look. Tall and most are 20"-24" diameter near ground level.
In the 2nd pic the tree next to the trucks front wheel is over 24". The trucks rims are 20" diameter.
The 066 on the stump has a 28" b/c on it.
Nice splitting firewood blocks,  no knots or limbs for the first 30-40 feet.
Poplar are the poor man's birch.

[HolmenTree]

I didn't realize they would be so much $$'s - but then I haven't ever priced a big saw out when in any dealerships either.
Maybe that is sort of the acceptable CDN pricing but it just hit me as pretty steep!

Yep when you get into 70cc territory $1,400 is the going rate here in Canada.
You gotta make a living with a saw to make the MS462 pay.
I put my MS261CM and 066 Mag to work today and the income they made today would pay for a new MS462CM.

I'm sitting here in my pickup waiting for the last of the kids walking to school next door to my jobsite.
Going to finish this job today then off to my Stihl dealer to get information and look into ordering a new MS 462 CM.
I don't get these high paying jobs all that often like I'm doing right now clearing for a water pipeline. But when they come up they make up for the slow times.
This pic from yesterday of the 5 trees I processed took 3 hours plus an extra hour to chip the remaining limbs, dump the chips at my dump site and park the trailer unit in my car garage.

So yeah a $1,582 with taxes"making a living saw" is a very important in a tree service operation and can be paid for in 4 hours of work, but of course I couldn't do that without my other equipment and people hauling away the cut firewood.

But it took me years to get where I am now. Haven't had a employee for over 10 years, my all in one trailer unit I built 15 years ago  with 7 ton side dump, chipper, 4x4 mini loader, stump grinder is still mechanically sound.

But I'm turning 61 soon and have no kids who need it to pass the business on to.
So I guess I'll just have to keep on going and wear out a brand new MS 462 CM



 

[lxskllr]

Picking a random dealer in Nova Scotia, the 362cm is $900 on special. Early this year I paid $811 out the door, and that included taxes, a longer bar option, and some files. Stuff's definitely more expensive up north.

[HolmenTree]

Yup, that's for sure. 562XP same price as the 362 and both never go on sale.
Biggest saw that go on sale are the MS261 and 550XP here in Canada.

When you make a living with them you gotta make hay when the sun's shining

[HolmenTree]

Lunchtime, 
 everyone of these little guys are environmentalists 
Lots of questions and some say I'm a "bad man".


 

[samandothers]

As they age some will change some will not.  But at that age....
I would have thought ‘cool equipment’.

[HolmenTree]

As they age some will change some will not.  But at that age....
I would have thought ‘cool equipment’.

Yup,  tree huggers decades back used the spotted owl to stop logging in vast regions of mature timber
.....now look what's going on with the fires in California all the way up to B.C.
I have a firewood hoarder picking up my rounds as fast as I can cut them, save a me alot of extra loading and hauling.
I noodle splitted the lower bigger rounds in half which he appreciates.
Had a heavy side leaner risking falling out on the street taking out a street light in the process.
So with the Big Shot sling shot and throw line I set and anchored a guy rope to the trailer. Then felled it 90° degree from anchor to lay.


 

 

 

 

[teakwood]

Very nice work Willard. do you pile the logs by hand? aren't they very heavy?

1580$ that's canadien dollars? that would be 1200$ US? I pay that in a season logging and the saw will serve me lots of years so for professional use i don't see a problem with the price

[teakwood]

  on the first pic of you post where we can see the 066:

Is that a special noodle sprocket cover?

[HolmenTree]

 on the first pic of you post where we can see the 066:

Is that a special noodle sprocket cover? (Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Yep, never throw away a broken sprocket cover
I pile them by hand neatly at first so the firewood collectors can see what I got to get them interested in taking them away.
After that I just throw them off to the side loosely so I can get at the limbs.
Didn't have time after work yesterday to visit the Stihl dealer. I had to volunteer being a time keeper at my  11 year old twin daughters swimming club's team mini meet.
Will have time later today, just gotta finish up this job.

[HolmenTree]

Yup, that's for sure. 562XP same price as the 362 and both never go on sale.
Biggest saw that go on sale are the MS261 and 550XP here in Canada.

When you make a living with them you gotta make hay when the sun's shining

I just checked Stihl Canada's website and like lxskllr said the MS362 is on sale at $899 regular $969.
But here is something weird I clicked on the sites MS 462 CM- R and this what it shows. A 462 with a rescue starter handle, carbide chain, 3/4 wrap handle but no depth control bar cover
New hardwood logging saw?

[realzed]

I like that handle! With arthritic old hands like I have now (too many years in cold old airplanes coming back to bite me) that looks like it may be a really good addition going forward, as some days that 261 cord can be a real chore to grab and hang on to..
My wife peeked over my shoulder, saw the picture of the cut poplar stacked up, and said "where's that - and why haven't you managed to get those ones by now too"..   smart ass..
Says she figures that I have a 'Wood Fetish' and possibly I am gaining somewhat of a reputation for picking up any and everything free when it comes to wood bits and pieces!

[Mad Professor]

I like that handle! With arthritic old hands like I have now (too many years in cold old airplanes coming back to bite me) that looks like it may be a really good addition going forward, as some days that 261 cord can be a real chore to grab and hang on to..
My wife peeked over my shoulder, saw the picture of the cut poplar stacked up, and said "where's that - and why haven't you managed to get those ones by now too"..   smart ass..
Says she figures that I have a 'Wood Fetish' and possibly I am gaining somewhat of a reputation for picking up any and everything free when it comes to wood bits and pieces!

$899 for a 60cc saw! Holy 7!@#%^&*  Not sure in USD.
I have two 036 pros that I paid: $0 for one (lean sieze),  and $125 for the other (25 years ago).  They are my first choice firewood saws.  I rebuilt the freebee 036

 and had < $250 into it with all NOS OEM parts

[realzed]

And that's with only a 16" bar - the price goes up approx. $10 for every 2 " extra bar length (who really uses or needs a 362 @ 16") - then there is 13% on top of it all for our wonderful taxes so our country can give the money away in other Worlds..
So in the end with a 20" bar a presently ON SALE 362CM will run you a minimum of $1040 CDN by the time it sits in your truck.. no case, extra chain(s) or anything else - except if you wish to have an extra year's warranty for another $25-$30 on top of that..
Not exactly cheap in my eyes - good piece no doubt.. but you have to make use of it A LOT or just have a lot fatter wallet or different outlook on money than I do!
The 462CM being just another notch up on the money pole again..

[ZeroJunk]

I like that handle! With arthritic old hands like I have now (too many years in cold old airplanes coming back to bite me) that looks like it may be a really good addition going forward, as some days that 261 cord can be a real chore to grab and hang on to..
My wife peeked over my shoulder, saw the picture of the cut poplar stacked up, and said "where's that - and why haven't you managed to get those ones by now too"..   smart ass..
Says she figures that I have a 'Wood Fetish' and possibly I am gaining somewhat of a reputation for picking up any and everything free when it comes to wood bits and pieces!

$899 for a 60cc saw! Holy 7!@#%^&*  Not sure in USD.
I have two 036 pros that I paid: $0 for one (lean sieze),  and $125 for the other (25 years ago).  They are my first choice firewood saws.  I rebuilt the freebee 036
(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)
 and had < $250 into it with all NOS OEM parts

Yeah.  I have an 066, 036 ,026,024 and 028. Don't think I have over $400 in the lot.
Don't get me wrong. The new stuff is cool. I'm just not going to pay for it.

[Mad Professor]

So new saws are $$$$!!!

How about the FACT they are like new trucks that you can't work on?  I heard $100 to hook up a diagnostic Stihl tool.  Do that for 5-6 saws a year......

I like simple things I can work on. 

My favorite truck is a 70s chevy w/I-6 292.  It has a 1-wire distributor and retrofitted with a 1966 manual choke carb I rebuilt.  Two vacuum lines: to distributor and PCV valve.  If ignition craps out I have a spare distributor behind the seat.  If I need to work on it, I can sit inside the engine compartment, and still be dry when it's raining. Try that with a 2018.

I have many Stihls from 80s and 90s (009 020 026 028 036 038 056 064 066) some in duplicate/triplicate.  Only 1 brought new, only 1 has limiter caps.  Simple to work on, I like them.

[teakwood]

I pile them by hand neatly at first so the firewood collectors

Willard, have you tried some wood grabing clamps? they really help piling wood, good for the back too, i use them alot.

Husqvarna Lifting hooks Hand Lifting Timber Tong

There is a 8 and a 12" tong, they are very handy

[HolmenTree]

I pile them by hand neatly at first so the firewood collectors

Willard, have you tried some wood grabing clamps? they really help piling wood, good for the back too, i use them alot.

Husqvarna Lifting hooks Hand Lifting Timber Tong

There is a 8 and a 12" tong, they are very handy

Ramone, yep I got 2 of the bigger Husqvarna tongs and a pickaroon.
But they are useless in this frozen solid wood.
Where the bark is rough the tongs will grab. But with lots of slipping I don't bother with them. I was going to sharpen one of them on the grinder to a needle point but forgot.

Forgot my phone too in the shop yesterday so didn't get any pics yesterday on the job. Didn't make the dealer either as he closed early for this Remembrance Day long weekend, he'll be open Tuesday.

[realzed]

Any idea whether Stihl uses those loop handles in any other applications aside from the posted 462CMR  .
I would be interested in seeing just how big one is and if it would be at all practical to adapt to a 261 to assist my poor grip on the handle as it is now.
To order one blind and find that it is too big and/or unwieldy would be a shame, (or even a 362 regular version which appears slightly larger than the 261 type) so I'm hopeful of getting a look in person at something that might help me in this situation that isn't getting better going forward unfortunately pretty quickly now..
Thanks - Randy

[ZeroJunk]

So new saws are $$$$!!!

How about the FACT they are like new trucks that you can't work on?  I heard $100 to hook up a diagnostic Stihl tool.  Do that for 5-6 saws a year......

I like simple things I can work on.  

My favorite truck is a 70s chevy w/I-6 292.  It has a 1-wire distributor and retrofitted with a 1966 manual choke carb I rebuilt.  Two vacuum lines: to distributor and PCV valve.  If ignition craps out I have a spare distributor behind the seat.  If I need to work on it, I can sit inside the engine compartment, and still be dry when it's raining. Try that with a 2018.

I have many Stihls from 80s and 90s (009 020 026 028 036 038 056 064 066) some in duplicate/triplicate.  Only 1 brought new, only 1 has limiter caps.  Simple to work on, I like them.

I worked on a 201 M Tronic a few months ago. Diagnostic really not much help. Saw would run fine for a few cuts and then cut off. Flow chart says replace the short wiring harness. Did that, Same thing. Then replace solenoid in carb. Did that same thing. Replaced the complete top handle and that fixed it. Thing is, it didn't ohm out bad any kind of way. VooDoo.

[HolmenTree]

I didn't realize they would be so much $$'s - but then I haven't ever priced a big saw out when in any dealerships either.
Maybe that is sort of the acceptable CDN pricing but it just hit me as pretty steep!

Yep when you get into 70cc territory $1,400 is the going rate here in Canada.
You gotta make a living with a saw to make the MS462 pay.
I put my MS261CM and 066 Mag to work today and the income they made today would pay for a new MS462CM.

This pic from yesterday of the 4 trees I processed took 3 hours plus an extra hour to chip the remaining limbs, dump the chips at my dump site and park the trailer unit in my car garage.


(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)
 

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Finished the 14 tree job this morning and being Sunday morning no school kids to worry about. 
At the end of yesterday I thought I had 2 trees left for today, but this morning I found a extra stump amongst the 4 I cut the other day
So it was  5 trees in that 4 hour day and this morning I only had #14 to remove, that's a bonus!


 

 

[HolmenTree]

Today back to residential tree removal.
 Brrrrr starting to get chillier with that north west wind.


 

[realzed]

Pretty neat setup - for sure.. Guess that is what a lot of experience teaches you over time!
How much does that trailer carry all loaded up - see now why you have a diesel 3500?? series.. nice looking truck as well!  

[HolmenTree]

Thanks Randy. As it sits with the mini loader perched in the front on the tongue 6200 lbs .
With the dump box full of chips under 10,000 lbs to keep the DOT happy.