Stihl 880 under powered

Ivestertree · September 21, 2014, 08:14:20 AM

I recently purchased a new MS880 w/ 47" hard nose bar. First time out it was falling on its face. Bogging thru the whole cut. I returned to the dealer and they did some adjusting of the carb (they removed the limiters on adjusters) and told me the hard nose had too much drag. I opted for a 36" rollamatic w/skip tooth.
I return to the job site and the thing is still bogging and has less power than my MS660 w/ 36" bar and full comp chain.
I return it again. Later that day they call saying the carb had excessive residue from the factory startup since they'd had the saw hanging on display for 8 months. Supposedly problem solved.
I get the saw and it wouldn't even start..... i finally get it started and it still runs like crap. .. I'm around 4300' elevation at my current job and I'm cutting thru spicy poplar
Any suggestions?

thecfarm · September 21, 2014, 08:21:58 AM

Ivestertree,welcome to the forum. Bring a piece of stove wood length wood and have then try it out. ;) Sounds like they are trying.

Ivestertree · September 21, 2014, 09:05:19 AM

I know they are. It's frustrating to drop 2k and be disappointed. Haha

ZeroJunk · September 21, 2014, 09:09:53 AM

There has been a lot of talk about those being under powered. I think it is mostly because of EPA emissions.

Of course if you start modifying you void the warranty.

It's a shame you have to work on a $1700 saw to make it perform.

Ivestertree · September 21, 2014, 09:18:51 AM

If they don't fix it I'll be doing mods. I don't care about the warranty when something that is supposed to make me money is just sitting around collecting dust

HolmenTree · September 21, 2014, 11:10:08 AM

Sounds like the carb needs to be switched out on warranty, seeing dealer admits about residue being a problem.

sawguy21 · September 21, 2014, 12:21:07 PM

What elevation is the shop at? If they are substantially lower than your work site they may be setting it too rich. Where the heck did you find a 47" hard nose ???

Ivestertree · September 21, 2014, 02:20:08 PM

Quote from: sawguy21 on September 21, 2014, 12:21:07 PM
What elevation is the shop at? If they are substantially lower than your work site they may be setting it too rich. Where the heck did you find a 47" hard nose ???

I thought that too. The elevations are within 50' of each other. The only 47" bar stihl makes is a hard nose. Then the 41" and 59" are sprocket tips.

Maine logger88 · September 21, 2014, 02:35:41 PM

Well if a 880 won't run a 47" hard nose what will?

Ivestertree · September 21, 2014, 02:56:53 PM

Quote from: Maine logger88 on September 21, 2014, 02:35:41 PM
Well if a 880 won't run a 47" hard nose what will?

It barely wants to run a 36" sprocket tip in Poplar. haha

sablatnic · September 21, 2014, 04:24:20 PM

Are you cutting poplar?

It could be the edge angle (top plate angle) of the chain that is off. Normally it should be like 30 degrees, but in soft wood (poplar and willow) I have gone to around 40, to give the chain a better chance to clear the cut.

Normally the 880 shouldn't need more power. Weird!!

HolmenTree · September 21, 2014, 06:05:55 PM

Quote from: Ivestertree on September 21, 2014, 08:14:20 AM
I recently purchased a new MS880 w/ 47" hard nose bar. First time out it was falling on its face. Bogging thru the whole cut. I returned to the dealer and they did some adjusting of the carb (they removed the limiters on adjusters) and told me the hard nose had too much drag. I opted for a 36" rollamatic w/skip tooth.
I return to the job site and the thing is still bogging and has less power than my MS660 w/ 36" bar and full comp chain.
I return it again. Later that day they call saying the carb had excessive residue from the factory startup since they'd had the saw hanging on display for 8 months. Supposedly problem solved.
I get the saw and it wouldn't even start..... i finally get it started and it still runs like crap. .. I'm around 4300' elevation at my current job and I'm cutting thru spicy poplar
Any suggestions?

It tells me your dealer is in trouble already with Stihl by removing the carb limiters, warranty should now be void. No way can a 47" hard nose bar be "too much" for even a new 880 right out of the box. I think this saw should be sent right back to Virginia Beach tech dept. if it's running like you say it is...or talk your dealer into ordering you another 880.

clww · September 21, 2014, 06:09:21 PM

That much money spent on a new saw that has required several visits back to the same dealer I would ask for a new saw or my money back.

Ivestertree · September 21, 2014, 09:03:18 PM

I'll be doing some aggressive talking tomorrow. So far they've been trying to be really helpful

Andyshine77 · September 22, 2014, 01:42:21 AM

I've ran several newer 880's, they were all complete dogs. They have restrictions in the carb, ignition and as always the muffler. The limited ignition coil really slows these saws down, and if your dealer doesn't tune the saw in the cut he's likely not tuning the saw correctly. The last 880 I ran had a coil that started clipping the coil at like 9,500 rpm, which is great for the bottom end, but it kills the performance of this saw.

Also keep in mind the bigger saws really wake up as they break in. Run a few tanks of fuel through it in smaller logs and see how it feels after that.

Ivestertree · September 26, 2014, 09:47:23 PM

The dealer has completely gone thru it top to bottom. They say there isn't anything wrong with it but they agree it doesn't have the power it should.

JohnG28 · September 26, 2014, 11:32:17 PM

They willing to swap it out for you then?

Ivestertree · September 27, 2014, 01:02:41 AM

they will if I want, the only problem is the job that I bought this saw for is almost over...

JohnG28 · September 27, 2014, 07:30:07 AM

Gotcha. Well hope you can figure out something that works for you, whether swapping out or just returning it. Since its money already spent, may as well get another one! :D

7sleeper · September 27, 2014, 07:59:47 AM

Get a 661 winter version with 3 bars and half a dozen chains instead.

Sorry for your bad luck.

7

sablatnic · September 27, 2014, 11:18:25 AM

I believe it has two throttle valves. Do they both open?

HolmenTree · September 27, 2014, 02:24:23 PM

The Stihl MS 661 CM looks like an awesome saw. If Husqvarna doesn't upgrade that class soon I'll have to buy a 661 and use my 395XP for a backup saw.

MS661 CM: 7.3 H.P. 16.3 LBS.
395XP: 7.1 H.P. 17.4 LBS.
390XP: 6.5 H.P. 15.65 LBS

Ivestertree · September 27, 2014, 10:09:25 PM

I already have 2 ported out 660's that do a great job. One with a 36" and 7 tooth sprocket and the other with a 25" and a 9 tooth sprocket.
I wanted the 880 because of the large stumps. however, my 660's have been handling the job very well.

joe_indi · September 30, 2014, 12:05:13 PM

Being the Johnny-Come-Lately on this thread, though it might be a foolish question at this point, what chain are you running on the saw? (Pitch and type)
Joe