Any news on the MS 462?

[WoodBurner19]

Hey Guys. I went to purchase a MS 461 last week & my dealer told me they were not getting any
more in. They said the new line ups were coming out soon. Did anyone hear of the the new MS 462
yet?

[khntr85]

I bet another dealer around you can get one.... they are *DanG nice saws!!!

[Texas-Jim]

ms 461 is available, no idea why your dealer said it wasnt. they run around $1040.00 depending on the bar/chain you want.

[ehp]

just get the 461, my dealer has them in stock and has no trouble getting other 461's , I got 461 Arctic's and I like them, handle bars sure are nice and warm

[WoodBurner19]

Ok, so I went to my dealer today, he said he can order one for me. Don't get me wrong, it's a good dealership & the guys are nice.
I'm going to pull the trigger tomorrow on the 461. I should get it within a week. BTW- its $950
Thanks for all the help

[khntr85]

You WILL love the saw!!!!!

  Do not judge her until you you get 10-15 tanks ran threw her...

[Verticaltrx]

Not sure if you've already bought the saw or not, but right now Stihl is selling the Ms461 for the price of the Ms441, but I don't think they advertise this (you have to ask/have your dealer call stihl). This is due to the fact that the Ms441 is either out of production or unavailable at this time, so they are offering the 461 for the 441 price. Like I said, your dealer may or may not be aware of this. I just picked up a new 461 with 20" b/c for $865 on monday.

[WoodBurner19]

I'm going tomorrow to my dealer. I will ask them about the price.
Thanks for the info!

[joe_indi]

Why dont you wait till 2017?
You might have a chance to choose a 382 or a 462.
(The 461 is a great saw)
You get more choice
Joe

[Jeff]

Hey Guys. I went to purchase a MS 461 last week & my dealer told me they were not getting any
more in. They said the new line ups were coming out soon. Did anyone hear of the the new MS 462
yet?

Stihl just sent me a new banner yesterday promoting the 461. It is in rotation at the top, or, here it is below.

[wetherby]

We just demo'd the European version of the MS 462 for Stihl International.  It is an awesome saw.  But it will be probably another year out for U.S. market.

[DelawhereJoe]

Justed Googled Stihl ms 462 c-m and found what looks like a German company selliing the 462 c-m for 1248.00€.

[Reddawg]

I purchased the 461R last week with the 24 in b/c and it's a beast! It isn't broken in yet, but pulled through a 32" elm like butter. The 36RM chain, full comp, that it came with is a little choppy, hanging up a couple of times but the power of the saw will drag you right back into it when it's slightly moved.
This is a saw that will be difficult to match, both power and reliability. Great balance and quality engineering. The filtration system may be the only thing that I question, but if you are serious about cutting, this will not disappoint. I tried the Dolamar before the 461R and was glad I did. This is one that you will have forever if you treat it with respect. Once you realize the time you save with this saw, you will not regret the $$$. Mine tipped the scale at about 1200, but it already paid itself.

[joe_indi]

The MS462 maybe yet to come, but this fantastic saw derived from the old 038 would be a great buy as a companion for a MS461.
http://www.dmi.com.ph/stihl/products/stihl-products/chain-saws/professional-chain-saw/257

[khntr85]

I purchased the 461R last week with the 24 in b/c and it's a beast! It isn't broken in yet, but pulled through a 32" elm like butter. The 36RM chain, full comp, that it came with is a little choppy, hanging up a couple of times but the power of the saw will drag you right back into it when it's slightly moved.
This is a saw that will be difficult to match, both power and reliability. Great balance and quality engineering. The filtration system may be the only thing that I question, but if you are serious about cutting, this will not disappoint. I tried the Dolamar before the 461R and was glad I did. This is one that you will have forever if you treat it with respect. Once you realize the time you save with this saw, you will not regret the $$$. Mine tipped the scale at about 1200, but it already paid itself.

  I agree with it 100% man, the 461 is great...every time I use it I am more impressed and I have had it a 1-1/2 years....mine usually wears the 25" bar...I actually have a 32" with full skip chain, but I have never tried it yet....I also installed the HO oiler in mine...

  I don't know about you buy my saw kept getting stronger til atleast 15-20 tanks of fuel....

A couple weeks ago I drilled holes in the baffle, enlarged the exghuast outlet some and re-tuned the carb....I didn't get to carried away with the exghuast hole size, the main thing is getting the baffle out of the muffler and enlarging the existing exghuast hole some....I will tell you I can feel power gain for sure....it helps the saw stay cooler and gets rid of exghuast faster...

  After i did this modification I could tell excactly why people say the saw is "choked" down from the factory to meet EPA standards.....the saw ran great before these mods, but it now runs even better...I beieve these mods help the saw in every possible way...if you get some spare time I would HIGHLY recommend you do this to your saw!!!

[Reddawg]

I'm hear ya and I'd like to see what you did to the muffler. I got to admit I don't feel right yet doing a muffler mod to a week old saw, but when I get a few more tanks through it I may just see what I'm able to get out of it.
I did similar on my old 034, where I basically took out the entire baffle inside, but kept the cover exhaust the same just to keep sparks and major heat deflected away from me. Not quite sure if I noticed a huge difference, and now with the 461, I guess I won't need to really find out.
If you have a pic or two of your muffler mod, it would be great to see what is possible.
I just might try on semi-skip, semi-chisel as this has been sweet on the 034. The 461 has so much power it may not be needed but snagging of the full comp chain is pain. I'm not complaing, just wanting to keep the saw dust pouring out the back. Man that think can throw some chips!

[khntr85]

I'm hear ya and I'd like to see what you did to the muffler. I got to admit I don't feel right yet doing a muffler mod to a week old saw, but when I get a few more tanks through it I may just see what I'm able to get out of it.
I did similar on my old 034, where I basically took out the entire baffle inside, but kept the cover exhaust the same just to keep sparks and major heat deflected away from me. Not quite sure if I noticed a huge difference, and now with the 461, I guess I won't need to really find out.
If you have a pic or two of your muffler mod, it would be great to see what is possible.
I just might try on semi-skip, semi-chisel as this has been sweet on the 034. The 461 has so much power it may not be needed but snagging of the full comp chain is pain. I'm not complaing, just wanting to keep the saw dust pouring out the back. Man that think can throw some chips!

Yes, the mod is definitely not needed, I just have OCD..

No I dont have any pics...but if you look at pics of the inside of the 461 muffler, just imagine a bunch of 1/4"  holes in the baffle...it just helps rid the motor of heat/exghuast...like I said the saw is great as it is, this mod just helps her run cooler, and in turn gives a power/response bust...

  I will get a pic of the exghuast opening thought...like I said I stuck to the conservative side and didnt get carried away with a huge exghuast opening.....yes theybthrow chips hard !!

[JJinAK]

I was in the same boat.  I wanted to wait for the 462, but couldn't really get a straight answer on the delivery.  I went with the 461R w/ a 28" b/c.  I went with the full skip chain.  I love the saw.  I only have about 4 tanks through it at the moment, but I'm really impressed w/ it.  For a bigger saw it doesn't feel heavy.  Has great balance.  I'm still not sold on the wrap handle, but it was all they had so I took it.  Time will tell on that.  My local dealer gave me a great deal.  I picked up the saw, b/c, backup chain and a jug of oil for <$1000 usd.

I would still like to know about the availability of the 462.  I'm intrigued by that saw.  There's no way I could swing that now as I don't feel like sleeping in the garage.....

JaJ

[khntr85]

I was in the same boat.  I wanted to wait for the 462, but couldn't really get a straight answer on the delivery.  I went with the 461R w/ a 28" b/c.  I went with the full skip chain.  I love the saw.  I only have about 4 tanks through it at the moment, but I'm really impressed w/ it.  For a bigger saw it doesn't feel heavy.  Has great balance.  I'm still not sold on the wrap handle, but it was all they had so I took it.  Time will tell on that.  My local dealer gave me a great deal.  I picked up the saw, b/c, backup chain and a jug of oil for <$1000 usd.

I would still like to know about the availability of the 462.  I'm intrigued by that saw.  There's no way I could swing that now as I don't feel like sleeping in the garage.....

JaJ

Just wait til you run 10-more tanks threw that saw, she will really wake up then...

   The more I have seen the 462, (and I know most may disagree), I think I like the look of the 461 a little more....yes it will be interesting to see the mtronic and spring AV on the 462, and it better have a pre-filter airfilter system too...

   I am glad I got my 461 last year, I like to be able to adjust my carb, it may not be as "perfect" as a system as mtronic, but not near as much can go wrong with it either....when I pick up my 461, I know she will start, will cut, and will make me happy....

Oh I don't like those wrap handles, I stilymp to much with my saw to have one....I did put the HO oil pump in mine, which ours should have....you can always by the regular handle bar if need be!!

[AdkStihl]

http://www.hanusa-gartentechnik.com/STIHL-MS-462-C-M

[teakwood]

it says: in summer 2017, which is now in Europe so should be already available or be within 1-2 month.
Wow!!  6 hp with 6 kilos weight!! that's impressive

[HolmenTree]

I like how the 462 has a low profile 1 piece top cover from using a HD canister air filter mounted behind the carb not on top.
Looks like a large version of a MS261C.

This 72.2cc 13.2 lb. MS462C doesn't look to be a saw that's replacing the MS461, more for replacing the MS441C. As the 70.7 cc 441 is the exact same 14.6 lb weight of the 76.5cc 461 with less power.

This is exciting times in the industry as in a few weeks this August Husqvarna will be introducing their new 70cc 572XP in Europe. But from pictures I seen the 572 has a bloated high top cover and retains a primer bulb.

Just like the excitement back in 1988 when the Stihl 044AV was introduced to challenge the market leading Husqvarna 268XP ;D



 

[HolmenTree]

MS462C in action.

https://youtu.be/WWf6OVTn4Fc

[PNWRusty]

I want one!

Not because of that video though. I'll admit I don't recognize the wood he cut but it  didn't look very hard except for the non-impressive cutting speed. I think a more effective chain might have made for a more impressive demo!

[Texas-Jim]

Talked to technical advisor at Stihl today and he knows nothing of a ms 462 being released in the USA.

[HolmenTree]

I want one!

Not because of that video though. I'll admit I don't recognize the wood he cut but it  didn't look very hard except for the non-impressive cutting speed. I think a more effective chain might have made for a more impressive demo!

That operator how badly he handled that saw didn't do it justice. :D

[4x4American]

just get the 461, my dealer has them in stock and has no trouble getting other 461's , I got 461 Arctic's and I like them, handle bars sure are nice and warm

I tried getting a 461vw (arctic) and my dealer told me they were discontinued can't get them anymore!  You know where I can get one?

[ehp]

Im in Canada and we can still buy arctic saws , I also was told I could not get any more of them about a year ago but we got another shipment of them . They sure have the best heated handle bars in the 70 cc up saws class.  My 372 xpws handles donot get warm very good on cold days

[ehp]

I agree, that operator sure did not do that saw justice , a 362 would get that fast in good hands

[Felly Jr]

I can't wait for the 462 to be available in the US. I'll be getting one to accompany my 461R.

[ButchC]

That operator how badly he handled that saw didn't do it justice. :D

No kidding, .  Watching the "pros" at the Paul Bunyan Show I have often thought the same ???,,, or maybe we do it wrong ;)??

[HolmenTree]

That operator how badly he handled that saw didn't do it justice. :D

No kidding, .  Watching the "pros" at the Paul Bunyan Show I have often thought the same ???,,, or maybe we do it wrong ;)??

The operator in that video was rocking the bar and chain up and down like crazy with the dogs.

When you crosscut efficiently you hold the saw level and let the sawchain do its work without changing different pressures and angles.
Keeping the dogs clear of the log takes practice. In the competitive field crosscutting cookies dogs are not on the saw.

[ButchC]

I took the spike off my 036 when it was brand new and installed a smooth block of aluminum in it's place. Came from the dealer and I'm purdy sure it was a Stihl part?  I think they called it a pulpwood bumper? Saves having to hold the saw back and works well except at the very top of the cut where you must hold the saw back.

[HolmenTree]

Pretty well all 70 cc and under saws throughout history had an optional smooth bumper plate .
Biggest reason for them was for efficient limbing in conifer.
Of course felling and bucking in smaller diameter wood,  a professional operator would have his chain filed to the point where it was always self feeding.

[AnvilRW]

Of course felling and bucking in smaller diameter wood,  a professional operator would have his chain filed to the point where it was always self feeding.

You mean independent of the mass of the saw?  How does one sharpen a chain to do that?  I know that when boring by keeping pressure on the bottom (return side) of the bar a saw will pretty much self feed, but how does that work when crosscutting?

[HolmenTree]

AnvilRW, well if you haven't figured that one out then your simply not following manufacturers sharpening specs :D

[AnvilRW]

AnvilRW, well if you haven't figured that one out then your simply not following manufacturers sharpening specs :D

I guess not.  Never had to hold a saw back but being a machinist by trade, my definition of self-feeding might be different.

[HolmenTree]

AnvilRW, well if you haven't figured that one out then your simply not following manufacturers sharpening specs :D

I guess not.  Never had to hold a saw back but being a machinist by trade, my definition of self-feeding might be different.

???Machinist work is one thing.... experience maintaining a productive sawchain and working with it is another .

Let me explain and lets not put "holding back a saw" in the topic. Just letting a WOT saw rest on a log with its own weight will be self feeding and will then get out of control and stall.

Let's take a bar/chain cutting in the horizontal felling position as your test of self feeding with no help from felling dogs.

There is a fine balance in filing technique that will make a chainsaw cut with very little hand pressure in the felling position.
It's a balance between the right amount of cutter side plate angle, top plate angle , depth gauge setting and most importantly how sharp the cutting edges are.
Now don't forget throughout the filing life of a sawchain's cutters you can't rely on a standard one time setting, as for example the depth gauge clearance setting has to be progressive as the cutters get smaller.

When the cutters are new and the depth gauges are set at .025 that clearance can be too much with the ammount of side plate angle that is already in the chain right out of the factory. So there is some fine tuning needed for whatever tree species you are cutting.
Chain from the factory is ground at a average setting and angles for common use of whats it's used for.

So when your felling a tree with no over feeding or underfeeding you have a good balance.
But alot of balance can be derived from operator experience also.....

[AnvilRW]

???Machinist work is one thing.... experience maintaining a productive sawchain and working with it is another .

Let me explain and lets not put "holding back a saw" in the topic. Just letting a WOT saw rest on a log with its own weight will be self feeding and will then get out of control and stall.

Let's take a bar/chain cutting in the horizontal felling position as your test of self feeding with no help from felling dogs.

There is a fine balance in filing technique that will make a chainsaw cut with very little hand pressure in the felling position.
It's a balance between the right amount of cutter side plate angle, top plate angle , depth gauge setting and most importantly how sharp the cutting edges are.
Now don't forget throughout the filing life of a sawchain's cutters you can't rely on a standard one time setting, as for example the depth gauge clearance setting has to be progressive as the cutters get smaller.

When the cutters are new and the depth gauges are set at .025 that clearance can be too much with the ammount of side plate angle that is already in the chain right out of the factory. So there is some fine tuning needed for whatever tree species you are cutting.
Chain from the factory is ground at a average setting and angles for common use of whats it's used for.

So when your felling a tree with no over feeding or underfeeding you have a good balance.
But alot of balance can be derived from operator experience also.....

Thank you for taking the time.  No doubt I have a lot to learn.  Always.  I've been a sponge on here and then combining/reconciling that with my own experience.  I've been around saws my whole life, but being "around it" is a far cry from living it as you and others do.  Probably best to say I have 40 years of 1 year's worth of experience.  Ha.  But I would like to learn more of tuning/sharpening chains.  To take my own skills (or lack thereof) out of the equation, I've had new chains (Stihl RS's) on my 661 (25" bar) that wouldn't bog in a cut if I just let it feed under its own weight from the rear handle.  But I don't do hardwoods either, just DF and Ponderosa's and they're not huge.  A 2 footer is a big tree for me.  The biggest tree on the property, a Douglas Fir, is not more than 4' at the butt.  Bottom line, I'm here to learn, so my questions tend to run in that direction.

[HolmenTree]

AnvilRW,  you wouldn't be able to cut a log with just holding the rear handle with one of my sawchains. ;)

Something is telling me that the new 25" RS chain you claim that will do that on your 661 ......is no where near sharp enough as it should be.
High depth gauges and negative side plate angle with a back slope, no matter how sharp it is will do that too.

[ButchC]

I think there is some confusion here as to exactly what we are talking  about when we say holding  back.  As it applies to the felling dogs vs a bumper pad. Prim and proper operation in  bucking the saw will self feed  with no pressure applied by tbe operator BUT the felling dogs won't let the saw fall down through the log unless you hold them back off the log. When the saw has the bumper pad it will slide down as the saw cuts and over a long day it really saves on the ole back,, at least my old back,LOL. The pad is a bit of a hindrance when felling and certain bucking operations but for a guy with more than one saw it's nice to have on the one saw you buck with most of the time.   As for making the chains self feed that has been well described by Holman. An experienced filer will adjust his angles for the wood, type of work and the HP  available thus the saw does the work with a minimum of input from the operator. As an example RS stihl chains work nicely with my 036 saw with factory angles and depth gauges when bucking in most hard woods however when I feel like playing with the 660 and  20 inch bar doing the same work I run .005 deeper gauges and a few more degrees on both side and top angles and the same RS chain will work the 660 with 8 pin rim  and 20 inch bar with little operator input BUT as said earlier you best have an good hold on the saw when you put it in the wood and you do NOT use the top of the bar unless you have perfect footing, a good grasp on the saw and your head about you. Those chains are near worthless on a lower powered saw and indeed dangerous on them so I keep them separate and we'll marked. Depth gauges are a large part of the equation but only when the cutters are sharp, Lowering gauges in a haphazard manner is DANGEROUS, use a gauge and dont get carried away. A lot is written about hot rodding saw motors and little about the chains but they must pair up and match the wood for things to work to perfection. Dinking with chains is interesting and the results are satisfying, give it a try.  Just be careful how you handle the saw as you make them more aggressive.

[HolmenTree]

If this MS462C is factory stock I can see from this video that Stihl had a real powerhouse of a saw here.
Very quick throttle response, high WOT and lots of grunt in the wood burying what appears to be a 20 inch b/c.
72.2cc and only 13.261 lbs (powerhead weight only).

http://youtu.be/lqpHAdCPE3k

[John Mc]

If that really is the "first cut" as the title implies, it might get better as the saw breaks in.

[HolmenTree]

If that really is the "first cut" as the title implies, it might get better as the saw breaks in.

John, now after a second look at that saw there doesn't appear to be a mark or wood debris on the saw. So it definitely looks like it's making it's first cut.

Will definitely increase alot more power and speed once broke in.

[HolmenTree]

I cringe when I watch that operator in the video warm up that saw, blipping the throttle like that.
Worst thing for the connecting rod bearings.

[John Mc]

I was wondering about his cookie cutting technique, but then I'm far from an expert at that.  I found it hard to get an idea of what the saw was capable of on the first two cookies. I would guess that sawing straight through (closer to what he did on the 3rd cookie) would be the way to go. Any of you with more experience in that care to comment?

[nativewolf]

Ha, hardly any more weight than my (new to me) 362c and more power.  I'm still getting used to the 362c. 

Stihl seems to be on a roll with the 362c, 261c, and now 462..

[HolmenTree]

This 73cc lightweight beast MS462CM taking on the competition reminds me of when Stihl introduced the 85cc 064AV and 71cc 044AV back in the 1980's.
The industry was turned on its head with a 14.1 lb 85cc and 12.8 lb 71cc saws. Now they're doing it again.

When Fred Whyte hired me to work for Stihl in 1989, I had the job of planting the seeds for the newly introduced 044AV in late 1988.
I passed this 044AV brochure out to every saw dealer and pro end-user I could find.
2nd pic is my own 1989 Stihl 044AV and first year 1986 064AV. 
My Yamaha bike saw in the back ground is actually older, I built it in 1983.  :D

When Hans Peter Stihl came for a board meeting visit he Christened my Yamaha when he picked it up off our work bench at our regional branch in Edmonton, Alberta.  ;D


  

  

 

[PNWRusty]

Nice! Does the Yamahogger have a radiator?

[HolmenTree]

Nice! Does the Yamahogger have a radiator?

No radiator or water pump, only a cup or 2 of coolant in the cylinders jacket.

[PNWRusty]

So how long can it cut before it gets too hot?

[HolmenTree]

So how long can it cut before it gets too hot?

About 30 seconds .
I designed it to cut WOT for 3 to 4 seconds for 3 cuts, time includes starting the saw  ;D


 

[HolmenTree]

More good info on the MS462C.

http://www.stihl.com/ms-462-stihl.aspx

http://www.stihl.com/p/media/download/en-com/Brochure_MS_462.pdf

[wetherby]

http://www.stihl.com/ms-462-stihl-alaska.aspx


We loved the 462....

[HolmenTree]

Welcome to the Forum wetherby!
Are you the father Gordon or the son Sterling in the video?
We'd  love to hear some stories about the MS462C from you 

[wetherby]

Stihl asked us which bar, the 50, 63 or 71 cm- we said the longest for our trees here in Alaska (almost 28 inches) and to keep the saw balanced they used a lightweight bar. This is the longest bar that they recommended. The young growth trees that we were cutting were 27"+- at the base so we had that bar buried.  (This is Gordon here...)  The film and still shooting took 3 days and was a trip for us and our little town.  We had 15 on the production team from 5 different agencies. The Director, who is the artsy/fartsy part of this op, chose our company because he liked the father/son aspect.  The saw was a European model which they would not leave with us as it needed some modifications for our market and will be available in 2018.

The captive bar nuts- such a small thing but a great, long overdue feature.  The saw was fast and powerful for it's small package and we both wish that we had one.  Incidentally, the director said "yes" we could have one but the Stihl folks vetoed that: they gave us 750 bucks, however, for the director's folly.

[HolmenTree]

Thanks for the awesome update Gordon. That would be a great experience for you two and your town.

I like how compact and streamlined  the top cover is,  with the rear mounted air filter it doesn't need a awkward high hump like the Husqvarna's come with.

Yes 28" lightweight bar (equivalent weight to a regular 24") would be a maximum length for balance for a 13 plus lb powerhead. My 16 lb 066 Mag powerhead is balanced nice with the 28" ES regular solid bar. That's the setup Stihl sent me when I bought the saw new many years ago.

[PNWRusty]

Yes 28" lightweight bar (equivalent weight to a regular 24") would be a maximum length for balance for a 13 plus lb powerhead. My 16 lb 066 Mag powerhead is balanced nice with the 28" ES regular solid bar.

I would think the position of the handle would determine the bar with the best balance. And that the manufacturer would locate the handle based upon what bar would be most suitable for the powerhead.

In other words, if a saw was developed with 5 Kw that only weighed 10 lbs. the manufacturer would locate the handle so it would be most balanced with around a 28" bar (regardless of the light weight of the powerhead).

[John Mc]

I would think the position of the handle would determine the bar with the best balance. And that the manufacturer would locate the handle based upon what bar would be most suitable for the powerhead.

In other words, if a saw was developed with 5 Kw that only weighed 10 lbs. the manufacturer would locate the handle so it would be most balanced with around a 28" bar (regardless of the light weight of the powerhead).

Except that there are limits to how far forward they want to put the front handle: both because it gets more exposed the further out toward the bar it hangs and due to the ergonomics of the distance between the front and rear handles,

[scsmith42]

I spoke to my dealer today, and he is receiving an order of 50 saws next week from Stihl that they used for special test purposes at Stihl in Germany.  Apparently the mufflers had a 1" hole drilled into them for some test equipment, and they ran the saws for no more than 3 hours each at the factory. 

The factory patched the mufflers, and they are discounting them 20% off of MSRP and offering a 2 year warranty on them.

I'm planning to pick up a 461 with a 36" bar, but he's also getting in 661's, 441's, 880's and 560's. 

[d1hamby]

What Stihl dealer is in New Hill?

[scsmith42]

What Stihl dealer is in New Hill?

ROFLMAO! 

NONE!  New Hill "proper" is comprised of a post office and a convenience store.  We don't even have a traffic light.

75 years ago it was a thriving community with several feed stores, blacksmith's shop, Mom and Pop Groceries, and even a motor court.  Today it's mainly a post office that provides service to a rural area (although the subdivisions from Apex are headed our way). 

My favorite local Stihl dealer, Bobby's Small Engine, is in Sanford NC, about 25 miles from the farm.  He supports a lot of loggers and tree service companies and is a good guy. 

[HolmenTree]

I would think the position of the handle would determine the bar with the best balance. And that the manufacturer would locate the handle based upon what bar would be most suitable for the powerhead.

In other words, if a saw was developed with 5 Kw that only weighed 10 lbs. the manufacturer would locate the handle so it would be most balanced with around a 28" bar (regardless of the light weight of the powerhead).

Except that there are limits to how far forward they want to put the front handle: both because it gets more exposed the further out toward the bar it hangs and due to the ergonomics of the distance between the front and rear handles,

Yes there is some logic in all that. Longer handle spacing makes better leverage on a longer b/c.
Example right here when I compared my 562XP and 272XP.  The 60cc 562 is actually longer then the 72cc 272.
Reason how Husqvarna got the 562 rated for a 28" b/c.
25 years ago the hand strength of a pro end user with a 272XP favored ergonomics over a little extra leverage.


 

[Maine logger88]

That's a awsome looking 272 holmen! I had one almost that nice 10 years ago a guy bought mine new back in the mid 90s and only used it to cut up 20 cord of firewood. I got it for 250 bucks after he traded it in on a 2159. I used it as my main saw for a year and a spare for a few years after that. Now I kinda wish I had of just saved it but at the time I was just starting out and didn't have the money to buy a saw that I wasn't going to use

[HolmenTree]

That's a awsome looking 272 holmen! I had one almost that nice 10 years ago a guy bought mine new back in the mid 90s and only used it to cut up 20 cord of firewood. I got it for 250 bucks after he traded it in on a 2159. I used it as my main saw for a year and a spare for a few years after that. Now I kinda wish I had of just saved it but at the time I was just starting out and didn't have the money to buy a saw that I wasn't going to use

Maine, that 562XP and 272XP in my pic there were both brand new and had never cut a stick of wood yet.
It's a picture of past and present.
I had just bought that 562XP new and my 272XP which I bought several month's earlier .
The 272 I bought from a fella who inherited it from his BIL who died a couple of days after he bought it in 1993.
He stored it in his garage for over 20 years only to idle it for s few minutes every spring, but never had cut a stick of wood (never had a b/c on it).

I still have both saws today, the 562 has alot of hours on it. The 272 only has cut a small birch and a small spruce, with less then half of tank of fuel. I have it it in storage not sure what to do with it.

[Maine logger88]

That's a good find! I can't imagine there are very many new 272s out there!

[HolmenTree]

The 272XP is still manufactured in Brazil today but they are detuned so the 372XP made there can compete. Lots of old school and young Brazilian  loggers still like those old 2 series.
Mine is the first year 1993 272XP with no decomp. Probably the lightest and strongest of the 272 series
I just need to break it in and see  :D

[Maine logger88]

That's cool that there still being made! So a 272 will out cut a 372? By the time I bought my 2171 the 272 was pretty clapped out so the 2171 would easily out cut it and I didn't have anything to compare the 272 to when I got it. My grandfather does have a very low hour 266xp he bought new in 87 that will run pretty close to my 2166's I've converted to 2172's. The next thing is to run my best running 2166 against my 461... I bet it will be close just by feel but know way to know till I do it

[ehp]

it all depends on what your cutting, I raced 272's for a lot of years and built a lot of them to, that short stroke sure will turn some high rpms but if cutting bigger hardwood the 372 is a better saw with the longer stroke of 36 mm compared to 34mm . The 372 just makes more torque . Its kind of like how everyone seems to love the 262  , I myself never cared for that saw , great saw if cutting broom handles but in bigger wood not so great

[ehp]

both saws the 372 and the 461 change a huge amount on how the saw is set up , both can be set pretty lean and will still work all day long but not show the true power the saw can produce , the 461 will go from a Dog to a SuperStar just with using the screw driver

[ehp]

there will be a 462 arctic as soon as I can buy it in the back of my truck

[Maine logger88]

Ok thanks for the info ehp! I will have to mess with my 461 then but it was also not broken in when I ran it also so now that it's broke in it may be better. I'm gonna buy a 572 or 462 whichever they come out with first I guess lol

[ehp]

their going to have to sell me pretty hard on the 572 , even if it is faster than the 462 .Im pretty sure the 462 will be stock until it hits the driveway at my house then its getting worked over

[Maine logger88]

Will the 462 have something similar to huskys air injection? That's really my only real complaint with the 461. Couple times a day gotta tap the dust of the filter...

[HolmenTree]

Will the 462 have something similar to huskys air injection? That's really my only real complaint with the 461. Couple times a day gotta tap the dust of the filter...

Yes it will Maine.
The Ms261 CM ll and MS362CM ll already have it.
It's called "Pre-seperation air filtration system."
Actually the MS441 was the first Stihl to come out with it over 10 years ago.

[swelogg]

Hello!
Have you seen this yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlNPF0cQM0

[HolmenTree]

Very nice well done video....But that operator was struggling with it. The chain's depth gauges were way too low.
I would have refused to run it until that problem was fixed.
If it wasn't the depth gauges then they had way too much hook in the cutter side plates.

[HolmenTree]

I took a second look at that video and saw what looked like 2 different operators.
The first guy apologized "sorry for the dull Chain."
But in fact it wasn't dull, the chain just had the wrong settings making it too aggressive that's why he was struggling with it.
The second tree that was felled was by what looks like a pro who cuts daily. His helmet screen was always down when cutting and he was smooth on the saw.
The chain was cutting good and from seeing his bar's Stihl logo was not upside down like the first guy's, he probably resharpened  or replaced the chain.

[leeroyjd]

I wondered if the first operator was not used to the felling spikes on that saw.
They looked much larger than 461 etc?

[DelawhereJoe]

The guy in that last video said something about a new chain, does anyone have any info or guess on whats so special about it ?

[HolmenTree]

The guy in that last video said something about a new chain, does anyone have any info or guess on whats so special about it ?

Husqvarna has introduced their own line of chain now called "X- Cut" followed with a  different # for each pitch and style. The chain as mentioned on the 572XP is labelled  C85.
What I can see from looking at it on my phone the rivets are flattened, the cutter bit appears to be moved further  back from the depth gauge producing a large gullet. It appears to be a narrow kerf cutting chain right out of the box.
To better explain we all know a chain will cut the fastest when the cutters are filed back to almost half with the cutting edge just a little ahead of the rear rivet. That's how this new X-Cut chain is designed new right out of the box.

The host of that video said they tested the the MS462 with a 33RSC chain against the 572XP with the new C85 chisel chain. The 572XP cut 2.2 seconds,  the MS462  3 seconds in the same log.
But the 572XP with the Oregon rebadged H42 chain took over 4 seconds.

[teakwood]

I want one!  Is the 462 available in the US and at what price?

Stihl's New MS 462 Chainsaw - Review - YouTube

[HolmenTree]

I want one!  Is the 462 available in the US and at what price?

Stihl's New MS 462 Chainsaw - Review - YouTube

Yeah that's a great video teakwood.
I want a MS462C  too but still not available in North America.  Hopefully sometime this year. ???
It would make a perfect team match with my MS261CM .
Reason why I recently sold off most of all my Husqvarnas. ;D

[teakwood]

You can buy it in Europe for around 1350 Euros and send it to Canada. ;D

[HolmenTree]

You can buy it in Europe for around 1350 Euros and send it to Canada. ;D

Ouch! A MS461 here in Canada retails for $1,280 Cad.
1,350 Euros is $2,100 Cad
I'll wait until they come to my dealer plus I'll have warranty

[teakwood]

Wow, that's cheap. I heard that everything is super expensive in Canada (a beer around 8$??), but it seems that the chainsaws are pretty reasonable.

Of course the 462 will be a little more than the 461.

[HolmenTree]

Wow, that's cheap. I heard that everything is super expensive in Canada (a beer around 8$??), but it seems that the chainsaws are pretty reasonable.

Of course the 462 will be a little more than the 461.

$8 for a beer sounds like a price from Norway.  :D
We do pay more taxes here though compared to our neighbors south of the border.  Retail tax here in Manitoba is 2 taxes : GST 5% PST 8%.
But to pay for our infrastructure for a country larger in land mass but with 1/10th the population of the U.S. We have to pay substantially  more tax dollars. And our Medicare for "everyone"  is not cheap either.

[weimedog]

Wow, that's cheap. I heard that everything is super expensive in Canada (a beer around 8$??), but it seems that the chainsaws are pretty reasonable.

Of course the 462 will be a little more than the 461.

$8 for a beer sounds like a price from Norway.  :D
We do pay more taxes here though compared to our neighbors south of the border.  Retail tax here in Manitoba is 2 taxes : GST 5% PST 8%.
But to pay for our infrastructure for a country larger in land mass but with 1/10th the population of the U.S. We have to pay substantially  more tax dollars. And our Medicare for "everyone"  is not cheap either.

Seems sometimes like we are in a mad rush to catch up though... 

[ehp]

I pay less for my 461 arctics than my 372 xpgs here . Im sure the 462 will be more but not much more I feel.

[HolmenTree]

Big news for the Stihl MS462.
Take a look at page 8.
Available in either CM Tronic or regular manual adjustable carb.
But don't hold your breath North Americans , seeing this brochure is addressed Stihl South Africa. 

https://www.stihl.com/p/media/download/en-com/Brochure_MS_462.pdf

[teakwood]

Awesome! do you know something when they will be available in America? 

[ehp]

Carb for me please and arctic