The MS500i ? The most exciting new chainsaw | STIHL Blog (https://blog.stihl.co.uk/ms500i-exciting-new-chainsaw-generation/)
Time to start saving money for a new saw.
Joe, the ways things are going the 500i may just beat the MS462 for availability in North America.
If it does then there will be no need to own a MS462 :)
Nice saw, but now one has tested those saws yet, so we will see.
the (not) release on the 462 in america really annoys me. Such a well announced saw in europe, game changer saw, far ahead of the competition in weight/power ratios and then it's not available in one of the biggest markets ???, i don't know what the problem is.
Teakwood, blame it on California :)
EPA regulations is so strict in that state that the ripple effect effects the whole country. Stihl has the huge undertaking of navigating thru this EPA red tape.
What I don't understand is Germany has some of the strictist clean environment regulations in the world.
Just in a different language I guess.
Just read Trump is going to cut California emission rules......
What would be nice is if the 462 replaced the 441 both on the shelf and for the price and the 500i replaced the 462 for price
Joe, I think I'll just wait for the 500i. I'm having too much fun running my freshly OEM rebuilt first year 066Mag after converting it to a 066/064 hybrid.
I have a narrower profile 064 flywheel and rewind housing on the 066 now . Feels like my 064 again but with an extra 7 cc. Just ordered a 20" Stihl ES light bar for it and took off the heavy dual dogs and put a smooth aluminum bumper on it. It will replace the 562 as my go to saw for now.
Some things just don't get old with age.
Picked up a 500i last night and it got 4/5 lts of run time today in mixed Pine, Fir and Spruce windblow. So first thoughts, it's a good saw very easy to start and good on fuel. The pick up is very fast but for a 80cc saw it's not mindblowing power but it is very good ! If I was still climbing for big section fells it would be fantastic and to be fair on the very rough ground I'm on at present it was welcome. I stand by my first comments a while ago that I felt that it was a bit "cheap" feeling and the starter cover is very open along with the air filter sucking every bit of sawdust it can get (not into the inlet just around the filter) to the point I cleaned it out 4 times today on a short day, the 572 would need a look at the end of the day so just something to be aware of. I'll put up a video later ,outinthewood, to explain things a bit better. So a good saw yes a great saw we will see !!
this saw will also needs braking in. I'm cure she will gain more power and will satisfy you
Yes Teakwood a good point, it will I'm sure "open" up with a bit more use and as I said a good saw but for 80cc not a blow away deal so far. I think it may be a little deceiving as the very fast acceleration gets you there quick and then it's just "normal" ? One thing I have noticed is that it is not a big torque saw so you have to adjust your cutting style, the new AT on the 572-550 m2 allows a little bit leaning in on the saw and the AT takes it in it's stride. Again not a bad thing just means a little attention to how you handle it and get used to it.
Well a few more days use and I'm getting to like the 500 a bit more , still very wary of the air filter which I just do not think long term is up to the job...I have never been upset by the "flippy" fuel and oil caps which a lot of folk seem to have a problem with but yesterday during a fairly normal wet day I did notice water which had got past the seal of the cap and I had no choice but empty out some fuel rather than take the chance of letting it in with the refill, just not good enough Stihl !! As for starting, again on a normal day of up and down temps it was no better than my 572 or 550 mark 2 i.e. when you would have put the fast idle on for one pull the 500 needed a couple or three pulls. Now bear in mind I am being very critical it is a very good saw and as Teakwood said it will need to bed in which it is doing and is finding it's feet however I think we will be talking about the 461 replacement with inj and the 661 inj replacement and the first foray by Stihl into this avenue will be a footnote ?
Heard the new MS881 will be introduced next February.
No fuel injection, has a carb .
Oversized 661??
I have had issues with my 661c with fine dust getting past the filter. Then leading to carb troubles. These are sensitive machines these days...
I got a great tip, take some grease and goop it on the air filter where it meets the saw body. I just use my finger and coat it on. It really helps with the seal and catches all the fines that might get thru otherwise. When you take your filter off the intake area is now spotless and my saws are running great
or just go with the 462, so far its the cleanest saw I have cut with, air filter hardly ever gets dirty
Well after a few weeks of using the 500i I'm still not sure why Stihl put it in the line up as an 80cc class saw since it's a good saw in fact a very good saw but it would be a game changing saw as a 60cc or 70cc saw. In the 80cc class it's just "good" fast powerful but what else would a 80cc saw be ? Its light build is very useful in rough / brushy ground but unless it has a light bar on it's a dog as I found out when I put a 28" Power match bar on it ! The area around the airfilter is great at gathering up a raft of debris and wet chips just love to fall in around the electrics so we will see long term how it fairs out. I like it and it has a place in the back of the jeep now so it's not that bad ! I've posted a few videos of it working on youtube "outinthewood" .
still cannot buy one here but I hope soon and if its not any better than the 462 power wise it will go down the road
Have not even seen a 462 never mind used one so no comment, looking at the 500i against my 572 - nearly 10cc less- it's not a massive difference , it's a difference but not mind blowing. It is quicker if you have a lot of delimbing as the 500i is lighter and just loves being flat out but that speed comes with it's own issues, it's a little nose happy and touch it wrong and it will want to bite ! I've found I've changed a little bit limb cutting. I tend to use "pushing" cut with the 572 but with the 500 it's more "pull" which tends to slow me a little if we are going to get really in to seconds ... as near to "cookie" cutting as I get. So a very good saw which I believe is a platform for something much more interesting to come and if Willard has been talking to anyone in Stihl HQ he may have more to share ?
I got lots of 462's , I just bought a normal and 2 arctic 462s plus the other 462s I got here .
Meanwhile fast forward to April 2020... still no MS 500i on the US shelves or listed in the Stihl professional saws product list (although I see it has been added to the saw chain and bar selection page). So when will it come to the States? My piggy bank is full and waiting!
nothing here , my dealer keeps checking with Stihl
Don't go spending money before you try one, I stand by my original thoughts it's a good saw but not a mind blowing saw. My one did a few months work and at present is in the USA to have a little work done with the aim of becoming a good 36" saw for the rougher timber I do and with a view to joining my 385/ 390 as they have now done a bit of work. Just because to gets to max fast is not the be all and end all of a work saw.
Chatting to a pal yesterday and ,by all accounts the 500i should be out in the USA dealers during August so would assume that would include CDN dealers ? Stihl have been doing the rounds with the 500 for dealer tech days in the US again I would have thought CDN ones as well ?
Hello Dave,
I see, you have been using MS 500i for some period of time. I am STIHL man now working in forestry. I have MS 362 and I like it! But thing is the guide rail is too small to cut big trees. So I am thinking to buy MS 462 (45 cm guide rail) or MS 500i (50 cm guide rail). From my point of view 50 cm guide rail seems to better to me. But also investment to MS 500i isnt low, so I wanna be sure that Chain saw is the one! So my question to you. Coud you please post here some complex review of the saw. Mainly I am interesting in if some malfunction during your usage has occured and strong/weak sides of the saw. I know you already have mentioned some in this forum but If you could put everything to one list. Thank you I hope that could help also other loggers not just to me. Thank you Dave.
we are locked down here pretty good, most saw dealers are not even allowed to be open so any time I need anything I have to place a call to my dealer and he gets what ever I need which doesnot happen very often cause I carry a lot of stuff with me . He checked last time I was there on the 500 and nothing the company had on a date for it to show up
Hi FrantaW, best way to have a look at what I've found wqith the 500 is go to my youtube channel, outinthewood, I cover it there. I have found it to be tougher than I thought build wise but it still seems to want to hoover up any and all sawdust etc to around the filter and although it stays clean inside be careful when removing the filter to clean which will be a couple of times a day that nothing falls in as the intake is very open.
Ehp, was only guessing about CDN release as that's what the dealer tech guy doing the rounds in Nth Cali had said I'm told ? At the moment I'm sure that could all have changed due to world lockdown !!
I did notice that in one of the small catalogs that
my Stihl dealer gives out, the MS500i is in it. I did not see it in time to ask him what he would sell that piece for, or if it would ever "go" into his distributors as a good item as of yet. If it does, then I am surprised that FF members have not said anything about it yet. I wonder if we in the U.S. are doing like we have done in the past and are waiting until after the holiday that we are in (Memorial Day) is passed to release to the public this new machine. I am extremely curious as to what everyone's reaction to it is going to be. I'm also curious as to what they're reviews are going to say. MY crystal ball is clouded, but only because I have not been back to ask them more about it. Oh, what the possibilities say. I have not read anything from you fine folks, so for now, I'll just sit back and see what other members say. Patiently waiting, Todd.
I have heard nothing from my dealer on this saw but I have heard nothing at all from my dealer, I even texted him so I wonder if he is not feeling well or gone on a trip
Harrisons using the 500i on a Cupressus macrocarpa (a large one is when you are putting in the scarf 20 feet or more up because the butt flare is a bit ugly)
YouTube (https://youtu.be/wesIZpk-kfM?t=323)
The video is cool but I am curious about North America release now. Any thoughts or ideas. I have not had a reason to go back to the same Stihl dealer that I saw it in their brochure, so I am at a loss for words concerning. Any word yet from Spike60 about any FI Husqvarna's in the future, whether it be right around the corner, or plans for competition type of thing.
Just curious after all. My crystal ball was dropped on a concrete slab, so it's out of commission. Don't you hate it when stuff like that happens.
The 500i are starting to come in to USA Stihl dealers.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/FB_IMG_1594214833002.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1594214834)
It's purdy👍
Willard, I remember that you talked of getting one, did you do it yet?
Quote from: Tacotodd on July 09, 2020, 12:41:54 AM
Willard, I remember that you talked of getting one, did you do it yet?
None here in Canada yet, still waiting.
I always rely on my local Stihl dealer when I buy a new saw.
The 500i looks like a great saw and what I hear about them in Australia no complaints. They've been running them for quite a while now.
Nothing is harder on a saw then Australian heat and their tough wood.
Quote from: HolmenTree on July 28, 2018, 06:06:50 PM
Just read Trump is going to cut California emission rules......
Should really give California back to Mexico . Steve
Todd; I don't think Husky is looking at any FI applications as Auto-Tune in it's 3rd or 4th generation is becoming quite refined. Plus the little AT module on the carbs is much lighter than the FI module or "brain" that is in the MS500. Curious what that Stihl part might cost vs some of the AT carb prices. Either way, leaving watery, rusty gas in a saw is a more costly mistake than it used to be. :)
I usually don't follow the Stihl threads, but there's so much different technology in the 500 it's interesting no matter what brand it is. From what I've learned, the lightning acceleration has as much to do with a high idle/high clutch engagement speed as the FI itself. Have no idea why the idle speed needs to be up like that.
I know they are fighting the same cooling/heat managment battle as Husky or anyone else. Only 2 things to cool a saw, air and fuel. Stihl can be very precise in how much fuel they run through the saw, but from what I understand they are running some extra fuel through the 500 to assist the cooling to the point that it negates the better fuel usage that should result from FI. But heat is bad news for any saw, so it's smart for them to give priority to heat management.
Got a huge air filter on it; another plus. And it's a good looking saw, even through these Husky/Jonsered eyes.
Would you guys believe that as I'm typing this, I hear a crash outside and large oak top just dropped out of a tree a couple hundred feet from the house. Got me a little project to play with later.
Go have some fun with your 5 series saws!!!
I don't want to speak too soon
but from reading comments on a Australian site some members are having hot start issues with their new 500i .
Main complaint is the saw takes many pulls on the starter rope to get them going after heating them up.
Quote from: Tacotodd on July 11, 2020, 07:08:19 AM
Go have some fun with your 5 series saws!!!
Gonna run old and new Todd. 550M2 and a 49SP. 334T when I'm standing in the middle of the mess. Some springpoles I need to pay attention to. This thing had ants 50+ feet up in the tree! Apologies for this going off topic guys.
Back to the 500......... :)
stihl service techs have them and are giving a tour and demonstrating. From everything I hear it is going to be a great replacement for our 462s. We had two giving us hot start issues today so if the 500i also has this problem I'll not be shocked but at least a bit more power to weight.
I've reserved one, maybe in September.
Home and bored to death after Hip surgery and roaming Youtube for interesting things to keep entertained, and came across another 500i video by the 2 Swedish Homestead Guys on their take of the 500i. (I didn't note the date of the video - so it may not have been all that recent - but was the second one I have seen on it posted now).
Neat looking unit - but aside from very minor quibbles here and there (I always viewed them as being Husky fans by their comments and nationality..) but what hit me all during the video was that they kept cautioning that this saw was big and powerful and probably too much saw for the average person...
My take on it would be, that if the saw was so very light and powerful for its class - to the point of being even more so than a 462 they kept referring and matching it up against during their usage and related comments - that should be a good thing - right?
Instead they made the saw sound somewhat bad for it - like too much for possibly even a reasonably experienced user..
I'm sure if a saw is as light or lighter than one that is 2 weight and power classes below it - that should make it as safe or manageable as where it fits into the scale of saws generally - and not make it unsafe in any form otherwise..
But, regardless - a neat looking piece and I'd have one in an heartbeat if I thought I could make good use of it!
The Swedish Homestead guys are not playing to a strictly (or even predominantly) "forestry/logging" audience. Keeping that in mind, their recommendation does make sense. It's not a saw you'd recommend for someone going out to buy their first saw, or even a "step up" saw for someone whose only experience has been using a 40cc saw to clean up some limbs after a storm.
... and BTW, if we are talking about the same Swedish Homestead channel, those guys are German, not Swedish (and if I remember correctly, recently moved away from Sweden.)
The target audience for the 500i seems pretty obvious when you look at the stats. It is slightly heavier than the 462, slightly less powerful than the 661, and way more expensive than both. They are shooting for customer who are pro loggers that appreciate the power of the bigger models but are still weight conscious. Price also comes into this. They are looking for folks willing to pay money for the best HP/lb ratio available.
If you are budget conscious and into power, this isn't for you. If you are all about power no matter the weight, this isn't for you. If you are a well funded daily user cutting 25+ DBH trees on the regular who wants a weight advantage... well then let me introduce you to the 500i.
Well, I can get one today at employee cost. Still expensive as the dickens. Would need to sell my MS660 and MS362CM to finance it. I have two 30 inch or so oak trees and one similar hickory to work up as soon as we get the soy beans out from around them.
Need this like another hole in my head.
ZeroJunk, I would think really hard about your proposal. With my 2018 372xp I'm over halfway there power/weight/displacement wise. Your 660 is rated for more bar length and the 362 is lighter so, in my eyes, your not gaining anything in doing this UNLESS you're pro and need newer and lighter 1 saw for all scenarios. Don't get me wrong, the saw really has my curiosity up but it's not proven yet in my eyes. Stihl needs to get several out for UNDERCOVER beta testing to see just how this model holds up, and I'm talking 100+ in North America alone. Then slowly Stihl would say to those folks "go ahead, tell your coworkers and boss what you have and the pros/cons about it". That would be the 1 thing that would make me jump into a less proven saw.
Sorry. My 2 cents FWIW. Remember, everybody has an opinion and most of them stink... that is mine.
Yeah, I tend to agree with you.
still no sign of the 500i here , head office for canada does not even want to talk about when it may show up
Im hoping Im wrong but was told today to not thinking any 500i are to show up until sometime next year , I would love to run one in these guts Im cutting in right now
Quote from: outinthewood on September 17, 2019, 12:14:09 PM
Picked up a 500i last night and it got 4/5 lts of run time today in mixed Pine, Fir and Spruce windblow. So first thoughts, it's a good saw very easy to start and good on fuel. The pick up is very fast but for a 80cc saw it's not mindblowing power but it is very good ! If I was still climbing for big section fells it would be fantastic and to be fair on the very rough ground I'm on at present it was welcome. I stand by my first comments a while ago that I felt that it was a bit "cheap" feeling and the starter cover is very open along with the air filter sucking every bit of sawdust it can get (not into the inlet just around the filter) to the point I cleaned it out 4 times today on a short day, the 572 would need a look at the end of the day so just something to be aware of. I'll put up a video later ,outinthewood, to explain things a bit better. So a good saw yes a great saw we will see !!
I watched your video Backinwood and it really gave me a lot of good information, not just about the Stile 500i but how you handle it in really tough dirty conditions.
Every time i view videos of real prople like yourself working in forests, i see things i need to think about, not that i will ever face any of these tough conditions or will i need a 500i but it make me feel safer for seeing how the work gets done.
I thank you for posting your videos.
So they showed up , couple of my friends up north picked new 500i up a couple days ago so I went to my dealer yesterday at closing time and said what's up , so they phoned Stihl and asked when ours was coming , guy gave us some song and dance and said I'm number 46 on the list when the next bunch of saws come cause we didnot order the saws, I told him he better check his paper work cause I ordered that saw about 18 months ago . Just a line of do do was all he was telling me , kijiji up here has them for sale on it . Kind of makes make go a head and buy a few more huskys
From the number of saws you are always buying its pretty hard to imagine any dealer (or Stihl Canada) wouldn't crawl over broken glass to find a way to get one in your hands!
I looked out of curiosity on Kijiji and didn't see any for sale - but I would imagine they would be at a premium price if they were..
Good luck in getting one - I am interested in hearing your impressions of it when you finally do land one..
ya the one on kijiji sold pretty fast $1700 is what he was asking, I found 2 at a dealer north of me but still not happy that manger . thing is I can buy a husky 365 for $850, port it and it will eat the 500 for breakfast
and its not like Im hurting for saws , I still got saws sitting out there that have never had gas in them
Have to admit the 500i looks pretty cool and has some serious innovation. Some folks will buy simply because of that. Was at the local dealer this week. They HAD one. And still have a 461 on the shelf. $1000 plus a little. But the pro chose the 500i. Because he simply wanted the new latest and greatest product offerings. Have a couple of 572's for $999 as well. But when the wallet came out the 500i took all the cash. For my work load an old OE 372 from the early 2000's is fine. Have a 572 that has never seen gas as typically some goofy project saw gets the work load. Now it's a 2165 tweaked and really it's all I want torun right now, money is not an issue as I can afford any saw that exists including the 500i. But point is everyone will choose what's best for them based on their experiences. Bet those 500i's will be sold out quickly if they do arrive in mass.
The 500i is a technological tour de force. Very impressive design. But don't let the hype over shadow the reality.
It is NOT fuel efficient.
The acceleration is very quick because of the high idle and 4500rpm clutch engagement speed.
The power is impressive for the weight of the saw, but pretty much the norm for 80cc.
I don't even have to mention the price. :)
Spike I just bought a 365 for $849 our money , I will wait till I see how my friends 500 work . that is one thing I can say about my worked over 462, its good on fuel
I still don't really get what the big deal is over the 500i . I have also been alive long enough to know you never wanna buy the first gen of new tech. You want to buy AFTER they have worked the bugs out.
That being said I have seen a couple videos on youtube that are trying to show and say a 500i blows away a 395 xp . I am no expert but I just do not see how that is possible. In the videos it is clear the 395 is not tuned properly and one video it was clear the 395 had a chain as dull as it gets.
from all counts that I hear the 500i is about 10% stronger than the 462 or 572 , its light and has good torque for cutting hardwood
I asked my local dealer here in Oklahoma about when he might get the new 500i, said he had no idea but did not think it was going to be till next year.
I really have no reason to want this new saw, but i feel i need to find one "just making a joke" the people who really need a 500i know the reason. 8)
I got in on the last shipment of 500i's, he had four of them. Said 1600 saws for the U.S. and that was it until December or January. Word is you have to be on a waiting list, and some dealers are chosen over others.
Having ran my 500i right along side my 462 and 572, I would say the 500i burns maybe just a bit more fuel, as any 80cc saw would, the tank is good sized. Also I'd be happy leaving this saw stock, I can't say that about too many saws. In my hands out of the 572xp, 462 and 500i the 500i felt the smoothest, and not just because of the AV, the engine is smooth. The power is there and so is acceleration, I have to say the 462 is closer to the 500i than it has any right to be, the 572 has power, but feels sluggish in comparison, it's a lot less $$ though, like $530 less to be exact. I have a Echo cs7310p on the way to have a look see, from what I can tell it's a well designed saw, very simple and easy to work on, but a bit heavy, and out of the box a click behind the 572. @ $750 that will make many firewood cutters real happy.
You've probably already seen these, but here they are anyway.
Stihl MS 500i vs Husqvarna 572xp - YouTube (https://youtu.be/rbFPafuiF8s)
Stihl MS 500i vs Stihl MS 462 - YouTube (https://youtu.be/KHmxBwEpIjA)
Good job running those saws. Steve
Ya Echo wants me to try the 7310 but we will see , up here the price is quite high thou, I can buy a 572 for $150 less than a 7310. As far as a 500i goes on price were paying less than you guys without the dollar difference so were paying quite abit less . I would think a 500i is on its way here as my dealer phoned me yesterday and lets just say he is not happy cause he ordered a 500i 3 different times but some how Stihl seems to forgotten that , One thing thou it the price on these new saws is getting up there to where they better work and work well right out of the box . The pair of 572's I had were very close in power to my 462's but were heavier and cutting in these guts weight does make a difference for me , If weight was not a problem I would be running a husky 390 or 395 ported
ED, the 462 is a different animal for fuel use. And if i was a Stihl guy, I'd choose it over the 500. The 500 uses more fuel because it needs more fuel for cooling. They also eliminated their version of air injection so that all intake air at the flywheel is used for cooling; nothing to spare for helping with air filtration.
I wouldn't believe any of those silly 395 comparisons either. The 500i power for the weight of the saw borders on the sensational, but again, there's nothing remarkable there for an 80cc saw.
As far as supplies go, both companies are so wiped on product right now it's crazy. Gonna stay that way for a while unfortunately because the pipeline is so empty it's going to take a long time to fill things back up. Probably get worse before it gets better because dealers continue to put orders in the systems thereby increasing backorders. A model might show an inventory of -1300 and there's maybe 1000 inbound. And by the time they get here, the negative number is up to -1800. Good thing all of us here have plenty of saws, huh? :)
Yeah the shelves are getting empty when it comes to certain things. I always Walk down the tool aisle at Home Depot or Lowe's and supplies are very low.
I didn't keep a record, but felt do to the small tank I actually ran out of fuel in the 462 before the 500i. These saws are just coming to market so we will see, especially with the production guys, as I really don't care much about fuel usage in a saw. Right now I would pick the 500i over the 462, that could always change, but I'm not a Stihl guy 😃 The only weak point I could see would be maybe how the filter cover attaches, looks like that could get loose over time.
I'm really liking all these newer saws so far. ✌
Stihl up here is just about out of everything , files, chains, bars and saws but Husky say a month ago was in better shape but not now , lots of models are sold right out . The 462 does a good job for what it is , its light and cuts, I have had I think 6 of them now . one of my friends wanted 2 to go logging so I sold him those saws , I carry 3 on the pickup with me and got a new one sitting here that has never had gas in it . The saw I fall with is stronger than the other 2 but was so right out of the box. I can cut and limb 6 to 8 hardwood 30 inch on the stump trees on a tank of fuel , Im happy with that but I never worried about fuel, the more trees on the ground per hour the more money I make .
This is a really great video of a STHIL 500i being used, it really makes me think it can do justabout anything i would need done that is if i had anything to do with a chainsaw.
STIHL 5i FIRST CUTS 1st THOUGHTS - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBWXIdTUXJg)
Quote from: Spike60 on October 23, 2020, 07:21:59 AM
ED, the 462 is a different animal for fuel use. And if i was a Stihl guy, I'd choose it over the 500. The 500 uses more fuel because it needs more fuel for cooling. They also eliminated their version of air injection so that all intake air at the flywheel is used for cooling; nothing to spare for helping with air filtration.
I wouldn't believe any of those silly 395 comparisons either. The 500i power for the weight of the saw borders on the sensational, but again, there's nothing remarkable there for an 80cc saw.
As far as supplies go, both companies are so wiped on product right now it's crazy. Gonna stay that way for a while unfortunately because the pipeline is so empty it's going to take a long time to fill things back up. Probably get worse before it gets better because dealers continue to put orders in the systems thereby increasing backorders. A model might show an inventory of -1300 and there's maybe 1000 inbound. And by the time they get here, the negative number is up to -1800. Good thing all of us here have plenty of saws, huh? :)
What i learned when i was working and we had items made in Germany, the Germans have many holidays and this held up getting many things.
So since STHIL has the parts made in Germany, then shipped to many Countries, along with the Covid19, i can understand why lots of items are slow in being delivered.
You think chainsaws are in short supply, try finding the handgun or rifle you want, or any firearms at dealers here in the USA, people are not waiting till the election they are buying now.
I just noticed something that i really don't like, in watching a STHIL 500i video this guy after running his new 500i opened up the upper housing where the filter is, and just pulled it off, it is not held on by and positive force like being screwed or held tight with a nut or wingnut just being held by a small non metal "self gripping" peg.
This item i would not even execpt in a home owner type STHIL chainsaw, and surely not on STHIL's Professional type chainsaws.
I not trying to nit pick the 500i from what i have seen, it's a workhorse of a chainsaw just an item i just don't like in it's Design.
I had worked my 500 for around 6 months and now it's been zipped I'm a lot happier with it, a lot more mid-range ability. Yes the airfilter arrangement is poor so be very careful removing the filter to clean and you will be doing that a lot ! Not sure on fuel yet since it was reworked but it is in the 80cc class so I would expect to be using fuel. I also hope Stihl offer some stiffer AV springs.
Have seen some reports on UK site of starting problems and one of piston failure but who knows how they were treated ?
buddy of mine has been running his new one and so far he likes it . Once he gets more run it we will see
so its more like the 461, you got to bang that filter out once or twice a day . 462 is super clean in that way . filter does not get very dirty for quite a long time
Try banging it out 4 or 5 times a day!, it would be a great hoover ! now it's not letting stuff through but with no choke flap you have to be careful when taking the filter off.
thats not good, how long will the part you undo last before you wear it out , why such a big change, the 462 is about the best falling saw out there for the filter staying clean, its a big jump up from how the 461 filter system works
The filter on the 661 and 500i have no air injection for a reason. With air injection a good % of the cooling air is being diverted to the carb, so Stihl found cooling insufficient on the larger displacement saws. And remember these saws run hotter, and you can't tune them rich. Echo came up with a good solution, basically the opposite of air injection, won't hurt cooling and seems to work just as well.
I agree the knob on the 500i looks like a weak point IMHO.
So a more "productive" fan on the flywheel would not be possible for those "air injected" models? Or are there additional reasons? 390's have it and they produce plenty of HP so its certainly possible. Husqvarna added fins early on flywheel's for the 372's and that configuration served through to the X-torqs. Have to believe like Husqvarna working through teething issues on their 5 series, Stihl will as well. Especially on their top of the line saws. The one thing I hope all the manufacturers do is within a series of saws design and produce upgrades where they can be retrofitted back, especially on the saws where there is a substantial upfront investment on the part of the customer. For example it would be nice to see filter holders & air filter upgrades for saws like the 562's capable of being a retro'ed back to earlier releases.
well the 462 is a pretty good well thought out saw so Im hoping the 500 is just better, time will tell. The 462 I have been cutting with most of the time has fell quite abit of timber now as its coming up on 2 years old and I just like this one better than the others
Dealer called today and my 500i is in. I wasn't able to make it into town to get it, but now I know they do exist!
Quote from: weimedog on October 26, 2020, 09:41:46 AM
So a more "productive" fan on the flywheel would not be possible for those "air injected" models? Or are there additional reasons? 390's have it and they produce plenty of HP so its certainly possible. Husqvarna added fins early on flywheel's for the 372's and that configuration served through to the X-torqs. Have to believe like Husqvarna working through teething issues on their 5 series, Stihl will as well. Especially on their top of the line saws. The one thing I hope all the manufacturers do is within a series of saws design and produce upgrades where they can be retrofitted back, especially on the saws where there is a substantial upfront investment on the part of the customer. For example it would be nice to see filter holders & air filter upgrades for saws like the 562's capable of being a retro'ed back to earlier releases.
Those older saws didn't have the constraints of EPA requirements. IE lean tuning, strato porting. And more fan means more mass and or drag? And lastly, maybe what Husqvarna finds acceptable, Stihl does not. Except for the EPA deal, more hypothetical questions/ideas than actual answers.
Quote from: Andyshine77 on October 26, 2020, 10:40:39 PM
Quote from: weimedog on October 26, 2020, 09:41:46 AM
So a more "productive" fan on the flywheel would not be possible for those "air injected" models? Or are there additional reasons? 390's have it and they produce plenty of HP so its certainly possible. Husqvarna added fins early on flywheel's for the 372's and that configuration served through to the X-torqs. Have to believe like Husqvarna working through teething issues on their 5 series, Stihl will as well. Especially on their top of the line saws. The one thing I hope all the manufacturers do is within a series of saws design and produce upgrades where they can be retrofitted back, especially on the saws where there is a substantial upfront investment on the part of the customer. For example it would be nice to see filter holders & air filter upgrades for saws like the 562's capable of being a retro'ed back to earlier releases.
Those older saws didn't have the constraints of EPA requirements. IE lean tuning, strato porting. And more fan means more mass and or drag? And lastly, maybe what Husqvarna finds acceptable, Stihl does not. Except for the EPA deal, more hypothetical questions/ideas than actual answers.
I agree...lots of hypotheticals but nothing quantitative. Husqvarna's 572 seems to have solved the heat management issue first seen in the earlier 5 series offerings with good filtration as well. My guess? Cost. Already a bit out of line, wouldn't be surprised to find places where they need to either reduce the number of parts or god forbit even quality. The initial low numbers of a new tooled up technology makes everything more expensive. But plebe's like you & I out here will only know what is fed to us from behind the marketing veil...and their job is controlling the narratives. :) Not unique to Stihl. My hunch is they will evolve this to a better and better state as the sales go up and the research & tools is amortized, cost comes down as well. Might even see better filtration or other upgrades as the product matures...they certainly have done that in the past. And it doesn't really matter. It's a cool new saw and will make its way as all pro saws do over time.
I was talking to an old friend who recently retired as Stihl USA's national sales manager. He has lots of good things to say about the 500i.
I laughed when he said "their selling world wide better then cold beer on a 100°F day!" :D
He said the only saw that could "nearly" match the 500i's power to weight ratio is the 1988-'89 044AV and that's just on the edge!
Here's my NOS 1988-'89 044 I found this summer. 71cc 12 lb.14oz (12.8 lbs) PHO
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20200910_185842~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1603812816)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21589/20200910_185847~0.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1603812816)
so everyone else up here seems to have a 500i but me , most like them that are logging up here . Maybe abit hard on fuel but maybe there like the 462's , I have had lots of those and none used the same amount of fuel . Time will tell I guess
I started one up yesterday and hit the throttle a time or two. They are quick ! Trying to fight off the urge.
Then they gave me an 032 and an 011 to take and repair. Oh well.