084av vs 088 / MS880 for Chainsaw Milling

AKStone247 · October 12, 2020, 09:21:50 PM

Hi all! I am a new member to the forum although I have been bouncing around as a guest for about 1.5 years since I caught the CSM bug....

I have been milling with a granberg mill and both a ms440 mag and G660. Both work OK but I have some 30+ in elm and black locust to mill and think that more power would be a good thing. What are the options on an 084av vs an 088 or ms880? The 084av would be about $500 less than the other saws i have my eye on. I know 084 parts can be difficult.

sawguy21 · October 12, 2020, 09:49:49 PM

Welcome! Any of them will do the job although as you mention parts could be a challenge for the 084, they are out there but you may have to wait. If the price is right and the saw is in good condition go for it, they are in demand.

AKStone247 · October 12, 2020, 10:12:18 PM

The $500 less initial investment is attractive. I want to avoid a $1000 paper weight due to parts.......

ehp · October 14, 2020, 11:08:22 PM

the older 088 or older 880 work well on mill, the newer 880 is abit different on muffler and some parts but works well to but if I could find the older 880 or 088 thats in good shape thats what I would go with

AKStone247 · October 14, 2020, 11:16:54 PM

Thanks for the info!

ehp · October 14, 2020, 11:28:15 PM

084 has not been made for quite a few years and I mean quite a few . Parts are pretty much gone here so unless saw has been sitting on the shelf and not used much I would maybe pass on it . Husky 3120 works well on the mill as well . What you guys pay for a good used big saw up here we can buy brandnew for less money most times

AKStone247 · October 14, 2020, 11:43:04 PM

The 084 looks like it has been used but looks like it is mostly just faded plastic. The guy bought it local and probably used it on some big river bottom cottonwood. It is located around 2 hrs away and trying to decide if it is worth the trip this weekend.. From what I am gathering I may be happier the spend the extra $500 now for an 088 and save myself so headaches in the future.....