Stihl 461 or just get a 661?

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[pwheel]

I will order the 461R with a 28 inch bar as the dealer does not stock the 461R... I will probably get a 20 inch bar to fit the 461 also. This I hope will be all I will ever need for clearing our property and bucking firewood. I have been cutting firewood most of my life, I'm 61 and have never used a saw more powerful than my 290...

So many good things about the 461; I'm sure you'll be pleased. A few ideas from an old guy (got a few years on ya :laugh:): 1. You won't be able to stump really low to the ground with a wrap handle; 2. The wrap handle and large clutch cover add more weight than I would want to carry (have an ms460); 3. On a 25" bar, that's about as long a chain as I have the patience to sharpen & set depth gauges. Balance is slightly front-heavy with a 25" bar; with a standard 28" bar it's a bit much unless you're big and in shape. Suggest standardizing on a 25" bar for the 461 and grab the 290 for smaller stuff. Good luck and happy cutting.

[Walt]

Is the clutch cover different on the R version of the 461? I think I have seen somewhere that it is. Wish my dealer had both saws to gander at. I think I"ll be ok with the nose heavy feel of the 28 inch bar but then again I haven't used one yet and the one I held did feel hefty in weight with a 25 inch bar.   Hummm....
Our dealer sells and maintains saws used by the Amish for the saw milling they do here in our community, Odon Indiana.  He's never seen a 461R as nobody has requested one. There's other Stihl dealer around but I like to keep my business close to home if I can and Rural King is outta the question. Just sayin" 

[terrifictimbersllc]

If this was in the store, there's still gas and oil to add yet.  :

[pwheel]

Is the clutch cover different on the R version of the 461?...

The R version clutch cover is larger, in part to protect the operator's right hand when holding the clutch side of the wrap handle. The R version is a must-have for logging & long bars, but may or may not be optimal for what you have in mind. You might ask your dealer for a recommendation based on your intended uses.

[woodmarsh]

I've got the Stihl 461 and I'm very happy with it. I'm a first time buyer so don't have any prior experience but I was recommended the 461 and thus far, I've had no problems and its proved to be exactly what I was after.

[smmyb123]

Dont get the 441. Get something different, anything, just not the 441. Im pretty sure the 441r is the same thing as the 461, just get that.

[sandsawmill14]

i have a 441 mag and cant say any bad about except it died last week after alot of abuse with a 28" bar i used it for some firewood to but i always change the bar to either 20" or 24" its a heck of a saw with a 20" bar and a good sharp chain  ;D
i to have not run a modern saw bigger than the 460 and the 441 but am curious as what yall think. we used to run the old 1050 supers which were over 100cc and some big old macs but cant remember the models just let me say alot of broken chains we still have a 1020 and a 1050 super but havent been run in years

[ehp]

go with the 461 , we have had less trouble with them over the others like the 441

[lumberjack48]

  If i was only cutting 15 cords of firewood and the biggest was 30 inch's. I would buy the MS-311, MS-362 or the MS-391. 30 yrs of full time logging, 3 to 5000 cds of logs an pulpwood a yr, 20 to a 100 cds of firewood, 6" to 40" butt size. The last 5 yrs i worked, i used a 034 Super.

[Walt]

Probably overkill but I won't end up short. I ordered the 461R with a 28 inch bar. I wanted something with all I could possibly need and will most likely have more than I need. I've got 4 sassafras trees and 1 shag hickory trees to fell immediately where our cabin is going, all 30+ with bigger base measurements. These will break in the new saw. Hopefully this will be my last purchase in chainsaws. I should have it in less than a week. I again appreciate the time you guys take to offer up opinions and or suggestions. regards Walt

[ehp]

you did right by my thinking , 28 inch bar is lots for it thou

[HolmenTree]

20" all you need Walt but the 28" will handle anything you throw at it...you're not logging 5 days a week.

[DonnerParty]

Great choice. 28" full skip full chisel is all I run on my 440 and it's a perfect fit. 461 will handle it fine. 3/4 wrap handle is excellent falling and limbing.

Keep your depth-gauges set correctly and your chain sharp. Don't go too aggressive if you're cutting hardwood.

[Gwhunter]

I went through this recently, I was set on a 461 but after comparing the two side by side I went with the 661. It's less than 1 pound heavier. The 461 is rated for a 32" bar and the 661 a 36" the price was $130 more for the 661.
It seemed like a no brainer for the minimal weight savings and HP gain to go with the 661.

Matt

[Walt]

I went through this recently, I was set on a 461 but after comparing the two side by side I went with the 661. It's less than 1 pound heavier. The 461 is rated for a 32" bar and the 661 a 36" the price was $130 more for the 661.
It seemed like a no brainer for the minimal weight savings and HP gain to go with the 461.

Matt

This was why I posted this, its exactly what I was thinking. I'm an old drag racer and there's no replacement for displacement. I settled on a 461 because the dealer suggested it if I ever want to run a shorter bar than the 28 inch.  I think its going to end up with a 20 inch bar for cutting up firewood and I'll have a 28 for felling. I should have it in the next day or 2. Regards, Walt

[Gwhunter]

I went with a 28" on the 661 since I figured it's suffice the bulk of the time.
I've got a Husky Rancher 55 I run a 20" bar on. So the husky gets used more.
I'm gonna buy a 36" bar for the 661 at some point though.

Matt

[HolmenTree]

A 20" would balance nicely on the 661.
The 661 is a fine saw. Most advanced big bore saw saw on the market.

[HolmenTree]

I like this video.  Saw looks impressive,  not sure about the operator.  Maybe he only gets paid by hourly rate :D

http://youtu.be/_nmzRDufXBg

[Walt]

 

 

461R. I picked up a 20 and a 28 inch bar with the saw, Thanks everyone, Regards Walt

[s grinder]

Good luck with it Walt,she's a beauty.If it's starts to get heavy,just give it a break,and take a rest.

[49er]

I highly recommend the 28inch Stihl ES Light bar. I got one on my Jonserd 2288 and it makes it seem almost like a 70cc saw.

[Walt]

Good luck with it Walt,she's a beauty.If it's starts to get heavy,just give it a break,and take a rest.
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It is heavy for sure, I'd liked to have picked up a lite bar but I spent enough for a while...It'll give me a workout as I see it, .....

[tom fifield]

I got the 461R yesterday, with a 28" bar. I have a 25" bar that I was using with my 310 but the 310 does not run the 25" well it runs a 20" fine, this is why I got the 461 so I can cut bigger logs, trees. I used it yesterday just as i had to try it out, with the 25" bar sunk all the way it cut like butter. For Sthil chainsaws I have a 210, a 250, a 310, a pole saw, a saw of my weed eater, and now a 461R.
My dealer said more loggers use the 461R as it is lighter and balanced well.

[Walt]

Well I've spent some time with this new 461 and after the fact I got a couple novice user opinions.
I can see the need for the wrap handle to have a removable section to allow close cuts to the ground. Stihl could easily make the side handle bolt on the typical style handle to make it removable. I am entertaining making one myself to do as mentioned. The 28 inch bar is a handful bucking after felling, cutting rounds. I am use to a 18 inch bar and I find myself hitting the ground very easily with the longer bar, I have a 20 inch to install. I think I'll get a better feel for the long bar in time. I also agree with a lite bar in the 28 inch length, it gets heavy and I'm not getting any younger. Compared to my 290 this thing is a beast on steroids. I have just fell and cut up a huge shag hickory and it eats wood with the big bar like me on a good steak, wow...I love this saw, its fairly smooth, I can really lean on it while cutting, and the wrap handle offers comfort in odd positions. I appreciate all the reply's you guys offered up, this is a great forum and place to hang and learn from the pro's, Regards Walt