ms400 or ms500I

[421Altered]

I've been doing a lot of reading on this forum about these two saws.  I have had for many years, and 032 with a 20" bar, a 038M with a 28" bar, and a 064 with a 36" bar.  I know they sound way too long, but, I mostly cut yellow pine with them.  Well, I'm getting older and weaker!  I recently bought a ms 261cm.  Wow!  Much smoother and more powerful than my old trusty 024, and at the same weight.  So, that got me thinking.  Since the 500I is only 1 # heavier than a 400, could I just get a 500I and run the 20,28 and 36 inch bar on it, depending on size of what I'm cutting.  My main concern is oiling the 36 inch bar.  These modern Stihl's are stingy on bar oil!

[johnsayen]

Since you have the 261, I recommend buying a 400 and a 500i. Run the 20 light on the 400 and the 20 light, 25 slight, and bigger on the 500i. 

[Ianab]

I'd go with the bigger saw (the 500). 

Reason is that you have a perfectly good MS261 for the lighter work (limbing and small stuff). Then get the larger saw / longer bar for the bigger stuff.  

I like to have 2 saws, with enough difference to matter. So I have a 60 and 80cc, because limbing up small cedars with a large saw / 28" bar is working harder, not smarter. But some  trees are 36-48" dia, so that needs a bigger saw. 

BTW, are you sure you need a 36" bar? I'm good up to over 48" dia with my 28" bar Dolmar. Doing 2 back cuts is arguable quicker and safer than fighting with an over size bar. If you do actually need a 36" bar, then just go and buy a MS880 ;)

[Woodfarmer]

I'd go for the 500i. I have 20/25 and 32" bars for it.  I have bunch of smaller saws too.  Last winter when I got the saw, I used it all the time.  Pretty much aggravated my carpal tunnel again should have used the smaller saws for limbing and smaller wood but I liked the new technology.

[421Altered]

Ianab,Only reason I asked about the 36" bar is because I already have one and a couple loops for it.  Woodfarmer do you have any bar oiling problems running the 32" bar?  Do you run full compliment on the 32" bar?

[Skeans1]

Ianab,Only reason I asked about the 36" bar is because I already have one and a couple loops for it.  Woodfarmer do you have any bar oiling problems running the 32" bar?  Do you run full compliment on the 32" bar?

I've been running a 36 oiling is ok it's better once I've modified the bars a little. All chains are full comp square.
https://youtu.be/TNpfSpr0Uk8
The chain is in bad shape but it gives you an idea.

[OldTimbercutter]

I have a 500i with about 30 tanks threw it cutting oak timber and I love it. 
Its smooth ,strong, and starts easy.
And it feels light to me and I'm an old guy.  Power of your 064, I have had several of them. And feels much better in your hands running it.

[421Altered]

Thank you Skeans and Old Timber Cutter!  Skeans how did you modify the bar?  I really liked the video too!  Old Timber Cutter that makes very good sense to me too, I'm getting older and weaker too! lol  Thanks for sharing your experience with me!  I guess everyone is running 3/8 pitch?  Probably not 404 even on the long bars?

[Skeans1]

@421Altered 
I open up the oil holes some. 3/8's 63 on everything 28" on up to 72" here to make it easy on what kind of chain rolls I keep in stock.

[421Altered]

Thank you Skeans!  That's good to know that that will help with the oiling on long bars.  Also, thanks for info on chain sizes too!

[Dave12]

I currently have a MS462c and MS400c and I'm contemplating getting either a MS500i or MS661c.

I run a 25" light bar on the 462 and a 20" light bar on the 400 cutting 99% dead ash.  I recently tried a 25" bar on the 400 and it did ok but it definitely oils a lot less than the 462 so I'd be concerned about putting anything bigger on it.  I find the 400 closer to the 462 than a MS362c that I had but still not quite in the same class.  If you're truly looking for a bigger saw and money is not a concern then I would say get the 500i or even consider a 462c

[421Altered]

Thanks Dave for your input!

[Woodfarmer]

No issues with the 32" bar in hardwood, I still haven't punched in the oiler because I can't see the *DanG thing. Lol

[livemusic]

I am no expert by any stretch but a few days ago, I bought a 400 and I love it. It runs a 25" bar just fine in big hardwoods. All I've been cutting is 20-36" DBH mostly oak, a few hickory. I have several saws and the biggest prior to this was a ported 362. The 400 seems stronger than it and I figured they might be equal. I considered a 462 but I wanted m-tronic and I could not find one, could only find carb 462s. The 400 is my first m-tronic saw. The 462 is only 0.4 lbs heavier, I think, than a 400. But, each ounce matters to me, so, I am good with the 400. I am no young buck anymore and I think the 400 is all I need but I don't need as long a bar as you. I can't envision cutting anything bigger than what I am in right now (36" DBH red oak), so, with this 400 doing great, I am happy. A friend just got a 500i and I do like it and would buy it if I were a young man, it's great, too. And more powerful.

[421Altered]

Thanks Woodfarmer and Live music for your insights.  Every post I am learning what works for other's before I make the plunge. thanks again

[Dave12]

Well I just pulled the trigger and bought a 500i this morning....more money than brains I guess. Lol

I only had a chance to use it very briefly today so I can't say a whole lot about it.  I'm hoping to get out and run a few tanks through it tomorrow morning.

I now have a 500i, 400c and 462c.  Let me get the 500i broken in and I should be able to give a fair comparison.

Dave

[Walnut Beast]

Good choice! Heard lots of great reviews!

[YellowHammer]

I've got a handful of saws, some bigger, some smaller, but the 500I with a 28" light bar is my favorite.  It weighs like a 362 and cuts like a 660.  It's pretty easy to start cold, doesn't have "hot saw vapor lock" and always starts first pull warm.  It runs fine on pump gas and Stihl Silver oil, which my 462 did not like at all.  

I'm very happy with mine.  

[421Altered]

Thanks Yellowhammer for the comparison's to different saws, that is helpful.

[Woodfarmer]

Some large maple,32" bar full comp. 46" or so.

 

 

[421Altered]

Can the 500I wear different bar length's without causing problems since you don't manually set the mixture?   95% of the time I cut pine. If I put a 20" bar on it and the saw "get's used" to the light load of a 20" bar in soft pine, then when I put a 32/36" bar on it, will it "self adjust" for more load?  I've read somewhere on this forum that it doesn't like to run unless it's being "worked hard".  I plan on mounting a 28" bar most of the time, however, I want to be able to also use it with a 20" and a 36" bar.

[Woodfarmer]

Go ahead and put whatever bar on it you'd like, it doesn't have a memory.

I just watched a guy in Europe cutting what looked like 12-16" spruce with a 16" bar. 

[421Altered]

Well guys, I bought the 500I.  And first use of it I cut down a 42" oak tree and bucked it up, using a 36" bar.  It did not smoke the bar, but, it definatley needed more oil!  I am most impressed with it for many reasons, very light weight for what I'm used to using.  It felt light to me, even with the 36" bar on it.  I can't wait to put a 28" light bar on it!  Many thanks to everyone that posted on this thread.  All of your experience's was a large factor in my buying the 500 over the 400.  Thanks again!

[Skeans1]

Well guys, I bought the 500I.  And first use of it I cut down a 42" oak tree and bucked it up, using a 36" bar.  It did not smoke the bar, but, it definatley needed more oil!  I am most impressed with it for many reasons, very light weight for what I'm used to using.  It felt light to me, even with the 36" bar on it.  I can't wait to put a 28" light bar on it!  Many thanks to everyone that posted on this thread.  All of your experience's was a large factor in my buying the 500 over the 400.  Thanks again!

Punch the pin on the oiler and open the oiling holes up on the bar helps.

[421Altered]

Do you need to take the oiler out to do this?  Also, if later you have a shorter bar, will it adjust back to a lower flow if I do this modification?