Thread: 044 vs. 441

I’m new here but not new to a chainsaw…or CAD. I grew up using a 032AV and an old Homie to cut 15+ cords per year for firewood. Still cut 15+ cords per year but my saw of choice for the past 5+ years is my 044.

I have a 044 and my brother has a 6 month old 441. Both 20" bars, 3/8-7, etc. Basically the exact same set-up and both saws are stock. We put them against each other head to head in a big old walnut tree…the 044 won in the big stuff by 3 plus seconds every time. We even switched users/saws, used a stop watch, etc. This was not what I (or my brother) expected and now I have to find out why.

My question(s): Does this seem right to anybody here? Do the EPA muffler and carb restrictions on the 441 make that much of a difference? Anybody else have an idea why the 044 was faster? The 441 “feels” like it revs faster but the 044 “feels” like it has more torque.

The anti-vibe on the 441 definitely reduces the vibration better than my old 044 but it just feels “soft” to me when I lean into the big stuff. Might just be I’m used to the 044...just my 2 cents.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

open the muffler on the 441 and they would probably be equal

Originally Posted by Zombiechopper

open the muffler on the 441 and they would probably be equal

what if I mod'd the 044's muffler and tuned the carb? I was just looking at a link here discussing it with pic's...would a mod'd 044 still beat a mod'd 441?

Some have said the 044s run better than the 440s. The 441 should have more power than either. From all the ones I've ran the 441 is more on par with the 460's power, stock for stock. You just can't beat the 044/440 for it's power and weight imo. I've had all 3.

Originally Posted by Gwood

what if I mod'd the 044's muffler and tuned the carb? I was just looking at a link here discussing it with pic's...would a mod'd 044 still beat a mod'd 441?

equivalent muffler mods on each model and the 441 should be stronger on paper. That is based on published specs.

The 441 also may not be as broken in as the 044. It has been reported that teh new strato saws take longer to break in and achieve highest compression

Originally Posted by Gwood

what if I mod'd the 044's muffler and tuned the carb? I was just looking at a link here discussing it with pic's...would a mod'd 044 still beat a mod'd 441?

Since your 044 is already faster, it should contine to be after the muff mod. Heck, try it just for fun.

Good point about the break-in Zombiechopper. I never gave that much thought becuase he's had it 6+ months but that does have an impact.

Originally Posted by Gwood

Good point about the break-in Zombiechopper. I never gave that much thought becuase he's had it 6+ months but that does have an impact.

just depends on how much he's used it. If its had 20 tanks through it I would say it ain't gonna get any stronger

I'd say more than 20 tanks but I can't be sure. Speaking of tanks...the 441 defintely spanked my 044 in running time per tank. It may have been a tad slower in the cut but I sure have to refuel first.

Try it again. This time put a brand new loop of the same brand/type chain on each saw.

Call me crazy.

The old 044 IS legendary for a reason. It's the better saw, but not that much faster.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

Originally Posted by dingeryote

Try it again. This time put a brand new loop of the same brand/type chain on each saw.

Call me crazy.

The old 044 IS legendary for a reason. It's the better saw, but not that much faster.

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

It's the chain. If not the 441 is out of tune or somethings wrong with it. The 441's I've ran are a bit stronger than the 044/440

Originally Posted by Andyshine77

The 441's I've ran are a bit stronger than the 044/440

It must have been the chains. The 044's I've ran are a bit stronger than the 441

+1 on the chain (or the tune). I had a nice old 044 and my 441 would continually walk all over it. That being said, the 441 is a little different to tune, a little tougher to find the sweet spot, and 4 stroking is not quite as obvious to the ear as on traditional 2 stroke saws. There is also the fact that within model there are duds and studs. Your old 044 may happen to be a real stud and his 441 may have been built on a Monday morning LOL. All things being equal, in my experience the 441 is further beyond the 044 in power than it would seem based on posted specs.

Originally Posted by Gwood

Speaking of tanks...the 441 defintely spanked my 044 in running time per tank. It may have been a tad slower in the cut but I sure have to refuel first.

When you cut thru all the hotrodder stopwatch bullsht that right there is all you need to know. Seriously...how important is it really...to make a cut 3 seconds faster if you have to stop and fuel up more often?? I bet that "slow" saw will put more wood on the truck by the end of the day