2000ssm6
Stihl User
If you can't find a 440 and don't like the 441, the 460 is the next best choice, but all of these are winners.
No more 440's??...
- Thread starter woodguy105
- Start date
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I hear that the early 10mm pin 044s had HUGE ports and thus a great deal of power. It would be nice to find one (is it pre 129xxxxxx ?) that has hardly been used..........not likely on that count, though. Who knows? Maybe someone has been hoarding a NOS early 044, and the recession will push it out onto eFray....that'll go high........
Peacock
Addicted to ArboristSite
Maybe in 10" pine.
I can stall out my ported 660 in 6" hardwood if I push hard enough.
I just don't care for the Husky style powerband. Not enough low end grunt for my taste. It's the main reason I don't like the 361 also.
MuleyJ
Addicted to ArboristSite
Or 24" maple!
Maybe you should teach yourself how to run one of the many saws (several brands) with that "power-band" as they are real fun to cut with. If you can stall a ported 660 (definitely not one of those saws) in 6" wood it might be the guy behind the saws having problems, not the saws themselves! Almost sounds to me like you cut with the intention of stalling a saw, no wonder you don't like high speed saws. Not every saw is or should have to be a ported 660, especially not to cut 15" to 20" wood. To each his own I guess, but the 372 is still a saw that deserves a look here for what the intended use is IMO.
If you initiate this type of search with preconceived notions of how it should conclude (brand name lap dogs), often times you cheat yourself out of the best discoveries the pursuit has to offer.
windthrown
361 Junkie
The legendary Stihl 440s are all but gone, stateside. They are discontinued in the US, but if you look around far and wide you may be able to find one of the last new ones at a Stihl dealer, or get a nice one used. If you have a 290 then the 361 is not much of a bump up in size, and if you cut big wood, a 440 or 441 would be a good step up in size with the 290 as a backup. As Andy said, I would avoid the 390 (and the 310), especially if you already have a 290. Not much to gain there. I have had a 440 and a 460, and the issue I have with them both is the vibration. They cut like crazy, but I prefer smooth... which you will get with the 441, but at the expense of the strato carb arrangement. At altitude they suck, and they cannot be modded easilly for much gain in power. If you like stock and are under 3k feet in elevation, the 441 should do fine. Sorry I do not know jack about the Husky to compare them to. I am a Stihl guy.
MuleyJ
Addicted to ArboristSite
woodguy105
ArboristSite Guru
441,361,372
[If you have a 290 then the 361 is not much of a bump up in size, and if you cut big wood, a 440 or 441 would be a good step up in size with the 290 as a backup. As Andy said, I would avoid the 390 (and the 310), especially if you already have a 290. Not much to gain there. I have had a 440 and a 460, and the issue I have with them both is the vibration. They cut like crazy, but I prefer smooth... which you will get with the 441, but at the expense of the strato carb arrangement. At altitude they suck, and they cannot be modded easilly for much gain in power. If you like stock and are under 3k feet in elevation, the 441 should do fine. Sorry I do not know jack about the Husky to compare them to. I am a Stihl guy.[/QUOTE]
Thanks windthrown,
I need to check out the 372 & 441 ...price em out, handle them a bit, run them if possible. I'm not doing anyhing hi elevation so that's not a concern.
not sure what the pros / cons of the strato carb are? I'll do some research ino that. Any of these saws (372,441,460) will probabl more than meet my needs. Just wanT to get a good stock saw that will last and that I can work on myself.
Thanks for that thread MULEYJ...
[If you have a 290 then the 361 is not much of a bump up in size, and if you cut big wood, a 440 or 441 would be a good step up in size with the 290 as a backup. As Andy said, I would avoid the 390 (and the 310), especially if you already have a 290. Not much to gain there. I have had a 440 and a 460, and the issue I have with them both is the vibration. They cut like crazy, but I prefer smooth... which you will get with the 441, but at the expense of the strato carb arrangement. At altitude they suck, and they cannot be modded easilly for much gain in power. If you like stock and are under 3k feet in elevation, the 441 should do fine. Sorry I do not know jack about the Husky to compare them to. I am a Stihl guy.[/QUOTE]
Thanks windthrown,
I need to check out the 372 & 441 ...price em out, handle them a bit, run them if possible. I'm not doing anyhing hi elevation so that's not a concern.
not sure what the pros / cons of the strato carb are? I'll do some research ino that. Any of these saws (372,441,460) will probabl more than meet my needs. Just wanT to get a good stock saw that will last and that I can work on myself.
Thanks for that thread MULEYJ...
MuleyJ
Addicted to ArboristSite
Oops!
Sorry, this thread is a lot more interesting and is the one I meant to link to.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=20367
Sorry, this thread is a lot more interesting and is the one I meant to link to.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=20367
huskydave
Addicted to ArboristSite
I don't consider a saw with a powerband like the 372 has to be the best at anything. I can't imagine using one with a long bar. Most people seem to agree that it's good for a 20" bar in hardwood and not much more.
Have you ran a run-in 441 against a stock 372? You'd be surprised.
Sorry, if you know how to keep a chain sharp a 372xp with a 7pin sprocket will pull a 28" bar with ease, The 441 is a restricted strato engine that looses power at atltitude due to therrmal dynamics and at least around here is not much more than a 361 because it is bulky heavy and is much less of a saw than the 440 was. If you want a big saw go with the 372xp or a Dolmar 7900. If you don't mind carrying extra eight around the 460 is an great saw as well. Oh and I have run a stock 372xp agianst a 441. I knew how to feed the saw properly and made him look very bad and knowing where your saw cuts best will get you some quicker cuts period. I also had the right chain and sprocket for the job at hand which makes all the diferance in the world. The 372xp can be modded to keep up with a 660 and in some cases produce more hp. I only know of two or three people that have even tried to race a 441. It is a dog. I am not biased too much as well the 575xp is another model to stay away from. I have never heard anything bad about the 440 the 460 or 372xp and it seems the 7900 Dolmar is a winner as well. take your pick
and don't forget a saw that feels right for me might not for you so handle them and decide for youself baised on price feel weight and go home happy and cut some Wood.
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pbtree
Addicted to ArboristSite
I concur, even though I am a Husky guy. The 361 is a better unit IMHO....
SawTroll
Information Collector
....
Tweeking the Makita sounds like a great Idea ($$$) but I'm just now working on my first saw (the 290) so i'm hoping to get a good strong stock saw that'll be easy to maintain and keep running well. Maybe do a mod sometime down the line.
Put a 390 top on the 290 if the cylinder is shot!
Peacock
Addicted to ArboristSite
All I did was respond to your above claim. I know how to run a saw for best cutting speed. I also know that certain conditions like tough, twisted grain require more torque. I cut wood like ash, hard maple, oak, hickory, locust and hedge almost exclusively and they all require a good bit of grunt to get through.
My saws are ported for fun. Not because I need the power.
Stihl MS440 on Stihl Website
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS440.html
When I found my MS440 at a sale, I came home looking for info on it on the Stihl website, and found that it was no longer there... so I went to the 441 page, and substituted 440 for 441 in the url... voila!
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS440.html
When I found my MS440 at a sale, I came home looking for info on it on the Stihl website, and found that it was no longer there... so I went to the 441 page, and substituted 440 for 441 in the url... voila!
woodguy105
ArboristSite Guru
I just got home from a trimming job-- some hard climbing, a locust. The throw weight went through on the first toss---I like that. I got to use my 044 on the downed limbs, and I can see why it is everyone's favorite saw. (Well, nearly everyone's) It is such a joy to use, it's like, I'm getting paid to do this? I hope parts stay available for a long time. What about this: Are the early huge port cylinders stihl available, and if so, can they be used on the 12 mm pin saws??? Just a thought.
MuleyJ
Addicted to ArboristSite
You mean you know how to run your saws (except maybe the 660, LOL) for best cutting speeds in the conditions you cut in. For some reason that certainly does not stop you from assuming that those are the only conditions and cutting styles that could possibly exist. You also assume that for a muffler modded 372 with 20" b&c to be tough to bog out, it must only be cutting 10" pine. Any person who owns or uses one knows this not to be a "claim".
Let Us Know What You Wind Up With
So, after all of the back and forth, your choices that are still available new are 372, 441, and 460.
The 372 and 441 are REALLY close performance wise; people who tell you otherwise usually have a favorite brand to push. They do deliver power a bit differently in that the 372 likes the revs higher and needs a lighter touch than the 441. The 460 has a bit more ooomph than either, without a doubt. I was surprised how little gas the 441 used, conversely the 460 really seems to suck it down with the 372 between the two.
You should consider one of each, as with CAD you will probably wind up with all of them anyways!:greenchainsaw:
So, after all of the back and forth, your choices that are still available new are 372, 441, and 460.
The 372 and 441 are REALLY close performance wise; people who tell you otherwise usually have a favorite brand to push. They do deliver power a bit differently in that the 372 likes the revs higher and needs a lighter touch than the 441. The 460 has a bit more ooomph than either, without a doubt. I was surprised how little gas the 441 used, conversely the 460 really seems to suck it down with the 372 between the two.
You should consider one of each, as with CAD you will probably wind up with all of them anyways!:greenchainsaw:
windthrown
361 Junkie
Yah, as I recall that the 460 does suck down gas like a V8 with twin carbs. That and the vibes are the two biggest "complaints" I had after running it. However, its cuts fast and furious. Big trees go over pretty quick with it, and bucking is a breeze. :greenchainsaw:
So here is a summry for the lazy guys:
4 is the highest point, 1 the lowest.
power weight vibration fuel efficiency
440: 2 4 2 2
441: 1 2 3 4
460: 4 1 1 1
372: 3 3 4 3
Total score:
440: 10
441: 10
460: 7
372: 13
The one thing I don't know about is the fuel economy 440 vs 372, if the 440 win that round, we would have 440: 11 points. 372: 12 points.
What everyone already knows: The 372 is the best 70cc saw on the market.
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