the 461 owner reviews thread

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Trx250r180

Trx250r180

Saw polisher
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Nov 7, 2010
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us
as an owner of the new model ms461 ,am curious how other new owners are likeing this model ,it seems like more people are getting these now ,post your likes and dislikes ,only dislike i have so far is the filter collects sawdust fairly quick ,i ordered outerwear covers so that should be resolved ,has anyone had any issues ,likes or dislikes ?
 
lly_duramax

lly_duramax

ArboristSite Operative
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Aug 19, 2010
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366
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Virginia
I got to run 1 tank through mine and the only thing I could complain about is the air filter needing to be cleaned more often than my 441. That's not really a big deal to me being that I blow them out every time I use them. Bone stock it ran right with my muffler modded and broken in 441. I'll report more after I get it back from Tennessee.:hmm3grin2orange:
 

s219

ArboristSite Guru
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Sep 19, 2011
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564
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Yep, I agree, the filtration is poor. I bought the Stihl pre-filter for mine to hopefully make it easier to clean out. Prior to that, it was a real bear to keep up with when I was milling lumber (fine dust).

Other than filtration, I love the saw. It's a beast, and a lot of fun to run. Not any heavier or shakier than my old 441-CM was. Fuel consumption could be better, but I also want to revisit my carb tuning once winter decides to stick around here. I had left it a little rich when milling lumber in warm weather.
 
Trx250r180

Trx250r180

Saw polisher
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us
Super strong torquey saw right out of the box. But, lacking the RPMs of a 460 when ported. Perhaps that'll be figured out, or maybe already has been. I still prefer a 460.

ive noticed less rpms too ,my xpw has a lot more speed in 20 inch and smaller fir ,this saw acts a lot like my 660 ,makes a lot of noise , and you can lean on it more than my other 75 ish cc saws
 
thomasjoven

thomasjoven

ArboristSite Lurker
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Dec 18, 2011
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13
Location
Upstate NY
I love mine. But im biased since this is my first "modded" saw! It's lighter than what im used to (390xpg) and cuts fast enough to meet my demands, though im only running a 25" on it. Where can I pick up one of those outerwear covers? Ive just been rotating two different filters.
 
User Name Here

User Name Here

Lowly Firewood Cutter
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Mar 8, 2012
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310
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Sparta, NC
I have cut probably around 5 loads off firewood with mine. I love it and I also share the sentiments about the filtration - it is a piss poor design. I did get an outerwears cover for mine as well. I am currently running a 28" bar with a skip chain. I have played with a 20" and it is impressive to me. I also have a 32" b&c for it for bigger stuff. Very happy with mine
 
young

young

token asian
Joined
May 14, 2009
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2,108
Location
kentucky
the 461 is basically the same saw as a 460 with quad port top end and the tweaks to go along with it. so if didnt like something on the 460 ie air filtration, av, etc, its going to be same with the 461.
 
mdavlee

mdavlee

Tree Freak
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tn
I ran youngs today and one tank of noodling the filter was packed with chips. Best thing I've found on stihls to keep the filters from clogging is to remove the cover and just run the nut on the filter so the chips can fall off on their own.
 
young

young

token asian
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kentucky
I ran youngs today and one tank of noodling the filter was packed with chips. Best thing I've found on stihls to keep the filters from clogging is to remove the cover and just run the nut on the filter so the chips can fall off on their own.

how did the prefilter work out?
 
WACutter

WACutter

ArboristSite Operative
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Mar 3, 2007
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364
Location
WA
I Like Mine So Far

It kind of reminds me of a 064 (I still KICK myself for selling that one!) in that is seems to have more torque than the 460. I only have about 2 hours on mine; it is set up with a 28" bar and full comp chain. I'm sure a 32" bar would be great on it. I put an 046 muffler on, and it seemed to help a bit power-wise although now it is louder. In my hands it also feels a bit smoother than the 460, although that could be in my head or the fact that the 460 has some miles on it. As others have said, the filter is not as good as a Husky setup, but it's ok. I'll look into an outerwears cover.

I need to pull it out and fire it up, although I have too many other project saws to run and work on atm. Seems like a common affliction here!:cheers:

The saw is a minor evolution from the 460, rather than a revolution in the way the 441 was from the 440.

I like mine; it is a quality saw that I expect years of service from.
 
Last edited:
4x4American

4x4American

Got Sawdust?
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Jun 13, 2011
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1,243
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SE Adirondacks
I like mine alot, but they could have done something more husky-like concerning the air filter. the only other tiny thing that bugs me is that the 3/4 wrap handle gets in the way of one of the bar nuts so I gotta use a short scrench for it. I can wedge a regular scrench on it in a pinch but I prefer to get a full bite with the scrench, I don't like half arsing it. Other than that, this saw stock cuts the mustard and then some.
 
Anthony_Va.

Anthony_Va.

XPW Fan Club
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Apr 25, 2010
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Southwest Virginia
The 461 has really good torque. I don't own one but I have ran stock and ported 461s. I can't really comment on the filtration but if it's like the 460 then it's lacking IMO. They should have went with an air injection setup like the 441C. The 441 air filter basically never gets dirty. The rubber mounts don't matter much to me. I still like the 441C better, but if the 461 had m-tronic and better filtration it would be better all around than the 441C. For now though, the 441C will be the saw I carry to work with me.
 

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