Anything to be aware of with running a used ms 660

[rwood8600]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie to ArboristSite.com, and i've been reading many posts for quite a few days now and have to say it is a fantastic resource where much can be learnt, and I am very grateful to all those that contribute.

I got my first chainsaw 3 years ago and that was MS 250 C-BE, and it is a great saw, mostly using it beyond its intended purpose - mostly bucking and limbing. However, while bucking a large fallen poplar branch it was showing its limitations in terms of power. When we had a big ash fall down (60ft - 20 metres) I knew I had to go and get a bigger saw (4ft diam. trunk). So I 'bought the bullet' and got a used ms 660 off ebay at a decent price (half the new price here in the uk), with much nervous chewing of fingernails i took delivery of the thing and cranked it up on the big ash and it seems to work fine (loads of torque), though it does cut out while idling after about 60 secs, though i'm not overly bothered by that at the moment as I have not done any adjustments to it - plus the fuel I'm using is old

I am really pleased with the saw, though I was initially looking for 361 or 460 but there were none around, so i got this bargain war horse instead. It is not as heavy as thought it would feel. And I think it would make a great bucking saw. It came from an arborist company to start with and looked quite beaten up with company initials scratched all over it, and so I started replacing the fan housing, shroud, handlebar, air filter, hand guard and other exterior bits and pieces - just to make it my own ... or is CAD setting in!

This is the first time i've owned a big saw and i would appreciate any hints and tips about it, and any other issues with owning a big professional stihl. Sorry this post is so long but its by way of introduction anyways

cheers

 

[Burvol]

You might have a problem not wanting to kill big trees and saw everybody's wood.

 

[stihlboy]

post pics ya :newbie: and change the plug and clean the airfilter preventative maint. is the key

 

[rwood8600]

You might have a problem not wanting to kill big trees and saw everybody's wood.

Its already happened, but not killing the big trees bit... yet

 

[phantom]

post pics ya :newbie: and change the plug and clean the airfilter preventative maint. is the key

and get yourself some fresh fuel mix.i used to use whatever I had laying around that was mixed, but after reading all the claims of saws burning up because of old mix I always use fresh now.

congrats on the new baby

 

[nilzlofgren]

Only thing to worry about, is the possibility of cancer. Had you gotten the 361, you would be fine. That said however, The 066 is good at staving off Shingles, Rickets, Scurvy, Macular Degeneration, RLS, DVT, and Rosatia.:monkey:

 

[excess650]

Be very careful of the tip of the bar. Kickbacks from a big powerful saw can be most unpleasant.

 

[spankrz]

go buy some stihl ultra oil and mix fresh gas. once you mix it, smell it. thats right i said smell it. remember the smell. if you go to use it and it doesent smell exactly like that, dont use it. dump it out and mix fresh gas. other than that, just do your regular maintenance, like your plug and filter.

 

[rwood8600]

post pics ya :newbie: and change the plug and clean the airfilter preventative maint. is the key

Here we go:

 

[stihlboy]

Here we go:

i was the first to view them and man those are nice

 

[rwood8600]

Be very careful of the tip of the bar. Kickbacks from a big powerful saw can be most unpleasant.

yeah I noticed that while cutting up the ash, I use the bumper spikes a lot with this saw.... its a beauty though

 

[rwood8600]

thanks - its a work in progress

 

[rwood8600]

Only thing to worry about, is the possibility of cancer. Had you gotten the 361, you would be fine. That said however, The 066 is good at staving off Shingles, Rickets, Scurvy, Macular Degeneration, RLS, DVT, and Rosatia.:monkey:

funny that because i phoned stihl technical support and asked them about the 660's preventive measures of catching scurvy, and they just put the phone down on me.

 

[volks-man]

funny that because i phoned stihl technical support and asked them about the 660's preventive measures of catching scurvy, and they just put the phone down on me.

those germans have no sense of humor.


congrats on the big saw.
unfortunately i don't know enough about the 660 to tell you what to look out for specifically. but, fresh mix, clean filters, sharp chains, and careful use all go a long way to keeping any saw and it's user in top form.

 

[TRI955]

Where's 04ultra? I think he might have one of these things....

 

[rwood8600]

i've always used the regular stihl oil - why is ultra that much better?

 

[stihl only]

:agree2:

With everyone that said to get fresh fuel and Ultra oil!!!!!!!!!!!

Even at 1/2 price, that's an expensive saw you got there so show it some love!

Stale fuel kills....

 

[Erick]

Best advice for a 660..... use both hands.


Seriously, unless it's been abused, not much to tell about that saw... reliable as gravity, keep the air filter clean, use good oil (don't ask which one ) and keep fresh mix in it and it should cut everything you can throw at it for many years to come.

Sounds like you are a tad off on the low side adjustment causing the saw to load up rich/lean out and die like that at idle. My guess from way over here is rich, might try an 1/8th of a turn in on the L screw and see if that cures your idle problem. If it gets worse go back the original 1/8th of a turn and then go out another 1/8th of a turn.

If I know my tree service saws you might need about an 1/16th to an 1/8th of a turn out on the H screw, most of those guys like to run pretty lean.

 

[rwood8600]

to be honest i use fresh fuel most of the time, but your right, why not give it the 'stihl caviar' and use the ultra, after all your right about the cost of the saw deserving the best mix lube.

 

[LarryTheCableGuy]

Where's Ultra? I think he might have one of these things....

And when it goes missing, check with Ultra. It may have run off to his place to be "with the family".

opcorn:

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