Stihl MS660 vs Husqvarna 390xp (vid)

[parrisw]

Basically what i think about the comparison wood used, is if i were working, i would be using a 70cc class saw, i would pull out a 90 cc saw if i had to remove some big stumps or fall or buck an exceptionally big tree. so basically in this part of the world a 70cc saw will handle anything a 90cc class saw will if the bar length is 32 inches on both using 3/8 chain.

I do understand that in areas with really hard wood, a 90 cc saw is pretty much needed to pull a 30 inch or better bar, that's just not how its done here, a 90 cc class saw around here is better suited with at least a 36 inch bar and as big as 42 inches.

I also understand that in the particular wood being used, the 390 does slightly better, and therefore abiding by many of your logic, proves the 390 to be better, but had the saws been dipped in hardwood using the same B&C setup, the 660 likely would have won. Had the saws been using a larger test bar with a .404 chain as would be typical for use in the PNW the 660 also would have likely won.

What this tells me, is that a hardwood setup was used in softwood, also many of the arguments have been centered around the B&C being equal with both saws, and test wood being same, therefore the winning saw is simply superior... Wrong, if they had been using a bar of at least 36 inches using .404 chain (identical) then the 660 would have won, so that being true defeats the whole argument saying the test was valid.

Did you even read why he chose the 390 and it wasn't just the cutting speed in 24" wood???? Why don't you grab and fffen clue? And no .404 is not the norm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When is that vid coming that you promised us like months ago?

 

[BarkBuster20]

Did you even read why he chose the 390 and it wasn't just the cutting speed in 24" wood???? Why don't you grab and fffen clue? And no .404 is not the norm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When is that vid coming that you promised us like months ago?

You want to know why .404 isnt the norm? Simply because the average faller in the PNW is running a 70cc class saw, when the occassion arises and you run into something to big for your 32 inch bar, you grab a 90cc saw with a bigger bar and generally a .404 chain, the .404 chain has many benefits for this type of work, considering many of the situations, you may need the bigger bar and chain consist of big old growth stumps that can have dirt in the middle or numerous other chain dulling qaulities.

I can understand him prefering the 390 for weight (even though its a mere 9 0z) or the anti vibe, or air filteration, but those aren't the qaulities that were being demonstrated in the video.

And the video will come when it comes.

 

[parrisw]

You want to know why .404 isnt the norm? Simply because the average faller in the PNW is running a 70cc class saw, when the occassion arises and you run into something to big for your 32 inch bar, you grab a 90cc saw with a bigger bar and generally a .404 chain, the .404 chain has many benefits for this type of work, considering many of the situations, you may need the bigger bar and chain consist of big old growth stumps that can have dirt in the middle or numerous other chain dulling qaulities.

I can understand him prefering the 390 for weight (even though its a mere 9 0z) or the anti vibe, or air filteration, but those aren't the qaulities that were being demonstrated in the video.

And the video will come when it comes.

So your a logger now? Even in 90cc saws around here, .404 isn't the norm. Why don't you go back to pruning fruit trees.

:notrolls2::notrolls2::notrolls2:

 

[parrisw]

And the video will come when it comes.

ha ha ha, so you got nothing eh!!!!! Probably don't even own a saw.

 

[husq2100]

You want to know why .404 isnt the norm? Simply because the average faller in the PNW is running a 70cc class saw, when the occassion arises and you run into something to big for your 32 inch bar, you grab a 90cc saw with a bigger bar and generally a .404 chain, the .404 chain has many benefits for this type of work, considering many of the situations, you may need the bigger bar and chain consist of big old growth stumps that can have dirt in the middle or numerous other chain dulling qaulities.

I can understand him prefering the 390 for weight (even though its a mere 9 0z) or the anti vibe, or air filteration, but those aren't the qaulities that were being demonstrated in the video.

And the video will come when it comes.

Regarding .404 pitch: It has less chip clearance than 3/8th. Yes its a bigger tooth that may make you think it will stand up to abuse better, but its also a wider kerf so doing more work. There is a reason pro loggers in the mid 70's changed over to 3/8th and they werent cutting little clean trees. They did find that 0.063 gauge held up better than 0.050. If you are really worried about dirt etc run a semi chisel. Over here alot of our wood is so hard and dirty its all the pros seem to run. Full chisel just doesnt hold up.

Regarding the qualities being demostrated in the video, who are you to decide? you did not make it. BUT just so people will know what the OP's point was and what the video WAS representing, he posted some text with it

"This is why I run a 390 over a 660, lighter, smoother, cheaper and a tad bit faster.
Both saws using same chain and 8 tooth sprockets in 25" doug fir."

if you read the first post, you will notice the video FOLLOWED the text, therefore the video IS a represention of those things you say they are not.

i wll say this, you have come back and you seem to be taking a better attitude towards this internet thing, which i applaud you for. You are well within your right to think what you want and state your opinion which is why we are all here. But some don't do it with respect. keep the respect for others and you will keep the same in return...and more will be preparred to listen to your thoughts.

cheers, Serg

 

[056kid]

Bark polisher,

Can you shut the #### up or find somthing worth while to argue about please?


You are agitating my thread subscriptions for no good reason.

I read your l8est post and mind you I have had some beers, but #### I have never read less in a 139 word post in my poor life.


your glass holds no water, #### that bastard doesn't even hold any air........

 

[Brmorgan]

Well notwithstanding the 660/390 comparison arguments earlier, I for one will second the notion of using .404 skip on long bars for firewood, especially dirty stuff. Fewer cutters and they stand up to abuse better. And, it's a lot easier to find an 8-pin .404 sprocket than a 9-pin 3/8 sprocket if you have enough saw to pull it.

 

[BarkBuster20]

ha ha ha, so you got nothing eh!!!!! Probably don't even own a saw.

No it means im not going to make and post the video untill its convenient for me, im busy working the next few days.

 

[BarkBuster20]

So your a logger now? Even in 90cc saws around here, .404 isn't the norm. Why don't you go back to pruning fruit trees.

:notrolls2::notrolls2::notrolls2:

I'v never claimed to be a logger, though i do have a decent amount of experience felling trees, and since you question the validity of my statement (.404 being the norm for 90cc says) how may i ask do you know its not the norm? are you suggesting your a logger?

 

[Brmorgan]

Must be fairly normal up here, since the main shop in town carries just as much .404 as 3/8 (low-profile notwithstanding), at least going by the spools they have on the shelves anyway. I know for a fact they sell a helluva lot more .404 than everything else put together, though most of that is .085ga harvester chain...

 

[William Balaska]

404 is the norm for the 088, 3120 and available for the 660 and 395, as well as all the old school monsters. Obviously the chassis of this chain is much stronger, however adds significant weight to the saw and obviously consumes more horsepower to turn the rotating mass, especially when you get into a 42 inch plus bar. A ported saw turning 13,500 RPM will obviously outrun a nonported saw turning 12,500 to 13,000 RPM the math is obviously basic plus you can lean on the saw due to the increase in horsepower and adjust the raker height accordingly. So basically in my eyes it was a fair race.

 

[garyischofield]

life lesson for BB

Sad to say but you remind me of me 35 years ago.If I could offer my $.02.A reward of experience is the thrill of knowing something today you didn't know yesterday.One thing I've noticed about accomplished people is they never know so much that they don't entertain a different thought or way of doing something.Your points about size of wood in slingers video do have some merit but the time to cut through those logs was sufficient to make a valid comparison.I enjoy nothing more than listening and trying others ideas.Case in point,if somebody hadn't experimented with chisel bit files on chisel chain I'd still be swearing my round sharpened chisel chain was the hot set-up.Thank god someone did it cause it would have taken awhile if ever for me to think of that.When I'd go to a saw race back in the 70's thru 90's people would look in disbelief at my chains after learning to square file.The point being,try to soften your approach and try to not be so aggressive with different opinions .it makes life easier when you adapt as you try different methods etc.I still talk when I should be listening, so the wife says.I doubt even Art Martin feels like he knows everything.

 

[parrisw]

No it means im not going to make and post the video untill its convenient for me, im busy working the next few days.

You haven't had any spare time in the last few months?

I'v never claimed to be a logger, though i do have a decent amount of experience felling trees, and since you question the validity of my statement (.404 being the norm for 90cc says) how may i ask do you know its not the norm? are you suggesting your a logger?

Nope not a logger, I just know a few things is all. Lots of loggers in my family though.

Must be fairly normal up here, since the main shop in town carries just as much .404 as 3/8 (low-profile notwithstanding), at least going by the spools they have on the shelves anyway. I know for a fact they sell a helluva lot more .404 than everything else put together, though most of that is .085ga harvester chain...

Well there ya go, ain't nobody that I know is running .404 .085 harvester on any saw.

Even if I ran a 880 or 3120, I'd still put 3/8 on it. My 36" 395 has 3/8 .063.

My friends tree service, runs 3/8 on 42" bars without any trouble.

Anyway Barkpolisher, I'm somewhat glad to see you've dropped the attitude somewhat.

 

[parrisw]

Bark polisher,

ha ha ha. I like that!!

 

[Brmorgan]

Heh, I don't think guys here are running harvester chain on handheld saws either! Our dealer outfits the big logging shows as well, so they sell (and maintain) a lot for use on feller-bunchers and the big processors that work the landings limbing and bucking the logs. I DO have a few half-worn-out harvester bars that I picked up a while back; maybe I could mod one for use on the 090 just for kicks! Now ya got me thinking... I even have a few pieces/loops of harvester chain that I salvaged from the infeed deck and stepfeeder at the sawmill - they came in tangled up in loads of logs. I probably have enough to make a couple good loops, just need some presets and straps.

 

[Curlycherry1]

My Stihl 051 has had nothing but 404 chain on it from the day I got it. My logs were never really dirty (skidded only short distances) but it was what I was told to use and so I used it. I just bought two new 404s for it last week.

 

[parrisw]

My Stihl 051 has had nothing but 404 chain on it from the day I got it. My logs were never really dirty (skidded only short distances) but it was what I was told to use and so I used it. I just bought two new 404s for it last week.

Ya, but that was back in the day when they used .404 the 051 I have has .404 on it as well as my 070.

 

[Burvol]

I cut with a die hard Stihl Head this summer. He runs a 660 from Wood's Logging supply that was "hopped up". It ran good, and is a nice saw. He was giving me #### about my 390 (shaved, ported, transfers opened, unlimited coil, dual port, timing advanced) saying it was a boat anchor. I put a fresh chain on it one day and told him to stump a tree. All he could say was "SMOOOOTH". The rantings stopped. He he.

Guys are afraid to like the new line of Husky products. It cracks me up. There is absolutly no comparing the two. The Husky is a smooth, powerful saw that sounds like a real powersaw. ZWOOZWOOO is what Stihls sound like. Drive me nuts!

If you don't believe Jasha in terms of realworld testing and use, there is no other credible source on this site. Not that I'm some guru, but I fully back the 390 as the best West coast falling saw on the market, pound for pound bar none. Bonus feature would be the tensioner built in the side cover. The 390 bars up twice as fast as the 660 and is extremely well balanced.

I laugh at all the casual users on here that just bash, bash, bash. I don't bash Stihl saws, they make good products. I just tend to set things straight. Most guys on AS burn as much fuel in their saws during a year as what we do in a month or less.

 

[joatmon]

I cut with a die hard Stihl Head this summer. He runs a 660 from Wood's Logging supply that was "hopped up". It ran good, and is a nice saw. He was giving me #### about my 390 (shaved, ported, transfers opened, unlimited coil, dual port, timing advanced) saying it was a boat anchor. I put a fresh chain on it one day and told him to stump a tree. All he could say was "SMOOOOTH". The rantings stopped. He he.

Guys are afraid to like the new line of Husky products. It cracks me up. There is absolutly no comparing the two. The Husky is a smooth, powerful saw that sounds like a real powersaw. ZWOOZWOOO is what Stihls sound like. Drive me nuts!

If you don't believe Jasha in terms of realworld testing and use, there is no other credible source on this site. Not that I'm some guru, but I fully back the 390 as the best West coast falling saw on the market, pound for pound bar none. Bonus feature would be the tensioner built in the side cover. The 390 bars up twice as fast as the 660 and is extremely well balanced.

I laugh at all the casual users on here that just bash, bash, bash. I don't bash Stihl saws, they make good products. I just tend to set things straight. Most guys on AS burn as much fuel in their saws during a year as what we do in a month or less.

Burvol,

Allow me to speak for the casual users. The Jasha 390XP rocks.

ole joat

 

[Burvol]

Burvol,

Allow me to speak for the casual users. The Jasha 390XP rocks.

ole joat

Mr. Joat,

I hope you understand what I am implying. Not all casual users are ignorant or bashers (just plenty). I think you get my point. I have just read enough garbage from guys that have little credence to continualy bash a saw because it's not a Stihl. I use to run Stihl. No Mas. Please understand where I am coming from.