New 70cc Class Stihl.

[andrewhanson]

I'm looking at picking up a new to me 70cc class saw. I own mostly huskie but would like to give Stihl a shot also. So my question, which 70cc Stihl do you prefer? 044, 046, 440, 441, 460? I realize that whatever I end up with I will be happy but I would like to hear your opinion.

Andrew

 

[mdavlee]

461 has the most power and 441 is the smoothest. The 044 is the lightest and best handling.

 

[ky044]

I like the 044 but I used a 441 once it was a good saw also

 

[Tnshaker]

440 handles very well and is a nice saw. I have ran a ported 461 and it was a monster and handled well. The ported 441c I had was awesome as far as power and chain speed......but I just don't like how fat they are...just don't handle well at all to me.

 

[nstueve]

none of the above... 7300-7900 Dolmar and you can run the same bars between husky and dolmar.makita!

 

[nmurph]

461 has the most power and 441 is the smoothest. The 044 is the lightest and best handling.

Bingo...picks ya poison!!

 

[nmurph]

none of the above... 7300-7900 Dolmar and you can run the same bars between husky and dolmar.makita!

The 7900 is a very good alternative. The only places it loses is vs the weight of the 044/440.

 

[HuskStihl]

It is a well established and accepted fact, at least among those educated in such things, that the early 044 is the best saw Stihl has ever made, and likely the best saw ever made. Ever

 

[nstueve]

The 7900 is a very good alternative. The only places it loses is vs the weight of the 044/440.

I lost all respect for the 044 after doing a bearing job and looking at the jacked up way they did the oil seal on that side of the saw (this goes for the husky 576 as well). A simpler sealed bearing or bearing with external oil seal design would have been way better! Then lets talk about the bearings that love to go out because stihl used and undersized 026/036 size bearings. Then lets talk about the 044 rear tank handles that crack and break and have no AM or OEM replacements available. Yeah, it cuts good, but I would still pick up my 7901 before a 044. Plus I'd rather carry the 0.9lb more for the extra 0.9 bhp. Numbers can be debated but that's JMHO.

 

[fuzz1500]

Best Ever ? Thats questionable ! But I actually do like the 044,,,even if it is a Stihl

 

[HuskStihl]

I lost all respect for the 044 after doing a bearing job and looking at the jacked up way they did the oil seal on that side of the saw. A simpler sealed bearing or bearing and oil seal design would have been better. Then lets talk about the bearings that love to go out because stihl used and undersized 026/036 size bearing. Then lets talk about the 044 rear tank handles that crack and break and have no AM or OEM replacements available. Yeah, it cuts good, but I would still pick up my 7901 before a 044.

I'm not sure what a "7900 or 7901" is, sounds like a snowmobile or something. Why are we discussing snowmobiles on a 70cc Stihl thread?

 

[nstueve]

I'm not sure what a "7900 or 7901" is, sounds like a snowmobile or something. Why are we discussing snowmobiles on a 70cc Stihl thread?

Maybe this will help cut the snow out of your ears... Current model is Dolmar 7910.

 

[mdavlee]

The 7900 is a good saw besides the balance sucks. Av is good and power is good. Dealer support is basically non for 99% of the US outside of NY and Wisconsin.

 

[fuzz1500]

Sweet Dolmar buddy ! Thats what Im talkin about ! Wheres the track and handlebars ?

 

[fuzz1500]

Good Dolmar dealer support in Northeast Ohio as well !

 

[nstueve]

The 7900 is a good saw besides the balance sucks. Av is good and power is good. Dealer support is basically non for 99% of the US outside of NY and Wisconsin.

Stihl Dealer support is non-existent for 100% of all the dealers I've been to. Sell you another saw or charge you $55-$75/hr for repair and exorbitant part prices. Pick the bum rush of your choice. The only thing i will give stihl is that they are the only saw manufacturer with the "west coast" style clutch cover that helps when noodling. None of the Stihl dealers I have ever been to, are quicker at ordering in parts (that they should have on the shelf...). I can order Dolmar parts from a local dealer or from edge and engine and the parts will be in my mail box the same day a stihl dealer would call. Also saws used for Professional use don't even hardly carry a warranty with stihl anymore...

HDAF kita and a 3/4-full wrap moves hand position forward and puts more weight into butt of saw balancing it better... Just FYI...

Sweet Dolmar buddy ! Thats what Im talkin about ! Wheres the track and handlebars ?

Not mine... found it on google images. I have a blue and red/orange one though!

 

[mdavlee]

I've got a good Stihl dealer that will order whatever I ask for and usually has 90% of it in stock. I've had a full wrap 7900 and it was a little better but any bar past 28" light weight makes it real nose heavy.

 

[nstueve]

I've got a good Stihl dealer that will order whatever I ask for and usually has 90% of it in stock. I've had a full wrap 7900 and it was a little better but any bar past 28" light weight makes it real nose heavy.

I guess if I'm jumping to 28-36in bars I skip to the 9010 because most of the use will be bucking and the weight will be held by the log... Agree to disagree?


OP,
If it has to be a Stihl I would get a 10mm 044 because they have the best port timing. Or a torched 12mm so you can put a 046 top end on. Or just Get the 046/460 and put a ported BBK on it!

Guess that's the other thing I liked about the 6400-7900 series... You can start with 64cc that is strong with 24in bar and if you need more power there are bolt on top end kits for more power64cc-73cc-79cc-84cc. Also the 84cc AM top end kit is a known performer with good reliability for under $100. Again.... JMHO's...

 

[Str8six]

Just search on here and you will see, 044 is the way to go! And yes, it is the best saw EVER!

 

[nstueve]

Just search on here and you will see, 044 is the way to go! And yes, it is the best saw EVER, if your only looking at Stihl's!

fixed that for ya...

Let's just be glad the Husky nay-sayers haven't arrived...

Either one is a good choice OP. Just thought having interchangeable bars is nice... If you're an astetics kind of guy get a 440 or 046 or 460. If the 044 handle breaks you'll end up with a flippy cap on the back and old screw in cap on the front...

Cheers!
Nathan