Buying new MS660 vs 661

[altair]

Hi all, looking at an MS660, here in NZ I can still get old stock MS660s for now.
The 661 M tronic interests me, but I'm very wary of the electronic problems, and have heard horror stories of them here. Prices vary from $2000 to $2490 for the 660 and 661.
So as far as the MS660 goes, a couple of questions... what would be the shortest bar I could run on the 660?
And going from a really well running MS440, am I going to notice a huge difference?
This is for large trees for family firewood only, not commercial use...I'm keen to get an old stock MS660 before they are all gone.
Cheers

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Bailey's sells 15" 325 bars to fit that, not sure why, but they do.

 

[altair]

lol...what I should have asked was, is a 20 inch bar okay or too short? Would be good if the bar/chains from my MS440 would swap over, 20 and 26 inchers...I'm a little concerned 20 inches may be a tad small for the MS660, don't want any engine damage.

 

[hills bay performance]

Your 440 bars will fit as long as you have the right sprocket on the 660 . And I think a 20" bar is the smallest stihl recommends for the 660 I believe .

 

[MustangMike]

I believe with bars up to 24", your 440 may out cut the 660 (both w/HD-2 filters and dp muff covers).

The 660 will shine with longer bars, but I think a 661 will beat them both across the board.

Ported 660s are also very strong.

 

[CR888]

Why would you buy a 30+ year old saw design when the latest tech is availible and prooven? Look l have a 660 and they are a solid saw but this model is essentially the same as it was over three decades ago. Big improvements have been made in AV, fuel delivery, economy ect. l think you are mad to buy a 660 with the 661 on the shelf. Stihl usually gets things right and l would have full confidence buying a 661. As you have a 440 (great model) l think you would prefer using that over a 660 and in most situations it will cut as fast if not faster than the 660. Many like you have this thought and its hidious to say the least.

 

[stihlaficionado]

The 661 has much better AV then the 660. I sold my 660 & got the 661

 

[fearofpavement]

Why would you buy a 30+ year old saw design when the latest tech is availible and prooven? Look l have a 660 and they are a solid saw but this model is essentially the same as it was over three decades ago. Big improvements have been made in AV, fuel delivery, economy ect. l think you are mad to buy a 660 with the 661 on the shelf. Stihl usually gets things right and l would have full confidence buying a 661. As you have a 440 (great model) l think you would prefer using that over a 660 and in most situations it will cut as fast if not faster than the 660. Many like you have this thought and its hidious to say the least.

I would buy an MS660 vs a 661 if I were going to buy a new saw. The 660 is proven. The 661 is brand new and certainly NOT PROVEN. Check back in a few years. It's the latest greatest thing but the 660 has a long history of bulletproof performance. Some think dead nuts reliability is more important than a more fuel efficient engine or oiler that puts out less of those nasty hydrocarbons or whatever. I'm in the "tried and true" camp.

 

[redfin]

All your 440 bars will cross to either a a 660 or 661. Personally I don't see the need of a 660/661 for a 20" bar but whatever tickles you either saw will run it with no damage.

I sold a ported 660 to buy a 661. My 661 with just a mm and timing bump is close to the ported 660 with a 28" in hardwood.

 

[CR888]

How many complain about Mtronics.....its probably the least likely component to fail on the saw. Spring AV won't rattle your bones like rubber mounts on the 660, and is not likely to fail either. Stihl aren't in the business of replacing their flagship saw with junk.

 

[fearofpavement]

Well, the MS201T hasn't been a very big hit... just sayin.

 

[xxl]

I am keeping my 660

 

[mdavlee]

All your 440 bars will cross to either a a 660 or 661. Personally I don't see the need of a 660/661 for a 20" bar but whatever tickles you either saw will run it with no damage.

I sold a ported 660 to buy a 661. My 661 with just a mm and timing bump is close to the ported 660 with a 28" in hardwood.

Got to remember they're cutting concrete compared to our wood over here. A 20" on a 90cc is a lot more common over there. I'd pick a 661 for sure though over a 660.

 

[CR888]

Well, the MS201T hasn't been a very big hit... just sayin.

And what does that have to do with the price of fish? l thought the op was comparing the ms 660 to the 661.....and for what its worth l ain't in a hurry to sell my 201's, how many 540t owners can say the same.....not many as that saw IS a disaster. lol l think you just want to brand bash and that's not really what this thread is about and FWIW l have a few Huskys and they do make good/bad saws just like every brand.

 

[Scott Kelly]

I'm also one for dead nuts reliability.. I'm not well versed on how Mtronic works let alone on how to service it should something go wrong. Keeping it simple always has the edge in my book over the latest and greatest that technology has to offer.

 

[Moparmyway]

I have both a newer 066 and a 661r ............. and will be keeping both.
If I had to purchase a new saw, it would be the 661 though.
The 661 is much better on fuel and vibration dampening, as well as being stronger.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

The only thing a 660 has over a 661 is a track record ... adapt fellas , the 661 is a very very nice saw to run with great power even in stock form .

 

[CR888]

l think its funny in 2015 people are scared of computer controlled fuel delivery.....just like a few decades ago we heard all the same stories about fuel injection.....people naturally fear what they don't understand. l mean manual H/L screws on carbs is an embarrassment with what we know today and ope brands have been twiddling their fingers for to long. The next step is fuel injection and l suppose all hell will break loose when that comes.

 

[redfin]

Got to remember they're cutting concrete compared to our wood over here. A 20" on a 90cc is a lot more common over there. I'd pick a 661 for sure though over a 660.

Didn't consider that.

 

[Geoff Shaw]

How many complain about Mtronics.....its probably the least likely component to fail on the saw. Spring AV won't rattle your bones like rubber mounts on the 660, and is not likely to fail either. Stihl aren't in the business of replacing their flagship saw with junk.

Stihl hasn't replaced the 660 because they wanted to build a better saw, they were forced to design a new model to meet emissions standards. That being the case and working within constraints, the newer model may not be as good as the old. I have joined this site mainly to find out what i can about the 661 before i buy one, because i still have the choice to buy a 660.