Two saw plan 261 and ?? 400 or 462?

[johnsayen]

Hello

5 full cord of firewood a year here, the 261c with an 18” bar is a great saw for that and I’m considering adding a second saw for the bigger stuff. It’d wear a 20” light bar and be used for bigger hardwood. I think I’ve read that the 400 has good anti-vibe but I’m unsure if it’s an issue on the 462 or not. Price is not a consideration. The size of the 400 is attractive as I’d likely feel like Paul Bunyon swinging the 462 around all day, maybe?

 

[Bango Skank]

461 or 462.

 

[johnsayen]

I checked the Stihl international site and the 400 has the same vibe 3.5/3.5 m/s^2 as the 261, which is pretty impressive. The 462 has 4.8/3.6 m/s^2. Not sure if what that equates to in the real world but I do know the 261 is easy to handle.

 

[ericm979]

How big is the wood it will be cutting? To me that's the most important consideration. But with only a 20" bar even if it's fully buried all the time a MS362 could handle it. The 400 would be fine. If you're going to be using a 24" a lot then a bigger saw might be better.

 

[dmb2613]

462 hands down

 

[drf255]

462 all the way.

You‘re describing my 2 saw plan precisely.

I cut and split around 10 cords a year. Even though I own roughly 25 saws, the 261/462 combo are what I grab 99% of the time. Both of mine are woods ported and M-Tronic. The 462 is perfectly balanced with a 25” ES Light bar.

The 462 is a light saw to swing all day. When I get big logs dropped off, the 395 with a 36” 404 cannon comes out. That one will tire you out for sure.

 

[johnsayen]

How big is the wood it will be cutting? To me that's the most important consideration. But with only a 20" bar even if it's fully buried all the time a MS362 could handle it. The 400 would be fine. If you're going to be using a 24" a lot then a bigger saw might be better.

Wood size will vary but the bigger it gets the harder to handle for firewood, so I’m gonna say the biggest typically won’t exceed 18-20”

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

Wood size will vary but the bigger it gets the harder to handle for firewood, so I’m gonna say the biggest typically won’t exceed 18-20”

I would not buy a new $1000 saw for that...

261 will handle 20" wood no problem.

I mean, if you just want another, bigger saw, I have no complaints. 462 is fantastic, but kind of a waste with a only a 20" bar IMO. 24" is perfect on a 462. Never tried the 400.

 

[computeruser]

For firewood, which to me means making the same cut every 16” or so, I would err on the side of big powerhead/shorter bar, so out of the current Stihl line I’d probably want 261/16” and 500/20” and 28-32” as your local wood dictates.

 

[sliderulacuracy]

I have the 261 and 462 combo, couldn't be happier. Yes the 261 gets used much more but occasionally a big stick blows over and you really need something bigger.

 

[johnsayen]

The big decision / problem here is that the 400 specs out the same as the 044 and many a people were happy with that saw with regard to grunt and handling big sticks.

 

[Harmon]

I dont know that an 044 specs out "the same" as this yet to be seen ms 400c but vicariously speaking I hope you get one and tell us all how awesome it is. I have been coveting one for a while.

 

[sb47]

I have a 261c and a 362 both sporting 20'' bars with an optional 24'' for the 362 when needed. Between the two saws I can noodle just about anything 48" or smaller. The bigger the saw the heavier it is and I find myself using the 261 for 95% of my cutting because it's so much lighter and is less fatiguing to operate.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

462

 

[Stihl99]

261 with 16" and 400 with 20" and 25" are my two primary saws now
I do not have the 462, but a couple of buddies do and they both have said the 462 has guts however it will vibrate you to death if you run it all day.

 

[johnsayen]

261 with 16" and 400 with 20" and 25" are my two primary saws now
I do not have the 462, but a couple of buddies do and they both have said the 462 has guts however it will vibrate you to death if you run it all day.

Can you tell us more about the 400? Have you ran a 500i at all?

 

[Stihl99]

Can you tell us more about the 400? Have you ran a 500i at all?

The 400 with 25" bar feels just a tad lighter than the 362 with 20" bar. The balance is not bad and it slowly points downward but does not nose dive when carrying by the top handle.
I ran the 400 last week in 20" + size poplar trees used up 2 1/2 tank of fuel and the only time it bogged down was the cutting the top 3" of a 23 3/8" poplar of the stump off to remove the threads, that saw just went to nothing. I said ok not even a tank of fuel yet, saw was sideways, and it was brand new. After that little episode not a single issue after that, it feels most definitely stronger and lighter than the 362, but time will tell after I get to run it more.
I did however do a little modification before using it, I put the extended clutch cover and chip guard, and the older style brake spring cover to reduce the chips from flying out in the splatter pattern. I prefer the chips more directional for better control of that and it greatly reduces them off of me. I really like the captive nuts, but do not like the short little clutch cover on the new Stihl saws.
Next mod is real bumper spikes on it, this will also keep it from nose diving when sitting on the bench, tailgate, etc.
Not had the pleasure of the 500 yet, but when my dealer gets one I get to test run it.

 

[johnsayen]

The 400 with 25" bar feels just a tad lighter than the 362 with 20" bar. The balance is not bad and it slowly points downward but does not nose dive when carrying by the top handle.
I ran the 400 last week in 20" + size poplar trees used up 2 1/2 tank of fuel and the only time it bogged down was the cutting the top 3" of a 23 3/8" poplar of the stump off to remove the threads, that saw just went to nothing. I said ok not even a tank of fuel yet, saw was sideways, and it was brand new. After that little episode not a single issue after that, it feels most definitely stronger and lighter than the 362, but time will tell after I get to run it more.
I did however do a little modification before using it, I put the extended clutch cover and chip guard, and the older style brake spring cover to reduce the chips from flying out in the splatter pattern. I prefer the chips more directional for better control of that and it greatly reduces them off of me. I really like the captive nuts, but do not like the short little clutch cover on the new Stihl saws.
Next mod is real bumper spikes on it, this will also keep it from nose diving when sitting on the bench, tailgate, etc.
Not had the pleasure of the 500 yet, but when my dealer gets one I get to test run it.

thank you!

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

261 with 16" and 400 with 20" and 25" are my two primary saws now
I do not have the 462, but a couple of buddies do and they both have said the 462 has guts however it will vibrate you to death if you run it all day.

A 462 vibrate you to death...that's a new one. Not the experience I've had.

 

[sbhooper]

If you are going for two saws only, I have to say go with the 462. A three-saw plan would put the 400 in between the 261 and a 661.