I need a larger chainsaw

[Bill G]

I have a 288xp…in a box
all disassembled, cleaned and ready to build…later this winter.

I had a 288 that I bought used out of Canada. It had been to hell and back. We used it for awhile here, gave it a return trip to hell and back, then gave it to parts.

 

[sean donato]

The 281 is a good saw. I have one that is asking for a new home.

Wasn't arguing that, nor would I. Just don't know why on earth he quoted me talking to the 14yo kid.

 

[Lightning Performance]

The chain issue being brought up to run square will change anyone's thoughts on needing a bigger saw. My first time I'm in need of square onsite was about five years ago. Everything was round ground and I was outgunned on 30" oak, remote location with only a stock 361 and a modded 362 but I had 16, 20, 24 and 28 bars on the truck. These are just common work saws setup for short bars with stock oil pumps. Took out a standard rectangle file and common mill bastard file. Converted round to square on the 24 and 24 full skip loops on board. 28 never got used with only full comp and stock oil pumps. The 361 got the 16 full comp 8pin. The tree was no match for those setups. 362 ran good on a 24 7pin. It has mods and a base gasket delete. Bucked the main stem with full skip converted.

The statement about square on the mill, bucking and felling is getting tested this winter with round converted loops. I mill with those and cut stumps. They buck slow and don't fell very well round. Square might be worth filing to save time in the feild when milling. Not switching to square grinders. Most times the loops get swapped for fresh ground. Filing square may extent my cutting time per loop.

The mill bastard sets the top plate on the corner if your careful. The regular file sharpens the side plate when needed. First time your good. Second or third filing you need to hit that side plate. Is it fast? No. Can I make the chain any angle, yup. You can also use a round file on the side plate. That looks just like a goofy file ince sharpened. You can sharpen in either direction using this method on the top plate face. The side is done like round filed with either file. I still can't use a square file well and hexa is not smooth imho. Milling maybe, felling with hexa sucks in hardwood imho.

 

[stihl sawing]

I run a 25 on my 400 and it cuts anything i need, even noodle with it. it's not much slower than my 460.

 

[J.Noss]

I need a larger saw, maybe it’s just a want.
I have a Stihl MS 261 CM and a MS 400 CM and I am looking for something a little bigger. I am disappointed in the 400.
Does it cut? Yes and it runs great but it's not head over heels more powerful than the 261.

A little background,
Firewood is poor quality in North Texas and the price is outrageous.
I cut 6 cords each year for me and immediate family.
My cousin and I like to take one or two weekends and cut all our wood and haul it a family members house where he spits all the wood for us. Basically we want to done quickly and efficiently because it costs money to take off from work.

I want something that will run a 24" bar. Main use is for firewood (all hardwood) a few weekends a year, and then a few days of use for storm clean up per year.
Tree size around here that I cut is usually 24"-40" and it's mainly Oak and Pecan. I have only had to cut two trees over 40" due to a storm so that's the only exception.

I want to upgrade to a saw that will cut faster and more efficient, so I was looking at the MS 462 CM and the MS 500i. I want something that will run a 24" chain without struggling.

From what I gathered from my research is;
The 462 costs less, has more vibration, has better air filter, and uses less fuel than the 500i.
The 500i is more powerful, has an air filter that easily clogs, drinks fuel, and everyone, including people that haven't used either saw just scream buy the 500i.

The cost between the two isn't a concern to me, neither does the amount of fuel it uses.
I would prefer the less weight of the 462 and less vibration but I am concerned that it won't be much more powerful than my 400. Then, I will say I wished I would have went with the 500i.
Has any upgrade been done or design changes to the 500i to fix the air filter problems?
Is the 500i proven yet?

How is the 462 going to compare to the 400? More powerful? how much more power? 5cc's doesn't seem like much difference.
Go with the 500i, or will a 24" bar matter on those big saws?
Which one overall between the 462 and 500 is the nicer saw and easier to use?
Saws will remain stock, with no mods.
I do like the m-tronics.
We only have a Stihl dealer around so that is what I will be sticking with.

Any input with an explanation or reason of what chainsaw would be best for me, would be helpful and appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan

The 500i is junk unless you get it ported, it's lightweight but uses a ton of fuel, and filter gets dirty quickly and if your wood is really hard and cuts powdery if dry it'll get inside the carb.. it's also awfully expensive.. for that price I'd get a 592 and call it done, 592 makes gobs of power and if you can get around the weight difference it's great. Tank of fuel typically lasts twice as long as the 500 (or more) and filter is much better. They had issues at husky with the 1st years saws but they've been fixed. Even a ported 572 or 372 puts out more power than the stock 500i and costs couple hundred less all told. But if money is no object and weight is top concern gotta get that 500i ported if that's what you choose (or try it with the 400 first they gain real nicely) just my 2 cents as I own a 550xp 572xp and 592xp and have ran the 500i both before and after my cousin had it ported.

 

[sean donato]

I run a 25 on my 400 and it cuts anything i need, even noodle with it. it's not much slower than my 460.
View attachment 1123636View attachment 1123637View attachment 1123638

Basically my exact experience vs a 462 with my 400.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

The 500i is junk unless you get it ported, it's lightweight but uses a ton of fuel, and filter gets dirty quickly and if your wood is really hard and cuts powdery if dry it'll get inside the carb.. it's also awfully expensive.. for that price I'd get a 592 and call it done, 592 makes gobs of power and if you can get around the weight difference it's great. Tank of fuel typically lasts twice as long as the 500 (or more) and filter is much better. They had issues at husky with the 1st years saws but they've been fixed. Even a ported 572 or 372 puts out more power than the stock 500i and costs couple hundred less all told. But if money is no object and weight is top concern gotta get that 500i ported if that's what you choose (or try it with the 400 first they gain real nicely) just my 2 cents as I own a 550xp 572xp and 592xp and have ran the 500i both before and after my cousin had it ported.

That's a pretty popular saw with huge sales figures and a mob of zealots like McCullough and Dolmar have. I wonder how they manage?

That's gotta be hard when 500i owners struggle to keep up with other saws...



Oddly, a tiny part of a pool noodle can rectify the air cleaner design flaw.
(this video also shows the difference between saw models):

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

I woulda bought a 661 if I was this dude.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

The 500i is junk unless you get it ported, it's lightweight but uses a ton of fuel, and filter gets dirty quickly and if your wood is really hard and cuts powdery if dry it'll get inside the carb.. it's also awfully expensive.. for that price I'd get a 592 and call it done, 592 makes gobs of power and if you can get around the weight difference it's great. Tank of fuel typically lasts twice as long as the 500 (or more) and filter is much better. They had issues at husky with the 1st years saws but they've been fixed. Even a ported 572 or 372 puts out more power than the stock 500i and costs couple hundred less all told. But if money is no object and weight is top concern gotta get that 500i ported if that's what you choose (or try it with the 400 first they gain real nicely) just my 2 cents as I own a 550xp 572xp and 592xp and have ran the 500i both before and after my cousin had it ported.

I don't think 500s are junk.

I also don't think their worth 16-1700 dollars.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

That's a pretty popular saw with huge sales figures and a mob of zealots like McCullough and Dolmar have. I wonder how they manage?

That's gotta be hard when 500i owners struggle to keep up with other saws...



Oddly, a tiny part of a pool noodle can rectify the air cleaner design flaw.
(this video also shows the difference between saw models):

How many cuts do you think you've made with a 462 and a 500 ?

 

[cuttinstihl]

I got the chance to briefly run a 500 Saturday with a 32" light bar, its a nice saw but it just doesn't have the anywhere close to the torque of my 066. It was really light for the power and felt smooth in the hands though, it just shouldn't cost more than a 661 IMO

 

[cuttinstihl]

I woulda bought a 661 if I was this dude.

Even for a 28, I love the power of my 066. Granted my next biggest is a 60cc, but that doesn't change the power the big boys have for long bars

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

How many cuts do you think you've made with a 462 and a 500 ?

Not nearly enough, but that goes for most any saw. Certainly not anything much compared to most members here, one of which was telling me he goes through 75 gallons of fuel per cutting season. I do landscaping on the side and don't track saw usage separate, so all I know is I bought 30 gallons worth of premix oil a few months back and am starting to run low.

 

[ace4059]

Thanks for everyone that replied. I bought the MS 500i with a 25” light bar.
I have the Eagan (EPS) air filter on the way.
I don’t plan on doing any other mods and will just leave the saw stock.
I was looking at a muffler mod for the 400 and 500 but I don’t want to deal with the added noise. I already have hearing loss, and don’t want to use double hearing protection while running a chainsaw that I’ve seen people suggest when going with a different muffler. They are already loud enough even when using the ear muffs on the helmet with the stock muffler.

I can’t wait to run it after that air filter arrives.

Thanks again folks.

 

[Pjohnson]

Thanks for everyone that replied. I bought the MS 500i with a 25” light bar.
I have the Eagan (EPS) air filter on the way.
I don’t plan on doing any other mods and will just leave the saw stock.
I was looking at a muffler mod for the 400 and 500 but I don’t want to deal with the added noise. I already have hearing loss, and don’t want to use double hearing protection while running a chainsaw that I’ve seen people suggest when going with a different muffler. They are already loud enough even when using the ear muffs on the helmet with the stock muffler.

I can’t wait to run it after that air filter arrives.

Thanks again folks.

Congratulations good choice let us know your thoughts after ya run it.

 

[av8or3]

Thanks for everyone that replied. I bought the MS 500i with a 25” light bar.
I have the Eagan (EPS) air filter on the way.
I don’t plan on doing any other mods and will just leave the saw stock.
I was looking at a muffler mod for the 400 and 500 but I don’t want to deal with the added noise. I already have hearing loss, and don’t want to use double hearing protection while running a chainsaw that I’ve seen people suggest when going with a different muffler. They are already loud enough even when using the ear muffs on the helmet with the stock muffler.

I can’t wait to run it after that air filter arrives.

Thanks again folks.

You’re gonna love that saw.

 

[Squareground3691]

Thanks for everyone that replied. I bought the MS 500i with a 25” light bar.
I have the Eagan (EPS) air filter on the way.
I don’t plan on doing any other mods and will just leave the saw stock.
I was looking at a muffler mod for the 400 and 500 but I don’t want to deal with the added noise. I already have hearing loss, and don’t want to use double hearing protection while running a chainsaw that I’ve seen people suggest when going with a different muffler. They are already loud enough even when using the ear muffs on the helmet with the stock muffler.

I can’t wait to run it after that air filter arrives.

Thanks again folks.

Run a side port , doesn’t increase noise much , will help the saw breathe and keep it cooler running,

 

[ColinNS]

Thanks for everyone that replied. I bought the MS 500i with a 25” light bar.
I have the Eagan (EPS) air filter on the way.
I don’t plan on doing any other mods and will just leave the saw stock.
I was looking at a muffler mod for the 400 and 500 but I don’t want to deal with the added noise. I already have hearing loss, and don’t want to use double hearing protection while running a chainsaw that I’ve seen people suggest when going with a different muffler. They are already loud enough even when using the ear muffs on the helmet with the stock muffler.

I can’t wait to run it after that air filter arrives.

Thanks again folks.

I run a ported 500i with a Bark box and was really concerned about the noise. You do not need extra hearing protection. Just a good set of muff on a helmet, I use the pro Husqvarna helmet and they work great no worries.

 

[woodfarmer]

The 500i is junk unless you get it ported, it's lightweight but uses a ton of fuel, and filter gets dirty quickly and if your wood is really hard and cuts powdery if dry it'll get inside the carb.. it's also awfully expensive.. for that price I'd get a 592 and call it done, 592 makes gobs of power and if you can get around the weight difference it's great. Tank of fuel typically lasts twice as long as the 500 (or more) and filter is much better. They had issues at husky with the 1st years saws but they've been fixed. Even a ported 572 or 372 puts out more power than the stock 500i and costs couple hundred less all told. But if money is no object and weight is top concern gotta get that 500i ported if that's what you choose (or try it with the 400 first they gain real nicely) just my 2 cents as I own a 550xp 572xp and 592xp and have ran the 500i both before and after my cousin had it ported.

You don’t even own one so htf can you make a statement like that. I have 3 and never had an issue with sawdust, fuel or lack of power.
I seriously don’t know why anyone like you makes comments based on hearsay or some wannabes YouTube video!

 

[Pjohnson]

You don’t even own one so htf can you make a statement like that. I have 3 and never had an issue with sawdust, fuel or lack of power.
I seriously don’t know why anyone like you makes comments based on hearsay or some wannabes YouTube video!

You don’t even own one so htf can you make a statement like that. I have 3 and never had an issue with sawdust, fuel or lack of power.
I seriously don’t know why anyone like you makes comments based on hearsay or some wannabes YouTube video!

I especially like the fuel consumption claim. There are actual epa fuel consumption numbers. The the stihl 400 burns some fuel, the 462 a bit more, the 500 a bit more and the 661 a bit more and the 592 burns more then all of them. Some people dont need or want a 592 or even want a husky.