New MS460 Rescue saw/Pics

[crane]

Proud to announce that Lomond Fire Dept(stn #19), is the owner of a new Stihl MS 460 rescue saw. Just picked it up this morning. Thought I'd post some pics here as I'm sure you don't get the chance to see many. Tried to get a close up of the 36RDR chain, but need a better camera. Hoping at the next fire pratice to put it to some use. Unfortunately I won't be there , but I leave it it capable hands.
Drew

 

[Tzed250]

Use it safely!!!

 

[crane]

The Dept. is looking to hold a chainsaw safety course to instruct all the members in proper technique and handling of a chainsaw. We are long overdue for a course like that! Especially when the saw will be used in situations where footing for the operator in not ideal, (i.e. rooftops and attics).

 

[treeclimber jul]

I thought those came with a D handle?????

 

[hogjaws]

Good catch, Treeclimber Jul, Drew you should inquire about
that D-handle. Its purpose is to facilitate easier starting
by operators wearing large gloves such as yourselves.
For your purposes it should be there.

Nice addition to your dept, good luck with it.

 

[andrewspens]

Is it just me?

When I was a volunteer firefighter, the only use we had for the carbide chains was plunge cutting through a roof. What is the point of Stihl putting those POS safety rakers on a chain whose sole use is to plunge cut? I just finished working on a buddy's saw with Stihl chain and those same rakers, and that thing wouldn't plunge to save its own life. I know German engineering is supposed to be the best, but what the hell is up with that?

 

[crane]

Good catch, Treeclimber Jul, Drew you should inquire about
that D-handle. Its purpose is to facilitate easier starting
by operators wearing large gloves such as yourselves.
For your purposes it should be there.

Nice addition to your dept, good luck with it.

I never thought of that! Although we did try starting it with our front line gloves on and it seemed fine. I don't have the exact name of the gloves with me here, but they are kangaroo skin. They are a sight less bulky than our other gloves and don't soak up the water near as fast. I will contact the Training Office and see how things go with starting in full bunker gear.
Thanks for the input

 

[crane]

When I was a volunteer firefighter, the only use we had for the carbide chains was plunge cutting through a roof. What is the point of Stihl putting those POS safety rakers on a chain whose sole use is to plunge cut? I just finished working on a buddy's saw with Stihl chain and those same rakers, and that thing wouldn't plunge to save its own life. I know German engineering is supposed to be the best, but what the hell is up with that?

Are you talking about carbide tipped cutters or full carbide cutters. The cutters on this chain are full carbide welded onto the links. Our assumption is to cut through any and all material in the roof -nails , joist joiners, tin, etc, with out stopping. Two of the guys at the dealer are firefighters themselves and gave me their own experiences of what they have cut and for how long. This just seemed to be the best set up for a volunteer dept that has to be ready for anything(with only a volunteer budget).

 

[WRW]

Are you talking about carbide tipped cutters or full carbide cutters. The cutters on this chain are full carbide welded onto the links. Our assumption is to cut through any and all material in the roof -nails , joist joiners, tin, etc, with out stopping. Two of the guys at the dealer are firefighters themselves and gave me their own experiences of what they have cut and for how long. This just seemed to be the best set up for a volunteer dept that has to be ready for anything(with only a volunteer budget).

That's not the chain your dept wants. Raptor chain has a more solidly mounted cutter that won't fail nearly as quickly, or there is Bullet chain that cuts more slowly but is less of a kickback hazard and has a solid mount for the cutters.

 

[Boogieman142]

we have a 460r in my volunteer dept. my experience with those stihl chains are that if u get into some tough roofs those welsed on tips come off with great speed i might note. We have since went with a bullet chain and it is much better.

 

[crane]

Disappointing to here that Stihl chain is not holding up for what it was designed for. We had decided on Stihl because the dealer is going to stand behind the saw 100%. After the saw is broke in, they will re-tune it at no charge. There was no charge for the inital setup and service and I can get emergency service pretty near 24/7.
My 2 closest dealers are both 45 minutes away, so for them to "be on call", was a huge factor. I know that you can get just about anything you want through the mail, but when it counts, I need to know that I can get problems resolved ASAP. I guess we will run with what we got and see how it goes. All things considered, anything is an improvement from the Mini Mac 110 that has graced the hall for the last 15 years.
I would like to thank all who offered their opinions.

 

[WRW]

Disappointing to here that Stihl chain is not holding up for what it was designed for.

I could be wrong, but I don't think that chain was designed for fire service. Call your dealer and find out for sure. Check with other departments/stations and see what they are using and if they will let you try them out.
As far as using the mail, you could get a spare to tide you over for emergencies.

 

[2000ssm6]

That is the correct chain for that saw but I have no experience with that chain. We had a expensive carbide chain on our univent 272 that worked good until sharpening time came around. We could not find anyone local to sharpen the chain. I put on a standard full comp chain and the dept. bought a partner quick saw/cut off saw. Not asking me about what to buy we spent more on that pos than a Stihl would have cost.

I have not used the quick saw but it's pretty much a K-12, imo that should be what you should use to vent roofs, cut doors, and any type of metal.

 

[Austin1]

Why not contact one of the big city fire depts, and see what they run? Try lethbridge or Calgary. I know Calgary uses the 460 saw but have know Idea as to what chain they run. Maybe they can set you up with a supplier for something they have found works good.

 

[Erick]

I could be wrong, but I don't think that chain was designed for fire service. Call your dealer and find out for sure. Check with other departments/stations and see what they are using and if they will let you try them out.

From Stihl's web site....

STIHL RAPID™ Duro Rescue (RDR) is a new STIHL designed chain using the STIHL OILOMATIC® principle. RDR surpasses the durability of former RDS in Rescue applications and has a higher efficiency when cutting wood. This chain is purpose-built for the demanding needs of fire and rescue specialists and therefore is for use by specially trained emergency services personnel only. RDR is the recommended chain for use on the MS 460 R STIHL Magnum™ Rescue saw.

IMO you have the right saw and chain combo for your application.

That's not the chain your dept wants. Raptor chain has a more solidly mounted cutter that won't fail nearly as quickly, or there is Bullet chain that cuts more slowly but is less of a kickback hazard and has a solid mount for the cutters.

we have a 460r in my volunteer dept. my experience with those stihl chains are that if u get into some tough roofs those welsed on tips come off with great speed i might note. We have since went with a bullet chain and it is much better.

It was the RDS chain that was having issues and I believe it is probably the RDS chain that these guys are talking about breaking teeth and such????

I have no personal experience with any of the carbide chains but I have been told by a fireman whose opinion I trust that the RDR is much better chain than the RDS and is also better than the Rapco. I have never heard him talk about the bullet chains and don't know if they ever tried them or not, so?????

 

[crane]

Once again I would like to thank you all for the information.

The saw and RDR chain is only going to be used in a ventilation situation where we may run across a a nail or two or light metal in a roof. The Department also has a STIHL MT400 Quick-cut saw for anything more demanding.
The dealer is also going to look after sharpening of the RDR chain so that is a bonus for us. I'll post an update in the future, when we have used the chain, and let you all know the results.
Well I'm off to work, back up north, so will not be posting for a while. Please feel free to continue the discussion, as when I return, I'll be looking this post up. Take care and keep the wood chips flying!!!
Drew


:greenchainsaw:

 

[WRW]

From Stihl's web site....



IMO you have the right saw and chain combo for your application.





It was the RDS chain that was having issues and I believe it is probably the RDS chain that these guys are talking about breaking teeth and such????

I have no personal experience with any of the carbide chains but I have been told by a fireman whose opinion I trust that the RDR is much better chain than the RDS and is also better than the Rapco. I have never heard him talk about the bullet chains and don't know if they ever tried them or not, so?????

OK, what is listed on their site is the carbide impregnated teeth for the RDR, not welded carbide cutters. Those pictures look like RDS to me. Like I said, I could be wrong.

 

[Philbert]

Stopped by a STIHL dealer today to shop for things that I was never going to buy, and took at look at an MS460 Rescue saw they had there. This one had the 'D' handle, the Magnum Rescue sticker on the saw, the muffler guard, etc., but did not have the decompression valve.

Any idea why this model would not have the decompression valve?

Thanks.

Philbert

 

[THALL10326]

Proud to announce that Lomond Fire Dept(stn #19), is the owner of a new Stihl MS 460 rescue saw. Just picked it up this morning. Thought I'd post some pics here as I'm sure you don't get the chance to see many. Tried to get a close up of the 36RDR chain, but need a better camera. Hoping at the next fire pratice to put it to some use. Unfortunately I won't be there , but I leave it it capable hands.
Drew

Nice saw there. I've sold about 25 of those to the local and near by country fire departments in the past couple of years, they love that saw. Fairfax, one of the largest fire companies in the nation, along with Arlington have those and swear by them.

That saw was designed by the Va Beach fire department and Stihl. They went to Stihl in Va Beach with the ideas of what they wanted and Stihl built it. That has become the standard rescue saw all across the country....

 

[THALL10326]

When I was a volunteer firefighter, the only use we had for the carbide chains was plunge cutting through a roof. What is the point of Stihl putting those POS safety rakers on a chain whose sole use is to plunge cut? I just finished working on a buddy's saw with Stihl chain and those same rakers, and that thing wouldn't plunge to save its own life. I know German engineering is supposed to be the best, but what the hell is up with that?

To keep those volunteers who have very little experiance with chainsaws from getting kicked off the roof of a tall building. Sounds funny but oh so true.