Now where taking quality about the rod bending, flywheel key shearing MS 170! YUK!
stihl ms 661 or husqvarna 390xp for a new saw
- Thread starter r black
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Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
The MS170 is more saw than most of the guys on this forum really need anyway. 
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
Myself included. lol
nice ms 170 and 28 inch bar sweet combo and much less money quess i would have to send it to you have it set up to run on top fuel ??
Maybe a little cheaper depending on who you ask
well just picked up a 
2171w clean saw for 300$ guess the 390 or 661 will have to wait till summer time
2171w clean saw for 300$ guess the 390 or 661 will have to wait till summer time
Ironworker
Addicted to ArboristSite
Nice score. I've never ran a 661 but I do own a 2188 ported by Tlandrum and in my opinion it is more saw than I'll ever need and loads of fun to run.
bryanr2
Addicted to ArboristSite
TL sales a ported 2188 for $1050. add on shipping.
I think they're the same price. They jumped $50 since last year, my price anyway.
wasnt bought to be used.and there is No offer that I would consider. I paid hundreds more to the previous owner who beat me to it, to convince him to sell it.
yes well im old to 50 now but a larger saw with about a 28 inch bar the bend over factor comes in to play and ill trade little weight for speed
Mastermind
Work Saw Specialist
If I had never found this site, and y'all buncha wack jobs, an 028 would still be a "big saw' to me.
yes sir all we need now is for jon 1212 to find this thread....and bring on the hippy lettuce.....If I had never found this site, and y'all buncha wack jobs, an 028 would still be a "big saw' to me.
And I'd be running my professional grade 039, lol.If I had never found this site, and y'all buncha wack jobs, an 028 would still be a "big saw' to me.
tacomatrd98
ArboristSite Guru
I have both a ported 390 and a new bone stock 661. I would hands down buy the 661. I got a smoking deal on the 661 (960 plus tax with a 28" ES Light) though that most will not be able to obtain so that helps some. But, based strictly on using the saw, I personally would still go with the 661. The 661 pulls harder than a dual port 660 and is smooth as butter. It has a lot of torque and I would venture to say should wear an 8t rim for anything 25" and under just to load it more and make it easier to use. With a 7t rim you have to keep it pretty busy to keep it in the proper working rpm, or get aggressive with the rakers. The 390 never really did impress me though. Maybe my expectations were too high from all the hype I have read about them, maybe it's the port job, IDK, but I just dont really care for it. The 661 does take awhile to warm up but it's not like I grab it to cut a few twigs. When it gets fired up, it's usually making quite a few long cuts before it gets shut off, so it's not a big deal really.
A ported 390 should walk all over a stock 661, maybe even after porting.
Husqvarna 390XP Ported Chainsaw:
Stihl MS661 Chainsaw Stock:
Even ported, the 661 still has it's hands full.
Stihl MS661 Chainsaw Ported:
Husqvarna 390XP Ported Chainsaw:
Stihl MS661 Chainsaw Stock:
Even ported, the 661 still has it's hands full.
Stihl MS661 Chainsaw Ported:
sunfish
Fish Head
Poulan 3400 was my big saw & never needed any more...If I had never found this site, and y'all buncha wack jobs, an 028 would still be a "big saw' to me.
I was a happy hillbilly that cut fire wood with my little ms290. I'll wait till the laughter stops... Then I found this forum and realized there are way to many choices and way to little money. That's why I'm buying my lottery ticket this evening. Lol
tacomatrd98
ArboristSite Guru
I don't disagree with you at all. I was expecting to be wowed when I ran it...I was more like hmmm...scratch head a little. Then went back to using the 661.
EDIT: It was NOT a sponsor who ported it btw for the curious minds.
Have a simple story to tell. A local logger. One of those 24-7 work-a-holic types. He came to me with a skidder crushed 660. Basically a low hour saw. SO I commenced to salvage what I could and get it back to running. BUT he needed a saw in that class right then. SO a Husqvarna 390xp went his way. At first just due to need... a skeptical buy. I got the 660 back to working condition... Then on a pass through he picked up that saw... and time went by. So a while later during a conversation I asked him if my repairs were adequate.. fearing the worst. And his response was along these lines.... a paraphrase. He didn't run that 660 any more. The 390 was his main saw now.
