Just to clear up some discrepancy in terminology I see here, when I say "tune" the saw, I'm referring to reprogramming the Mtronic module itself. Timing tables, Rpm limit, stoich settings, etc. Not hardware mods.
The reprogramming would be used to support and supplement hardware modification like porting, etc.
OIC, yeah, the hardware stuff has been done already on two and it works.
That said, I've been told by someone that help develope the Mtronics that you can't reprogram the "software" due to how the system was made its too dumb for that, there isn't any reprogramming, that being said, what point is there to reprogramming, it already is programmed for max rpm or performance in most if not all work related settings, thats not cookie cutting.
That said, I think it might be like the older dodge diesels that you have to make a module that screws with the information being input into the standard program in order make the parameter changes, because you aren't going to change what Stihl has put into the system, just like you can't change what's in the older Dodges, you can only change what the older Dodge systems think they are reading and therefore manipulate it that way, unlike the modern diesel systems where you can go into the system and totally pull out the stock programming and enter new parameters or software.
In running them for awhile I can and do see how some modification of the curves could be handy for cookie cutting, because after viewing the videos of Brad's 441CM vs the 576 AT, I am confident that with the 1/2 second (average) faster time that the 576 AT had over the 441CM, I'm pretty confident that in most work conditions and for overall longevity that the 441CM is the better saw, as it has a slight pause due to it "thinking" about what is going on, this kills it for cookie cutting, but its great that it is thinking and it lugs and is darn hard to lug to a stop due to this "thinking" and constant adjusting of the settings that it does to keep that chain pulling. Unfortunately for the 441 CM many individuals here on ASite feel that cookie cutting times are the end all, be all to cutting wood, when it isn't.
I say that above paragraph to say that the 441 CM when cookie cutting will cut slow for the first say 2" of a say 20" log, as it adjusts from going from idle to full out cutting. I assume the 576AT doesn't take this moment to pause for the cause, as there isn't any software parameters in it to even contimplate such things, therefore its already off to the races ...... literally. So this 1/2 second loss to the 576AT was simply the 441CM making some adjustments which in work settings you wouldn't notice and if you know how the saw is running you can hear and feel that it is running good and rich with a lot of lugging power due to running rich, which is great for working, not so great for racing or cookie cutting. As is typically the case with me ..... I'll take that loss of 1/2 a second all day long if I get that better lugging power and ability to think about each situation as you are in the cut.
Also the 441 CM seems to shine the harder the wood or the longer the bar, as in it won't let you run it lean enough to just free rev through small wood, it applies the needed mixture and timing to get through the wood all the time being in proper tune, and not just reving its guts out just to simply rev its guts out, it thinks its way through the wood, its hard to explain, but it is why you hear some of us talking about how it seems like a neat team effort, by that I mean when you cut with it, it really seems like there is someone in there working with you, not trying to sound paranormal, LOL, but there is something else in that saw thinking and working ..... its not just you pulling the trigger in the middle of the woods. It is very neat I think. I do my work of lining up cuts and that little man, woman or "it" in the 441CM does his job of keeping that saw running best for efficient cutting.
I'm likely going to get a 32" Lite Bar and will put that on one of these new 441 CM's that I have and give it a rip with that, I'm not going to work all day with my standard ES 36", LOL, I'm a puss. I couldn't find any faults with the 441 CM with a 28" bar and a Muffler Mod, but I didn't get to run it with a mini tach on it. I will set both of my new ones up with the Mini tachs tonight or tomorrow and then report back the findings, as I get to put a lot of time on them in a given day of logging.
Sam
opcorn:
