What to get.....462 or 661

[merkel]

I was at the dealer today and handled a 462 and 661 both with 25” ES bars (non light version). With basically only 100.00 difference between the two and the last large saw I will buy I am second guessing the 462 and just move up to the 661. The saw would be a weekend warrior saw a couple times a year and most likely a 25” bar is all I will ever need. Just can’t decide which one to order tomorrow. If I had to lug it all day the 462 is a no brainer but since I will not be using it much the 661 started to become more interesting%

 

[user 122190]

If it is only $100, get the 661. It will be a bit more weight, but the POWER is so nice to have.

 

[Andyshine77]

Do you have any other saws that can run a 25" bar? If not and all you ever ever plan to run is a 25" bar, I would strongly suggest the 462.

 

[Andyshine77]

If it is only $100, get the 661. It will be a bit more weight, but the POWER is so nice to have.

My other question would be is this is a new or older production 661? You don't want one with a build date amore than a year out. With a 25" bar all you're doing with a 661 is carrying around more weight IMHO.

 

[windthrown]

If all you are running is a 24 inch bar a 440 to 462 will do you just fine. 661 is a big saw to manage, and a waste with only a 24 inch bar. If you are cutting super hardwood like osage orange or eucalyptus down under it would make sense. But if you are cutting oak and softwood, a 661 is overkill. 462 will be far easier to run longer and manage. For a part time saw with a 24, you could get by with a 362. I run my 361s with 24 bars most of the time. I cut alder, cherry, oak, pine, fir and maple just fine with them. I only bring out the 660 for the big old growth and to block down the larger hardwood. I cut 6 to 8 cords of wood here a year.

Yes, Stihl calls them 25 inch bars, but they are really 24 inch.

 

[merkel]

It’s a new version 661 and have other saws I will use more ...50cc and 60cc. I am looking for the next and last step up.....go 70cc or jump to 90cc

 

[user 122190]

It’s a new version 661 and have other saws I will use more ...50cc and 60cc. I am looking for the next and last step up.....go 70cc or jump to 90cc

The augment that you will only use a 24" bar, so the 462 is all you will ever need, is short sighted. Who knows what you might need to cut in the future, or maybe you might need to mill out a plank for a table or bench top. $100 and you are covered for anything foreseeable.

I traded for an ms880, and I have hardly used it, but when I did, it was very nice to have. A few years ago a beautiful Red Fir was laying off to the side of the road. I would liked to have cut some planks had I the ms880, and it was not around long. A week later I went for it with my ms461 for firewood, but it was gone.

 

[Andyshine77]

It’s a new version 661 and have other saws I will use more ...50cc and 60cc. I am looking for the next and last step up.....go 70cc or jump to 90cc

Ok you have a 60cc saw, in that case maybe get the 661, but with at least a 28" bar and use it for the big stuff. Now if you really just want to run a saw with a 24 the 661's power will just be wasted, you won't really see a difference cutting wood that size.

 

[windthrown]

If you have 50/60cc saws, from the rave reviews about the MS462 and the 572xp, I would still get one of them. You are more likely to use them. Your 661 would likely be a shelf queen. I rarely use my 660. Just my experience having owned lots of saws. If I had to cut big old cottonwoods here a lot? Or need a 32 inch bar, then the 660 class saw makes sense. Anything less? A 462 and a 28 inch bar is going to be able to do a shyte load of cutting. I used my 440 and 460 way more than my 660s. And I use and have used my 361s way more than any other saws I have had.

 

[Andyshine77]

If you have 50/60cc saws, from the rave reviews about the MS462 and the 572xp, I would still get one of them. You are more likely to use them. Your 661 would likely be a shelf queen. I rarely use my 660. Just my experience having owned lots of saws. If I had to cut big old cottonwoods here a lot? Or need a 32 inch bar, then the 660 class saw makes sense. Anything less? A 462 and a 28 inch bar is going to be able to do a shyte load of cutting. I used my 440 and 460 way more than my 660s. And I use and have used my 361s way more than any other saws I have had.

I completely agree. I use my 50cc saws more than anything else.

 

[KarlD]

Isn’t there a good chance the 661 is a better choice due to higher resale value down the road? I’ll be honest I never think about this when I buy a saw but I guess it wouldn’t hurt

 

[windthrown]

I completely agree. I use my 50cc saws more than anything else.

I love my 026 50cc saw. Light and nimble. But I run it with 16" picco B&C as a lightly modded screamer, so it is for topping, limbing, and brush work. If I can I will buck up logs with it into firewood from a pile. But I use the 60cc saws mostly. My 361s are not all the same though. One is stock, one is muffler modded, and one is ported and has a 460 oil pump so I can run a 28 on it. So I get away without having a 440 any more.

It really comes down to what you cut. Usually once or twice a year I have to cut large old growth firs here. Or attack a 10 foot oak or maple stump. Or noodle down big rounds. Then the 660 is a marvel with a 28 or 32 on it. But it is tiring to use the beast. And it sucks down gas like crazy. Most of the time the 361s do the grunt work.

 

[windthrown]

Isn’t there a good chance the 661 is a better choice due to higher resale value down the road? I’ll be honest I never think about this when I buy a saw but I guess it wouldn’t hurt

I dunno about Missouri, but in the PNW 70cc saws sell faster and for about the same money. Today used saws on Craigslist in the PNW: 441, $750. 460, $775. 461, $850. 461, $900. 660: $785. $660, $900. 661s here got a bad rep after the Stihl early release fiasco. So people avoid them.

 

[Ryan'smilling]

If you're having a hard time deciding between those two, maybe you should consider the 500i. Should be here before too long and if you can't wait some guys are getting them from overseas.

 

[user 122190]

Isn’t there a good chance the 661 is a better choice due to higher resale value down the road? I’ll be honest I never think about this when I buy a saw but I guess it wouldn’t hurt

Depends on where you are. HERE, where so many people burn wood for heat, the 60cc saws rule. I think it is that most people aren't chainsaw fanatics, and the 60cc saw do get it done, and people just don't know.

 

[Hand Splitter]

Wait for the 500i as long as it’s reasonably priced. Then let us know how much you like it. If you can’t wait get the 661 with a 28” bar, probably won’t notice the weight difference much.

 

[Andyshine77]

Wait for the 500i as long as it’s reasonably priced. Then let us know how much you like it. If you can’t wait get the 661 with a 28” bar, probably won’t notice the weight difference much.

The 661 is considerably larger and heavier than the 462 or 500i.

 

[Hand Splitter]

The 661 is considerably larger and heavier than the 462 or 500i.

Yep, I don’t NOTICE the weight difference much.

 

[Andyshine77]

Yep, I don’t NOTICE the weight difference much.

Well you're the man.[emoji122]

 

[Hand Splitter]

Well you're the man.[emoji122]

What are you trying to say?