What's wrong with the MS661?

[RI Chevy]

Sounds like operator error with the tree companies employees. Maybe a little education on how to run them according to the post Julian made could keep the saws out of the shop.
If I owned the tree company, I would educate the employees.

 

[Dustin4185]

I had a few issues with my 661, but the dealer upgraded solenoid and coil last time it was there (over a year ago). I have about 150 tanks on the saw and it hasn't had any problems since. I do like Redbull and others suggested, let it warm up and cool down, don't try to run it out of fuel, and keep a clean Max Flow on it.

 

[TreeLife]

If they dont own them, they dont care. I bring my own saws so I don't have to use someone else's garbage.

 

[dustinwilt68]

You would.think a company that's sells "professional grade saws" would make them user friendly.

 

[treesmith]

Love mine, doesn't get used all day every day but does everything it's supposed to when it does

First one had early coil and burnt up slicing a pine tree in half but new piston and upgraded coil later and it's been working with a contract climber ever since

Other than the air filter, which neither stihl or husqvarna are particularly good at getting just right, mine has been exceptional


Max flow ftw

 

[dustinwilt68]

I bought a 2253 for less then half the cost of new, had just over 5 min of runtime on it when I bought it, the computer tells you when you update the software, guy traded it back in because he didn't know how to start the saw with the new switch/choke combo, got himself an echo that is pretty simple to use.

 

[Redfin]

5. guys not letting the saw cool down. Guys that shut down their saws right away. vapor lock comes to mind. Also if you read how the mtronic works. The coil remembers the last known conditions the saw ran in. So if you shut it down at say 7k rpm just out of the cut. And you go to start it up and idle is 3k. I assume its' not going to like that.

I agree with this for the most part. Yes the mtron does configure to its last run point at shut off. If you shut it down at 7k thats the fuel value fed. But remember, that piston traveling is still sucking in fuel until zero rpm.

So then you have a carb wanting to feed more fuel than necessary for restart and possibly an operator that may try to start the saw in the "start" position.

Several different senarios could play out.

 

[Redfin]

After owning one, I will never own another. Nuff said

Im curious what was the deal with your saw?

 

[Funky sawman]

Im curious what was the deal with your saw?

Saw would come down to idle very lean, surging lean when hot only. Then would stumble on accel while limbing throttle blipping, yes im a throttle blipper lol. My mmws 2171 loves blipping and never has missed a beat....EVER

 

[Funky sawman]

Calling all throttle blippers! I will now get beaten with a dull stick for being a blipper.

 

[Bigmac]

Calling all throttle blippers! I will now get beaten with a dull stick for being a blipper.

Haha! Better than a sharp stick!

 

[Bigmac]

I got mine cheap, probably because of all the bad press, I figured I would have to do a carb swap to be happy. They have a bad rap around here, so I figured I would give it a shot, it’s been great so far, was a little disappointing in the power stock but a muffler mod, base gasket delete and max flo and she run fantastic, I can see that the throttle blippers would have trouble, it takes a second to find idle.. but after reading all the trouble and some of the saws limitations, I have always let it warm up, like I do all of my saws, don’t let it run out of gas, I don’t like to let any of my saws run out of gas, the only really different things I don’t do with the 661 is let it idle 15ish seconds after cutting before I shut it of and I don’t blip limb...lol I am not a pro and much prefer to limb with a small saws.

 

[Moparmyway]

I've had a few ......... still have 2 since brand new
Most issues I've seen are the harnesses need soldered at every connection. My oscilloscope showed me the intermittent issue a few years back on someone elses saw. Didn't upgrade anything and that saw is still cutting today, that one has the original intake too.

Max flow is a MUST ............ so too is a muffler mod.
They run even with any 394/395, each one, ported against ported or not ported at all

 

[Wilhelm]

What is the verdict on these door stops when they get converted to non-CM?
Do they stop misbehaving?
Is the power output similar or better than on a CM unit?

@jmester had one and gave up on her.
I don't know what issues his had, maybe he'll chime in.

Considering the premium Stihl charges, whatever issue the 661CM has should have been fixed a long time ago!

 

[Redfin]

Saw would come down to idle very lean, surging lean when hot only. Then would stumble on accel while limbing throttle blipping, yes im a throttle blipper lol. My mmws 2171 loves blipping and never has missed a beat....EVER

What coil was on it? What elevation would you normally use it?

 

[CR888]

I think all the modern AT/MT saws have had a period where bugs have been ironed out, upgraded parts etc. It appears those who choose to understand the tech are the ones with the most reliable saws...lol.

 

[Scotty Overkill]

Blacksmith had one issue after another with his...

He finally did the 660 carb/flywheel/coil swap and it's running perfect now.

 

[Wolverine]

Blacksmith had one issue after another with his...

He finally did the 660 carb/flywheel/coil swap and it's running perfect now.

Ah, so no more mtron! I wondered.

 

[Wilhelm]

Is the 661CM-to-660 preferred over the 661CM-to-661(non-CM) conversion?

If yes, why?

I don't really care, but I think it'd be interesting to know.

 

[460 magnum]

Is the 661CM-to-660 preferred over the 661CM-to-661(non-CM) conversion?

If yes, why?

I don't really care, but I think it'd be interesting to know.

I think the go the 661cm to 660 route is that's what they can get there hands on here in the states.