A big boy saw for me

[huskyboy]

I think Stihl when Stihl upgraded the 660 and released the 661 they made some clever good upgrades but forgot to put tanky toughness into it, 90cc saws don't just need powa, they need to be tough and resist a pounding.

I agree with this. You know a design is tough when the chinese copy of it even seems to last half ass. Lol

 

[Simondo]

So...last year with some of my tax return, I decided I would by my first ever new saw! I'm looking to buy (you guessed it) another brand new saw.

Its between a 661 and a 395. I can get a nice discount on Husqvarna, but that wont stop me from picking up a 661 if I can get one for a reasonable price.

Saw will normally utilize a 36" bar, I'm not really scared of weight. The saw will end up being ported as well.

Which do you prefer? Why? Which would you purchase? Explain your logic.

I'm not interested in a brand war or pissing on one of the saws for no reason, so swing your Johnson elsewhere!

Im not going with a personal choice thing with these two.
I would go with a basic pragmatic view along the lines of .......
Initial cost to buy + port.
Dealer location (and relationship) from you if you need something sorted that you can't do yourself and how that may affect down time if you need to make money using the saw.
Robustness for the sort of work you intend using it for ...is it more saw than is needed ? ...or is it on its limit ?
Consumables.... OEM parts and there cost ... plus the long term supply.
If you work on it, do you like one design over another and have you already got tools and bars that will sub onto the new saw.
There may be more things to mention but the above may trigger something that swings the choice proses in your mind.

 

[MustangMike]

Maybe a ported 660 would be worth considering. They are out there.

 

[Dub11]

Maybe a ported 660 would be worth considering. They are out there.

Like that short case Monkey hacked 066 the doc has?

Granted it does have a bunch of worthless machining done to it.

 

[Woodpecker]

Like that short case Monkey hacked 066 the doc has?

Granted it does have a bunch of worthless machining done to it.

Best answer material right there

 

[Dub11]

Best answer material right there

I'm telling ya, from the event's that have transpired in the last week I'm fully woke to the ported saw game.

 

[TreeLife]

Maybe a ported 660 would be worth considering. They are out there.

Honestly my emphasis on New is important to me, or I would bite on something like Docs 066.

 

[huskyboy]

Honestly my emphasis on New is important to me, or I would bite on something like Docs 066.

I think there’s still a new 660 in the for sale section.

 

[Ryan Browne]

I'd go 395 personally. If weight isn't an issue, I don't see the advantage of a 661. Also, you'll probably be able to buy a new 661 for another 3-5 years. The 395 though, maybe not.

 

[RI Chevy]

Just throwing this out there. What about the Dolkita 9010? It's a viable option.

 

[Woodpecker]

Honestly my emphasis on New is important to me, or I would bite on something like Docs 066.

As an arborist I get by with a dolly 7910 as my "big" saw for now. I will probably buy a bigger saw this year as well. The dolly usually wears a 28 but handles 36" duty when needed. I would probably pick the 661, but I would use it for everything from felling/stumping to blocking down a big spar.

How do you see yourself using the saw Dom?

 

[Woodpecker]

Just throwing this out there. What about the Dolkita 9010? It's a viable option.

Bad ass saw Jeff. Smooth av, tractor power, and built well. Hard to get parts is what ultimately killed that dream for me when I owned one briefly.

 

[RI Chevy]

I never heard that. Interesting.

 

[TreeLife]

Bad ass saw Jeff. Smooth av, tractor power, and built well. Hard to get parts is what ultimately killed that dream for me when I owned one briefly.

This is what I'm trying to avoid. I'm looking at units sold currently that are still actively in service with all parts available.

How do you see yourself using the saw Dom?

Saw will be used for trees 3 feet or larger, for felling, bucking, and flushing stumps. I wont be carrying it around for logging unless the timber is tremendous, for normal duty...the 572 with a 28" will probably do the work.

 

[Woodpecker]

This is what I'm trying to avoid. I'm looking at units sold currently that are still actively in service with all parts available.

Saw will be used for trees 3 feet or larger, for felling, bucking, and flushing stumps. I wont be carrying it around for logging unless the timber is tremendous, for normal duty...the 572 with a 28" will probably do the work.

Sounds like the 395 is right up your alley.

 

[TreeLife]

Sounds like the 395 is right up your alley.

Honestly buddy, with all the husky mount bars I have, I might just have to have one.

 

[huskyboy]

This is what I'm trying to avoid. I'm looking at units sold currently that are still actively in service with all parts available.

Saw will be used for trees 3 feet or larger, for felling, bucking, and flushing stumps. I wont be carrying it around for logging unless the timber is tremendous, for normal duty...the 572 with a 28" will probably do the work.

395 sounds right then for what your using it for. Get yourself a .404 long bah setup .

 

[AlfA01]

I voted for the 395. Not a brand choice, just a personal preference for the way they feel and perform. I like carburetors too.

I can help you get a hold of a non MT version 661 if you want to go that way, Dom.

 

[andyshine77]

I was also thinking a 390, but for your use, 395 without a question in my mind lol.

 

[Czed]

Im not going with a personal choice thing with these two.
I would go with a basic pragmatic view along the lines of .......
Initial cost to buy + port.
Dealer location (and relationship) from you if you need something sorted that you can't do yourself and how that may affect down time if you need to make money using the saw.
Robustness for the sort of work you intend using it for ...is it more saw than is needed ? ...or is it on its limit ?
Consumables.... OEM parts and there cost ... plus the long term supply.
If you work on it, do you like one design over another and have you already got tools and bars that will sub onto the new saw.
There may be more things to mention but the above may trigger something that swings the choice proses in your mind.

That's why i have multiples of what I run.
No downtime
Most ported some not
I actually prefer used saws Simon.