A big boy saw for me

[hseII]

Never ran either but I really like outboard clutches and how many times does a guy honestly tighten a chain throughout the day? When I was logging for a living maybe 2-3 times! While not as
" convenient " it's really not a big deal.

It Depends on if it’s a new Oregon chain or not.


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[TreeLife]

I’m A Stihl Head but the 395 is a Stud.

36”-42” max, 661R.

More than that, 395.

It comes down to are you going to hang it off a belt?

Do you have an issue with inboard clutches & front tensioners?

The 395 has more guts but the 661 is more comfortable.




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I don't mind the outboard clutch, the front tensioner is a bit of a thing but not a deal breaker. This is a ground only saw, my fat ass doesnt climb.

 

[hseII]

Last week a customer stops by with his 6 month old 395xp...literally 4 screws loose and two missing. I chit you not. Loves the saw but feels he needs to carry a box behind it to carry Loctite and the assortment of screws/nuts tighteners . I've repaired it three times for various "loose" stuff.
Same guy had a two week old 661 that literally blew up in his hands....Stihl rebuilt that one under warranty after a good bit of "conversation" with NE Stihl....
I prefer a 661 as I am more comfortable wrenching on one and they just feel great in my hands. The 395 I really have to think about managing the saws girth.
Straight stumping....395
Straight "bucking" 661 no doubt.

A Husky Support Crew: Say It Ain’t So?

[emoji849]


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[CLEARCUT]

How often will that be needed?
Use yours much?
Do you cut with a 60?


I like shorter bars but you need more with those big trees.


If your using that real long bar all day on a mountain it will save some time.
Doing yard trees....I doubt it.

It’s true that what we do production cutting is a little different than other situations, and no, I don’t generally run a 42”+ bar on an everyday basis. I generally run a 32” bar. It is much more efficient on a hillside or elsewhere to be on one side of the tree and make an undercut and backcut with minimal moving. If a 28” isn’t sweeping the trees, then I go to a 32”. After that, I have to use my judgment about the conditions to decide on a bar length. This is just me. Some fallers here try to use a 28” bar as much as possible, while some use a 36” bar to minimize bending, etc. Both will swear by their choice.
As has been mentioned, lightweight bars are awesome IMO. I would rather run a 661 with a lightweight 32 than a 461 with a full-weight 32 any day of the week. Random side-note.

 

[hseII]

I know I’m a slow talking fellow but I much prefer reaching it all from the side of my choosing.


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[TreeLife]

I know I’m a slow talking fellow but I much prefer reaching it all from the side of my choosing.


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That's my school of thought as well. I too am...slow

 

[Lightning Performance]

I should apologize for my poor choice of words egos should not have been one of them.

With all the internet pissing matches going...


I am bias. Skinny guy wif a bad back. Carrying big saws sucks for me. 660 in a tree sucks. Smaller, smoother is better faster. Mountains would present challenges beyond my daily felling ability at this current time but I can climb.

 

[shadco]

Speaking of which I need to go iron my flannel

Remember no starch.

.

 

[hseII]

I should apologize for my poor choice of words egos should not have been one of them.

With all the internet pissing matches going...


I am bias. Skinny guy wif a bad back. Carrying big saws sucks for me. 660 in a tree sucks. Smaller, smoother is better faster. Mountains would present challenges beyond my daily felling ability at this current time but I can climb.

I wish my loader man/ picture taker would have stopped pulling long enough last week to take the pictures: tri-dominant 90’ sweet-gum that I spent the day getting to just 3 spars.

You know the kind, just enough room between the fence & the neighborhood services to hold it tight & squeak by the targets.

Felled the 1st spar @ 4’ off the ground.

Had to get back up to fell the 2nd one where 2 & 3 separated.

Once #2 was on the ground, I trimmed down the stump to about 6’ & stood on the 1st to fell #3.

I wouldn’t have been able to do all that with a short bar: everyone has their proven preferred methods.

Have you tried Kegels?


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[hseII]

I wish my loader man/ picture taker would have stopped pulling long enough last week to take the pictures: tri-dominant 90’ sweet-gum that I spent the day getting to just 3 spars.

You know the kind, just enough room between the fence & the neighborhood services to hold it tight & squeak by the targets.

Felled the 1st spar @ 4’ off the ground.

Had to get back up to fell the 2nd one where 2 & 3 separated.

Once #2 was on the ground, I trimmed down the stump to about 6’ & stood on the 1st to fell #3.

I wouldn’t have been able to do all that with a short bar: everyone has their proven preferred methods.

Have you tried Kegels?


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[so il logger]

In my experience, a 661 is not easy to start, but like with most hard to start saws you can get used to what works best.

Or in 95° heat and high humidity after cranking one 26 times ya can give it a bath in a nearby River...

Make sure it finally starts first though.. Braap braaaaap, splash, sizzle, gurgle..

661 dont have a place in my truck no more. And I used to swear by them at one time. Stihl no longer offers a saw for me.

 

[CR888]

To be honest the 390xp is more comparable to the 661 as a 'class' size saw. The 395xp is a bigger different 100cc class saw like the ol 2100's and others. There is a big step up in component size in this class, which makes them suited to longer heavy bars. It comes down to you intended use for the saw. But if you need that 'big' saw...you may as well get a big saw.

 

[Nutball]

I'm not too picky on brand, but the fit and finish on Husqvarna seems a touch better than Stihl these days, not talking about bars and chains, but they are almost there too.

 

[Dub11]

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What's the going rate on that lift?

 

[so il logger]

I'm not too picky on brand, but the fit and finish on Husqvarna seems a touch better than Stihl these days, not talking about bars and chains, but they are almost there too.

C83 actually cuts decent off the roll with only a swipe off the rakers. Still happier with exl even though it requires cutters to be touched up before use, and yes husky err... Ummm. Oregon bars still suck

 

[Sawrain]

With the amount we have invested in saws and equipment I don’t see the big deal with having at least one long bar.

They don’t degrade with time, so it’s no big deal to have a bar & chain hanging waiting for its once a year run, and it’s fun to cut with something different.



Looks like it’s a 395 for you, but if you did go with a new 661, at least you have the option of a used 395, as a used 395 is normally as good as new when in your hands, and can always be re sold for the same as purchased.

 

[Lightning Performance]

What's the going rate on that lift?

If you have to ask . . .

 

[Dub11]

If you have to ask . . .

Hey Jack I'm just seeing what rental rate are across the nation.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Hey Jack I'm just seeing what rental rate are across the nation.

I think an 80ft here was like 450 a day. Near 2K a week.

 

[RI Chevy]

I'd be skeered to go up 80ft. Lol