461/462/500i

[toolmaker]

All things being equal: bar, chain, fuel, bone stock power heads.

You are going out for the day and have your choice of all three.
Cutting hardwood in the Northeast, red oak, white oak, black cherry, some may get a little over 2 ft. at the butt.

Which saw do you take?

 

[Thumper88]

500i

 

[Dolkitafreak]

462 due to the weight. Cutting trees that size I would probably run a 20 or 24, that’s where the 462 is happiest imo. Working all day that lightweight powerhead will be nice!

 

[JugHead27]

I have 462 and 500i both are great. 500i is a bit more snappy and it's a doozy to cut with so...500i

 

[Stump Shot]

For me it's the 461, that said I don't see how you could be in bad shape with any of the three saws listed. Also shows how fast you can get an answer for everything. @toolmaker you may want to make a poll for this thread.

 

[Deets066]

Any

 

[huskihl]

461 and your 460 are nearly the same saw. Your ported 460 is far faster cutting than any of those you mentioned. But I like the 462 and 500 both for the weight

 

[wap13]

Never ran a 461 but I find myself walking right by my 462 to pick up my 500i, doesnt matter what size wood, it just suites me. Both 462 and 500 are ported so that may not be the same with stock saws.

 

[MustangMike]

I think to accurately answer your question we need a little more info (full disclosure, my ported 462s are my "go to" saws).

What percentage of your trees are 2', as opposed to under 20", and how much liming do you do?

The 462 is the lightest of the bunch, has instant throttle response and cuts very fast, and is the only one with the clean air filter tech, so if you do any amount of liming and many of your trees are 20" or less, to me it would be the clear pick of the bunch. It also seems to be more fuel efficient than the 500i.

That said, both of the other saws have more torque, so if you don't do much liming and most of your trees are 24" or more, one of the other saws may make more sense. The 500i is lighter than the 461 and is smoother (has spring AV, but a 461 , may be more rugged and balance a long bar better.

I would definitely look to go with a lightweight bar if choosing the 462 or 500i. I have 20" and 24" bars on my 462s.

 

[StihlMagnum440]

462 due to the weight. Cutting trees that size I would probably run a 20 or 24, that’s where the 462 is happiest imo. Working all day that lightweight powerhead will be nice!

I just run my good old StihlMagnum440 but am interested in the 462. I read up on the 500i and people said it used more gas and the 462 was best for around 2ft wood. Question stated a little over 2' at butt so that means mainly 2' and under is what you will be cutting for logs or firewood out of those trees and the 462 fits that the best.

This question is a good read!

 

[toolmaker]

461 and your 460 are nearly the same saw. Your ported 460 is far faster cutting than any of those you mentioned. But I like the 462 and 500 both for the weight

You are saying my ported 460 is faster than a 500i?

 

[huskihl]

You are saying my ported 460 is faster than a 500i?

Ported 77cc vs stock 79cc?

Hell yeah it’s faster or I’ll buy it back

 

[toolmaker]

Just for *s-wordzngiggles I called two local dealers today checking on price and availability of a 500.
First of all, both dealers have them on order and there is no delivery date.

One of them told me something that caught my ear:
He said that his personal 500 does not lug down like the "460s'" do. He said if he wants to power through some big wood the saw bogs down and doesn't have the grunt of the 460 series saws.

 

[farminkarman]

Just for *s-wordzngiggles I called two local dealers today checking on price and availability of a 500.
First of all, both dealers have them on order and there is no delivery date.

One of them told me something that caught my ear:
He said that his personal 500 does not lug down like the "460s'" do. He said if he wants to power through some big wood the saw bogs down and doesn't have the grunt of the 460 series saws.

What is the going price for a 500i equipped with a 28” bar?

 

[toolmaker]

What is the going price for a 500i equipped with a 28” bar?

1460 with 25" bar. Did I say UOCH?

 

[toolmaker]

The dealer that I have been working with for decades told me there are saws sitting in containers and the containers are getting in to and saws are getting stolen,

 

[farminkarman]

1460 with 25" bar. Did I say UOCH?

Hmm, it's gonna be hard to justify getting one to mess with at that price.

 

[Deets066]

Just for *s-wordzngiggles I called two local dealers today checking on price and availability of a 500.
First of all, both dealers have them on order and there is no delivery date.

One of them told me something that caught my ear:
He said that his personal 500 does not lug down like the "460s'" do. He said if he wants to power through some big wood the saw bogs down and doesn't have the grunt of the 460 series saws.

His 500 Probly isn’t even broke in.

 

[MustangMike]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[Moparmyway]

One of them told me something that caught my ear:
He said that his personal 500 does not lug down like the "460s'" do. He said if he wants to power through some big wood the saw bogs down and doesn't have the grunt of the 460 series saws.

I watched Doc ( @drf256 ) run my ported 500i, it pushed him back, all of him, not just his arms, when the chain bit the top part of the cut.
It has given me a few bruises in my ribcage from doing the same thing, it luggs like no other saw I've ever ran.
And, I wouldnt change it for anything.

Sounds like the OP could run any of the 3, but the 462 will use the least fuel
the 500i would probably be the most fun though