881 vs 661

[Bill G]

I paid $1025 for my 660 in 2007. I don't remember how much the 880s were, but it seemed like a lot.

In retrospect, the 660 is a great felling saw, so it worked out for me. I'm thinking about sending it down the road before long, because my back prefers those cute little 50cc saws.

I still have (1) new 661 to sell at $1475.
I remember John Lambert selling new 088's for $999 and 090AV 's for $1299. That was with a 36 inch bar/chain and the shipping was $50. At the same time the local price of a new 044 was $575. I did not buy any of them

 

[emanuel]

661 with 36” or ported with a 42”. You won’t use the 881 nearly as much.

Edit: Why not both?

You’re not gonna mill for long with a ported 661 before it blows and it costs the same as a stock 881 after you pay for a good porting job. If you want to mill the stock 881 will always cut faster in wood in the 36”- 84” bar range, and do it reliably as it can handle the heat soak and load substantially better. It is slightly larger, but only in length and weight.
As @mainer_in_ak said, there are other options for milling like the echo1200/1201, but with this part availability isnt an issue, oil pump can be upgraded etc. Overall I’m satisfied with mine and its seen alot of work with no issues.

Here’s a pic of it next to 661 from a few years back when I got it. From what I remember the 881 is 4 inches longer. 3rd pic is a new old stock 070 a friend snagged from fb marketplace for $500

 

[Ketchup]

You’re not gonna mill for long with a ported 661 before it blows and it costs the same as a stock 881 after you pay for a good porting job. If you want to mill the stock 881 will always cut faster in wood in the 36”- 84” bar range, and do it reliably as it can handle the heat soak and load substantially better. It is slightly larger, but only in length and weight.
As @mainer_in_ak said, there are other options for milling like the echo1200/1201, but with this part availability isnt an issue, oil pump can be upgraded etc. Overall I’m satisfied with mine and its seen alot of work with no issues.

Here’s a pic of it next to 661 from a few years back when I got it. From what I remember the 881 is 4 inches longer. 3rd pic is a new old stock 070 a friend snagged from fb marketplace for $500

If milling is the main purpose and you’re really going to mill a lot, bigger is better. But most people do less chainsaw milling than they think they’re going to do. It’s hard work.

The 661 is a very useful and capable saw. Far more versatile and more pleasant to run.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

I hate to say it but if I had the money for a 881 I'd get a 3120. Much better saw overall.

 

[Ketchup]

I hate to say it but if I had the money for a 881 I'd get a 3120. Much better saw overall.

100% agree. And it’s hundreds less expensive.

 

[SawNut]

I hate to say it but if I had the money for a 881 I'd get a 3120. Much better saw overall.

What do you like better about it, aside from cost and oiling? The price on the 881 has gotten insane. I'm between the two myself right now. Want one for milling some 36"+ hardwood. My 661 is a little underpowered at that width.

I've seen some complaints about vibrations on the 881, and weak oiling. Is there more that people don't like? I did get to make a few cuts this weekend with an 881. Yeah, its got some vibes, but they didn't bother me too much. Once you're dogged in and the AV rubbers have some load on them, it wasn't too bad. It definitely outperformed my muffler modded 661 with a buried 36" bar, in hardwood. It was .404 RS vs 3/8 RS on the 661. That fresh .404 RS was some grabby chain though...wow. If it weren't fresh off the roll, I'd have said the guy who sharpened it had the depth gauges too low.

 

[SawAddictedFarmer]

What do you like better about it, aside from cost and oiling? The price on the 881 has gotten insane. I'm between the two myself right now. Want one for milling some 36"+ hardwood. My 661 is a little underpowered at that width.

I've seen some complaints about vibrations on the 881, and weak oiling. Is there more that people don't like? I did get to make a few cuts this weekend with an 881. Yeah, its got some vibes, but they didn't bother me too much. Once you're dogged in and the AV rubbers have some load on them, it wasn't too bad. It definitely outperformed my muffler modded 661 with a buried 36" bar, in hardwood. It was .404 RS vs 3/8 RS on the 661. That fresh .404 RS was some grabby chain though...wow. If it weren't fresh off the roll, I'd have said the guy who sharpened it had the depth gauges too low.

1 the Husqvarna looks nice.
2 I've heard Randy aka @Mastermind say it's a much better saw overall.
3 the oiler on the 3120 is better and I like having oil!

Good question. They ain't big seller......especially since I usually recommend a 3120XP.

The 3120 is a tough machine with a much better oil pump.

Mostly because of the oil pump, and oil pump drive.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

881 has something like a 98 degree exuahst roof. fkn garbage! No wonder mine would bog to zero rpms if I hit a large knot while milling.

While my mighty 1201 digs deep into a torque band down in the 6000 rpms and never stops chugging. Absolute tractor.

881 had vibrations so bad, it cracked a bar at the oiler hole. garbage!

Sawaddictedfarmer, u should get some experience before you start recommending saws
Babyboy, yer grounded! No video games and no internet for 2 weeks!

 

[Creaky limb tree care]

I hate to say it but if I had the money for a 881 I'd get a 3120. Much better saw overall.

I agree, its got the bonus of an added manual oil pump too