Considering new 90cc class saw: stihl 661mtronic or non mtronic vs husqvarna 390xp

[TreeLife]

I love a rubber mounted saw as much as the next guy, but translated vibrations thru the spring mounted units is so much better. Butter smooth and easy on the joints.

 

[Magnumtipton]

Lol, has anyone heard of having to cut a washer or something of the sort to put on the 661 air filter to put more pressure on its seal so fine particles do not go past the filter?

 

[CLEARCUT]

Lol, has anyone heard of having to cut a washer or something of the sort to put on the 661 air filter to put more pressure on its seal so fine particles do not go past the filter?

Yes.

 

[CLEARCUT]

I’ve ran the 395, 390, and 661 extensively. They’ve all been good, reliable saws for me. If I had to have one, it would be the 661 with mtronic. Absolutely love the 661.

 

[Magnumtipton]

What are some opinions on 661 vs say the 390/5 air filtration

 

[CLEARCUT]

What are some opinions on 661 vs say the 390/5 air filtration

I personally opt for the Maxflo on the 661. Stock to stock, the 395 has an edge on the filtering IMO, but it’s certainly do-able with the stock filter on the 661.

 

[Magnumtipton]

Ok air filtration is an important feature to me altho ive always been rele strict on my chainsaws maintenance. Never tried a maxflo filter

 

[andyshine77]

I personally opt for the Maxflo on the 661. Stock to stock, the 395 has an edge on the filtering IMO, but it’s certainly do-able with the stock filter on the 661.

Let me ask you a question. As I said earlier, for a saw that you need to throw around and in your case fell timber with, the 661 would likely be a better choice. But if you were just doing tree removals or blocking logs for firewood, would you still choose the 661 over the 395?

 

[Magnumtipton]

I guess i probably would just due to features and the 661 being slightly lighter, plus my existing bars would fit. Cant knock the 395 it seems to have a great reputation from what ive read, but arent the latest 390 and 395 models coming from brazil now?

 

[wap13]

I owned a 390 and still own a 661. Both from the same builder/porter. The 390 never did it for me, then again a 372 never was anything special to me like it is to a lot of guys here so maybe I'm just weird. I much prefer the 661 over the 390. Nothing at all wrong with the 390, it was reliable and cut wood but I only put a 20ish tanks through it and sent it down the road.

Point is you cant go wrong with either, both fine saws just a chocolate and vanilla kind of thing. I am now hooked on mtronic and avoid manual adjust carbs when possible. But I do have a 395 on the way, I wanted to get one before they went the way of the buffalo

 

[Magnumtipton]

Thanks for all the replies and help men, I think i am leaning more toward the 661 im a stihl guy thru and thru anyhow, but one cant ignore the handling and performance of a xp husqvarna. I have the one 55 rancher husqvarna and thats been a awesome saw. I just might want to get the max flow filter kit for the 661 or at least try to get the hd filter to hold down tighter to the base plate.

 

[Cooper264]

I'm a stihl guy 90% of the time. I've got a few huskies and I do really like all the spring saws. They are smoother. But if I was going to drop this kind of green on a new big saw it would probably be the 661 or the 500i. Just simply because I am a stihl guy. Now if the 592 came out sometime soon, I may change my mind on all of that. I'de look into the 500i.

 

[CLEARCUT]

Let me ask you a question. As I said earlier, for a saw that you need to throw around and in your case fell timber with, the 661 would likely be a better choice. But if you were just doing tree removals or blocking logs for firewood, would you still choose the 661 over the 395?

Oh...I don’t know. The 395 is pretty nice for long bar use, and the weight wouldn’t be a problem in the application you are describing. I would probably still choose the 661 for the mtronic, but maybe the 395 if I was choosing between the 395 and the tunable 661.

 

[Duce]

I'm a stihl guy 90% of the time. I've got a few huskies and I do really like all the spring saws. They are smoother. But if I was going to drop this kind of green on a new big saw it would probably be the 661 or the 500i. Just simply because I am a stihl guy. Now if the 592 came out sometime soon, I may change my mind on all of that. I'de look into the 500i.

90% I'm sorry.

 

[Cooper264]

90% I'm sorry.

That last 10% is for the 288 and 365. Old favorites

 

[andyshine77]

Oh...I don’t know. The 395 is pretty nice for long bar use, and the weight wouldn’t be a problem in the application you are describing. I would probably still choose the 661 for the mtronic, but maybe the 395 if I was choosing between the 395 and the tunable 661.

Some would say in this application Mtronic could be a negative, especially if you throw the saw on a mill, I'd never run any auto adjusting saw on a mill.

 

[CLEARCUT]

Some would say in this application Mtronic could be a negative, especially if you throw the saw on a mill, I'd never run any auto adjusting saw on a mill.

Yes, I would agree that being able to tune the carb is beneficial when doing long, hot cuts and whatnot. Always better to be on the richer side of things than the latter. I just haven’t personally had any problems related to the mtronic when using long bars. I haven’t milled with one, but have cut and bucked plenty of big trees with the 661.
I totally get what you are saying though.

 

[thinair]

661 gets my vote, give Gordy at west coast saws a call, you will
Not be disappointed!

 

[Magnumtipton]

Thanks for all the replies guys, all of the problems ive heard about with the 661 like m tronics, coils, seizing, intake boots etc... is that only the early versions? And in stock form between the 661, 390, and 395, which of the 3 is going to have the most wow factor as in pure power, ability to cut thru a big log like nothing

 

[Magnumtipton]

The only mods i rele have planned is a good muffler mod maybe slight timing advance. I have also seen where 395's are coming from brazil now, is that a reason to stay away from that model if i so chose?