Has the 661 been proven like the 066/660?

[jb-chainsaws]

I may end up needing some more grunt than the Mike Lee 440 this winter. While I have had and like the 066/660 saws, the 661 looks like an big improvement. I know the early 661's had some issues but seem to be ok now as any new saw will have a trail and error peroid. I would use my last NIB 440 as a straight trade or sell it, don't really want to part with that saw but not doing me much good sitting in a box.

What does the OPE say, is the 661 worth the investment?

I have a 661 for sale that's done 3 hours work, if you're interested we could do a deal for your NIB 440

 

[2000ssm6]

I'm still on the fence, not liking what everyone has to say about the 661. I have ran the 395, awesome saw but I'm staying with orange and white.

I think I will stick with the tried and true for now and look for a 066/660 saw or build one, that way I can keep my 440 and save some money.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

[bikemike]

Stihl did a great job with that 1 series saw can't really say that for the 461

 

[MustangMike]

I have one M-Trionic saw, my 362-C, but I love using it. Part of it is just getting to know your saw. For warm starts, many of them like just being in the run position instead of the start position.

Any saw that gets flooded will be hard to start, M-Tronic or not.

 

[MustangMike]

Also, my brother has an M-Tron 241. Loves it, no issues.

 

[bryanr2]

Chit, are there people still saying this in 2017? I mean, I remember when M-tronic and auto-tune showed up 6 years ago people were skeptical.. but still?


The 395 has a front tensioner, not a side tensioner.

I would not trade a nos saw as iconic as a 440 for a saw that can be bought any time.

 

[Dustin4185]

Try swapping out the module. We had a bunch of issues disappear once I got a new "chip". Day and night difference.

Supposedly has a new one.

 

[Wood Doctor]

The Stihl MS661 is in high demand, especially by thieves. One of my logger buddies had two of them in the back of his pickup truck with 3' bars attached and went into a sandwich shop for lunch. When he returned, one was missing. It took a grand total of 15 minutes for the thief to steal the $1,500 saw. Of course, no security cameras were operating.

He sheepishly said to me, "Edwin, I wish I would have had instead one of my two MS 660's that I sold to you."

 

[angelo c]

Supposedly has a new one.

key word..."supposedly"....i'd swap it anyway. the one we had was bad from factory. No kidding, brand new the guys refused to use the saw because it was a 'dog'... "run like chit boss".... no tenga cojones....nada.
upon the advice of my OPE brethren, I swapped it and alas the saw is "numero uno" sera now boss !!!!

 

[Wood Doctor]

key word..."supposedly"....i'd swap it anyway. the one we had was bad from factory. No kidding, brand new the guys refused to use the saw because it was a 'dog'... "run like chit boss".... no tenga cojones....nada. Upon the advice of my OPE brethren, I swapped it and alas the saw is "numero uno" sera now boss !!!!

I've worked on two 661's that failed in the cut. The IM's were defective in both cases. That's what I advised the owners -- get new IM's from the dealers because these dang things are new tech and expensive. After replacement, they ran OK.

 

[TreeLife]

I'm still on the fence, not liking what everyone has to say about the 661. I have ran the 395, awesome saw but I'm staying with orange and white.

I think I will stick with the tried and true for now and look for a 066/660 saw or build one, that way I can keep my 440 and save some money.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Stop being a sissy, go buy a 661cm and then send it to @tree monkey @Mastermind or any of the other well reputed porters that massage the 661. They are fantastic saws and are sure to please, several gentleman in my area love them and use them all day. They are unbiased like me, they like all kinds of saws but prefer the 661. Failures are honestly seldom. I tell you what, go get one and if you don't like it I will trade you a ported 660.

 

[MustangMike]

If you want Randy to port a Stihl for you, I would buy it through him, just sayin.

 

[mdavlee]

The full time fallers I talk with a lot have switched them to adjustable carbs since the solenoid is so iffy. Some last 6 months some 2 weeks in production cutting.

 

[2000ssm6]

Stop being a sissy, go buy a 661cm and then send it to @tree monkey @Mastermind or any of the other well reputed porters that massage the 661. They are fantastic saws and are sure to please, several gentleman in my area love them and use them all day. They are unbiased like me, they like all kinds of saws but prefer the 661. Failures are honestly seldom. I tell you what, go get one and if you don't like it I will trade you a ported 660.

Lol, my newest series saw is a 361. While I'd like to run a mtronic through it's paces, the standard carb has worked for a long time and will continue to serve me well.

+1 on Randy, if I were to go new that would be my first choice.

 

[TreeLife]

No doubt, there is no shame in using a standard carb unit. Some guys love them, I've gotten tired of constantly messing with the mixture screws. The elevation changes where I am can be drastic, so I really enjoy auto tune/mtronic saws. Fill it up and run it hard for a few minutes. Ready to go

 

[Chainsaw Addict]

All of these saws have at one time made my living. Treat the 661 right and it will return the favor. Much better saw than the 066/660 platform. Air filter set up sucks on the 661.

I love the performance of a stock 395, I've got a ton of hours on them. For years I wouldn't touch anything but a 395.

From my experience, take it for what it's worth... keep the filter clean on a 661 and it will be performing long after the 395 has rattled itself apart and the bolt holes are no longer worth repairing.

Plus it's lighter

Air filter issues. Suggest using MaxFlow.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[angelo c]

The full time fallers I talk with a lot have switched them to adjustable carbs since the solenoid is so iffy. Some last 6 months some 2 weeks in production cutting.

Like. How do they run with manual carb ?
Is anything lost power curve wise ?

 

[Deets066]

Stihl did a great job with that 1 series saw can't really say that for the 461

Your the first guy I've heard of that doesn't like a 461. I really like mine

 

[mdavlee]

Like. How do they run with manual carb ?
Is anything lost power curve wise ?

They run about the same. I never really gained or lost with a 066 carb. No packing a mile or farther out of the Bush to get a backup saw and losing production. They need a Max flow on 90% to get dust out of the carb throat too.

 

[Redbull661]

661 - If you purchase a new saw from dealer it's going to have the latest jug, latest coil/IM, updated boot.

661 - If you buy used. - take rewind cover off. Look for 1144C on cylinder, look for 4701A on the coil, look for a "straight" boot. (see attached pic).

opening up the muffler port helps. wider weave screen helps. removing the baffle helps (drill welds then pry it out)

max flow helps quite a bit... 30 tanks on max flow without cleaning. vs 1 tank on hd2.

video is worth watching!

oh ps. I used to be a 066/660 hoarder. Those are all gone. Now I hoard 661s cuz they blow the 660 away in every department. Sorry opinions are like *a-holes and yes I have one!