Most Dependable Big Saw (90cc-94cc)?

[dustinwilt68]

The 394 and 395 share the same case, same cannot be said for the early 066 and later 066/660, so I think they are pretty even comparison to the 394/395 biggest difference on them is the intake changed from block style to boot type, same bore and stroke, just like the 066/660 had the same bore and stroke, cranks changed sizes also on the diameter if I remember correctly on the Stihls.

 

[Keith Gandy]

The 394 and 395 share the same case, same cannot be said for the early 066 and later 066/660, so I think they are pretty even comparison to the 394/395 biggest difference on them is the intake changed from block style to boot type, same bore and stroke, just like the 066/660 had the same bore and stroke, cranks changed sizes also on the diameter if I remember correctly on the Stihls.

Pretty sure the early 064 and 066 at one time had short cases

 

[dustinwilt68]

They did bit they were different cases. 064 has external oil line and 5mm cylinder bolt holes, 066 has internaloil line and 6mm cylinder bolt holes.

 

[Keith Gandy]

They did bit they were different cases. 064 has external oil line and 5mm cylinder bolt holes, 066 has internaloil line and 6mm cylinder bolt holes.

Ya I went through that not too long ago with building an early 066 and best I remember a poly flywheel

 

[pro94lt]

Good deal. Good for you. [emoji106] Keep up the good work ethic and values.
Have you had any saw failures? Just curious what you run?

I've had failures from operator error. I used to keep straight gas in my bucket truck for the stump grinder... Guess what happened? That guy no longer works for me. The thing I go through the most is rim sprockets, clutch bearings and oil and fuel caps and spark plugs. I've probably bought 2 dozen new saws in the last 10 years and never had a catastrophic failure... pole saws are a different story lol. I run mostly husqvarna stihl, 2 echo and one dolmar...

 

[MustangMike]

The thing I go through the most is rim sprockets,

I have been surprised how often saws come in to me with rim sprockets cut completely in half! Seems they just run em till they don't cut any more, then just start stripping parts!

Always keep a supply of rim sprockets, chain catches, fuel + air filters and plugs on hand.

 

[hseII]

I've had failures from operator error. I used to keep straight gas in my bucket truck for the stump grinder... Guess what happened? That guy no longer works for me. The thing I go through the most is rim sprockets, clutch bearings and oil and fuel caps and spark plugs. I've probably bought 2 dozen new saws in the last 10 years and never had a catastrophic failure... pole saws are a different story lol. I run mostly husqvarna stihl, 2 echo and one dolmar...

Same here except for no Hushees & instead of a Dolly, I’ve got a McCulloch after binge watching Buckin’ Billy Ray.

 

[huskyboy]

Same here except for no Hushees & instead of a Dolly, I’ve got a McCulloch after binge watching Buckin’ Billy Ray.

Buckin’ is a good guy

 

[pro94lt]

Same here except for no Hushees & instead of a Dolly, I’ve got a McCulloch after binge watching Buckin’ Billy Ray.

Oh I've got mcculochs homelites and poulans I just don't use them on the job. Whenever someone's over and they want to run a saw i give them the c5 homelite with manual oiler... They usually don't last long... but hey that saw is what 60 years old and still going and smoking like a coal train...

 

[FergusonTO35]

Oh I've got mcculochs homelites and poulans I just don't use them on the job. Whenever someone's over and they want to run a saw i give them the c5 homelite with manual oiler... They usually don't last long... but hey that saw is what 60 years old and still going and smoking like a coal train...

I used to go hunting with a guy who always had to borrow a rifle. After some time, the consensus was that he needed to buy his own rifle if he wanted to keep hunting with us. I agreed to let him borrow a rifle one last time and gave him my .45-70 with some very stout reloads, this guy had never fired anything larger than a .30-30. Unfortunately he never got a shot at anything with it, if he did that would have been the end of his rifle mooching.

 

[MustangMike]

Maybe at the target range, but when a big deer is in your sights, you do not feel recoil!

 

[TreeLife]

Sawmikaze mentioned he wished guys with more experience would chime in...I've been working in the tree and timber industry since I was 17, so I'll throw some of my 2 cents in.

Where I am, at one time was Stihl country. There were 9+ Stihl dealers in our county alone not counting hardware stores that sold them. It was a no brainer to buy a stihl, purely for availability.

I used 066 and 660 for years, never had a crank failure but had several bearing failures as well as tearing several boots when I was younger and yanking on them. The rubber mounted machines I find are more durable in that sense. I also find the 066/660 are stingy on the oil. Mine oiled a 30" on the fair side.

Making a living with a saw has taught me alot. Everything is a pro and con battle. Now that husky has significantly better support here and far better pricing we are seeing more and more of them.

The 394/5 with their spring av are more comfortable for me. They seem to have better fluid capacity, oil like crazy, and I haven't had ANY failures what so ever with them.

Most durable saw in my opinion? 394 or 395 gets my vote. Just an idiots point of view, I apologize for the novel!

 

[TreeLife]

In addition, I've never had a 661 to work with on a daily basis. I've only played with them at get togethers. Several loggers in the area had 661's and sold them. Loggers are hard on their equipment, but a few of the local tree services have them and love them.

As far as good employees go? It's not generational, good help is hard to find here as well. No one wants to work, and the money isn't good enough to interest most.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Maybe at the target range, but when a big deer is in your sights, you do not feel recoil!

This dude's nickname was Six Shot. One time he emptied a .30-30 at a deer 40 yards away and still missed.

 

[MustangMike]

I never said that Buck Fever would make you shoot straight!

 

[FergusonTO35]

Boy do I know that for a fact...

 

[rocco490]

They always do. Just like the 064 vs 288 thread started by a guy who has never run either saw. LOL

Not sure what to make of this........ if its referring to a thread I did let me say thanks for all the responses including those from the brand loyalists some may have experience with both saws some only with one and yes some like myself don't have any experience with either saw. I just enjoy talking about and hearing from others on here about chainsaws that's why I come to this site its in good fun there is a lot of good information shared here and yes lots of opinions we shouldn't take things too seriously

 

[Willard]

I missed out on this thread so have to bump.
I bought a first year 1991 066Mag Arctic RL -28" brand new in '92. I replaced it with a brand new 2008 395XP-32"in 2010.
Last spring I sold the 395 and rebuilt the 066 with new OEM main bearings, seals , intake boot and lines. Original P/C and rings still pump 175 PSI. Still have the original diaphrams in the carb and still runs perfect
The Arctic heated carb may have helped their longevitity.
As bottom pics show I got the 066 Mag Arctic down to 15lbs 5 oz (15.31 lbs) from 17 lbs. Made it into a 066/064 hybrid by installing a 1986 064 flywheel, rewind housing, top cover, low profile caps and brake lever. Just replacing the dual outlet muffler front with a standard front cover saved 7 0z.
A diet of 5 more oz will get the 92cc old girl into 14 lb territory.
Will do that by gutting the muffler, installing the early 1986 064 air filtering setup, deleting the heavy walbro compensating carb top cover and a few other 064 tricks like 4mm screws installed with Heli Coil.

Now rebuilding a 1996 066 flat top with first year decomp. It will sport the older 066's dual dogs, 28" b/c and dual outlet muffler.
Both 066s will stay in my tree service until I retire the business.

Even though I only ran my 395 for 8 years, the 20 years I did run my 066 hard for proved it is my most reliable 90+cc saw.
In the 1970's '80s I logged 5 days a week with Jonsereds 90, 910, 920 and 930 saws, in their league I'd say their very reliable too especially the old 90, just replace the points after 1 year.
The only good I got out of the 395 was it made a great milling saw. But for doing treework 066 much more user friendly.
More pics of both 066 saws to come.

 

[RI Chevy]

Nice!!!

 

[huskyboy]

I missed out on this thread so have to bump.
I bought a first year 1991 066Mag RL -32" brand new in '92. I replaced it with a brand new 2008 395XP-32"in 2010.
Last spring I sold the 395 and rebuilt the 066 with new OEM main bearings, seals , intake boot and lines. Original P/C and rings still pump 175 PSI. Still have the original diaphrams in the carb and still runs perfect
The Arctic heated carb may have helped their longevitity.
As bottom pics show I got the 066 Mag Arctic down to 15lbs 5 oz (15.31 lbs) from 17 lbs. Made it into a 066/064 hybrid by installing a 1986 064 flywheel, rewind housing, top cover and brake lever. Just replacing the dual outlet muffler front with a standard front cover saved 8 0z.
A diet of 5 more oz will get the 92cc old girl into 14 lb territory.
Will do that by gutting the muffler, installing the early 1986 064 air filtering setup, deleting the heavy walbro compensating carb top cover and a few other 064 tricks like 4mm screws installed with Heli Coil.

Now rebuilding a 1995 066 flat top with first year decomp. It will sport the older 066's dual dogs, 28" b/c and dual outlet muffler.
Both 066s will stay in my tree service until I retire the business.

Even though I only ran my 395 for 8 years, the 20 years I did run my 066 hard for proved it is my most reliable 90+cc saw.
The only good I got out of the 395 was it made a great milling saw. But for doing treework 066 much more user friendly.
More pics of both 066 saws to come.
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You would get along with mustang mike well lol