MS460/MaxFlow

[Loony661]

I wear latex gloves and pour the oil straight into the filter and "knead" it in to the filter element

The older I get, the more I appreciate wearing latex gloves to keep my hands clean. I used to be young and invincible - now I know better.

 

[Woodslasher]

The older I get, the more I appreciate wearing latex gloves to keep my hands clean. I used to be young and invincible - now I know better.

I'm young and I still like the gloves 'cause I get chewed out if I go around with hands that are stained brown.

 

[tek9tim]

Max flow FTW. Cutting on fires, the OEM filter clogs enough in 1 tank to start bypassing the filter and pull dirty air past the seal. Never mind what crank bearings look like after a few years of running stock filters on fire.

Never had dirt get past a Max Flow. One trick I figured out a few years back with both my Max Flow filters and my dirtbike filters was to use Dawn dish soap to clean them instead of the commercially available filter cleaners. I've tried a whole bunch of them over the last 20 years (a different one almost each time I bought a bottle), and none of them clean as well as Dawn. Cuts the old oil like nobody's business and releases the dirt.

 

[RI Chevy]

I use Dawn also. Works great.

 

[066 redeye]

I wear latex gloves and pour the oil straight into the filter and "knead" it in to the filter element

What about latex gloves and rubbing baby oil in???

 

[Loony661]

What about latex gloves and rubbing baby oil in???

 

[Loony661]

Max flow FTW. Cutting on fires, the OEM filter clogs enough in 1 tank to start bypassing the filter and pull dirty air past the seal. Never mind what crank bearings look like after a few years of running stock filters on fire.

Never had dirt get past a Max Flow. One trick I figured out a few years back with both my Max Flow filters and my dirtbike filters was to use Dawn dish soap to clean them instead of the commercially available filter cleaners. I've tried a whole bunch of them over the last 20 years (a different one almost each time I bought a bottle), and none of them clean as well as Dawn. Cuts the old oil like nobody's business and releases the dirt.

I use Dawn also. Works great.

Thanks for the insight and advice! I always have Dawn dish soap in the garage for cleaning engine parts anyway - sounds like a good method of cleaning.

 

[Loony661]

It’s supposed to show up tomorrow - can’t wait to fit it to the ol’ 460 and see how she goes!

 

[Loony661]

It arrived! Now in reading the instructions, I see they suggest cutting the “saw plate” that the filter presses against - what did you guys use to trim the flanges from that without making a mess of plastic shavings?

 

[Woodslasher]

It arrived! Now in reading the instructions, I see they suggest cutting the “saw plate” that the filter presses against - what did you guys use to trim the flanges from that without making a mess of plastic shavings?

On my 461 I don't recall trimming anything, except maybe a bit of trimming in one corner. I'd just press the filter against the base and see if there are any spots where the inner plastic cage contacts the ribbing on the Stihl plate. If it doesn't, just run it without trimming. If I did any trimming it would have been with a knife.

 

[Loony661]

On my 461 I don't recall trimming anything, except maybe a bit of trimming in one corner. I'd just press the filter against the base and see if there are any spots where the inner plastic cage contacts the ribbing on the Stihl plate. If it doesn't, just run it without trimming. If I did any trimming it would have been with a knife.

Copy that! Yeah when I press down lightly on the foam and cage the foam does not have any gaps where it goes over the stihl plate flanges. I think I’ll run it this way and check for dirt and leakage. Thanks man!

 

[Finnrpm]

Few pic's, 660 maxflow after around 15 tanks of milling. I'm using motul air filter oil, extreme sticky & water resistant, has a downside because you need motul air filter cleaner to clean it.....
Bought five white & green foams, so when dirty just replace dirty with clean & oiled one.

RV

 

[Loony661]

Few pic's, 660 maxflow after around 15 tanks of milling. I'm using motul air filter oil, extreme sticky & water resistant, has a downside because you need motul air filter cleaner to clean it.....
Bought five white & green foams, so when dirty just replace dirty with clean & oiled one.
View attachment 325240 View attachment 325241
RV

Looks great! I’m really looking forward to getting more run time from this saw. And I think I will for sure. I’ll be trying it out tomorrow!

 

[Loony661]

Well, I had a chance to put about 4-5 tanks of fuel through the saw this afternoon. I did take a peek at the filter at the end of the day quick to show my felling partner what it looks like under the big cover. I was very pleased with how clean the filter was where it made contact with the plastics. I also noticed there were virtually no wood chips on the filter, unlike the stock setup. I’m going to run it a couple more days for sure unless it loses power before then, or starts to let fines through.

It was damn cold when we started today, about -5 nominal temp with a 20mph wind. It took a bit to get the saw warmed up enough to idle on its own. I decided to work it a bit in a couple trees before I reset the tune. It sure woke up after I tuned it! I am happy to announce that I did not buy this for the power upgrade, but it is noticeable! It pulls very strong now! I’m already liking that very much.

 

[Loony661]

Update: I was sick and didn’t log for a few days, but I have used the 460 with the green filter steady for the last 3 days of cutting! I have not cleaned it yet. As suggested earlier, I take a toothbrush and gently wipe away the sawdust from the outside of the filter each morning before I start the day. I have been inspecting the intake area twice daily to see if the filter is letting anything through, and so far it is not. I have at least 30 tanks of fuel through this now without losing power!! It’s wonderful! Can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner..

I’m sold on these Max Flow setups now! Will be ordering one for my 661 soon!

 

[Loony661]

Thank you for giving me some advice and tips about these filters. I appreciate this forum and those who make it great!

 

[Steck]

Late to the game, but I’d like to add another thumbs up for the max flo. They definitely seal and filter well. No more tapping out the filter every fuel up. Definitely best to have two or three filters to rotate. Makes maintenance a snap. I was using k&n cleaner to clean until I realized (or so I think) that it is no more than purple power degreaser in a fancy spray bottle. So I dilute purple power a bit and put it in the spray bottle. Clean it in the slop sink and let it dry. I have been using the bel ray aerosol foam filter oil. I find it easy to evenly coat it and give it a few squeezes with latex gloved hands. Cuts down on excess oil and gives uniform coverage. Also, you might have to richen up your tune a bit because they do flow a bit better. Especially if you opened up your exhaust. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck.

 

[Loony661]

Late to the game, but I’d like to add another thumbs up for the max flo. They definitely seal and filter well. No more tapping out the filter every fuel up. Definitely best to have two or three filters to rotate. Makes maintenance a snap. I was using k&n cleaner to clean until I realized (or so I think) that it is no more than purple power degreaser in a fancy spray bottle. So I dilute purple power a bit and put it in the spray bottle. Clean it in the slop sink and let it dry. I have been using the bel ray aerosol foam filter oil. I find it easy to evenly coat it and give it a few squeezes with latex gloved hands. Cuts down on excess oil and gives uniform coverage. Also, you might have to richen up your tune a bit because they do flow a bit better. Especially if you opened up your exhaust. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck.

I’ve been really enjoying the Max Flow on the 460. So much that I ordered a kit for my 661 and also a couple spare filters and cages. I definitely see the benefit of cleaning/drying/oiling the filters in batches. And I’ve just been keeping my spare filter in a ZipLoc bag in the pickup - but haven’t needed it yet! These filters are amazing!