New saw 462 vs 500i

[deltaphisig]

I have an MS290, but have been needing a more powerful saw for years. It is for storm clean up and maintenance on 40 acres of mainly hunting land. Debating between ms462 (c if I can get it or cm) and 500i. Will put a 28 or 32 bar on it use it for larger tasks and leave the 290 for limbing and other small tasks. Any problems with those saws that should steer me one way or the other?


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[dall]

500i

 

[Hinerman]

500i

And we have a wrap. Lock this thread before it gets silly

 

[Deets066]

I have an MS290, but have been needing a more powerful saw for years. It is for storm clean up and maintenance on 40 acres of mainly hunting land. Debating between ms462 (c if I can get it or cm) and 500i. Will put a 28 or 32 bar on it use it for larger tasks and leave the 290 for limbing and other small tasks. Any problems with those saws that should steer me one way or the other?


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462 is more suited for a 24” bar.
If your considering a 32” then I’d go bigger.

There are also a lot more options out there if your not looking to drop the coin on the 500 for just a cleanup saw.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

28-32” bar 500i for sure or a ms 461 if you can find one would be a good one.

 

[jake-e-boy]

…yes. And then get it ported and never have to worry until your great-grandkids need a new saw.

 

[Redfin]

If they were both on the shelf in front of me and I just had to have one 500.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Cutting hardwoods needing a 28-32? 500i for sure.

 

[Can9]

Has the OP's question been completely answered now? Is it too soon to derail this thread?

 

[Sawdust Man]

I ran a 30 inch bar on a 372xp falling timber....worked just fine.
The west coast cutters I've known, use 32"s on their 046/460's and 42"s on 390xp or 660's all the time.

In my opinion guys are way too conservative about bar length.
I'd run a 32" bar on an ms462 no problem.

If you're not competing in a cookie cutting contest don't worry about bar length too much.

 

[Stihl working Hard]

And we have a wrap. Lock this thread before it gets silly

Ain’t that the truth

 

[MustangMike]

Welcome to the site (our nuthouse)!

There are advantages and disadvantages to each pick. IMO, the 462 will handle a 28" light bar just fine.

They both have VG power to weight, and in stock form the 500 is not much stronger (ported it comes alive more).

The 462 is a little lighter and has the advantage of keeping the air filter cleaner much longer. There are also reports that the 500 is a fuel guzzler, often needs the springs replaced with longer bars, and may have some "cold start" issue when the temps drop.

If you are cutting mostly softwoods, I would go with the 462. If cutting hardwoods with over a 28" bar, then go with the 500. Either one will be a huge step up from your 290. I think if you are used to using a 290 you will be blown away with a 462.

I have 2 ported 462s and they are my go-to saws. Good luck with your decision, hope you can find one.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I ran a 30 inch bar on a 372xp falling timber....worked just fine.
The west coast cutters I've known, use 32"s on their 046/460's and 42"s on 390xp or 660's all the time.

In my opinion guys are way too conservative about bar length.
I'd run a 32" bar on an ms462 no problem.

If you're not competing in a cookie cutting contest don't worry about bar length too much.

Welcome to the forum, personally a 30” is a bit much on 72cc saw even though they say up to 32” on a 462. The 500i does better because it has more grunt, a 462 and 500i are pretty equal with a 24” but get up into the 32-36” the 500 wins.

 

[Dennis Coon]

Has the OP's question been completely answered now? Is it too soon to derail this thread?

What oil ratio should the op use? Same for 500 as 462?

 

[deltaphisig]

Well, shot at 500i dried up. Still can get a 462CM. Can I put a bark box on it and Mtronic make needed tuning changes or will I need to adjust carb?


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[lehman live edge slab]

Well, shot at 500i dried up. Still can get a 462CM. Can I put a bark box on it and Mtronic make needed tuning changes or will I need to adjust carb?


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Yes it will adjust but personally I’d do my own muffler mod and call it a day. The bark box isn’t built very well and costs 80$ or so. If you really have to have a loud muffler cover buy an Egan strait shot. Otherwise open the factory hole as far as you can and add another hole and deflector on the other side of the cover and call it a day. It will still flow well and not be quite as loud.

 

[sawmikaze]

Yes it will adjust but personally I’d do my own muffler mod and call it a day. The bark box isn’t built very well and costs 80$ or so. If you really have to have a loud muffler cover buy an Egan strait shot. Otherwise open the factory hole as far as you can and add another hole and deflector on the other side of the cover and call it a day. It will still flow well and not be quite as loud.

I tried 3 different muffler mods on 462s and opening up the stock outlet as far as you can is more than sufficient, I tried one with the stock port opened up and an extra outlet with a deflector and all it did was make it louder and burn more gas.

 

[Can9]

What oil ratio should the op use? Same for 500 as 462?

Can't even begin to answer this question w/ the information we have so far.

What chain will he be running? Grind?

Ported?

Bar length?

What's he using for bar oil?

Air filtration modifications?

Spark plug?

Decomp delete?



These are all critical bits of information!





Seriously, I have a MS462 ported. It pulls a 27" bar nicely, and that will get some awful big trees cut up - I cut up two windblown red oaks this weekend that were 42"+. I have a 32" bar for the saw, even ported it just feels like it's over working the saw to me. Yes, it will pull it, but it's not happy. The 24" bar is just an absolute pleasure to use, and again, it will cut some really big trees!

 

[MustangMike]

That is why I just use Saber at 40:1 in everything. It just works.

 

[StihlMagnum440]

I ran a 30 inch bar on a 372xp falling timber....worked just fine.
The west coast cutters I've known, use 32"s on their 046/460's and 42"s on 390xp or 660's all the time.

In my opinion guys are way too conservative about bar length.
I'd run a 32" bar on an ms462 no problem.

If you're not competing in a cookie cutting contest don't worry about bar length too much.

Agree... My old StihlMagnum440 does fine with my limited experience running it with a 32" bar. I do have big Dawgs on the saw to grab the thick pine bark so the useable bar length is 30".

The 32" bar has really been super. Today I cut a big pine that was a leaner and a double top pine. Tricky. I had a pull line on it and the long bar made lining up the hinge way easier than messing with lining up my shorter bar and a double cut (from now on sticking with long bar for this type of cut..easier and way safer.). 440 had no problem cutting with 30" but probably hardwood would be a problem.

Also I agree on your point... if not being used as a cookie cutting contest! Actually going nice and slow so I do not cut my hinge is good for me and time for wedge and/or cranking pull line tighter.

I use my Stihl192C for limbing...a lot lighter than the 440 and easier fighting through branches and snow.