044 vs 044 magnum vs ms440 vs m441 vs 046 vs ms460 stihl

[Stihl the One]

i recently bought a used stihl chainsaw 044. I was hoping it was a magnum but to my unfortunate luck is was a regular 044. So i came to the arborist site and learned so much. Here is what i gathered so far and correct me if i am wrong.

Stihl 044 (pre 2000 yr) 5.1 hp 13,500 rpm 50mm piston 10mm wrist pin
upgrade big bore kit not available due to 10mm wrist pin. (saws w 12mm wrist pin are upgradeable) 13 lbs wow!
Stihl 044 magnum 5.4 hp 13,500 rpm 50mm pn. Upgradeable 12mm wrist pin

stihl ms440 5.4 hp 13,500 rpm 50mm pn. 12mm wrist pin
stihl ms441 5.5 hp 13,500 rpm 14.8 lbs (powerhead only)
stihl 046 magnum 6.1 hp 13,500 rpm 52mm pn. 14.3 lbs (powerhead only)
stihl ms460 6.0 hp 13,500 rpm 52mm pn. 14.6 lbs (powerhead only)
:chainsawguy:

I guess i was trying to find out how to get a saw with around 6 hp under 15 lbs. I thought i could buy the 044 and upgrade the piston and cylinder with a big bore kit (piston/cylinder from 046 w/ mod) and ported muffler. According to many members of this site, and the research i have done, the 044 saws with the 10mm wrist pin are not really worth the amount of work you need to do to them and will break more easily. Does anyone have any pics of the wrist pin? Thanx also is there that much of a difference between the power of an 044 w 10mm wrist pin and and 044 w a 12mm wrist pin??

l

 

[2000ssm6]

how do i get 16-17k out of it, i just bought the muffler mod.

It really depends on the builder. Mostly porting, maybe some carb work. 16-17K is for cant racing though, a saw that is meant to work in the woods all day long would fry at those speeds. Best to have one saw for work and one for racing.

 

[VINIFIREWOOD]

Thanx , I looked into the saw you recommened. I never used a Dolmar. I dont know if i have a dealer nearby. Seems like great saw for the price.

Finding a Dolmar dealer and actually finding a GOOD Dolmar dealer can be a challenge. That really is the only downfall that Dolmar has. They make a first rate product for alot less money than Stihl or Husqvarna. Their saws get alot of praise here on AS. I own a few and can't make a single complaint.

 

[Oldsawnut]

I really like the dolmars as well but the prices do seem to be edging up quite a bit... The 7900's don't seem to be far off from the MS460's

 

[Stihl the One]

I have an 044 (12mm pin I believe) and a 460 that I've run side-by-side. The 044 has a pinch less power than the 460 but it also feels a pinch lighter and more nimble handling. As I switched back and forth while cutting a big batch of downed, HARD oak there never emerged a clear winner between the two. bottom line was the oak all got cut up and I was plenty tired. Lots of fun with both, so just enjoy your saw and don't sweat the specs. Your saw will get the job done.

Olyeller

I went and bought myself a Stihl 046 Magnum stock, and My 044 now has a dual port muffler and was tuned by stihl dealer. I think your right, there is not much difference. I think the 044 is enough for just about all jobs and lighter. Will post more once my 046 is tuned and gone over, but for now im liking my 044

 

[bighead]

is the MS440 tank interchangeable with the 044?

are most of the parts interchangeable between the two?

 

[WisFirewoodGuy]

Stihl 044 (pre 2000 YR) 5.1 hp 13,500 rpm 50MM Piston 10MM wrist pin
UPGRADE BIG BORE KIT NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO 10MM WRIST PIN. (saws w 12mm wrist pin are upgradeable)
Stihl 044 Magnum 5.4 hp 13,500 rpm 50MM Pn. Upgradeable 12mm wrist pin

Stihl MS440 5.4 hp 13,500 rpm 50MM Pn. 12mm wrist pin
Stihl MS441 5.5 hp 13,500 rpm 14.8 lbs (Powerhead only)
Stihl 046 Magnum 6.1 hp 13,500 rpm 52mm Pn.
Stihl MS460 6.0 hp 13,500 rpm 52mm Pn. 14.6 lbs (Powerhead only)

I heard there was no standard 046 and really there is no difference between the 044 and 044 Magnum. Not sure why some have the sticker and others don't. Is it really the wrist pin size or are there Magnums with 10mm wrist pins?

For the cutting I do, I don't think it would make a difference with 044 or 044 Magnum but I would still like to know what the reason is for putting a Magnum sticker on some saws and not on others.

EDIT: I found this thread: http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/128239.htm

Saw this posting in there:
There are some real differences between the 044 and the 044 Magnum. Carburetor, base gasket, port timing and finish, decompression valve, self-advancing ignition- these are all things that were upgrades on the 044 Magnum.

I was sold by our regional sales rep that all 046s sold in North America were the "Magnum" designation. He said there were de-tuned 046s models intended for the European and Asian markets and those would have similar differences as to the 044 and 044 Magnum.


I think the majority of the 044s that are out there are really standard ones with the $5 sticker on there. I did see one video of an 044 Magnum with a decompression button on it so I think the post does hold merit.

 

[wyk]

Or just buy a Dolmar 7900. 6.3 hp/13.6 lbs
My completely biased opinion. Lol!

Just a tad biased, and more than a pound off:

The 7900 is closer to a 460 in weight than an 044.

 

[MacLaren]

Just a tad biased, and more than a pound off:

The 7900 is closer to a 460 in weight than an 044.

......dont you mean the 7900 is closer in weight to a 046 than an 044? Theres a lot of difference in weight between an 046 and an MS460...I would imagine an MS460 weighs quite a bit more than either a 046 or 7900.....Just sayin....heck the 7900 still weighs less than an 046.....

 

[blsnelling]

The 046 and MS460 are the same saw except for the flippy caps.

 

[MacLaren]

The 046 and MS460 are the same saw except for the flippy caps.

So.....are you saying they weigh the same?......

 

[MacLaren]

I do believe the MS460 weighs 15 pounds and 10 ounces.......

 

[WisFirewoodGuy]

Mystery Solved

I contacted Stihl USA and asked for the difference between the 044 and 044 Magnum. Here is the response:

The 044 and 044M do have the same displacement (70.7ccs)and make the same amount of power (5.4HP). The difference is the decompression valve and the crankshaft was changed to incorporate a larger wrist pin.​

So all 044 Magnums will have a decompression valve according to him.

Hope this helps clarify things.

 

[blsnelling]

So.....are you saying they weigh the same?......

I don't know why it would be any different.

 

[MacLaren]

I don't know why it would be any different.

???? Brad, are you serious? the MS460 weighs quite a bit more.....went from 14.12 to 15.10.....
Ive owned an MS460 before and have my cousins 046 and there is a big difference in weight. Not tryin to be smart, but no way does the MS460 weigh the same as an 046....

 

[blsnelling]

???? Brad, are you serious? the MS460 weighs quite a bit more.....went from 14.12 to 15.10.....

Where's this weight come from? I'm not aware of any significant changes in the saw. Every part on then is interchangeable.

 

[MacLaren]

Where's this weight come from? I'm not aware of any significant changes in the saw. Every part on then is interchangeable.

Darned if i know, but its clearly documented in the unofficial chainsaw weight thread. Theres a pic. It clearly weighs 15 pounds 10 ounces. I believe about every saw that went from the 0 series to the MS series gained weight.

 

[MattCrowe]

???? Brad, are you serious? the MS460 weighs quite a bit more.....went from 14.12 to 15.10.....
Ive owned an MS460 before and have my cousins 046 and there is a big difference in weight. Not tryin to be smart, but no way does the MS460 weigh the same as an 046....

They cant be that heavy, that's nearing 7kg, a 660 only goes a shade over 7. I reckon there are some crossed wires somewhere, they would be no more than 6.5kg.

 

[MacLaren]

They cant be that heavy, that's nearing 7kg, a 660 only goes a shade over 7. I reckon there are some crossed wires somewhere, they would be no more than 6.5kg.

Men, yall cant be serious can ya? Go look in the unofficial chainsaw weight thread.

 

[lone wolf]

Where's this weight come from? I'm not aware of any significant changes in the saw. Every part on then is interchangeable.

Cylinder material from porting:biggrin: should be a gram or so.