460 Magnum, how many HP? Really?

[woojr]

I recently bought a 460 with what appears to be just a few hours (previous owner said 10 and original bar seemed to concur) on it. Well I've run it pretty hard for about eight tanks of fuel and must say I am a little less than impressed with its power. I've been hacking (firewood) up a tough piece of somewhat seasoned white oak with 24 inch bar constantly buried and I just thought it would do it allot faster. I think I recall it rated at 6hp? I can't believe it. I think I am getting a first hand experience of why I see so many modification posts. I don't know whether to keep this saw after I'm done this job or get something in the same category and modify it. I'm also disappointed in the lack of oil I can get to the bar. I saw where you can get higher delivery pump with wrap around handle model. That's curious since I am struggling to keep it wet with only a 24 inch bar.
Oh, I'm sure the saw is running real well. I just expected more pull on a 24 inch bar.
And... I haven't looked inside the muffler yet. Will it help much to eliminate some of its guts? woojr

 

[timberwolf]

Muffler!

 

[clearance]

I ran a 460 with a 28 bar, skip chain, bucking all day on a little show. It is a good saw, is your chain sharp, cause I never had a problem, seemed real similar to a 372xp, good power. Is the chain sharp, filter clean? Should have a wrap handle anyways, get one, it needs it.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Wow..Ive got a 460 Mag. Put one of the Stihl dual port muffler covers on it. No problems with a 28" bar and full skip. I dont see why it would have an issue with a 36" and full skip if I got into a pinch and needed it. I usually run a 20" and the saw rocks.

What chain are you running?

 

[toolmaker]

I have an MS 460 and it is one serious saw. Never once thought it was weak or under powered. This saw actually scares me and I have nothing but total respect for it.
It really scares me when my boys pick it up to run it as I don't think they understand that a bad cut with a saw can happen quicker n' a rattlesnake strike.
A couple of times I was a bit careless with it and had a minor kickback. Didn't get hurt, just scared the hell out of me. It happened quick as lightning, and made me respect the saw even more.
A thought........
I bought mine brand new and my dealer set it up a bit rich for me. He told me after 6 or 8 tankfuls to bring it back and he would adjust the carb for me.
Maybe yours is the same, needs leaned out a bit?
Keep the chain sharp. It really needs to be as prickly as a cactus.
No matter how sharp they are, they still don't cut rocks.

 

[tonka]

From what I've heard the mufflers on the new Stihls are really restrictive. I'd put a duel port muffler on it, readjust the carb, and see how it runs then.

 

[Tree Sling'r]

A sharp chain will do wonders.:greenchainsaw:

 

[Simonizer]

I recently bought a 460 with what appears to be just a few hours (previous owner said 10 and original bar seemed to concur) on it. Well I've run it pretty hard for about eight tanks of fuel and must say I am a little less than impressed with its power. I've been hacking (firewood) up a tough piece of somewhat seasoned white oak with 24 inch bar constantly buried and I just thought it would do it allot faster. I think I recall it rated at 6hp? I can't believe it. I think I am getting a first hand experience of why I see so many modification posts. I don't know whether to keep this saw after I'm done this job or get something in the same category and modify it. I'm also disappointed in the lack of oil I can get to the bar. I saw where you can get higher delivery pump with wrap around handle model. That's curious since I am struggling to keep it wet with only a 24 inch bar.
Oh, I'm sure the saw is running real well. I just expected more pull on a 24 inch bar.
And... I haven't looked inside the muffler yet. Will it help much to eliminate some of its guts? woojr

Something is wrong. I hope this helps.

 

[skwerl]

Stihl intentionally has lower oil output in order to be 'environmentally friendly'. Of course that doesn't help you when you burn up a $65 bar in 3 tanks of fuel cutting up big dead hardwood. It isn't just you, Stihl oilers suck.

My four 372's all pump plenty of oil.

 

[woojr]

This saw runs the way it runs with a new 3/8 Stihl RS chain. And I assure you, properly tensioned and frequently touched up cutters. From what I'm reading, its muffler, muffler, muffler, and skip chain my help some on this job.
I have tried eight adjustments on the high side and while there is some difference under the load, the best is not pulling the chain through like "I expected"
And to clarify the sharpness issue, the chain doesn't travel through the wood without biting and depositing chips, curls etc, it bogs under less applied pressure than "I expected".
I am going to the dual port muffler. Also, will I have to do something to allow a richer mix than the needle stop allows? thanks for the info men... woojr

 

[woojr]

I forgot to ask, does the 372 require a different muffler than the factory set up also? woojr

 

[timberwolf]

Don't know of any bolt on muffler mod for the 372, but all the newer saws need some work on the muffler to unlock the HP, it seems the newer the saw the more restricted the muffler. The nice thing with the 460 and 660 is that there is a bolt on cover with a larger opening available from the dealer. Otherwise it is a mater of making the outlet bigger and cleaning out other junk inbetween the inlet and outlet of the muffler.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

My 460 usually wears a 32", sometimes a 28", but I don't think I've ever had a 24" on it. It's never balked once. If you're having issues with a 24" then something is wrong with your set up, or you're expecting too much.

Saw never hesitated in any of these cuts, all with 32".

Jeff

 

[West Texas]

That saw looks pretty dangerous to me Jeff, looks like it got part of your hair too. My wife would love to have that plate you cut off the stump, she's always wanting me to make her a table. Friend of mine runs a 32" on his 044 that has a 046 jug on it with no problems.

 

[woojr]

Maybe my issue is partly due to the wood. No offense but the cedar I have cut (none anywhere near as big as Jeff's) was pretty soft. This white oak was rotten in the bottom portion of the trunk and went down in a storm about 2-3 years ago. Another point is the cutting I am doing is across all grains and through several palces where limbs (knots) are. There were allot of limbs. I am putting similar strains on this saw to that of milling. Simple crosscutting is not the primary function at the moment. I was also wondering what experiences anyone has had with air filter cleaning frequency? My first impression is the 460's filter seems to find the dirt faster than an old 272 I had. woojr

 

[bump_r]

I was gonna say my Poulan XXV could pull a 32 inch bar through cedar, but thought the better of it.

Carry on.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

My first impression is the 460's filter seems to find the dirt faster than an old 272 I had. woojr

I've never really thought about it. I just check it every fill up as I would any saw. Bang it out on the tailgate, or if it's really dusty, put a new one on until I get home and am able to clean it out properly.

Jeff

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

And since you mention dead, rotten wood, this was this past Saturday. Also with the 32".

 

[woojr]

That's a pretty dangerous looking tree to fell. Did you know it was that unstable inside?
I'm gonna have to figure out how to put a picture on this site. This stump (what's left of it) is hollowed out and the weight of the full tree that it supported must've been enormous.
I find it extremely gratifying recycling this once majastic tree which was probably around a long, long time. Especially not buying fuel oil. woojr

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Dried oak, specially white is one of the most ignorant types of wood to cut IMO.

Some is relativly simple to cut, othertimes its like cutting concrete.