a funny thing happened on my way to pick up my brand new MS661....

[Bwildered]

Off memory the AU spec 660 with a DP muffler has just slightly more power than the 661, some wouldn't know what a turd really was unless it wasn't for the taste & texture.
You have bought one of the best saws ever designed & built in the last 20 or more years, the DP muffler is a factory upgrade so it shouldn't affect the warranty
Some get wrapped up with brands, but the best brand of anything is the one that keeps going & going.
Thansk

 

[SEAM]

Wise decision... the 660 will probably outlive any 661 - too early to be sure but the general trend points in that direction.

And for working with a 90 cc saw I would prefer torque over sound any time...

 

[Full Chisel]

Off memory the AU spec 660 with a DP muffler has just slightly more power than the 661, some wouldn't know what a turd really was unless it wasn't for the taste & texture.
You have bought one of the best saws ever designed & built in the last 20 or more years, the DP muffler is a factory upgrade so it shouldn't affect the warranty
Thansk

I can assure you I'm not the only one who has run a 660 and thought it to be lacking in power for it's displacement class. Put one up against a 390xp and it will show it's true colors. But as Mr. Snelling said, a simple muffler mod will wake them up. And no, the DP muffler will not make it run like it should, it still needs modded.

 

[treesmith]

Send that 660 to MasterMind, he'll make it into what it should have been from the factory, that said, a dp muff and tune will make a big difference. A good running 660 is a serious HD saw, the Oz spec ones are great just stock, it will last you for years

 

[blsnelling]

And no, the DP muffler will not make it run like it should, it still needs modded.

+1. You're going to have to open up the muffler body as well. I'd also open up the internal cage.

 

[fordf150]

Just had a logger in today that sold his 661 after he found a shop that still had 660's. They had 3 leftover 660's and he bought all 3 and sold the 661. Haven't ran one but that tells me something when the guys running them daily are avoiding them.

 

[Deets066]

I can assure you I'm not the only one who has run a 660 and thought it to be lacking in power for it's displacement class. Put one up against a 390xp and it will show it's true colors. But as Mr. Snelling said, a simple muffler mod will wake them up. And no, the DP muffler will not make it run like it should, it still needs modded.

I have also heard that the 390's were turds in stock form.

 

[Whiskers]

Was an ms461 too small for what you were trying to do. I find a 70cc saw with a 25" bar an ideal combo for the larger stuff I come across.

 

[Hinerman]

I have also heard that the 390's were turds in stock form.

According to Arboristsite, all saws are turds in stock form

 

[locustman]

Was an ms461 too small for what you were trying to do. I find a 70cc saw with a 25" bar an ideal combo for the larger stuff I come across.

Probably not to small at all for 95% of my cuts. But my thinking is if I am to have one badass saw I need to get as much beef to quality ratio as I can afford. There are going to be a few 30"+ cherries that I dont want any regrets about. And the budget was set for the 661 range anyhow. So the extra cash goes to muffler and extra bar and chains.. worked out real well from that persspective.

 

[Hinerman]

Specifics?

No offense, just being a wise guy. Welcome to Arboristsite. IMO, I would have got the 661, see post #2 and 6. FWIW, I have a 660 also; never ran a 661. My dealer sold his last 660 a couple weeks ago and now has a 661 on the shelf (was there today). My 660 is ported and wears a 36" bar all the time. Even ported it ain't the fastest, but it is steady, strong, and bullet proof. Mine will last me a life time, as will yours, if we choose to keep them that long.

Opinions vary obviously as others prefer the 660 for different reasons. You got a fantastic saw with a proven history; it should serve you well. Congratulations.

If you are going to run a 36" bar I recommend the HO oiler.

 

[Justsaws]

I would chose the 660, nothing fancy just a solid time tested workhorse.

Put it to work.

 

[Full Chisel]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the quality or dependability of the 660...they are a very well built, rugged saw that can take some serious abuse on a daily basis. But they are a heavy saw to lug around and like I said before, in most wood I would take a 372 over it, or for that matter a 461 which I was VERY impressed with. I cut up a 45" DBH red oak with my 372 and 350...you don't necessarily need a huge saw to cut big wood, you just need one that will hold up to some real work.

 

[Moparmyway]

I have both, the 661 and 066, and I have to agree with Full Chisel
The 661 blows away the 660 in stock form, the 661 has more power, better fuel economy and better anti-vibe.

I also have no doubt that my 661 will last, its become my "fun to run" saw.

 

[Moparmyway]

+1. You're going to have to open up the muffler body as well. I'd also remove the internal cage.

Fixxed for ya !!!!!!!!

 

[Andyshine77]

Turd this turd that, afraid of new technology that's actually old. Wow!!

All I can add is the fact I owned a 660 for about a week, I have no room for a saw that heavy, that weak, with that much vibration, and poor balance. I don't care how durable or well built the 660 is no think you. If it floats your boat, more power to you. I'm sure the OP will like the saw that's all that matters.

 

[Ironworker]

Good luck with your new toy, I too prefer to tune my own saws but all saws have their advantages. Personally I don't understand why someone would take pleasure in pissing in someone's Cheerios, just because you don't like a saw does not make you the ultimate authority. To each his own.

 

[Bwildered]

I can assure you I'm not the only one who has run a 660 and thought it to be lacking in power for it's displacement class. Put one up against a 390xp and it will show it's true colors. But as Mr. Snelling said, a simple muffler mod will wake them up. And no, the DP muffler will not make it run like it should, it still needs modded.

The fellow bought a saw that with a couple of simple mods like a DP muffler & a tune will have more power than the 661 & will be cheaper,
AU spec 660 with DP muffler is 5.6kw/7.5hp , 661 is 5.4kw/7.3hp. Everybody is raving about how much power the 661 has & how good they cut, but it's still not as good as the AU spec 660 and the huski 395 can't match that power either at 5.2kw/7.1hp.
Thansk

 

[MustangMike]

Based on the op's statements, I think a 461 would have suited his needs much better, would likely cut faster with a 24" bar, and not feel like a boat anchor at the end of the day. And the difference from what he is currently using would be huge.

Also, if doing a dp muff cover, I think you also have to remove the carb limiters and make it a little richer. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I don't want to see a guy fry his new saw.

 

[Moparmyway]

The fellow bought a saw that with a couple of simple mods like a DP muffler & a tune will have more power than the 661

The fellas that have the 661 know that a larger outlet or dual port added to the 661 also has the same effect in broadening the 661's power .........................
Add a Max Flow and it really wakes up

Best to keep quiet and let them think that you are dumb than to speak and remove all doubt