Difference between MS880 And MS881

[ClimberBusinessman]

I've heard Stihl discontinued the MS880 chainsaw for emissions-compliance reasons and replaced it with the MS881. Supposedly it has the same HP and CC's. However, the MS880 was rated to pull a 59" bar, and the new version, the MS881 is only rated for a 41" bar. Does anyone know why they de-rated it, and has anyone tried using a 881 with a 59" bar anyways? Also, are they available in your area? In my area, due to supply chain issues, the dealer ordered an MS881, and it was 8 months ago, and is already pre-sold.

 

[user 122190]

I thought the 881 was m-tronics. IMO, Stihl does recommend bar lengths less then they can easily pull. I wouldn't put much stock in the 41" length being a max. The 88x are single purpose saws -- to pull long long bars. If you're not pulling a really really long bar, there are better saws to use.

I had an 880 and quickly learned it was not for me. Took me over a year to find someone to buy it. If I was a dealer, I wouldn't keep those on the showroom floor. Special Order only.

 

[Sierra_rider]

Yep, that max bar length is pretty meaningless from Stihl. I've got logging buddies out on the coast that are running 6-7' bars on 880s and 881s. They don't get pulled out very much, but are handy when falling a large 2nd growth redwood.

I thought the 881 was m-tronics. IMO, Stihl does recommend bar lengths less then they can easily pull. I wouldn't put much stock in the 41" length being a max. The 88x are single purpose saws -- to pull long long bars. If you're not pulling a really really long bar, there are better saws to use.

I had an 880 and quickly learned it was not for me. Took me over a year to find someone to buy it. If I was a dealer, I wouldn't keep those on the showroom floor. Special Order only.

I haven't looked at the 881 that much, but I think it's supposed to be stronger than the 880 was. The 880 wasn't exactly a hot rod, but they pull long bars well. I think people dog the 120cc saws because they are usually slower than a 661-sized saw when your bucking a little 24" log...that's not the point of them, they're designed to pull 50"+ bars...or to be used as mill saws.

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

The 881 is a strato design engine where as the 880 is conventional piston port.
The 881 is not M-tronic but has a diagnosis port for information about starts and run time.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Totally different. You can read but pics embedded. http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/stihl/stihl-881/

Sales ad when first came out with some info.

 

[DirtySouthRob]

Totally different. You can read but pics embedded. http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/stihl/stihl-881/

Sales ad when first came out with some info.

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Which one would you want if you had a choice 880 or 881

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Which one would you want if you had a choice 880 or 881

Well being I have never ever owned a 881 or even ran one. I cant say.

 

[av8or3]

I'd want the newer saw. I own an 088 but rarely run it , then only for fun. But if I had to run one for work, it’d be the new one with M- tronic. I think there are some available with adjustable carbs, but not sure. I’d still want the newer machine.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I'd want the newer saw. I own an 088 but rarely run it , then only for fun. But if I had to run one for work, it’d be the new one with M- tronic. I think there are some available with adjustable carbs, but not sure. I’d still want the newer machine.

881 isnt m-tronic and never was.

088 was a turd with that cast muffler. I did like the later Gen2 with 2 piece muffler though.

084's was my fav.


https://www.stihlusa.com/products/chain-saws/professional-saws/ms881/

 

[av8or3]

I’d still want the newer saw. That’s the point.

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

My 088 runs very well, and would take an ms880s lunch, I've run those 2 .

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I was not impressed with stock 088 here with those cast mufflers. All saws run different and whatever makes you happy is all that matters.
But this one had new carb kit and tuned right. Cut ok for stock. Butttt so much more could have been there.

Hated that ES 42" bar too. Was like a wet noodle.

I've run them all except for a 881. 084, 088, 880 2 piece muffler, 166, 3120.

Give me a 084 or the newer later MS880 with 2 piece mufflers.

Some just dont really know what cutting real good is IMO.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Cast muffler 880 088 v/s 2 piece later 880 muffler. Cast muffler one couldnt even keep up in small wood.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

2 piece muffler 880 Joe did.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

2 piece muffler clone and oem

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

This should be a good one.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

 

[Maintenance supervisor]

My 088 is completely stock except for the extra muffler outlet, and the Ms880 was stock I ran also. I agree that both models would benefit greatly from any modifications, next month I'll have the chance to run an ms881 ,which I have high expectations for.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Wont even bring up the 3120 in the bunch. Race and work top notch.

Owed stock with muffler mod and unlimited coil. Woods ported unlimited coil and full blown race.

But I like how the 2 piece muffler later 880 are built.

Wish they would take 3120 and redo it like they did from 394 to 395 or least upgrade it as there is some things I dislike.

Just the cast muffler 088 and first ones in Gen1 880 with cast mufflers would be the last ones I would even want. I dont even look at those local for others anymore. Gen2 later 2 piece mufflers I let folks know about. Along with 3120.

You can see how they route the 2 piece Gen2 muffler out. It needs modded or a straight shot to fix that. Otherwise not much better. Then through in the unlimited coil and they are even sweeter.

880 Gen2 and 881 front muffler cover https://eganperformancesaws.com/collections/egan-straight-shot-mufflers/products/egan-straight-shot-performance-chainsaw-muffler-880-881

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

MS 881, MS 880, 088, 084, Husqvarna 3120xp & G888)​