Help in deciding between Stihl MS 462 and 500i Chainsaw

[NSEric]

Perhaps this question should be addressed in the context of the region and the local conditions where the saw is to be used… For example, the Pacific NW vs upstate N.Y. or PA. This as they present different demands…

Me… I’m in upstate NY. Hardwoods dominate. The majority of my cutting is with an MS261 with an 18” bar. The second most used saw is an MS461 which currently has a 20” bar. My least used saw is an MS661 with a 25” bar. I have a 36” bar that can be used on the 461 or 661.

I rarely encounter a tree over about 24”. I like it when I do so I can run the 661 and not feel like it’s too much saw.

I wonder how responses here would look to folks if the regional conditions were included?

I cut similar or even smaller trees in my area.
I've discussed the 500i with a few local guys who are into saws, they all say pretty much the same thing... Awesome saw but who needs a 80cc saw around here.
The 362 or 400 is a better all rounder here.

 

[GrizG]

Maybe. Sometimes people do things a certain way because that's the way they've seen it done and just go with it.

I live in WI (like you mostly hardwoods in the <24-30" range) and I run a 500i with a 28" bar pretty much all the time. The only time I get the 261 out is if I'm going to be doing a LOT of limbing or work in smaller trees. Even if I'm in fairly small wood, I still run the 28" bar because the 500i cuts through that stuff a LOT faster than my 261 with an 18" bar. I'm all about getting stuff done faster with less fatigue.

Most people around here think anything over 20" bar is overkill. I was raised that way; my grandfather told me any bar over 20" is just a waste of money. Then I started doing things different ways to see what worked better....long bars are great even if you're in modest sized trees. Standing up and cutting with the tip is a lot easier on your body than bending over with a 20" bar all day. My grandpa also taught me to angle back cut...and several other things that simply weren't a good way of doing things...

I think people tend to get set in their ways and refuse to believe that the way their grand pappy did it isn't necessarily the best or most efficient way...or maybe it was back in the 60's, but not with today's technology.

Obviously what tree's you usually cut and your geography does play a part in your equipment choices, however, I think if more people gave longer bars a legit chance, more people would use them. The only thing I don't like about longer bars is all the teeth to sharpen lol

I've seen plenty of guys using saws who don't seem to have had any training, formal or informal. I advised one land trust's leadership, with whom I volunteer, that I will never work with a specific guy ever again. He was dangerous! For example, I watched him buck a tree that was under pressure and he split the tree with nearly every cut because he didn't understand compression and tension. There was wood flying all over the place out of control and he was jumping out of the way of the way with each cut. What topped the session off was when he backed his tractor over his saw... I'm pretty sure I could have gotten that whole mess on the ground with my first cut and it would have been an uneventful show followed by simple bucking cuts.

Regarding bar length, other variables beyond the diameter of the wood to consider are the stature and strength of the user. A "short bar" may be perfectly fine for a shorter user (say the 5'2'-5'6" range) even when bucking logs laying on the ground. On the other hand the same saw would be troublesome for a guy a foot taller.... The longer bar's weight may be an issue for smaller guys over the course of the day also. What you're cutting matters too... If the saw spends most of the time in the wood the weight isn't that much of an issue. On the other hand, limbing and bucking at chest height or above, or if you're climbing through rugged terrain and dealing with a lot of brush and tree debris, the long bar's weight can lead to fatigue with no tangible benefit.

So many things to consider! Simple answers aren't!