Scott, the 480's don't have a huge following, are are often regarded as heavy for the power level. After using the same one now every year since bought new in 1980, I certainly think I got my moneys worth.
They are very strong with the 20" bar, and pretty much maxxed out with a 24" bar. Not overly fast in rpm's like the 181SE and modern saws that replaced them, but they have PLENTY of power to get the job done if you are just using them to cut firewood.
Back when I first purchased my 480CD, it replaced a Mac 610 we'd been using for several years. The old Mac was pushed to the side, never to be used again. My brother showed up one day with a Mac 800 he found someplace. It was big, heavy, slow and very loud. After putting it side by side againt the 480 one day in the woods, he very quickly traded off the Mac for a 480CD, which he still owns and uses today.
His doesn't see as much use as mine does, because he also bought a 372XP and 395 when they came out, both of which make running a 480CD a pretty uneventful experience in comparison.
Yesterday I was cross-cutting some HUGE red Oak chunks, since I don't own a splitter, just a couple of mauls. The 480 was armed with a new loop of Stihl full chisel chain, and even cross cutting with most or all of the bar buried it never grumbled once. I've never put a tach on the 480, but would estimate it only free revs to about 11,000 and probably 9000 or so in the cut. The power curve is broad and smooth, and you can "push" it pretty hard without stalling it against the clutch.
The 181, 268XP, 262XP that I have are all a LOT faster in rpm's in and out of the cut. I put a tach on my 268XP once and it was "four stroking" nicely at 13,700 and just SCREAMS in the cut in comparison to the old 480CD. I still like my 480, and it's stuck around here as long as the wife has, both are still working pretty good so I think I'll hang on to them for a while!......Cliff
