MS441 Magnum

[fearofpavement]

What a previous poster referred to as Stihl's not having half choke is correct. When the start lever on most models is down, the choke is fully closed. When it pops and you move it up one notch, it is in high idle but the choke is fully open. When you pull the trigger it allows the lever to move up to the run position but the choke is already open.

 

[Oldman47]

You get that exact same response on a Husky 555 AT. Pull choke to the start position to get a choke. Once it pops, take it back to run position but it is really in fast idle until you grab the throttle trigger for a split second.

 

[srb08]

Is it worth changing to an 8 pin sprocket for that short bar? I've been thinking that an 8 pin and a 20 inch bar would rock.

When I put a 20" bar on my ms460, I switched to an 8 pin rim. I kept trying to convince myself it was faster but I can't really tell much difference.

 

[hseII]

Harry, I used to noodle cut with my MS361, but after I got an old 046 Mag to run nicely with a 25" bar, I'll noodle cut with it forever. It will take down a 34" dia. round in almost half the time and never bog down. Some of the rounds I buck cut will weigh over 400 lb, so I have to noodle them in half, quarters, and sometimes even sixths.

44s and 46s wear 25" BAs round here: if a 20" is all that's needed, a 26 wearing an 18" BA comes out.
Hell, that's a limbing saw.

 

[hseII]

Is it worth changing to an 8 pin sprocket for that short bar? I've been thinking that an 8 pin and a 20 inch bar would rock.

Mine have 8 pins with short bars: 25" ES bars, to be exact.

 

[Wood Doctor]

What a previous poster referred to as Stihl's not having half choke is correct. When the start lever on most models is down, the choke is fully closed. When it pops and you move it up one notch, it is in high idle but the choke is fully open. When you pull the trigger it allows the lever to move up to the run position but the choke is already open.

But, if it fails to remain at high idle when you move up one notch from choke, it may never start. Occasionally that's a downfall and has been known to happen.

 

[CTYank]

Having been sucked into replacing p&c on an almost-new 441, which sucked metallic debris from muffler, terminally wrecking p&c, let me offer a few insights, please.

The 441CM was designed by deutsche Rube Goldberg- bizarre bits & pieces. Ask around for others' views there.

If you test one side-by-side with a Husqy 576XP AT, you will lose interest in the 441. At least, I sure would. Real quick.

If you then look at the price tags (think Husqy from Spike60) you'll question your sanity for even considering the stihl. If it's your money.

You guys got me wondering if you even considered comparable Husqy/Dolmar saws, and if the $ matter to you. Don't even ask me how the dealer who sold the 441 mentioned above told the owner to bend over & enjoy it- sorry, 90-day warranty coverage is over. This was one of the very few cases where warranty coverage would have helped.

The final hop in the butt was the dealer saying that they could not repair the saw, but would sell another. For $1K. Can't make that up.

 

[gunnusmc03]

I'm interested in that 441 if you want to part with it @CTYank

 

[CTYank]

I'm interested in that 441 if you want to part with it @CTYank

Fact is, if it were mine (unlikely) I'd have sold it long back. It belongs to the guys at our local Land Trust, and is once again a big-bux shelf-queen for them. It runs fine, thanks to Bret (SpencerPaving) who delivered it at April GTG in upstate NY. I've no idea if GLT guys are interested in selling it, or for how much.

They bought it because of pipe-dreams of getting into chainsaw-milling. Bit of a hill to climb there.

My understanding is that they paid $1K for it. Exclusive of shipping, what are you offering for one? With 84 DL 24" b&c.

Never say "never".

 

[turnkey4099]

View attachment 440515
From the owners manual (easier and clearer than taking a picture) Choke shutter closed is what I'm referring to as full choke; starting throttle is what I am calling half choke. Perhaps you are referring to the CM version? The CM version has only start, run, and off.

Nope, I was referring to the older version, 3 position lever. There is no half choke, Pull the air filter and look if you don't believe it.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

CM version only has those because of it's M-Tronic ignition system.
I'm not sure if it's a better system, but it may be easier starting at times. I've never used both regularly so I can't make an educated review on that.
I think it will be chalked up as 'different' and some of us may like it and some not.

I'm still of two minds about it. I think they should have kept that high idle setting.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

Having been sucked into replacing p&c on an almost-new 441, which sucked metallic debris from muffler, terminally wrecking p&c, let me offer a few insights, please.

The 441CM was designed by deutsche Rube Goldberg- bizarre bits & pieces. Ask around for others' views there.

If you test one side-by-side with a Husqy 576XP AT, you will lose interest in the 441. At least, I sure would. Real quick.

If you then look at the price tags (think Husqy from Spike60) you'll question your sanity for even considering the stihl. If it's your money.

You guys got me wondering if you even considered comparable Husqy/Dolmar saws, and if the $ matter to you. Don't even ask me how the dealer who sold the 441 mentioned above told the owner to bend over & enjoy it- sorry, 90-day warranty coverage is over. This was one of the very few cases where warranty coverage would have helped.

The final hop in the butt was the dealer saying that they could not repair the saw, but would sell another. For $1K. Can't make that up.

One major decision on my part to go stihl was the inboard clutch. Just saved my power head again last Sunday when the bar got pinched pinched.

Harry K

 

[turnkey4099]

Fact is, if it were mine (unlikely) I'd have sold it long back. It belongs to the guys at our local Land Trust, and is once again a big-bux shelf-queen for them. It runs fine, thanks to Bret (SpencerPaving) who delivered it at April GTG in upstate NY. I've no idea if GLT guys are interested in selling it, or for how much.

They bought it because of pipe-dreams of getting into chainsaw-milling. Bit of a hill to climb there.

My understanding is that they paid $1K for it. Exclusive of shipping, what are you offering for one? With 84 DL 24" b&c.

Never say "never".

And Fords are better than Chevies...

Harry K

 

[svk]

Having been sucked into replacing p&c on an almost-new 441, which sucked metallic debris from muffler, terminally wrecking p&c, let me offer a few insights, please.

The 441CM was designed by deutsche Rube Goldberg- bizarre bits & pieces. Ask around for others' views there.

If you test one side-by-side with a Husqy 576XP AT, you will lose interest in the 441. At least, I sure would. Real quick.

If you then look at the price tags (think Husqy from Spike60) you'll question your sanity for even considering the stihl. If it's your money.

You guys got me wondering if you even considered comparable Husqy/Dolmar saws, and if the $ matter to you. Don't even ask me how the dealer who sold the 441 mentioned above told the owner to bend over & enjoy it- sorry, 90-day warranty coverage is over. This was one of the very few cases where warranty coverage would have helped.

The final hop in the butt was the dealer saying that they could not repair the saw, but would sell another. For $1K. Can't make that up.

Despite being a Husky guy I think you are a little over the top with your Stihl bashing. If a homeowner or recreational cutter buys a new 441, how often do you think they will need to take it apart? Probably never. And if they do, and if it takes a little extra time, who cares....

 

[Trx250r180]

I hope the 441 is a good saw ,i just bought one to try out

 

[gunnusmc03]

They're good to go so no worries.

 

[longbowch]

I hope the 441 is a good saw ,i just bought one to try out

My 440 was stolen and I got a 441rcm to replace it. I don't miss the 440 at all.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

I hope the 441 is a good saw ,i just bought one to try out

I think you'll be pleased.

If your getting a standard CM and not the "R" model have the dealer pop in a high output oiler from a MS460 or MS461 before you take delivery. That's what Stihl did with the one I purchased after I test drove the Stihl rep's demo saw for a week prior to purchase. I'm assuming you'll be running an 84 or 91 dl bar, in which case I think you'll find the stock oiler will be a little weak.

Put a lot of time on my MS441CM over 2-1/2 to 3 years with no issues. Only reason I still don't have one, I wanted to upgrade to an Arctic model which was not available in the MS441CM but was in the MS461.

Take Care