MS441 R C-M M-Tronic Review and Mods

[BlackAdder]

Any news?

 

[mdavlee]

I talked with andre yesterday and they didn't do any cutting over the holiday. I think they'll get some more cutting done this week.

 

[Andyshine77]

As long as it's not raining, it's nice and cool now as well.:msp_thumbsup:

 

[Officer's Match]

As long as it's not raining, it's nice and cool now as well.:msp_thumbsup:

Which, come to think of it, should allow the perpetual-tuning of both saws to run even stronger.

 

[blsnelling]

I still need to get that muffler to you too.

 

[Andyshine77]

Just whenever you get a chance, just let me know.

 

[FATGUY]

I'm back to work tomorrow, drop the muffler and the mill off. See you both after 5:00

 

[anymanusa]

so I went to the dealership and held this thing finally. Man does it feel big compared to my 280. How much should I be paying for this thing? 441cm version, or the wrap handle version? What's the price differential?

I'd feel good about getting it for $800, as I remember another AS member paying that many months ago... I ain't paying the $879 my dealer is trying to say it'll bring.

 

[FATGUY]

I favor the "regular" springs and don't much need a full wrap for cookie cutting. Just my $0.02

 

[gcsupraman]

so I went to the dealership and held this thing finally. Man does it feel big compared to my 280. How much should I be paying for this thing? 441cm version, or the wrap handle version? What's the price differential?

I'd feel good about getting it for $800, as I remember another AS member paying that many months ago... I ain't paying the $879 my dealer is trying to say it'll bring.

I've been lurking for a bit - but had to register to reply to your post. I've owned a 260 pro, 360 pro (just sold) and decided on the MS441rcm after reading this thread.

Apparently NorthEast Stihl has not sold even 1 of these units which means not a single sole in the northeast owns one. I can't buy it from any other stihl dealers and it shipped as its a violation of stihl policy - what a nightmare. Northeast Stihl told me 4 weeks minimum to get it and the dealer wants $970 for the RCM.

VERY curious to know what others are paying - i'm sure not $970.00!

 

[RiverRat2]

so I went to the dealership and held this thing finally. Man does it feel big compared to my 280. How much should I be paying for this thing? 441cm version, or the wrap handle version? What's the price differential?

I'd feel good about getting it for $800, as I remember another AS member paying that many months ago... I ain't paying the $879 my dealer is trying to say it'll bring.

If you are just a firewood cutter the wrap handle is really not needed and just cost extra JMHO,,, if you do alot falling and have to cut from bothsides especially on uneven terrain regularly,, than yes its worth it,,, actually mandatory,,, and if you run a big bar 28"+ than the wrap handle comes with the HO oiler,,, another big plus,,,

 

[parrisw]

If you are just a firewood cutter the wrap handle is really not needed and just cost extra JMHO,,, if you do alot falling and have to cut from bothsides especially on uneven terrain regularly,, than yes its worth it,,, actually almost mandatory,,, and if you run a big bar 28"+ than the wrap handle comes with the HO oiler,,, another big plus,,,

Couldn't of said it better myself Rick.

Another plust to wrap handles is when climbing trees, it make it much easier to grab when hanging from you, and easier to cut.

 

[young]

I've been lurking for a bit - but had to register to reply to your post. I've owned a 260 pro, 360 pro (just sold) and decided on the MS441rcm after reading this thread.

Apparently NorthEast Stihl has not sold even 1 of these units which means not a single sole in the northeast owns one. I can't buy it from any other stihl dealers and it shipped as its a violation of stihl policy - what a nightmare. Northeast Stihl told me 4 weeks minimum to get it and the dealer wants $970 for the RCM.

VERY curious to know what others are paying - i'm sure not $970.00!

thats dsrp. the 3/4 wrap is usually only 40-50 more the the half-wrap. worth to get the 3/4 full wrap at stated by others for the higher output oiler. also for the dual felling spikes, roller chain catcher and larger clutch cover.

 

[Slamm]

Paying sub-$750 for Wrapped M-Tronics Model 441.


The M-Tronics also comes with the Stainless Steel Muffler (right?).

I like the stiffer springs for regular 28" bars and felling trees, but for bucking up and 20" bars, I like the softer sprung model. I have a few so I set them up that way two for felling trees and two for bucking up.

With the new Lite bars, I won't if the softer springs wouldn't work just fine?

In modded form, I feel you do need the better oiler, with 28" bars and bigger as that is just a lot of heat to have to get rid of.

Sam

 

[young]

...

The M-Tronics also comes with the Stainless Steel Muffler (right?)...

Sam

they use to but now all 441 does (well newer built). also part number has superseded to the SS muffler again for all ms441.

 

[Officer's Match]

they use to but now all 441 does (well newer built). also part number has superseded to the SS muffler again for all ms441.

I noticed that. I actually got excited as I approached a 441 in my local Stihl dealer when I saw the SS muff, but it was just a standard carbed version.

 

[Slamm]

Well thats news. Wonder why they went with the SS muffler. Its rare that a regular steel muffler wears out, ................. but it does happen. I'm for it, just wonder what prompted it.

Later,

Sam

 

[gcsupraman]

If you are just a firewood cutter the wrap handle is really not needed and just cost extra JMHO,,, if you do alot falling and have to cut from bothsides especially on uneven terrain regularly,, than yes its worth it,,, actually mandatory,,, and if you run a big bar 28"+ than the wrap handle comes with the HO oiler,,, another big plus,,,

I own a small construction company and we clear 1-2 lots per year - when I need it to work, I need a great saw. Otherwise, it sits or is used very little. I just sold a 360pro to get a slightly larger saw and noticed this thread - it appeared that blsnelling has alot of experience with saws so I went for it based on his opinion of the saw.

I figured for the small amount of extra money it would be nice to have the larger oiler and the roller chain guard - the spikes, wrap, flap, clutch cover, springs are all nice but not really needed. I bought it with the 25" bar, but will replace with the 28" light at some point. I figured the saw would cost around $800-$900 so I didn't think the extra money would make much of a difference.

Edit: 9/9/11. Thanks to the help of the local dealer in CT and a long conversation with Northeast Stihl, the MS441RCM-25 (25 inch bar) unit was activated today for all dealers served by Northeast Stihl. I have one on order, and the dealer was able to adjust the price as additional shipping is no longer an issue now that it is active.

-Greg

 

[young]

unless you have a rapport with the dealer, youll pay dsrp.

 

[Andyshine77]

I own a small construction company and we clear 1-2 lots per year - when I need it to work, I need a great saw. Otherwise, it sits or is used very little. I just sold a 360pro to get a slightly larger saw and noticed this thread - it appeared that blsnelling has alot of experience with saws so I went for it based on his opinion of the saw.

I figured for the small amount of extra money it would be nice to have the larger oiler and the roller chain guard - the spikes, wrap, flap, clutch cover, springs are all nice but not really needed. I bought it with the 25" bar, but will replace with the 28" light at some point. I figured the saw would cost around $800-$900 so I didn't think the extra money would make much of a difference.

If $970 is drp, what would be a reasonable price to pay for this saw from a dealer? The dealer is stating Northeast Stihl is charging them additional freight since the saw has to be special ordered.

-Greg

I'd look for a new dealer, it's not a special order. A good dealer will always work in the price a little, especially with more expensive equipment.