MS441 R C-M M-Tronic Review and Mods

[MacLaren]

Shouldn't the 441 be compared more to a 440 or 372 stocker right out of their boxes instead of a much larger saw like the 7900?

Isn't the 7900 more in the class of a 681 solo?

A husky auto tune would be interesting too as mentioned before.

This is more like a comparison of a 260 vs. A 361 in my opinion. I think I already know what would happen if I would sick my 441 Sawzilla on that dolmar.

John, I agree 100%. But I was always told the 7900 fell in the 70cc series. And, as long as it is then it will prolly always be "the bull of the woods" in the 70cc class. As for the 681 im not sure as it is 80.7cc.

 

[Andyshine77]

Shouldn't the 441 be compared more to a 440 or 372 stocker right out of their boxes instead of a much larger saw like the 7900?

Isn't the 7900 more in the class of a 681 solo?

A husky auto tune would be interesting too as mentioned before.

This is more like a comparison of a 260 vs. A 361 in my opinion. I think I already know what would happen if I would sick my 441 Sawzilla on that dolmar.

Sure, but 8cc is close, plus it doesn't have a MM.

 

[Andyshine77]

Any signs that the M Tronic was running lean at all guys? As mentioned the ones out here were running too hot for forestry certificaton indicating lean running. They are certainly impressive though for what they are.
Oh and 441 Sawzilla mentioned above would certainly make short work of a stock 7900

I'll check the plug after I run it in a few minutes. I can tell you just from the sound of the saw It's not running lean. IMHO one of two things went wrong withe the certification. One the saw was likely too new and didn't have time to adjust it's self, and two the exhaust can on any saw will get over 340C 644F so the test is pointless IMHO.

 

[inthewoodsagain]

inthewoodsagain

Just for clarification the wood was super soft Bass wood, about 24" or so. My 7900 has only had about 5 tanks of fuel through it and it's still very tight.

Pros...

From just feel, the 441 acts like it has more than one gear, when you really push down on her it just keeps going. IMHO this is solely because the saw can compensate for the load and add more fuel when needed. The 441 definitely has plenty of power, a stock 460 would struggle to keep up in any size or type of wood. On odd thing about this 441 is the fact the engine doesn't feel very tight, I can't say how much it will pick up with more time on it. Don't let the numbers fool you this saw pulls harder under load than the 7900, yup I said it. Despite the numbers I think it has a more usable power band than the 7900, not by much, but it's there.

The AV is fine but not as smooth as a non wrap 441, or the 7900. Keep in mind I have always thought the 441 to be a bit smoother than the 7900, not so with the stiffer springs, but still very smooth, much more so than older Stihls, it's a non issue. The saw started in two pulls after sitting all night, very cool.

A few Cons.

I did a bit of cutting in really thick woods with lots of undergrowth, and I can't say it's the best saw in this environment, especially with a 28" bar. Again the power is there, but so is the bulk. In my hands it reminds me more of a 390 Husky than a 372, it's a very bulky saw for the displacement. When I was swapping bars I handed my brother each saw without the B&C and asked him what he thought, he guessed the 441 was about 14.5 pounds. I handed him the 7900 and he quickly guessed it was 2 pounds lighter, this is obviously subjective, but I think he's close.

I do see a potential design issue with the 441. The integrated control lever has a lot of play, and when you push it all the way down for cold starts the lever bends and moves the carb around too much and doesn't always close the choke fully. I've never liked the master control on Stihl's, but this one is the worst operating out of any Stihl saws I've used.

So would I buy the 441M over a 440 or 372? That would be tough, I just don't know if the power makes up for the bulk.

I have seen so much **** chat on the Stihl MS441cm that I have signed up for this forum!! Have used old Huskies from my youth but when they started with washing machines I sold them all and bought stihl.
I run currently run year 2008 ms660,ms460, new ms441cm and ms211cbe. I sell 30 tonnes of hardwood a week and am happy. They all use genuine stihl oils ie Ultra and Bioplus chain and chains are run on a 2/1sprocket or 1/1rim. All chains are RSC and are sharpened using Stihl USG sharpener. I cannot believe the level of some of the comments. Frankly,go elsewhere, you standard of chain saw knowlege is frankly worrying and I for one would not like to work with or near you!!!!!!!.
My ms 441 cm run weekly a 20" bar and at weekends runs a 30" bar in BEECH and more importantly DEAD ELM ie 30year old! Do the 5 continuous cuts method and saw will tune its self. Did bore out exhaust but had ecu faliure but followed you diog and no probs. My old ms460 di 2007 hrs befor mega rebuild on original guts. it was run on mobil 2stroke fully synth oil which was not cheap nor was the bar oil but it paid its way nd bought my hilux. You get what you pay for but I also have have huge respect for this tunner snelling guy as frankly, he should be working for Stihl!

Big Thanks to you and everybody else for a great forum Jon

 

[inthewoodsagain]

inthewoodsagain

I went ahead and modded the muffler last night. Anyone can mod a muffler and all I did was give back what the EPA or OSHA took away. I really don't care how it runs without a MM. Tonight, the saw is going home with Andre. He and Nik will run it and give their feedback.

When we going to see pics of you muffler mod mate ie how much you filed out!? Best and most handtest saw ever. I even use it on a 16" duromatic. We have had 4 of these since september 2010. Will run for ages but have bad techs at dealers so have bought diag kit and run to the "book" Your vids and youtube are vital and are the best. Thankyou so much for you efforts. Cheers Jon UK

 

[Stihl n Wood]

Brad, you should beat stihl to it and adapt the M-tronic system onto a 460. I have a feeling when the 461 comes along so wont M-tronic version!

 

[MacLaren]

Brad, you should beat stihl to it and adapt the M-tronic system onto a 460. I have a feeling when the 461 comes along so wont M-tronic version!

460? More like a 660! :rocker:

 

[WoodChuck'r]

Fark Stihl, lol.


I'd like to see a 576 AT up against a 441C-M, ported and stock.


I don't give a rats @$$ whether I'm wrong or not but my money would be on the 576'er all day long.....

 

[Rudolf73]

Wouldn't it be cool if Baileys could come up with a complete aftermarket kit including coil/computer module/carb for the popular pro models.

 

[WoodChuck'r]

Fark Stihl, lol.


I'd like to see a 576 AT up against a 441C-M, ported and stock.


I don't give a rats @$$ whether I'm wrong or not but my money would be on the 576'er all day long.....

Throw in the 372 X-Torq and that'll win as well, lol.

 

[Stihl n Wood]

True that! Soon everything will be M-tronic or E.F.I....I'm just saying with the new arrival of the 461 around the corner.

 

[WoodChuck'r]

I'm just saying with the new arrival of the 461 around the corner.

Give it a year or two.....

 

[CR500]

Give it a year or two.....

supposed to be here in December or March I hear

 

[WoodChuck'r]

supposed to be here in December or March I hear

Hmm interesting.....

Last I heard it was looking a lot like a late 2012 release or possibly sometime in 2013.


I guess we'll see! The sooner the better I think.....

 

[STIHLTHEDEERE]

Hmm interesting.....

Last I heard it was looking a lot like a late 2012 release or possibly sometime in 2013.


I guess we'll see! The sooner the better I think.....

hmmmmm, are we sure of that??????????

 

[WoodChuck'r]

hmmmmm, are we sure of that??????????

Lol absolutely not that's why I said it's what I heard and the sooner the better.....

 

[Rudolf73]

I read somewhere that Stihl US had something like 600 460's in stock and they need to be sold before the 461 is put on the shelf.

Could be wrong though...

 

[WoodChuck'r]

I'm tired. I cold really use a cup of coffee right now.

 

[WoodChuck'r]

I have to poop too.

 

[WoodChuck'r]

Well better go get some coffee then go blow......


No one's prolly gonna do it for me....