Probably beating a dead horse, ms 880 vs ms 660

[93_ChargedCobra]

I did a search and didn't find exactly what I was looking for.

I have a Stihl MS 440 but am looking into a either a MS 660/066 or an MS 880/088 for my BIG stuff. I'll probably get try a Husky or a Jonsered or something, but they have been eliminated for me because I have no close dealers, and I my current Stihl dealer has been great to me.

I've thought about getting a MS 660/066 and maybe have it modded if it needed, but on the other hand just getting the big saw and calling it a day. I mean I have the MS 440 for 90% of my work but that remaining 10% can be a pain without the right stuff.

Is the weight of the MS 880 a bad thing since it will be only for bucking and felling. I would think the wight would be an advantage for bucking, or is it almost always better to have a lighter saw.

I'm confident the 660 has enough power for what I want, but I also hate to spend that kind of money and to later find that one would be better than the other. The price difference between the two is of no concern to me if the more expensive 880 is a better choice for what I plan on doing then ill spend the extra. If the 660 is better choice well then the savings is just a bonus I guess

Now that Ive rambled on for an hour, what do you guys think.

 

[Lakeside53]

I have both. The 066 can handle pretty much anything with up to a 36 inch bar (I use a 32 mostly). WITH the dual port muffler front (retune the carb!), you're looking at about 7.7hp; the 088 is 8.7hp and MUCH heavier, but has a lot more torque.

I'd get a 660... (plus the dual port).

 

[04ultra]

The ms660's work great over here .. The weight factor on the ms880 would be the issue for me..Like Lakeside said dual port the muffler and you'll be happy..

 

[footer]

I have an 084, then next saw down is 034. The weight is not much of an issue unless you try and cut from the bottom up while bucking. That will test how much of a man you are

 

[93_ChargedCobra]

I bet a modded 660 would be your best bet. Don't worry to much about making a bad choice between the two as you really can't go wrong..........plus you can buy the other one if the nagging question of which one is best still persist after your purchase. We know you want both anyway.

Dan

I think your right on wanting both of them, but something tells me to just get one or other at least for now.

 

[z4lunch]

Steve here... i too have both... the 088 is a nightmare in the woods, weighs too much, and really does't have the torque you would think for such a big saw... The 660 is plenty of saw at least most of the stuff i cut. Use my 090av for bucking only, on big rounds of hard maple or white oak.The 088 and 660 don't have near the torque of the 090.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I say go with the 660. With the factory dual port muffler cover it should handle about anything you'd come across. The 880 is a heckuva lot of saw. The 660 carries better, and it shares the same bar mount as your 440, so if you wanted to run the say, 24" or 28" from your 440 on your 660 you could, but couldn't on an 880.

660 should do you fine.

Thanks for doing a search first. More guys should do that.

Welcome to AS.

Jeff

 

[93_ChargedCobra]

With the factory dual port muffler cover it should handle about anything you'd come across.

Is the cover something I would need to buy extra. You say its a "factory" cover , I guess I'm asking does come on the saw or like an option?

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Is the cover something I would need to buy extra. You say its a "factory" cover , I guess I'm asking does come on the saw or like an option?

Yeah, you buy it as an option. It's about $30 and worth every penny. It's factory, warrantee safe, bolt-on power.

P/N is 1122 140 0800

 

[93_ChargedCobra]

Ok im thinking 660. Since it the same bar and chain as my 440 its a .375 x .050 chain. Would there be any particular pin count on the sprocket that would be better than what comes on it from the factory? Im cutting mostly hardwoods (and old fencing nails lol) i want to pull a 32" bar and occasionally a 36".

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

More pins equal more chain speed, but less torque. It comes down to whatever you need at the time.

Jeff

 

[artwood]

I've had a couple of 066's but sold 'em an got an 088. I just love it! I'm kinda impatient in the cut. So with a 24" or 42" bar I can get thru the bigger cuts alot quicker and move on to the Dolmar 7900 or 5100.

 

[JimL]

When I cut trees everyday I carried an 066, I thought i wanted an 088, bought one and for the extra weight it didn't cut that much faster in 24" wood to justify the weight..

 

[Gypo Logger]

It's my feeling that an 066 with a dual port muffler has alot more power to weight then a stock 088. In fact, I don't think I'd be wrong if I said a stock 088 is almost as much of a dog as a stock 3120.
I have an 088 KD that really rocks, but I only use it for recreational purposes.
Plus, an 066 is much more saleable then an 088 since you would find a larger customer base for the 066.
I've sold gently used 066's for more then the cost of a new one, but that's only because my saws are El Primo and I'm a good salesman as well!
John

 

[93_ChargedCobra]

Thanks guys for all the quick replies. I think I will go with the 660 and the dual port muffler.

Maybe ill look for a 088 for a project saw for fun.

I appreciate it.

 

[ButcherGY54]

As long as you do not have to drag it around the woods all day, I'd say go for the MS880. Bigger is sometimes better. Plus you know you REALLY want the 880.

David

 

[Lakeside53]

Thanks guys for all the quick replies. I think I will go with the 660 and the dual port muffler.

Maybe ill look for a 088 for a project saw for fun.

I appreciate it.

Do re-tune the carb though... mine jumped to 15,600 WOT with the dual port...

 

[93_ChargedCobra]

Do re-tune the carb though... mine jumped to 15,600 WOT with the dual port...

Is a tach the best way to get a good tune on these things?? Ive always done it by ear but I suppose that leaves some on the table. I'm used to fuel injected auto engines with loading and adjusting a/f ratios.

 

[Lakeside53]

Is a tach the best way to get a good tune on these things?? Ive always done it by ear but I suppose that leaves some on the table. I'm used to fuel injected auto engines with loading and adjusting a/f ratios.

Do it by ear by all means, but check it with a tach. You will often be surprised - not all saws burble at the perfect point... and when modded, some will sound right, but exceed the WOT setting...

 

[sal b]

.
I've sold gently used 066's for more then the cost of a new one, but that's only because my saws are El Primo and I'm a good salesman as well!
John

sounds like your proud of ripping off tree guys