Stihl 660vs880

[wkpoor]

Want a new saw. Just how much real difference is there between the 2. Is the 660 much better allround. 24" is about the most I see some of the time. Occsionally larger.

 

[Timberhauler]

If all you are using is a 24 inch bar then an 880 will do nothing but wear you out....For that matter you don't even need a 660.A 440 or 460 should do.

 

[Lakeside53]

yep...

 

[CaseyForrest]

yep x2.

And just for manual, check out the 7900.

 

[computeruser]

880 (and 084, 075, 076, etc.) really don't serve any useful purpose until you are routinely in hardwood in excess of 36". The size and bulk difference just doesn't come with a commensurate increase in cutting performance in smaller wood. These bigger saws really shine in very large wood. In smaller wood they're faster than their smaller cousins, but not so much faster as to justify their regular use.

Take a look at some of the videos from the 441DN versus 7900 thread. SEE IT HERE. You will see the 441 (modded), 7900 (muffler mod only), 066 (Stihl DP muffler cover), and 076, all in 28" cottonwood. I think the results speak for themselves. Unless you're going to be blocking up 24" hardwood into firewood all day long, or if you have a number of other saws, then I would pass on both the 660 and 880. Something more in the way of an all-around saw - Stihl 440, 441, 460; Dolmar 7900; Husqvarna 372, 385, 575 - would be a better choice.

 

[timberwolf]

Other than big trees, an 088 does have some justification on a mill.

Also I have found it to be difficult to show up in a 120cc race class with an 066 Though I have beat a few 3120s and 088s I cant catch a good modded 120cc saw.

 

[computeruser]

Other than big trees, an 088 does have some justification.\

Also I have found it to be difficult to show up in a 120cc race class with an 066 Though I have beat a few 3120s and 088s I cant catch a good modded 120cc saw.

True, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the original poster didn't have racing in mind. Not to say that he shouldn't have it in mind, of course...nothing wrong with buying saws for playin' with...

 

[Timberhauler]

I bought my 088 for doing a logging job on some big virgin hardwoods...I then thought it would be handy to have around for whenever I had to do a big hardwood removal where I had to cut the wood into small peices and wheelbarrow it out...But unless that sucker is 36 inches or better,I use a 660 or 395...The extra little bit of cutting speed is not worth the extra backache.To mention....Dat' mug chugs some gas.

 

[timberwolf]

If I get into any wood over 12 inches, I grab the 066, mostly just cause I can and it so much fun, but I will only do it up until noon, too tired after that, but then again I usually get the wood I need cut done by noon.

If I had an 088 I would use it too, but it is one hefty saw, ready to cut wood, it must be over 25 lbs.

 

[Chopwood]

Over thirty Brian.

 

[wkpoor]

Well you guys are telling me what I wanted to know. I've posted before about wanting to step up to a more powerful saw. I currently use a Homy SuperXL w/24" bar. Not a real heavy saw but heavy enough. I've never used the Stihl but am anxious to give it a whirl. I didn't want to over buy though and get tired of lugging something around is a smaller unit will get the job done just fine.

 

[Slamm]

Last year I logged a lot of hard maple and oak. We were consistently cutting 30"+ trees. I had two 660's for falling and bought an 084 for bucking and some falling, depending on who was working with me or if I was alone, I would use the 084 (30 or 36 bars) until I got tired, then use one of the 660's (28-30 bars) until I got tired and then use a 361 with 24" bar.

For the most part, as a falling saw, the 084 was "neat", but I didn't think that the energy needed to haul it around the woods, especially if it gets steep or the gas it used, really justified it's "paycheck". To me the 660 was much more effecient as a falling saw on pretty large trees.

As for bucking, the 084 shined a little better especially if you had a landing full of big trees, but if the trees were more normal in size -28", that big saw was just a gas guzziler and back breaker, LOL.

As for the 660 to 361, I could cut and top about 4-6 trees with one tank, in the same size timber, with the 361 I could cut and top 15 trees with one tank of gas.

Milling is one thing, but I don't think there are too many places in America's midwest or eastern side that the 880 would prove to helpful as a falling saw. Trees just aren't big enough.

My opinion and/or findings,

Sam

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

yep...

Yep.....

 

[Timberhauler]

Well you guys are telling me what I wanted to know. I've posted before about wanting to step up to a more powerful saw. I currently use a Homy SuperXL w/24" bar. Not a real heavy saw but heavy enough. I've never used the Stihl but am anxious to give it a whirl. I didn't want to over buy though and get tired of lugging something around is a smaller unit will get the job done just fine.

For what you're wanting to do...A 440 should be more saw than you'll ever need...I'm not sure what it weighs compared to the SuperXL....I'd be willing to bet that if a SuperXL is what you are using now...Then a 361 might even fill the bill.

 

[Ed*L]

You don't want an 088 for a primary felling/bucking saw.

My 084 is fun to use, but not for an extended period of time. It will wear you out in short order.

Ed

 

[046]

another yep!

Yep.....

 

[TRYON]

The good thing about an 880 is if you run around using one all the time and drink alot of protien shakes afterwords you will get really buff.......haha

 

[wkpoor]

I know most will argue with me on this but I've sawed next to a 361 and it would not out saw the SuperXL. At best I might consider it equal. Thats why I was wanting something larger. Even supposing it could outsaw it would be marginal at best. I'm looking to for alot better not a little better. Too bad there isn't a place to go demo saws to see what they are like first. Kinda like Lawn mowers. My niehbor has an 034 that sits on the shelf now that he has a SuperXL. As much as I like that saw its not enough for bigger wood. Takes too long on larger dia. wood.

 

[computeruser]

None of your local saw shops have demo saws? That's not cool.

There is going to be a Get Together coming up in southern Ohio. Lots of guys from the site will be there with lots of saws that I suspect they'd be pleased to let you try out.

 

[Lakeside53]

Ask your local dealer to call Stihl (o.k., and Husky etc ) and see if they can have the sales guy turn up with a van full of demo saws... They do it...