A buddy who owns a tree service offered to sell me his 3-4 year old Stihl 660 for $600. He doesn't use is all that much and he takes real good care of his equipment. I feel like it's a fair deal, if I decide to go for it. My primary use for it would be milling with my Logosol Mill (currently using ProMac 1000). I picked up my a new 362 last fall and I've gained a certain appreciation for a pro saw, so the 660 is very enticing. I'm wondering how much use I would get out of the 660, other than milling. Is the 660 more of a specialty saw (like felling or bucking big stuff only) or do some of you use it as an all day saw?
Thinking about adding a 660
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Saw Dr.
Junk Collector
One of my tree customers is a VERY stout man. He runs an MS650 (essentially same as 660) as his every day saw. It would be like normal size people running a 60cc saw. So yes, a person can run a 660 all day. I don't want to be that guy.
chadihman
Addicted to ArboristSite
My 660 has a 36" bar and only gets used when I need 36"s. My 361, 461 and 460 get used the most. The 660 makes me smile when all 36"s is getting put to use. I would like to do some milling with the 660 as I think it would do well there.
Philip Wheelock
Finis Origine Pendet
Depends on the size and species of wood you have to cut. Conventional wisdom says use the smallest saw that will do the job efficiently. If your ms362 isn't getting it done, then maybe you could benefit by getting the ms660 for felling and bucking as well as milling. Likely your buddy wasn't seeing enough big wood for the 660 to earn its keep.
i have a ms361 i bought new few years ago and a new 660.,just yesterday i cut firewood from 10" to 28" and i took both saws,but i used the 660,no effort with weight and man does it make fast work of cutting firewood,just pull the trigger and let the saw do the work,i cut and filled a 6 x12 trailer with less than a tank of gas used with the 660,in less than a hour cut and loaded,and does it put a smile on my face...i love that saw!!!!!! FASTTT IN THE CUT AND POWER TO SPARE..................i never regret buying it brand new a few months ago....best choice since the 361 to me anyway. i think you will love it.
Oh my 362 is getting it done...I feels like I went from a honda civic to a ferrari. That said, my experience is rather limited...but I'm sure that's fairly obvious. I didn't really think it was an all day saw for most folks, but wasn't totally sure about that.
What size bar do you run on the 361 and 660?
excess650
Addicted to ArboristSite
The MS660 is a good saw with a bit more power and weight than a 460. Its a leap of power and about 3# heavier than your 362. If you're cutting a lot of wood 20"+ the 660 will definitely put a smile on your face. I've used a 660 and 066BB on my mill, with the 066BB more or less dedicated to the mill. I wouldn't be surprised if your PM1000 has more torque, and that is what you need on the mill.
fearofpavement
Trying them all
Having had both an 066 and a MS660 (which I still have) I think for the average firewood cutter, they are way overkill. I also think that if you do tree service to any extent, it is a necessary tool in the arsenal if you have big wood in your region. "Yard trees" tend to be much larger than a tree you would likely find in the woods. Around here a 5' diameter oak would not be unusual at all. There were a few of them toppled this past week from a very strong line of thunderstorm winds and an EF2 tornado in my community. I didn't get any of the large trees as those jobs were already sewed up before I got back to town. Anyway, yes, a 660 is worthwhile to have but expect it to be on the shelf most of the time. I have only "needed" mine once in the last three years and everything else I've cut with it could have been readily handled with something smaller.
One nice thing about the 660 is that if you have other Stihl saws, it has interchangeability on the bars. Would a 660 buck a 14" log faster than an 026? Yep, but not enough difference to make it worth lugging the thing around. Unless the tree I'm cutting is 2' diameter or more the 660 is staying in the truck.
On the price, $600 is about what a nice (but not pristine) one goes for around here. The range I have seen is from $350 for "ratty" to $800 for "all shiny" with $550 to $650 being average. And the 066 versions sell for about the same price.
One nice thing about the 660 is that if you have other Stihl saws, it has interchangeability on the bars. Would a 660 buck a 14" log faster than an 026? Yep, but not enough difference to make it worth lugging the thing around. Unless the tree I'm cutting is 2' diameter or more the 660 is staying in the truck.
On the price, $600 is about what a nice (but not pristine) one goes for around here. The range I have seen is from $350 for "ratty" to $800 for "all shiny" with $550 to $650 being average. And the 066 versions sell for about the same price.
Muffler Bearing
"Support Our Troops"
Even thou you didn't ask me specifically;
I run :
16" on my 361
20" on my 460
25" on my 660 with a 36" in waiting
Any thing over 16" gets 660'ed.
And yes the smile/adrenaline factor play into my choices.
:msp_biggrin:
I climbed for a company with a mostly inexperienced crew. My climbing saw and the 660 were off limits to them, so I always grabbed the 660 on the ground because I knew the idiots hadn't run it into the dirt like all the other saws. It really didn't take long not to notice the weight, and there is no doubt it cuts the bucking time down. I got to the point where I'd have them send it up instead of the 360 for blocking down spars because it got me off my spurs so much faster. It does hang heavy from the saddle though...
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chadihman
Addicted to ArboristSite
Wow thats really putting the power to small bars. 026 allways ran a 16" 361 gets the 20" 460 and 461 run 25" and the 660 gets the 36" and someday soon larger.
chadihman
Addicted to ArboristSite
That set up would like 8 pin sprocket on all your saws
8 pins rock!
Great great insight everyone. Thank you! Let's be honest, I'm buying the thing. Even though it will likely not get a lot of hours when it's not on the mill, it sounds like there are definitely plenty of times where it would be handy to have around, albeit not really "needed." I hoped the bars would be interchangeable, since I run a 20" on my 362 and also bought a 25" bar at the same time and that will go on the 660. I suppose I'll have to pick up 36" for it too, so I can really show off. 
Maybe a dumb question, but will the chain length be ok switching a 25" bar between the 362 and 660? I probably won't need to do it since I'd just grab the 660 with the 25" anyway, but I'd hate to find out at the least opportune time. Will they (and should they) both have the same sprockets?
Maybe a dumb question, but will the chain length be ok switching a 25" bar between the 362 and 660? I probably won't need to do it since I'd just grab the 660 with the 25" anyway, but I'd hate to find out at the least opportune time. Will they (and should they) both have the same sprockets?
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Muffler Bearing
"Support Our Troops"
Great great insight everyone. Thank you! Let's be honest, I'm buying the thing. Even though it will likely not get a lot of hours when it's not on the mill, it sounds like there are definitely plenty of times where it would be handy to have around, albeit not really "needed." I hoped the bars would be interchangeable, since I run a 20" on my 362 and also bought a 25" bar at the same time and that will go on the 660. I suppose I'll have to pick up 36" for it too, so I can really show off.
Don't confuse us. NEEDed and chainsaws should never be in the same post.
:msp_rolleyes:
Great great insight everyone. Thank you! Let's be honest, I'm buying the thing. Even though it will likely not get a lot of hours when it's not on the mill, it sounds like there are definitely plenty of times where it would be handy to have around, albeit not really "needed." I hoped the bars would be interchangeable, since I run a 20" on my 362 and also bought a 25" bar at the same time and that will go on the 660. I suppose I'll have to pick up 36" for it too, so I can really show off.
Maybe a dumb question, but will the chain length be ok switching a 25" bar between the 362 and 660? I probably won't need to do it since I'd just grab the 660 with the 25" anyway, but I'd hate to find out at the least opportune time. Will they (and should they) both have the same sprockets?
You should be fine.
Muffler Bearing
"Support Our Troops"
If in doubt just check your bars and look for 3/8 X 0.50. Good to go!
PS
New saw rep inbound!
excess650
Addicted to ArboristSite
Stihl lists 36" as the longest recommended bar for the 660. I've used my 36" on the mill, cutting stumps, and bucking on rare occasion. The 32" is more manageable.
