Which is Faster, Well that Depends Stihl 661 or 500i?
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- New Stihl MS661 vs My Favorite MS500i, Sawing up some big oak at the wood yard cleaning up and organizing. #stihl #smallbusiness #sidehustle
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I got the thank you letter you guys sent. I wasn't expecting that! You guys must spend so much time each week just responding to your viewers. I've been watching you guys for years and it is no wonder your audience keeps growing. You really do go the extra mile. Thanks again Mike, Melissa, Hunter and Daughter Eva for the thoughtful thank you card!
Mike, I'm not a tree guy, I'm not a wood guy, I'm not a firewood guy, I'm a Commercial Lending guy. The 2 in 1 sharpener changed my life! I've nicknamed mine the "Mr. Idiot-proof" because it can make most idiots look like a pro sharpening guy!
The 2 in 1 sharpener works so well because it also addresses the chain RAKERS which are over looked when hand filing.
Rakers should be about .025 below the teeth.
@@lonniechartrand Thanks for the information Lonnie. I never knew what that specification was just arbitrarily dropped mine down. They have a gauge that you can place over the tooth to check it. Never used it though.
Mike, your sharpening test was objectively conclusive; hand sharpening isn’t really as effective as the combo’ tool. I rediscovered it too last year & use nothing else!
I know this was a video and sound quality can vary but the 661 sounded like it wasn't taching up as fast on the second (pine) cut. Almost like it wasn't quite warmed up. In the oak it was screaming. The pine sounded like it was stumbling, just a little.
Finally, when you find a sharpening jig that works on your chain....Protect it with your life. My dad bought a jig, for his Echo, that some one recommended. It looked janky as crap, but it worked like magic. 30 years old and I'm still using it today. A couple over seas companies are copying it today, but it's no where near as nice as the older version. It has a file you crank as you slide it back and forth over the teeth. File looks like its carbide or diamond. Still cuts as good as it did 30 years ago????
Yes, to me it sounded like it was running rich. Was a big difference when it was cutting the hardwood. I think should test them again in the softwood when the 661 gets over the flu, lol.
Outdoors with the Morgan’s and Arms family homestead are the 2 best content creators out there! Thanks Mike!
Arms has turned into a hunting channel.
I have the big 330 gal IBC totes for sale for $35 each. The cages are all like new, but they had chemicals used to make vinyl siding, so I wouldn't reuse the tanks. I'm in the Kansas City area for anyone interested.
Good morning. Winter's back here in NE Uzebeckasota. -10F. Birds are fed, stove is fed, life is good.
Hello! 😊 My "go-to" saw is the Stihl 462. It is super fast and easy to start. I use a dremel tool with a diamond bit to sharpen chains with excellent results.
I use a dremel and the regular bits they sell at Lowe’s and for speed you can’t beat it gets my saws cutting great - if I don’t mind how fast I get it done I’ll go with hand file Buckin style haha getting the raker height correct is really the key
@@danbaker3525 Hi Dan, I started out with those regular stone type bits but they don't hold their shape and get smaller with use. I checked online and got some 7/32" bits that are diamond impregnated. They last a really long time, maintain their diameter and even do a better job. Check it out. You can lower the rakers with them too if needed.
Hey David!
@@johnsadler8637 Hi John!
Good morning from SE Wisco. Ran 661 a lot. I love using it, even on smaller wood. Simply a beast of a saw. Speed and power.
Good morning Morgans and good people. A beautiful 79° in the Florida Keys this morning. Two more weeks, and we head North to the Villages. Lol .
G'day Mike, I'd say you're spot on with your analogy, Ironhorse talks about the bore and stroke combination on the 066/661 variants and refers to them as tree eaters. I purchased my first unit in 1994 my second the following year and the 660 a few years ago, they advise a 25 inch bar for Oz conditions I have a 28 on mine and it's noticeably slower in big logs, I've been asking them to inject the 661 for a couple of years now they test their saws here so I keep asking the dealer fingers crossed 👍.
Hey Mike. I really enjoy your channel. I noticed a difference in the sound of the 661 from hardwood to soft. Sounds like it slightly fouled the plug or something. I replayed it twice, sounds like it not opening up on the Pine. Have a great day!
I have several big Stihl saws & I just got tired of having to pull stat them & maintain them so now I use a GOPROW electric saw soooooo much easer & faster!
Yup, that 2-in-1 sharpener is legit. Mike, you might consider throwing a Max Flo air filter on the 500i. I suspect that the 500i air filter is the achilles heel for that saw. I really like the filtration (plus the performance gain) of the Max Flo filter on mine. I also think it will be less expensive to run over the life of the saw. Cheers!
I’ve done this comparison a couple times. I’ve done it on Bigwood and Smallwood. My 500. I does have a bark box but they come out the same for me.
Mine was actually a 660 not a 661
I have one of the Stihl sharpeners for my MS 180 and a different brand/size for my Echo Timberwolf. Yes they work great, especially for the person who doesn't need to sharpen often enough to get really good with a single file. Plus, no need to file the rakers separately.
Good morning Mike, great comparison video of these two saws. I really like how detailed you are when comparing chainsaws. I not a wood guy by any means, but I have used chainsaws when I was young. I am a retired butcher/meatcutter, by spent 46 years in the industry with two years in the United States Army. I am a loyal follower of your channel here for ten years.
Good Morning Morgan Family 🌞- Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day 🤠. I think your assessment of the 500i and 661 is correct. Great video 👍
All I use is the 2 in 1 file....takes the guess work out of raker height. Three swipes on each tooth on both sides - easy-peasey. GOD Bless
I'm a music man and even tho somewhat retired I still make music for my youtube channel. But my second love is wood. I think I like your channel because I get to experience cutting wood that I would never be able to get now at my age. It's always interesting when you get new equipment to see how technology advances over time. I do enjoy your channel!
Mike, I’ve got that same exact MS661 and you’re right; it’s a beast… and it’s heavy!! I recently decided to take off the 36” bar and purchased a Light 28” bar with a skip-tooth chain. Just that change made a noticeable weight difference along with better balance. Unfortunately, I have not tried out the new combination yet.
I just acquired a 661 to compliment my 462. I purchased it with the 36” light bar for a big 4’ elm that needed to come down at a friends house. I’ve only got a couple hours on it, but man is it a beast! I first learned of that 2n1 sharpener on one of your videos, I e been using it ever since. 2-3 swipes per tooth and a chain is ready to go again. Saves time and really gets a lot of life out of a chain. I’m not sure what id do without it!
My 661 is getting ported as I type. The 661 will be faster in both types of wood after porting. It’s amazing what a good port job does to a power saw.
Holy crap. 363,000 subs !!! You are set for life !!!! No wonder Mellissa stays in now !!! Well gotta like that eh!!! Nice to see
Good morning from Upstate South Carolina. Comments to follow viewing. Have a productive day.
“Project Farm” does an excellent job of demonstrating a variety of saws.
Lol sure. He does homeowner saws😂
So, what is so funny about that. No bias demonstrations that produce honest results.
hi there have a old 66 nice old saw , nothing like a big block , i found most the time the dogs are in the log so the weight lessons , i also like the 2 in one sharper. best to all john
I think the lightest one would win in my book being they are close to being fast. Also, looks like Levi has been very busy filling up the shed. You will need to resupply him so he can fill the last bin! Great job all!
I run a 661 with a 41" bar, full chisel full comp chain, barkbox muffler, 3 point felling dogs, and maxflow air filter. My latest tree was a 41" wide white oak that was leaning over a barn. I've been running that saw since 2019, and it has never let me down. I've also got an 881 with 47", 59", and 84" bars and chains. I still need to buy a roll of full chisel skip tooth .404 chain, but I do have a roll of granberg ripping chain for the .404 pitch bars/sprockets. Also, your thinking on the cut speed in hardwood vs softwood is correct.
cold and very windy in NH this morning.
We got about 4 Inches of snow where I live in Northern New Hampshire 😮
I got 1 066 and 3 of 661's and got 2 of the 088's.. i love em all.. the 088 tho will kill your hearing unless ya use plugs and muffs..
Love the smell of Red Oak in the Morning!😊
Hi Fred, Where have you been?
@@davidmorse8432,
Sick with a 7mm kidney stone and two urinary infections for five weeks David, No Bueno!
I am recovering but still have some of the getting up in the night symptoms.
Good morning. 661 sounds like a race car .
The MS661 is a low revving saw, topping out at around 10,000 RPM while the 501I is a much higher revving saw topping out around 13,000. This information comes from Tim O'Bryant (Cotontop3 on CZcams). He's been working with saws most of his life - both as a logger and now as a professional arborist. You are right in that the torque of the 661 will prevail in hardwood, while the higher chain speed of the 500I will chew through soft wood quicker.
Mike, I have been using that Stihl chain sharpener tool for the last 2 years and it is one of the best tools invented. I have been cutting wood for 30 years. It is simple, fast & efficient. Love it.
Hello Mike, I really enjoy your videos, I used to burn wood when I lived in Iowa for many winters but down here in Florida we don't need fire wood, maybe farther up north.
Can you show in one of you videos how to use that chain sharpener. Thank You
The girls in gods country got a LT70 yesterday
It is a demo.
The 500i has a little whip at the end of bar being fuel injection and I consider that saw to be a little more dangerous for kick back.Back in my younger days I never felt that with the 088 magnum stihl.Jonsered 2095 turbo 6.8 cubic inch had a special feature while being pinched would accelerate.I haven't been using the Husqvarna 3120xp but have a 3/8s chain on it.I have some work for the 880 magnum but that has 404 and also use the 2188 jonsered
I need to get me a 500i; I really like what you are showing with that saw. Have a 661 and it is great in big hardwood felling, bucking or milling, but heavy for normal work. I get a lot done with my 461 and 362 cutting firewood.
Like Buckin Billy said...with the 661...Stand up and buck...
Good Morning Mike from cold and windy ontario.....
Pete 🇨🇦
Hi Pete, 57° F here this morning with light rain.
Good morning Pete 😸
@davidmorse8432 hey David, trade you, don't think we are getting past 32 today, might even snow a bit...
@@badcat4707morning BadCat... I would like the warm weather to return....
Good morning Pete...from cool and snowy Alberta....Steve
Interesting saw comparison. I don't cut a ton of wood and will stick to my Stihl Farmboss (026) with 24 inch bar. It is about 20 years old but still starts and runs like a champ.
I love the 661 for the bigger stuff. Sold one last summer w/36" bar. Was fun to set it up. It sounds like it has a Race cam in it when it Idles..
Mike I expected some Dueling Chainsaw music? You are right that 661 is a beast. I couldn't lug it around for long but the 500i is a pretty sweet saw itself.
I have one of the 2 in 1 sharpeners too, and although it's a little awkward to get used to it does a nice job. I always have it when I cut along with a few other files, I still like the round file for quick in use touch ups though. If I can clamp the bar in my sharpening vise, the 2 in 1 is hard to beat for the semi skilled.
When we got our company 500i we ran it with a 25” bar and standard full chisel chain vs my personal 660 with a 36” bar and “full skip” chain. We cut an ash log that was 24”. Both of us rockin the dogs trying to win. The 500i won by about 7-8 seconds. Obviously all because of the bar and chain set ups, but we were still very impressed. I wouldn’t of chosen that bar and chain set up on my 660 for that tree but it was already on it and prior to the race I only had to make a felling cut and one bucking cut. I had done the rest of the tree with my 201T from our lift. We raced them a few days later with matching bars and new chains and our results were similar in the ash as your results in the red oak.
What is the idea about a skip tooth chain. Fewer teeth means slower cutting but maybe it has to do with wood cuttings clogging up the kerf when the log is very large. What is your take on that?
@@davidmorse8432 longer bar so it’s less teeth cutting at a time means a faster cut. Think of how hard a normal bar (say 20”) and saw works to cut an 8” log, then put it in a 20” log. You flew through the 8” because you rpm’s and chain speed were higher with only 3 teeth cutting at a time. It also help you push the saw into you dogs which helps with fatigue. A normal long bar chain would stall the saw out.
@@mitchjones2821 Ok, I get it now. Thanks for the explanation. 👍
Nice Mike. Had to be something with the chain on the 661 in the pine. That thing is an animal in oak! Wow.
We also love the Stihl jig. Just make sure you don’t push down , it will take the raker down too much. I try to push into the tooth.
Thanks
Hi Mike, good video as always. I have the 2 in 1 sharpener for all my saw chains, they are fool proof. It's mostly because of the rakers if you hand file and don't knock the rakers down it won't cut as well. That 661 is a beast I don't think the pine loads it enough, you can hear it four stroke. Just a old guys opinion!
I have a Husqvarna 592xp, would be an interesting comparison to the 661 in both hard & soft wood.
Both Are Very Nice Saws!! I Think I Would Settle With The 500 and Go For The Lighter Of The Two!!
Keep Smiling On!!
😅👍👊❤️
The best saw is the one that's running. Quote from Chris, from In the Woodyard.
Love the sounds of stihl saws especially buzzing through a big oak I got 3 stihl's and they never disappoint keep the video's rolling and can't wait for some from west Virginia🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
In the redwood, I could hear you feathering the throttle in the 661.
Would agree with your hypothesis on 500i vs 660 differences in hard and soft woods.
That was a very interesting comparison. I’ve run those big saws and I just love Stihl chainsaws. I do love that 661 but that 500i is a nice saw!👍❤️
I think the chain type, is different for a soft wood, verses hardwood! I worked at Carlton Chain Company for a few years and we has different tooth structure for different wood!
Both Are Great saws but that fuel Injection is still Crazy lightweight and fast. So try a Max Flow Filter and bark box on the 500i vs Stock 661 to See a difference in hardwood
Grettings ✌️
Had a 660saw,went through wood like butter, fast saw. 😊😊
the Stihl 2 in 1 was a rebranded Pferd sharpener. It will save you a few bucks if you can put up with blue instead of orange.
Years ago a still dealer told me hp per inch of chain or theoretically same power head a 16 in bar can cut a 32 in log with 2 cuts faster than a 32 in bar (1 cut) same power head) I dunno!
Now Mike you have the best saw the 66
Good afternoon Mike! Love any of your comparison videos! Not sure this has been mentioned yet, but what about a metal detector to locate the position of metal in the logs. I realize you wont need it mich, but its nerve racking guessing where the metal will be in the wood. Even an inexpensive detector will find an object 8inches deep. You're also spending time and/or money on the chain. Just my two cents for the day😊.
Paul for CT
The 661 will shine in the bigger wood. If you were planning on running the 25” bar on the 661 you could put a 8 pin sprocket on it but you will most likely run the bigger bar anyway.
It's not an either or scenario.... You need an assortment of saws to cope with varying conditions. I have MS170, MS261, MS461 and MS661 Stihl saws and they each have their place!
Love the MS661C I have a 36 inch light bar on my saw thing is a wonderful saw I use it as my felling saw. The MS881 is just too heavy for a felling saw but I’m sure it would work great for a saw mill. Thanks for the post always love your Stihl reviews
Speed and everything is great. My question I how are they on fuel and bar chain oil consumption?😊
I really love my 500i and I don't think I need any thing bigger than what I have just because I can but the 3foot bar on it if needed ......
Love my 500i, running it here in New Zealand on green willow with a 25” bar. Run a Dewalt Flexvolt saw with an 18” bar beside it for limbing etc (saves my back in multiple ways).
Interesting to see how the 661 compares: can’t say I would love that extra weight.
Hey Mike, when are you gonna do more work at the cabin? I bet it’s beautiful up there already. Take care.
good job!...Hi Buckin!
16 to 20 inch bar is all I need!
Not sure but thought it sounded like the 661 sounded inconsistent at wot in the red pine while pulling strong at wot in the oak. I know nothing but just a thought on the time differential. 661 my dream big saw.
Good morning Morgan family from Troy, OH! 🇺🇸
Hey your not to far from me lol I’m over around Greenville / Union city Ohio area
I think the 661 was running rich for some reason in the pine.
On the pine the 661 didn't sound like it was coming up to "full song" It needs to be broken in and adjust the carb. running rich.
Mike thanks for showing that still 2n1 sharpener. Will check it out. Frank
Hi Mike and all
I have a 661 had it for 6 years now love it
Mike, consider taking that white oak that is split and quarter sawing it. It would be perfect for that. We have 1/4 sawn white oak floors we love them.
Hi Mike, Tim Flike tryout Dremel the 7/32 diamond 10 times faster justice sharp not sharper just try it for the hell of it. I want to hear what you got to say.
Yes, I am with you. I have found it important to make sure the bit is rotating in toward the tooth when you are working and a very light pressure is all that is needed. Care must be taken to keep the bit from jumping out of the gullet.
Morning outdoors fam👋👋
Good morning from Michigan!
Michigan boy here too!😊
One thing that, to me, was pretty apparent and that is the 661 was not tuned correctly. You could hear it 4-cycling, especially on the red pine. it was going in and out of 4-cycling. That could be caused by either running too rich on the high end and/or not seeing as much load on the engine. In any event it's losing rpm when it's running rich. I would like to see another comparison after you have a few more hours on the 661 and it's tuned correctly on the high side. Let it eat! :-) Just my $.02.
The 661 needs tuned. You can hear it burberling in the wood. Once you lean it out some it’ll rip
No carb adjustment on CM
Excited to see the lumber from the saw logs!
In listening to the tune for the 661 on the red pine it was running rich so not optimally running, since it is also new it needs a couple more tank full of gas run thru it…then compare it and let’s see if the 500 is still faster….she’s a beast but the weight really will wear you out on a full day of woodwork.
All I use now to sharpen my saws is the Stihl 2 in 1 sharper. Hands down best sharper I've ever used.
Have a Day Morgans! God Bless You all!😊🙏❤️
You are correct sir, 661 is a torque saw and 500i is a rpm saw
Thanks for doing that comparison. Ot does indeed seem to be a choice between 3 lb vs a few seconds per cut. I’m not a production cutter, so I think I will take the 3 pounds. Click, $$$, buzzzz.
Enjoyed the video as always Mike. I noticed, and you have said before, your a math/statistics guy. When you put a pencil to it, if you cut 1000 cuts and saved 3 seconds per cut, that would be 50 mins saved just on those cuts. That would add up to days over time. Everywhere a person can save time, safely, and be more productive will show rewards soon. Like you said we only have so many hours on this planet, make the best use possible.
There are SO many YT videos of "MS500i verses (fill in the blank)". Reminds me of the old Western movies where the young guns are always out to try their best against the gunslinger with the reputation.
Many of those "tests" are so obviously fixed for the favorite to win: favorite gets worked hard leveraging against the dogs, Stihl cuts with just the weight of the saw. SEE, SEE! MY SAW IS BETTER! So sick of it. Good job staying objective, Matt.
That said, although I really like my 500i (I should - I had it on order for over a year), after watching this video I need to dust off the 661C that only has two tanks of fuel through it to do the majority of my hardwood bucking. I had been ignoring it, mostly because of it's weight. I can't imagine how those loggers in the PNW hump those things up and down the steep hills all day!
👍👍👍👍👍👌Very interesting and comparison videos were excellent side by side great camera work and editing very slick and made it easier to understand !!!
I agree with the torque vs. hardwoods and speed vs. softwoods.
What is run time on a chain between sharpening, without hitting metal?
B4 I see it, id say the 661. I have a ms 880 with a 5' bar. Man this saw takes 2 guys just to start it. Back yrs ago stihl had an attachment for the end of the bar for a guy to hold it so the bar wasn't bent in a U shape just about when you'd fell the tree, well as you could imagine far to many accidents ensued and that attachment was taken off. So now when you make that initial cut it's never straight but brother this saw is a monster. Definitely gotta eat the Wheaties that morning 😂
Nice video I got to try the 500I few weeks ago wow I love it
Mike I'm not a Stihl chainsaw guy but it seems like they are trying to match the speed that Husqvarna had for years. I watch a lot of you guys in CZcams and on of my saws is a 372XP it's a beast and I think if you ported one and keep one stock you could do anything you ever wanted. Love mine.😊
I agree with the torque theory vs speed vs wood type. Ask Buckin and Cotton
The 661 was 4 stroking in the pine. New saw and not tuned. Have BBR chime in.
Mike show us that chain sharpener in action on a future video. I’m always looking for tips to get better at the chain game.
If you ever get the chance, pull up a Dolmar 7900. Hands down the best power to weight ratio on the market. It’s more powerful than the Stihl in my personal opinion. It’s worth your time. That’s running full chisel chain.
Your buildings columns need boxed in 4’ from top! A horizontal cross beam down 4’ between all columns with diagonals will stabilize for higher winds. Dont you see them swaying much with low winds?? They are not braced well mike. The little knee braces installed are for much shorter column heights !! Way too much unbraced vertical there. It is easy to install the upgrades to make it much more stable. Are they anchored to a concrete footing with 3/4’ of column with anchor bolts?? Seems under built. But it is …..your place …..your call. Just mentioning as i build alot !!other ideas help sometimes.