Stihl ms880

For the last couple of years (since the theiving wossernames had it away with my 076) I've been making do with a ms460 with a 25" bar. Over the next couple of weeks I've got some big oaks to "bust apart" for milling and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get myself a big saw. I've been looking at the ms880 with a 4ft bar. Does anyone one have comments / opinions on the saw?

Cheers,

Ed.

Hi, the 880 is a beast but a wonderful beast. i use one all the time for milling. the only bits of advice i can give you are (a) check out Rob D Alaskan Mill for Bars. (b) when starting the decompresion button can pop out and cause some problems(painfull) the way round this is to push the button in, put your left foot in the handle and your right foot on top of the engine over the decom button and pull the starer rope with both hands. © keep some spare sprocket barings.

these are just my thoughts but all round it is a bril saw.

Ive got the 36inch on mine and i love it... Top saw. The guy above me is right about the decompresion, ive jarred my fingers a few times.

Are you actually milling timber with the saw or just processing it ready for milling?

If you are milling with the saw then the more power the better, and the weight is neither here nor there.

If your intending to use the saw regularly for cutting then I would go for a 660 as it is powerful enough to do any regular tree surgery work, but not so heavy that you will struggle with it up a tree.

agree with peter....i have an 880, and whilst its a great saw, when it gives up the ghost i would probably replace it with a 660. after that if a job came in that absolutely required an 880 id try price it in on the job

Thanks chaps.

I need the saw to break down some 'orrible big logs, so they'll fit on the mill. I was wondering if the 660 would be man enough for the job, and I think you've just convinced me to save a couple of hundred quid.

Ta.

660 will run 36" without too much trouble, I have a 30" on mine for everyday use, as I find its the best compromise between length and useability on spikes up a spar.

Same here, never had a job where the 660 couldnt cope, although I would like an 880 one day just for the mill.

If you want you could always try skip chain on the 36" 660. Does make a difference.

As does a muffler mod.......

:thumbup:

Now we're talking!