Clearing saws - Stihl FS460 or FS490

[Tom at Heartwood]

Hello,

 

We've got a Stihl FS560 CE-M which is a very good tool and gets used for bashing all sorts of rough vegetation including rhododendron regrowth, with a mulching blade, as well as softer stuff with Oregon flexiblade or similar.

 

I need another clearing saw for similar work by another team member but am thinking that a slightly lighter model would be handy but still one that can still work well with a mulching blade. I'm thinking about a lighter machine as the FS560 is heavy after a long day and the power isn't always needed.

 

I'm happy with the Stihl and would welcome any thoughts on the FS460 or FS490, or perhaps a smaller model to complement the FS560.

 

Best wishes,

 

Tom.

[Richard 1234]

I run a couple of fs410s good all round machines though not as powerful as the 560.

Can work all day though without feeling like you carried a breeze block around all day

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Tom at Heartwood]

I run a couple of fs410s good all round machines though not as powerful as the 560.

Can work all day though without feeling like you carried a breeze block around all day

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

Cheers for that. How are the 410s with a mulching blade?

[Tom at Heartwood]

I run a couple of fs410s good all round machines though not as powerful as the 560.

Can work all day though without feeling like you carried a breeze block around all day

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

Just looking at the specs and the weight of the FS410 looks to be the same as the FS460 at 8.5kg (compared to 10.2kg for the FS560).

[Richard 1234]

Cheers for that. How are the 410s with a mulching blade?

 

 

No idea to be honest as I've never put one on it as I don't do enough thick stuff to bother. I just put a jet fit with some flexi blade. I think you would need to change the guard too? 2.7hp I think so should run one fine I would think.

I do keep a Kawasaki 53cc with one on it which is only 2hp and that is fine as well when it comes out briefly now and then

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Richard 1234]

Just looking at the specs and the weight of the FS410 looks to be the same as the FS460 at 8.5kg (compared to 10.2kg for the FS560).

 

 

It could well be it's also the same weight as the 360 I think. Just a bigger bore on the engine I'd imagine

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[SteveW1000]

I've a couple of 460s and a 410. Not run a mulching blade on the 410 but it runs well on a 460. 360, 410 and 460 all weigh the same so cc and price are the difference.