Upgrade to MS500i?

[darnoc]

I am using a Stihl MS261 (my first saw), with an 18 inch light 04 bar and .325 RS Pro chain.

Its great and has done all I asked of it. However, the storms of recent years have brought me some large trees to deal with and I think I need to get a bigger saw. I currently have three oaks down which are over three foot at the base and one beech that is almost three foot at the base. I know I can get through these with the 261, but I think its too much to ask of the saw.

Having looked at the Stihl range, I am considering the MS500 with the 25 inch bar.

Is this the right way to go or should I be looking at a different saw?

[Muddy42]

Everyone I know who has one says they are excellent - light but with heaps of power and crucially they start very easily every time.  I have put a tank of fuel through one and certainly that was my experience. I am a little bit skeptical about not being able to adjust the carb and all the electronics, but maybe that's just me being stubborn.

[Steve Bullman]

You won’t be disappointed with the 500.

 

the ms462 is also an amazing saw and more than adequate to deal with everything you mentioned and a slightly lower price.

 

if money isn’t a hurdle then the 500i is of course the more powerful out of the 2

[AHPP]

Good choice. 500 with 25 is lovely. 

[Sviatoslav Tulin]

I think ms 661 with 30 inch bar it’s better companion to 261 , on the ground🤓

[oldwoodcutter]

The 500i is on another level and a must have if your business is heading towards the big stuff.

Get a 25” , 30” and 36” bar so you can take anything on.

[darnoc]

Thanks for your replies guys, I just needed a little persuasion.

I think the 661 is more than I need. I don’t fancy wielding a 30 inch bar and I’d prefer to avoid the additional weight.

So for me the choice is either the 462 or the 500i. Pricewise there is little difference, the 462 with 25 inch rollomatic E bar is £934 and the 500i with 25 inch light bar is £1,055. I’m not worried about the new technology, I have other Stihl equipment and I trust the brand.

I guess I’ll go with the 500i, I’m sure it will handle the bigger stuff for me and I doubt I’ll be disappointed.

I’ll post an update once I’ve had some time with the saw.

Cheers

[butters]

One thing to note is the 462 will be much better on fuel as the 500 does like a drink. 
 

I didn’t notice much difference in terms of power for the 462 and 500 but stihls pricing makes everyone get the 500 it seems. 

[Joe Newton]

On 13/01/2023 at 10:32, Muddy42 said:

I am a little bit skeptical about not being able to adjust the carb

 

 

You're right to be concerned. Adjusting the carb on those saws is bloody impossible...

[AJStrees]

Get a Husqvarna 572XP then you will have all the power you need, if you get bigger trees you can put a 32" bar on it with a fullskip chain and still have lots of power...👍

 

For the power it is a light saw and much better than Stihl saws...... 😄