Opinions on the stihl 880

[geoff]

Good strong saw, as is the husky 3120, but they are a lump to use for a long period, the husky 395 is a more practical everyday saw.

[aspenarb]

Nothing worse than using one up a tree, v rare I do though

 

Like the day we had to section fell this Chestnut, the climber threw the towel in at 12 oclock with about 30` of it still to go ( midget climber, the saw was bigger than him) and left it to me to finish off, Bob in a tree is not a pretty sight . Over ten feet in diameter at the base so 880 territory .

 

Bob

 

[Burgess]

Anyone heard anything about an 881? Although nothing really wrong with it the 880 is Stihl's oldest design chainsaw still being made is it not?

[54gka]

Got one new back in the summer just for milling love it.

[william petts]

We have both the 880 and 661. The 880 is good for cutting up the big logs we get but I mostly use the 661 as its quite light for its size and power.

I do try and avoid the 880 as it is a white finger saw but when we get stuff in at like 6ft and 8ft butts in like we did a couple of months back it does come into its own especially as we have the 30" and 46" bar on it. We also have the 441 and 650 and 362 and a450.

Out of them all the 661 is the best by far and ive had it since November 2013 and its used most days severy day so ive definitely got good experience with it

[fen01]

As above, big heavy a nightmare in the tree. But if you need one it does what it should. Although I found it a bit underwhelming (perhaps i was expecting too much) until it needs sharpening then its overwhelming😀. Chain tensioning is bit of a struggle (I find it either to tight or won't sit in the bar when cutting horizontally with a 48" bar).

[iana]

I find it great for ringing up big stems it is very thirsty tho.

[TGB]

Big trees and milling. Not cheap to run, so would need plenty to make it pay for itself.

[Arbtech Tree Services]

Have had to use it up the tree - not great fun.

If you can get away with 660 then do it, awesome @ 18", great @ 25", still good at 36".

As others have said, when you need it you need it, it really is a different tool to the 660 whether milling or ringing up.

 

I would have to debate (with respect) with aspenarb re sharpening as this was an initial concern for me, the 880 runs .404 as opposed to the 3/8 on the 660 - so a .404 @ 48" is only 12 cutters more than a 3/8 @ 36" - no great shakes for me.

 

 

Regards,

 

Steve.

[Breezeblock]

we've got 1 and we do anything to avoid using it the first big saw we go for is the 395 the 880 is good for ringing up but its just a big awkward unwieldy thing