The World's Most Powerful Chainsaw Stihl MS 881

imnukensc

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Equipment
BX2380
Sep 10, 2015
687
590
93
Midlands of SC
I hate dumbass youtube videos like that. A friggin' waste of time. Thank God it only took about 2 seconds to figure out it was worthless.
 

Biker1mike

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B6200, Kubota 2030 Front Blade, King Cutter 60" finishing deck
Jan 11, 2022
1,177
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Gallatin, NY USA

RCW

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BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,134
5,194
113
Chenango County, NY
Predecessor to the 881, I test-ran both a Stihl 088 and a Husky 3120 many years ago.

Ran them in the yard at local dealership I did business with.

Were often used by firewood guys here for blocking at a landing, long before firewood processors were a thing.

Those things were amazing! :)

Was using a Stihl 056 Super since about 1980, so I knew some decent saw power. Have a 30 year old Stihl 046 Magnum still.

Can't imagine what they're like 40 years later....:cool:
 

torch

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B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
Jun 10, 2016
2,619
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Muskoka, Ont.
Predecessor to the 881, I test-ran both a Stihl 088 and a Husky 3120 many years ago.
I have an 084 -- the original of that series. It's a beast -- 124cc engine. Basically a dirt bike engine in a chainsaw. The trick is to put the bucking spikes against the trunk and let the saw do the work. You'll just kill your arms trying to hold the powerhead back like they are doing in the video.

As for the video: "The most powerful chainsaw in the world" ? Well, maybe production saw. There's many more powerful racing saws out there. But regardless: running shoes, tee shirt, cargo pants, bare head and hands -- but he stopped to don his eye glasses. And she complimented her yoga pants with sunglasses. Safety Third!!! Hoorah. Good thing the "blade" [sic] was on backwards. Let's just blame that on the place they bought it from -- no sense in checking over your own equipment before using it, right? <lol>
 
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Flintknapper

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L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
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Deep East Texas
I have an 084 -- the original of that series. It's a beast -- 124cc engine. Basically a dirt bike engine in a chainsaw. The trick is to put the bucking spikes against the trunk and let the saw do the work. You'll just kill your arms trying to hold the powerhead back like they are doing in the video.
^^^^^

Exactly right. Even my SOLO 603 (103 cc German made Saw) will suck you right up to the log anyway (hardwoods), so no sense fighting it. 'Dog' it in and let it eat.

I run .404 full compliment chain (which will hog out chips as big as your thumbnail) and an 8 pin rim for a bit more chain speed. It has enough torque that I can 'lean' on it and not bog it down....but easier to just let the saw, its weight and power do the work.



Solo 603a.jpg


.404 chain1.jpg


Solo_big tree_5.JPG
 
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trial and error

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Equipment
B7100dt manual trans. homemade FEL, 4 way hydraulic dozer blade
Feb 16, 2023
396
388
63
NY
For us laymen, there is the Echo Timberwolf, which I have and happen to love I need to get a 24 or 30" bar for it though.
 

Flintknapper

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L2350DT
May 3, 2022
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For us laymen, there is the Echo Timberwolf, which I have and happen to love I need to get a 24 or 30" bar for it though.
It will pull a 24" bar and chain just fine and like having the extra reach of a longer bar. A lot less bending over especially when undercutting.
 
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trial and error

Well-known member

Equipment
B7100dt manual trans. homemade FEL, 4 way hydraulic dozer blade
Feb 16, 2023
396
388
63
NY
It will pull a 24" bar and chain just fine and like having the extra reach of a longer bar. A lot less bending over especially when undercutting.
Absolutely it will, arguably one of the best $ for $ prosumer saws in the 60 cc range, sorry stihl fanboys lol I know this is an orange site but the echo is orange as well
 

Flintknapper

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L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
2,216
113
Deep East Texas
Absolutely it will, arguably one of the best $ for $ prosumer saws in the 60 cc range, sorry stihl fanboys lol I know this is an orange site but the echo is orange as well
(y)

I like Echo products. In fact, I just spent several hours today using a little CS-303T with carbide chain....clearing privet hedge off a fence line. Light weight, always starts easy, cuts a long time before having to refuel.

And ALL of my string trimmers, brush cutter, Polesaw, hedge trimmer, leaf blower are Echo. As well a few chain saws.
 
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anomad

Active member

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YM2310D
Jun 10, 2021
101
55
28
Western North Carolina
I too have and love the Echo CS-590. My chain sharpening skills, or maybe lack thereof, have puzzled me with it though. Never had an issue with my old Stihl. But I have smoked the chain on the Echo twice.

Turned the oiler all the way up and sharpened it to the best of my abilities. Haven't tested it yet. I'll keep trying till I figure out what I am doing wrong. Have a new bar and chain I caught on sale on standby if I'm a complete failure and need the saw in earnest. Also bought some ridiculously cheap online jungle chains just to play with or use in a pinch.
 

Flintknapper

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Premium Member

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L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,764
2,216
113
Deep East Texas
I too have and love the Echo CS-590. My chain sharpening skills, or maybe lack thereof, have puzzled me with it though. Never had an issue with my old Stihl. But I have smoked the chain on the Echo twice.

Turned the oiler all the way up and sharpened it to the best of my abilities. Haven't tested it yet. I'll keep trying till I figure out what I am doing wrong. Have a new bar and chain I caught on sale on standby if I'm a complete failure and need the saw in earnest. Also bought some ridiculously cheap online jungle chains just to play with or use in a pinch.
Most folks don't know (or overlook) filing down your 'rakers' on chain that has been sharpened quite a few times and then wonder why it won't cut (or take a bite).
 
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trial and error

Well-known member

Equipment
B7100dt manual trans. homemade FEL, 4 way hydraulic dozer blade
Feb 16, 2023
396
388
63
NY
(y)

I like Echo products. In fact, I just spent several hours today using a little CS-303T with carbide chain....clearing privet hedge off a fence line. Light weight, always starts easy, cuts a long time before having to refuel.

And ALL of my string trimmers, brush cutter, Polesaw, hedge trimmer, leaf blower are Echo. As well a few chain saws.
My top handle is a old stihl 019
I too have and love the Echo CS-590. My chain sharpening skills, or maybe lack thereof, have puzzled me with it though. Never had an issue with my old Stihl. But I have smoked the chain on the Echo twice.

Turned the oiler all the way up and sharpened it to the best of my abilities. Haven't tested it yet. I'll keep trying till I figure out what I am doing wrong. Have a new bar and chain I caught on sale on standby if I'm a complete failure and need the saw in earnest. Also bought some ridiculously cheap online jungle chains just to play with or use in a pinch.
I got some chains off Amazon last year chineseium skip tooth(upstart components is the brand I think) they are great for. Bucking not so great for felling, too grabby but I think I paid 30(something) for 3, barely worth sharpening which I also haven't mastered, but they have held up great first one handled almost 6 cord of maple and oak
 

anomad

Active member

Equipment
YM2310D
Jun 10, 2021
101
55
28
Western North Carolina
Most folks don't know (or overlook) filing down your 'rakers' on chain that has been sharpened quite a few times and then wonder why it won't cut (or take a bite).
That may well have been my issue. Sharpening the teeth more than the rakers could keep up with. I did touch them, like my little saw. I need more experience to know for sure.

I bought a gauge and took them down to spec. We'll see after my next tree job on the property.

If that was the issue, this saw/chain combo needs much more aggressive raker management than I am used to.