Stihl 462 Vs Stihl 661 Chainsaw – What’s the Better Option?
We continue to help you choose between quality Stihl chainsaws with the following comparison of the Stihl 661 and Stihl 462 saws.
It’s no wonder that Stihl is one of the country’s top manufacturers of commercial and residential level chainsaws. Stihl saws tend to last a very long time with only minimal maintenance and they are constantly making design improvements to help lower operating costs.
But all that means is that it’s that much harder to choose between Stihl models. So we are continuing our series of Stihl chainsaw reviews by comparing two of their popular heavy-duty models.
Overview of the Stihl 661 Vs the Stihl 462
It’s no surprise that these two chainsaws have a lot of the same features. After all, they’re made by the same company. But out in the field, one certainly provides more power than the other.
So before we go any further, we should mention that the Stihl 661 can handle any kind of cutting job you throw at it.
The Stihl 661 can handle jobs as big as felling large diameter trees – and that’s about as big a cutting job as they get. The Stihl 462 is plenty powerful for commercial work; but it struggles with heavy felling and bucking.
Stihl 661 Key Features
- Fuel Cap Retainers – Both the fuel and the oil reservoir caps have retainers so they won’t ever fall and get lost.
- HD2 Air Filter – This type of air filter is washable and is also designed to have a large surface area so it doesn’t need to be washed or replaced as often as standard air filters.
- Adjustable Oiler – This comes in handy when you use a large bar. It allows you to increase oil output for larger bars, which is a good thing considering that the Stihl 661 can take a 36 incher.
Stihl 661 Common Issues
One typical issue with the Stihl 661 is erratic idling. This can be caused by an iced carburetor. You may also be able to fix the problem by adjusting the low-speed screw.
Stihl 661 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Cuts through hardwood like butter
- Suitable for all forestry, milling and commercial work
- Great for cutting large rounds
- Large capacity oil and fuel tanks
Cons:
- It’s heavy
- Definitely not for beginners
Stihl 462 Key Features
- Stihl Quickstop – This is a safety feature that will actually stop the chain if enough inertia is generated by kickbacks.
- Master Control Lever – A simple way to control the on/off switch, the choke and starting throttle with just one lever.
- Anti-Vibration System – A common feature among Stihl saws, the anti-vibration system dampens engine vibration for more comfortable operation.
Stihl 462 Common Issues
Some Stihl 462 chainsaws may have been built with faulty trigger systems according to Stihl.
Stihl 462 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Great for storm cleanup
- Can handle small amounts of hardwood
- It’s easier to manage than the Stihl 661
- It has a comfortable front handle
Cons:
- Not as powerful as the Stihl 661
- Kickback issues
Who Should Buy Each?
This one is simple. If you need to outfit your crew with a powerful chainsaw or need one for serious felling of large diameter trees, the Stihl 661 is no doubt the best chainsaw for you. It can handle any cutting job you need it to. The Stihl 462 is also powerful and can even cut small rounds of hardwood. It’s better if you need a chainsaw mostly for cutting firewood or residential storm cleanup.
Price Comparison
While the exact price will depend on the retailer, in general you will find the Stihl 661 on sale for $1500-$1600 and the Stihl 462 for around $1300.
Weight & Handling Comparison
The Stihl 661 powerhead weighs over 16 pounds so it’s pretty hefty. The powerhead of the Stihl 462 is much lighter at just over 13 pounds. As you can imagine, the Stihl 462 is lighter and more manageable in the field. That’s not to say that the Stihl 661 is unwieldy; but you should have a decent amount of experience if you want to tango with the 661.
Chain & Blade Comparison
Stihl recommends Oilomatic chains for both of these saws. The Stihl 661 is built to handle a bar as long as 36” while the max recommended bar length for the Stihl 462 is 25”.
Power Comparison
There is no question that the Stihl 661 is significantly more powerful than the Stihl 462. The 661 has a massive 91cc engine that generates 7.2 HP. The 462 has a 72cc engine capable of 5.9 HP. The Stihl 661 cuts through hardwood like butter while the Stihl 462 will struggle with hardwood logs any bigger than about 13 inches in diameter.
Efficiency Comparison
Make no mistake about it, the Stihl 661 will consume a lot of fuel. It is overall less fuel-efficient than the Stihl 462.
Durability Comparison
We’ve never been disappointed with the durability of Stihl saws and these two are no exception. They should keep up with you no matter what the cutting conditions.
Other Chainsaws to Consider
Stihl 461
If you like the Stihl 462, you should take a look at the 461. It has fewer features but is actually a bit more powerful with a 6 HP engine.
Overall Score: 98/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Husqvarna 450
This Husqvarna model is built very well and features a 3.2 HP engine. It comes with a 20” bar and a forged, three-piece crankcase.
Overall Score: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Echo CS-400
With a 40.2cc engine and an 18 inch bar, this is a great saw for processing firewood and tree trimming.
Overall Score: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Final Assessment
We know that not everyone will need the extreme power of the Stihl 661; but we’re suckers for chainsaws that can do it all and the Stihl 661 is definitely one of those saws.
The Stihl 462 will be better if you only need to do light cutting. However, our overall recommendation is the Stihl 661.
