Chainsaw Oct 2023 Test: Which Brand Wins?
In our Oct 2023 test we compared 3 chainsaw options head to head. Stihl MS 661 came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Stihl MS 661
Price shown in test: $1,640
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FARMMAC F660
Price shown in test: around $350 for just the power head or around $400 with the bar and chain
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FARMMAC F660
Price shown in test: around $350 for just the power head or around $400 with the bar and chain
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“So, is the Farmac as good as the steel? Absolutely not.”
Best in 1 of 10 measurements, including Dyno torque test, downward force to stall, three attempts.
Best in 1 of 14 measurements, including Dyno torque test, downward force to stall, three attempts.
Best in 1 of 14 measurements, including Dyno torque test, downward force to stall, three attempts.
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
All measurements (15 more)+
Engine
- 1Stihl MS 66191.1 cc
rated just over 7 horsepower, made in Germany
- 2FARMMAC F66091.1 cc
engine per transcript, made in China, marketed as compatible with Stihl MS 660 parts
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Weight (36 in bar and chain)
- 1Stihl MS 661just over23 lb
- 2FARMMAC F66024.72 lb
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Starting pulls (first start)
- 1Stihl MS 6616 pulls
- 2FARMMAC F6609 pulls
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Starting effort (push pull meter)
- 1Stihl MS 66119.5 kg
about 43 lb peak force
- 2FARMMAC F66015.5 kg
about 34.2 lb peak force
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Vibration
- 1Stihl MS 66139
to 46 mm per second squared
- 2FARMMAC F66062
to 65 mm per second squared
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
RPM at wide open throttle
- 1Stihl MS 661just over13,400 RPM
- 2FARMMAC F660around9,850 RPM
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Noise level
- 1Stihl MS 661120.6 decibels
- 2FARMMAC F660117 decibels
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Test log cut times, three cuts
- 1Stihl MS 6616.81 seconds
5.98 seconds, 5.88 seconds; fastest 5.88 seconds
- 3Stihl MS 25011.2 seconds
10.42 seconds, 11.61 seconds; fastest 10.42 seconds
- 2FARMMAC F660not tested
Large log (33 in tree) cut times, three cuts
- 1Stihl MS 66135.9 seconds
35.95 seconds, 38.95 seconds; average 36.9 seconds
- 2FARMMAC F66042.3 seconds
41.79 seconds, 47.6 seconds; average 43.7 seconds
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Dyno torque test, downward force to stall, three attempts
- 1Stihl MS 66170 lb
71 lb, 77 lb; best 77 lb
- 2FARMMAC F66060 lb
63 lb, 65 lb; best 65 lb
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Bar weight
- 2FARMMAC F6602,284 g
just over 5 lb (Stihl bar was 2,302 g)
- 1Stihl MS 661not tested
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Chain weight
- 2FARMMAC F660566 g
1.25 lb, same as the genuine Stihl chain
- 1Stihl MS 661not tested
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Test log cut times, factory bar and chain, three cuts
- 2FARMMAC F66015.17 seconds
11.61 seconds, 13.77 seconds; fastest 11.61 seconds
- 1Stihl MS 661not tested
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Test log cut times, after swapping to Stihl bar and chain, three cuts
- 2FARMMAC F66013.36 seconds
9.75 seconds, 12.44 seconds
- 1Stihl MS 661not tested
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
Test log cut times, after also leaning the carburetor, three cuts
- 2FARMMAC F6606.24 seconds
6.39 seconds, 8.05 seconds; fastest 6.24 seconds
- 1Stihl MS 661not tested
- 3Stihl MS 250not tested
How it was tested
- chainsaw dyno test, downward force required to stall the saw (three attempts each)
- cutting speed through a test log made of nine 4x4s (three cuts each)
- cutting speed through a large diameter tree trunk, about 33 inches (three cuts each)
- starting ease, number of pulls to first start
- starting effort, push pull meter measuring peak force on the compression release
- vibration measured at the front handle
- sprocket speed (RPM) at wide open throttle
- noise level in decibels
- weight comparison of saw, bar, and chain
- tree pulling recovery test using a rope, off camera vehicle
“So, is the Farmac as good as the steel? Absolutely not.”
