SURPRISING WINNER! Stihl MS 880, MS 500i, MS 400, and MS 261 Cutting and Splitting Firewood

Cutting and Splitting Firewood and we ran the Stihl MS 261, MS 400, MS 500 and the monster MS 880. Did some timed tests with surprising results. Then we split some wood with the Wolfe Ridge Pro 28C Log Splitter into the Moritz Dump Trailer
#outdoorgans #stihl #firewood
Our Website: www.outdoorswiththemorgans.com
Our FaceBook Page / outdoorswiththemorgans
Our Instagram outdoorswiththe...
Our Amazon Affiliate Store www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
Our Address: Outdoors with the Morgans
P.O. Box 2140
Cranberry Twp. Pa 16066
Partners and Sponsors
Kubota USA www.kubotausa.com
Wolfe Ridge Log Splitters www.wolferidgemfg.com
Exmark Commercial Mowers www.exmark.com
Exmark Backyard Life backyard.exmark.com/ambassado...
Stihl www.stihlusa.com
Wallenstein www.wallensteinequipment.com
OUR EQUIPMENT LIST
Kubota KX-057-4 Excavator
Kubota MX 5400 Utility Tractor
Kubota BX 23S Subcompact Tractor
ExMark Lazer Z S Series Zero Turn Mower
Wolfe Ridge Pro 22C Commercial Log Splitter
Woodmizer LX 150 Sawmill
We live in Western Pa. and Have around 100 Acres of Land, About 1/2 is ours the rest is my moms, We have 4 kids and two grandchildren, 3 Golden Retrievers and one Cat. We enjoy working on our property and making improvements. We sell firewood and soon will be selling hardwood lumber.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Our Amazon Affiliate Store www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-0dd9f808

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you for the Amazon link Mike, I love shopping Amazon.

[@4xprops457]

Having an autistic child in the family, we know the challenges but we also know the blessings!

[@oldmanfred8676]

Greatest Outdoors With The Morgan’s opening ever!!! Melissa is the best!

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you thank you! I agree.

[@RockhillfarmYT]

Great intro and great video. Love my 500i but the only saws I have to compare it to are the 250 and 391

[@zfilmmaker]

That has got to be the most impressive homeowner firewood processing operation! The winner of this challenge is the one you grab most often on-camera or not. I bought the 500i based on other videos you made and I have a lot of Stihl Pro saws I've bought since 2000. The 500i is my favorite to date and the one I grab all the time... or 201T if its something small.

[@johnsadler8637]

Good morning! Amazingly magical mist rose from the stream across the little valley this morning. Filled the valley. Regards the test. Consider a side by side with 500 and 880 where you account for the physics of the bar length by using the same position on the bar. On the 500, you started out about 6” and worked closer, maybe all the way to the dogs for your pivot. On the 880, it was middle or farther. That extra 12-18” between the head and the active cutting surface really changes the down force, assuming the same force at your hands. It really showed on your upward cut. My days here at the farm have been filled with my little MS180c, cutting cedars out of a fencerow. Quite a contrast to your 4!

[@rphiliprogers]

Good morning everyone. 68º in Kansas City. Enjoying some coffee and the Morgans on this beautiful cool Tuesday morning. Stay safe, be humble & kind and have a day.

[@HallnoutMhall]

Good morning my friend!

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

I like hearing cool! Should be coming our way! Have a Great Day Phil

[@marcuswhite3628]

Good morning Phil & all Morganites!

[@davidmorse8432]

Good Morning Phil & Friends !

[@johnsadler8637]

Good morning back atcha! 68F here on the farm south of you a couple of hours.

[@HallnoutMhall]

Good morning Morgans and friends. Hope all are well. Have a day and we'll see you all down the road......

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you Michael.

[@zstraps]

Your wood splitting system is convenient and effective I love it. The MS 500i seems to be the best all around saw for up to intermediate sized trees.

[@larrymulkey3103]

I purchased the MS261C six months ago, absolutely love it. My very first saw ever. Really enjoy all the video's on the saws!

[@mccardieclan1755]

I have to agree, for the price and power, the MS 261 is my all around light weight champ 🥊 on the farm!! 🌳 🚜 🐥🐓🐎🧲

[@Cacheola]

That's a great first saw! I picked up a an ms261cm, with a 20" bar. It's dealt with the odd ~30" logs well enough and rips thru sub 20's. Nice and light, pro saw. That 500i is sweet though. If I had more big stuff to deal with, that would've been on the list

[@markdiulio2245]

Great demonstration on the saws nice to see

[@ritterjon]

💥 Fun watching some firewood getting cut and split. *Keep on tractoring!* 👍

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you Jon

[@nvrdwn3140]

In another 4 to 6 tanks that 400 will probably be down to 19.x seconds. Thats a perfect saw for firewood imo.

[@BackyardMaine]

I may need to look at that 500i. I bought the MS362 last fall and I love it.. Love Stihl.

[@mitchdenner9743]

Luv my 362 also.

[@BackyardMaine]

@@mitchdenner9743 It's an awesome saw..

[@mitchdenner9743]

@@BackyardMaine 👍

[@profdave2861]

I have the 362, the 261, the 250, a 170, and an old 028. All great saws and the 362 is certainly the fastest, but with older arthritic hands, the lighter saws get most of the use. Not that the 362 is “heavy” - it’s the best power to weight in its class - but I reserve the 362 for the large trees. For all around little stuff, I’ll grab the 170. If you keep the muffler screen clean, it works great and is light as a feather. For multi-hour cutting a load of average size logs, the 261 is the choice. However, for people that only cut now and then, the MS 250 - yes, a consumer grade saw - is an amazingly good choice. It’s only a bit less HP than the 261, a couple tenths of a pound lighter, and half the price. In the consumer saw market, it blows away all the competition. I wouldn’t use it hours on end because it has a bit more vibration than the 261, but for small jobs, it’s a great saw.

[@BackyardMaine]

@@profdave2861 I have a small Echo CS352 that is perfect for the small stuff. It's light and surprisingly efficient for a small inexpensive saw. I bought the bigger Stihl to clear a building site for our camp (coming soon) and I just love the power to weight ratio.

[@rexwoodall2179]

The MS880 definitely is a special application saw. What a beast!

[@Morgansunleashed]

yes it is .

[@BMXCARD]

Would be great to see a collaboration video with the Morgans and Project Farm.

[@erniecesana7496]

Mike and Melissa great videos!!!I been watching alot of your videos and been sharing them.Mike your a great machine operator and you have a magnificent partner!!!

[@toddstrelow1213]

Mike, have you seen the Japa 315? Might be a bit small for your needs as it handles smaller logs than what you usually cut for Firewood, but its a great concept. runs off the PTO. Love the channel. Keep it up

[@royclemo8744]

The 261 may be slower, but it doesn't tire you out as quick as the heavier saws. I wpuld rather be slow than sore. LOL

[@ncode03]

Same here. I'll take the 261 any day because I'll have to store energy to split the woods later. No machine split for me. Nothing is more fun than splitting with a good axe imho

[@markbuetow2351]

Couple that collection with the GTA26, and you have the ultimate saw collection.

[@hotboxpizzatruck]

How fun and cool to be able to run the different saws!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Good morning Mike and Melissa, great video of the different size saws ! In my later years I prefer the lighter weight saws but still want the bigger tooth chain because they seem to work better if you touch them up. Gives me a break while gassing up too. Things are looking good around there and glad Hunter is feeling so good ! Catch you on the next video. Fred.🙏🏻🙏🏻👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👋👋

[@Morgansunleashed]

Hi Fred. thank you for watching, and yes Hunter is feeling good, we all are, feeling ready for the next chapter in life...

[@lazydawgranch]

I get it now. Responded poorly to your Instagram question about what I thought was a question about what events I like from the Olympic summer games... Anyway, love my Stihl MS261! One year ago I was watching your channel living with my family in Los Angeles, CA. Today we live on 100 acres in Iola, TX, our daughter in-laws parents property while were develop a 16 acre property we purchased in Bedias, TX. Never had driven a tractor or used a chainsaw before this year. It's been a fun learning experience for me, with lots of hard work in between. Enjoy watching your channel it's been a huge help learning from your experience, thanks so much for sharing...

[@marccalvert6040]

Melissa that first line was word for word perfect 🤣

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you thank you Marc! I loved it, and wasn't sure it would make the edit.

[@TheKajunkat]

I can attest that my wife can recite word for word everything I have said in the last 26 years! They are incredible!

[@vermontmapleman7504]

So was her first line after they split the wood! Lol

[@1Mellie65]

Oh my stars, Mike!! My husband and I are cleaning up fifteen LARGE slash piles, on our Washington State property. Long story short, the “logger” didn’t fulfill the agreement so we are manually tearing apart the slash piles, by sizes of wood, so we can burn during burn season. We are DROOLING over those saws! We have a Stihl MS211C 18” bar. We might as well have a fingernail file for the size of work we are doing. I love the 500i, that would be amazing for this work. Thank you so much for sharing all of this information. Bless

[@arathkopf]

I have been using my excavator as well to lift and buck up logs. One thing I found worked a little better was rather than use a bucket I put on a root ripper attachment. Its makes it almost like a grapple and you can completely buck up the log and not have those pieces you have to bend over and cut on the ground.

[@asmarbilalsr7769]

Awesome intro. The way she picked up the log ,spin,pause.....music. .... nice...

[@DocDryden]

Omg! Thanks Mike. I learn something new every time I watch your videos, oak gall!

[@Morgansunleashed]

me too, Thank you.

[@johncollins500]

Good morning Morgan family from sunny 68 degree S. E. Ohio. That 880 would wear me out just picking it up!!! Hey Hunter!!!

[@Morgansunleashed]

YES John it is a workout for sure.

[@brianfletcher7942]

Good morning, Mike. Merely an observation, but I believe that the 880 might have scored better if its powerhouse was as close to the wood(instead of 36 inches away, so that the leverage forces were similar)as it was with the 500i, to maximize the weight of the engine. If there’s a chance, try making the variables equivalent. Excellent comparisons. Havaday!

[@hanksmith4065]

I agree

[@bbuck9994]

What a collection of saws...Fantastic

[@KillingItCountry]

Good morning Morgan’s!! Love that saw with the long bar … must be an arm workout! - James

[@Morgansunleashed]

haha YES upper body workout for sure.

[@goingforspeed]

MS880 on a 25 vs. MS500I on 25 bar. That would be a good race.

[@ralphjelomono9068]

thanks for the saw contest. Great to watch and guess the winner

[@kennetharmas1842]

The chain on that 880 needs to be a bit more tight guys. Great video! 👍

[@marcuswhite3628]

Love it, love it, LOVE IT❣️ The best video, the best people, the best morning❣️❣️❣️ By far - the BEST KZbin channel!!! Marcus from Chesapeake VA.

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you Marcus. This video is a favorite so far.

[@robertmyers461]

I love stihl I have used them for 25 years I would love to have the 400 or 500 that would be awesome can't afford it but my farm boss works great gets the job done

[@ChickenLips412]

I bet the chain guard alone for the MS880 weighs a good 5 pounds.

[@Morgansunleashed]

ha ha Yes

[@rickbyo8643]

Awesome to hear Hunter is doing so well !

[@stigmartinrnning6751]

Best one in a long time. Missed watching firewood and chainsaws for a while The MS880 is the king. Love the sound.

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you

[@nickbates4554]

Mike consider using same or similar length bars on 500i and mag. Lot of power give up turning 8’ of chain. Also would be more fair on up cut. 500i no joke!

[@kenteaney5436]

Holy Smokes! I'm only in about 3 mins, and you've just pulled off a great shot! The big cab and boom swing was awesome!

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

I liked that as well, thanks

[@henrypevear906]

I enjoyed watching your chain saw video. Years ago, Homelite and Mccullick were the only saws in the east

[@Mark-uh4zd]

So happy I discovered your channel. That fuel injected saw is amazing

[@tommyordoyne7461]

Good morning from Upstate South Carolina.

[@mikeelwood8626]

Good to see your teamwork again! Interesting chainsaw comparison.

[@billdoms1579]

Man would I love an EFI saw. With temp ranges between -20 and +90 when we cut, that would be nice. Also,.do you sharpen your own chains? Can't remember if you covered that in a previous vid.

[@rexwoodall2179]

Mike and Melissa, good morning! Melissa, don’t let that hog get away from you! I’ve seen oak gall all my life, never knew its source, good to know. Great job comparing the saws! I love learning, thank you Mike!

[@nigelgrant9693]

I have not seen anything like that still learning the world like hunter mood mike you get him to at least have him passing the logs get him involved see if he likes that my heart tellsme thats he is ready for a little of that safety first see if he gathers

[@stevengonyaw1617]

I have the 362 M tronic , and just bought the 400 M tronic a couple weeks ago ! I use them for commercial logging.

[@Szczyrczek]

How do You like 400 so far?

[@gregwertheim3970]

We have Oak Gal’s all over our property. Come to find out a small wasp drops her eggs on the oak leaf and the tree forms a gal around it. The wasp eggs are essentially freeloading until they hatch. The gal’s get blown out of the trees in passing summer storms. I’ve found many still attached to the leaf/branch. Never saw them before last summer.

[@chuckhart9714]

Good morning all ! Mike, have a question about the skidding winch. The chain you attach to the log has a steel rod attached to one end. What is its function? Maybe i have missed that some where along the line. Would appreciate a demo on how that works. Thanx

[@sunseeker6088]

Whipping those chainsaws around is truly a CrossFit Workout. Good job Mike

[@Morgansunleashed]

Hi Sunseeker.

[@rickbyo8643]

Here you go selling equipment for Stihl again ! Great video showing the range of Stihl’s equipment. That 500i is a beast ! Thanks guys !

[@philsmock4943]

Phil here from NE Indiana. Back to cutting and splitting wood. I'm ready.

[@robertreader6053]

I've seen them laying on the ground when hunting

[@JohnSmith-tv5ep]

MIKE, with Eva driving now, you're gettin LESS windshield time , a good thing all around!

[@davehudson4607]

Hey Mike, in Canada we make shavings, not Saw Dust! Sharpe them saws!

[@KillingerUSA]

Good comparison video.

[@deliverybryan1138]

I love my ms 362 chainsaw and I’m running a 25 inch Sthil light bar with a chisel bit square file and it does an awesome job on the logs . Awesome video to another Sthil lover 🤘🏻 please keep’em coming !! Love your videos along with Buckin Billy Ray !

[@PencilProper]

I have a 362 M-Tronic with 20 inch bar, semi chisel but I cut lots of very gritty wood. Have about 3 tanks of gas through it and so far I am enjoying its performance.

[@deliverybryan1138]

@@PencilProper that’s good man 👍🏻

[@russellbowman8051]

Wow! The 500 i is a Real Work Horse 🐎 and A Fast One At That!! 👍👊

[@craigsudman4556]

Great video Mike & Melissa, love the motorcycle mama in the beginning. When are you going to get Hunter's Select Premium fire wood project going? Thumb up on the video.

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you Craig.

[@johnsuch5914]

What a hoot to wake up to...."Straight up" Crack me up :) You know I'm partial to my 261 even though the signature " Mike Here" has long faded away :( Be safe out there and God Bless The Morgan Family !!!

[@Morgansunleashed]

Hello John, How are You? I do like this video opening... one of my favorties.

[@johnsuch5914]

@@Morgansunleashed Good Melissa...Love all the blessings you are sharing...from weddings to just family living at home...Love it and thank you..God Bless

[@duanevanwinkle3488]

All good!!! Take care of your health... get those check ups!!!!

[@jeffhennings6015]

Another great video love the saws mike I have a ms170 a ms291 and just ordered a 500I can't wait

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Thats awesome Jeff! Enjoy it!

[@kano4282]

Omg... your gear is the stuff dreams are made of!!!! 😍

[@ryanmichaelb]

Looking forward to fall too, brother!

[@jimrosesadventureinmanilap715]

Take the 880 and put a 20" bar on at .

[@Morgansunleashed]

or add wheels and ride the trails. ha ha thank you

[@ready2run153]

Hey Mike and Melissa! I was waiting on the MS400 update but figured I would ask now, how are you feeling about that saw? I'm bouncing between a MS261 and the MS400 - mostly for firewood use 12-18" and ocasional larger tree felling and procesing, 30"+ fir and larch, birch. I've mostly run a 455 rancher, a few random cheap/old saws and looking to upgrade from that, I've run 372 and 390 husky's of my brothers a bit but definently dont think I need that kind of power (or weight) for the softwoods out west where I am. If you were re-doing your "best firewood saw" video would the 400 beat out the 261? Less than 2 lbs more weight and a little more money for 33% more power? I'd love to hear some opinions, you have some really great content!

[@andrews2203]

What did you decide 261 or 400? Thanks I’m considering both too

[@ready2run153]

@@andrews2203 at the moment I'm still using the rancher, it still works for what i need but watching the buy and sell pages for a 261C-M to come up for a decent price. kicking myself that I didn't manage to snag one of the ones that was for sale in the summer for about half of new, everything up in my area are year old saws listed for MSRP once we hit the fall. if I don't manage to find a good deal on a used one by next fall I'm planning on getting a new 261. whenever I'm cutting wood with people with big saws they're fun to take for a rip but at the end of the day I always go for the lighter saws, easier to handle and position for limbing and I'm less tired at the end of the day even if it does take me another few seconds in each cut. if i do need to knock down some big trees and dont have access to borrow a bigger saw from someone can get sprocket kits to run a 3/8" 32" combo on them but i imagine it would be real slow going, that's a fraction of my use but might be interesting to try

[@dentondunn4346]

My neighbor uses the 400c for his firewood and I used it and have to say if I was buying new or used I'd definitely go for the 400c.

[@dickhumble4610]

I am so glad Hunter is doing well. With Hannah not there to help I wondered how he would do. Sounds like very well, makes Mom and Dad feel so much better.

[@Morgansunleashed]

HI Dick, YEs he is doing well, we are pleased as well.

[@OntarioFirewoodResource]

A 261 may not be the fastest but it is a very light and maneuverable saw. Much lighter and not as awkward as a 462

[@timtorkelson7201]

I have MS462 and find nothing awkward with it at all!! Fantastic saw!!!

[@OneBigDork]

Watching your latest video while we drive past your exit on I-79 headed South on vacation.

[@oldmanfred8676]

OneBig, Have a great Vacation!!

[@marvindiamonjr.9631]

Might have to get me one of those 500i chain saws!

[@matthewdoll5339]

I put a snowmobile pull on my 880 about 2 weeks after owning it. Makes it much nicer to pull. Some friends poke fun at me and then I tell them I've ridden dirt bikes with smaller engines then this saw .

[@min-dakwoodhound7314]

Should show how those cookies burn. I think they would add a different perspective to a camp fire. The Swedish flame is also a unique campfire idea.(Either pie cut from the top of one end to about 1" or 2" from the other end............or drill 2 1" holes in a log about 1" or 2" from the other end that meet). soak both from the top with charcoal lighter, kerosene, or diesel. the air flowing through creates the torch effect. if you have flat ground and cut both ends flat, you can cook or make coffee on it. Good idea for hollow logs, too... stuff the center with kindling... I mead jam it in hard with a hammer... don't forget your horizontal air flow hole you drill into the bottom or set the stuffed one on a couple sticks.

[@jeremybrubeck7530]

That intro was absolutely hilarious.

[@Morgansunleashed]

the opening? I agree.

[@jeremybrubeck7530]

@@Morgansunleashed yes. That was an incredible way to start my first day back from vacation lol. Still laughing about it.

[@workaholic5318]

Sure looks like the air cleaner is loose on the Wolfe Ridge splitter.

[@devries17004]

Saw that too.

[@mikemcguire8351]

Nice comparison. 👍 Melissa, liked it. 😀

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you! It is a favorite!

[@mrtime1945]

Melissa that opening was to funny. Ah Mike you know this was coming " I heard that Mellissa makes better cookies than you" LOLOL

[@nigelgrant9693]

does mike knows of the swap lol

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you! I like the opening as well.

[@uppsalahazzemarkstedt2759]

But where are the bandana, your leather west and trousers?!? Hana!

[@twintwo1429]

Now, that was a great video, good stihl info for me, and the video production was tops.

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rox6385]

Excellent reviews!

[@benhancock1408]

I think hunter's enjoyin havin Dad home all the time

[@jacklachman5304]

The intro was hilarious 😂 Glad to see yinz are back to doing what made yinz famous... cutting firewood & CHAINSAWS!! Thank again for the entertainment Stay safe GOD Bless Have A Day !!

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you Jack. I loved the opening as well.

[@larrygarner6722]

We have subscribed to Morgans Off The Leash and enjoy it also along with Outdoors With The Morgans!!

[@Morgansunleashed]

Thank you Larry thank you very much.

[@larrygarner6722]

@@Morgansunleashed Thanks, I always look forward to the great videos you both produce.

[@ChrisHardwickanimaladventures]

I went to the store and picked up the 880 with a 36 inch bar, man that's a heavy saw. And really front heavy, that big bar pulled the saw down at a steep angle.

[@tonybrown8574]

What a coincidence. I have never seen an oak gall before. When I got home from work my son said he found something. Yes an oak gall. I was glad I watched your video👍

[@Hazmat0357]

Got the MS261CM. Great for what I need right now. Will likely need a bigger saw as well in the next few years and the 500i is likely what I’ll go with

[@KillingerUSA]

Wonder how the 500 and 880 would do with comparable bars? Hmmmm.......

[@tinachambers4887]

Yeah firewood will their be a Woodstack 2021 this year have a day love from TEXAS

[@shanereynolds5971]

Not surprising the 880 was slower on the upcut. That is a whole lot of chain getting pushed instead of pulled. Between that and the weight, it makes perfect sense.

[@anthonyjones1864]

i still like my 395 562 love watching your content awesome thankyou Mike im in Australia...lockdowns

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Hunter :-) and family and friends :-)

[@HallnoutMhall]

Good morning my friend

[@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans]

Good Morning

[@HallnoutMhall]

@@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans good morning Morgans

[@badcat4707]

@@HallnoutMhall / Good morning to you friend :-)

[@badcat4707]

@@OutdoorsWithTheMorgans / Good morning Mike :-)

[@billmorris2613]

Good morning from SE Louisiana 21 Jul 21.

[@FredD63]

Great comparison Mike will be great for many to make their decision … I have 1 Stihl saw Farm Boss…. now about 9 years ago I had 5 saws stolen and I never replaced them not much need for them in Construction.. but after the thief I built a big pole barn for my work equipment 60x140 … now I keep everything locked inside and haven’t had anymore thief’s .. Thanks for the great videos

[@dylandick4862]

I wanna see a bark box on that 500

[@glennvengroff7235]

The Oak Gall is awesome info and very cool TYVM for that.

[@sherimcgill5139]

Melissa...”just when I thought you couldn’t get any dumber...you go and redeem yourself!” Loved it!!! 🤣😂👏🏻

[@Morgansunleashed]

THANK YOU Sheri! I was hoping someone would follow up with this! You made my day. thank you.

[@PatrickWagz]

@@Morgansunleashed You drove a sixth of the way across the country *in the wrong direction!!*

[@mikebransden452]

Your chains look pretty sharp. How do you sharpen them?

[@timb4221]

Hi Mike, I think the oak gall might be made by the oak gall wasp larvae.

[@SUROBLEDEKchannel]

STIHL is really good my friend

[@tyw6576]

Love the 500i… 880 can bog with to much bar but with a 60” ripping chain can mill some big logs…

[@megamike4357]

I really like my 261, but I like the looks of that 400