New 500i

[oosik]

When we first move onto the property I had a monster Stihl about that size. I think it had a 24 or 26 inch bar. It made felling our ancient pines go quickly.

We burned wood for the first ten years. Then we went to wood pellets. I wasn't really too sad to sell that big saw. I had no use for it anymore and I was glad to let somebody else handle the beast.

 

[dodge man]

There is just something about the sound and visuals of a good chainsaw with a sharp chain digging in to a log.

 

[KeithT]

There is just something about the sound and visuals of a good chainsaw with a sharp chain digging in to a log.

Sharp chain is critical no matter what saw. I finally pulled the trigger on a lower end Oregon grinder. 420 something. I am so impressed with it

 

[yomax4]

There is just something about the sound and visuals of a good chainsaw with a sharp chain digging in to a log.

One of my saws is a finely tuned 361 with muff mod. I smile every time I use it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Sharp chain is critical no matter what saw. I finally pulled the trigger on a lower end Oregon grinder. 420 something. I am so impressed with it

I’d like to see that. Can you post some pictures?

 

[4570Man]

I’d like to see that. Can you post some pictures?

I’ve been using an Oregon grinder with good results since 2018. I also put a CBN wheel on it the day I got it. I never gave the pink wheel a fair trial so I won’t judge it but I’ve never had to dress the CBN wheel since I got it or adjust for diameter loss so it’s well worth $100 IMO. One issue I did have with the CBN wheel that wasn’t actually its fault was the grinder arbor was slightly out of true. I verified this to be true with a dial indicator apposed to the wheel being bent. This would have been a non issue with a pink wheel because it would have quickly dressed to run true. I probably should have sent the grinder back but for one I was impatient and I figured my next one might not be any different. I ended up using brass shim stock to shim the wheel against the arbor until it ran true. People are quick to trash on a grinder for ruining chains but that’s either the result of a bad operator or grinding a chain that was already ruined from damage. If you know what you’re doing and you’re sharpening a chain that doesn’t need profile correction you can set the grinder to only take off the bare minimum required amount of metal.

 

[kozal01]

Man I really wish I had a reason to buy a 500i, I look at them at the dealer all the time. My 261 is still enough to do everything I need right now though. Sweet saw!

 

[Hay Dude]

Man I really wish I had a reason to buy a 500i, I look at them at the dealer all the time. My 261 is still enough to do everything I need right now though. Sweet saw!

It is a nice saw! I use it all the time. My light, easy “go to”

 

[Jchonline]

I have had my 500i for about a year now...felled hundreds of trees with it..limbed and bucked. I run a 25 and 32 inch light bar...I am at 9000 ft and it still screams. Very happy with this saw. I also have a Stihl 362 and 241 which are m-tronic...but just no comparison at altitude to the 500i.
I also have a Echo 355t with standard Idle/L/H carb and I have it dialed in as well (muff mod, etc). 500i with 25" bar still my favorite to run.

 

[Jchonline]

Sharp chain is critical no matter what saw. I finally pulled the trigger on a lower end Oregon grinder. 420 something. I am so impressed with it

I use the Stihl guided sharpeners that also do the rakers. Very easy to use and great results...can also be used in the field.

 

[Hay Dude]

I use the Stihl guided sharpeners that also do the rakers. Very easy to use and great results...can also be used in the field.

X2 Used mine right there in the woods on a stump
Works great.

 

[KeithT]

I ordered a 500i today. 25” lightweight bar. Dealer said a week….

 

[Hay Dude]

I ordered a 500i today. 25” lightweight bar. Dealer said a week….

We are 500i brothers.
I also have the 25” lightweight bar.
Killer set-up

 

[Code54]

I got a 500i a little bit after they came out and I was able to locate one - Love the saw and it does everything I will ever need and then some. Having the fuel injection makes it easy to start and runs perfectly each and every time. Yes, they are expensive but I found it worth the premium price.

 

[KeithT]

Good to hear. This is the first new chainsaw I have bought in 14 years. I am excited to try it out

 

[Hay Dude]

Good to hear. This is the first new chainsaw I have bought in 14 years. I am excited to try it out

There’s no choke! You just prime & pull the cord!

 

[KeithT]

My FIL and I took down 3 good sized chestnut oaks coming from a common stump. Ran almost 3 tanks of gas through the 500i. I was blown away by the new saw! WOW

The throttle response is unlike anything I have experienced. I thought my Dolmar 7900 was impressive, but the 500i is at a different level. It is also feels surprising light, feels the same as my Dolmar 5100. balance is absolutely perfect.


I ordered the 500i “kit” from west coast saws. Supposed to arrive tomorrow, I hope they do returns. It is perfect stock for me!

 

[xyz123]

Here is the parts you can buy from your Stihl dealer to put in your 500's to tighten them up.
Jason in ID put the list together so folks dont go paying those crazy prices for put together kits.

If you run longer bars.

 

[Hay Dude]

xyz123

Thank you for the parts list!
Can you explain where the parts are to be installed?
Or are they unnecessary for a 25” lightweight bar?
Ford $23 and a little of my time wrenching, if it makes a great saw even better, it’s worth it to me.

 

[Skeletor]

Im Interested aswell. I run a 25 on mine aswell. I just don’t like how dirty the air filter gets but that’s a stihl thing.