New saw - top notch

[Tree farmer]

Let me first start by saying I have always been a Husky fan- until now. I own an old 257 which has cut a lot of wood, not a real big saw but for the weight It has been a real trooper. I have been looking to upgrade to something with a little more power, was considering 65-70 cc saw but the weight is a real killer. I sent my father down to a saw shop (he needed a new saw bad) a couple weeks ago to get himself a new 357xp but he came back with a Stihl ms361. I questioned him up and down and asked what the hell he did but he was adamant the saw shop owner told him that this was a much better cutting saw. I have run quite a few different saws like husky 272, 3120 stihl 041 and others but this ms 361 put a smile on my face as it sliced through a 20" oak in seconds. The power to weight ratio is just incredible, needless to say I now have myself an MS361 and broke it in this weekend finishing up the 8 cord load before the storm. The only thing bad I have to say thus far is the idle seems erratic and sometimes the saw shuts off when set down might just need a tweek on the idle screw.

 

[webie]

i also have a 361 and its older brother 360 both are great saws the 361 i think is there best saw they ever built as far as the idle mine idles fine i would say if you are haveing a problem I would just take it back and have the dealer re set it .......

 

[Gwleo]

I have been looking at the 361 for some time, just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I'm jealous.

I heard that stihl is coming out with a 362 in June, think I will wait and see.

 

[Tree farmer]

Go figure, it always happens to me that better models come out after I purchase something but I needed a better cutting saw now, as I have about 20 cords to go. I was going to look at a Sachs but I had the chance to test this one out before buying. That made me a believer in it was a great saw for what I wanted and wanted to spend.

 

[Gwleo]

I sure didn't mean to lessen your enjoyment of your saw; the 361 is a great saw.

In doing my research, in preparation of me buying a 361, I "heard" of the 362. I haven't found much out beyond that. Supposedly similar changes as the 440 to the 441; which I believe a is a better air intake system.

Sometimes...(often) change isn't always good.

 

[Jags]

Good news for you is - 8 cords still doesn't have that saw broke in. Wait till about 15 and that baby starts to scream. Higher RPM and seams like more grunt. Mine just seams to get better and better.

Keep a mighty sharp chain on that and pull the trigger. If you haven't already, get rid of that safety chain that came with it. That saw with an 18" bar is amazing.

 

[HittinSteel]

I doubt the 362 will be "better" unless you like weight and a more restricted muffler. Nice purchase Tree Farmer.

 

[Tree farmer]

If you haven't already, get rid of that safety chain that came with it. That saw with an 18" bar is amazing.

It did come with a reduced kickback chain and I should have been adamant they swap me out for a regular chisel tooth. It has been cutting pretty well with this chain and seems to bore cut fairly well but not as fast as dear old dads which came with a reg chisel. I'll have to swap it over this weekend and give it a try, she does jump if you just touch anything near the kickback zone and you need to be aware and keep a full wrap grip at all times.

Gwleo- no steam stealin hear, I needed a new saw now not in June anyway I have a lot of cutting ahead of me.