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Started By
Message
Chainsaw thoughts/advice
Posted on 10/28/20 at 9:41 am
Posted on 10/28/20 at 9:41 am
Rather than jacking a tread on the H&G board, I figured it was more appropriate to just start a new thread and on the OB.
You have always had solid recommendations and advice when ever I've came for help. That said, I figured why not see what you all have to say about my current situation.
In effort to keep this short, I wont go into too great of detail.
I've been eyeing the Stihl Pro 362 but before I make the purchase; I am wanting some thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences with saws this length. I'd really hate to spend this kind of coin and regret the purchase due to a lack of performance/reliability.
I plan to use the power head with 2 different bar lengths. Primary 20", secondary (as needed) 24".
This setup will be for falling unwanted trees, bucking trees to split for fire wood, after storm cleanup of large fell trees, and hunting area maintenance or clearing for new lanes/trails. I am tired of working myself and my current saws to death tackling these larger jobs. I also hate to have to ask to borrow larger saws when I require them.
FWIW- I prefer Stihl for 2 reasons; local dealer support & I have never had any major issues with them. I'd feel more comfortable buying a Stihl but will not overlook other brands if the "bang for buck" leans their way.
TIA
You have always had solid recommendations and advice when ever I've came for help. That said, I figured why not see what you all have to say about my current situation.
In effort to keep this short, I wont go into too great of detail.
I've been eyeing the Stihl Pro 362 but before I make the purchase; I am wanting some thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences with saws this length. I'd really hate to spend this kind of coin and regret the purchase due to a lack of performance/reliability.
I plan to use the power head with 2 different bar lengths. Primary 20", secondary (as needed) 24".
This setup will be for falling unwanted trees, bucking trees to split for fire wood, after storm cleanup of large fell trees, and hunting area maintenance or clearing for new lanes/trails. I am tired of working myself and my current saws to death tackling these larger jobs. I also hate to have to ask to borrow larger saws when I require them.
FWIW- I prefer Stihl for 2 reasons; local dealer support & I have never had any major issues with them. I'd feel more comfortable buying a Stihl but will not overlook other brands if the "bang for buck" leans their way.
TIA
14
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:08 am to southern686
This post was edited on 10/28/20 at 10:33 am
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:19 am to southern686
You CANNOT beat a STIHL Chainsaw. Use the oil they recommend, let your dealer give tune-ups occasionally and these machines will last forever.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:20 am to southern686
The 362 is a pro grade saw and you will be happy with it. I've spent a little time on a 361 and got to compare it to my 391, which is a mid grade saw and more in line with your scope of work, so I'll throw that one in the mix.
The only thing the 391 has going for it over the 362 is price. Everything about the pro grade saw is better. Its lighter, easier to run, and can be rebuilt on the tailgate of a truck.
That said, I think a 391 will handle your workload just fine if it fits your budget better. Thats basically the work that the mid grade stuff is designed for. I run a 25" bar on mine and with a sharp chain it does fine, although it is definitely maxed out in big oaks. Maxed out isn't a bad thing with a chainsaw and on anything less than a full bar cut it will scream with a 25" full chisel chain.
If you like the 362 and don't mind the price you will certainly be happy with it. The 361 ran a 25" bar like a spotted arse ape and was more comfortable to run than my 391. I just could not justify the price for the limited hours I put on it doing firewood.
The only thing the 391 has going for it over the 362 is price. Everything about the pro grade saw is better. Its lighter, easier to run, and can be rebuilt on the tailgate of a truck.
That said, I think a 391 will handle your workload just fine if it fits your budget better. Thats basically the work that the mid grade stuff is designed for. I run a 25" bar on mine and with a sharp chain it does fine, although it is definitely maxed out in big oaks. Maxed out isn't a bad thing with a chainsaw and on anything less than a full bar cut it will scream with a 25" full chisel chain.
If you like the 362 and don't mind the price you will certainly be happy with it. The 361 ran a 25" bar like a spotted arse ape and was more comfortable to run than my 391. I just could not justify the price for the limited hours I put on it doing firewood.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:32 am to southern686
That saw is plenty powerful and you'll have no problems with reliability as long as you take care of it. I have a MS391 with 18" and 25" bars and I've kept the 25" bar on mostly, has no problem pulling it and the MS362 is a bit more powerful. If you go with a longer bar I suggest investing in a light-weight one, the MS362 is a lightweight saw for it's power and the Stihl standard 25" bar will be a chore hanging off that powerhead. I would go with an 18" bar as the primary, even a 16" for just cleanup and hunting area maintenance. Short bar will cut faster and really keep the saw balanced and maneuverable. I swapped the 18" bar for a 16" on my 025 and it's by go-to for limbing and light clean-up work.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:34 am to southern686
I was in your shoes about 4 months ago, ended up with the 391, love it. Bought it with a 20” but plan to get a larger bar for special occasions as well. If you don’t mind dropping the coin on the 362 go ahead. Both are great saws though.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:40 am to southern686
quote:
Chainsaw thoughts
That was going to be the title of my next book.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 10:48 am to southern686
I wouldn’t buy anything but a Stihl,I have 3,4 if you count my pole saw.My oldest one is 35 years old,doesn’t have the power it once did but still does pretty good.
This just my opinion,I think 18-20 inch bars are the best for non professional users.My neighbor has a Stihl with a 24 inch bars ard it just seems somewhat awkward and unwieldy to me.Another thing,24 inch chains are a little harder to sharpen.
I’ve been doing a lot of storm cleanup since Laura,mostly just cutting trees off my wood roads to the point I can push them out of the road with my FEL I have 18 inch bars on my saws and that seems ideal length to me with what I’m dealing with-small,medium and a few large trees.
This just my opinion,I think 18-20 inch bars are the best for non professional users.My neighbor has a Stihl with a 24 inch bars ard it just seems somewhat awkward and unwieldy to me.Another thing,24 inch chains are a little harder to sharpen.
I’ve been doing a lot of storm cleanup since Laura,mostly just cutting trees off my wood roads to the point I can push them out of the road with my FEL I have 18 inch bars on my saws and that seems ideal length to me with what I’m dealing with-small,medium and a few large trees.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 11:04 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I guess I should have mentioned this but was trying to be short.
When starting my research I actually leaned to the 391 at first. Damn near bought it. It is marketed more towards what I would use it for and the price is great specially considering the displacement.
The reason I kind of am now leaning to the "pro" line is because of crank case design/material, clam shell, etc. In other words, if I were needing to rebuild it in the future it would be far easier. At least from what I've read this is true but again I am ignorant on this. I was given a blown 180...It was more than a chore to rebuild it; almost thru away and bought another.
Also I'd like to get the full wrap handle and with the 391 it is not an option. I don't need this, but it would be nice.
I also guess I am "one of those guys" where I have two attitudes, "Buy once, cry once" & "it either goes or blows"....Not the best, but admittedly this had some factor in me leaning to the 362.
However, seeing as you all are saying it is pulling 24-25" bars....it makes me reconsider. I wouldn't mind saving the extra ~$200 going with the 362.
What bars are you running? My current saws I've always ran Oregon on them. I've never bought a new saw and am unsure if you can buy the powerhead only, but that is a good point. Are Stihl brand Bars good?
As far as smaller bars, again I should've mentioned this.
I have the 180 running a 14" and my 250 running an 18". So I feel pretty covered in this area. I am looking to go a little larger as the 250 struggles often with what I have it doing.
quote:
Downshift
When starting my research I actually leaned to the 391 at first. Damn near bought it. It is marketed more towards what I would use it for and the price is great specially considering the displacement.
The reason I kind of am now leaning to the "pro" line is because of crank case design/material, clam shell, etc. In other words, if I were needing to rebuild it in the future it would be far easier. At least from what I've read this is true but again I am ignorant on this. I was given a blown 180...It was more than a chore to rebuild it; almost thru away and bought another.
Also I'd like to get the full wrap handle and with the 391 it is not an option. I don't need this, but it would be nice.
I also guess I am "one of those guys" where I have two attitudes, "Buy once, cry once" & "it either goes or blows"....Not the best, but admittedly this had some factor in me leaning to the 362.
However, seeing as you all are saying it is pulling 24-25" bars....it makes me reconsider. I wouldn't mind saving the extra ~$200 going with the 362.
quote:
Clames
What bars are you running? My current saws I've always ran Oregon on them. I've never bought a new saw and am unsure if you can buy the powerhead only, but that is a good point. Are Stihl brand Bars good?
As far as smaller bars, again I should've mentioned this.
I have the 180 running a 14" and my 250 running an 18". So I feel pretty covered in this area. I am looking to go a little larger as the 250 struggles often with what I have it doing.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 11:24 am to southern686
quote:
blows"....Not the best, but admittedly this had some factor in me leaning to the 362.
Buy it. Its a better saw by every measure except price, and I think the pro grade saws are really a better value. They are a significantly better saw than the low grade saw. They are made to work every single day all year every year. The mid grades are just big low grades.
I will say my 391 has been pulling a 25" bar for something like 8 years now (the last 2 i haven't ran it hardly any) and it still runs fine, so it will definitely do what you need. If mine blew up now it wouldn't be a loss, its paid for itself very many times over.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 11:32 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
DownshiftAndFloorIt
Thanks for all the insight, it's far helpful!
Still, I am going to consider the 391. The price on it is solid IMO.
Any recommendations on bars?
I am really out of the know on what Stihl offers or their quality.
Are they worth, or should I just go with an Oregon like I have been.
Curious also if I can purchase the power head alone, I'd have to call my dealer back I suppose.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 11:38 am to southern686
quote:
Curious also if I can purchase the power head alone
You can if you want. At least my dealer will sell them
quote:
Any recommendations on bars?
I've always used regular stihl rolomatic bars and regular stihl yellow label chains. I like em, I've bent a few but never wore one out. When I cut a lot I used to flip them over when swapping chains. I still have one of my originals.
Eta: buy the 362 if you can comfortably afford it. Its a better value, twice the machine for far less than twice the money
This post was edited on 10/28/20 at 11:41 am
Posted on 10/28/20 at 11:43 am to southern686
quote:
What bars are you running? My current saws I've always ran Oregon on them. I've never bought a new saw and am unsure if you can buy the powerhead only, but that is a good point. Are Stihl brand Bars good?
I only have the standard Stihl bars, all that's really needed. On my 391, the standard 25" bar will tip the saw forward without a full tank of fuel and oil. I'll probably pick-up a lightweight 24" or 28" bar eventually: Stihl, Oregon, Cannon, Sugi-Hara...any of them would be great and about $100 - $200 not including a chain. It's a lot of bar but I don't intend to cut logs that big, just nice not to have to bend over too much to buck or limb which is why I've kept the 25" bar on the 391.
This post was edited on 10/28/20 at 11:46 am
Posted on 10/28/20 at 12:18 pm to southern686
I went through the a similar thought process while back and I bought a 362 with a 25" bar. It is a little unbalanced with the regular weight rollomatic at that length but not terrible. It does a good job when I need it. I will say that I use a 251 with a 16" bar for almost everything else except when I need the bigger saw. I would recommend 2 saws vs 1 that I switch the bars out on all the time.
Posted on 10/28/20 at 3:03 pm to southern686
I bought a Stihl MS 170 with a 16” bar after Hurricane Gustav. It has been a great saw. Not to big and easy to handle. I start it once a month and it usually cranks on about the third pull
Posted on 10/29/20 at 9:23 am to Miketheseventh
quote:
Miketheseventh
While I assume they are slightly different, it can't be much.
The blown MS-180 I was given I actually know the history on as the previous owner is a good friend of mine.
He used and abused that saw for a number of years. Always treated it with a "throw away/buy another" attitude. I always enjoyed using the little guy and since it was given to me and I rebuilt it, it has been my go to saw and sees the most use.
That said, you should get plenty of years out of your 170!
Don't leave fuel in the carb, use non ethanol, mix correctly and it will be a loyal saw to you.
Posted on 10/29/20 at 9:35 am to southern686
Step into the pro saw. It’s lighter, more powerful, and the captive bolts are worth not having to worry about those issues. I think all their pro saws have 1/4 turn screws for the cover. It is nice saw.
Posted on 10/29/20 at 9:44 am to southern686
I sell Stihl at Marvin's Hardware (regional hardware chain in Southeast). Great thing about Stihl is that as far as I know Stihl requires all/most retailers to have a Stihl certified service mechanic on the premises. You are highly unlikely to shop around your area and find a bargain, as Stihl sets the prices in a geographic region.
This post was edited on 10/29/20 at 9:45 am
Posted on 10/29/20 at 12:13 pm to southern686
Stihl is the best
Get you some chainsaw chaps. They saved my careless self from cutting my leg open.
Get you some chainsaw chaps. They saved my careless self from cutting my leg open.
Posted on 10/31/20 at 9:48 am to southern686
Echo is the best bang for buck. I prefer them over Husqvarna.
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