Ok, so Id like to sell the 260 to fund a 361. BUT, Id like to keep the 16" bar and use it on the 361. Will .325 be OK on the 361, or is it too weak?
.325 or 3/8 on 361
- Thread starter CaseyForrest
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Thanks 046. I know I can run 3/8, but I have the 16" .325 bars already. I want to know if .325 will hold up the the power.
BostonBull
Addicted to ArboristSite
I would use 3/8". especially if your only rnning a 16" bar. I find that an 18 or even 20 are the best bars for this saw.
Yeah, had'nt thought of that. I guess if the 3/8 50 works on a 36" bar on a 660, no reason .325 wouldnt hold up on a 16".
Justsaws
Addicted to ArboristSite
.325 on the 16" bar and she be spinning fast all the time. The chain will hold up but the saw might like a bit more mix. When you get your new saw post some reviews, I am curious about them as blown ones are starting to surface. They are currently to expensive for me but maybe in the future. I have seen a couple running .325 on 18" bars, they were well liked for ground limbing.
Yeah, thats what I want. I want the saw to spin the chain fast. But not to fast.....
Justsaws
Addicted to ArboristSite
Why did you decide on the 361?
I am sure the standard .325 will hold up. The new narrow kerf I tried didn't so I wouldn't consider that. With the 034 super I usually stuck with 3/8 20" which I like for various reasons. I tried .325 with a 7 tooth sprocket which geared it down considerably and fuel consumption went up considerably. The 8 tooth .325 is slightly larger then the 7 tooth 3/8 and should work very well with up to a 20" bar provided your power is similar to the 034. I didn't think the 361 I run had as much power as the 034 super. A muffler mod or perhaps just a reasonable amount of break in time should change that, may take both. I was told by a stihl rep (in the eary 90'S) that .325 ran cooler. Stihl or Oregon can handle it with no problem.
I havent run a 361, but heard good things about them. I was running that 260 Im selling yesterday, and want something a little faster with the 16" bar, thats all.
Thanks for the input Brushwacker. I appreciate it.
GASoline71
Mr. Nice Guy
On my 361 I run a 25" bar with a full-skip 3/8" chain. However I am out in the Pacific Northwest in the softwoods. The saw pulls it just fine. I'm sure .325 will do just fine on the saw with a 16" bar. But you are really limiting the capabilities of the saw IMHO. I know you midwest/eastside guys think a lot differently about bar length than we do out west... so I might not be the best guy to ask.
I agree with BostonBull that the 18"-20" bars will put this saw in the "sweet spot".
Gary
I agree with BostonBull that the 18"-20" bars will put this saw in the "sweet spot".
Gary
Well, I guess I can always compare the .325 to the 3/8 on a 16" bar....Just wanted to try and use the bars and chains I have, rather then buy new....
Im just trying to be stingy, thats all!!
What about an 8 or 9 tooth sprocket in the .325, that should get the chain moving, but use up some of the tourqe and get it closer to its sweet spot.....
Im just trying to be stingy, thats all!!
What about an 8 or 9 tooth sprocket in the .325, that should get the chain moving, but use up some of the tourqe and get it closer to its sweet spot.....
SawTroll
Information Collector
The sprocket options for the large 7-spline clutch that is standard on the 361 are 3/8x7, 3/8x8 and .325x9.
Smaller .325 sprockets will only fit small 7-spline clutches - and I don't know if such a clutch is availiable for the 361.
If interested, try to ask Grade Dog of Baileys...
A .325x9 sprocket will give you very close to the same sprocket diameter and chain speed as 3/8x8, so I wouldn't use it when there is a lot of load on the saw.
I am quite sure that .325x9 will work good with a 16" bar and RS chain for limbing and small wood, but with longer bars, and anything close to full bar cuts, chip clearance also may be a problem.
Smaller .325 sprockets will only fit small 7-spline clutches - and I don't know if such a clutch is availiable for the 361.
If interested, try to ask Grade Dog of Baileys...
A .325x9 sprocket will give you very close to the same sprocket diameter and chain speed as 3/8x8, so I wouldn't use it when there is a lot of load on the saw.
I am quite sure that .325x9 will work good with a 16" bar and RS chain for limbing and small wood, but with longer bars, and anything close to full bar cuts, chip clearance also may be a problem.
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Called my dealer today to get a price, and asked him what he thought about .325 or 3/8. He said Id be happier with the 3/8. And I got to thinking, I can always switch the tip on my .325 bar to a 3/8 tip. So it looks like Ill stick with 3/8, since everything else I have is 3/8.
Thanks to everyone for all their input, I do appreciate it.
Thanks to everyone for all their input, I do appreciate it.
Update
Well, got to use the 361, and got a .325x9 rim for it. That thing rips!!! I dont think its quite broken in, but I am impressed!!!
It has one of Andies modified mufflers on it, and I could tell when I started it up, that the port on the bottm left of the muffler was letting almost 80% of the exhaust out.
I was all chits and giggles burying that 16" total bar!!!
Well, got to use the 361, and got a .325x9 rim for it. That thing rips!!! I dont think its quite broken in, but I am impressed!!!
It has one of Andies modified mufflers on it, and I could tell when I started it up, that the port on the bottm left of the muffler was letting almost 80% of the exhaust out.
I was all chits and giggles burying that 16" total bar!!!
Hired Gun
ArboristSite Operative
Brad let a good one get away, good luck with her! 
:rockn:
:rockn:
Yeah, He gave me what I feel is an awesome deal.
Saw is in excellent condition as well.
Saw is in excellent condition as well.
SawTroll
Information Collector
I was just going to ask for an update here, and there it was!Thank you - updates after a discussion is ended is allways nice!
