361 or 6401

[dustytools]

Been looking at a couple of saws lately and wanted the opinions of people who have ran them. Baileys has the Makita 6401 for $499 + shipping. My favorite powertool supplier said he would get one for me for $475 + tax (his cost). Stihl dealer about ten minutes away has the Stihl 361 for $575 + tax. My biggest question is the Stihl worth the extra cash and how does it compare to the Makita? Birthday is next week and I might have the wife talked into letting me get one. Thanks.

 

[ShoerFast]

Dusty

You have a lot of different saws/bar mounts to choose from,,,,,, for me, it's a no brainier to go with Stihl, as every bar I have will fit every saw. With your selection there, your more of a Free Trapper!

 

[Haywire Haywood]

If you got the Makita and decided that you needed more power, it's just a 7900 piston and jug away but I see you have an 084 and a 395xp so that probably isn't a concern.

Ian

 

[computeruser]

There was a post on this very issue a while back, and I remember responding to it after having run both saws side-by-side the day before. Hunt it down, it should shed some light on the issue.

 

[RiverRat2]

decisions,,,,decisions

Man,,,,,thats gotta be tough,,, LOL

There is a used 6401 on tha tradin post for a couple of hundred bucks unless ya just gotta have a new one :help: :help: :help:

 

[FourMoCajuns]

I own both but can't really be of much help. My 361 runs great but my 6401 has carb issues. When it runs good it has more grunt than the Stihl but hard to tell how much more without it running right.

 

[RiverRat2]

I own both but can't really be of much help. My 361 runs great but my 6401 has carb issues. When it runs good it has more grunt than the Stihl but hard to tell how much more without it running right.

sounds like you might be chasin a vacuum leak, or fuel hose problem if it runs good sometimes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, check the cylinder bolts for tight too!!!!!

 

[FourMoCajuns]

It actually has only 130 lbs of compression so........ there ya have it.
7900 here we come!

 

[West Texas]

I'm not familiar with the Makita. But I have two 361's and like them both. They are so great IMHO that I have one configured for limbing and one configured for felling. Rarely use my other saws any more, just take them along as backup.

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

Get both, have one backing up the other :rockn:

 

[dustytools]

Get both, have one backing up the other :rockn:

I could only wish.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

For me, money notwithstanding, the 361 gets the nod here. Lighter and much more and better parts/service availability.

 

[SawTroll]

The evidence says that the 6400/6401 has a bit more power/grunt, but a lot more weight and volume - it is a no-brainer to me, but you may feel different, take your pick.......

...I don't want the weight of the 372xp, without the power.

 

[Hired Gun]

For me, money notwithstanding, the 361 gets the nod here. Lighter and much more and better parts/service availability.

+1

 

[SawTroll]

+1

+2, but I guess I already said that, sort of.......

 

[Hired Gun]

Troll, we wouldn't expect you to advocate for anything other than the 361.

 

[SawTroll]

Troll, we wouldn't expect you to advocate for anything other than the 361.

...well, I said that the 6400 have more power and grunt, but the weight differense outweights it by some margin - but for blocking use only, I wouldn't really care......

 

[RiverRat2]

Weight difference????

...well, I said that the 6400 have more power and grunt, but the weight differense outweights it by some margin - but for blocking use only, I wouldn't really care......

What actually is the difference?????? opcorn:

 

[Cut4fun]

Dustytools, I will bring my stock 361 and my 6401 with a 7900 topend to the Ohio gtg. Least that way you could feel the powerhead weights back to back and compare them with 16" b+c's too.
Then I have a 18" for the 361 and a 20" for 6401.
You want be able to compare running them back to back, due to the 6401 having a modded 7900 topend.
The book specs shows there is a difference of 1.3 pounds difference in powerhead weights, but when i pick up the 6401 powerhead i am surprised how light it feels to me. I have a 357 and 361 and IMO they feel exactly the same weight and balance use and feel.

 

[ShoerFast]

Dustytools, I will bring my stock 361 and my 6401 with a 7900 topend ..........

IMO they feel exactly the same weight and balance use and feel.

I really like the idea that there is another Brand nipping at the heels of the established breeds. The tuffer the compitition, the better all the brands are, the harder they will fight the EPA and CARB, the closer to full potential we we see saws coming off the shelves, at least in the other then home-owner saws.

An example of this were the mussle-cars of the 70's