Chainsaw Upgrade

[gebada]

I am a novice compared to most of the folks on this site. I have been cutting firewood and clearing woods at home for about 8 years with a Stihl 026. I have had great luck with the saw, but would like to upgrade for greater power and increased cutting speed. I am contemplating a Stihl MS 360 pro with a 20" bar. I would be curious in your thoughts on this saw. Thanks much in advanc for the help. Greg

 

[ccicora]

The 036 or 036 pro are very nice saws. What I like it the reliability of the saw and its ability to take a pounding from cutting firewood. For my main work saw I run the 036pro with a ported muffler set up with .325 chain and a 16" bar. It cuts fast and gives me the ability to cover a lot of ground in a day if I am doing timber stand improvment. Most of the wood I am cutting is oak, Maple, Cherry, Bass wood, and beech. I would look for a good used one or if you can buy new.

Later,
Chris

 

[gebada]

follow-up

Out of curiousity, why a .325 chain vs. 3/8? Advantages and disadvantages? Thanks. Greg

 

[ccicora]

Greg,
For my set up it is a major advantage. I run .325 on my saw because my 026pro's (2) also have the 325 set up. This gives me the ablility to change set ups from one saw to the next in the woods. Also the .325 has a smaller width, so I don't need to carry as big of a chip through the cut. So for me its the interchangeability of the saw.

Chris

 

[treeclimber165]

I know guys who run a 20" bar on the 026, but it can bog a little on bigger wood. The 036 (MS360) is the next size up in Stihl's pro saws, and should spin a 20" chain easily through hardwoods.

If some here suggests a bigger saw, consider the extra weight also. I have never met anyone personally who runs shorter than a 24" bar on an 044 or 28" on an 046. I'd say go with the 036 for a 20".

 

[tony marks]

my 036 is a fine saw.cuts with what seem like the same power as my 69cc solo. its light so in hardwood i have to add a little pressure to make it cut as fast as the heavier saws. good luck

 

[thompson1600]

Just for FYI, I do run a 20" on my 440 mags (one brand new arctic version Ryan, haven't tried that one yet). I use it for general wood cutting and for milling with my granberg small log mill. I like the extra power and don't really notice the extra weight over the 036 Pro I used to have. Both are really nice saws.

Tom

 

[gebada]

Upgrade follow-up

I would be interested in hearing more about going to an 044 or 046 vs MS 360. I would primarily be cutting firewood (oak, cherry,elm and maple). The size varies, but averages 18-22". Which of these would make the best sense. Thanks again. I am so glad I found this site. Greg

 

[Fish]

I still would recommend a 3/8 chain on the 036, the reasons that
Stihlman 036 use do not really mean that the .325 is all that
good of a choice. With that logic, a 3/8 lo/pro would even be
better, or a 1/4 inch pitch. The chain should match the saw,
and the 036 has plenty power to handle a full 3/8 chain.

 

[Ryan Willock]

Tom, hurry up and try that artic!!! I have an 036 and i use a 20'' bar with 3/8ths chain and opened up the muffler and it pulls fine in hardwood (oak, maple, blah blah blah!) even with the bar burried, just use full chisel full comp and you'll be happy:angel:
But since you have an 026 already why don't you just jump to a MS440??? not that much more $$$ and only a pound heavier.

 

[spreaderman]

026 vs 036

the maximum rpm's on the two saws are going to be very close so chain speed will stay the same, if you want more power try opening the muffler and there it is, with the carb tuned properly and the muff opened I would stay with the 026. I have one and would not consider an 036 with the added weight it has, just sup up the 026 a bit and I think you will be happier and with very minimum or no cost

 

[rahtreelimbs]

For the amount of power gain, The 044 is only a pound or so heavier than the 036. This unfortunately comes with a higher price tag.

 

[thompson1600]

After using both saws I can definitively say, "it depends!". If you are talking about a casual user going out to cut some firewood once in a while. Then the 036 will treat you fine, the 026 would be great too. My dad cuts a lot of firewood every year to heat his house and doesn't have anything over 45cc. but everything he cuts is already on the ground. If the stump area is too big then he leaves that. He is also in no hurry, so if it takes a little longer with a smaller saw he doesn't care. He's retired so he can afford to take the extra time, he says it's his excuse to get away from mom for a while.

If you are going to get into a little bit more by felling, or maybe milling a little or anything else then you'll want the 044 or bigger. As you can see a lot depends on what exactly YOU want the saw to do. The bigger the saw the quicker it's going to cut and less it will bog down in the bigger timber. A word of advice if your like me. You'll keep wishing you had the bigger saw and end up selling the smaller one to get the bigger one eventually and it will end up costing you more in the long run.

Tom

 

[gebada]

Muffler Upgrade

I have read alot tonight about opening up the muffler. How do I do this? Is it fairly easy to do on my 026. Any other modifications that will improve performance? Thanks. Greg

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Re: Muffler Upgrade

Originally posted by gebada
I have read alot tonight about opening up the muffler. How do I do this? Is it fairly easy to do on my 026. Any other modifications that will improve performance? Thanks. Greg

Do a search in this forum. You'll find a lot of info on the subject.

 

[spreaderman]

muff mod

does your muffler have the heat sheild, (the holes that don't go anywhere) I drilled one of them on out using the same size drill bit as the hole in the heat sheild, take the face part of the muffler off first, I drilled the middle one on the right looking at the face plate on the saw , it is a little louder but worth the extra thump

 

[bwalker]

I owned a 036 and now I have a 044. While the 036 is a great saw I would buy a 044 if I had the choice. The 044 is not that much heavier and has alot more snot than the 036. Much more torque and it will really rip with a 20" bar.

 

[Oregon_Rob]

OK, I can't take it any more. If you can, borrow someones 372 xp of a day and then I think you will be able to stop searching.
Search past posts on the 372.

 

[glens]

Oregon_Rob,

Over at the Tool Shed site, the question was asked earlier with the added information that Stihl brand loyalty was a factor.&nbsp; I agree with borrowing a saw if possible.&nbsp; Both a 372 <i>and</i> a 440 should be borrowed, preferable at the same time.&nbsp; <i>Then</i> a proper choice could be made between the two comparable saws.&nbsp; The language at the other site seemed to indicate placing the 026 into semi-retirement, however, and if that's the case, the 360 would be the best choice to make.&nbsp; For the proportion of small limb work it sounds like will be encountered, the 360, at a full pound lighter than the bigger saws, is itself pushing the upper comfortable weight limit.

Glen

 

[Tony Snyder]

You might consider the John Deere CS 62 (20"), which is an Italian made saw of high quality and good power to weight. All of the models in that CS series are about the easiest starting saws out there.

The 2159 Jonsered/359 Huskys (same saw) are also standouts.