Husky 357XP and Stihl MS361?

[NYH1]

Not that I plan on getting one of these (not any time soon anyway's). I'm just curious on how these two saws stack up against one another? On paper they look pretty close. I know SawTroll said the 357XP weighs more then Husky says. Is one saw better then the other? If so why? Is the difference between the two enough to notice or is it a "pick which ever one feels better to you" type of thing? My next saw is going to be a Husky 353. If (and it's only an IF) I ever do get a bigger saw it would be alone the lines of a 357XP or a MS361 with a 18 or 20 inch bar. Like I said just curious. Thanks, NYH1!

 

[manual]

357 preforms a little better, clutch breaks are different.
357 external, 361 internal, Weights close enough to perfect.
choice the right dealer that is going to help you and you picked the right saw.

 

[Urbicide]

Both are good saws that I would never be embarrassed to own. Displacement wise I would consider going up a bit in size from your 353 than the 357 or 361. They are too close in size to what you would have now. Of course you could buy them anyway, what the heck!

 

[441_Stihl]

both are good saws.I just like Stihl for thier long life

 

[Lakeside53]

you all know what I like... and as for outboard clutches....

 

[Hired Gun]

Ponder this, why not pick up a 359, and have it woods ported. You will be out similar money or slightly less and have a saw that will walk all over the 2 stock ones you mentioned. I cut a Tri-axle load of firewood with mine yesterday. That saw gives me a woody! :rockn: Just my 32.5 cents, Happy T-day!

 

[SawTroll]

The 361 has .2 kW more power and 10% more max torque here, in the US the difference is smaller (.1 kW).

The 361 is lighter, regardless what Husky states, and has an inboard clutch.

The inboard cluch is important if you are ripcutting with the grain (as I do a lot of), other than that it is mainly a question of wish saw feels right to you.

The inboard clutch is much more convenient when changing sprockets, it is up to you if it matters - to me it does as I change between 7 pin for felling and 8-pin for limbing quite often. I don't know if the Husky will be happy with the 8-pin at all.....

 

[manual]

Ponder this, why not pick up a 359, and have it woods ported. You will be out similar money or slightly less and have a saw that will walk all over the 2 stock ones you mentioned. I cut a Tri-axle load of firewood with mine yeasterday. That saw gives me a woody! :rockn: Just my 32.5 cents, Happy T-day!

Can we say woody ?
Never mind I just read, It's ok to use in the same sentance with Husky.:hmm3grin2orange:

 

[NYH1]

A "new" 353 is definitely going to be my next saw. Weight and power wise it's perfect for what I'm going to use it for. If I do get a 357XP or a MS361 I might consider a used one. I normally don't like buying used tools (as I've mentioned in the past), but for the amount of time I'd use it, used might be a better way to go.

 

[SawTroll]

May we hope for a 352xp, to counter the PS-5100....

....I guess the answer is no, but it would have been nice......

 

[bwalker]

The 361 is a affable saw, but not spectacular performance wise. The 357 does cut quicker, but also has the outboard clutch which I dont care for.
If I where buying one I would take the 357 based on the performance and live with the clutch.
I had a 361, but sold it because it really couldnt perform the functions of a 70cc saw and wasnt as nimble as a 50cc saw. Kind of a bastad size IMO that does a little bit of everyhitng, but nothing extremely well.
BTW Troll, I havent noticed that the outboard clutch on my 346 is a hinderance when ripping. Putting a chain on it or changing a sprocket is a pain though.

 

[04ultra]

I havent noticed that the outboard clutch on my 346 is a hinderance when ripping. Putting a chain on it or changing a sprocket is a pain though.

Put a 36" to 48" bar on a 3120..Royal pain in the a$$..




.

 

[SawTroll]

...
BTW Troll, I havent noticed that the outboard clutch on my 346 is a hinderance when ripping. Putting a chain on it or changing a sprocket is a pain though.

I was talking about ripping the wood pieces from the side, making those long curly fries - they clog up really fast under the clutch cover of my 353, it is close to useless for that.....

On the 361 they just fly right trough, no problems at all...:biggrinbounce2:

I hope the 372 is the same way as the 361, but it isn't quite as "clean" under the clutch cover as the 361, thanks to the cover mounted chain tensioner (no surprice, though - I knew about it).

 

[Just Mow]

My votes for the 361.

 

[bwalker]

I was talking about ripping the wood pieces from the side, making those long curly fries - they clog up really fast under the clutch cover of my 353, it is close to useless for that.....

Like I said I have never had a problem doing that with my 346. maybe because of the differance in wood we are cutting?

 

[SawTroll]

Like I said I have never had a problem doing that with my 346. maybe because of the differance in wood we are cutting?

I believe so - I am talking about birch, and the twisted and knotted pieces + Y-crotches, that is allmost unsplittable with an axe or maul....

 

[SawTroll]

My votes for the 361.

Yep, no doubt for an "allround" saw - if the wood is mostly small, or for limbing only, and no ripping, maybe the 357xp......

 

[ciscoguy01]

Hmmm

Haven't run either yet. But according to everyone I know in these parts, the 361 is one mean machine... Heard good things about eh 357 also though... Only from this site though... :biggrinbounce2:

 

[SawTroll]

Modded saws

Just a sidenote, Eds last comment on the issue is the his latest modded 361s beats his modded 357s and 359s at the moment......:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

...not that I care....

 

[SawTroll]

... 346xp ...
Putting a chain on it or changing a sprocket is a pain though.

I allways listen carefully to you, but I simply don't agree regarding the chain - sprocket isn't a pain either, unless you swap back and forth pretty often, imho.