Ideas on purchasing

[TaNK_Em]

I plan on purchasing a new chainsaw here in the near future. I want it to be a Stihl, and I’ll stick with Stihl because I know they make good products I own a Stihl line trimmer and hedge trimmer. I want to buy a pro grade model because I like having equipment that gets the job done time efficiently and smoothly. I’m considering either the MS 361 or the MS 440. The main purpose of the saw is going to be firewood. Which do you think is better overall, Researching both it seems like MS 361 has a nice anti-vibration system built into it. But is the extra power with the 440 worth the extra buck.

- Kevin

 

[hornett22]

either is a good choice.

if you do not hurry you will be getting the ms441.

 

[THALL10326]

I plan on purchasing a new chainsaw here in the near future. I want it to be a Stihl, and I’ll stick with Stihl because I know they make good products I own a Stihl line trimmer and hedge trimmer. I want to buy a pro grade model because I like having equipment that gets the job done time efficiently and smoothly. I’m considering either the MS 361 or the MS 440. The main purpose of the saw is going to be firewood. Which do you think is better overall, Researching both it seems like MS 361 has a nice anti-vibration system built into it. But is the extra power with the 440 worth the extra buck.

- Kevin

If your only going to have one saw the 361 is a better choice. The 440 does indeed have more power but it also has more weight. For all around use the 361 is a decent blocking saw and a easier saw to handle in the limbs. Every extra ounce in a saw is mutiplied when limbing. The 361 serves both jobs overall better than the 440 for mere firewood use.

 

[computeruser]

What size wood do you anticipate cutting most of the time?

In the wood we have here in the southern lower peninsula, the 361 is a blast with a 16" bar, and the 440 (if you can still get one new) is a super saw with a 20" bar. Both are more than capable of pulling longer bars when circumstances demand, obviously, but for firewood these lengths balance out nicely and make for fast, efficient cutting.

If I was looking for a single Stihl saw to be my all-around saw for firewood, I'd go with the 440 (w/ OEM dual port muffler cover). I'd have a 16", 20", and 28" bar for it, and be set to do anything that needed to be done. Run an 8-pin sprocket with the 16" bar in the small stuff and a 7-pin on the larger bars, and run skip chain on the 28" bar.

 

[TaNK_Em]

Yeah I just rememberd there pulling the 440s.THALL10326 have you ever ran a 361? I was told by my local dealer that it has next to no vibration. And yes the weight is another big issue. I just need a homeowner saw with lots of balls you know? computeruser, felling and bucking decent sizes. I just rememberd checking the dealer dident have the 440 on the shelfs anymore, But I havent checked D&G equitment. In that case I guess its between the 361 and 441 now eh?

 

[THALL10326]

hornett22, what do you mean? THALL10326 have you ever ran a 361? I was told by my local dealer that it has next to no vibration. And yes the weight is another big issue. I just need a homeowner saw with lots of balls you know?

Yup yup, ya might say I've ran a few, 440's too, I own them both. The 440 is a great saw, don't get me wrong on that. If I were to only own one single saw for firewood use it would be the 361. Its got enuff power for blocking and its much easier to limb with than a 440 merely due to its lighter weight. The vibe system is smoother than the 440 as well but for firewood cutting its a non issue for me. All day sawing yes , the vibe system on the 361 comes in nice...

 

[computeruser]

hornett22, what do you mean? THALL10326 have you ever ran a 361? I was told by my local dealer that it has next to no vibration. And yes the weight is another big issue. I just need a homeowner saw with lots of balls you know?

Does your local dealer have logs out back for you to demo the saws on? If not then you might want to find a dealer who does.

THALL's point is well-taken, in that you WILL feel the weight of the 440 if you're doing a bunch of limbing and trimming. And you sure as hell don't need a 440 to cut 6" branches, you can do that with the 34cc Echo 346 that you can get for $160 NIB on eBay. I guess it will come down to what you're going to be cutting - trunks, felling/limbing/blocking whole trees, cutting up logs that get delivered in lengths on a semi, etc. I'd still err on the side of power at the expense of weight, but that may just be a function of my relative youth. Your preference might go the other way.

 

[Hired Gun]

[QUOTE=TaNK_Em; THALL10326 have you ever ran a 361?

LOL HAHAHAHAHAHA Guess u didn't read much here before signing up :jester:

Mr.Hall is all things that are STIHL!

 

[Lakeside53]

8 posts and no one has mentioned another brand???:hmm3grin2orange:


"Homeowner saw with lots of balls" - 361...


Of course, if you need reall big balls, the 441 or 460 or 660 or...


EDIT: uh oh... I see another brand in post 7

 

[TaNK_Em]

I'll have to look into the demo at the dealers. But I just checked and both local dealers pulled the 440s. I’m leaning more toward the 361 for my purposes being felling trees on my property and bucking them into firewood lengths and splitting.

 

[TaNK_Em]

8 posts and no one has mentioned another brand???:hmm3grin2orange:


"Homeowner saw with lots of balls" - 361...


Of course, if you need reall big balls, the 441 or 460 or 660 or...


EDIT: uh oh... I see another brand in post 7

I'm trying to get my buddys dad to sell me his 084. Real big balls on that saw.

 

[computeruser]

8 posts and no one has mentioned another brand???:hmm3grin2orange:

In this part of Michigan there is no other brand. Seriously. Stihl OWNS southern Michigan.

 

[THALL10326]

LOLOL, what gave you that idea, ohhhhhhhhhhh, ok , you caught me,LOLOL

 

[Lakeside53]

In this part of Michigan there is no other brand. Seriously. Stihl OWNS southern Michigan.

Manual must live on another planet...