MS 361 power?

[Crofter]

I went from the older low revving high torque saws not so many years ago and had to get used to a totally different way of cutting. The older saws were much more forgiving of a dull chain and would run really cut down rakers and still tear out chips with a quite dull chain; you just had to push a bit harder. Different story with the new saws. They have to be sharp. Period. There is no such thing as being a little bit dull. I really appreciate the lighter weight, but if you can handle the extra weight a bigger saw might suit you better. I have used my sons 066 a bit but it is too much weight for me. My 260 stihl for the little stuff and my 372 for the bigger stuff. Course they are both modified by EHP so act a couple sizes bigger than stock

Frank

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Welcome Frank. Haven't seen you here for a while.

Jeff

 

[Crofter]

fishhuntcutwood;

I was off on a work project. I get the urge every once in a while to pretend I am not too old to still do it: It is getting harder to carry it off, lol! I will likely be home for the winter with time to play with the saws a bit and cut some wood to justify my toys!

Take care all,

Frank

 

[stihlwoodcutter]

Anyway so I got it started and cut up around 3 cords of wood with it. I am very disapointed with the power of this thing.
Hmmmmm.....I think that saw almost paid for it self.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Anyway so I got it started and cut up around 3 cords of wood with it. I am very disapointed with the power of this thing.
Hmmmmm.....I think that saw almost paid for it self.

It took me a while to figure out what you were trying to say there woodcutter. Do you know how to use the "Quote" function like I did to your post? Because then your post would have looked like the one below...on the next page.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Anyway so I got it started and cut up around 3 cords of wood with it. I am very disapointed with the power of this thing..

Hmmmmm...I think that saw almost paid for itself.



Just hit the "Quote" button there woodcutter, and you can reference an earlier post. If you already know this, nevermind. Just trying to help you out a bit. If I haven't already welcomed you to AS...welcome to AS.

Even though, I'm not sure three cords of wood would nearly pay off a 361. Not around here at $125 a cord at least.

Jeff

 

[stihlwoodcutter]

Hmmmmm...I think that saw almost paid for itself.



Just hit the "Quote" button there woodcutter, and you can reference an earlier post. If you already know this, nevermind. Just trying to help you out a bit. If I haven't already welcomed you to AS...welcome to AS.

Even though, I'm not sure three cords of wood would nearly pay off a 361. Not around here at $125 a cord at least.

Jeff

thanks Jeff
I get 200.00 delivered here....and i call 3 cord (cut, split and hauled back to my shop)...one hell of a day.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

thanks Jeff
I get 200.00 delivered here....and i call 3 cord (cut, split and hauled back to my shop)...one hell of a day.

I'd agree with that sentiment, and at $200 a cord, worth it!

I wonder how J is doing with his saw today...

Jeff

 

[CNYCountry]

I went from the older low revving high torque saws not so many years ago and had to get used to a totally different way of cutting. The older saws were much more forgiving of a dull chain and would run really cut down rakers and still tear out chips with a quite dull chain; you just had to push a bit harder. Different story with the new saws. They have to be sharp. Period. There is no such thing as being a little bit dull.

A darn good point.

When I bought my 361 I had not run a saw much. I heard from here the Stihl RS was the chain to run so I bought a couple of loops. Then I foolishly listened to my father who had been used to running the big older torquier saws and cut the rakers down pretty good. This combined with a saw that wasn't broken in yet left me with a saw that bogged down way too easy and was very grabby. Of course for a couple of tankfuls I was just thinking this was the nature of the beast until I did some more reading. I got my head out of my ***, filed the cutters back so there was NO MORE THAN 0.030" between the raker and the cutter, otherwise learned how to sharpen, and it broke in, and I learned not to dog in too hard and let it self feed. It cuts fast and is very easy to handle without it bogging. I cut with the bar buried in green sugar maple and as long as I don't push hard it cuts quickly with perfect clean edged uniform chips coming out like crazy.

So:

1. Use Stihl RS. When the cutters are new and long, set the rakers to 0.025". As you file the cutters back the rakers go a little lower in relation until you're at the end of the chain where they should be set to 0.030" - 0.035". This is what I have found works best. File with the right amount of hook, this seems crucial to the chain staying sharp and self feeding at the right rate. I am meticulous about keeping the cutters exactly the same lenght too and my chips are perfectly uniform with a nice clean edge, telling me that every cutter is doing equal work. Many on here will say that as long as the raker is set for it's individual cutter that the cutters don't have to be the same length. They have more experience than I do and I have not tried it but I like things to be perfect so I waste time and chain life making sure they're all the same length.

2. Break the motor in. It really does wake up quite a bit once it's broken in.

3. Don't push too hard and keep the RPM's up. With the rakers set right and the cutters sharp it shouldn't be TOO hard to do.

The RS is already a fairly aggressive chain and along with the fact that this is a high RPM saw and that's where it makes its power, you don't have to have low rakers and big chips to cut fast. This takes a lot of small chips instead of a few big ones.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

J- How'd it go today?

 

[JHeckman]

Ok I finally got to take the saw back out to the woods today with the new chain and muffler moded. I pushed in the compression release, put the saw on full choke and pulled 2 times. I put it on half choke and pulled 6 times. Nothing.. I put it on full choke and pulled 3 times then switched it to half and pulled 6 times. I put it back on full choke pulled 4 times then half choke for 6 times. Still nothing! I finally just pulled up on the compression release again. Put it on full choke pulled 3 times and it hit. Put it on half choke and started it on the second pull. I walked over and sank it into a log. I noticed that it cut a little bit better with the new chain but it still seemed like a dog to me. Even when I let it run at high rpm I would have to hold up on the saw to keep from bogging it down to much. Anyway I cut about halfway through the log and decided that I didnt need to waste my time cutting with it. After I decided to just stay calm and sell it and buy a bigger saw I decided to try and adjust the carb. Well I set the low speed adjuster and it seemed about right. Next I tryed to set the high speed adjuster. I could only turn the screw about 1/8 of a turn each way!!! I decided to remove the limiter cap like I had read about. The only problem was I didnt understand that you have to remove the carb/air filter assembly in order to get them out. I quickly destroyed the high speed limiter cap with a wood screw by trying to pull it through the hole in the plastic boot that is attached to the carb:bang: Anyway after removing the air filter/carb assembly and removing the broken cap and cutting the catch off of the L speed cap I put the saw back together and started it. I adjusted the H speed screw useing this http://www.madsens1.com/sawtune.htm technique that I had read about.
I took the saw over and sank it into the cut I had been cutting earlier. It ripped its way down through the cut and grabbed on the uncut wood and started chompin!!! I finished the cut and started another. By this time I had this big goofy grin on my face By the third cut I was literally laughing out loud. My grandpa came outside and saw me and thought I was nuts Anyhow this thing literally has 2 times the power it had before I adjusted the carb!! Now I am very happy with this little thing. I tryed it side by side my pioneer and there is no comparison on smaller wood this little thing outcuts the pioneer hands down. However on a big old dead knotty oak my pioneer seemed to outcut it a bit. Anyhow sorry for the long post but I just wanted to let everyone know what happend. I am defiantly going to keep this saw but ill probably still keep my eye out for a used 440 for the bigger stuff. Thanks for all the help guys I would have never got this saw runing right on my own!!!

 

[JHeckman]

Oh by the way I let the saw set for about 4 hours outside. It was about 20 degrees outside. I went out pushed in the comp release put it on full choke and it hit on first pull! Switched over to half choke pushed in the comp release and pulled 2 times and it fired right up.!! Thanks again everyone

 

[stump doctor]

Glad you got it sorted out. You may want to get some new limiter caps and install them to protect you current settings. Vibration over time can make these screws move. They used to have springs to hold them in place back in the good ol days. I have looked at all their saws and I think Stihl has got a winner on their hands with the new MS361. After you do the mods of course

 

[TimberPig]

Glad to hear it is working much better. That saw is a really good saw, especially for the size, and the way you were talking about there just had to be a problem. Glad to hear the new chain, modded muffler and carb adjustment has changed your outlook on your new saw.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Dude, I too am glad you got the saw the way you want it. When you said you had to hold the saw up to keep it from bogging, I thought that the saw was a lemon, or the carb needed worked on. I'm glad it was just the carb.

Jeff

 

[SawTroll]

.... By this time I had this big goofy grin on my face By the third cut I was literally laughing out loud. ....

I am glad you got it sorted out,

but I think your :censored: dealer should have sorted out both the starting issue and the carb adjustment issue before he handed you your saw. If it will not start with the decomp valve open, there still is an issue with the saw, that need to be sorted out.

Please let us hear how it cold starts the next time you use it.

 

[JHeckman]

I took my saw out this morning. It was cold not sure what temp but well below freezing. Put the saw on full choke pushed the comp release. Pulled 2 times and it hit. Half choke , comp release , 2 pulls and it fired right up. I let it warm up for about 10 seconds then proceded to run tank after tank through it today. Never had to pull more than once after it got warmed up. This saw really is cutting great now maybe im just getting more used to it or maybe its just breaking in but whatever it is I like it