As anyone ran one of these against the Husky 357?
ms 361?
- Thread starter bwalker
- Start date
Help Support Arborist Forum:
jokers
Addicted to ArboristSite
Ben,
I almost bought one the other day to see how it stacked up until I was reminded that it has a "modular" engine, ala the ms290. Thanks, but no thanks.
Russ
I almost bought one the other day to see how it stacked up until I was reminded that it has a "modular" engine, ala the ms290. Thanks, but no thanks.
Russ
Really? The one I looked at had metal crankcases of the traditional design. Stihl even boast's in their brochure for the model that it will last 50%longer than the 360.
jokers
Addicted to ArboristSite
Hi Ben,
I don`t know for sure since the dealer I was at didn`t have one out of the box, that is what he told me. He also extolled the virtues of this type engine since it can be produced with much tighter tolerances than an engine with a vertically split crankcase and seperate cylinder. I don`t think that I agree, but that is his perspective.
Russ
I don`t know for sure since the dealer I was at didn`t have one out of the box, that is what he told me. He also extolled the virtues of this type engine since it can be produced with much tighter tolerances than an engine with a vertically split crankcase and seperate cylinder. I don`t think that I agree, but that is his perspective.
Russ
When I get back into town monday I will take a closer look at it and report back. I suspect your dealer, like many, is full of crap.
FWIW The brochure I got mentions that the 361 has a rev limted ignition. That kind of puts the kabosh on taching it out to 15.600 like Stihltech's rep suggested.
Quad, closed loops ala husky xp saws.
jokers
Addicted to ArboristSite
I`m curious to know what you guys come up with on this saw. At first glance it looks like it has alot of potential.
FWIW, I did by an FS80( atleast that`s what I think it is, LOL) 30" dual side hedge trimmer from this guy. Who should I send it to for mods?
Russ
FWIW, I did by an FS80( atleast that`s what I think it is, LOL) 30" dual side hedge trimmer from this guy. Who should I send it to for mods?
Russ
Lo gent's I can't find it now but there is a long discussion comparing the 357XP to the MS361. I happened across it searching on google (I think), it was on some news group. It's basically some guy who had both and a bunch of people asking questions... he seemed to like the 357 more but had some nice things to say about the 361. wish I could find the ???? thing again.
I remember thinking it was off topic for the group...
wish I could find the ???? thing again.I remember thinking it was off topic for the group...
The 361 I just fondled and ran (but not cut with) has conventional construction in the crankcase/cylinder assembly. It's all metal above the rear handle, except maybe the clutch cover (and, of course, the top cover). I couldn't tell for sure on the clutch side. It's a new style cover without accommodation for the outer bucking spike, and it appears to have an inner shape conducive to both chip expulsion and chain retention. The starter cover is definitely metal as the tapped holes for the winter kit plainly show. Rim sprocket assembly was on the saw, and 20" laminated bar with 3/8 RM2 chain. Price tag: $539.00
The saw sounds tinny, as would be expected and the muffler appears quite (casual) tamper-resistant. It's a smooth runner in hand, though, at idle, and it spools up nicely, staying smooth along the way. I don't have any doubts that (at least) after a couple gallons of gas it'll outcut my 036.
The air cleaner assembly is different than the old style split cartridge element. It's a basket about like on the 270/280. Interestingly, the winter warm air port does not feed air to the filter differently than during the summer. It evidently only blows warm (dirtier) air from under the top cover to the back side if the airbox baffle, and around the carburetor exterior.
Looks like it's gonna be a winner.
I don't know if I'd say it looks like Stihl wants "back in the game" since, actually, their timing is probably about right on coming out with new designs in conjunction with the phasing-in of tighter regulations. The whole industry is kind of in a state of flux right now, isn't it?
Glen
The saw sounds tinny, as would be expected and the muffler appears quite (casual) tamper-resistant. It's a smooth runner in hand, though, at idle, and it spools up nicely, staying smooth along the way. I don't have any doubts that (at least) after a couple gallons of gas it'll outcut my 036.
The air cleaner assembly is different than the old style split cartridge element. It's a basket about like on the 270/280. Interestingly, the winter warm air port does not feed air to the filter differently than during the summer. It evidently only blows warm (dirtier) air from under the top cover to the back side if the airbox baffle, and around the carburetor exterior.
Looks like it's gonna be a winner.
I don't know if I'd say it looks like Stihl wants "back in the game" since, actually, their timing is probably about right on coming out with new designs in conjunction with the phasing-in of tighter regulations. The whole industry is kind of in a state of flux right now, isn't it?
Glen
JimL
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yeah good saw. I tore one down and put a jug and cylinder on it.
New saw, friggin wrist pin keeper wasn't installed right. Never started it but the first tim i pulled it I knew somethin wasn't right.
New saw, friggin wrist pin keeper wasn't installed right. Never started it but the first tim i pulled it I knew somethin wasn't right.
jokers
Addicted to ArboristSite
Doesn`t that just make your skin crawl?
Glen,
Thanks for giving us the rundown on this model, but now I feel like a fool for not challenging this guy. He is a nice guy and A-1 in several other areas of his business, just not saws. He`ll admit that he`s too busy with the other stuff that actually butters his bread. As much as I don`t like dealers who aren`t masters of their product lines, I can see his point.
How much would that dealer sell one for Glen? I seem to remember a guy from Maine saying that they are selling for $499 in that area.
Russ
We're selling ours right now for $515.00 with a 24" bar. Glens is right, the 361 is constructed basically in the same manner as the 360/036. Metal crankcase halves and cylinder that bolts on. The quad style transfer ports look almost identical to the ports found on a Husky 372, only shaped slightly different for more velocity.
The units we have now do not have a rev-limiting ignition, but according to Stihl Northwest the rev-limiting ignition is coming soon on all 2005 ( certain models ) saws as are the catalytic mufflers. Ours have the same sprocket/clutch cover that the 036 had, so you can mount a dawg on the outside if you want. You will not be able to retrofit a pair of wrap handlebars on the 361 though, like the 036, because the handlebar mounts are located in different positions. If an operator wanted full wraps, they'd have to fabricated from scratch.
The units we have now do not have a rev-limiting ignition, but according to Stihl Northwest the rev-limiting ignition is coming soon on all 2005 ( certain models ) saws as are the catalytic mufflers. Ours have the same sprocket/clutch cover that the 036 had, so you can mount a dawg on the outside if you want. You will not be able to retrofit a pair of wrap handlebars on the 361 though, like the 036, because the handlebar mounts are located in different positions. If an operator wanted full wraps, they'd have to fabricated from scratch.
How does it run, Jacob? I am really curious to see how it stacks up gainst the 357.
Ben- as with any Stihl/Husky comparison in similar sized engines, the 361 is not as fast out of the box as the 357, but does have a bit more "bottom end" or torque. However, the 361 is more choked down stock than the 357, so I'm seeing a lot of potential for modification. The exhaust outlet is tiny, and located far back on the muffler closer to the cylinder than any other saw I've seen. I think two more small outlets could be added to the muffler, and after porting this saw will really wake up.
As Jim mentions, the anti-vibe mounts are good. They're too soft to run a bar any longer than the 28" recommended by Stihl as the max.
The 361 has a piston with windows much like the 044 piston, not a slab-sided piston like the 270/280.
The airbox is very restricted, the air has to flow in and around the sides of the airbox cover, through the filter, and then make two more bends to reach the carburetor. This can be modified. I am working on fitting the airbox cover flange from an 044 to the 361 carb to allow bolting of the cover directly to the carb, and then using a foam air filter with a custom cage much like the "Max-Flow" system available for the bigger saws.
As Jim mentions, the anti-vibe mounts are good. They're too soft to run a bar any longer than the 28" recommended by Stihl as the max.
The 361 has a piston with windows much like the 044 piston, not a slab-sided piston like the 270/280.
The airbox is very restricted, the air has to flow in and around the sides of the airbox cover, through the filter, and then make two more bends to reach the carburetor. This can be modified. I am working on fitting the airbox cover flange from an 044 to the 361 carb to allow bolting of the cover directly to the carb, and then using a foam air filter with a custom cage much like the "Max-Flow" system available for the bigger saws.
Airbox question.
Don't mean to get off topic but speaking of airbox's Jacob, or anyone else, does opening these up for more airflow (ie drilling some holes) work on a saw?
Drilling holes in the airbox on my moto-x bikes was always the first thing I did upon purchasing a new one. It always helped.....some bikes more than others but none-the-less, always a boost and it was free & easy. Of course, the filter needed to be cleaned more often but the larger debris was kept out by riveting screen over the new holes.
Besides the need for more frequent cleaning, why wouldn't this work on a saw too?
Don't mean to get off topic but speaking of airbox's Jacob, or anyone else, does opening these up for more airflow (ie drilling some holes) work on a saw?
Drilling holes in the airbox on my moto-x bikes was always the first thing I did upon purchasing a new one. It always helped.....some bikes more than others but none-the-less, always a boost and it was free & easy. Of course, the filter needed to be cleaned more often but the larger debris was kept out by riveting screen over the new holes.
Besides the need for more frequent cleaning, why wouldn't this work on a saw too?
Similar threads
Withdrawn
Stihl MS 361 Parts Saw
Want to Sell
Ported 361
