If you go back a few pages I too said I don't even know why they make a snow filter. However in snow conditions where the wood is real damp that filter does work ok. Thing I don't understand is the fleece would too so I agree with Lake on the snow filter, I really see no need for it at all. Stihl must think there is a call for it but as to where or why is beyond me. I myself have two snow filters for the 361 that I ordered by mistake. I will never sell them because I know they aren't meant for use around here. I have to wonder if the dealer that sold the 361 to the man knew of the differance between the snow filter and fleece filter. If not thats a dealer error, not a design flaw of the manufacture. I've never seen a 361 shipped with that filter on it. Did the dealer sell the fleece filter off it and replace it with a snow fliter he ordered by mistake just like I did, him not realising it made any differance, who knows. The poster who started this thread jumped the gun claiming the 361 has problems, its very important he said, he was and is dead wrong. His 361 has a problem of having the wrong type filter on it, thats all.
The big saw pic has a issue, thats obvious. That saw obviously has a problem but I can attest from all the HD fliters I've seen, and there have been 100's of them, I've never seen one allow dust to get past it like that one in the pic. Tells me merely something is wrong and needs to be fixed on that unit. Two saws out millions made does not mean design flaw. If that were the case I have three full orange babies in the back room sitting in oil right now. I feel certain they do not have a design flaw but instead a problem that needs repairing, not a re-design of the entire unit.
Though some may not believe but a air filter works better dirty than one super clean, whether it be small engine or automobile. Once the filter becomes dirty the dirt itself actually helps prevent other dirt from getting through the filter. A prime example of this is a concrete saw. There does come a point where the filter will compact and restrict air flow too much and thats when it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Point I'm making here is those God awfull dirty filters the other camp screams about on Stihl saws are actually doing a better job of keeping dirt out of the engine than those clean ones they are always commenting about. Thats one of the reasons I always sit and laff at that video posted where the guys were covering the saws with chips. Apparently they just don't realise or know how a air filter works and when it works best.
