Review of MS361.. I know, "not another one"...

[litefoot]

Took the new 361 to the mountains and cut 4 cords of firewood ranging from 12" to 22" dead standing pine. Hard starting and no idle until I adjusted the carb. Firewood is at about 9000' elevation, so that was understandable. I bought the saw with a 24" bar and RSC (skip chain), which made it a bit heavier than what I'm used to. But not having to bend over to buck the freshly downed trees was nice.

Bar oiling was extremely light on the first two tanks, but then it got heavier (most of a tank of oil to a tank of gas) thereafter. Not sure about that one. I really like the way the saw cuts. It's a nice unit. I compared the RSC chain to full-comp, and I like cutting action of the RSC much better, especially the lessened kick-back when doing plunge cuts.

That's it. It's a nice saw and seems to have sufficient power for what I need it to do. I'm happy with it.

 

[Diesel JD]

I have to doubt if the skip chain would reduce kickback...but if it works that way for you....who am I to question you? I have yet to try RSC full skip or comp, I'm going to get a loop when its a vailable in my area. Congrats on your saw, they are universally well liked it seems.

 

[SawTroll]

RSC full comp is very nice, but of course not with a 24" bar on a 361.

Skip will not reduce kick-back tendensies vs. full comp, rater vice versa.

I have never had any kick-back issues with full comp (regular) RSC.

Litefoot, you didn't say what kind of chain the full comp one was.....

 

[litefoot]

The full comp chain I used is Stihl chisel...RSC I think. The full skip is RMF...I believe. Sorry, I didn't save the boxes. The RMF was new and the RSC was an older chain freshly ground by a friend on his Oregon grinder. Maybe that's why I noticed a difference. But there is no doubt that the full-skip was easier to start a plunge cut than the full comp. Go figure.

 

[SawTroll]

I have to admit that I have never heard of RMF, that would be a semi-chisel full skip chain as I interpret it....

Semi-chisel will normally have less kick-back energy than chisel.

 

[04ultra]

I have to admit that I have never heard of RMF, that would be a semi-chisel full skip chain as I interpret it....

Semi-chisel will normally have less kick-back energy than chisel.

Look here


http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/types.html

 

[SawTroll]

Thank you, pretty much what I guessed, isn't it?

 

[Lakeside53]

I have to admit that I have never heard of RMF, that would be a semi-chisel full skip chain as I interpret it....

Semi-chisel will normally have less kick-back energy than chisel.

It's common here. I sell it to the guys that cut firewood (on the ground) and stumps (in the "dirt"). I like it... The problem with chisel is the moment the tiny tip is dull, the chain cuts like crap. The RMF cuts about 80% (just a wild guess) of the speed of a sharp RSC, but lasts a LOT longer, particularly if cutting unclean wood or deep bark (which always has grit in it)..

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Glad you like it litefoot. It's a fine saw.

 

[SawTroll]

It's common here. I sell it to the guys that cut firewood (on the ground) and stumps (in the "dirt"). I like it... The problem with chisel is the moment the tiny tip is dull, the chain cuts like crap. The RMF cuts about 80% (just a wild guess) of the speed of a sharp RSC, but lasts a LOT longer, particularly if cutting unclean wood or deep bark (which always has grit in it)..

I have no problem seeing that, I just didn't know about RMF.

For stumping and the odd dirty log, I have bee using regular RM on my relative short bars (18" and shorter) - works great. :rockn:

By the way, the 95VP/H30 is a great allround chain for 3 cube saws, and it is a pity that Stihl doesn't have a comparable chain........:bang:

 

[Lakeside53]

By the way, the 95VP/H30 is a great allround chain for 3 cube saws, and it is a pity that Stihl doesn't have a comparable chain........:bang:

O.k., I'll bite... What is it? (just so I don't have to look it up)!

 

[SawTroll]

.325 narrow kerf chain - kind of semi-chisel, but a less rouded corner than other semi-chisel.

Very efficient on 3 cube and slightly smaller saws.

A friend of mine tested it against 21LP and 25RS on hit 353, and found that is was the fastest chain in 13" or so wood.

I believe that the 95VP is the main reason why the 3,3 hp Husky 353 easily beats our 3.5 hp MS 260s, with standard attachments here (25 RM/RMC on the 260).

By the way, my friend also tested the same chains on the PS-5100s, and found the 25RS fastest on that one, but that is no typical 3 cube saw....

He was afraid to post the results here, as he thought that they would be too unscientific for our friend Ben Walker.....:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: