Some new saw guidance request..

[guym3]

For 12" wood the 261 is a no-brainer. If you need bigger the 400 is a much better saw than the 362.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Really don't see why anyone would get a 362 when the 400 is so close in size, weight, price but with more power? Much more bang for your buck but that's just my personal view!
Also to the original poster I'd maybe consider a smaller 261 for your needs? Less weight to lug about, less fuel to consume, and for 12" wood more than capable! Have fun!

You are not located in the high North where all items are scarce to not available, older designs with simple carbs are what one wants for far remote areas. I am fully aware of remote settings, so all my saws would be regular non mTronic types no matter the power difference, it means nothing if the saw won`t run. There is nothing at all wrong with a MS362 regular carbed saw I run one myself, most guys that live in remote areas are 100 times more self sufficient than the city folks. They are the McGuyvers of the world so its best to keep it stupid simple so the machines spend more time being used as compared to sitting waiting for months for parts to arrive. The older 0 series saws are the better choice for remote setting useage, so simple to repair and a stock of wear n tear items needed are are easy to assemble, no electronic terminals needed or wanted.

 

[djmercer1]

so, a few questions and i will try and lump together:
1) 391 is not an option - i am going 'pro' saw all the way - so 261/362/400/462 are options
2) nothing available in canada in pro saw unless it has m-tronic or i go used. 'farm' grade saws can be had with intelli carb - not an option since i going pro level 100%
3) sea-lifts done for year and nothing til June 2025 - so, what's here is here unless flown in. for flying dangerous goods (including a saw or anything previously fueled) either a dedicated flight must be used ($$$$$) or sit and wait until sealift
4) i am going to log all the sticks and sled (got a vk for this) back to town for processing. anything suitable for a saw log will be set aside until i can get my mill setup on next sealift. i have 3-4 separate woodlots to tend to - 1 for me and a couple fro elders in town.
5) typical saws in town are 250 with a couple 271 and 291 - 291 is largest currently here. a few huskys and the saws i have in my place now are MS170 and husky 240. my saws enroute next sea-lift are PP260, 048 and 051
6) town fuel was dropped from tanker in November - not a huge issue not, but end of season in May/June supply gets short and bulk storage tank quality starts to show

appreciated all the help. anything questions i missed just let me know.

 

[Valpen]

Regardless of which saw you end up with, given the degree of isolation you have described, my strong recommendation is to have a backup saw...
And if it can share bars and chains with your main saw, that is a real benefit.

 

[Scyry]

My father in-law, brother in-law and I all bought MS 261-CMs in 2019 and mine in 2020. Mine was never right. Not as strong as their saws and wouldn’t restart once warm. Cutting side by side with a friend, his 271 Farm Boss did better. Got to the point it wouldn’t restart for 6+ hours after running a tank through it. Warranty tried replacing the fuel line, filter and something else thinking it was vapor lock. Prior to that blamed old gas after they sat on it three months. Sold it last spring. I live at 9,600 ft of elevation but can be cutting at 6,500 ft so thought the auto tune would be nice. Saw never seemed to figured out the high elevation but I couldn’t do anything to dial it in.

Father in-law’s solenoid died on him this summer, $170 for the part. Part wasn’t sitting on a shelf either, think it took a week to get. We think my Brother in-law’s solenoid died last week.

I switched to a Husqvarna Rancher 455 for my firewood saw, didn’t want to spend that much again and don’t trust auto tunes after that experience. Rancher cuts way better than the 261 did so I know there was more wrong with the 261 and I got a lemon. The 261 bogged down when I was cutting anything bigger than 8”, only pines and aspen here. Something to be said for simplicity of parts and availability of parts.

 

[Mad Professor]

Really don't see why anyone would get a 362 when the 400 is so close in size, weight, price but with more power? Much more bang for your buck but that's just my personal view!
Also to the original poster I'd maybe consider a smaller 261 for your needs? Less weight to lug about, less fuel to consume, and for 12" wood more than capable! Have fun!

Mtronic

 

[djmercer1]

for those interested, here is update:
1) location, very rough: 57n, 61w - check it on google earth
2) i still dont have sea ice, so gonna go in small boat and set trails, clear brush, set sled trails, etc for the next couple weeks til sea ice sets in
3) we got a 9' tide here - thats gonna mean pressure ridges near shore when sledding and causes a nuisance when going by boat
4) sleds are being prepped - gonna do tandem sleds. i figuring 1 cord per trip
5) for doing the lots, i just gonna put it all on the ground 1st in logs and then concentrate and sledding home for processing
6) got a small emerge cache set including tent at each location

for the saw, my dealer is a buddy (and he wants my new skidoo purchase) - he got a NIB 362(i leaning hard this way) and a 400 enroute due week, i can try either and he will exchange then put in his rental fleet... the saw will have 20" light bar and 3/8 - all quick repair parts like filters, sprockets, chains are due here this week....

as it happens throughout this, i found a set of 041s including a gear unit and a mac 10-10 and a pioneer p62 all in near new condition that i about to buy this week.... expensive week....

 

[WoodmanSr]

location, very rough: 57n, 61w - check it on google earth

DJ, so reading latest post that you might give ms362 Mtronic a try (or ms400 MT). While very fine saws they seem a misfit. Just sharing my opinion why.

I figure loads on city inhabitants will applaud ms362/ms400.

Boy, I had to locate you. Google IA kept saying middle of North Atlantic Ocean. 57N, 61W found NE coast Newfoundland/Labrador, small island land mass off of mainland NL.

If understand status, you'll buy new & air freight never gassed this winter, or wait until July'25 Sea-lift (used/gassed). Many good recommendations but I'm on buy older model page as a few others. Also, seems you & community are Stihl aligned mostly. So just recognizing that per this feedback.

I don't know but suspect is more feasible to find good serviceable condition 036 series than 044/046. But, means waiting on refreshed 036 & arrange importing.

The Stihl 036 / ms360 / 034 Super have simplicity & probably reliability that Mtronic models ms362, ms400, ms462 can't match.
-- over long run are abundant parts for 036, even if aftermarket.
-- 036 older but employes at Choke Plate inside carburetor
-- personally would look to buy Stihl model with cross-over parts to other models. 034, 036, 360 where produced around 20 years. So abundant parts. Examine parts usage
... common carb kits
... readily available Air Filter or foam conversion kit
... fuel hose & impulse hose options
... clutch, drum sprocket, oil pump shared other models.
... uses more common Ignition Coil 0000 400 1300; Stihl 024, 026, MS260, 028, 028 Super, 029, MS290, 034, MS340, 036, 036 Pro, MS360, 038, MS380, 039, MS390, 044, MS440, 046, MS460, MS461

The 036 shines from parts recipe, durability, & plenty adequate 61.5cc traditional 2-stroke engine (non-strato).

Is an obviously impracticality from a Mtronic perspective where a 'private' Air Flight or Sea Freight ride to Stihl dealer diagnoses. Myself, no vote to those 3 models (362, 400, 462).

If you could possibly locate & buy non-Mtronic carbureted version (IntelliCarb) of ms362 or ms400 than still not my choice... for remote location. Why, I do not believe stratified charge low emission engine types suit you either. Someone will trounce me on fuel efficiency & reliability... don't agree.
-- wouldn't want stratified Lean combustion, unknown arctic cold tolerance, or potential hard starting issues
-- wouldn't want complexity of dual venturi strato carburetor as specific to ms362/400 intake-fuel system.
-- inherit issue of stock form Carb Limiter Caps, Restricted Muffler, "pro" high ignition advance curve that might dislike poor fuel.

While I've never heard complaints of 362/400 hard starting but stratified added complexity sways me here. I suspect strato models might also respond more adversely to stale fuel or common grade (octane) bulk fuel aquired by the community. Don't know.
-- figuring you want a saw that runs or tunes adequately on low quality fuel, or even 16:1 motor oil mix. Just saying the modern high strung strato pro saws are not that, imo.

I get it that can't source & ship an older used saw until July'25. Just if my money would not spend on a Mtronic to keep/maintain off mainland.

My perspective nothing wrong to buy Stihl 026/260, or even 029/ms290 for described use.

Other feedback as Husqvarna 372xp OE (non-Xtorq strato) is a renowned choice as well. Maybe more saw than needed, excellent all the same.

 

[djmercer1]

DJ, so reading latest post that you might give ms362 Mtronic a try (or ms400 MT). While very fine saws they seem a misfit. Just sharing my opinion why.

I figure loads on city inhabitants will applaud ms362/ms400.

Boy, I had to locate you. Google IA kept saying middle of North Atlantic Ocean. 57N, 61W found NE coast Newfoundland/Labrador, small island land mass off of mainland NL.

If understand status, you'll buy new & air freight never gassed this winter, or wait until July'25 Sea-lift (used/gassed). Many good recommendations but I'm on buy older model page as a few others. Also, seems you & community are Stihl aligned mostly. So just recognizing that per this feedback.

I don't know but suspect is more feasible to find good serviceable condition 036 series than 044/046. But, means waiting on refreshed 036 & arrange importing.

The Stihl 036 / ms360 / 034 Super have simplicity & probably reliability that Mtronic models ms362, ms400, ms462 can't match.
-- over long run are abundant parts for 036, even if aftermarket.
-- 036 older but employes at Choke Plate inside carburetor
-- personally would look to buy Stihl model with cross-over parts to other models. 034, 036, 360 where produced around 20 years. So abundant parts. Examine parts usage
... common carb kits
... readily available Air Filter or foam conversion kit
... fuel hose & impulse hose options
... clutch, drum sprocket, oil pump shared other models.
... uses more common Ignition Coil 0000 400 1300; Stihl 024, 026, MS260, 028, 028 Super, 029, MS290, 034, MS340, 036, 036 Pro, MS360, 038, MS380, 039, MS390, 044, MS440, 046, MS460, MS461

The 036 shines from parts recipe, durability, & plenty adequate 61.5cc traditional 2-stroke engine (non-strato).

Is an obviously impracticality from a Mtronic perspective where a 'private' Air Flight or Sea Freight ride to Stihl dealer diagnoses. Myself, no vote to those 3 models (362, 400, 462).

If you could possibly locate & buy non-Mtronic carbureted version (IntelliCarb) of ms362 or ms400 than still not my choice... for remote location. Why, I do not believe stratified charge low emission engine types suit you either. Someone will trounce me on fuel efficiency & reliability... don't agree.
-- wouldn't want stratified Lean combustion, unknown arctic cold tolerance, or potential hard starting issues
-- wouldn't want complexity of dual venturi strato carburetor as specific to ms362/400 intake-fuel system.
-- inherit issue of stock form Carb Limiter Caps, Restricted Muffler, "pro" high ignition advance curve that might dislike poor fuel.

While I've never heard complaints of 362/400 hard starting but stratified added complexity sways me here. I suspect strato models might also respond more adversely to stale fuel or common grade (octane) bulk fuel aquired by the community. Don't know.
-- figuring you want a saw that runs or tunes adequately on low quality fuel, or even 16:1 motor oil mix. Just saying the modern high strung strato pro saws are not that, imo.

I get it that can't source & ship an older used saw until July'25. Just if my money would not spend on a Mtronic to keep/maintain off mainland.

My perspective nothing wrong to buy Stihl 026/260, or even 029/ms290 for described use.

Other feedback as Husqvarna 372xp OE (non-Xtorq strato) is a renowned choice as well. Maybe more saw than needed, excellent all the same.

you are right on location - i live a touch south in Nain, NL....

Waiting until sealift is not an option - if it was i would use my 048, so i have to get a NIB saw now... i quized my dealer on old school carb models and he couldnt find anything from other Canadian dealers he could get in class of saw i wanted - i would even have gone bigger if available... I happen to be a Stihl guy, just, like i drive a chevy duramax - and he gonna give me a deal since he gonna sell me a new sled...

Pains me that i am forced to drop $2k in a saw, parts and accessories but i will have a new saw - however, keeping elders warms is my 1st priority, me warm is 2nd.....

 

[holeycow]

You are not forced in any way, shape or form to drop 2 large on a saw, etc. That is a choice that you seem to want to make.

 

[djmercer1]

You are not forced in any way, shape or form to drop 2 large on a saw, etc. That is a choice that you seem to want to make.

so you are saying cold elders is an option -- not an option to me.... you see other options?

 

[PV Hiker]

Fall 2023 visited kuujjuaq and flew float plane West for a visit. Nice and would come back for another visit.

You are pretty far from kuujjuaq and if you were closer you could be better off getting supplies. But where you are is remote and I appreciate you thought process and planning to get limited chances to get products when you can. You also need to have dependable products or be able to fix what you have with whatever you have with you. We are spoiled having a quick supply chain to get just about anything quickly and cheaply.

You going remote cutting is a multiple chainsaw event as it takes time and money to take only one chainsaw only to be turned around missing a opportunity while you have a break in weather systems.

Most here don't realize your lifestyle or your way of life how things are done. I respect you and for your commitment taking care of the elders.

As @WoodmanSr has given some good items to think about I understand you window of opportunity is closing quickly. Though it would be nice to have a new chainsaw for the season, could you with what you have and could borrow, get through another season? It would be hard for me to put lots of money into a new chainsaw with backup parts in a stress buying window. I think if I have enough time to invest working with the new chainsaw upon delivery after buying?

Are you cutting trees that maybe frozen? That would make sense that a bigger chainsaw would be warranted. Is the NIB 362 a carb version? I might try the carb version over the 400 Mtronic version. I love my 400 but you need to look at your environment and being able to interchange parts and fix what ever it needs yourself. If those 2 saws are the only choices in my situation where you live, I would lean toward the NIB 362.

You have a lot to think about. Stay safe and enjoy the country up there.
.

 

[PJwoodcutter]

With the options you present for me it would be the 400 all day everyday. Its virtually the same weight as the 362 and way more power. No one ever says "I wish I had less power" and you dont get the weight negative for it. And Mtronic is your only option so thats not a choice.