Stihl 036

[rahtreelimbs]

Anybody out there run an 036? I owned several and just didn't like them. They seem to be weak on low-end torque. Maybe I just didn't have enough hours on them.

 

[stihltech]

036

I know what you mean. I own an 034. I ran an 036 for a while. The 034 would cut much better with less weight. My customers have no complaints with them, but i have no pro user using it.
Give me back the 034 Super!

 

[Clay]

MS360 no good?

I thought that I saw where more than one person chose the 036 as their favorite saw of all time? I bought a MS310, kept it 4 days and it never touched wood and then returned it for a full refund. I had been looking at the MS260 Pro and the MS360 Pro. I was to buy a MS360 Pro tomorrow w/ a 20" bar for $499. I was also to buy a 16" bar and use that most of the time. Now I am wondering if I am making another mistake - last time you guys told me that the MS310 was junk and that I should get a Pro saw. Now the night before I am to buy a Pro saw, I hear that this one is not very good. What's the real scoup here guys? Any quick responses would be appreciated. Clay

 

[sedanman]

Clay, I have no experience with the 036 but I would sell ALL of my other saws before I gave up my 026, best "all around" saw I own. It won't hold a candle to my 064 but I only need the 064 for less than 5% of the work I do with it.

 

[TonyM]

I owned both an 036 and an 026, and I liked the 036 as well if not better. If I were to own one saw for firewood cutting, it probably woud be an 036. The only thing I've noticed is that the 036 has lost a little Hp since I owned mine. It went from 4.6 to 4.4 Hp. Don't know if this was simply a correction, or due to EPA regulations. I suspect EPA regs is the answer. I've never run an 034 or 034 super.

 

[treeclimber165]

Gotta agree with Sedanman. I've been doing quite a few removals the last couple weeks. I am averaging about 4-5 tanks of fuel per day in my climbing saw. But we are using about 3-4 tanks of fuel per day in the 2 026's and less than 1 tank per day in the 046 (for stump cuts & some big wood).
The 026 is light enough to run without fatigue but ballsy enough to easily handle 16" logs almost as fast as an 046. I can brush out with it as well, cause it's lighter.
If all you are doing is cutting hardwood firewood 14" and bigger, get a bigger saw. If you need a saw for TREEWORK, the 026 or similar size is a smarter bet.

Work smarter, not harder!

 

[toolmaker]

Clay,
It seems like there may be some confusion here on the 036. My take in this discussion is that the two guys above are pro's that use a saw day-in, day-out. They have enough experience to notice a slight difference between some low-end torque or not. For the average "weekend warrior" like myself, the 036 is an excellent choice. I sold mine to get an MS460, and I still regret it. Not that the 460 is bad, because it is not, but the 036 is an excellent all-around saw. In my "OPINION", I would say the 036 (MS460) is the best all around saw Stihl makes. Plenty of grunt for the occaiaional bigger stuff, light enough for the smaller stuff.

 

[chainsawworld]

rich,
are ya' interested in a good used 034? marty

 

[rbtree]

I don't share most people's high opinion of the 026. hate the master control lever- it can easily get tweaked- hate the way too soft rubber mount system, power is so so , price is too high. as I 've stated before, it ranks below the solo 651 Pro, Shindaiwa 488, Husky 346 XP, Solo 651 Sp, Solo 650, and the discontinued Dolmar 115.

However, I do like my 036's, and 034 Super, but am planning on phasing them out in favor of the 357 Husky and Efco 962C. Same with 044's versus 372 XP. But you'll not get my 066 magnum (dual ported muffler) pried from rigormortis set ip fingers!!!

Way back in the mid 80's Jonsered introduced the 520SP, lighter and faster than the 026, but it had some bugs. there current lineup is more refined, but not as hot or light, I don't think.

photo is of my new Craftsman, bought fo $240 on Ebay, it's a 651 pro in disguise!!!

 

[WOLF_RIVER_MIKE]

roger, what model craftsman saw is that?

 

[TonyM]

So Roger, how do like it? Cut much with it yet? The last couple saws on ebay have gone for just over $200!! I'd like to try to nab one myself.

 

[rbtree]

it was 10- 15% slower than my 036, but has semi chisel .325 vs semi skip full chisel 3/8. likely faster when it breaks in. Bar length 20" on both.

Not using it, though, as Dennis is going massage it, and wants it new.

peak RPM is a little less too, at 12500, but I'll bet there will be room to tweak it up to 13500 or so, no load of course.

Craftsman brochure says 4.1 hp. plus parts breakdown is included, a very nice plus.

 

[Harley]

I'll add in my 2 cents.


I have a new 036. I love it! I've cut an ash that was over 30 inches at the butt, had a 28" bar on it and I don't see how you guys say that it doesn't produce torque. Cut some big hickory with it too. With a 16" bar, I can't put enough weight into to it to stop it.
I think I could cut fast enough to keep two people busy all day stacking what I cut.

 

[Clay]

MS260 PRO VS MS360 PRO

I bought an MS310 and was shocked that I gave that dealer my money, so without using the saw at all, I took it back. I then had another horror story with another dealer who said that he would take care of me: one man shop, no one was willing to work for the jerk; quote "I do what I can do then f@#% them all",I was about to become one of them all; one customer in the shop and was complaining about lack of service; ownder said that he lost $20K last year out of his personal funds; when asked about hearing, eye and leg protection said, I never bother with any of that; when asked to show me the proper technique for starting the saw, he did a very technically terrible drop start; etc, etc. I ran out of this guys store.

I ended up buying from a man that hat been in the chainsaw business for over 20 years and teaches a chain saw coarse at the local tech school. I ended up with a MS260 Pro, which I chose for the following reasons. Weight, oil and gas caps and the adjustable auto oiler. Also after finding the right dealer, bought a case, extra chain, eng oil, bar oil, gloves, helmet system, sharpening system, log vise for sharpening, chaps, Stihl ditty bag, 4 wedges, an extra set of Stihl ear muffs and safety glasses for the kid. Don't tell Momma. Keep shopping until you find the right dealer.

 

[treeclimber165]

I'm sure you will like the 026. They are solid saws. There are lots of bigger, stronger saws out there, but few as versatile as this one.
Be sure and take that star drive tool out of the tool pouch and go over your saw and check snugness on EVERY screw it will fit. Pull the side covers and check for screws under them, too. You will want to check them all again after running the saw about 50 hours.
After break-in, you might want to check out the muffler and open it up a little. There have been several threads here lately about the benefits of a cooler running, stronger saw after reducing exhaust restrictions. The 026 muffler is extremely simple to modify.

 

[Jumper]

36

The company I work for has both a 26 and a 36. I prefer the 26 as it is lighter, and has the power I require to buck etc. IMHO
a lot of people use saws that are larger than required to do a job. In my own case why work harder than you have to in order to get the task at hand done. On the other hand if you are cutting larger trees/logs the 36 may be required. We also have an even larger Husky for those tasks. :angel:

 

[rbtree]

Wolfie,

it is a 360.352010.

And I just scored another for $212!!

(Full retail on the red one is $599!)

 

[high life man]

Rich, before you make a decision, check out a Jons 2149 or the new 2159. My dealer had the rep over this week, and I made cuts with both. They seem to have a more lively feel than a Stihl. Maybe it's the spring suspension. Both very nice saws.