Need to Buy Larger Saw (to go with Stihl MS250)

OP - you mention possibly getting a 441 with both 20" and 25" bars. My two cents is to buy for what you cut most of the time, not what you cut some of the time. Rather spend less money and tote around a lighter saw to cover 90% of your needs than spend more money and tote around a heavier saw to address that last 10%.

It's not like a 362 is incapable of running a 25" bar. It boils down to turning the oiler up and exercising some patience. It will get the job done. I've run 25" bars with full comp chains on two different well used 362s and they did just fine with that for occasional needs. Of course I was cutting firewood, not cookies, so speed had little to no bearing on my opinion.

Bottom line; I don't think you'll make a mistake either way. Good luck!

 

Instead of a 362cm I would steep up to a 441cm. For the the size wood you want to cut I would want to use a 70cc saw. The MS250 would be good for limbing and the 441 would be good for cutting it in firewood lengths.

 

Dont hold back...tell us how you really feel

 

If I'm gonna drop the coin that a new large saw costs, I don't want something that will handle almost all of what I cut, or will handle it alright; I want something that'll handle everything. If you're just cutting logs in the yard/farm/whatever, an extra pound or two isn't gonna be a big deal. Go big or go home

 

He is pretty good. Definitely one of the go to guys for technical info with all things OPE. Good guy to get a rock solid used saw from too.

 

Thanks.... but there is no "hole" ? There is what looks like to be a small 1" x 1.5" plastic panel that does not look like it comes out. It looks like a pre-stamped panel that would be cut out "if" the saw had this option or something. Maybe the "panel" comes off...?? I didn't want to break it pulling up on it with a small screwdriver, but it looked like it was permanent. This is on the bottom of the saw, towards the front. No "hole" anywhere around where the marking is. ??

I should add/remind, this is a 362C-M. Possibly the Mtronic does not have adjustable oiler?

 

If you're set on spending a $1k I'd add $100 and get a 661. I'm not a 441 fan and I don't mind tuning the carb myself. The 461 to me is the way to go for power to weight.

 

Did someone say 661? Now yer talkin'!!!

 

oooooooohhhh krykeeeeee!!!! Thanks man. Didn't see that, I was focusing on the "panel" looking thing the imprint is on. The manul could be a bit better and point it out, all it says is "If there is a chain oiler adjustment on your model saw, it is on the bottom of the saw, please refer to the marking notication" or something like that.

Sorry to hijack!

 

Come on Brian, where are your Stihl blinders? You'll have a hard time communicating with xskier unless you put them on

 

Thanks for all the replies. I was leaning toward the 441 and having the power to handle everything that I will face. Then, I went to the dealer today and held the 441 (25" bar) -- it feels awkwardly heavy and unbalanced, particularly when compared to a 362 (20" bar), which felt really well-balanced.

A number of you thought a used 044/440 would be better for me. I see that it is 1.5 pounds lighter than a 441, but with the same power. Is it also better balanced than the 441?

I am guessing that you are including the 046/460/461, because you are getting more power for the same weight, correct? That makes sense to me. Mike seems to say that directly (the beginning of his Post #50 refers to 661, but I think that was a typo, and it should read 461, correct?)

 

I haven't had any problem at all, with the 362 and a 25" bar cutting big stuff. I also picked up the bigger saws in the store, and think they are way too heavy for cutting firewood. If your a professional, that's another story. But I don't think I will ever come to anything I can't easily cut, with the 362. It's a powerful saw that blows away my Echo Cs-400.

I'm cutting some big Oak rounds in the morning. I think they are 30"+, I'll measure and take a pic....

 

I meant 661. The 461 is the only choice in stihl for a new 70cc to me. If it was between a 441 and 661 I'd go 661. I still think a 044/440 is the best handling stihl they built. power to pull a 32" and light enough to not even think of picking up a smaller saw.

 

Roger that -- thanks, Mike.