So I haven't had a ton of time to cut lately, but I have managed to get 5 tanks of fuel thru the new Stihl, so here is an update on the saw so far. Cold starts consistently in 4 pulls. It will warm start in the "run"position with 1 pull within 15 minutes of shut down. After 15 mins, if you move the control to "start" position it will start with 1 pull. No choke position on these saws, but very repeatable results regardless of air temperature, so this is a plus in my books. I was a little unsure if I would like the captive bar nuts, but since I store my power heads separate from the bars, this has turned out to be a good thing since I have the clutch cover on and off so much, also a plus. On the downside, I feel the new clutch cover doesn't clear the chips as well as the old style. I think it's the captive nuts that add material to the inside of the cover and slow down the ejection. This may be a bigger issue when I noodle but haven't tried that yet. The saw is a very strong oiler, which I am a fan of. I've been running a 20" bar and the chain slings oil very well. I'm not too fond of the hold downs for the air filter/engine cover. They are really stiff and I have a feeling the slot will round over in time if I'm not really carefull when loosening them. I prefer the clips like on the 441. Air filtration seems very good. No large chips on the filter, only fine dust on the outside of the pleats and no sign of pass through. I am averaging 2.5 facecords(split and stacked) per tank which seems really good for this size saw. Chain brake is very crisp. Probably one of the nicest that I have used and takes very little wrist rotation to engage. The saw pulls into the wood like crazy!! I think I might add the outer bumper spike to the clutch cover because I'm leveraging off the spikes with every cut. I can really rock the saw hard on the spikes and hardly drop the rpm's. Big On this one! All and all, if something were to happen to this one I would want to replace it ASAP. Very happy so far. More reviews to come. Last pic shows total dust after complete clean up including the bar.
I can usually fill my 4x8 trailer on one tank of fuel. I run out of gas and need to take 5 before the saw does.
I think 2/3 cord is likely, 1 cord possible, on a single tank depending on how much limbing you have to do.
Actually this saw is bang on for oiling, when the fuel tank is empty there is a tiny amount left in the oil tank. Here is a pic from yesterday showing what I have put up this year with the new saw. Not all of it naturally, only the fresh stuff in the row behind me. Don't judge the goofy pic, my daughter couldn't resist
Count me as a MS-362 CM fan! I've had just over 2 years this past mid-Feb. and it has never let me down or failed to impress me! I had to take down some fairly large trees, so put the 25' bar back on it (it usually lives on my MS-440 Magnum), but now I love the 362 with it's 25" bar! It has taken down and/or bucked up all this wood:
Looks good! I haven't tried a 25" yet but you have me thinking I ordered the bucking spike for the clutch cover today from my local dealer. $30.00 for inner and outer plus the roller style chain catcher. Pics in a few days.
Do NOT post pics!!! The last thing I need to do is buy more stuff!!! Well ok, maybe one pic. But don't post the part number or where you bought it from!!!
Too late. Parts came today from Stihl dealer and I had them on in about 5 minutes. Part #1135-650-7750 And he threw in alittle something extra.
Dang that looks nice!!! I think I'll be calling my neighbor Stihl dealer tomorrow and see if he can get it for me. Thanks!!!
That is alot of wood on one tank. I need 5 tanks to get 1 & 3/4 cord(my truck and trailer) but I am cutting pinion pine and juniper. Just not very big trees. I use my 020av super to limb the heck out of everything within about a hundred foot radius then start bucking with my 271 and husky 555. Lot of damm work!
No drilling required, but there was detailed instructions included if you needed to. I didn't have to drill mine, but detailed instructions were included if you need to. When I was at the dealer ordering the parts it looks like there are about 8 different versions of the 361/362 that a person can choose from and on some models the duel spike kit was standard. It looked like they make a set for the older clutch cover as well that doesn't require drilling either. I will probably do my 441 after seeing how well this turned out.
