FYI- it sucks in hardwood. Ran out of 20" loop yesterday. Decided to throw on the 25" b&c. Sssssllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww. I think I could cut it faster with my Ms170. Those of you with a 60cc saw asking yourself if it will work- here's you're answer, sure if you have an hour to cut one tree up. Not enough oil on the b&c either. Saw is ported by TLandrum- Now that's an investment with every penny that man asks. I'm on my way this morning to buy some more 20" chains and later I'm listing a lightly used 25" ES & 33rs84 chain on here.
Not a chance. I used to want one, but now after the 361 is ported, I want a 261CM-VW and make it ported. Most of what I cut is 16-18" Ash. Lighter the equipment the better. I can go longer and accomplish more that way. The 361 is already pretty light. My neighbors poulan pro 50cc with a 20" B&C weighs more than my 361! I was disappointed by that as I really wanted to get one as a beater but man that's a heavy saw. Must have a lot of cast parts in it. I've never really been a bigger is better guy. I like things as small, lightweight (but still strong- ie better build materials), simple and least required work for me as possible. I thought I would like having a longer bar but it is just more work. I love to get the dogs in and lean into the cut. I can't get this bar to fit in the areas I'm in, way too much extra length and it's a PITA to sharpen that many teeth. I guess the older I get the less I try to lie to myself and have realized- I'm not a logger. I'd love to be for a day or two, but nope, I just like playing with my saws. When it stops being fun and starts being work, I'd probably end up with a pellet stove
Your kinda of correct. I just sold my MS362 ported from Terry. It would own a 16" to 20" bar. A 25" is doable, like you said but its starting to reach its maximum length.. Did you have your oiler turned up, cause it should have oiled just fine. I've ran a 25" bar on mine, just have to take you time. But in reality, for a 25" bar to be owned it needs to be bumped up to a 70cc saw. And a 044/440 really aint that much heavier than the 361's.
The oiling issue is easily solved on the 361, either by modding the original oiler or swapping out the parts. It's interchangeable with the 046/460 oilers. As for power, unless there is more wood than bar, it should not have been that noticeable of a difference amongst 12 links of chain.
I just picked up an early 026 for $125 and polished up the jug and put a new piston in it. It already had a very nicely done muffler mod. Ran it seriously for the first time last weekend and was really pleased. It isn't much heavier than my MS241 and about as compact. But blows it away head to head with a 16" bar.
About 1.5 years ago I had to clean up a 28" white oak that tipped over in a storm. I went to the local saw shop to get a 25" bar and chain for my MS361. I came home with the 25" bar and chain attached to a new MS461. I've never looked back. I still like the 361 with 20" b&c for 12-18" logs, but pull out the 461 if it gets bigger than that.
