stihl ms 362 chainsaw

[gertman]

Hey all, shopping for a new chainsaw and I want a 25 inch bar. I was looking at the MS 391 for $590-$600, but I really like the MS 362 around $700 it just felt lighter and I think that's the one I want. Anybody got one how do you like it?

 

[skyhightree1]

I have both but if you only are gonna use it occasionally the ms391 is for you but making a living a 362 is better choice and its easier to rebuild IMO .. Stihl saws have enabled me to pay my bills since 2001

 

[B&M Farms]

If you can get it for just a hundred more buy the 362. It's a better saw but a 25" bar is too big for it. It's better suited for a 20" bar.

 

[ohiosteve]

The 362 is awesome. The weight to power is unbelievable. I have a 360 (same basic saw just a little older) and a 660. Rarely use the 660 it weighs twice as much and not much more powerful. I think 25" bar is perfect thats what I use 90% of the time balanced perfectly for me. I also have a 36" and it handles it fine just a little front heavy. I recommend getting the aggressive dogs and one for each side. Although a little pricey you won't be dissapointed with the 362.

 

[shaz]

I have the 066 with the 24" bar. Great saw but I dread using it because of the size.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Never saw a 25 inch bar on a stihl saw. 24 inch is common. Most people can't keep a 20 inch bar out of the dirt much less a 24.

 

[dun]

Never saw a 25 inch bar on a stihl saw. 24 inch is common. Most people can't keep a 20 inch bar out of the dirt much less a 24.

I had an old 044 Super with 48 inch bar, sold the 48 inch but still have a 36 inch hanging out in the shop.. Talk about a pain in the butt.

 

[ohiosteve]

I had to check but my bars are definitely 25". Here's the aggressive double dogs I like. I like the extra length because it's easier on my back less bending over.

 

[dun]

All of my older Stihls had dogs like that, not like the pansy type that they have now.

 

[B&M Farms]

If your talking about cutting smaller stuff and limbing I guess the 25" would be okay. If you sink 25" of bar in a big tree the 362 isn't big enough IMO.

 

[ohiosteve]

I know I'm starting to sound like a salesman now but I think the 362 is the best all-around saw on the market. Here's a big red oak I cut up into 18" pieces for a lady and I burned up the bearing behind the sprocket on a 660 after just getting started had to use my 360 and it impressed the heck out of me. The butt of that tree was over 6 ft. diameter.

 

[Phil in Tupelo]

59 years young.... and I don't even want to think about a 25 inch bar... on any chainsaw! Makes me hurt just thinking about it. Wish you luck!

 

[skyhightree1]

I know I'm starting to sound like a salesman now but I think the 362 is the best all-around saw on the market. Here's a big red oak I cut up into 18" pieces for a lady and I burned up the bearing behind the sprocket on a 660 after just getting started had to use my 360 and it impressed the heck out of me. The butt of that tree was over 6 ft. diameter.

ohio do you want a job in va? LOL If you cut that down and kept the chain out of dirt I will hire you on the spot lol I get tired of having to buy spools of chain lol oh yea if you can split the whole tree with a maul in a day and stack it I will buy you a solid gold stihl saw lol

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Saw bars come in even numbers mostly. 362 is a good hobby saw not for everday timber work. For heavy work day in day out you need at least a 46 think they are 460 now. 660 would be better. The old 56 magum was a hell of a saw.

 

[skyhightree1]

362 is a good hobby saw not for everday timber work. .

What is your idea of everyday timber work ?

 

[B&M Farms]

Running too long of a bar on a saw will slow it down. If a saw will perform with a 25" bar it will scream with a 20". I cut logs in my younger years with a 044 and 46magnum and never run more than a 20" bar. We used to file the depth gauges down on new chains just to make them cut faster. We got paid by the ton and speed was important.

 

[ohiosteve]

I usually run skip-tooth chains they cut faster and are faster to file. I bought a carbide tipped chain a couple years ago and hate it, cuts slow as heck and cost me over $100.

 

[B&M Farms]

I usually run skip-tooth chains they cut faster and are faster to file. I bought a carbide tipped chain a couple years ago and hate it, cuts slow as heck and cost me over $100.

Skip tooth chains will cut faster in big stuff. Standard teeth seem to be better trimming small stuff to me though.

 

[ohiosteve]

I usually run skip-tooth chains they cut faster and are faster to file. I bought a carbide tipped chain a couple years ago and hate it, cuts slow as heck and cost me over $100.

Skip tooth chains will cut faster in big stuff. Standard teeth seem to be better trimming small stuff to me though.

I agree. A skiptooth in small stuff is a grabby kicking back SOB, but if you keep it in the big wood it's the way to go.

 

[gertman]

Thanks for the help i'm going with the ms 362, but now you all have mentioned different chain types which I have to decide on.