Stihl quick chain adjuster

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oneoldbanjo

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I am sure this has been discussed before - however I can't seem to get the "search" option on this site to work for the last few days. I am expecting that I will be buying a new MS361 in the not too distant future. I have a choice of the standard bar mount with two nuts and a side adjusting screw - and my trusty factory supplied "scrench". I also have the option of a quick adjust for very little additional cost.

Is the tool less quick adjust a good thing - or just another gimmick that doesn't function as nice as it looks. I expect I will follow everyone's recommendation and get a 20" bar.
 
LOL! Do your search using QCA. Lot's of stuff has been written already.

Some really respectable people here like the QCA.

I consider it an attempt to fix a problem that does not exist.

QCA Disadvantages - 1) Hard to accurately adjust chain if you are picky about tension, 2) Hard to turn the thumbwheel when the gears get filled up with debris, 3) You have to remove a small screw (that's easily lost) and change everything over if you want to flip the bar, 4) real loggers would never use a QCA on a 361. :)

QCA Advantages - 1) Uh, uh, uh.....

:popcorn:
 
hmmm... before you all trash the "Quick Adjust", that on the 361 is not the same as the 180->250...

We has to buy a bunch last year in the big wind storm, and I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked. Would I spend the money on it? na.. but.. it does work real well. Chain tension is not an issue if you live outside of Norway.;), and in any case, it's easy to obtain exactly what you want.
 
Thanks for setting me straight on the 361 QCA being a different design than the one on my 180, Lake. I did not know that. I owe the dealer that sold me my 361 an apology for my reaction when he asked me if I'd like to consider a saw with that feature.

Does it work as well as the regular side adjust chain tensioner? :)

And I think I gave the guy from Norway the idea that it's hard to achieve proper chain tension with the QCA on another post several weeks ago. I'm picky about chain tension, but that's just me....

I really need to let this go, don't I. :)
 
The QCA on the 361 is magnesium and well made... it has to be to hold a 25/28 bar...

I thought it was pretty good.. No real time on it but... the customers liked it - a couple were pro's - and they still run it.
 
The QCA on the 361 is magnesium and well made... it has to be to hold a 25/28 bar...

I thought it was pretty good.. No real time on it but... the customers liked it - a couple were pro's - and they still run it.

I am by no means a pro but I have used mine quite a bit since I bought it back in April and have had zero problems out of it. Truthfully I was a littly "iffy" about it at first but it has grown on me. It poses absolutley no problems when flipping the bar or tightening the chain.
 
It is a better design for a larger saw as Lakeside has said. The true professionals out there will balk about it because it is not traditional but it does work well for what it is intended to do.
 
I have a QCA on my 361, so I'll add my 2 cents.

Overall, it works pretty good. However debris can clog the small teeth in the mechanism, which is easily fixed by pulling the sprocket cover off and turning the gear manually (only takes an additional 3 or 4 seconds). Also it is a little harder to clean, but it does what it says, and I don't have to carry the tool around all the time. Flipping the bar or changing bars isn't that hard either, only takes a minute.

Personally, I think Stihl needs to do a redesign so that the teeth don't clog up, or teeth aren't involved in the mechanism.
 
The gimmicky, crappy, plasticy, trouble prone, sticky, thumb wounding, inaccurate PITA older stihl style quick chain adjust BS gadget is something the stihl chainsaw design team invented as a laugh just to aggravate otherwise mild-mannered people.. :eek: :blob5:
 
Thanks - I have never really had any problem with the standard adjusting method. I keep the scrench with my bottle of bar oil and adjust when needed. I have also started to keep a small brush with the bar oil bottle so I can brush the sawdust/chips away from the cap - I just flushed out the oil tank and was surprised how many pieces of wood were in there (11 years worth).

I suppose the decision to get the new 361 with or without the QCA will depend on what the dealer has in stock when I go to buy the saw.
 
Works Great

I have a fairly new (since September) MS 361 with the QCA and I have to say after getting used to it (took 5 minutes) is the best thing since slice bread. Quick simple and accurate chain adjustment. And flipping the bar is a snap.

I've not had the teeth clog to the point where adjustment is a problem. I've run about 12 tanks of gas through the saw so far, changed the chain 4 times and flipped the bar twice.

No reason not to get it as far as I'm concerned.

Al :cheers:
 
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QCA Disadvantages - 1) Hard to accurately adjust chain if you are picky about tension, 2) Hard to turn the thumbwheel when the gears get filled up with debris, 3) You have to remove a small screw (that's easily lost) and change everything over if you want to flip the bar,
QCA Advantages - 1) Uh, uh, uh.....

:popcorn:

+1
Have found the same thing.Personally think the old design could be improved.Where the standard chain adjuster screw is .Would be cool to have something like a knob or finger tensioner nut /something like- but low profile.........................
ie , Stihl part # 1109 660 0500.Could be attached with a mini press snap lock like on pressure hose fittings.Snap lock to replace head of the screw to turn the tensioner either way.This would dispense with the need for screw driver adjusting it / much the same principle as the new but placed where the standard adjuster is at present.Leaving the knob in place for tension adjusting but removable when chain sprocket cover needs to come off.
Really like the idea of the new tensioner but for how it gums up making hard to turn.- poor design me thinks.

Just .02c on a warm night down-under.
 
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Is the tool less quick adjust a good thing - or just another gimmick that doesn't function as nice as it looks.

Stay away, the standard adjuster on the 361 is really nice!!!

Accurate adjustments is not allways easy with the "Quick" version, at least not on the 250C.

It adds some weight as well......
 
I stopped by the dealer at lunch time - they have the basic model in stock. It would take only 2-3 days to get the quick adjust model in. I have a fellow coming over tomorrow morning to look at my 029 - let's hope he likes it and I can get some "361 seed money". I will be at the Stihl dealers doorstep by the afternoon!!!!!
 
LOL! Do your search using QCA. Lot's of stuff has been written already.

Some really respectable people here like the QCA.

I consider it an attempt to fix a problem that does not exist.

QCA Disadvantages - 1) Hard to accurately adjust chain if you are picky about tension, 2) Hard to turn the thumbwheel when the gears get filled up with debris, 3) You have to remove a small screw (that's easily lost) and change everything over if you want to flip the bar, 4) real loggers would never use a QCA on a 361. :)

QCA Advantages - 1) Uh, uh, uh.....

:popcorn:

Yes, that's about it - very good post!!! :rockn: :rockn:

Took some weight off my back......

From another tread;

I don't hate it, but I sure don't like it! :greenchainsaw:

Cheap trick, that has made a lot of "homeowner class" saws worse and heavier than they had to be - and it discourages proper maitenance.

They don't work too well either on the three saws I have been into (all MS250c), accuracy is the culprit.
 
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I wondered when you would weigh in on the discussion, SawTroll. For a minute I thought you'd hung me out to dry. :)

One thing I forgot to add to my original post - If you do have the QCA and the thumbwheel becomes hard to turn, the screwdriver end of a scrench can be used to push on the thumbwheel and get it to turn. :) :) :)

I told Lake I'd try to let it go, but's it's more fun not to!
 
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