newbie with question - 361 gearing

[tatra805]

Hi to you all

New on this forum and despite the mass information already found i would like to hear your opinion on my forced future purchase.

To explain, yesterday we found out some nice people were so free to take both my chainsaws -024 and 190 - and a bunch of other handtools from our locked garage-work shed.

I wish them instant kick-back.

As season is starting here and i need to cut some trees before letting the horses back on the pasture i am forced to make a quick purchase.

I owned the 024 for 11 years and it served me well despite a lack of power when attacking the bigger parts. (the forest guys here in the village used to make a joke from me as calling me the ambitious foreigner with the small... saw)

It is clear the 361 is a favorite here on the forum.

My question is related to the upgrade in chain to 3/8 and cutting speed. I always liked the speed of the 024. Can you recommend which gear to use on the 361 in combination with a short blade?

Will the 3/8 kill me for the maintenance tasks on smaller diameters?

My dealer is willing to deliver according my spec and not "out of the box".

All advise welcome!

Tatra805

PS: cutting goes from trimming fruit trees to cutting hardwood firewood as well as felling trees size up to 30inch regularly.(and cleaning up all the rest of wood hanging on the tree) Non professional or daily but when, then for 2-3 days non-stop.

 

[huskydave]

Go with a 3/8" RSC full comp chain 18-20" bar and an 8pin sprocket. You will be happy order a 7pin for hardwoods. You can run a 24" bar if you need to but I like a 20" for all around use myself. The .325 chain is for smaller saws and it is not neccesary on the 60cc up models.

 

[West Texas]

The 361 usually comes with 3/8" bar and chain. I own two of them; one is for felling with a 20" bar and the other is for limbing and I've used both a 16" and 18" bar on it. It is very well balanced with the 18" bar and cuts very well at a high rpm with either the 3/8x7 or 3/8x8 chain drive sprocket. I cut mostly hardwoods, so I use the 3/8x7 for greater torque, etc. For maximum power on the 361 you need to modify the muffler for larger escape of exhaust gases, as the factory muffler is almost like a 'jake brake' -- it restricts the exhaust in order to make EPA happy about noise pollution. You can drill three 9/16" holes in it as a rough solution or you can do a search on muffler mods and find numerous examples of how to make really nice looking additional ports for the muffler.

With the 3/8" chain and 18" bar, the 361 is such a versatile saw that I use it for both felling and limbing most of the time.

 

[2dogs]

I don't understand the question. I also don't understand your profile. Explain please.

 

[GASoline71]

3/8" on a 361 is Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) here...

It'll be just fine.

Gary

 

[SawTroll]

I am very happy when limbing and bucking with a 15" bar and a 3/8x8.

So far I have used a 3/8x7 with the 18" bar, but it may change with the modded muffler.........

 

[Evanrude]

I would run a 7 pin on anything bigger than a 16" bar. I'm sure it would roll a 8 pin fine on a 16". The 361 should come with a 3/8, never seen one running a .325, no need for it.

 

[tatra805]

@ 2dogs

I come from a 024, running .325 chain. Happy owner till yesterday.
Pro:
- 024 being "general purpose", never had any problemss and saw was abused during 11 years.

Contra:
- 024 running out of power in big hardwood.

Want to upgrade, from site 361 looks as a good allrounder that will cope with the lack of power of the 024.

Question:
- correct that 361 is good replacement for 024?
- 3/8 chain vs .325 on small diameter branches. 3/8 works ok?
- which sprocket, which chain, advise please?

Profile? feel free to ask.

 

[scotclayshooter]

How did you find ArboristSite.com:
google
Biography:
Belgian living in Slovakia.
Location:
Dolany
Interests:
Irish Cob - English Mastif
Occupation:
Holding the key of the concrete mixer
Home Country:
United States

I think its the home country bit thats getting him

 

[Evanrude]

Question:
- correct that 361 is good replacement for 024?

Well, the 361 will have a lot more power over the 024. It will be about 3-4 lbs heavier and a little bit more bulky. If you're not going to cut anything over I'd say 14", I would go with a MS260. Great runner, more nimble/lighter than a 361, and a little bit cheaper. But, if you cut anything much bigger than that, then the 361 is where its at. Dont forget to check out a Dolmar 5100 if you have a local dealer. Its got more speed and power than a 260 for less money.

 

[Bowtie]

I am very happy when limbing and bucking with a 15" bar and a 3/8x8.

So far I have used a 3/8x7 with the 18" bar, but it may change with the modded muffler.........

Have you used the modded muffler yet troll? If not, you will LOVE IT!!!!!

 

[SawTroll]

I would run a 7 pin on anything bigger than a 16" bar. I'm sure it would roll a 8 pin fine on a 16". The 361 should come with a 3/8, never seen one running a .325, no need for it.

Right, but I can imagine situations when a .325 (RS/RSC that is) will be faster, because of more cutters in the wood - but generally, not.

 

[scotclayshooter]

@ 2dogs

I come from a 024, running .325 chain. Happy owner till yesterday.
Pro:
- 024 being "general purpose", never had any problemss and saw was abused during 11 years.

Contra:
- 024 running out of power in big hardwood.

Want to upgrade, from site 361 looks as a good allrounder that will cope with the lack of power of the 024.

Question:
- correct that 361 is good replacement for 024?
- 3/8 chain vs .325 on small diameter branches. 3/8 works ok?
- which sprocket, which chain, advise please?

Profile? feel free to ask.

The 361 will be a great replacement for the 024
3/8th chain will be great for thin branches as long as you mean branches thicker than you can cut with a hedge trimmer
For a short bar an 8 pin sprocket will cut faster
7 and 8 pin rim sprockets are cheap buy 1 of each and try it to see which you prefer
Stihl RSC chain will do you fine its a full chisel chain and cuts fast.

 

[SawTroll]

+1

Another very good post!

 

[wally 12]

Does anyone know what sprocket comes standard on the 361? and which one
should i use to get more torque and power, my 361 is a little short on torque and power with 18" bar.

 

[SawTroll]

Does anyone know what sprocket comes standard on the 361? and which one
should i use to get more torque and power, my 361 is a little short on torque and power with 18" bar.

3/8x7.

 

[wally 12]

Saw Troll,
Did you mean I should get the 3/8 x 7 or that is what it comes with.

 

[doubletodd]

does it normally come with 3/8 x7 I gues I do'nt know what mine has, but works great as all around saw

 

[Bowtie]

does it normally come with 3/8 x7 I gues I do'nt know what mine has, but works great as all around saw

I believe all come with 3/8 7t rims. Im gonna try an 8t rim on mine. If any of ya havent, MUFFLER MOD THE 361!!! Then there will be no complaints about power. I have never seen a saw wake up like a 361 with a muffler mod!!

 

[doubletodd]

thanx