Stihl MS 261 and 362 get an Update

[Rockjock]

I dunno.. I can put one on a scale if you like.. just the power head? I can ask some of the tree guys what they think but seat of the pants testimonials may not be the best. They loved the 361 when they bought it , raved about the 362... so they may respond equally as well with this saw. I have to admit right out the box it ran fantastic when I fire them up. Now if only we had a test log!

 

[Sagetown]

And I just bought an 'old' 362C-M today too, and see this...

Me Too !

 

[windthrown]

Bar cover (AKA: scabbard):

 

[windthrown]

Sprocket cover (AKA: clutch cover, side cover):

 

[mcobb2]

Talked to another Stihl rep today, I did not know this but in Canada, 362's are manufactured from Stihl Germany. So it may be more distant future than we expected here in the "south."

 

[windthrown]

If you read the first page of posts on this thread, it is mentioned that they are getting batches of these new saws in Canada that are being made in Virginia Beach (ID # starting with number 2).

 

[mcobb2]

Ah, didn't see that. Thank you!

 

[windthrown]

There may be a mix of saws in Canada (and the US) based on model type. Previously, VW arctic models were all made in Germany. In the US, distributors are shipped batches of saws from the factory which in turn local shops get their saws from. It will take some time to drain the old 362 supply, and like previously released new saw versions, the timing of the releases will vary by region depending on distributor inventory. It may be for this reason that they left the old model numbers the same on these saws, so that consumers are not aware that there was an upgrade until after the fact.

 

[windthrown]

It will be interesting to see what they call the new IPL and WS Manuals...

 

[bennn*e]

Frankly, in 20", I just like the E bars, light and I have never had a problem with them. If they made the E in 24", I would want one!

I like the 28" light, but they cost.

3/8 .063 20" 3003xxx5221
25" 30030005231

 

[bennn*e]

If you read the first page of posts on this thread, it is mentioned that they are getting batches of these new saws in Canada that are being made in Virginia Beach (ID # starting with number 2).

If they are 2 they have been around awhile. 5 is the new numbers as they topped out the 2's we have been getting 50xxx- blowers etc here for quite some time

 

[SawTroll]

Talked to another Stihl rep today, I did not know this but in Canada, 362's are manufactured from Stihl Germany. So it may be more distant future than we expected here in the "south."

The "Arctic" 361 and 260 saws always were. The heated 241s also are made in Germany.

As I remember it, it was a bit back and forth between US and German ones with the other 361s, but I believe most of them were made in the US for Canada and OZ (not to the US specs though).

 

[SawTroll]

There may be a mix of saws in Canada (and the US) based on model type. Previously, VW arctic models were all made in Germany. In the US, distributors are shipped batches of saws from the factory which in turn local shops get their saws from. It will take some time to drain the old 362 supply, and like previously released new saw versions, the timing of the releases will vary by region depending on distributor inventory. It may be for this reason that they left the old model numbers the same on these saws, so that consumers are not aware that there was an upgrade until after the fact.

Not a really costumer friendly way to do it, but the way more or less all brands do it when they can.

 

[bennn*e]

The "Arctic" 361 and 260 saws always were. The heated 241s also are made in Germany.

As I remember it, it was a bit back and forth between US and German ones with the other 361s, but I believe most of them were made in the US for Canada and OZ (not to the US specs though).

All of our saws 231 and up are from Germany inc 150t and 201t except the 381 from Brazil. 170/180 China, 171/181/211/193 USA. Our 361's where German

 

[SawTroll]

If they are 2 they have been around awhile. 5 is the new numbers as they topped out the 2's we have been getting 50xxx- blowers etc here for quite some time

That makes sense, as "5" wasn't reserved for any specific country in the original list.

 

[KG441c]

Some pics from last week on the new 362

sorry about the lack of focus. I can take more in the am if anyone wants.

Looks like noodles would hangup in there

 

[gunnusmc03]

Looks like the rubber bumper that's attached to the clutch cover mates right up with that black plastic strip on the crankcase. It should flow noodles just as well as or poorly depending on how you look at it compared to the old style.

 

[hedge hog]

Yes looks like they went a little to small
But it looks good!


Sent from my MS 441-C using Tapatalk

 

[mcobb2]

Looking at the shape of the cover on the inside looks like they would flow a lot better then currently. I know the cover on mine had a casting support that made it not noodle for chet...

 

[SawTroll]

Looks like noodles would hangup in there

I don't like that design - but what happens when noodling really is hard to predict, it doesn't always seem logic what are good and bad noodlers....

A couple of exemples; The 346xp doesn't look like a good noodler, but actually is an excellent one - while the 372xp looks like a very good one, but only is fair in that regard.

Removing chip deflectors sometimes help, and there is a wide clutch cover that helps on some models (including said 372xp).