Talk me into an ms362

[Workin'Rabbit]

It was a buddy of mines saw who died in a logging accident and I inherited the saw from his family. I'm planning on retiring it and cleaning it up for his small son for when he's older

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[Wood Doctor]

Mr. Hackleman, good to see you on another wood related site...

Thanks for the rendezvous. I doubt many here know my last name. That's not really important, but I respect your knowledge of it. And, I still make boxes also. Lately I'm designing one to hold a pair of chain saws for a bucket lift loader that attaches to the outside of the bucket. Woodworking reaches many domains.

When completed, I'll post Pics. I figure one that holds two saws, a top handle and a larger one, should work well. It needs to hang outside the bucket.

 

[rwoods]

... So for those that have owned or ran a 362, what are it's pros and cons? ... .
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As stated before I had two non M 362s. It is hard to give pros and cons without something to compare. I will make some comparison though they may be of little meaning given that the other saws are no longer made. History: Many years I ran since new a 036Pro (slightly larger displacement and appears to be a smaller package), then the 362s then the 361. 362s seem to have better low end torque but not quite the same top end speed as the 036. Fuel consumption of 362 is considerably less than the 036. Though the 362 looks bulkier, handling is the same with one major exception for me - due to the case design the small factory spike is almost useless. Many here don't use spikes but I do and it is very noticeable how much the small case bulge in the 362 adversely affects the spike over an 036 which I believe uses the same spike. My 036 has been drop dead dependable. Of the two 362s (both brought used - one showroom mint and the other not so but only slightly used), the first had zero issues; the second came with a throttle lineage issue - would not open fully. I discovered a missing part which cured the problem, but noted IMHO an inherent design flaw - you can screw up the linkage if you engage the choke and fast idle without depressing the trigger. Not something that I do, but apparently the previous owner did and about half the folks to whom I loaned the saw do. I don't know anything about the M-tronic or the new slanted 362. The 361 is a different animal altogether . But based on my experience I would recommend a 362 to someone who wants a Stihl. I have purchased three mint used saws by biding my time so I would hate to buy one new unless it were a racehorse deal. If you have until spring, I would suggest you consider doing the same.

Ron

PS I still have my 036Pro, the more used 362 and a mint 361 that I had ported immediately. I sold the mint 362 to my brother after picking up the 361. I still loan the 362 to others. Other than dislodging the linkage, no one has broke the saw, yet.

 

[trboxman]

When completed, I'll post Pics. I figure one that holds two saws, a top handle and a larger one, should work well. It needs to hang outside the bucket.

I always greatly appreciated your creativity in the creation of a solution to a problem or a curiosity. I can hardly wait to see what you cook up for a chainsaw box.

 

[Kegerator5]

if i may... can i throw a curveball out at you??
even though you said no dealer support near you... but you mentioned being intrigued by the 562xp....
unless husqvarna just makes up images for its website... it might soon be releasing a new pro 60cc saw... it has a picture of a 560xp on its website. it is going across the top...
i took a picture... i'll upload it. i just posted this picture and created a topic to ask about husqvarna and the new saws coming out. i very well may have missed the topic? but i saw they are coming out with some new ones???

 

[Kegerator5]

well, just kidding. i apologize. i was informed that the 560 is already available in some markets. that is how it will remain. and it is essentially a low top 562 and whatnot... but also already available all over as a jonsered 2260.
my apologies.

 

[Workin'Rabbit]

well, just kidding. i apologize. i was informed that the 560 is already available in some markets. that is how it will remain. and it is essentially a low top 562 and whatnot... but also already available all over as a jonsered 2260.
my apologies.

Meh, it happens. You get an "A" for effort though!

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[davec]

I bought an early 362 in '09 and still use it. It is solid. Starts, runs, cuts. I am a bit of a power junky though, and have a similarly outfitted 660 to compare with. 20" bars on both. It is a silly comparison. The 660 pulls through stuff like crazy where I have to watch and make sure the 362 dos not bog down. But I can bog the 660 too, so it is a matter of patience, I guess. "yeah yeah - must learn patience. How long will that take? And when I need a 32" bar, there is only one saw for that...

 

[Sagetown]

So come springtime I'm finally gonna pull the trigger and get my first brand new saw. I want something that will pull a 25" chain. Stihl is going to be what I go with as they're what I'm most familiar with and also the only dealer that offers support anywhere near me. I'm currently running a 460 , but I don't need that much saw at all. Hell, I really don't NEED a 362 either, but on occasion a 25" bar comes in handy. I'm waffling between the 362 and the 461. My head says "362, it's more than enough saw and it's $300 cheaper" but my adrenal gland says "461, it's big and mean and chews through wood like a pi$$ed off beaver". Oh, and the wife is no help as she told me to get whatever I wanted lol. Really leaning toward the 362, but still WANTING the 461.

Go to your Stihl Dealer. Stand in front of the show case, and stare at the 362, and leave. Do that 3 times. The next time it'll follow U out the door.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

I wouldn't run that much bar on a 362, but I tend to run larger saws on smaller bars.

Worked on a 362 thus week. Found it fairly easy to stall in a cut with a 20" bar. Felt about same power as a 036 I have, maybe stightly more. (We test stuff after repairs before sending it out the door).

 

[marti384]

I am not a huge fan of either of the 362 I have to use at work. The intake is always packed full of fines, the bucking spike is almost useless, bolts kept vibrating loose on the recoil until I loctited them. It doesn't seem to have the power it should for the weight. It didn't help the dealer set it on the lean side. Also, the limiters can't simply be removed if I remember, since there aren't any springs to hold the screws in position. Mine has the extra brake in the operator presence lever, which sometimes doesn't work. That's bad news when you get used to it, then all of a sudden it stops working. Or when that brake gets stuck on since sawdust gets in the linkage. Never had any of these problems with the 026 and 044 this saw replaced, it would be nice to have them back. They do start every time though, unless you run it completely out of fuel, then it takes about 15 pulls to get going. It also oils very well. But maybe I really just want the 026 and 044 back since they didn't have flippy caps.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I am not a huge fan of either of the 362 I have to use at work. The intake is always packed full of fines, the bucking spike is almost useless, bolts kept vibrating loose on the recoil until I loctited them. It doesn't seem to have the power it should for the weight. It didn't help the dealer set it on the lean side. Also, the limiters can't simply be removed if I remember, since there aren't any springs to hold the screws in position. Mine has the extra brake in the operator presence lever, which sometimes doesn't work. That's bad news when you get used to it, then all of a sudden it stops working. Or when that brake gets stuck on since sawdust gets in the linkage. Never had any of these problems with the 026 and 044 this saw replaced, it would be nice to have them back. They do start every time though, unless you run it completely out of fuel, then it takes about 15 pulls to get going. It also oils very well. But maybe I really just want the 026 and 044 back since they didn't have flippy caps.

Some say that when the 362 was brought out to replace the 361, Stihl stepped backwards again --> change for the sake of change.

 

[DSW]

I don't run a 362. But I have ran plenty of 60-65cc saws and they get the job done for sure. If you are running more than one saw (but not collecting each size class) they just don't make sense to me. I'd run an 026, 241, 346 size and then an 044, 372, cs8000 size. No point in slinging any more weight than you have to on small trees. And on bigger timber that 10cc won't make a bit of difference.

 

[banjobart]

The 362 is a 20" bar saw. For a 24" bar to cut worth a damn you need at least a 441 or 461. The 362 with a 20" bar will outcut a 362 with a 24" bar.

I miss my 361 but the 362 works well with a 20" bar. The 362 is a great all around saw, one to "do it all" for the average user, but it is not a big saw.

 

[jr27236]

I love reading all the posts looking for advise on the purchase of their next saw. Im probably mostly jealous because ive never bought a brand new saw actually. But i now own a nice variety of power to weight that I like.
441 mag, 357xp, 262xp
Just got rid of a 880 (way too big for me)
Now they get the job done very well, but i always remember the days before the "chainsaw bug" bit me and I had an older grey 38 or 42cc Craftsman with an 18" bar and I bucked up a HUGE Locust tree with that darn thing and it powered threw it pretty well (even though i had to go at it from both sides). Plus it had to be close to a 100 out that day, maybe thats why i remember it.

 

[TreeswingerPerth]

I run 2x Husky 560's here in Scotland , guy that works with me runs a 362 . If he picks up my saw I can't get it back !! I would rather drive back to the yard for another saw than use his 362 .
I ran a 361 for years and it was a fine saw , 362 is not as good a saw in my opinion .

Try a Husky 560 / 562 I think you will be surprised how good they are .

 

[KG441c]

Get a 562xp and have it ported by EL MOOBS ,AWOL, or SCARR52 and get a 20" bar and a 24" and u wont be sorry. Randy ported me an awesome 461 that made 7.2hp at 10000rpm and u cant go wrong with a 461 either and depends on how big of wood u need to cut

 

[rwoods]

I love reading all the posts looking for advise on the purchase of their next saw. Im probably mostly jealous because ive never bought a brand new saw actually. But i now own a nice variety of power to weight that I like.
441 mag, 357xp, 262xp
Just got rid of a 880 (way too big for me)
Now they get the job done very well, but i always remember the days before the "chainsaw bug" bit me and I had an older grey 38 or 42cc Craftsman with an 18" bar and I bucked up a HUGE Locust tree with that darn thing and it powered threw it pretty well (even though i had to go at it from both sides). Plus it had to be close to a 100 out that day, maybe thats why i remember it.

Nothing wrong with a good used saw, and they can be quite the bargain.

Most of us have more saw than we need and could get by with less. On the other hand, my "best" memory arises from the little 38 cc McCulloch with a 16" bar that I used for several years. Untrained I took on a two foot red oak on the side of a steep hill. In an instant, the tree barber chaired about six feet over my head. Fortunately it stayed attached. I bought Douglas Dent's book to read. And a larger saw.

Ron

 

[KG441c]

I run 2x Husky 560's here in Scotland , guy that works with me runs a 362 . If he picks up my saw I can't get it back !! I would rather drive back to the yard for another saw than use his 362 .
I ran a 361 for years and it was a fine saw , 362 is not as good a saw in my opinion .

Try a Husky 560 / 562 I think you will be surprised how good they are .

Isnt it funny how certain saw like a 241, 661, 461 Stihl can nail but then drop the ball on models like 362 and 441?

 

[Rob Stafari]

Tree service friends of mine showed up last week to get some hazard to the ground with bucket truck/crane. They had two 362s. One sporting a 24" bar, the other a 32" I asked what in the world they were doing with that bar on that saw. Apparently they'd just mangled the clutch on the 441. To me it was a sad display with either bar. I politely offered to let them run my Makita 6401 to save them some time, but they declined. Then come to find out they just ordered three more 362s and two 441s. The boss used to be a Stihl dealer so has some long ingrained prejudice. I've never run a 362 or a 441 myself, but seeing the way their 362s cut I know I don't need to. If somebody were to gift me one, it'd be in the trading post and I wouldn't even waist my time putting fluids in it. That would fund my 7910 top end my Makita needs. Of course it was my first saw and I got it for $275 so I may be a little prejudice, but its a cuttin' machine! I've got a 034 Super and a 12mm 044 on the rebuild bench for when things slow down. I will test run them, but I already know they will have no home in my permanent line up which currently goes ms200t, 026, dcs6401, 394xp. I'm not brand prejudice, but performance/weight prejudice very much so. I'd like to squeeze a 064 in there some day, but that's just because it was the reigning power to weight king for so long before the 7900 came along