After considerable reading here, I was ready to buy Stihl MS361 only to find out that they have now been replaced with strato charged green version (MS362). I really enjoyed the thread Brad did on moding the 362, although I don't plan to mod the saw. I would like for it to have good overall reliability, start reliably, have good vibration damping, and not have a catalytic converter muffler. I live in a rural area, and the nearest town or dealer is nearly 30 miles away, so interested in finding a good workshop manual.
I have also read that there is a MS361CQ version with a brake option that may still have a few available from distribution. Is this Q brake option a good one to have or just more things to go wrong?
Yes, I like the idea of a low pollution saw IF it will be a reliable saw and I guess the payback on better gas consumption would soon pay for the extra $50 or so over the standard MS361 if it were still available.
I saw an earlier survey back in Sept that preferred the 361 over the 362 by approx 50:22 before the MS362 was available. Is that still the experienced sentiment here or is the risk lower now that the saw has been in use for a few months? Can the strato saws be as good as the saws they replace? I don't like being a guinea pig for new designs, but this one seems similar to the MS441 design.
Guess the current choice is between the MS361CQ or MS362 (or keep hunting for a new MS361). Planning to order with 18 or 20 inch bar for primarily cutting dead and down hardwood (Oak) on 75 acres for heating. All comments or suggestions appreciated as all work will be done with a single saw.
I have also read that there is a MS361CQ version with a brake option that may still have a few available from distribution. Is this Q brake option a good one to have or just more things to go wrong?
Yes, I like the idea of a low pollution saw IF it will be a reliable saw and I guess the payback on better gas consumption would soon pay for the extra $50 or so over the standard MS361 if it were still available.
I saw an earlier survey back in Sept that preferred the 361 over the 362 by approx 50:22 before the MS362 was available. Is that still the experienced sentiment here or is the risk lower now that the saw has been in use for a few months? Can the strato saws be as good as the saws they replace? I don't like being a guinea pig for new designs, but this one seems similar to the MS441 design.
Guess the current choice is between the MS361CQ or MS362 (or keep hunting for a new MS361). Planning to order with 18 or 20 inch bar for primarily cutting dead and down hardwood (Oak) on 75 acres for heating. All comments or suggestions appreciated as all work will be done with a single saw.
