saw choices- MS362 vs MS461?

[skipster]

Hi, I'm upgrading to either a stihl MS 362 or a 461.
Most of my work is hardwood eucalypt (grey and yellow box), 10-18 inch diameter ,and mainly limbing and crosscutting, not much big falling( I'm still wary, but want to work up to it,with some expert instruction)

The 362 feels a bit lighter in the shop, but not a huge difference to the 461,however,I'm wondering how much that little bit of extra weight will begin to take its toll during a long day of cutting.

Is the extra power of the 461 justified by the trade off in weight,and do i need that extra power?

eventually,i want to run two saws, either a 362 and something bigger, or a 461 and something smaller (ummm,i may have just answered my own question,duh, get them both!)
A very experienced chainsaw bloke i know runs the 461 and the 362 and reckons its a good combo, what do others think?

I'm leaning towards getting the 362 now, then maybe a bigger saw later, but a little voice keeps yelling
" No! Get the big one, more power! More vrooom! More credibility! size does matter, etc etc"

Anyone have any advice for a conflicted saw shopper?

 

[middleagemutant]

I would get the 362 are a Husky 562 you will probably grab the 362 most of the time over the 461.

 

[Ironworker]

What do you have now? Personally I would get the 461 then a 50cc, or you can go 362 and then a 90cc or you can just get all four

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

461 and 261 .. sweet combo

362 and 241 .. sweet combo , or throw a 90 cc in there too

 

[skipster]

currently struggling with a ms 251

 

[Wood Doctor]

currently struggling with a ms 251

Either the 362 or 361 would be an enormous upgrade from a 251.


Stihl MS 361 rocks!

 

[rwoods]

skipster. I see you are from the landdownunder where I hear the wood is hard as nails. I would listen when your local neighbors chime in - I bet they will tell you to go big.

Ron

 

[srb08]

For a one saw plan, a 60cc saw is hard to beat.
I had always done the 70cc(ms460)-50cc(ms261)set up until a couple of years ago when I decided I wanted a Husq 562 (60cc). I didn't need the 562 but that's irrelevant.
Now, the 562 is the saw I use 90% of the time.
I still need need and use the 460 but the 261 spends a lot of time sitting.
Most of what I do is bucking logs for firewood. If I had to spend a lot of time limbing, I'm sure the 261 would get a lot more run time.

 

[cus_deluxe]

currently struggling with a ms 251

bummer

 

[Wood Doctor]

bummer

I have a pair of 025's. Same conclusion. No comparison to my 026 PRO that will eat them both for lunch.

 

[cus_deluxe]

an 025/250 when running well isnt a bad saw, just not worth "struggling with" IMO.

 

[Grey]

I have an MS251 (wife's saw), 261, 361 and 461. As you said, the weight difference in the shop isn't much, but over several hours it does add up. I'm a weekend warrior and desk jockey during the week. I definitely prefer the lighter saws (261 and 361) of they will get the job done. I only reach for the 461 when I need big power. However, with your Eucalypts in the 10-18" range, you may prefer the power of the 461. It's up to you.

 

[Wood Doctor]

A few loggers around here use the 461 with a 32" bar to fell and buck cut 3' dia. cottonwoods. Does OP really need that saw and spend over a grand for it? I think not.

 

[funky sawman]

After running 2 non impressive ms362cm saws, I would say go with the 461

 

[Grey]

Good observation, but I would suggest that Cottonwood and Autralian Eucalypts are not exactly the aaples-to-apples.

 

[blsnelling]

There is a HUGE difference in performance between the two!

 

[bigbehr85]

If you get a 661 you will never wish you had more power.

 

[skipster]

Thanks for all your advice folks, took the plunge and got a really good deal on a 362 from a Ballarat Stihl dealer.
I went for the lighter saw,as I'm pretty small,and not that experienced as an operator,and the deal on the 461 was nowhere as good.
used my mobile and rang a lady i know who is after a small saw and sold her the 251 over the phone.
Then,as i was driving home, a buddy of mine rang and offered me two older stihls,an 038 magnum and an 044 dirt cheap(like 150 each!)
they were his fathers,both have been well used,but both run and have good compression.
I couldn't say no, as i had just sold the 251 for more than what the 038 and the 044 would cost me. What a day!
Thanks again to both the helpful folks here,and the occasional universe synchronicity that somehow works out.

 

[the GOAT]

Congrats, but with the 044 you might not ever use the awesome ms362c-m!!! Maybe you can trade it in for a 241/261.

 

[blsnelling]

Congrats, but with the 044 you might not ever use the awesome ms362c-m!!! Maybe you can trade it in for a 241/261.

I agree. I would never pick up a 362 when setting next to a 044.