Just Bought a 361 - Should I Upgrade to 441?

[Fechmup]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here but have been doing some research over the past week and this site has helped me tremendously. My first saw was a 290 with too much bar - 20." It was a company expense that my business partner purchased quickly because we needed "a chainsaw" that day.

My wife and I just put in a new fireplace insert and because of it, we've had the gas central heat off for almost two weeks. I'm very happy with it's performance so far. Since I need to put away wood for next year (if the fields ever dry out and I can get to it), I decided to buy myself a new saw that'll get some work done. I figure I'll have to put about 4 - 5 cords away for next year - anything more than that will have me prepared for the following year.

I went to my Stihl dealer just down the road which I've bought a fair amount of equipment from with thoughts of a 441. After doing some research, and a little soul searching, I decided I didn't have to go overkill ALL the time, and that a 361 with a 20" bar would indeed be a fine all around firewood saw and save us a couple hundred bucks.

I don't know if it's the Tim Allen in me or what, but I'm wondering if I should look into the the 7 day guarantee and the possibility of a moving up to a 441 or even a 460? At 32 years old, I'm 6'1" and 200lbs - what do you guys think my best bet is? This is firewood - whatever I can get my hands on that's suitable for burning.

FYI - We don't have any Jonsered dealers around and my Husky dealer isn't close. I'm pretty happy with Stihl and going to stick with them.

Thanks for all the info thus far, this is really a great site!
Kevin

 

[Tzed250]

70cc saw first....get the 441...

 

[Echo6 Sierra]

Keep the 361. If you need a saw for bigger stuff don't go up to a 70cc class, jump up a couple and get a 460/660.

The added 2lb weight of a 441 may not seem like much but it will when your cutting. A guy at my school has a 361 & 441 and he says the 441 gets cumbersome when using it all the time. The 361 is a nice nimble saw but still has plenty of balls. If you want to run a 25" bar to avoid bending over as much the 361 will run it fine.

 

[Beefie]

Just my 2 cents worth.

I too have recently purchased a 361. I also have a STIHL 044 and a 260 PRO . If I were too only have one saw I would stay with the 361 due to the power to weight ratio. You could run the 361 all day and not feel like you beat yourself up. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my 044, but sometimes it is just to big for some of the wood I cut. My 260 PRO is a nice saw for smaller trees but if I have a log that is the length of the bar I find that it feels like the saw is not big enough. Thus the 361 fits in nicly in between.

That's my story now , Unless I find a deal on a 460,660,or a 880 then I might change my toon(Darn CAD):hmm3grin2orange:

Beefie

 

[Fechmup]

And by the way... What's CAD stand for? The closest I can figure out something like "chainsaw addiction disorder."

Commence laughing at me.

 

[Echo6 Sierra]

Chainsaw Addiction Disease

 

[Burvol]

The 361 is a good learner saw....possibly the best there is for that. I would pick up another power saw when you have cut for a six month period, give or take. It has enough power to keep you interested, but it is still just a 60cc saw, perfect for learning.

 

[MuleyJ]

One saw?

I agree if you are to only have 1 saw the 361 is the saw. If you open up the muffler a tad it will run a 24" bar for firewood should you ever need to but that saw will run a 20" with authority all day long and then some for firewood. The bigger saws get a little heavy for the cleanup/limbing part of cutting and the 361 still does that relatively well. You def. picked a real good all around saw. Congrats. If you hang around here too long you will own more than one.......or two.......or three???

 

[catbuster]

Chainsaw Addiction Disease

Chainsaw Acquisition Disorder

 

[JPP]

I was going through this dilemma (choosing between 361 and 441) a couple of years ago.
I picked the 441 and am very glad I did, and have never doubted my decision.
I run a 20" bar on the 441 and plan on buying a 25" bar for some big logs I have run across.
I am older and much smaller than you are and I can cut all day long with the 441 without it feeling cumbersome. I find the saw very comfortable to use during a whole day of cutting.
THe 441 has much more power and burns very little gas, although I don't care about this. It is just fact, maybe gas comsuption is important to you.
My advice, for what it is worth, is to switch out to the 441. I always would rather have MORE than I need, rather than be lacking in power when you need it. My best friend has a 361, and he keeps kicking himself for not buying a 441.
Let us know how this ends up.

 

[mattmc2003]

i just traded down from a 460 to a 361 for my everyday fire wood saw. it was a bit over kill for most stuff. i still have a beater 046 for really big stuff though. i get more done and feel better with the 361 on the majority of my cutting. i would suggest the lake side muddles mod. mine really screams for its size. and its so light!

 

[Muffler Bearing]

I vote keep the 361. I have one and its a Great Saw!



http://www.stihldealer.net/productd...57-toplvl-2-catid-2-subcat-2-catprods-41.aspx

Start saving and keep reading here, than order this.

 

[clearance]

The 361 is a good learner saw....possibly the best there is for that. I would pick up another power saw when you have cut for a six month period, give or take. It has enough power to keep you interested, but it is still just a 60cc saw, perfect for learning.

I agree with this. I used 361s a few times after running bigger saws for years. Too small, not enough bar or power. But good for someone to learn on, good post Burvol.

 

[mattmc2003]

I agree with this. I used 361s a few times after running bigger saws for years. Too small, not enough bar or power. But good for someone to learn on, good post Burvol.

i'm gonna disagree. if you aren't cutting big wood you can save your back and wallet by going 361. not enough difference in small wood to cause a fuss over.

 

[clearance]

i'm gonna disagree. if you aren't cutting big wood you can save your back and wallet by going 361. not enough difference in small wood to cause a fuss over.

I presume the back comment is because you run short bars? I can run my saws all day with no back pain at all, because they have 28" to 32" bars. Its nice to stand up straight most of the time.

 

[STIHLTHEDEERE]

if you need more than a 60cc/20" saw for a go to/firewood saw,than you are either cutting some huge firewood, or have huge ego.anyone that tells you they enjoy lugging a 460/660 saw all day in the woods,probably works some short days. don't get me wrong,i own some big saws,and they have their place. i am 36yrs. old,& 6'2''/240lbs,in pretty good shape,and a 362/20" is all i want for an 8hr. day. just my 2cents

 

[clearance]

Big diff between a 460 and a 660. Big diff between my 371 and my 395 as well. Not a whole lot between a 361 and a 460, not enough wieght to matter, but so much more power it isn't funny. So, do you want to buck for 8 hours with the 361, or 6 with your 460? A litle older and a little smaller than you StillDeere. And guys who are a lot older and a little smaller than me run the same saws I do, so, I figure a young man of your size could aim a little higher and produce more!!

 

[Burvol]

Big diff between a 460 and a 660. Big diff between my 371 and my 395 as well. Not a whole lot between a 361 and a 460, not enough wieght to matter, but so much more power it isn't funny. So, do you want to buck for 8 hours with the 361, or 6 with your 460? A litle older and a little smaller than you StillDeere. And guys who are a lot older and a little smaller than me run the same saws I do, so, I figure a young man of your size could aim a little higher and produce more!!

That's a big difference in attitude between WC and EC. The majority of people here in logging country run 70cc and up saws for firewood with 28" plus bars, even if their not a log cutter. You work yourself to death with 50cc saws and tiny bars. You do. There is no doubt that if you run a little more saw and learn to handle it properly, you will work less and become a better sawyer.

 

[STIHLTHEDEERE]

Big diff between a 460 and a 660. Big diff between my 371 and my 395 as well. Not a whole lot between a 361 and a 460, not enough wieght to matter, but so much more power it isn't funny. So, do you want to buck for 8 hours with the 361, or 6 with your 460? A litle older and a little smaller than you StillDeere. And guys who are a lot older and a little smaller than me run the same saws I do, so, I figure a young man of your size could aim a little higher and produce more!!

guess you canada boys are just alot tougher than us yanks. i am not a logger,but we move tons of firewood in a season,5 families here,plus sales. we cut alot of elm/osage iron wood. a 460 has more power,no doubt, but if i have my choice i'll have my 362/20" in hand. i will cut as much firewood as anyone in a days time. not argueing about this,just my 2cents.

 

[STIHLTHEDEERE]

That's a big difference in attitude between WC and EC. The majority of people here in logging country run 70cc and up saws for firewood with 28" plus bars, even if their not a log cutter. You work yourself to death with 50cc saws and tiny bars. You do. There is no doubt that if you run a little more saw and learn to handle it properly, you will work less and become a better sawyer.

not picking on you,it is a west coast thing. big ole saw,huge bar,and a 24" SOFTWOOD TREE, iknow there are some hard woods out there. but you see alot of wc loggers,with 6" of bar on each side of the tree. there is just not alot BIG trees left in this part of the country.