ripplerider
ArboristSite Member
Anyone know if Stihl has plans to update the anti-vibe system on the 460 anytime soon?
If you go onto stihl.de you can see the new 311 and 391.
So why don't they show the 362 on the German and G.B. websites?
Philbert
Because isn't not available there.
It's more like totally because of EPA. The 361 already had reduced vibes and better fuel use .... until you open the muffler that is .... then it drinks it pretty good .... and the 361 weighed 3/4 pound less too, and it was cheaper. The better anti-vibe would pertain more to the 440 vs 441 than the 361 vs 362. And as far as the fuel use ..... listening to some of these guys you'd think those stratos get double the "mileage" or more .... Stihl even quotes "up to" 20% better I believe .... it's not much .... these aren't cars. And, that 362 is heavy ... as is the 441. Some claim the stratos cut a little better stock than the models they replaced .... it's probably because both the 361 and current 460 have factory muffler outlets the size of a pencil in addition to internal baffling .... stock, they can't breath at all. The 441 for sure, and I bet the 362 also, have a larger muffler port and no internal baffling. The dealers can talk up those new stratos all they want .... they have to .... pretty soon it's all they will have to sell thanks to EPA. Might want to pick up all the "legend" old models while you still can. Or, wait for 10-15 more years until they "perfect" these EPA saws .... they're too heavy period right now. The "balance" is also off ..... pick up a 441 and compare to a 440 or 460 .... even though it's heavier than both .... it doesn't feel like either to me .... it's more than just the added weight. It feels like holding a big round dead weight rock with a handle .... to me. It does still have the excellent Stihl build quality though. Nope, I'm not looking forward to any new 461 myself ... YMMV.
according to the "manuf. specs", the 440, 441, and 460 are within 0.2 lbs of each other. the 576 and the 372 are within 1.1 lbs, which is the approx weight of 22 oz of fuel. How many people could tell the difference between these 5 saws if, dare say, running one blindfolded while half empty or half full of premix? must be a balance thing more than a gravity thing?
I've had my stock 441 at three GTG's so far, and there was no difference in cut times between the 441 and 460. In fact, in firewood sized rounds, there wasn't much difference between the 441 and 660. You had to throw on the 32" bar and cut a 31" log to begin seeing significant differences.
The biggest power gain with the strato motors comes from Stihl using 4 port transfers. The 460 and 660 only use 2 ports, which is why the 441 can keep up with them despite having a smaller motor.
So how about helping a guy out who is on the verge of pulling the trigger for a new 460. If the biggest bar you were going to put on it is a 25 would you buy the 441 and maybe mod it a bit or buy the 460. And if the 460 were to get the same mods as the 441, which would then be the better saw all things considered? At my age two pounds is two pounds, if the performance is similar I would go for the weight saving.
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