4will
ArboristSite Lurker
Hello all,
I found this site some time ago and have been lurking around and gathering info from you all. I finally decided to get involved to share my recent Stihl experience and share my comparison.
I'm a homeowner DIY type who loves outdoor projects and power equipment. I believe in having the best I can reasonable afford. I also believe in considering doing all of my projects myself but am willing to pay for help when necessary. I'm super picky about the maintenance of my equipment in hopes that my higher end purchases will last me for years (thus another way to justify the cost).
That being said, a little over three years ago I bought a 290 with an 18inch bar to use for recapturing our land and yard from the previous owners. I've felled about 40 trees and used the saw for storm clean up with my fire department and on my property as well as general chainsaw work for cleaning up land.
I was pleased with the saw until a few months ago it began stalling out. I was heartbroken and frustrated when I took it to the shop and found out that the piston had scars and basically the parts would cost me as much as replacing the saw.
I emailed Stihl and after a couple of communications they offered to pay for parts. I tested Stihl's customer service and they came through just as they do with the quality of their equipment. I decided to upgraded.
So here's my comparison.
I bought a 361 with a 20 inch bar after much personal debate and lots of reading and asking questions.
I got to use the 361 all day this past weekend (felling and cleaning). I learned that I should have bought one a 361 to start.
Don't get me wrong, I loved my 290 and was very proud of it but for anyone who is having concerns about what to buy let me offer my input. I looked at the saws in between the 290 and the 361 but it didn't make sense to spend money on anything in between the two.
The vibration reduction built into the 361 does what my local salesperson said it would -- reduced fatigue at the end of the day and made the saw easier to use.
The larger fuel capacity allowed me to work longer so I didn't have to make the frustrating "I'm almost done with this part" stop.
The power difference is beyond noticeable. I know the chain on this saw cuts faster than the one on my 290 but the power when bucking larger logs or cutting off stumps is amazing.
For the non-professionals I'd like to confirm that the warnings about kickback with the more aggressive chains are not bull. I did notice more of a tendancy to try to kick back and to "bounce" around if I hit small branches without being at full throttle.
The tradeoff of the chain is worth it, the user just has to be more careful.
The balance of the 361 is better. I didn't notice the gain of overall weight.
The saw starts easier (I'm comparing that to new not the last few months with the damaged 290) because of the compression relief feature.
I noticed that the 361 idled easier at strange angles (on it's side or when cutting branches) which made it easier to cut without having throttle up the saw as I was moving it into position. What I'm trying to say is that I could get the saw close to the branch or log then throttle up as opposed to doing that with my 290 when I would have to give it a little gas to keep it idling in order to get it in position. I was told that the carbs were different and I seemed to notice that difference as I used it.
As I was cleaning my saw when I was done I noticed a small metal plate screwed on near the oiler (under the plastic cover but just over the oiler). I also noticed some metal housing and a few other items that seemed to be built a little better than my 290.
I think those are my major observations. If anyone has any questions about anything I wasn't clear about or that I may not have described I'll be happy to share my experience.
I've been pleased with all of my Stihl equipment but this is the first chance I've had to really compare two of their similar products.
If you are looking to purchase and can find a way to pay the difference, go with the 361. From what I learned in my research there wasn't much reason to go up from a 290 unless I was going to go all the way to the 361.
Just my two cents, Will
I found this site some time ago and have been lurking around and gathering info from you all. I finally decided to get involved to share my recent Stihl experience and share my comparison.
I'm a homeowner DIY type who loves outdoor projects and power equipment. I believe in having the best I can reasonable afford. I also believe in considering doing all of my projects myself but am willing to pay for help when necessary. I'm super picky about the maintenance of my equipment in hopes that my higher end purchases will last me for years (thus another way to justify the cost).
That being said, a little over three years ago I bought a 290 with an 18inch bar to use for recapturing our land and yard from the previous owners. I've felled about 40 trees and used the saw for storm clean up with my fire department and on my property as well as general chainsaw work for cleaning up land.
I was pleased with the saw until a few months ago it began stalling out. I was heartbroken and frustrated when I took it to the shop and found out that the piston had scars and basically the parts would cost me as much as replacing the saw.
I emailed Stihl and after a couple of communications they offered to pay for parts. I tested Stihl's customer service and they came through just as they do with the quality of their equipment. I decided to upgraded.
So here's my comparison.
I bought a 361 with a 20 inch bar after much personal debate and lots of reading and asking questions.
I got to use the 361 all day this past weekend (felling and cleaning). I learned that I should have bought one a 361 to start.
Don't get me wrong, I loved my 290 and was very proud of it but for anyone who is having concerns about what to buy let me offer my input. I looked at the saws in between the 290 and the 361 but it didn't make sense to spend money on anything in between the two.
The vibration reduction built into the 361 does what my local salesperson said it would -- reduced fatigue at the end of the day and made the saw easier to use.
The larger fuel capacity allowed me to work longer so I didn't have to make the frustrating "I'm almost done with this part" stop.
The power difference is beyond noticeable. I know the chain on this saw cuts faster than the one on my 290 but the power when bucking larger logs or cutting off stumps is amazing.
For the non-professionals I'd like to confirm that the warnings about kickback with the more aggressive chains are not bull. I did notice more of a tendancy to try to kick back and to "bounce" around if I hit small branches without being at full throttle.
The tradeoff of the chain is worth it, the user just has to be more careful.
The balance of the 361 is better. I didn't notice the gain of overall weight.
The saw starts easier (I'm comparing that to new not the last few months with the damaged 290) because of the compression relief feature.
I noticed that the 361 idled easier at strange angles (on it's side or when cutting branches) which made it easier to cut without having throttle up the saw as I was moving it into position. What I'm trying to say is that I could get the saw close to the branch or log then throttle up as opposed to doing that with my 290 when I would have to give it a little gas to keep it idling in order to get it in position. I was told that the carbs were different and I seemed to notice that difference as I used it.
As I was cleaning my saw when I was done I noticed a small metal plate screwed on near the oiler (under the plastic cover but just over the oiler). I also noticed some metal housing and a few other items that seemed to be built a little better than my 290.
I think those are my major observations. If anyone has any questions about anything I wasn't clear about or that I may not have described I'll be happy to share my experience.
I've been pleased with all of my Stihl equipment but this is the first chance I've had to really compare two of their similar products.
If you are looking to purchase and can find a way to pay the difference, go with the 361. From what I learned in my research there wasn't much reason to go up from a 290 unless I was going to go all the way to the 361.
Just my two cents, Will
opcorn:
