oneoldbanjo
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have suddenly been converted from a casual woodcutter to a nearly full time after work/weekend woodcutting schedule for two reasons. First - we have just installed an outdoor wood burning furnace and will need firewood to keep the furnace running - although at this point it appears a wheelbarrow load a day will keep us nice and warm. I have been able to build up a good stockpile of wood that should last 3 years with my Stihl 029 and recently added a new 192T for cutting the smaller branches. Second - We have an electric line easement running through our property and towers only have wires mounted on one side of the towers. In the past the utility company has only maintained 50 feet of right of way on each side of the centerline - even though they own 75 feet on each side of the centerline. In the last few weeks a tree service has been on my property cleaning out the additional 25 feet on each side of the right of way. They may have cut as many as 100 trees down, chipped the brush and left the larger wood behind for me to cut. Most wood is a foot in diameter or less and so far my 029 has been adequate - however there have been some hickory logs that are nearly 3 feet in diameter and it would be nice to be able to get a chainsaw that can handle a 24" bar.
Looking at this site I have become interested in the MS360 and the newer MS361, and even the larger MS440 and MS441. My budget may allow me to sell the 029 and get either a new MS361 or a nice used MS440. I do have a few questions however. I have noticed an awful lot of MS 360 saws on eBay with scored cylinders - is this a bad design or are they just running these saws really hard and wearing them out. I have also seen that people really like the MS361 - but the MS441 seems to have been changed in a way that people are trying to get MS440's which are lighter.
Are the MS361 and MS440 saws so much nicer than the 029 that if I get one I will never be able to go back? My 029 seems to run and cut nicely - the only thing I really notice is that I can't cut real fast in large logs without slowing the saw down - once it slows down a little bit the torque really dies quickly and the saw bogs down. It is running well and very well maintained - it just needs a little more HP to cut quickly. I have already learned how to file my chains and keep them sharp while reading posts on this site - now I am ready to learn a little bit about the commercial Stihl saws.
I should mention that when I was young I worked at a lawnmower shop and use to work on chainsaws......and I may be one of the few people around that has had the pleasure of working on D35 Clintons.....and was able to go to the parts bins to get new replacement parts!!!!!
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Dave
Looking at this site I have become interested in the MS360 and the newer MS361, and even the larger MS440 and MS441. My budget may allow me to sell the 029 and get either a new MS361 or a nice used MS440. I do have a few questions however. I have noticed an awful lot of MS 360 saws on eBay with scored cylinders - is this a bad design or are they just running these saws really hard and wearing them out. I have also seen that people really like the MS361 - but the MS441 seems to have been changed in a way that people are trying to get MS440's which are lighter.
Are the MS361 and MS440 saws so much nicer than the 029 that if I get one I will never be able to go back? My 029 seems to run and cut nicely - the only thing I really notice is that I can't cut real fast in large logs without slowing the saw down - once it slows down a little bit the torque really dies quickly and the saw bogs down. It is running well and very well maintained - it just needs a little more HP to cut quickly. I have already learned how to file my chains and keep them sharp while reading posts on this site - now I am ready to learn a little bit about the commercial Stihl saws.
I should mention that when I was young I worked at a lawnmower shop and use to work on chainsaws......and I may be one of the few people around that has had the pleasure of working on D35 Clintons.....and was able to go to the parts bins to get new replacement parts!!!!!
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Dave
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