MS361 fractured crankcase... what to expect from Stihl?

[dhskier2]

I manage a youth conservation corps in CO. We've been running a saw program (now entering our fourth year) where 18-24year olds are working on land/water conservation projects removing invasive species, Russian Olive & Tamarisk along the river systems in our region. We run five 361's, two 441's, and a 290.

Earlier this season a 361 came in and the handbrake stud/post had completely broken off the crankcase- left a nice 1" hole looking right at the side of the muffler. I had the local stihl shop replace the crankcase and the saw was back i business (the shop had never seen anything like this before).
Two weeks later, another 361 comes in from the field and has the same problem! This time I call Intermountain Stihl (regional corporate Stihl district) and they've never seen the problem either (also talked with a service rep from Pacific Stihl... same thing). Intermointain Stihl ends up covering "parts" and I eat the labor. Our crews wrapped up saw work at the end of December, so our Crew Leader is getting saws ready to be put away for a couple months. I stop in and under closer inspection, find that our other three 361's all have fractures (see pics) and, I'm sure, are soon to end up with the same fate as saws one and two. I've contacted intermountain Stihl and am awaiting their response (going two weeks now!!).

What are your thoughts on what I should be expecting from Stihl? Shoudl I count my blessings with saw #2 that they covered parts and I'll be SOL on these, or should I expect them to cover parts again?

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[rupedoggy]

German enginering. Look how each cracked in the same place. Those re-enforcing ribs run out from a stressed stud to a thin place in the case. Bad design.

 

[Roanoker494]

I believe I would be looking at the operators before I would call it a Stihl design flaw......... Looks like someone is slamming the chain brake handles around.

 

[CentaurG2]

Cool! I will check out mine tomorrow. If it’s out of warrantee (90 days best in the industry!) I don’t think team stihl will do too much but it does not hurt to give it the old college try.

 

[nick 55]

I believe I would be looking at the operators before I would call it a Stihl design flaw......... Looks like someone is slamming the chain brake handles around.

I have to agree. I would be watching how the guys operate the saws and store them for transport. For all you know, they could be hanging them off the chainbrake to carry more than one in each hand.

Nick

 

[dhskier2]

I believe I would be looking at the operators before I would call it a Stihl design flaw......... Looks like someone is slamming the chain brake handles around.

I have no doubts about operator use... in three years we've run 5 crews- that means each saw has had five different operators learn the ropes on them- most are new to saws. The saws also see near daily use at least 8 months a year.
Our 441's and the 290 don't have the probelm though...

 

[rupedoggy]

I believe I would be looking at the operators before I would call it a Stihl design flaw......... Looks like someone is slamming the chain brake handles around.

You mean they aren't designed to slam around? The handle is suppossed to slam the chain brake/band to a stop when kickback occurs. How do you apply the chain brake?

 

[jus2fat]

I believe I would be looking at the operators before I would call it a Stihl design flaw......... Looks like someone is slamming the chain brake handles around.

I agree with Johnnie...there's likely some operator(s) errors going on here..!!

I've not seen this problem listed before..with the homeowner/PRO users here..!!

J2F

 

[dhskier2]

I have to agree. I would be watching how the guys operate the saws and store them for transport. For all you know, they could be hanging them off the chainbrake to carry more than one in each hand.

Nick

I'm not to worried about storage- but we weren't runnign this trailer in our first season.

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[nick 55]

That looks like a pretty slick set-up but do the brake handles touch the side wall?

Nick

 

[Roanoker494]

You mean they aren't designed to slam around? The handle is suppossed to slam the chain brake/band to a stop when kickback occurs. How do you apply the chain brake?

Chain brake can be activated with a rather easy push and deactivate with two fingers, no need to use the palm of your hand and slam it. If your brake is harder than that to operate you need to investigate because something is binding.

 

[bluestripes]

Sounds to me like operator error. There is 1000's of 361's out there and if they all had that problem i think Stihl would have been forced to buy them back. The break handles arent sitting on something in the trailor are they? than when you go over a bump it jars them? Just something to check i cant quite tell from the pic.

 

[stihlrookie]

I am going to agree with some of the other guys--operator error. If you say that you have a fresh crew of beginners each year using said saws then I would look at the training method. A chain brake does not need to be nor should be "slapped" on. The chain brake should not be used as a carry handle or a way of securing the saw during transport. I have never seen this issue during "regular" use. I apply chain brake by simply rolling my wrist to contact the brake no palming it.

 

[RED-85-Z51]

For 3500 worth of saws...you would kind of think they could build them a little more stout than that.

If it was one...Id say operator error/abuse...if it was 2..I might still say, maybe operator error.

But for all of them to fail in the exact same fashion...thats a defect, got to be, so some extent.

 

[sunfish]

Maybe Over Use of said chain brake??? Weird stuff. :msp_confused:

 

[gregfox]

I never use my chain brake, are you training them to use it? Keep us posted.

 

[bluestripes]

For 3500 worth of saws...you would kind of think they could build them a little more stout than that.

If it was one...Id say operator error/abuse...if it was 2..I might still say, maybe operator error.

But for all of them to fail in the exact same fashion...thats a defect, got to be, so some extent.

If its a defect why doesnt anyone else seem to have a problem with it? If it was one or two i would say defect, but all of them?? Im not convinced. Just my opinion tho. Will be interesting to see what comes of this.

 

[Philbert]

What are your thoughts on what I should be expecting from Stihl? Shoudl I count my blessings with saw #2 that they covered parts and I'll be SOL on these, or should I expect them to cover parts again?e>

One saw is one thing. All of your saws of the same model seems like it is more than a random defect. And you have a significant investment in these saws.

I would ask to meet with a representative of the STIHL distributor, not just your dealer, to discuss the issue soon. We are just guessing here on line, but they have inside knowledge, and the option of sending one or more of your saws back to engineers in Virginia during your off season to take a look. Even if it is determined to be 'operator error' they should be able to tell you what types of handling or use could cause it, so that you can train your staff (and us on A.S.!!!) what to avoid.

STIHL has a product reputation to protect, and wants to keep a good relationship with programs like yours. So giving them an opportunity to evaluate and resolve the problem is in both of your interests.

Curious if all of your saws were bought around the same time - are their serial numbers close?

Philbert

 

[SawTroll]

If its a defect why doesnt anyone else seem to have a problem with it? If it was one or two i would say defect, but all of them?? Im not convinced. Just my opinion tho. Will be interesting to see what comes of this.

Right, I have never heard of an issue like that with the 361, and surely haven't experieced one myself - this surely is odd! :msp_confused:

 

[SawTroll]

I believe I would be looking at the operators before I would call it a Stihl design flaw......... Looks like someone is slamming the chain brake handles around.

Yep, leave the chain brake alone, until it has to save the day! :help: