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

[mowoodchopper]

CQ seems like a bunch of crap, but dont think you should have cut the cables, should have ran them and if they broke let stihl fix them

 

[dancan]

I've got 3 361's and they are my main users .
I use my chain brake a lot , more than 3 steps set the brake , high rpm , low rpm , starting the saw , I don't even think about it and set the brake , I set the brake to test the brake .
My oldest 361 is a pawn shop find and was an unmaintained , well abused , pulpwood saw . I replaced broken plastic and cleaned it and have used it for the last 5 years and have probably put between 150 to 200 tanks of fuel through it . Since I use the brake a lot I got a little curious so I opened it up to check for cracks . Sorry about the crappy pic .

Non found .
I'll check the others next week .

 

[dhskier2]

Update from stihl

Was able to reach Stihl on the phone today. After a lengthy, but very agreeable conversation the following arrangements were made (followed by an email confirming everything):

Stihl will cover the PTO side crankcase and complete gasket set for all three saws (aprox. $450-500 value), so long as the work is completed at an authorized Stihl dealer. The offer has a 30-day expiration date, and is limited to the crankcase half and gasket kit only. All labor and any additional parts are my responsibility.
At some point, Stihl would like to have their "Application Specialist" come out and spend an afternoon with our crew to see if there's anything specifically related to operator use that might need attention. Stihl is reportedly not seeing this issue anywhere else and they are not currently prepared to assume any manufacturing defects.

All-in-all, I'm very happy with the customer service Stihl has provided on this issue and on the overall durability and reliability of their saws. Thank you to all who weighed in on this!

 

[bcorradi]

Was able to reach Stihl on the phone today. After a lengthy, but very agreeable conversation the following arrangements were made (followed by an email confirming everything):

Stihl will cover the PTO side crankcase and complete gasket set for all three saws (aprox. $450-500 value), so long as the work is completed at an authorized Stihl dealer. The offer has a 30-day expiration date, and is limited to the crankcase half and gasket kit only. All labor and any additional parts are my responsibility.
At some point, Stihl would like to have their "Application Specialist" come out and spend an afternoon with our crew to see if there's anything specifically related to operator use that might need attention. Stihl is reportedly not seeing this issue anywhere else and they are not currently prepared to assume any manufacturing defects.

All-in-all, I'm very happy with the customer service Stihl has provided on this issue and on the overall durability and reliability of their saws. Thank you to all who weighed in on this!

Good deal it sounds like it was resolved amicably.

 

[Slamm]

You have one or more operators that are ignorant with those saws or something. My 361 has been a skidder saw for years, which means it rides loose in the back of a skidder bouncing around all day and other than one guy pulled on it so hard when it was pinched and broke the back upper (rubber) mount, that saw is as solid as any made.

I'd say that Stihl is doing a good job with handling the situation, as in my experience they always have been. They take good care of their customers.

Sam

 

[Philbert]

All-in-all, I'm very happy with the customer service Stihl has provided on this issue and on the overall durability and reliability of their saws. Thank you to all who weighed in on this!

Sounds like a great resolution. Please keep us posted to anything else they find - we can all benefit.

Thanks.

Philbert

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Sounds like a great resolution. Please keep us posted to anything else they find - we can all benefit.

Thanks.

Philbert

How about pics of crack in the case half (inside and out) when they get replaced?

 

[dhskier2]

How about pics of crack in the case half (inside and out) when they get replaced?

I can do that- no problem.

 

[tallguys]

Stihl will cover the PTO side crankcase and complete gasket set for all three saws (aprox. $450-500 value)...

All-in-all, I'm very happy with the customer service Stihl has provided on this issue...

All's well that ends well! Glad to read that it all worked out for you. :msp_smile:

 

[M-tooth]

The chain brakes are emergency brakes, they are not supposed to be used as "parking brakes" - that just is something their lawyers write into the manuals for liability reasons!

They are meant as both. Usually passing your personal practices off as facts is not a great idea, especially when it comes to equipment safety.