New MS362 Vs. New MS391

[THALL10326]

Not necessarily. Unless products are run/tested under a carefully laid out (and controlled) process/procedure, how can one say the stats have any real meaning.

The users were different, under different conditions. And the repair shops were different, applying perhaps slightly different analysis and techniques.

Not sure, but unless things are controlled then frankly statistics can be made to say anything the publisher wants them to say. We used to say "figures can lie and liars can figure"..

My MS361 German made and U.S. made run in similar environment, have similar regular maintenance, go to same repair shop... and guess what.. are similar in what they need for repairs! (the U.S. one did need a clutch that the German made one has not .. but hey it was purchased 2nd hand so it still is not a properly controlled environment for decent analysis or statistics)

The saw that I have that needs the most work - is U.S. made.. the MS170. But frankly I simply place that to it being a POS to begin with regardless of where it is made.

As for the 361 stats.. one could turn it around and say the German technicians were more comprehensive or thorough than their U.S. counterparts and simply found issues the other technicians overlooked. One can take any information they want, and make it look like anything they want - unless it is carefully controlled.

Awwwwwww what you was reading is alittle back and forth between Sawtroll and me that goes back quite aways. Neither saw is better than the other. What he and I are referring to is the American factory in Va Beach where my 361 was built and the German factory where his 361 was built. Stihl themselves point out the Va Beach factory has the best quality control of any factory they have and it should. Its the most modern and up to date factory they have. Sawtroll always saying his EURO 361 sounds anti American to me so yes I gotta smack back at him, all in fun of course....

 

[TreeClimber57]

Awwwwwww what you was reading is alittle back and forth between Sawtroll and me that goes back quite aways. Neither saw is better than the other. What he and I are referring to is the American factory in Va Beach where my 361 was built and the German factory where his 361 was built. Stihl themselves point out the Va Beach factory has the best quality control of any factory they have and it should. Its the most modern and up to date factory they have. Sawtroll always saying his EURO 361 sounds anti American to me so yes I gotta smack back at him, all in fun of course....

No worries Of course the most modern factory is likely the one in China.. but we won't go there! (it is - I think - the newest one).. Of couse no idea on how the QC is enforced there.. (or in the Brazil one either)..

Of course the press release speaks highly of their quality !!

" Uncompromising quality at all manufacturing plants
The STIHL Group began building up an international manufacturing network in the early seventies to achieve market-oriented and cost-efficient production and reduce the risk of currency fluctuations. The move to China is the systematic continuation of the international production strategy. All STIHL sites will benefit from the reduced average production cost since it allows for a broad range of competitive products. STIHL’s traditional high standards of quality are guaranteed in this process – irrespective of the production location. Dr. Kandziora explained: “Production at the new factory is under German management and uses time-proven manufacturing technology. We have thoroughly scrutinized our local Chinese suppliers and chosen those who meet our high quality standards.”

 

[dancan]

No worries Of course the most modern factory is likely the one in China.. but we won't go there! (it is - I think - the newest one).. Of couse no idea on how the QC is enforced there..

The work conditions are so tough in China that they commit suicide if they make a mistake , here's the proof
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/10184186.stm .

 

[SawTroll]

Awwwwwww what you was reading is alittle back and forth between Sawtroll and me that goes back quite aways. Neither saw is better than the other. What he and I are referring to is the American factory in Va Beach where my 361 was built and the German factory where his 361 was built. Stihl themselves point out the Va Beach factory has the best quality control of any factory they have and it should. Its the most modern and up to date factory they have. Sawtroll always saying his EURO 361 sounds anti American to me so yes I gotta smack back at him, all in fun of course....

I am sure that most of the parts are the same beween the US and GE made 361s - only the cylinder and the muffler is different, to make the US ones more "EPA friendly", as far as I know.

 

[TreeClimber57]

Big difference is one has more metal and little plastic (362) and the other is more plastic and little metal (391). They are both strato engines, but the basic construction is still the same as the 361 and 290/310/390. One has a removable cylinder and the other is a clamshell engine.

I have a 361 and a 290 and the 361 is a much better saw. But, I use the 290 for most of my cutting. Both are good saws and will last a long time. The 361/362 would be a lot easier to replace the piston/cylinder when that time comes. I just did that on my 290 and you have to disassemble the saw. On the 290/310/390 (311/391), the engine bolts to the plastic "engine housing" - using the same bolts that bolt the engine halves together. This requires taking everything off the saw down to the bare "engine housing". The cylinder on the 361/362 just bolts onto the crankcase with four bolts and is a lot easier to get off and on.

If you do much cutting the extra $150 is worth it. If not then a 290 or 391 would work. If you are wanting to just use a 20" bar, you could get a 290 and open up the muffler and save even more money. That is why I use my 290 more than my 361, a lot of my cutting is done with a 20" bar - the 361 has a "25" bar (which is really a 84 drive link 24" bar - with only 23 1/2" usable - that 25" is 25" of bar that is visable).

Fog

Don't think the 290 has any magnesium in it, so it will likely weight a bit more as well.

 

[Tzed250]

You should have tried a German made 361 then - they are not the same as the US ones!

The biggest difference being the price...




.

 

[TreeClimber57]

The biggest difference being the price...




.

why would there be any price difference other than currency exchange.. both same saws.. just country of origin.

 

[Tzed250]

why would there be any price difference other than currency exchange.. both same saws.. just country of origin.

A little research on the subject might surprise you. Suffice it to say that "We got it good!!!"...



.

 

[Paul001]

why would there be any price difference other than currency exchange.. both same saws.. just country of origin.

Taxes, taxes, and more taxes...It's the socalist way!

Plus those Germans work so damn s l o w

 

[TreeClimber57]

Taxes, taxes, and more taxes...It's the socalist way!

Well, without taxes how would the government be able to enjoy life like they do! Gotta support the elected parliment.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

I don't think a 150USD difference is much, considering how different they really are. Similarities are mostly superficial, and the weight difference is enough alone to justify the difference.....

If you can still find one, get a MS361 over both!

Soon the 261, 271 and 291 will appear as well, and I am sure the 261 will be a lighter and much better saw than the other two.

Ok Troll looked and found out what all is shared between the 311, 362, and 391

MS311 and MS362 share 47mm pistons and rings,
Looks like all three share the same crankshaft and crank bearings
Clutch, worm gear, drum and sprockets are all interchangeable, oil pumps are different
Chain brake mechanism, handle is slightly different but interchangeable
Flywheel and coils are shared.
Rewinds are metal vs. plastic but interchangeable
Carbs, intakes, all the same
Top covers all the same just attaching hardware is different
All A/V mounts, top handle and rear handle the same
Fuel lines, filters, spark plugs, air filters all the same

Looks like cylinders, crankcases, and mufflers are the only things that aren't shared or interchangeable. So looks like majority of the items that one would likely break or wear out are interchangeable between the 3 models of saws.

 

[SawTroll]

A little research on the subject might surprise you. Suffice it to say that "We got it good!!!"...



.

Yes, saws are dirt cheap in the US, compared to most other markets!

 

[nmurph]

Ok Troll looked and found out what all is shared between the 311, 362, and 391...... So looks like majority of the items that one would likely break or wear out are interchangeable between the 3 models of saws.

so in a few years we will have 3621192 frankensaws. that should be fun to watch.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

so in a few years we will have 3621192 frankensaws. that should be fun to watch.

I'm waiting to see a hot ported MS362 with a MS441 carb. on it.

 

[TreeClimber57]

Ok Troll looked and found out what all is shared between the 311, 362, and 391

MS311 and MS362 share 47mm pistons and rings,
Looks like all three share the same crankshaft and crank bearings
Clutch, worm gear, drum and sprockets are all interchangeable, oil pumps are different
Chain brake mechanism, handle is slightly different but interchangeable
Flywheel and coils are shared.
Rewinds are metal vs. plastic but interchangeable
Carbs, intakes, all the same
Top covers all the same just attaching hardware is different
All A/V mounts, top handle and rear handle the same
Fuel lines, filters, spark plugs, air filters all the same

Looks like cylinders, crankcases, and mufflers are the only things that aren't shared or interchangeable. So looks like majority of the items that one would likely break or wear out are interchangeable between the 3 models of saws.

But interchangeable does not mean the originals were the same. One could use better material than the other, and yet still be interchangeable. Now not sure of benefit of why they would do that with some components you listed, but others maybe.

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

But interchangeable does not mean the originals were the same. One could use better material than the other, and yet still be interchangeable. Now not sure of benefit of why they would do that with some components you listed, but others maybe.

I'm not sure either. Like the mufflers are interchangeable, but the 362 secures with 4 screws, and the 311/391 only uses 2 screws.