Update after 2 years with the MS361

[mayor]

Alright......I think I have a couple of firewood seasons on the MS361 now so here's my update.

I cant tell you how much I like the new saw......handling with the 20" bar is great.  The high rpm of the saw falls thru hardwoods like butter and its never offered too kick back once.

Maintenance has been minimal and just yesterday I finally switched off too a new chain.
I've ran the two chains the saw came with for two seasons now and they are finally worn too the point of disposal.  So I bought two new ones for 16.00 each for the stihl chains in the yellow boxes.
The guy had pro model chains available too custom build but I have found that they dont do any better or last any longer than the stihl chains right off the shelf....and they cost twice as much.

For small time logging and big time firewooding.....I can only give this MS361 two thumbs up in the ease of operation and exceptional performance.

On the downside?
  the oil fill for the bar gets extremely dirty and is hard too clean before adding bar oil.
  The air filter has too be cleaned almost daily.
  The carrying case that came with the saw is a nice case, but the handle broke shortly after I bought it......needs re-engineered.
  The Scrench holder is located on the outside of the bar cover.......and is easily lost.....should have placed it inside the main case.  Along with the file holder.

[Kevin]

Have you tried using a parts brush on the oil cap?

[567paloggger]

is stihl making a 361 anymore  or are they strickly going with the 362

[windthrown]

Well, considering that two of your complaints have nothing to do with the 361 itself, and the flippy oil cap is the same on all Stihl saws. The air filter thing is 'resolved' on the 362 if you want to buy one. They have the snap-on cover and centrifugal air flow off of the fan on the flywheel now (like the 441 and the newer Husky saws). I do not see why a once a day cleaning of the filter is such a big issue for many people. Pop off cover, blow out with air compressor, put on cover. I also blow off the oil cap of the crud on there at the same time. No biggie. I love my 361s. I have a collection of them. My only complaints about the 361 are the flippey oil and gas caps (same on all the newer Stihl saws) and re-starting it if it is run dry on gas. Also the mufflers are too choked up on the US models, and the new carbs have the limiter caps on them. These are similar on all new Stihl saws though, not just the 361.

As for the fate of the 361; they are now being phased out and the existing stock is all that will be sold. Once they are gone, they are gone, like the 440s. The 362 is the replacement model, end of story. US EPA and EU AV reasons forced Stihl to make the changes. The US production line of the 361 has been shut down. It will probably be disassembled and shipped to Brazil, and more off-shore 361s will likely be made, like the 440s, 381s, 360s and other saws are still made now. However, they will never more be sold here new due to the EPA laws now in effect as of Jan. 1, 2010.

Other saws are being replaced as well. The 170, 180 and 210 have all been replaced with the 171, 181 and the 211, all on the same chassis. They have better AV and starto air-injected engines. The 211 actually gains in power to weight ratio and is lighter than the 210, but the 171 and 181 suffer from more weight and less power. The 260 and 290 are also slated to be moved onto a new chassis and strato air-injected engines, but at some future time. The 2010 EPA laws are very strict, and they are being enforced.

[567paloggger]

i guess i better start making phone calls to get a 361

[windthrown]

i guess i better start making phone calls to get a 361

You are gonna be hard pressed to find one. They are drying up fast. 

Same with the 372xp.

[MartyParsons]

We have two used MS361 with 20" bar available
One has more miles on it than run time, it is our show saw. We are replacing it with a MS362. The other 361 was a trade in. It also looks new. Both of them have a crack in the air cleaner cover. Cosmetic not a functional issue.  The second saw came in with a winter filter on it. We replaced it with the correct filter. The trade in has been serviced, my saw is on the truck and will be at the York show this week.
Call Roger at the shop. 814-259-9976
 We will pay our dues to the FF if it sells to a member. I am not sure of the price Roger has on them you will need to call.

Thanks Marty

[Ed]

i guess i better start making phone calls to get a 361

You are gonna be hard pressed to find one. They are drying up fast. 

Same with the 372xp.

Local dealer has no problem getting 372's or 2171's...........plenty available.

Ed

[JohnG28]

Just put deposit on last 361 any local dealers has(without the stupid extra features), cant wait to pick up...new ones are definately hard to find though, happy to have got one new

[zopi]

There is a new 361 on the shelf at the Southern States in Smithfield Va...

not sure what price

[SawTroll]

Well, considering that two of your complaints have nothing to do with the 361 itself, and the flippy oil cap is the same on all Stihl saws. The air filter thing is 'resolved' on the 362 if you want to buy one. They have the snap-on cover and centrifugal air flow off of the fan on the flywheel now (like the 441 and the newer Husky saws). I do not see why a once a day cleaning of the filter is such a big issue for many people. Pop off cover, blow out with air compressor, put on cover. I also blow off the oil cap of the crud on there at the same time. No biggie. I love my 361s. I have a collection of them. My only complaints about the 361 are the flippey oil and gas caps (same on all the newer Stihl saws) and re-starting it if it is run dry on gas. Also the mufflers are too choked up on the US models, and the new carbs have the limiter caps on them. These are similar on all new Stihl saws though, not just the 361.

As for the fate of the 361; they are now being phased out and the existing stock is all that will be sold. Once they are gone, they are gone, like the 440s. The 362 is the replacement model, end of story. US EPA and EU AV reasons forced Stihl to make the changes. The US production line of the 361 has been shut down. It will probably be disassembled and shipped to Brazil, and more off-shore 361s will likely be made, like the 440s, 381s, 360s and other saws are still made now. However, they will never more be sold here new due to the EPA laws now in effect as of Jan. 1, 2010.

Other saws are being replaced as well. The 170, 180 and 210 have all been replaced with the 171, 181 and the 211, all on the same chassis. They have better AV and starto air-injected engines. The 211 actually gains in power to weight ratio and is lighter than the 210, but the 171 and 181 suffer from more weight and less power. The 260 and 290 are also slated to be moved onto a new chassis and strato air-injected engines, but at some future time. The 2010 EPA laws are very strict, and they are being enforced.

Very good post!, right on!   

[fishpharmer]

My local dealer has four 361's in stock today.