Looking for a medium saw recommendation.

RoadKill · March 23, 2005, 02:31:24 PM

I'm thinking of buying a new Husky 359 and would appreciate any advice. I lost my beloved Stihl 036 (?) in a "domestic settlement" and have been getting by with a Poulan 2150 that I picked up for $89 at HD. but I want something that can pull a 20" chain. I've been clearing a wooded lot and cut mostly oak and pine, 12 to 30" diameter, mostly ending up as firewood. I see the 359 for under $400 at Baileys, with a nice bar and chain . My local dealers serve pro arborists and think I should be happy to give them $500 for the same saw. I wasn't impressed with the Stihl 310 and the 361 is very pricey at my dealer. I have been using and maintaining chainsaws for 40 years and would still be using my old Poulan 5.2 cu in if it didn't weigh more than a large dog. Thanks for any thoughts.

fishhuntcutwood · March 23, 2005, 02:37:04 PM

I'm not a Husky guy, so I really couldn't tell you much about it. How much was the 361 at your dealer? I've seen that the price on these will range from about $525 all the way up to $590 out where I'm at. The price went up with this past model year, but there's still shops selling them for $525. It's not just the 036 warmed over either, it's a whole new saw, and I don't think you'd be disappointed with it. That said, you really can't go wrong buying from Bailey's, and if they're selling it, it must be a decent, respectable saw.

Take care all,
Jeff

RoadKill · March 23, 2005, 03:50:52 PM

Thanks Fish... the price I got locally on a 361 was close to $600 with bar and chain. It is the same weight as the Husky 359 and seems to have similar features. With local tax, I'm paying near $250 extra for the Stihl. I think I'm ready to jump brands. ???

fishhuntcutwood · March 23, 2005, 04:05:22 PM

Well for the $250 I can't blame you there. Stihl vs Husky is like Chevy vs Ford. If I wasn't a Stihl guy for as long as I've used saws, like my dad is as well, I'd be a Husky guy. They're good saws, and the fact that you're looking for the best saw you can afford says alot-that's the way to do. Get your 359 amigo, and don't look back!

Take care all,
Jeff

jokers · March 23, 2005, 04:09:41 PM

The stock power of the 359 and 361 is very similar. They both are also very nice saws to operate.

Most times when comparing a Stihl to a Husky I would point out that the Air Injection on the Husky is a vastly superior method of air filtration vs that of the Stihl, but in this case it`s not so dramatic. Apparently Stihl has done some homework and quietly incorporated a method that seems very similar to Air Injection into the design of the 361.

The 359 is every bit a pro quality saw and yet it seems under appreciated because the 357 is an "XP" and more overtly marketed toward the pro market, but the quality and features are there on the 359. I think you`ll be very happy with it.

FWIW, I don`t make statements comparing two or more models of saw unless I own those models or have extensive experience with them. In this case I own the three mentioned. I personally feel that noone should make any comparison beyond the manufacturer`s specs without first hand experience but that doesn`t stop many people. Just keep that in mind when asking for opinions. Fishhuntcutwood was very fair in telling you upfront that his experience is currently limited to the 361. I wish that everyone were that honest.

BTW, I could show you where to buy a 361 for $500 if you were in my area but as you know, Stihls can`t be shipped.

Russ

firedog · March 23, 2005, 04:25:04 PM

I just bought a 361 a couple weeks ago. I called all the Stihl Dealers in about a 40 mile radius and got prices from $515 up to $599. Don't know how many dealers you have around you but I would do a little calling around. I really like my 361 I haven't got to use it a lot but the time I have it cuts and runs great. Husky's are great saws also and can be bought for a little better price. I just prefer Stihl.

RoadKill · March 23, 2005, 04:43:36 PM

Thanks for the first hand advice. Nobody really wants to let customers try a saw out much around here, so your hands on experience is great. Guess I'll call around to see if I can do better on the 361, but it sounds like I can't go wrong with either. We're supposed to get another 6" of snow tonight, so I'll be plowing instead of cutting tomorrow anyway.

outdoortype · March 23, 2005, 05:26:22 PM

I recently purchased a Husky 359 and I like it so far. It wouldn't run when I first got it. I sent it back to the dealer (an online chainsaw shop) and turned out it was a pinched impulse line but it was a quick & easy fix. I've put 5-6 tanks through it and it runs great. It has plenty of power even though I was leary about it having a catalytic converter(E-tech). I haven't heard anything negative regarding the E-tech on the 359 so I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. My friend is a saw buff who owns an 029 Super and 031 and he looked my 359 over and felt like it was a quality made product--equal to Stihl. Like you, I compared Husqvarna & Stihl but the 361 was $569+ tax. That was out of my range. The MS290 & 310 were other options but the 359 felt a lot more ergonomic for me.
Regardless of what saw you buy or where you buy it, Ask the Seller to START & RUN TEST THE SAW BEFORE THEY SHIP OR SELL IT TO YOU!! That way, you won't spend several hours trying to adjust the carb or whatever & spend $20 to ship it back to have it corrected!(like I did). I hope this helps.

rebocardo · March 24, 2005, 02:25:24 PM

Bailey's is selling probably the last of the Husky 372s around. I would tend to buy one of those if I had about $500.00

RoadKill · March 24, 2005, 02:53:35 PM

The 372 looks like a nice saw, but it is almost 3# heavier than the 359 and will cost about $180 more with a bar and chain. Obviously a more powerful saw, but it is probably more saw than I need right now. It is cheaper than the local price for the Stihl 361 though, and looks to be a good value. Thanks all for the input.

logger · March 26, 2005, 10:55:57 PM

The stihl 361 is classified by stihl in the professional saw range. It has a professional designed engine in it. It should do you very good. It will pull a 20" bar and chain good. A 20" is reccomended for it anyway. That or stihl is making, or in the process of making a ms 360. I don't know if your dealers are carrying them yet, mine isn't. It would probably be worth checking out. Don't know if it would be any cheeper, because it is classified in the mid-range saw size. They reccomend a 20" on it too.

fishhuntcutwood · March 27, 2005, 08:15:04 PM

I wouldn't look too hard for the MS360, as it's been discontinued. It was phased out last year, and the 361 replaced it. It might be available in Canada or Europe with the 341, but it's not available in the US anymore, even though it's still on their web site. I'd guess there's a few dealers that might still have one laying around. It wasn't even in their 2004 catalog, so it's been gone since late 03. 036/360 was a good saw, and was indeed a pro saw.

Take care all,
Jeff

jokers · March 28, 2005, 05:07:57 PM

The 361 is possibly Stihl`s best new saw in a long time. It`s head and shoulders above the performance and build quality of the 270 or 280. The 650 is a detuned 660 with all the weight.

Russ

fishhuntcutwood · March 29, 2005, 05:47:45 AM

Quote from: jokers on March 28, 2005, 05:07:57 PM
The 650 is a detuned 660 with all the weight.

Yeah, I can't figure this one out. I'm not sure there's going to be a market for this saw. It's supposed to be what, $100 less than the 660? If you're spending $1000 for a saw, what's $100? And if I want a 6.5 hp saw, I prefer my opened up 460 for less money, and the two fewer pounds on it. What am I missing?

Take care all,
Jeff

Varmintmist · March 30, 2005, 03:23:45 PM

I am not a pro, and my experiance is limited to some clearing and firewood. Saw wise I have run huskys.

I bought a 359 when I bought my woodlot and I used it and a 136 to clear for my house and septic. Now it is firewood, blowdown, and what the forester says to cull.

I have about 12 gallons of bar oil through it and I like it a lot. It does not have the snot of the old 61, but it is enough lighter to make that ok ;D.

tony_marks · March 30, 2005, 08:15:30 PM

im gonna recommend the 62cc deere saw or its equivilent ,all made by emak . oleomak.. you wont be sorry im thinking.. then get a feklla named dave niegra.. to modify it.. you got it going on then.. dave does more with that saw than u would believe could be done.jmo

RoadKill · March 31, 2005, 12:20:18 PM

Thanks for all the feedback and advice. I'm thinking that the 359 will work fine for me and I'm gonna take the $250 I saved and use it to have some of my 30" white pines milled into building material. ;D