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stihl 310 vs. 280: what's the diff?

Started by simonmeridew, October 18, 2008, 11:44:23 AM

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SawTroll

Quote from: John Mc on October 28, 2008, 07:57:46 PM
Stihl markets the MS 192 as an "occasional use chain saw". The 192 T is shown as a "professional tree service chain saw" (from their catalog). Is there any difference between the two other than rear handle vs top handle?

The 192T is listed as a pro saw only because it is a top-handle. ::)
Information collector.

nmurph

i hate to start my first post here like this, but a little number crunching reveals that a 280 and a 310 have exactly the same power to rate ratio, .3076hp/lb. a 390 has .3307hp/lb and the 361 has .3577hp/lb. for the OP, there is nothing wrong with a 310 or 390, except that when you pull out the wallet to pay for a 390 you might as well pony-up for the 361.
from the standpoint of repair/rebuilding, i don't think that should be a major consideration for the homeowner/firewood cutter. you will likely tire of your saw bf you wear it out to the point of rebuilding. if you want a 361, go for it. i have a 310 that i was ready to trade for a 361. then i read up and opened the muffler a bit (actually a lot). what a difference!! i have had second thoughts about spending the money for a 361. maybe next year.

Cut4fun

You got to open the muffler on the 361 too IMO or it runs like a Hmmm feel in the blank.

All I can say is tear down the 310 and tear down a 361 you will see the difference.

I have a 029 super tore down right now and all I can say is I would like to kick the man that designed the homeowner stihls square in the  :-X.  The plastic case clamshell poulans are alot easier to work on and make sense on out they are put together  compared to the poor designed homeowner stihls.

WDH

Cut4fun,

Please explain how to open the muffler on a 361 if you can.
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

Cut4fun

So many different ways and styles of muffler modding. Just type in stihl 361 muffler mod modding in a search engine and you will have tons of reading. I have ran a couple of 361's with no muffler modding and they just plain suck IMHO.

Mine was with 3 holes in the front ( not my choice) but how it came used. Then you got the one where you put a hole on the left side and then use a husky deflector or one of the stihl little cheap saw deflectors  (I like the husky 281 deflectors). Then you have the one where people use tubes (way over board IMO).
Screens can be used on all but the 3 hole in the front method. The cage inside the 361 seems to flow enough, just the outlets stock restrict the saw so bad.

WDH

I have a lot to learn about muffler modding :).
Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

Rocky_J

Muffler modding is simply reducing resistence. In most cases you only need to make the exit hole larger. If it's only about a 3/8" hole then open it up to about 1/2" or so. If you can't do that then you're overcomplicating it.

WDH

Woodmizer LT40HDD35, John Deere 2155, Kubota M5-111, Kubota L2501, Nyle L53 Dehumidification Kiln, and a passion for all things with leafs, twigs, and bark.  hamsleyhardwood.com

nmurph

don't forget to reset the carb or you will burn your piston.

SawTroll

Quote from: nmurph on October 30, 2008, 02:23:31 PM
i hate to start my first post here like this, but a little number crunching reveals that a 280 and a 310 have exactly the same power to rate ratio, .3076hp/lb. a 390 has .3307hp/lb and the 361 has .3577hp/lb. for the OP, there is nothing wrong with a 310 or 390, except that when you pull out the wallet to pay for a 390 you might as well pony-up for the 361.
from the standpoint of repair/rebuilding, i don't think that should be a major consideration for the homeowner/firewood cutter. you will likely tire of your saw bf you wear it out to the point of rebuilding. if you want a 361, go for it. i have a 310 that i was ready to trade for a 361. then i read up and opened the muffler a bit (actually a lot). what a difference!! i have had second thoughts about spending the money for a 361. maybe next year.

Except that the 290 family weights about halv a pound more than Stihl states........
Information collector.

CabinDweller

I recently traded an 036 for a new MS270. I REALLY like this saw. Although not quite as powerful as the 036, I favor it. It absolutely rips with the 16" bar on it and is plenty powerful with the 20" bar. This saw is EXTREMELY smooth. Much smoother than the 036. The anti-vibration system makes it a joy to use all day long.

I am a one saw kind of guy (for now) and this saw seems to be a great all purpose saw. Very rarely too big or too small for dropping trees and cutting firewood. 
Cutting to heat my log home...

- Stihl Chainsaws
- Norwood Industries LumberMate Saw Mill

SawTroll

Quote from: Engineer on October 25, 2008, 06:31:38 PM.....

I would definitely choose a 280 over a 310.  No doubt.  Based on Stihl's dealer charts, the 280 has (or had) the highest power-to-weight ratio of any saw in their lineup.  I think that was before the 361 came out.  .... 

Hmmmmm...... ???

The 280 and the 361 came at about the same time, and the 280 does not have a very good power to weight ratio, although it beats most "homeowner" grade saws.

Compared to lots of other saws, it fails to be competetive.......
Information collector.

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