I've had an MS250 for about a decade now. I've used it to clear my 1 acre in Florida (probably at least 70 - 80 trees, some of which were more than 100 ft tall and about 24" diameter. I also volunteer for hurricane cleanup and that's where it's seen the heaviest use. A few years ago when I was heading out to cleanup after Michael, I decided I wanted to upgrade so I bought an MS362 for some of the bigger stuff. I quickly discovered that the 362, while it is more powerful, it isn't really powerful enough to run anything more than a 20" bar and even that can be a bit iffy when cutting really dense stuff like Oak. I also make wood bowls and so have occasion to cut some larger pieces of hardwoods. I just always felt a little underwhelmed by the 362. A few months ago I found a good deal on a used 461 and decided to give it a go. Holy cow! That 461 will pull a 28" bar through basically anything and seems to barely break a sweat. I'm now looking at selling the 362. It isn't that it's a bad saw, but if I need something bigger than the 250, I don't see myself ever reaching for the 362 now.
I had one of these. Ran a full chisel skip tooth chain and it helped a lot. Having less teeth in the cut made a big difference for me. Still upgraded to the MS462c and love it so far. Much more power. Hated paying 1200$ plus tax though 🙄
I also have the MS362CM and run both a 25” & 20” bar put a bark box and new air filter system and it came alive but opted to go a little bigger and got the MS461 which I had some work done to it and that runs a 28” bar all chains are full skip chisel . I know everyone is loyal to the saw shops but I hate to say that ACE Hardware stores blows their prices out of the water if you are lucky enough to have one bear by especially if you use their 20% off anything coupon. My buddy bought the only 500I for like $1100 with the coupon before they couldn’t get anymore 500’s!
I agree it is a perfect saw for someone who only needs 1 saw or for someone buying their first saw! keep an eye out for a new video with my brand new saw!
yes I have travel cases for most of my saws. keeps them clean and safe from damage while transporting. try to keep em clean as best I can but my saws get a lot of use.
@@backwoodshomesteadSince I last posted I found a brand new MS 362 non Mtronic. I installed the high flow control bolt and piston pump in the oil pump. Pulled the limiter on the high speed jet, increased the fuel to the saw. It really increased the torque on the bottom end. Bought the new light 20” bar. It weighs almost 2 pounds lighter than my Husqvarna 262xp’s.
I'm going to get a MS362 w/20" b&c soon. My dealer has both the regular carburetor and the M-Tronic's versions for the same price. I'm on the fence as to which one I'm gonna get. Kind of leaning towards the regular carbed version.
interesting. to be honest if I had a choice I would probably choose the m-tronic again. It keeps the saw tuned well and I would rather put more time into cutting than tunning but some people prefer the old school methods and there is nothing wrong with that! you wont be disapointed either way! how you like that 6.4 hemi?🤟
Great video. Thanks for the info. Would like to get your thoughts - I’m not a pro, but have a lot of wood to cut about the size you’re doing here. I’ve got an MS 291 which is a decent saw but it takes a while to get through the log. I want to upgrade to something semi reasonably priced and I’m wondering if the 362 is a significant increase in power from why I currently have, to make the work quicker and to justify the spend. Also I’m considering the 391 which is not a pro saw but I don’t necessarily need a pro saw. I just want a significant power upgrade to make the work go a bit quicker. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
great question! both the 391 and 362 are great saws! I have them both. personally (if you can afford it) I would go for the 362 as the pro grade saws are built better and tougher plus I dislike the nuts that fall off (391) every time you change the bar or could possibly vibrate off the saw and be lost forever. The 392 will require more maintenance if you plan to keep it long term. Both saws put out similar power but I think the 362 is slightly more powerful. Either saw would be a great step up from a 291. I think either saw would work for you just depends on if you are willing to fork out the money for the 362. let me know what you decide and how it went. maybe ill do a 391 review! thanks for the comment!
@@backwoodshomestead appreciate your thoughtful response! After doing a little more research I talked myself into the 462! Going to get it this weekend. While I know the 391 and 362 are both definitely steps up from the 291, I just don’t want to feel like I could be getting through the wood even quicker and that I’m lacking a little power. Can’t wait to start running the 462! Thanks again so much :)
interesting i thought the non m-tronic version of this saw was the MS 361? but I believe you are correct, and the early version of this saw was non m_tronic but I don't think you can still purchase that saw anymore. it's not on the Canadian site but who knows Canada doesn't get a lot of stuff
@@backwoodshomestead Thanks I went and picked one up today. Came with a 20 inch bar and green chain they would not swap it to a light bar with yellow chain for the difference in price. So looks like I’ll have to purchase separately .. do you think it would be worth going longer If I have to buy a new bar & chain anyway
@@heily-3806 that is great you won't regret it!. I would stay with the 20" it will have more power unless you absolutely need 24" but I use all 20" and I can cut a 40" tree if I had to.
No carb adjust!!! How will you get them tuned when the weather changes??? Oh, that’s right, all you have to do is a tooless recalibration procedure, takes about 45 seconds. Besides, I keep loosing my screwdriver.
Thanks for the reply. I agree 50 cc is a good starter saw but once you start cutting a lot of wood it just falls short. haha only reason why I mentioned weight is because I will be carrying the saw for hours at a time so it was a bit heavier than my MS- 362.
@@backwoodshomestead Agree, now I am in the middle of porting mine shindaiwa 501sx, already MM, now I gave cylinder for lathe to set the squish band, and I'm going to use Charles Brisco recipe ;)
I've had an MS250 for about a decade now. I've used it to clear my 1 acre in Florida (probably at least 70 - 80 trees, some of which were more than 100 ft tall and about 24" diameter. I also volunteer for hurricane cleanup and that's where it's seen the heaviest use. A few years ago when I was heading out to cleanup after Michael, I decided I wanted to upgrade so I bought an MS362 for some of the bigger stuff. I quickly discovered that the 362, while it is more powerful, it isn't really powerful enough to run anything more than a 20" bar and even that can be a bit iffy when cutting really dense stuff like Oak. I also make wood bowls and so have occasion to cut some larger pieces of hardwoods. I just always felt a little underwhelmed by the 362.
A few months ago I found a good deal on a used 461 and decided to give it a go. Holy cow! That 461 will pull a 28" bar through basically anything and seems to barely break a sweat. I'm now looking at selling the 362. It isn't that it's a bad saw, but if I need something bigger than the 250, I don't see myself ever reaching for the 362 now.
Sir, you have a lot of knowledge about bush. Great video.
thank you sir! I am into bush everyday!
Great saw video, thanks. Like your idea of using a long cable tie for measuring the logs you are bucking.
Thanks! you should check out my other video on how to measure the perfect cut. Got the idea from Chris @inthewoodyard
Great video, interesting that you have three MS362s.
Thanks!! We have 3 of them because they are perfect size for working in the bush and we have enough people to man all the saws. It is a great saw!
I had one of these. Ran a full chisel skip tooth chain and it helped a lot. Having less teeth in the cut made a big difference for me. Still upgraded to the MS462c and love it so far. Much more power. Hated paying 1200$ plus tax though 🙄
Thats a good idea for a smoother cut! ms 462 is a great saw.... may have to get one of those some day! Raise Hell Eat Cornbread🤘
I also have the MS362CM and run both a 25” & 20” bar put a bark box and new air filter system and it came alive but opted to go a little bigger and got the MS461 which I had some work done to it and that runs a 28” bar all chains are full skip chisel . I know everyone is loyal to the saw shops but I hate to say that ACE Hardware stores blows their prices out of the water if you are lucky enough to have one bear by especially if you use their 20% off anything coupon. My buddy bought the only 500I for like $1100 with the coupon before they couldn’t get anymore 500’s!
@@forrestebert5276 where did you get your air filter system?
@@heily-3806
I got it from the Bark Box sales. They sell a lot of items. Works great and easy to install.
@@forrestebert5276 thanks he’s sold out of them for the 362 😢
I too have a 362c, 20" Tsumura Light but usually end up using smaller or larger. If someone had just one saw, the 362 is perfect.
I agree it is a perfect saw for someone who only needs 1 saw or for someone buying their first saw! keep an eye out for a new video with my brand new saw!
Have a 2019 362 cm, seems a bit underpowered with 24" bar but runs great with 20"
I agree. 24" in my opinion is too big for this saw. you should see it fly with a 18" bar!
I keep all saws ( up to 046) in cases and keep them clean .
yes I have travel cases for most of my saws. keeps them clean and safe from damage while transporting. try to keep em clean as best I can but my saws get a lot of use.
I had the 362 and I enjoyed it but it has the non Mtronic carburetor and so I traded it in for the 462c
Next time bring your cant hook. Great video👍
Haha will do! I have one too lol. Thanks appreciate you!
@@backwoodshomesteadSince I last posted I found a brand new MS 362 non Mtronic. I installed the high flow control bolt and piston pump in the oil pump. Pulled the limiter on the high speed jet, increased the fuel to the saw. It really increased the torque on the bottom end. Bought the new light 20” bar. It weighs almost 2 pounds lighter than my Husqvarna 262xp’s.
I'm going to get a MS362 w/20" b&c soon. My dealer has both the regular carburetor and the M-Tronic's versions for the same price. I'm on the fence as to which one I'm gonna get. Kind of leaning towards the regular carbed version.
interesting. to be honest if I had a choice I would probably choose the m-tronic again. It keeps the saw tuned well and I would rather put more time into cutting than tunning but some people prefer the old school methods and there is nothing wrong with that! you wont be disapointed either way! how you like that 6.4 hemi?🤟
@@backwoodshomestead, thanks for replying. I'm kind of warming up to the M-Tronics version.
Love the 6.4 Hemi!
Great video. Thanks for the info. Would like to get your thoughts - I’m not a pro, but have a lot of wood to cut about the size you’re doing here. I’ve got an MS 291 which is a decent saw but it takes a while to get through the log. I want to upgrade to something semi reasonably priced and I’m wondering if the 362 is a significant increase in power from why I currently have, to make the work quicker and to justify the spend. Also I’m considering the 391 which is not a pro saw but I don’t necessarily need a pro saw. I just want a significant power upgrade to make the work go a bit quicker. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
great question! both the 391 and 362 are great saws! I have them both. personally (if you can afford it) I would go for the 362 as the pro grade saws are built better and tougher plus I dislike the nuts that fall off (391) every time you change the bar or could possibly vibrate off the saw and be lost forever. The 392 will require more maintenance if you plan to keep it long term. Both saws put out similar power but I think the 362 is slightly more powerful. Either saw would be a great step up from a 291. I think either saw would work for you just depends on if you are willing to fork out the money for the 362. let me know what you decide and how it went. maybe ill do a 391 review! thanks for the comment!
@@backwoodshomestead appreciate your thoughtful response! After doing a little more research I talked myself into the 462! Going to get it this weekend. While I know the 391 and 362 are both definitely steps up from the 291, I just don’t want to feel like I could be getting through the wood even quicker and that I’m lacking a little power. Can’t wait to start running the 462! Thanks again so much :)
They definitely make the 362 in a non-MTronic (standard carb and ignition) configuration, I have one.
interesting i thought the non m-tronic version of this saw was the MS 361? but I believe you are correct, and the early version of this saw was non m_tronic but I don't think you can still purchase that saw anymore. it's not on the Canadian site but who knows Canada doesn't get a lot of stuff
In Hungary, Stihl only sells the non-Mtronic MS362.
Having a hard time deciding between the 261 and 362 for an all-around Bush saw
I would suggest the 362. more power you wont regret it. best to have the power and not need it than need the power and not have it. buy once cry once
@@backwoodshomestead Thanks I went and picked one up today. Came with a 20 inch bar and green chain they would not swap it to a light bar with yellow chain for the difference in price. So looks like I’ll have to purchase separately .. do you think it would be worth going longer If I have to buy a new bar & chain anyway
@@heily-3806 that is great you won't regret it!. I would stay with the 20" it will have more power unless you absolutely need 24" but I use all 20" and I can cut a 40" tree if I had to.
No carb adjust!!! How will you get them tuned when the weather changes??? Oh, that’s right, all you have to do is a tooless recalibration procedure, takes about 45 seconds. Besides, I keep loosing my screwdriver.
I have the 362 , 400 ,and 261 m tronic
362 vs 400?
I wish I bought 60cc(or higher) class saw instead of 50cc. If you aren't a pro, you shouldn't pay too much attention to weight imo ;)
Thanks for the reply. I agree 50 cc is a good starter saw but once you start cutting a lot of wood it just falls short. haha only reason why I mentioned weight is because I will be carrying the saw for hours at a time so it was a bit heavier than my MS- 362.
@@backwoodshomestead Agree, now I am in the middle of porting mine shindaiwa 501sx, already MM, now I gave cylinder for lathe to set the squish band, and I'm going to use Charles Brisco recipe ;)
Ms361 is better change my mind.
Can’t. It’s true. By a large margin.