New chainsaw to replace Stihl 08s (MS362/400/462)

[jaxih]

We own a Stihl 08s(21 inch bar) which my father bought over 45 years ago. It's running perfectly, very reliable, starting easily, and has decent torque but the vibrations and weight are a killer for extended use on our farm.
We don't cut timber for a living, only cut trees for firewood which have fallen due to storms, which we have a lot of in recent years.
We have a mixture of hard/softwood. I plan to run a full chisel chain on the new saw.

The 08s is a 56cc saw, the powerhead weighs 8.4kg/18lbs dry.
I'd like a professional saw with a 20 inch bar, with more torque/RPM compared to our 08s, for faster cutting.
I might also buy a 25 inch bar for occasional use on larger trunks, and reduce lower back strain. I would like to stick with Stihl.
Note: we also own a Stihl MS231(46cc, 4.8kg/10.58lbs, 2.7hp) for cleaning and cutting small branches

Here are my candidates;

1. Stihl MS362 c-m (59cc, 5.6 kg / 12.34lbs, 4.8hp) - $1027
2. Stihl MS400 c-m (67cc, 5.8 kg / 12.78lbs , 5.4hp) - $1205
3. Stihl MS462 c-m (72cc, 6 kg / 13.22lbs, 6hp) - $1345
Note: prices are from Europe.

My father is siding with the MS362 because it's the cheapest of the 3, but i'm siding with the 400/462 for the extra power/torque to improve upon the 08s

If you had to choose between those 3, which and why?

 

[Dustin4185]

I have all 3 in stock form. In my opinion, the 462 is the best all around, once and done saw for most people. I have the option of bigger saws as well. What is your primary use? Im not sure how much longer the 362 will be around.

 

[hacskaroly]

3. Stihl MS462 c-m (72cc, 6 kg / 13.22lbs, 6hp) - $1345

I have a MS 261c that I really like, 4hp at 13 lbs, however my new favorite when cutting firewood is a Husky 272 (same cc class as the 462). I have a 24" bar on it and was having a blast using it for cutting firewood. The weight is not bad and the power worked out great for what I was cutting. I also have a 046 that I enjoyed using on firewood too, but I scorred the piston - through an air leak, still waiting to be repaired. But I really like the 046/272 size saws. Even though the 462 is a bit more than the others, if you get something smaller, you might end up kicking yourself later wishing you spent a little more to get more power. I vote for the 462.

Edit: Welcome to the forum!!!

 

[Jusgunn3]

462 so you wont have to say “I should have gotten a bigger saw” down the road and its only .2kg weight difference.

 

[pbillyi69]

462 you wont be sorry. its light and powerful.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

362 is not recognized as an out of the box wonder saw. Having said that, I know what frugal dad’s are like. Offer to pay the difference for a 462 or even better 500i and be ready for whatever befalls you…

 

[Woodhore]

08 to 362 is nite and day difference. When i went from 028 to 361 it doubled firewood cutting production. I have run an 08, nice old saw but no comparison to newer saws. Cant imagine a 362 would disappoint. My go to saw.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Stihl 441C M-tronic is another good option to the 362 and has more grunt. I have one and it easily pulls a 25" bar:

It's my go-to saw for large stock and noodle cutting. Not sure if it's still available. I bought this one seven years ago.

 

[Bill G]

The 462 is hands down the best choice for what you want to do.

 

[pbillyi69]

another thing is the 462 will pull a 28 or 32 inch bar and wont miss a beat

 

[Dustin4185]

another thing is the 462 will pull a 28 or 32 inch bar and wont miss a beat

It would depend on the wood you’re cutting. Mine doesn't like to oil a 28, never tried a 32”. In hardwoods I would go as far as a 28” in a “need to” situation.

 

[Nighthunter]

Mine oils 28 fine, haven't tried any longer yet

It would depend on the wood you’re cutting. Mine doesn't like to oil a 28, never tried a 32”. In hardwoods I would go as far as a 28” in a “need to” situation.

 

[hacskaroly]

Mine doesn't like to oil a 28,

Not sure if you have made any modifications to your oiler, if not, this video may help:

 

[lehman live edge slab]

If your coming off an 08 and all you do is use it for clean up buy the 362 or 400 it will be plenty if you thought the 08 was fine except for weight and vibration. People don’t think a 362 has any power but they are actually fine for most stuff and will embarrass the 08 horribly. 362’s are being discontinued so is the 400 which is based off the 362 but a 362 will run you years and years. Local tree service ran them from time they came out till about 3 years ago and only had 2-3 quit or wear out in 15-20 years the 362’s been out.

 

[pbillyi69]

It would depend on the wood you’re cutting. Mine doesn't like to oil a 28, never tried a 32”. In hardwoods I would go as far as a 28” in a “need to” situation.

i only ran one it had a 32 and it oiled fine. it wasnt my saw it was a professional timber cutters saw he only runs the 32

 

[Dustin4185]

Not sure if you have made any modifications to your oiler, if not, this video may help:

I haven’t but haven’t had the need to. Mine wears a 20 or 24 99.9% of the time. I’ve got bigger saws for bigger wood.

 

[Dustin4185]

Mine oils 28 fine, haven't tried any longer yet

I didn’t have any issues but it was in live oak in LA. It was so hot outside, the oil was probably evaporating before it made it around the bar, lol. Once I got the main stem on the ground I switched back to a 24.

 

[Dustin4185]

Not sure if you have made any modifications to your oiler, if not, this video may help:

Definitely going to do this!

 

[echo510s]

I used to use an MS362 as a bucket truck saw due to the easier pull starts, if that’s a factor for your family.
But the power-to-weight balance on a new MS462 is very good.

 

[MarcS]

Upgrading from an 08s is like saying you need to get a newer car because your Model A Ford struggles a little bit to keep up on the turnpike. Not making fun at all, I think it’s awesome. Just the fact you guys kept it going this long deserves some credit…and I hope you keep it as it surely has earned the right to stay on the farm. Just think of the generations of saw models between the 08s and current day. If anyone from Stihl reads the forum this should be the subject of a marketing campaign.