Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Question about Stihl Chain Saws

I might be in the market for a new chain saw. I am looking at the 362.
I see this is offered with the M-tronic electric controlled carburetor. And I believe it is also offered with the standard carburetor.
Is the M-tronic a good way to go?

I've run a Stihl for 20+ years but am not familiar with the new carb. I'm sure someone at the shop can fill you in. then, ask the service technician.

In before:

“ I don’t know...but we had a hurricane and my 6” Bradford pear blew over, I bought an Echo...it’s my first saw and everything else sucks”

lol Word.

I have a ms 362 chainsaw I run a 25 inch bar on. It is not Mtronic I bought it when the 362 replaced the 361. It is a awesome saw. The 25 would be a little much in hardwood but I was cutting pine for a wood boiler. I would highly recommend this model saw. Good luck and be safe.

I'll be following this thread. I've a Stihl I've used quite a bit over the last 10+ years. In the next week or 2 going to be getting a new one (little bigger) and keeping the old girl around for backup. Some buddies bought new Huskies in the last 2 years that are badass, but with a bunch of foo foo electrical bullchit. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible, but keeping my options open. And I'll definitely be getting a Stihl.

I have a big Stihl with a 25 inch bar with that type of "carb". Its a royal biotch to start when cold but once its running it is fine.
Thank god for starting fluid.
At some point I plan on selling it and will buy a Echo 620 to replace it. Every Echo I have owned starts cold within 2 pulls.

I have a Stihl with the new carb. It starts fine and runs strong. No complaints after two years with it.

Buy a Echo or Husqvarna 2 pulls and it starts,flood a Stihl good luck,just picked up Echo 24” awesome.

Never flooded my Stihl, and has never taken more than 5 pulls to start it.

You mean the M-tronic carb, I take it.

I would ask how much the electronic carb costs to replace vice the old (analog) carb. Then again I bought an Echo.

I have a 362 for my "big" saw along with two other smaller Stihls. I LOVE my 362....its as badass a saw as I've ever seen. Mine has the electronic ignition. It starts on the second pull every time without fail.

Just curious why you want the 362? Thats a big azz saw... id really look if you need that much HP, as it gets heavy quickly. 90% can be handled with an 18” or smaller and you dont need a 3 series to run that.

To your question, not a fan of the m-tronic myself.

I have offered my opinion more than once about chainsaws. Been selling them and working on them for over 25 years. That being said, I learned my lesson on the 'fire to not say a dang thing, cause it turned out there are more experts here all the time. By the way, I like Fords. Everything else sucks. And Mobil 1 oil.

My son has a Stihl MS 362 and it has been a great saw. We have a great Stihl servicing deal in this town.

My recommendation to people who purchase a chain saw is to buy a Pro series saw if you can afford it, and from a servicing dealer near you that you can trust that sells Stihl, Husqvarna or Echo and you will not go wrong.

My oldest Stihl saw is a 036 Pro 20" bar, never have had a single issue with this saw.

For trimming and small stuff bought a Stihl MS 192 TC 14"bar. This is a must have small saw for me. Use this one way more than I anticipated.

Thought I should have a back up saw and bought a Stihl MS 261C 18" bar. I did not want to go with the electronic enhancements and could have chosen a non computer controlled carb. Two different dealers, young guys, said this was the way to go, adjusts for temperature and altitude (not an issue for me). So I thought ok why not be open minded and give this a try. Starting is slightly different, this saw has always started right up easy.

Of course a sharp chain(s) and good fuel are basic fundamentals.

There are other brands and options, we all have our favorites.

I have a 362M Tronic, good way to go? I like it, it definitely starts easier,Then my 046 or my 038. It’s a good saw I like its power to weight ratio.

Dude...

Tell us what you have experienced. You got to expect to get your azz burned here occasionally. My best one was when I thought I could unload a drawer full of trigger locks, that was the biggest pile on I ever had, but I now know what a Zombie attack would
be like:-)

Have the mtronic in a 261, 362, and 462. Never had a problem with any and use them heavily. All the new ones are the 3rd version of mtronic which from all accounts has the bugs which some reported in the older versions worked out. Nice to have the machine self adjust rather then mess with manual carb adjustments, especially if someone isnt handy with such adjustments and can save time in the field.

As far as the 362CM, its been a great saw for me. Easy to start, Great power at a easily managed weight with good antivibe system that makes it easy to use for extended cutting sessions. Like the features such as the captive bar nuts also. I run a 20" bar with a yellow label full chisel chain normally, if I had to use a 25" Id probably look for a full skip chain. Never tried it though, thats why I have the 462. Often recommend the 362 to people who have plans to only own one saw.