Ultimate Chainsaw Showdown: Stihl 361 vs 362 vs 660

Chainsaws are the most useful tool ever and the one that comes in handy very frequently. However, the real task that has to be faced by an individual and then overcomes is the task of finding and then purchasing the right chainsaw. 

By the right chainsaw, we mean a machine that will keep up with your needs and wants and perform its functions in alignment with your demands. The best and the most reliable, renowned brand manufacturing chainsaws is Stihl. 

If you are looking to make your purchase worth it and to buy a product that is value for money, then nothing better than the Stihl brand will be catering to you. But with Stihl, too, a problem you will encounter is picking the chainsaw because they have a wide range of products in their line. 

Let’s now see which one out of the Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660 is the one for you! 

Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660 

Undoubtedly, Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660 are efficient products and have been made in mind keeping the users’ needs. But differences stand among all these models because some have been released earlier while the rest have been later. 

Hence, you can expect to find modifications such that they would be refining the composition of the chainsaw in terms of the delivered engine power and other aspects. 

In this article on the difference in  Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660, we will begin by first providing you with an overview containing a brief product description for each model. Then we will proceed to the differences. 

Stihl 361 Chainsaw 

This choice for a chainsaw- Stihl 361– will be coming in use more than you expect. This is because while the chainsaw can undertake heavy-duty work without any occurring inconveniences or complications, your Stihl 361 can also efficiently perform light-duty work. 

Such tasks include cutting or felling trees for firewood, cleaning the trees in your backyard by removing the luring branches, and general maintenance of your property. 

The powerful and all-rounder Stihl 361 chainsaw will cater to a range of tasks without the need arising for buying an alternative. With the saw comes a 20 inches long cutting bar depicting a speed of cutting 56 feet every second, making the machine the fastest cutting chainsaw in the market. 

Additionally, the chainsaw is equipped with various systems offering different tasks. For instance, a low-vibration system will work by countering the vibrations produced and keeping them to a minimum, so the user does not have to face instant and frequent jerks while working. 

Likewise, another system in the Stihl 361 chainsaws is that the carburetor heating manages the amount of produced heat by reverting its operation according to the season in which it is being utilized. 

Let’s say you use the chainsaw in winter, and often there are problems with starting the engine. Still, with this system, no issue of this sort is likely to occur in the freezing temperature as the controlled oil delivery will instantly pump fuel to the engine. 

The most distinct and exceptional feature of the Stihl 361 is the controlled delivery oil pump. We all know that cutting different kinds of wood requires other oil to be installed and pumped. 

With this chainsaw, you will be rid of this worry as the system for oil pumping in the equipment will take care of this job on its own. Also, the chain tensioning mechanism will tension the chain by itself, ensuring the user’s safety. 

Stihl 362 Chainsaw 

If you want a chainsaw that would satisfy your forestry and domestic needs without effort, Stihl 362 is the one. This is because the chainsaw is an incredible blend for fulfilling professional and household needs. 

A commendable feature of the machine is that it is very lightweight. The chainsaw only weighs 12.3 pounds, which is ideal for delivering such exemplary functions. Without any difficulty, you can conveniently carry the chainsaw around with you.

Brake horsepower or HP is identified by determining the quantity of brake force provided and symbolizes a machine’s usable power. Having a chainsaw with high brake horsepower is very important because, under any circumstance, the chainsaw’s motor will not leave your side and ensure you can complete all your work in time without delay. 

For your Stihl 362, the brake horsepower is ideal and is 4.6 bhp. Similarly, the displacement that the chainsaw has is unmatched- 64.1cc. With such a displacement ability, you will never need to extend or raise your arm to cut a branch because the chainsaw will automatically raise itself. 

Stihl 660 Chainsaw  

If and only if you need a chainsaw for professional uses, there is no better option than the Stihl 660 chainsaw. The features that this machine has are perfect for all your professional demands. 

While the chainsaw is easy in its operation, the purposes that it delivers and its features make the outcome one of a kind. Blades on the chainsaws are incredibly sharp and, in a short span, will cut the tree’s thick trunk for you. 

It is unbelievable how you do not even have to apply any force manually because the sharpened blades do not require it. With the blades, the speed of your cutting will significantly enhance too. 

This is a directly proportional relationship because when more sharpened blades are installed on your chainsaws, the speed they will have for cutting will also be more than the cutting speed of your average sharp blades. 

Moreover, the bar length is long enough to prove adequate for the chainsaw being used for professional purposes. Depending on the model you purchase for Stihl 660, the bar length will range from 50-63 centimeters. 

Typically finding such an extensive bar length within a chainsaw is not a common phenomenon nor an easy task. Therefore, with this bar length, you will have more leverage over your wood-cutting work. 

Considering the Stihl 660 is out of the most powerful engines to exist. It has to be robust because of the primary reason the chainsaw was manufactured- to cater to professional needs. 

This means that with such a powerful and withstanding engine, it can endure high and heavy workloads alongside cutting tougher wood logs such as those obtained from timber or oak trees. 

As the chain of the chainsaw has been secured with a chain guard, there is a rare chance that you will accidentally cut the wood, nor will there be a build-up of the debris. Thus, maintenance demands are also low.

Which One To Finalize- Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660

Deciding on which chainsaw to finalize from Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660 is a decision you have to make independently, as we are unaware of your requirements for your ideal chainsaw. 

However, we can further simplify the decision-making process by telling you about every chainsaw’s distinct qualities and identifying the best ones in terms of the quality common to the three in the discussion. 

If you want a chainsaw with a wide range of features, then it is Stihl 361. You have witnessed how the range of the work this chainsaw can undertake is expansive. 

While unlike the Stihl 660, the Stihl 361 is not a completely professional chainsaw, Stihl 362 acquires an intermediate position. The Stihl 362 is a combination of a chainsaw that offers both professional and local features, making its utility convenient for any kind of user. 

It does not matter that you have minimal experience with using chainsaws or want to experiment with a chainsaw before purchasing an absolutely professional chainsaw- Stihl 362 will help you with it. 

You can easily classify the Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660 based on the purposes they are utilized for, such as for beginners, minimal experience, and professional use, respectively. 

Even when we recommend you use a Stihl 362, we do not advise you to go for Stihl 660 directly. 

This is because the blades of the 660 are very sharp, and if you are a beginner in the wood-cutting work field, then this can pose a threat to you as there is always going to be a constant risk of accidentally cutting yourself while trying to use the blade. 

Conclusively, we cannot claim that out of the three, one of the chainsaws is the best as the three models serve distinct functions, and all three are extremely efficient and amazing at their work.

Therefore, there is no competition between them and the only massive difference. It is of how the three differ by categorizing their work purposes. Every chainsaw has an outstanding composition, and the installed components are effective at whatever work they do. So, it is on you to now decide per your experience and needs. 

Buying Guide 

Whenever there is more than one option to be considered- buying guide always saves the day. By going through our buying guide specifically designed for Stihl chainsaws, you will get to know all the essential features that have to be kept in mind and considered when trying to resolve the occurring indecisiveness with Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660. 

The elements you must contemplate over a chainsaw are the following: 

Identify the Need. 

You should always start by and must know the reasons why you need a chainsaw. This can be rephrased as the need that has fuelled your desire to get a chainsaw.

If you are a professional, has your old chainsaw worn out, or have you decided to start gardening and need it to maintain your garden? Knowing the “why” when purchasing a chainsaw makes things straightforward.

With this answer by your side, you can directly go to any retailer and ask them to give you a chainsaw per your needs, and they will recommend the best model that the Stihl has manufactured for you. 

Consider The Engine Power 

Any chainsaw you buy should have sufficient, if not superior, engine power. You will not want your chainsaw to not have a robust capacity of cutting because the engine lacks the power that should have been present in the first place. 

But even with the engine power, it should be according to your needs. The engine power should not be too much because handling the chainsaw can be arduous. Still, it should always acquire a moderate capacity to deliver power through the engine. 

Blade Sharpness 

No one wants to spend hundreds of dollars buying a chainsaw whose blades are not sharp enough to perform the function. For example, if you get a chainsaw with blades that are not sharp enough to cut through a trunk, the entire use lapses, and you have wasted your money. 

Therefore, make sure the blades are sharp, or they have a sharpness that is manageable for you, meaning that you can handle the blades without cutting yourself instead of the wood log. 

Fuel Capacity 

Every chainsaw has its distinct fuel capacity. But the chainsaw you should always go for is the one that has a massive capacity to hold fuel. Do not be unbothered by this factor. 

Then, you will have to face adverse consequences for this decision, which majorly include running out of fuel mid-work and by the time you refill the tank and get back to work, you have lost the motivation to continue working. 

This factor would significantly hamper your work process, and you do not want this for yourself. 

Conclusion 

In our article on Stihl 361 Vs. 362 Vs. 660, we have ensured to cover every aspect of these chainsaws. From the product’s individual descriptions to covering the differences and then adding a buying guide, we have not left out a single thing.