MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test

windthrown · 9th December 2007, 11:17 PM

I was in on a deal for GB Pro Top bars (on the *other site*) a while back. I finally got to slap on the 24/25 inch on my 361 and go out and test it (after travelling out of state and getting nailed by the largest storm in the US PNW in about 10 years). A lot of people say that a 24 is too long a bar for a 361. After today? I say bullshit to that. That saw runs great with the GB Pro Top 24 inch bar and new Stihl full comp (not skip) RM chain on it. I use RM becasue I cut a lot of dead snags and slash pile stuff up for firewood, and the RM runs good in dirty conditions. I dropped an 18 inch oak tree (California Black Oak, about 40 ft tall) and bucked it up and noodled it into split firewood in about an hour. This is hard oak mind you, not doug fir or softer grand fir. No problems. It did bog a bit when I pushed on it, but the 460 also did that (I can lever pretty hard on just about any saw and bog it down).

After today I think that it is a toss-up between the 20 inch and the 24 being the best bars for the 361. Also the MS 361 has no problems driving a 24 inch bar, and I can see why so many Stihl dealers around here sell them with that length bar on them. I do not know what it is about people insisting on using shorter bars... or maybe its becasue I have West Coast Long Bar Disease? I run a 20 inch on the 290 most of the time. I suspect that the 24 inch is going to stay on the 361 most of the time. It is a >>tad<< bar heavy, but the center of gravity is not that far ahead of the top handle. I hardly noticed it cutting today. No, today I was grinning becasue I liked the new bar so much. Smooth, makes bigger cuts, I can deck larger trees from one side, ahhhhh... a new dimention to the 361! I am thinking maybe I can put off buying that Dolmar 7900 for now. For a while at least. This 361's gonna drop some big trees around here.

Also, my verdict is that the GB Pro Top bars are very very nice bars. I think that they are a tad better than Stihl ES bars (I have some of them too). Small differences in them that stand out are the oil holes and the look of the bar, as well as the feel on the saw. Subtle, but superior in my view to the ES. Made in Australia... oooo la la! I am gonna be buying more GB bars from now on. As Borat would say, "Veeeerrrrry nice!"

Ekka · 9th December 2007, 11:36 PM

What about bit of a muffler mod for that saw, then really hoot along!

I'm inundated with crap palms so my minimum usual beast is a 440

I had the original 360 but not quite enough grunt. Palms send chains off fast and then you got to have some brut hp to pull a dull chain, especially cutting heads up.

I buy mainly all Stihl Rollomatic ES bars, I haven't tried those GB bars. I'll have to order one and give it a go.

a_lopa · 9th December 2007, 11:50 PM

I dont doubt it at all,i was using mine today on a dead black wattle tree with a 20" and it did it easier than i thought it would have.

ScottWojo · 10th December 2007, 01:40 PM

Glad you like the Bars. Next time try the Titanium bars. And I feel you would enjoy the muffler mod that I make quite nicely.

I also have some really nice chain that the guys in California love.

Scott.

Ekka · 10th December 2007, 11:14 PM

Wojo, pic of the chain please, I pay around $175 for 25' roll Stihl chain and I find it the best for me however Oregon is next best, Windsor is absolute crap, Carlton stretches like a rubber band in summer and my favourite was discontinued ...

... Sabre 2001 profile.

ScottWojo · 11th December 2007, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Wojo, pic of the chain please, I pay around $175 for 25' roll Stihl chain and I find it the best for me however Oregon is next best, Windsor is absolute crap, Carlton stretches like a rubber band in summer and my favourite was discontinued ...

... Sabre 2001 profile.

Eric? Its GB from your Homeland!

windthrown · 11th December 2007, 11:25 PM

Here is my MS361 saw and new GB Pro Top bar on it, and a big oak tree that I cut down and sliced up with it yesterday.

Ekka · 11th December 2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottWojo

Eric? Its GB from your Homeland!

I know but look at this.

GB Chainsaw Bars

Bloody blank! And I haven't seen their chain in the stores here, never been asked to consider it.

Urbicide · 12th December 2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

I know but look at this.

GB Chainsaw Bars

Bloody blank! And I haven't seen their chain in the stores here, never been asked to consider it.

Haha! I e-mailed them several times in AU and US for information and never heard a peep. Someone should take a drive over to GB and ask them to check to see if the old boy in charge of their internet services hasn't kicked off. I like the Pro Top over the Oregon bar I was using although it is a bit heavier. I cut all sorts of krap on my property and the GB bar is holding up better to the abuse. I did buy a couple of the orange finished Ti bars for my 372XP which I have not had a chance to use yet. Bought those from Wojo. (You would never know he sells GB bars, would you?) It is funny how a lot of times domestic items are looked at in a so-so fashion but ship them else where and they become the cat's meow.

ScottWojo · 12th December 2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

I know but look at this.

GB Chainsaw Bars

Bloody blank! And I haven't seen their chain in the stores here, never been asked to consider it.

Eric,
Its carlton chain stamped GB.

Scott.

newguy18 · 12th December 2007, 07:29 PM

i might give one a go since I pinched the 20" bar on my 51 in a set back pull tree awhile back.I made the back cut and the tree rocked back but we gave the tractor some gas and it went over nicely only damage was to the bar and the only issue with it is it won't cut true.How much would one cost[wojo]?

a_lopa · 13th December 2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottWojo

Eric,
Its carlton chain stamped GB.

I wish I had a contact in GB AU to discuss the racing bars without havin to go through GB america.

Scott.

I was in a stihl dealers the other day when a GB sales rep was in there,i couldnt really aproach him there but i was trying!

When i get a chance ill get onto them.

Ekka · 13th December 2007, 01:13 AM

I dont like Carlton chain ... Oregon and Stihl stretches less and seems to keep the edge longer. I reckon Stihl is best chain, just my opinion from trying many.

The worst is this crap called Windsor.

Lopa, we should be able to buy those bloody bars and stuff online ... tell them blokes to lift their game.

a_lopa · 13th December 2007, 01:47 AM

I 99% sure there actually cheaper in the USA

ScottWojo · 13th December 2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_lopa

I was in a stihl dealers the other day when a GB sales rep was in there,i couldnt really aproach him there but i was trying!

When i get a chance ill get onto them.

Well ask the dealer for the guys card.

LOL.
Scott.

9th December 2007, 11:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
windthrown Fly'n Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 125	MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test I was in on a deal for GB Pro Top bars (on the other site) a while back. I finally got to slap on the 24/25 inch on my 361 and go out and test it (after travelling out of state and getting nailed by the largest storm in the US PNW in about 10 years). A lot of people say that a 24 is too long a bar for a 361. After today? I say bullshit to that. That saw runs great with the GB Pro Top 24 inch bar and new Stihl full comp (not skip) RM chain on it. I use RM becasue I cut a lot of dead snags and slash pile stuff up for firewood, and the RM runs good in dirty conditions. I dropped an 18 inch oak tree (California Black Oak, about 40 ft tall) and bucked it up and noodled it into split firewood in about an hour. This is hard oak mind you, not doug fir or softer grand fir. No problems. It did bog a bit when I pushed on it, but the 460 also did that (I can lever pretty hard on just about any saw and bog it down). After today I think that it is a toss-up between the 20 inch and the 24 being the best bars for the 361. Also the MS 361 has no problems driving a 24 inch bar, and I can see why so many Stihl dealers around here sell them with that length bar on them. I do not know what it is about people insisting on using shorter bars... or maybe its becasue I have West Coast Long Bar Disease? I run a 20 inch on the 290 most of the time. I suspect that the 24 inch is going to stay on the 361 most of the time. It is a >>tad<< bar heavy, but the center of gravity is not that far ahead of the top handle. I hardly noticed it cutting today. No, today I was grinning becasue I liked the new bar so much. Smooth, makes bigger cuts, I can deck larger trees from one side, ahhhhh... a new dimention to the 361! I am thinking maybe I can put off buying that Dolmar 7900 for now. For a while at least. This 361's gonna drop some big trees around here. Also, my verdict is that the GB Pro Top bars are very very nice bars. I think that they are a tad better than Stihl ES bars (I have some of them too). Small differences in them that stand out are the oil holes and the look of the bar, as well as the feel on the saw. Subtle, but superior in my view to the ES. Made in Australia... oooo la la! I am gonna be buying more GB bars from now on. As Borat would say, "Veeeerrrrry nice!" __________________ So few saws, so many trees... Stihls: 210/250-/025/290/361/FS85 Echo: CS-3000, Olympyk & Mac doorstops

9th December 2007, 11:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,673	Re: MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test What about bit of a muffler mod for that saw, then really hoot along! I'm inundated with crap palms so my minimum usual beast is a 440 I had the original 360 but not quite enough grunt. Palms send chains off fast and then you got to have some brut hp to pull a dull chain, especially cutting heads up. I buy mainly all Stihl Rollomatic ES bars, I haven't tried those GB bars. I'll have to order one and give it a go. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

9th December 2007, 11:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
a_lopa Astronaut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 837	Re: MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test I dont doubt it at all,i was using mine today on a dead black wattle tree with a 20" and it did it easier than i thought it would have. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

10th December 2007, 01:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
ScottWojo Custom Chainsaw Muffler Modifications Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 57	Re: MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test Glad you like the Bars. Next time try the Titanium bars. And I feel you would enjoy the muffler mod that I make quite nicely. I also have some really nice chain that the guys in California love. Scott. __________________ ScottWojo HP Modified Chainsaw Mufflers\| GB Bar and Chain Distributor.

10th December 2007, 11:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,673	Re: MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test Wojo, pic of the chain please, I pay around $175 for 25' roll Stihl chain and I find it the best for me however Oregon is next best, Windsor is absolute crap, Carlton stretches like a rubber band in summer and my favourite was discontinued ... ... Sabre 2001 profile. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

12th December 2007, 07:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,198	Re: MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test i might give one a go since I pinched the 20" bar on my 51 in a set back pull tree awhile back.I made the back cut and the tree rocked back but we gave the tractor some gas and it went over nicely only damage was to the bar and the only issue with it is it won't cut true.How much would one cost[wojo]? __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

13th December 2007, 01:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,673	Re: MS 361 with a GB Pro Top 24/25 inch bar test I dont like Carlton chain ... Oregon and Stihl stretches less and seems to keep the edge longer. I reckon Stihl is best chain, just my opinion from trying many. The worst is this crap called Windsor. Lopa, we should be able to buy those bloody bars and stuff online ... tell them blokes to lift their game. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors