Chainsaw

high desert

high desert

Joined
May 20, 2009
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I am moving to area where wood cutting is close bye. The forests are mainly fur and pine. My local big 5 has Stihl and huskivarna. They seem to cost the same based on engine size. Is one better than another? Is it the ford, dodge and chevy argument? Thanks for your opinions.
 
mostly it's a ford/chevy kind of thing.
both brands have commercial and homeowner lines - and it's hard to tell the difference by spec, but not hard by price - that's why the 250 and 260 series Stihl saws cost so much different.
the smaller huskys come off the same assembly line as Poulan.
that said, there are a lot of folks who really like their 455 ranchers.
Husky seems to pay more attention to ergonomics and user comfort.

I own and use both.
 
I run a Stihl MS 260 Pro... it's the only "good" chainsaw I have owened so it's all I know. That being said I will never own anything but Stihl from here out... all my other lawn equipment is Stihl also (as of 6 years ago anyway).

Ski
 
I own a Stihl 361 and LOVE it. In my experience, Stihl saws usually have more torque, and Husky's have more RPMs.

Stay away from the ones at big box stores, and either will serve you well.
 
When I was growing up, what stove you used and what saw you used was a "status symbbol" among the small group who came to school smelling of 2-cycle and wood smoke. We had several saws but I only ever spoke of the Stihl, as it was THE saw to have.

Today, I couldn't say, but I have been trying to kill a cheap, 16" Poulan for ten years because I promised myself a Stihl when the ugly old girl goes belly up. I fire it up every Fall with last year's gas in the tank and it lights and runs like a champ. I keep thinking "this will be it's last season" but it keeps going. If it ever does quit, I am not sure which way I will go. My be rethinking the Stihl idea after all.
 
I have a Husq 455 Rancher and its a beast. I donKt use it regularly but I have cut up about 10 trees the last year and its really nice. All the Husq products I have have been very reliable.
 
Don't overlook the Jonsereds, they are a good tough saw. Both Huskys and Stihls are great too. Buy only from a chainsaw dealer, and keep away from the department store brands, you will be glad you did
 
You need to match the saw to the task at hand. Then once you've calcuated the size and duty of the saw you can choose between Ford and Chevy.

For those who are undecided or really don't know what they need then the Stihl MS290 Farm Boss is a good "Pro-Consumer" mid-range saw. It is priced on the consumer side but has many of the Pro features and sizing. It is a good compromise for those who are going to cut a cord or two of wood per year, remove a tree that has fallen across the only 4 x 4 trail back to home, or need to limb a overgrown tree. While not as nimble and light as a garderner's saw it is a good compromise. And if you need to cut a winter's worth of wood it won't tear you up like the little guys.
 
high desert said:
I am moving to area where wood cutting is close bye. The forests are mainly fur and pine. My local big 5 has Stihl and huskivarna. They seem to cost the same based on engine size. Is one better than another? Is it the ford, dodge and chevy argument? Thanks for your opinions.
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high desert, I purchased a Stihl Farm Boss in 1983-84ish & the only expenses are gas, oil, bar oil, & plugs. I changed the bar to a 26" a few years back to be able to cut thru bigger logs. I had to have the beast worked on (carb) one time in '96-97. I paid $345.00 new, so I figure I have more than made up for the initial cost with this model over the years. However, I also have a friend who bought a Homelite saw back in 1994 & he will swear the same as I do about his. I think it's all just a matter of what is available, & what you are going to use it for. Good luck, & be careful with it.
Be safe.
 
Get a Stihl...That's what most of the loggers around here have used for years.
 
1066vik said:
~~the smaller huskys come off the same assembly line as Poulan.
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Yep...... :thumbup:
I found that out when I was ordering some parts [primer bulb & fuel line] for my Poulan the other day. Husky part #'s popped up half the time. I looked at the schematics and they were the same saw.

Jeff H said:
Today, I couldn't say, but I have been trying to kill a cheap, 16" Poulan for ten years because I promised myself a Stihl when the ugly old girl goes belly up. I fire it up every Fall with last year's gas in the tank and it lights and runs like a champ. I keep thinking "this will be it's last season" but it keeps going. If it ever does quit, I am not sure which way I will go. My be rethinking the Stihl idea after all.
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Same here, I have a little Poulan "Wood Shark" with a 14" bar.... I have run the crap out of it and given it no special care. It still cranks and runs like a champ. :D :thumbup:
I paid $79 for it at Wal Mart a long time ago...... ;)
 
Well, went to buy the stihl farm boss and there were none. Bought a husky 455 rancher for $323. It came with a 20" bar. Since today is the only day of the store wide discount it was take the husky or pay $50 more for the stihl when ever they get one in. After watching you-tube comparisons of both models it appears to be a toss-up.
 
I recommend Stihl. They are great saws and easy to work on. Parts are plentiful and cheap. There's a guy on Ebay goes by the name CheapChainSawParts. He's got you covered when it comes to Stihl. His inventory ranges from used parts to stuff that looks like it was took off brand new saws. I recently had a mishap with the pull start assembly on my MS290 Farm Boss. The bottom two screws had vibrated out and I didn't realize it. Went to start it one afternoon and pulled the starter assembly off. I tried to rig it back together (and was successful) enough for one start. I had to fuel it while it was running and everything, but it got me by for the day. Then the whole thing came unsprung and was useless. Anyhoo, I scored a used starter assembly from the ebay guy. The part was correct, in good shape, shipped fast, and was ready to install with no spring winding to be done. It was self-contained. Even had the little pawl in there. Cheap too!

Stihl saws, in my experience, start easier than any other brand. I have pulled and pulled and pulled other saws. When my Stihl does that little "stutter" on full choke, I move it to half choke and it's off to the races on the next pull.

The only thing I don't like about Stihl saws is where they went "green" and limited the amount of bar oil that comes out of the oiler. They provide an adjustment screw but even with it cranked all the way open it doesn't supply enough oil. I ruined my first chain and bar due to this. Got the oiler replaced under warranty. The new one works good. A buddy had the EXACT same warranty issue. His new oiler works good also. If I ever buy a brand new Stihl saw, I'll check the oiler output before I ever leave the showroom. That little warranty issue cost me the price of a chain and turned my bar blue. These parts weren't replaced under warranty. I'll know better next time.

Check around before you buy new however. My bro-in-law bought a slightly used Stihl for a song. Now isn't really the season to go looking for a deal, but this spring you need to keep an eye on your local trade paper. Good luck.
 
Oops. I missed your latest reply. Looks like you already made your decision. Be safe. Wear steel toed shoes, safety glasses, ear cans, etc. It only takes a second for bad things to happen. Cheers.
 
glockman99 said:
Get a Stihl...That's what most of the loggers around here have used for years.
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+1. I worked for a tree service about ten years ago. I went from dragging brush to climbing trees to running a crew. ALL we used was Stihl saws. Period. I have also used Husqvarna, Poulan, and McCoullough saws over the years and none can beat the Stihls for performance and durability. Of course, we had top of the line models and the farm/home use models probably don't quite match up but it is the most highly respected brand by the pros that use saws for a living. Loggers, tree men, firefighters, etc. Just my $0.02.
 
Have had craftsmen, remington, poulans, mccullys, over the years currantly have 5 stihls and one husky. husky runs fine just feels akward (not balanced) compared to stihls.
019,027,039,044,088
 
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