Stihl or Husqvarna?

[HittinSteel]

I prefer husky, stihl, jonsered and dolmar

 

[Realstone]

If you get the chance, run the pro series saws before you buy so you can make a real comparison. Otherwise, at least consider the MS 390, more power for the same weight. Don't be afraid of the Husky's either, they're good saws, I'm just not as familiar with them. A C

I was milling over what you said, and it is valuable info to me, but the difference in price between the standard & pro series for both makes is hard to justify for a weekend bushwhacker like myself.

 

[weatherguy]

I was milling over what you said, and it is valuable info to me, but the difference in price between the standard & pro series for both makes is hard to justify for a weekend bushwhacker like myself.

Thats my line of thinking too but I almost bought a used XP last week but decided I didnt need it, price was right and it was rebuilt to look new but I bought a used 445 instead, thats all I need for what I cut.

 

[Lewiston]

Whichever has the best local support. Couldn't vote since I own and use both. Used Stihl for 20 years but switched to Husky, when we moved, due to the superb service of the local dealer.

 

[wendell]

My BIL has a new 562XP and it is a nice saw. But I still would rather have an 036-362 series saw (similar displacement). My 036 will run with it all day.

I assume you mean by run with it all day you just mean it is still running?

The 562 I ran holds it's own with ported saws. Should spank a stock 036.

 

[DexterDay]

I assume you mean by run with it all day you just mean it is still running?

The 562 I ran holds it's own with ported saws. Should spank a stock 036.

Im still a fan of the 562...

The 562 XP has its place. But its still 59cc... There is no replacement for displacement

 

[wendell]

Im still a fan of the 562...

The 562 XP has its place. But its still 59cc... There is no replacement for displacement

I agree.

 

[wendell]

and

 

[DexterDay]

Holy Chit!! !! !! !!

Nice.....

 

[amateur cutter]

Im still a fan of the 562...

The 562 XP has its place. But its still 59cc... There is no replacement for displacement

Holy Chit!! !! !! !!

Nice.....

Agree 100% That's some serious HP there Wendell. A C

 

[weatherguy]

Holy shite wendell, you cutting down redwoods?

 

[Realstone]

you cutting down redwoods?

I think he's the guy they call to cut the drive through arch in the redwoods

 

[kingquad]

I was milling over what you said, and it is valuable info to me, but the difference in price between the standard & pro series for both makes is hard to justify for a weekend bushwhacker like myself.

There is a used 372xp over on arboristsite right now for $400. They are awesome saws that will flat out own any landowner model saw. Also, parts are readily available as well. If you're patient, there are deals out there. There's also a guy on arboristsite that rebuilds and sells 346xp's and sells them for around $300. I bought mine from him. He'll even mod it for you. There's an MS260 on there right now that looks brand new for $360. The price difference isn't as great as you would think if you're willing to shop outside of a dealer. Some people aren't, and that's not a bad thing.

I have a Husky 450. My Dad has a 455 rancher. My 346xp will crush them both and it's a blast to run. That being said, the 450 and 455 are good saws, but just aren't as strong.

If you are going to purchase a homeowner model, I'd wait till 2013 if possible. The Husky Rancher models are all going to be autotune model (computer controlled carbs). I'd look for Stihl to move quickly to do the same.

 

[amateur cutter]

There is a used 372xp over on arboristsite right now for $400. They are awesome saws that will flat out own any landowner model saw. Also, parts are readily available as well. If you're patient, there are deals out there. There's also a guy on arboristsite that rebuilds and sells 346xp's and sells them for around $300. I bought mine from him. He'll even mod it for you. There's an MS260 on there right now that looks brand new for $360. The price difference isn't as great as you would think if you're willing to shop outside of a dealer. Some people aren't, and that's not a bad thing.

I have a Husky 450. My Dad has a 455 rancher. My 346xp will crush them both and it's a blast to run. That being said, the 450 and 455 are good saws, but just aren't as strong.

If you are going to purchase a homeowner model, I'd wait till 2013 if possible. The Husky Rancher models are all going to be autotune model (computer controlled carbs). I'd look for Stihl to move quickly to do the same.

IMO the above is very good advice. I kinda forgot about the 346 xp, having never run one. I'd like to try one against my 026 to compare. Still not sold on the auto tune thing though. I prefer my ear & screwdriver @ this point. A C

 

[Thistle]

Oh wow. Serious HP there for sure. Anyone know what the HP of Mac SP125's were stock? I'm guessing around 8-ish or so. I know lots were factory modded with the 101B kart motor & other tricks when PNW fallers were paid by how many thousand board feet felled in a day compared to a later standard hourly wage.

 

[kingquad]

IMO the above is very good advice. I kinda forgot about the 346 xp, having never run one. I'd like to try one against my 026 to compare. Still not sold on the auto tune thing though. I prefer my ear & screwdriver @ this point. A C

Yeah, but you're not the typical homeowner model saw buyer, are you? Many people that buy these saws don't have a clue how to tune a saw. These saws come lean from the factory. With Stihl, this isn't as much of a problem since dealers will tune the saw for their buyers. Husky sells through Blowe's. No support whatsoever. This eliminates the most common problem with these saws for most people.

Edit: The 346 rocks. I love it.

 

[Realstone]

There is a used 372xp over on arboristsite right now for $400. They are awesome saws that will flat out own any landowner model saw. Also, parts are readily available as well. If you're patient, there are deals out there. There's also a guy on arboristsite that rebuilds and sells 346xp's and sells them for around $300. I bought mine from him. He'll even mod it for you. There's an MS260 on there right now that looks brand new for $360. The price difference isn't as great as you would think if you're willing to shop outside of a dealer. Some people aren't, and that's not a bad thing.

I have a Husky 450. My Dad has a 455 rancher. My 346xp will crush them both and it's a blast to run. That being said, the 450 and 455 are good saws, but just aren't as strong.

If you are going to purchase a homeowner model, I'd wait till 2013 if possible. The Husky Rancher models are all going to be autotune model (computer controlled carbs). I'd look for Stihl to move quickly to do the same.

I'll ditto what Amateur Cutter said, good advice. Now I am a proud Canadian, and I love my country, etc, etc. but sometimes I wish the border would just disappear. Especially when it comes to purchasing and shipping. Seriously, you guys get good quality, good selection - in stock, and rock bottom pricing. And reasonable shipping too. I'll get what I want (when I'm ready to get it) but it will just take a little longer.

*edit* - but I am loving this thread. Learning a lot, thanks!

 

[StihlHead]

The best Stihl saws I have had (and still have): MS211, 026 early model, MS361, 044
The best Husky saws I have had: 346xp (second edition larger engine, w/o the stupid brake thing), 372xpw (second edition larger engine, pre-smog)

I wish Husky would have re-numbered their saws so that the 346 and 372 early model saws would not be grouped with the better later edition ones. I run all Stihl now becasue they all run the same parts/bars/chains, and the good Husky dealer is on the far side of town from me. Also all Stihls have the same levers and they all start basically the same. Stihl also has a store in just about every town around here.

 

[kingquad]

I'll ditto what Amateur Cutter said, good advice. Now I am a proud Canadian, and I love my country, etc, etc. but sometimes I wish the border would just disappear. Especially when it comes to purchasing and shipping. Seriously, you guys get good quality, good selection - in stock, and rock bottom pricing. And reasonable shipping too. I'll get what I want (when I'm ready to get it) but it will just take a little longer.

*edit* - but I am loving this thread. Learning a lot, thanks!

No problem, I've seen what you guys pay for saws, and I think it's ridiculous. Keep in mind, lots of guys on arborsite are willing to ship overseas or out of country. Doesn't hurt to ask. I don't what you guys have to deal with as far as import duties though. Might not be worth it. Good luck with your search.

 

[kingquad]

The best Stihl saws I have had (and still have): MS211, 026 early model, MS361, 044
The best Husky saws I have had: 346xp (second edition larger engine, w/o the stupid brake thing), 372xpw (second edition larger engine, pre-smog)

I wish Husky would have re-numbered their saws so that the 346 and 372 early model saws would not be grouped with the better later edition ones. I run all Stihl now becasue they all run the same parts/bars/chains, and the good Husky dealer is on the far side of town from me. Also all Stihls have the same levers and they all start basically the same. Stihl also has a store in just about every town around here.

Yes, I agree, but even Stihl has had slight design tweaks on their saws (I admit that I don't know too much about Stihl's so I cant get very specific) and not changed the model number. I do think that Husky should have changed the 3XX numbers when they went to the strato models. It's misleading. I have a 365x-torq. It's not a 365 or 365 special. Hell, it's not even the same cc's. Same with the 372, totally different design. That's not to say that the new ones are bad, they appear to be stronger and more fuel efficient "out of the box" once they are broken in. But yes, they should be re-badged. Husky is trying to sell new saws off of the reputation of old "legendary" saws.

 

[Thistle]

Yes, I agree, but even Stihl has had slight design tweaks on their saws (I admit that I don't know too much about Stihl's so I cant get very specific) and not changed the model number. I do think that Husky should have changed the 3XX numbers when they went to the strato models. It's misleading. I have a 365x-torq. It's not a 365 or 365 special. Hell, it's not even the same cc's. Same with the 372, totally different design. That's not to say that the new ones are bad, they appear to be stronger and more fuel efficient "out of the box" once they are broken in. But yes, they should be re-badged. Husky is trying to sell new saws off of the reputation of old "legendary" saws.

I hear ya. When I started looking for a replacement last Spring for my still very strong Poulan 475/rebadged Jonsered2077/77cc saw for milling & the big stuff I looked at new Husky 390XP's. $1300 w/IA sales tax set up like I wanted with 28" b/c,fullwrap handlebar.Couldnt afford that so I waited & watched for a decent very strong running 288XPW at a fair price.Same displacement, HP & RPM's as newer 390's,barely 1 lb heavier (less plastic),& just takes a wee bit more fuel.

Everyone I talked with said it was one of the best saw's they ever made.Few new parts like high performance air filter setup,28" b/c & other goodies & its just perfect for me.I already had a 36" b/c with the big Poulan,so I kept that when selling it last November.Wanted a little more power & most importantly,a decomp valve on the new saw.That Poulan had no decomp & 190+ compression,it damn near threw my right shoulder out of socket whenever I pulled that rope as I gotten older.

 

[wendell]

Holy shite wendell, you cutting down redwoods?

No, just oaks, maples, hickorys, locusts, ash....

 

[Realstone]

No, just oaks, maples, hickorys, locusts, ash....

Must be big ash oaks, maples, hickorys

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I have a Husky 50 I still use all the time for smaller stuff. Then only complaint I had about it is that on occasion I could not pull the cord because of the compression. I learned that if you take the spark plug out and put it back in, it becomes easy again. The 390 is my go to saw, I had one problem with a loose connection on the coil, but fixed under warranty. The 660, is just awesome, other than a bit heavy so I save it for milling and the big boys.

 

[ScotO]

Yup to all of the comments!!

I can do about an hour with it, no more. Thing is a monster, but has that nice old school 2 stroke growl that you only got out of the really big old 2 strokes. A buddy of mine has another one, but his doesn't have the holes in the bar to keep the weight down.

About all I do with it now is take it to old equipment shows and make a couple of cuts with it... always draws a crowd.

I had an old 1956-ish Pioneer RA (100cc) and I couldn't agree more, simple.serf! That loud, deep growl......I have since sold the old girl, all it ever did was sat in the shed and only got fired up every once in a while. My vintage dream saw is an old 1961 McCulloch BP1, the holy grail of vintage chainsaws IMHO. Almost pulled the trigger on a complete one last year at $600.00, but just couldn't do it. Now I wish I would have....