Ok guys, for those of you that have/use chainsaws on a regular basis, I'm looking for recommendations. Of all the brands offered, I'm down to Stihl and Husqvarna. Looking for a model in the middle range. Of the two, which would you get and why? No, I won't do craftsman, poulan, or any other of the cheapo models. It's gonna get used, used a lot, and I need it to be reliable. If you have experience with either of the two, please chime in....

Question:
Which chainsaw do you prefer?

Choices:
Stihl
Husqvarna

 

Last two I have bought are Stihl's. Very pleased with both. A good friend works for Asplundh and swears by Husqvarna. IMO they are equally as good pieces. Another friend who has his own tree company uses both. No help at all I guess.

I hear good things about Husqvarna, but never used their products. I do lawn/landscaping for a living since 2014 and 90% of my handhelds are Stihl. They get used to the point of calling it abuse, and are rarely hidden from the weather. It's rare that we have any issues with them until they're a couple years old with thousands of hours of use. Have used echo, Red Max, Shindiawa and Stihl outworks/outlasts those big time. Not having used Husqvarna, all I can say is, they have a good reputation. Hope this helps. Have a great weekend.

The last guys here on the property, Tree service,
Dropped 3, 50 year old trees. All Stihl. I have a
Shindiawa weed wacker that kicks azz, 10 years old.
Mean little wacker.

I have Stihl and like them. The only issue I have is the EZ start. That’s a POS.

I have a Husqvarna but the better unit is Stihl.

Hard to beat Stihl. Only problem I ever have is with ethanol mixed fuel. And it's about impossible around here to get away from it. Some have 93 octane without the ethanol. The ethanol eats something in the carbs over time. The good news is that the carb is cheap to just replace.

Brother-in-law is a tree faller. I end up with his limbing saws to use. I run a 32" bar on them most of the time.

He has ran both Husky's and Stihl's. Both saws run well and last a long time. The key is to get the PRO series saws and not the home owner/rancher ones sold at the big box stores.

As far as brand preference it really comes down to which brand has the best servicing dealer in your area. With saws and weed eaters, you need a good dealer who can service and take care of problems when they come up. Having a chain saw is like having a high maintainence woman, sooner or later, it's going to give you trouble.

One thing I will say is that they all run better if you use non methanol gas in them. The Stihls seem to plug up more than the other brands if you run gas with alcohol in it. If the non methanol gas is hard to find in your area that might be the deciding factor to go with a Husky.

I prefer running a skip tooth chisel bit chain.

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
Hard to beat Stihl. Only problem I ever have is with ethanol mixed fuel. And it's about impossible around here to get away from it. Some have 93 octane without the ethanol. The ethanol eats something in the carbs over time. The good news is that the carb is cheap to just replace.

http://www.starbrite.com/item/...on-gasoline-additive

I use this religiously in my small engine fuel mix. Running my gear as much and as hard as we do, I never have had a fuel related or carb related problem. Give it a try if you haven't yet. Well worth it.

One other thing I will add is that if you buy a good chain grinder and learn how to sharpen your own chains, you will save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Hard to beat an Oregon chain grinder. They are one of the best out there.

https://www.oregonproducts.com...-grinders/c/02_01_08

Stihl. I’ve cut down 12 big Eucalyptus and have 50 to go! These are tough trees. No more Roman Candle in the fires.

Whichever one you get make sure it has the anti-vibration in it. I had an old Stihl Farm Boss, great saw but if you used it alot your arms would about fall off. Maybe they all have it now.

I work for a dealer. We have both Stihl and Husky. I have assembled both. I think the overall quality of the Stihl is better. Husky is in the process of catering to Lowes. Two things that I prefer on the Stihl are the bar adjuster and the chain brake.
On the Husky both are part of the clutch cover. Can't tell you how may people come in saying the can can't the cover back on. The customer usually has taken the cover off with the chain brake on. This doesn't matter on the Stihl. Both chain adjuster and the chain brake are in the case. So the clutch cover is just that, a cover.

Also, Husky have a problem leaking bar oil over time making a mess. With a Stihl be careful using the quarter turn caps on the fuel and oil. They can break.

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Burkleo:
One other thing I will add is that if you buy a good chain grinder and learn how to sharpen your own chains, you will save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Hard to beat an Oregon chain grinder. They are one of the best out there.

https://www.oregonproducts.com...-grinders/c/02_01_08

Good tip, but the chain grinder would cost him more than the saw. For folks that use a chain saw half a dozen times a year, just having the chains sharpened for them isn't a bad way to go. I never use a dull chain.

quote:

Originally posted by BTR69:

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
Hard to beat Stihl. Only problem I ever have is with ethanol mixed fuel. And it's about impossible around here to get away from it. Some have 93 octane without the ethanol. The ethanol eats something in the carbs over time. The good news is that the carb is cheap to just replace.

http://www.starbrite.com/item/...on-gasoline-additive

I use this religiously in my small engine fuel mix. Running my gear as much and as hard as we do, I never have had a fuel related or carb related problem. Give it a try if you haven't yet. Well worth it.

I may have to make this part of my 2 cylcle program. Dealer says throw out fuel that is more than a few months old if using in the 2 cycles.

I have a steil that’s over 15 years old and has never failed. And on the ethonal fuel I use it in everything and have never had any of the carb problems I see mentioned so much.

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:

quote:

Originally posted by BTR69:

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
Hard to beat Stihl. Only problem I ever have is with ethanol mixed fuel. And it's about impossible around here to get away from it. Some have 93 octane without the ethanol. The ethanol eats something in the carbs over time. The good news is that the carb is cheap to just replace.

http://www.starbrite.com/item/...on-gasoline-additive

I use this religiously in my small engine fuel mix. Running my gear as much and as hard as we do, I never have had a fuel related or carb related problem. Give it a try if you haven't yet. Well worth it.

I may have to make this part of my 2 cylcle program. Dealer says throw out fuel that is more than a few months old if using in the 2 cycles.

I have stihl weedwacker, leaf blower and chainsaw which all use the same fuel but I know my fuel gets to be more than two months old all the time because I don’t use them a lot, never had an issue. I do use ethanol free fuel. Chainsaw may sit on shelf for more than a year without running and fuel in it and will start right up. I did have issues with ethanol fuel with a different leaf blower years ago and since then I don’t use it anymore. To each their own. I have used race fuel before when ethanol free was hard to find.

Alternative to chain grinder and having someone else sharpen them is a 6 dollar file and learning to use it. Its pretty simple. High school buddy use to work for Asplundh and I watched him stop 3 or 4 times one day while we where cutting wood.He would file the chain and spend about 15 minutes. I thought damn Sam being lazy? At end of day he had cut about 50% more wood. I learned right then a sharp chain saves you time,work and wear on saw.

About the fuel, I know it’s expensive but buying the pre-mixed for those that only use one occasionally will keep the problems at bay. I only use mine 2-3 times a year so i buy Husky brand pre-mixed fuel and run it dry at the end of using.

On the consumer versions break in and normal start up is critical because they are running them so lean for emissions reasons. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for break in and make sure to have some heat in the engine before going wide open and cutting. Cylinder scoring is a big problem if not. I realize all being car guys here it’s probably something that doesn’t have to be said but just throwing it out there because it is a common problem.

I would say buy a Farm Boss from a Stihl dealer. I have one with a 20" bar and is perfect for the occasional or everyday user. We sharpen with hand files at the end of every day.