Husqvarna or STIHL Chain Saw?

[HEMI®Dart]

tough call?



20" bar

 

[SRay]

They're both great saws. My buddies are professional loggers, one company uses Stihl and the other uses husqvarna. All comes down to more of personal preference and price. They're both reliable.

 

[SEnglund]

Both are great saws. I tend to lean towards Stihl, they only give dealerships to smaller local business. That is something that carries a lot of weight in my book. I have a Stihl 029 super w/ 20" bar, it's 11 years old and still has some major beans. Cut through some 32" dia. red oak this last spring like a hot knife through butter.

 

[MLee]

By watching the loggers on TV/History channel/ they use mostly the Stihl. Some time depending on the location they will use the Husq's. Parts are probable more readily available for the Stihl.

Stihl is what i've got.

 

[BarryG]

I am using a stihl for the past 10 years for me it came down mainly to dealer/parts availibility (between husky and stihl). Have a 360 pro that has not given me one lick of trouble in those years.

 

[rscurtis]

You may find that your Stihl dealer is more responsive to your needs, as Stihl is a family owned business, whereas Husqvarna is just one of the many divisions of Electrolux. Bar and chain changes are also much easier on the Stihl, as the chain brake and actuator are attached to the saw, not the side cover. The MS200T is the exception to that, but I doubt that's what you're interested in with its $600+ price tag. For their professional grade saws, I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but for a mid-range or occasional use saw, I would steer clear of the Husky. You may also find that Stihl has a lot more dealer penetration than any of the other manufacturers, as the dealers don't have to compete with the manufacturer flooding the market with box store sales.

 

[JLEONARD]

I had a Stihls, it was awesome, always started easily and ran well.

My son bought a new one maybe 6 years ago and it never started easily or ran right, even though it went back to the dealer several times. They always blamed it on old gas, but mine never cared what I put in it.

 

[jhenderson]

Earn my living in the woods. Either saw will get the job done. I run a husky for 2 reasons, price and service. Around here, Stihl saws are about $150 more for the equivalent saw. Service is most important to me. If you look at a Husky, be sure to go to a servicing dealer. The box stores and Tractor Supply sell homeowner saws, you want a pro grade. While you are at it, look at Jonsereds, if there is a dealer nearby. They are made by the same company as Husky, and the internals are all the same. They even use Husky part numbers, and are often priced lower.

 

[The patriot]

I've had both Stihl and Husky. Both are good saws.

jhenderson made a good point. There are different "levels" of saws to buy.

I got a homeowner saw, I dont particularly want to spend the extra $$$ for something I'll use pretty much for downed limbs after a storm.



If you make sure the lube oil is always full, run it dry at the end of a season, and put a new sparkplug in it every year, use FRESH gas/oil mix or so either one should serve you well.

 

[KLauber]

I have a Homelite XL that's about 25 years old if not older. Only 16 inch but it eats wood and laughs. Never changed the plug, just add oil, gas and sharp chain. No safety stop either and I have a torn steel toe boot as a result. No blood thankfully.

 

[mwilson]

Get one of these Wankel powered super saws, video is a little blurry but you will get the idea.

That is three strokes through the log, down, up and then down.



Or the second saw shown with the dirt bike engine... ... .



Watched these at the fair this year.



Fryeburg Fair 2011 Open Chainsaw - YouTube



Mike.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I like my Husky had it for years when ever I go to the tool shed I start it just to keep things running. Starts on one or two pulls. FIL has some Husqvarna equipment and is all top shelf stuff.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Thanks Guys. I settled on a Husqvarna 460 20" bar. Tractor Supply had them for $400.



I was almost going to spring for a 24" bar, but I read in an old chain saw post the shorter bar is better.

 

[dresslered]

I'm no logger but I love my new Husqvarna 450 with a 20". It was one step down from the rancher (I believe that is the 460) but much lighter. Plenty of power for anything I am doing.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Gave my Bro a Husky 460 20" bar for Christmas. He gave it a test run:



Likes:



No Vibration



Cut 3"-8" Oak



Like a Hot knife through butter



Didn't come close to using full throttle



He had an old beat up Craftsman.



Dislikes:



None

 

[BIGNASTY]

Now this is a chainsaw

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Is the above chain saw for casual home use or for beginners?