Hi boys keep it neat and tidy Stihl or Husqvarna Chansaws

[KiotiJason]

For insurance reasons, I'd have her wear chaps.

Is that Better

 

[ruffdog]

HA !!! lol Protect the front, open to the rear........so she doesn't get too hot of course.

 

[Pilot]

I have had a Stihl 029 for several years. Has been always hard to start when cold, part my fault, bad technique and part poor design. When it started, it ran great. Then I turned 71, arthritis in index finger on right hand, which means it's difficult to work the throttle.

Recently bought a Husky 455 Rancher. Longer throttle so I can operate it with next finger, decompression button and it starts easily every time. About the same size saw and capability.

Have had a Shindaiwa 357 arborist saw for many years and that's a wood eating tiger. Great little saw, use if for everything it can cut, falling small trees <12" DBH, limbing, bucking. I can run it longer because it's lighter. Can reach out with one hand and cut limbs at arms length. Haven't tried a bigger Shindaiwa, but they have a great rep for high price and for being a great saw; the Lexus of saws.

 

[KiotiJason]

I

I have had a Stihl 029 for several years. Has been always hard to start when cold, part my fault, bad technique and part poor design. When it started, it ran great. Then I turned 71, arthritis in index finger on right hand, which means it's difficult to work the throttle.

Recently bought a Husky 455 Rancher. Longer throttle so I can operate it with next finger, decompression button and it starts easily every time. About the same size saw and capability.

Have had a Shindaiwa 357 arborist saw for many years and that's a wood eating tiger. Great little saw, use if for everything it can cut, falling small trees <12" DBH, limbing, bucking. I can run it longer because it's lighter. Can reach out with one hand and cut limbs at arms length. Haven't tried a bigger Shindaiwa, but they have a great rep for high price and for being a great saw; the Lexus of saws.

Hey Pilot, what part of Oregon are you from, I've theen there several times and have friends in Cottage Grove and Eugene. Gods country!

 

[vtsnowedin]

The only Stihl I have owned is a string trimmer with a brush blade attachment. It does a nice job but it is not a comparison. I have seen a lot of Stihl saws on construction sites used as pipe saws or pavement saws. They hold up well in very dusty conditions and are the saw that keeps showing up for duty. Presently for wood cutting I'm running a 455 Husqvarna Rancher with a 20 inch bar. It does a nice job if I keep the chain out of the dirt. I can't say which one is better as I don't have enough wood in front of me to wear out one of each side by side.

 

[nybirdman]

I have and use Stihls ,my son has Stihl and Husky's ,,,both are very good.

 

[zing]

I have been shopping and see good reviews for Echo. How do they compare to Husky or Stihl?

 

[EddieWalker]

I started out with Husky and then spent some time buying cheap saws after the Husky failed me so quickly. I gave up on that approach and bought my first Stihl, then another one. They are fine saws and they get the job done year after year, but on the advice of my Stihl dealer, I tired Echo. For the same money you will get a much better saw with Echo over Stihl. It will also start easier, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with any small engine. I will never buy another Stihl, it's only Echo for me.

Eddie

 

[zing]

I started out with Husky and then spent some time buying cheap saws after the Husky failed me so quickly. I gave up on that approach and bought my first Stihl, then another one. They are fine saws and they get the job done year after year, but on the advice of my Stihl dealer, I tired Echo. For the same money you will get a much better saw with Echo over Stihl. It will also start easier, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with any small engine. I will never buy another Stihl, it's only Echo for me.

Eddie

Thanks for the response Eddie. I know every review is subjective based on that person's experience which may have been based on an exeptional (either good or bad) item, but I have seen other reviews that say the same so I thought I would ask about the experience on this board.

 

[turnkey4099]

Hi boys,
Not sure about you I love my chainsaws.
I've always run Stihl's and they have never failed me. I currently have 3 saws in my stable, ms170 for light pruning in the garden, MS390 for general firewood and a MS660 for the bigger stuff including a bit of chainsaw Milling. What's your preference? I've never run Huskys however some people I know love em. Stihl have the world wide reputation and I understand is the weapon of choice in most heavy duty / forestry applications. Two things I would change in my current line up is I would run a professional arborist saw rather than the ms170. Something like a ms 192t ( the MS170 was a deal sweetener when I bough my JD ride on). And I am planning on getting a Sthil pole saw. The Aussie delivered MS 660 is standard with a dual port muffler and a high output bar oiler and really rocks!

I'm late to the feast so apologies if it has been mentioned.

The MS192T is not a professional grade saw. It is homeowner grade. Yes, it is marked "for professional use only" and some dealers won't sell to anyone but a professional (I was turned down by one). That is due to the hazard of 'one handing' a chain saw. The pro-grade is the MS211T (at one great increase in price).

I have now bought 3 of them in 3 years. How did that happen? Head up rear. I ran over the first one with a load of wood only a month after buying it. Imediately replaced it as that little saw cuts time and work spent brushing out a tree way down due to being able to 'one hand'.

Why did I buy the third one? A month ago I was cleaning up around the wood pile and trimming some trees. When done I wanted that 192T easily available in my wood lot (I was done harvesting trees for the year). No place to put it out of weather until I spotted at little 2'x2' window in the back of the garage with no glass, I tucked it in there. A week later I decided to cut one more tree and loaded the truck with the tools. No 192T!! Looked everywhere. Finally bit the bullet and bought ANOTHER 192T. Did the tree the next day using it. That evening I was passing by the back of the garage and spotted that little window. AHAH!. Fortunately the dealer bought that one back for $100 less than I had paid.

For a bit of explanation I am almost 80yoa and my forgetter is working overtime.

Harry K