Husqvarna vs. Stihl

[phastmac]

I've used Stihl for years, been very happy. About to look at getting a new saw. I have some friends that cut a lot of fire wood that have switched from Stihl to Husqvarna. They say the Husky seems to cut better, and they seem to think overall the Husky is a better saw. Any thoughts on this? Just looking to learn something. Thanks

 

[Shaneard]

Both are great saws, I've had and do have both. I prefer Stihl.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Friends are dealers for Both and Echo as well. I might just try Echo next. Any saw that starts, idles and isn't always sitting in a puddle of expensive chain oil would work for me.

 

[thekkfan]

Have both, both are great saws. Stihl tends to give me crank/run issues after long run times. Husky very consistent hot or cold.

 

[Shaneard]

Friends are dealers for Both and Echo as well. I might just try Echo next. Any saw that starts, idles and isn't always sitting in a puddle of expensive chain oil would work for me.

The one husky I have has always leaked oil and I guarantee it's sitting in a puddle of it in it's case now and when you turn it over on it's side to fill it with gas, before you can get the cap on it's leaking gas out of somewhere but get it back upright quick and the gas stops

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have reluctantly thrown away all my Stihl carry cases as I find it better for oil leakage if the saws are stored sitting on their side. Aside from the waste, it's a pain that you always need to refill the oil prior to use, and then I almost always over fill it, making more mess and wasting even more oil.

 

[John_Mc]

Both manufacturers make good saws and some "lower end saws". There is more difference among the saws within their lines than between a Husky and a Stihl of similar specs. So to really answer this, you'd have to narrow things down a bit (and even then, it's also largely a matter of opinion/personal preference).

 

[Industrial Toys]

I did use a customers smaller Stihl saw yesterday and noticed that it had butterfly style oil and gas caps. I have asked my dealer friend to see about getting me some of those. That stupid worn out screwdriver ridge in the Stihl caps was garbage. Huskies hex caps were much nicer but still required a tool, plus the threads can be easily stripped.

 

[atsah]

I have switched to Husqvarna from Stihl, they start easier and they cut better IMO, the only Stihl I now own is a 200T made in Germany that I will never sell..

IMO, if you are talking about buying a home owner saw, I would say they about even, XP Husqvarna is hard to beat.. A Husky 550XP is a fast cutting light weight well made saw for limbing and cutting firewood with an 18 inch bar and is my favorite..

I will add to buy from a dealer, they take the saw out back and adjust the carb so you don't have starting issues..

 

[MH8675309]

I started with a Stihl 510 about 30 years ago and it was a really old saw even then. It ran good though and when I got a newer saw I gave it to my cousin. Over the years I did buy one Husky - cost a bout $500 and hard starting. Never had a saw so hard to start. Definitely prefer Stihl.