Stihl or Husqvarna

Johndeere3720 · Jul 27, 2012

I have two saws that I use for my firewood operation, one STIHL and one Husky. The STIHL (MS290 Farm Boss) gets the most use by far and the Husky (re branded Poulan 235e) is mainly used for limbing. Both my saws work great, always start right up and are ready to work. If I were to get another saw I would likely get another STIHL, I like how everything is arranged on them plus if you aren't careful starting the Husky you can easily cut your hand on the sharp plastic therefore I usually have to wear gloves when I run my Husky.

LD1 · Jul 27, 2012

Johndeere3720 said:
I have two saws that I use for my firewood operation, one STIHL and one Husky. The STIHL (MS290 Farm Boss) gets the most use by far and the Husky (re branded Poulan 235e) is mainly used for limbing. Both my saws work great, always start right up and are ready to work. If I were to get another saw I would likely get another STIHL, I like how everything is arranged on them plus if you aren't careful starting the Husky you can easily cut your hand on the sharp plastic therefore I usually have to wear gloves when I run my Husky.

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If your firewood operation is much of a firewood operation at all, I would consider something else for my larger saw other than that 290. A 441/460, 372xp/576xp, or a dolmar 7900. Any one of them will easialy outcut that 290 by a factor of 2. You would be MUCH more productive and do so much more in less time.

burnieman · Jul 27, 2012

I called the local (very reputable) saw shop and they said it would cost about $250.00 to do a complete rebuild on the 036. That's with a new piston and sleeve. Just wondering how long I can expect this to last. I should probably replace the sprocket also seeing how it's still the original. I just haven't had much luck over the years with rebuilt motors. I cut about 7 cords of wood a year for my 2 properties and constant clearing projects thru out the year at the mountain property. I would kinda like to have a shiny new saw, I look at them every time I'm in the lumber yard but this one has never let me down. Plus I have 14 extra chains that cost me too. (I have an Oregon chain grinder that works great). But I would like a shiny new saw too.

RobertN · Jul 27, 2012

I remember reading over on the chainsaw website a while back that some of the Stihls(newer ones). I saw recomendations for similar situation, for the person to make the saw shop let them(saw owner) start it, not the salesman or mechanic.

Let the salesman/mechanic show/tutor him the "trick".

jwstewar said:
F-I-L bought a new Stihl a couple of years back to replace is old tired chainsaw from some place like Wal-Mart that had done well, but finally had worn out. He hates this new saw. He can never get it started when he needs it. He takes it back to the dealer and they keep it a couple of days and it'll start again. Then he goes to use it again and it won't start again. Each time costs him $50 - $75 to "fix" it. Back when we had the storm at the end of June I tried to get it to start and couldn't. Back to the dealer. I think he is ready to go by an Echo after seeing the service I've gotten from my Echo string trimmer and the fact it has a 5 year warranty.

2LaneCruzer · Jul 27, 2012

I bought a Stihl last year; don't recall the model, but it has the easy-start feature; paid about $280 for it. The easy start feature is nice, expecially if you have shoulder pain like I do, and it cuts fine. Only problem, and I don't really know how to describe it, is when the chain gets loose, it sometimes quits cutting...sorta like the bar binds up and the chain doesn't make contact and free wheels a bit. Weird, but that's the only way I know to describe it.

CompactTractorFan · Jul 27, 2012

We got one of the Huskys from Lowes...Returned it the next day and bought a Stihl from the dealer...End of story...

s219 · Jul 27, 2012

jwstewar said:
I think he is ready to go by an Echo after seeing the service I've gotten from my Echo string trimmer and the fact it has a 5 year warranty.

In my experience, Echos are consistent, reliable, easy starting saws. I have one Echo, and it has never let me down whatsoever. For 40cc and under, I don't think they can be beat.

Pete Judd · Jul 27, 2012

About 3 of the Stihll's here, My old farm boss must be 20-30 years old, and never taken to the shop. 2 of the smaller ones, as I age, easy to lift, and cut fast up to 24 inches if moved around the tree. Great saws, live here around loggers, most use Sthil, but a few Huskys, but most of those have at least 5 ft bars on them.

MotorSeven · Jul 28, 2012

burnieman said:
I called the local (very reputable) saw shop and they said it would cost about $250.00 to do a complete rebuild on the 036. That's with a new piston and sleeve. Just wondering how long I can expect this to last. I should probably replace the sprocket also seeing how it's still the original. I just haven't had much luck over the years with rebuilt motors. I cut about 7 cords of wood a year for my 2 properties and constant clearing projects thru out the year at the mountain property. I would kinda like to have a shiny new saw, I look at them every time I'm in the lumber yard but this one has never let me down. Plus I have 14 extra chains that cost me too. (I have an Oregon chain grinder that works great). But I would like a shiny new saw too.

Is the piston scored, have you had the compression checked?? If it's not scored, then fuel lines/etc, sprocket & a new bar will be under a hundred bucks. $250 is not bad at all, just make sure they use Stihl parts and that the crank seals are replaced. Other than straight gassing a saw, the other reasons for a scored piston is the crankshaft seals leaking, a worn out air filter or improper carb settings. Other that a saw can last just about forever.

Original sprocket? You should have gone through several in that many years.

I like shiny new things too, but I would still fix the 036 since having a back up saw(s) is always a good idea. I never go into the woods without three, usually the 361, the 024 or 028 and always the 192T. I find myself reaching for that little top handle all the time, what a great little saw.