RocketJSquirrel
Bronze Member
I *believe* the current JD saws are Italian-made? I guess JD has switched sources a few times but the current ones are supposed to be really well built. That and 99 cents will get you a coffee at McDonalds.
The endless debate - Husky or Stihl?? Why??
- Thread starter raptor
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rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
An interesting twist that I have noticed: Stihl will only sell through servicing dealers, and won't let them sell mail order. HuskyJonesredPoulonHomelite is showing up everywhere. I think that they are only letting servicing dealers get the Jonesred... This marketing strategey is both good and bad. So is Stihl's.
BTW I have a Stihl 026pro that I like a lot. I am someone who doesn't "need" the compression release. That said, I use it all the time. I really like the side chain adjust. I wouldn't hesitate to get a husky, either.
BTW I have a Stihl 026pro that I like a lot. I am someone who doesn't "need" the compression release. That said, I use it all the time. I really like the side chain adjust. I wouldn't hesitate to get a husky, either.
rockyridgefarm
Elite Member
The "saw" i usually use is my pole saw. I have an attatchment for my weedcutter, but I;ve used the Stihl, and it is great
Buster57
Platinum Member
I had a John Deere 030S weed trimmer-built by HomeLite. I used it for less then two years and it died. I now use a Stihl FS250 (actually cost less then the JD/HomeLite) and love it.
I will never use John Deere accessory equipment like lawn mowers, weed trimmers EVER again. They are built too weak, are not backed up like other brands, and cost too much.
I had a Stihl 032 chain saw and plan to buy a Stihl 044 with a 24" bar. From that I supposed you could say I am firmly in the Stihl camp.
I will never use John Deere accessory equipment like lawn mowers, weed trimmers EVER again. They are built too weak, are not backed up like other brands, and cost too much.
I had a Stihl 032 chain saw and plan to buy a Stihl 044 with a 24" bar. From that I supposed you could say I am firmly in the Stihl camp.
JohnMiller3
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2001
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- Tractor
- Satoh S650G, MF135, MF165, JD5205
<font color=blue>...plan to buy a Stihl 044 with a 24" bar...</font color=blue>
My buddy has the 044... but for some reason he always asks to use my 038... , his 044 is a nice saw... but my 038 just fits like a glove... and it's next to impossible to stop this saw... fierce output that doesn't know any limitations... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I have a baby Craftsman Turbo (Poulan) I used for limbing and firewood... very lightweight, not tiresome... but let a relative borrow it and it was brought back in pieces...literally and physically.../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
But up to that point was extremely dependable...
My buddy has the 044... but for some reason he always asks to use my 038... , his 044 is a nice saw... but my 038 just fits like a glove... and it's next to impossible to stop this saw... fierce output that doesn't know any limitations... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I have a baby Craftsman Turbo (Poulan) I used for limbing and firewood... very lightweight, not tiresome... but let a relative borrow it and it was brought back in pieces...literally and physically.../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
But up to that point was extremely dependable...
fractal
Gold Member
It probably is an endless debate. I went down to the local lawn equipment shop last year and asked them the same question. I wasn't sure which I wanted but had narrowed it down to the two. My old electric saw did a good job back on the 6000 sq ft lot but just didn't cut it on a full acre full of trees. I still use it to trim the lower branches off the xmas tree but use the husky for everything else.
They had both husky and stihl on the shelf. I explained my needs and left the store with a husky 141. He told me point blank that if I used the tool every day that he would have sold me the stihl, but since I do not, the husky is a little more forgiving if you forget to drain the gas and/or do not run it every month. Whether or not that is true I can't say but the husky has treated me well.
The only problem I had was when I used the wrong fuel/oil ratio and it cloged the plug. The dealer serviced the saw at no charge and gave me a 6 pack of husky oil as well. Guess there are some advantages to paying retail at a specialty shop some times.
My trimmer doesn't mind the lower fuel
il mixture either. Not sure why the store sells multiple types but did learn that you have to be careful and buy the correct one for your equipment.
They had both husky and stihl on the shelf. I explained my needs and left the store with a husky 141. He told me point blank that if I used the tool every day that he would have sold me the stihl, but since I do not, the husky is a little more forgiving if you forget to drain the gas and/or do not run it every month. Whether or not that is true I can't say but the husky has treated me well.
The only problem I had was when I used the wrong fuel/oil ratio and it cloged the plug. The dealer serviced the saw at no charge and gave me a 6 pack of husky oil as well. Guess there are some advantages to paying retail at a specialty shop some times.
My trimmer doesn't mind the lower fuel
il mixture either. Not sure why the store sells multiple types but did learn that you have to be careful and buy the correct one for your equipment.Anonymous Poster
Epic Contributor
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- Sep 27, 2005
- Messages
- 29,678
Raptor, I have owned 15 Stihl saws and loved all of them. I always buy new, run them for 150 cords or so, then trade to new again. I have been using 046 magnum models with 20" bars because of their unbelievable power and speed. I recently listened to my sore back and bought a MS 260. It really surprised me in all aspects. Power is good, runs a long time on a tank of fuel, and has good balance. No sore back, either! I will use this saw more than I originally bought it for, I just wanted something to limb trees with, but it will make firewood fast. Definitely enough saw for 99% of firewood cutters. No need for the extra $30 for Pro model, I think. I got a 20" bar so no need to bend over to cut stuff on the ground. Haggle with the dealer and you will get nearly 10% off list. Use stihl pre-mix in your fuel and you'll never change a spark plug, I haven't in 28 years of running Stihl.
ebeacham
Silver Member
I like Husky and have liked them ever since I worked for a guy who built docks. We used the saws to cut treated pilings up to 24" in diameter. The Stihls didn't seem to hold up to the marine environment as well and the husky's had more power to weight than the Stihls'. That was 9 years ago and things may be different now. The only thing I can say for sure is that a friend of mine has an 026 Stihl and my HUsky model 51 out cuts it any day. Funny thing though is that I only use Stihl chains on my saw, I really believe they are superior to the Husky OEM chains.
Egon
Epic Contributor
My well used Husky 51 of 10 or so years ingested a screw the held a part of the choke in place. Somehow the air filter was not correctly in place. Cost of repairs persuaded me to purchase a Husky 365 with an 18 in. bar. It does cut nice. Now for a rip chain.
I do find some of the ergonomics of the new saw not as good as the old one. The start/stop switch is difficult to operate with gloves. The handle does not have sufficient room to get your foot in when starting and the chain catcher is a pain. Really like the tensioning device.
Egon
I do find some of the ergonomics of the new saw not as good as the old one. The start/stop switch is difficult to operate with gloves. The handle does not have sufficient room to get your foot in when starting and the chain catcher is a pain. Really like the tensioning device.
Egon
RobertN
Super Member
Since I just made a major investment in Husky over the last couple of days... I can answer as little bit.
Every Stihl and Husky I have used has worked wonderfully! The biggest part of the decision for me is where can I buy them?
We have a wonderful shop just down the road that sells Husky, as well as a bunch of other outdoor tools(and rental). So, I go with them.
This last couple of days, we bought a 145 blower and a 335xpt saw. both work great. The saw is really cool for trimming and limbing. It is an arborists saw, and is made for working in trees and awkward positions.
I also have a Husky 225R brush cutter/trimmer. I've had it for about seven years now. Up till the Makita Jack hammer, it was the best tool I have bought(ok, besides the Kubota).
Either one is great. Pricing may depend on where you shop, and if the saws are really comparable.
Every Stihl and Husky I have used has worked wonderfully! The biggest part of the decision for me is where can I buy them?
We have a wonderful shop just down the road that sells Husky, as well as a bunch of other outdoor tools(and rental). So, I go with them.
This last couple of days, we bought a 145 blower and a 335xpt saw. both work great. The saw is really cool for trimming and limbing. It is an arborists saw, and is made for working in trees and awkward positions.
I also have a Husky 225R brush cutter/trimmer. I've had it for about seven years now. Up till the Makita Jack hammer, it was the best tool I have bought(ok, besides the Kubota).
Either one is great. Pricing may depend on where you shop, and if the saws are really comparable.
