Stihl or Husqvarna

[Johndeere3720]

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]

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]

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]

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".

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]

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]

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

 

[s219]

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]

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]

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.

 

[catskinner]

Stihl's with easy start. These work great for my uses.

 

[Richard]

I have both Stihl and Husky saws, and find few real differences.

When I bought my Husky, the big deciding factor was that it had a compression release, which makes for easier starts. To get that feature on a Stihl, I would have to go up a couple of sizes.

Of course, a lot of young strong guys never find the compression release and they still get the saw started just fine. I am getting older and am glad to have it for me.

He pretty much stole any of my words right out of my mouth. I had a Husky 55 and stumbled onto a dealer closing shop with killer deals on Stihl so I bought TWO 044's and gave one to my brother in law. (Happy Birthday!)

Regardless, I sold the Husky to my wifes cousin who lives next door so it's still hanging around working fine. The Stihl is also working fine even after I drove over it with the rear wheel of my full sized industrial JCB backhoe/loader.

Pretty much folded the blade into 90 degee bend, smashed the holding bar and cracked the rope pull cover. That's it. Replaced those parts and it's back to work.

I like the idea of a compression release as well and it doesn't have it. Every now & then it will snap the cord out of my hand if I don't get a good hold and a good pull. Otherwise, I'd be hard pressed to say that you would go wrong with either brand.

 

[mjonesnh]

Have Stihl 026 amd MS362, Husky 142. 026 was inherited from my dad he bought new around 1987, still runs great. Ms 362 was purchased new last July to cut up some huge trees that were storm damage and the 026 just was not big enough.The Husky was purchased 4 years ago from a co-worker that was needing some quick money. Very good limbing saw and for small trees. Great saw for 100.00! looked at both Husky pro line and Stihl's pro line when I bought the MS362. Didn't really see much difference between the two brands and prices were similar in same Hp range. Husky only had 1 year warranty on their pro line and Stihl has 2 year if you buy their Ultra 2 stoke oil at the time of purchase. Can't say I would not have bought Husky if they had 2 year warranty on their pro saws.

 

[Cleburne]

I have a 20" 455 Rancher Husky. Dang good saw, will buy another one.

 

[Chilly807]

I've got a 242 Husky and an 044 Stihl. Both saws date from the late 80's and early 90's. Both were "pro" models when new, although I got them both used and not running. My advice is to stick with the pro models if you can, cheap is just that.. cheap. If you cut a few limbs off every year and cut up a cord of firewood, a lesser model will do, but the quality isn't the same. Plan on spending $600-$1000 if you want to get something really good.

Sean

 

[clemsonfor]

I had my decompression valve fall apart in the saw, locking my stihl ms390 up. It was my fault as it was bad for a while and i did not replace it. The valve lost its "snap" as you clicked it, would just push down and was not right. Anyway after taking it apart pulling the metal out and reassembling it it still is good as new. A small dent in the jug and 2 in piston, no wall scoring. After seeing how easy this is i wuld get a new cyl and piston, you can even get "big bore" kits off ebay. The regualr replacements are around $50 and the big bores are more at around $100. I would rebuilt it, there really easy if your a hands on repair your own stuff type person. I had mine apart and togeather in a few hours or so.

 

[clemsonfor]

Thinking the same thing. I have a ms 390 and in oak over about 18"s i wish i had a 440 or something bigger! I have a 20" bar and this year had some oak i was give that i had to cut from each side and just barely cut through it. I still plan on getting a 24-26" bar and running skip tooth but i sure wish when cutting the big stuff a bigger saw. Its fine for my wood cutting and i use 2-3 cords a year but if i was running a biz i would want to spend less time behind the saw and more time splitting it.

 

[clemsonfor]

My advice is to stick with the pro models if you can, cheap is just that.. cheap. If you cut a few limbs off every year and cut up a cord of firewood, a lesser model will do, but the quality isn't the same. Plan on spending $600-$1000 if you want to get something really good.

Sean

This ia why the rebuild is a good idea, esp if your 362 did all you wanted out of a saw.

 

[MotorSeven]

I can understand a de-comp on a 660 or 880, but I never even use the one on the 361. I used the one on my 660 some, but not always. I just don't think they are needed on small saws. I guess what I am saying is put your purse down and go cut some wood:laughing:

 

[jwstewar]

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".

Thanks for the tip. It will probably end up having to be me to learn the trick. I know I said he is about ready to go buy an Echo, but in reality his tool using days are all but over. He has surgery Aug 29 for lung cancer. Sorry for the hijacked....

 

[Johndeere3720]

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.

You are right, the 290 is a little underpowered for what I use it for. I do plan on getting a larger saw in the future like a 441/460, for now though it fits the bill.