Best and worst chainsaw?

[MJZ]

I'll tell ya another really affordable great saw to have in your lineup that are being phased out. an Echo 4910, better grab em while you can!

Saws are so unique. I had my worst experience with the 4510. I'm sure the 4910 and your experience is great.

 

[MJZ]

If you watch any TV that carries the shows about logging, log homes, Alaskan living, etc, you'll notice that the only chain saw you see anybody use is a Stihl.

Probably getting paid by Stihl?

 

[MJZ]

every single saw I have used and most engines that use a choke start that way.

That's how both my echo and stihl start w/o failure.

 

[TimberFarm]

Wow, 11 pages. I haven't read past the first two.

I just picked up a Husq 562xp mkii. My Stihl 390 was stolen along with my two Makita 36v.

The Stihl was at least 15 maybe 18 years old. I bought it when my 20+ year old Homelite SuperXL bit the dust. The Stihl was very stubborn if cutting in hot weather. It gave the high rev warning when it was about to run out of gas and you had about 10-15 seconds to kill it before it died. If you didn't, that saw would fight you all the way to get it re-started. I got to be tuned in to the revs and when it sped up I knew to hit the switch. Then, fill the tank back up and start on the first pull.

When I had to shop for a new one, I read all the reviews on the new model 391. I didn't like what I read. Bad customer support from Stihl, always blaming burn't pistons on "no oil in the fuel". BS!. Add to that all the complaints of hard starting cold, not just hot. Add to that, the saw now cost $800 vs the $450 I paid way back when.

So, I started reading up on Husq. Came to the conclusion of getting the 562 xp, but read that had starting problems too. Then deeper dive into Husq message boards and everybody saying get the MKii with the re-designed engine and recalibrated AutoTune. So, I settled on that, another $800 saw. Problem was nobody, nobody, in eastern half of NC had the saw. Everyone said the same thing...backordered. I called into VA and managed to find somebody that had one. Tomorrow will be my first use of it.

 

[Rockbadchild]

If you watch any TV that carries the shows about logging, log homes, Alaskan living, etc, you'll notice that the only chain saw you see anybody use is a Stihl.

There could be various reason for this, Stihl are easier to work on and are cheaper ($$) then Husqvarna but Husqvarna are slightly more performant, they have a higher RPM, globally more professional logger used Husqvarna then Stihl... I know that historically Husqvarna has been more reliable. I personally think both are good and when making that choice it comes down to agronomic, purchase price and/or simply personal preference.

 

[TimberFarm]

There could be various reason for this, Stihl are easier to work on and are cheaper ($$) then Husqvarna but Husqvarna are slightly more performant, they have a higher RPM, globally more professional logger used Husqvarna then Stihl... I know that historically Husqvarna has been more reliable. I personally think both are good and it comes down to agronomic and personal preference.

Everybody and their cousin is a Stihl dealer.
Husqvarna, less around for their pro models.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Everybody and their cousin is a Stihl dealer.
Husqvarna, less around for their pro models.

not sure what this means

 

[DutchInNZ]

I have a Homelite and a smaller Poulan, which I both got for free from a mate. The Homelite was hardly used because "it does not cut". No wonder; why would a big saw come originally equipped with one of those amateur safety chains? A real chain brought it back to normal.

The Poulan was some 15 years old and had lost compression. I got a cylinder/piston plus carburettor from Aliexpress in China at abt. US$17.00 delivered and changed it from 14 to 16 inch. Compared to a new one, the compression is insanely high and now that saw has an enormous staying power.

 

[TimberFarm]

not sure what this means

Means everywhere I turn around here there is a Stihl dealer sign hanging. Mom and pop hardware stores, Ace Hdw, landscape companies, you name it.
Husqvarna sells their homeowner line in Tractor Supply and Lowes. If you want a pro line, only landscape equipment stores that sell the higher end mowers, etc.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Means everywhere I turn around here there is a Stihl dealer sign hanging. Mom and pop hardware stores, Ace Hdw, landscape companies, you name it.
Husqvarna sells their homeowner line in Tractor Supply and Lowes. If you want a pro line, only landscape equipment stores that sell the higher end mowers, etc.

ha I see, for us in kanasta Husqvarna dealer are popular and is the choice for most. Most utility type store in my area actually sell both Stihl and Husqvarna.

 

[kenhar]

Over the years I have had Homelite, McCullah, John Deere (echo), and Poulan. Now have 3 Husqvarnas. The 266 was bought new in 1984, still screams. The only time it doesn't start and run is when it's out of gas. Seems to be a bit heavier than it use to be.

 

[DarkBlack]

I think the reason is, e-gas burns hotter than regular no corn alky gas.

It’s blended to take advantage of ethanol’s higher octane to achieve the required level of octane without other additives
If it burned hotter, you’d make more power, since heat is what creates the pressure in the cylinder.

 

[DarkBlack]

If you watch any TV that carries the shows about logging, log homes, Alaskan living, etc, you'll notice that the only chain saw you see anybody use is a Stihl.

That’s called sponsorship. Not much more

 

[DarkBlack]

I don't think there is a better 60cc saw than the 562XP.

My largest saw is my 372xp which I bought as the last production run before they changed months later to emissions compliant X-Torque series. It’s the same weight as a newer 562xp, but has 71cc’s and more HP. It rips.

 

[Cycledude]

My largest saw is my 372xp which I bought as the last production run before they changed months later to emissions compliant X-Torque series. It’s the same weight as a newer 562xp, but has 71cc’s and more HP. It rips.

I probably would have bought 372xp but it’s simply too heavy for me to carry around in the woods. I am a 562xp owner.

 

[4570Man]

I have a 272 and it is a good saw. Super dependable. I like to use it.

I agree on the spring anti vibe being better than rubber bushings. That is why I said earlier in this thread the Stihl 361 is the best saw going. It has spring antivibe, a true 2 stoke, and non stratified motor.

The 372 is a great saw, but there are two different 372. The later "XP" model is an EPA saw, the earlier non XP is a non stratified motor. The earlier 372 OE is much better than the later 372 XP.

I ran the 500i once for a tank of gas. Boy did that tank go fast. But nice saw...

I’ve not noticed my 500i burning gas at a rate exceeding my other saws but I don’t measure each fill up and time it either.

 

[olenjohn]

No deal is a deal unless it’s a Stihl. I own 16 chainsaws. Three of them are Stihl’s. Hands down they outperform all the others. Polulan, Husky, Homelite, Skill, Echo, Remington

 

[airbiscuit]

Everything out performs a Remington.

 

[John_Mc]

I was using the Stabil 360 and then noticed it should not be used for making 2-stroke mixes (with 2-stroke oil). The red Stabil can be used with 2-stroke mixtures. I'll have to look at the Stabil Marine.

Where did you see this?

From the Stabil website:
"STA-BIL 360° PROTECTION™ can be used in any gasoline engine, including 2cycle, but is specifically designed for use in higher end vehicles and equipment, such as classic/hot rod type vehicles, motorcycles, and ATV’s. For Marine engines, we recommend the use of STA-BIL® 360° MARINE." [emphasis added]

 

[JeepHead]

My largest saw is my 372xp which I bought as the last production run before they changed months later to emissions compliant X-Torque series. It’s the same weight as a newer 562xp, but has 71cc’s and more HP. It rips.

I had a 372XP but have not seen it in two years after loaning it to a "friend".