Stihl vs Husqvarna

[5030]

Any saw will 'rip' so long as the loop is properly sharp and set correctly, really don't matter what powerhead or brand it is. Once the loop gets used and becomes dull and starts making sawdust instead of chips, everything goes to hell pretty quick and again, don't matter who made the powerhead. It's all in the cutting and not in the powerhead.

My Echo's run just as well as my Stihl's do. One thing that sets the Echo's over the Stihl's apart is the initial cost. Echo's are usually about 20% less retail than a comparable Stihl, FYI.

Just sold a MS Stihl and turned around and bought another Echo comparable model with the proceeds from the sale of the MS.

 

[WinterDeere]

Echo makes some great small and reliable saws. But what do they have that's even remotely comparable to Stihl's 500i?!?

I've owned a few Echo saws. All reliable as concrete... and damn near as heavy. Landscape crews seem to love them, probably owing to their high reliability. I've never seen an 80cc saw in their lineup, tho.

I was cutting a lot of very large wood for several years, and when burying the nose of a long bar, there's just no replacement for displacement. There are times when a little 60cc saw isn't gonna cut it in reasonable time, no matter how sharp and well-set that chain is.

Just like tractors, a small one can do nearly everything a big'un can do... just much slower.

 

[5030]

Go one Echo's website and have a look is all I can say. I have no need for a saw that size.

 

[WinterDeere]

Looks like they're all 50cc and under these days.

I've never had a bad experience with an Echo saw, they've all been reliable and solid saws. But all those I've ever owned have had lower power to weight than Stihl or Husqvarna, and it seems their largest saw today is smaller than the smallest saw I keep.

 

[D'oh]

I’m NOT writing this to start a Stihl/Husky war.

I rented a 12” diesel chipper from a well established rental company last week who is authorized to service Stihl and Husqvarna. (I didn’t realize a dealer could sell/service both).
I was talking to the GM a bit, discussing my dissatisfaction with new saws and their complexity when/if they break. He asked me what saws I ran. I told him I had 3 Stihls.
His comment to me was, “well at least you aren’t running Husqvarna, they outnumber Stihl for repairs in our shop by a lot and we sell more Stihl than Husqvarna”.

I am not brand loyal. This however kind of struck me as a pretty solid information from a guy who’s been in the saw business for like 40+ years.

Way back, I twisted wrenches at a Farm Machinery Dealership that sold Stihl and Husky saws both. Back in the 266 038 days.

All the Loggers still cut by Hand and ran Huskys because they had a pile of Parts Saws, but Yes, I would have to say that Stihl had a better saw.

Plastic Tank and Rubber Carb boot, Gas wouldn't Boil in the Tank. Today, I couldn't tell you, but I can go to Canadian Tire and buy a Husky Home Saw, so I know which Brand Identity has survived.

I haven't had to buy one, the 25 year old 026 still runs like new, as it should, it has less than 20 Cord of Firewood under it's use.

 

[jyoutz]

Way back, I twisted wrenches at a Farm Machinery Dealership that sold Stihl and Husky saws both. Back in the 266 038 days.

All the Loggers still cut by Hand and ran Huskys because they had a pile of Parts Saws, but Yes, I would have to say that Stihl had a better saw.

Plastic Tank and Rubber Carb boot, Gas wouldn't Boil in the Tank. Today, I couldn't tell you, but I can go to Canadian Tire and buy a Husky Home Saw, so I know which Brand Identity has survived.

I haven't had to buy one, the 25 year old 026 still runs like new, as it should, it has less than 20 Cord of Firewood under it's use.

I have an old Stihl 036 pro that still runs great. They don’t make them like that anymore.

 

[WinterDeere]

I have an old Stihl 036 pro that still runs great. They don’t make them like that anymore.

An 064 AV and 036 PRO are my regular pairing, for my 10 - 15 cords per year. Great saws.

 

[Hay Dude]

Im really getting to like my 261C and 500i pairing. 261c getting way more miles as you would expect. 500I just melts through bigger stuff with its’ higher HP.

261c might be about the nicest grab & go, all purpose saw I’ve ever owned. Blew through this wild cherry like butter

 

[Hay Dude]

Go one Echo's website and have a look is all I can say. I have no need for a saw that size.

If you only do small work, small saws are all you need. 500I probably too much saw for you.

 

[Hay Dude]

An 064 AV and 036 PRO are my regular pairing, for my 10 - 15 cords per year. Great saws.

I’m always looking for deals on all equipment, including saws. After your testimony and a few others here, I’ve included those 2 saws in my searches. Hear nothing but good about them.