Stihl or Husqvarna?

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Which do you prefer husqvarna or stihl?


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I'm a die-hard Stihl man, but since I bought that used Husqvarna 372XP, I think I'm having a slight emotional affair with it. That little saw is an animal, I can't believe the punch it packs for a 72cc saw. And only weighing 13lbs (powerhead), it packs some serious chit.......Stihl, Husqvarna, Dolmar, Echo.....all make good saws, it really comes down to dealer support for most guys. Me, on the other hand?....I buy all my stuff used, so I get what I can, when I can, and fix it up to USE THE PI$$ out of it!!
 
If you are going to purchase a homeowner model, I'd wait till 2013 if possible. The Husky Rancher models are all going to be autotune model (computer controlled carbs). I'd look for Stihl to move quickly to do the same.

Uhh, no. I don't care if I have to drag my Homelite out, I am NOT buying a saw with a computer controlled carb. The cars with them were crap (I had a mazda B2200, It was worthless until I put a single barrel Weber on it) , and I don't much care for EFI if I am dealing with something that I NEED to run NOW.
 
Just found a Stihl 046 with a junk top end but it looks to be complete.
$40.00 sound reasonable?
Bailey's sells a kit to make it 82cc but what was it stock?
 
Just found a Stihl 046 with a junk top end but it looks to be complete.
$40.00 sound reasonable?
Bailey's sells a kit to make it 82cc but what was it stock?

My 460 is 77 cc's.. 460/046 same saw? Other than some EPA chit... May be less cc's?

The pros will know for sure. As my 036 is 63cc's but a new 362 is 59cc's (EPA).

But for that price! I would give $100 bill right now....
 
Just found a Stihl 046 with a junk top end but it looks to be complete.
$40.00 sound reasonable?
Bailey's sells a kit to make it 82cc but what was it stock?
chit! If you don't buy it, send me the guy's number, I have two twenty dollar bills burning in my hand RIGHT NOW.......that 82cc kit is the MS460 Magnum kit. Get it.....
 
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chit! If you don't buy it, send me the guy's number, I have two twenty dollar bills burning in my hand RIGHT NOW.......that 82cc kit is the MS460 Magnum kit. Get it.....

Yea, what he said, except pm me the phone # instead. A C
 
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I had an old 1956-ish Pioneer RA (100cc) and I couldn't agree more, simple.serf! That loud, deep growl......I have since sold the old girl, all it ever did was sat in the shed and only got fired up every once in a while. My vintage dream saw is an old 1961 McCulloch BP1, the holy grail of vintage chainsaws IMHO. Almost pulled the trigger on a complete one last year at $600.00, but just couldn't do it. Now I wish I would have....

I'm sorry. There are a few saws you have to get when you get the chance because that chance may only come once. The BP-1 is certainly very near the top of the list and an absolute hoot to run.

I found my 166 after 2 years of looking. I know guys that have been looking for over 10 and haven't been able to find one they could afford. It doesn't help that the last one on eBay went for over $1600.

And I heartily agree on the sound of the old iron. The 166 has the best idle hands down but I love all the old saws in the wood. Last year at a GTG we had 4 Zips running at the same time. I think they moved the earth a bit on its axis which may explain this summer. ;em
 
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Uhh, no. I don't care if I have to drag my Homelite out, I am NOT buying a saw with a computer controlled carb. The cars with them were crap (I had a mazda B2200, It was worthless until I put a single barrel Weber on it) , and I don't much care for EFI if I am dealing with something that I NEED to run NOW.

I see your point. Definitely don't buy an awesome running saw because of your Mazda B2200. ;)
 
Uhh, no. I don't care if I have to drag my Homelite out, I am NOT buying a saw with a computer controlled carb. The cars with them were crap (I had a mazda B2200, It was worthless until I put a single barrel Weber on it) , and I don't much care for EFI if I am dealing with something that I NEED to run NOW.
The electronics have gotten a lot better since the late 70's carburetors. (agreed they were a lot more trouble than they were worth.) Funny thing is I can make just about any modern EFI controlled engine tell me what's wrong with it (or at least what it thinks the problem is) in less than 5 minutes. This includes the EFI systems that are creeping into small engines. No experience with the new saws from Husky/Stihl yet but when the MS461 hits the streets, bet your sweet behind mine will be the Mtronic version.
 
In my case the engines in question are always on farm trucks.... Wiring harnesses do not like mice chewing on them.

Look at a modern... say John Deere CUT. In 60 years will it still be running? Hell, It is getting hard to get parts for the 50 series (I maintain an '84 850).

Additionally, at work, I work on both large rack type refrigeration systems and production ovens. The refrigeration control can be a nightmare when it wants to... Firmware updates can take down an entire rack. On the oven side the old type ovens with relay logic are usually dismantled and reassembled when a store is shut down/opened. The "modern" ovens are usually scrapped. Try getting a control board for an early Hobart DRO2GH... You can't. Now imagine your people have a production requirement to meet... Not a good situation.

I buy my saws used, and am not looking forward to the first "Well, she needs a new control board, but we can't get that model anymore" from the parts shop. I've dealt with this from Cummins/Onan for as long as I can remember. usually their answer is " Well, You're SOL". With a mechanical carb, I can usually find something that will work.
 
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I buy my saws used, and am not looking forward to the first "Well, she needs a new control board, but we can't get that model anymore" from the parts shop. I've dealt with this from Cummins/Onan for as long as I can remember. usually their answer is " Well, You're SOL". With a mechanical carb, I can usually find something that will work.

As with everything, the market will adapt. You'll be able to buy hot-rodded aftermarket control boards, when the time comes. There are always smart folks out there, up to the challenge. It's likely your kids and grandkids will know more about tricking out the firmware of their new saw, than you knew about tuning carburetors.
 
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In my case the engines in question are always on farm trucks.... Wiring harnesses do not like mice chewing on them.

Look at a modern... say John Deere CUT. In 60 years will it still be running? Hell, It is getting hard to get parts for the 50 series (I maintain an '84 850).

I feel for ya on the x50 series. Easier to get parts for the Deere-built CUT's. If it helps, the 50 series was little more than a green and yellow Yanmar. I don't know if their availability is any better but I'd try for parts from a Yanmar dealer. Just got to nail down the equivalent Yanmar model. I've done the reverse, Deere parts on the Yanmar but haven't had to go hunting for red & grey parts for a green and yellow tractor, yet.

I buy my saws used, and am not looking forward to the first "Well, she needs a new control board, but we can't get that model anymore" from the parts shop. I've dealt with this from Cummins/Onan for as long as I can remember. usually their answer is " Well, You're SOL". With a mechanical carb, I can usually find something that will work.

Well if that control board craps out and becomes NLA, you bet I'll find a Walbro/Zama/Tillotson to strap to it and make it roar again.
 
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I have both Huskies and Stihls and I reach for my Huskies more than my Sthils because of what I feel is a better balance on the saws. Of course I'm comparing a bit older 036 and 440 to a newer 346XPand 372XPW.
 
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chit! If you don't buy it, send me the guy's number, I have two twenty dollar bills burning in my hand RIGHT NOW.......that 82cc kit is the MS460 Magnum kit. Get it.....

Well, crap.
Been emailing the guy since I found the saw and have yet to hear from him. As much as I love CL, I hate to find a killer deal and never hear from the seller, but the ad is still there.
Like waving a steak in front of a starving man.
 
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Just found a Stihl 046 with a junk top end but it looks to be complete.
$40.00 sound reasonable?
Bailey's sells a kit to make it 82cc but what was it stock?

BUY IT thats a great price
 
Well, crap.
Been emailing the guy since I found the saw and have yet to hear from him. As much as I love CL, I hate to find a killer deal and never hear from the seller, but the ad is still there.
Like waving a steak in front of a starving man.

I had the same thing happen last year guy had a 346xp sat for a couple of years for 100.00 when I got ahold of him the " wife" sold it which means my e-mail blew up maybe I underpriced it
 
Well, crap.
Been emailing the guy since I found the saw and have yet to hear from him. As much as I love CL, I hate to find a killer deal and never hear from the seller, but the ad is still there.
Like waving a steak in front of a starving man.

If they don't put a phone number in the ad, I never get my hopes up.
 
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