Husqvarna v Chainsaw

Between Husqvarna and Stihl, I'd go with Dolmar.

I just bought a Husky 445 and absolutely love it. I had been using my dad's old Husky 350 and my new one, IMO, is much better. Couldn't say anything good or bad about Stihl's because I've never used one.

Its the same as Chevy vs Ford. The debate will go on forever. Bottom line is they both make great saws, and they both make home owner quality and pro quality. You will know the difference by looking at the $$$

hydestone said:

I am on the market for a new chainsaw and am wondering what saw scores better: Husqvarna or Stihl.

I cut about 3-4 chords per year plus occasional trees and limbs. I haven't found any real deals on the internet and the shops around my house seem to be steep. I'd like to buy one locally to support area dealers. Any other advantages to buying local?

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They're both great saws. You will never wear out either.

I'll echo Mranum and Big_Redd . . . I grew up using Stilhl saws, but the local dealership switched over to just selling and servicing Huskys so I now own a Husky. I haven't noticed a real difference with either the Stilhl or Husky . . . they're both a challenge to spell correctly . . . but both work well, run reliably and should give you years of service.

They're both excellent saws our dealer sells both. The best saw for you depends on the main source of wood you'll be harvesting from. I would go to a dealer and avoid the BB stores.

Not to highjack the thread, but Ironman 70 could you elaborate on the Husky 445? I've been looking everywhere for a review of these newer, lower emissions, Husky saws. Everything I've read seems to be that the older, 350's were better. Seeing that you have experience with both 445 and 350 could you do a quick comparison?

If you want feel free to PM me. I'm very interested to hear your point of view.

Thanks!

ClydesdaleBurner said:

Not to highjack the thread, but Ironman 70 could you elaborate on the Husky 445? I've been looking everywhere for a review of these newer, lower emissions, Husky saws. Everything I've read seems to be that the older, 350's were better. Seeing that you have experience with both 445 and 350 could you do a quick comparison?

If you want feel free to PM me. I'm very interested to hear your point of view.

Thanks!

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I know nothing of them, but anything designed for anything other than what it's meant for (a low emission saw, for example) sucks.

sl7vk said:

Between Husqvarna and Stihl, I'd go with Dolmar.

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Now thats one sided!lol

I can tell you this if you compare saws in size(cc,bar hp cid)you get more saw for your money with a husqvarna and the stihl produc seem a little higher in price (chain loops filters bars ect) I'm not saying any thing bad about stihl I have a husqvarna 455 rancher and love it my buddy has a stihl farmboss and loves his neither of us are in a race when cutting and still get the same amount of wood if your gooing to cut a fair amount ofwood I would also figure in a pair of chaps(30 yrs of cutting with out them and then 2 seconds of moving chain across my leg and now I dont limp out there with out them)safety first

Both are good. I prefer STIHL. Buy a pro series and it will be the last one you ever buy.

I doubt you can go too wrong with either a Husqvarna or Stihl. I know nothing about Stihl and have no experience running one. I, personally, am happy with the Husky 55 Rancher I have. I have thought about buying a Stihl just because I have never owned or used one. I think Husqvarna dealers may be just a wee bit more numerous down here.

If you can hold out until spring or summer, you may see more reasonable prices on saws. It seems they are very marked up from what I have seen on places like eBay. I guess everyone is in firewood cutting mode right now.

hydestone said:

I am on the market for a new chainsaw and am wondering what saw scores better: Husqvarna or Stihl.

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Both can be excellent. If you look at both make sure you are comparing like saws. In other words it does you no good to compare a pro-grade Husky with a homeowner grade Stihl, or vice versa. Secondly, consider if a particular dealer makes more sense for you.

hydestone said:

Which do you think goes in for service more often?

What are the pros and cons of Huskies and Stihls? Do they basically have the same features?

How long do you think a cared for Farm Boss will last?

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1. Neither brand should need service all that often if not ever if properly cared for. If you can afford a pro-grade saw from either company that will be doubly true. None of my pro-grade saws have ever seen the inside of a shop since new, and that is with exceptionally hard use.

2. If you are looking at comparable grades of each there are only subtle ergonomic and design differences. Same basic operational features, and identical safety features.

3. Depends on your usage. If its light use and you care for the saw, it could easily last 15+ years.

What are the differences....

Husky uses an external drive sprocket, Stihl an internal..... I prefer an internal myself, but this isn't that big of a deal, I guess..... External is harder to change the chain and gets dirtier.

The FarmBoss is a dog.... Yes I said it.... again..... And yes I've had a couple of drinks tonight and don't mind the firestorm that will ensue.

Listen, if you are looking for a good saw, we need to know what you are cutting, how big, how much, how often.

My favorite light multipurpose saw, is the one I own.

1) Dolmar 5100
2) Husqvarna 346 xp ne
3) Stihl 260

These are 50cc saws that are light, powerful, can cut with a 16-20 inch bar, and are all pro grade.

The Dolmar you can get for under 400 clams, the Husqvarna, will set you back, 475, the Stihl, around 490. I actually like them in reverse order of price.

I think the Dolmar kicks ass, the Husky 346 xp ne is badass, and the 260 is good.

Don't get the heavy old, farm boss. If you are going to spend 360 on the farm boss, just spend 40 to 130 dollars more and get a great saw that you won't ever replace, and that doesn't weigh 13 pounds.

The saws I've just mentioned weigh 2 pounds less (yes this is a big deal) and have more HP's then the FarmDog.

Just my opinion, and it's worth the price charged......

hydestone said:

Unfortunately I can't wait until spring...my saw just died the other day.

Apparently I melted a piston? Make since? They said either bad gas, bad oil or dull chain. Or fuel air ration incorrect and running too fast.

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Yeah you can melt a piston. Sounds like it would have a been running real lean and maybe running in hot weather too. I tend to run my stuff on the richer side, with the gasil mix as well as fuel:air mix. Its just a little more lubrication to me.

I can't see where a dull chain would have anything to do with it unless they figure you were lugging the motor too much and making it work too hard.

ClydesdaleBurner said:

Not to highjack the thread, but Ironman 70 could you elaborate on the Husky 445? I've been looking everywhere for a review of these newer, lower emissions, Husky saws. Everything I've read seems to be that the older, 350's were better. Seeing that you have experience with both 445 and 350 could you do a quick comparison?

If you want feel free to PM me. I'm very interested to hear your point of view.

Thanks!

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PM sent ClydesdaleBurner

sl7vk said:

The FarmBoss is a dog.... Yes I said it.... again..... And yes I've had a couple of drinks tonight and don't mind the firestorm that will ensue.

Don't get the heavy old, farm boss. If you are going to spend 360 on the farm boss, just spend 40 to 130 dollars more and get a great saw that you won't ever replace, and that doesn't weigh 13 pounds.

The saws I've just mentioned weigh 2 pounds less (yes this is a big deal) and have more HP's then the FarmDog.

Just my opinion, and it's worth the price charged......

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I was going to comment earlier, but I refrained from doing so. I did not want a Husky/Stihl debate raging. But, some handymen at my workplace were clearing some brush out back. They had a Stihl MS290 farm boss they left in our garage for the night. I guess it is somewhat the equivalent of my Husky 55 Rancher. I thought about cranking it up and trying it out on something, but all I did was pick it up and handle it. The first thing I noticed was how doggone heavy it seemed. It just didn't feel right. It may be peppier than my Rancher, so I reserved overall judgement.

And yes, two pounds after a while does make a difference.

A dull chain creates lingering saw dust that's quickly inhaled by the air filter causing the saw to operate hotter. A sharp chain creates heavier chips that are thrown clear.

The poor Farm Boss is getting hammered here :lol: I have a Farm Boos and the only problem I have had is the coil went bad on it. I replaced it myself and the new one was different design. Saw is over four years old now. It has never laid down on me while out cutting and I have cut trees larger than the 18 bar on it and it went through everything with no problems. If I were to buy a replacement saw it would most likely be a pro model but as I see it this saw shows no signs of quitting.

It is not light but I can start cutting a log and just hold on to it lightly and the saw does all the work. I have not had to muscle the thing through wood. A friend has a husky. Not sure what model but it seems not as handy to use to me but I am alos not used to that style. I changed the chain on his and I know for sure I did not like the external clutch set up.

I would bet you will be happy no matter what saw you choose.

Well I have a rancher and my dad has the farmboss.
I use the rancher as the small limbing saw,and to cut pine and use the 372 as the big saw.
My father just uses the farm boss as an all around saw.
If I was only to get one I'd go with the Farm Boss.
Or a 60cc saw from either company.

The farm boss isn't the lightest thing in the world, but it seems to have quite a bit more grunt than the rancher.
He found it at a pawn shop almost brand new in the case for 200.

I'm cutting and splitting next years wood and people keep stopping and buying it. I went to Danny's this morning and picked me up a new Stihl MS441. I dragged up six trees out of the woods and I don't think it took much more than five minutes to cut them into twenty, 12' lengths, to feed the Beaver.