Stihl or Husky?

If you want one that will last you another eleven and a half years get yourself another Stihl. That brand has already proven itself to you once. I wouldn't even be considering another. Do you need a 61cc saw? Maybe something like a MS 390 would work and would run you around $400 or so. I have an MS390 with a muffler mod and it kicks but on all the hickory and oak I cut.

naptime said:

My 11 and a half year old Stihl 036 is sounding poorly of late, and I'm looking at a replacement. It's a 61.5cc with a 20" bar. The dealer says the MS 362 is comparable, but the sticker shock sent me looking at Husqvarna. I think I can get the 460 Rancher for $450, about $280 cheaper than the Stihl. Price-wise, I can't do much as there is only one dealer around for a few hundred miles. Any input is welcome and appreciated, but I will be out for the next two hours and then will check back.

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Whispering Bill Anderson said it best:



(Stihl) after all this time (Stihl) you're still on my mind (I love you Stihl)

I don't think it matters either way. They both apparently make good saws. I have never ran a Stihl saw, but all the Stihl owners are quite vociferous about how good they are. The homeowner Husky saws sold at the big box stores aren't the same quality as the XP saws though. That being said, I have a Lowe's 55 Rancher that I have ran very hard for 6 years and it still cranks and runs fine with zero problems.

I've cut over 4 cord a year with my 455 Rancher for over 5 years and it has not missed a beat. I love my "Box Store" Husky.

naptime said:

Thanks for all the replies so far. I guess it comes down to the fact that I know Stihl, but I don't know Huskies. The dealer even suggested a re-build of the Stihl 036, as he says it was a very good saw and would cost about half the price of new. But it has easily cut over 200 cords over those years.

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I was gonna ask you why it ONLY lasted 11 years... Nevermind... Get a new saw (no recommendations from me) and rebuild your 036 on your own time with your own hands.

Other than the fact that STIHL is the #1 rated professional chainsaw this wood be another reason to buy a STIHL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSslcvkEUr0&feature=related

Whats wrong with it? A tune up may be all it takes. If not, I would go for the rebuild. Sure you could do it yourself as suggested. I've never heard of a Stihl getting tired after only that amount of time 200 cords or not. Was it new when you bought it or were those 200 cords cut by someone else?

True about the 390. I've had one for two years with a 25" bar and love it.

No no no ,,,, The 36 is done and you need to sell it to me CHEAP

Then run down and buy another stihl..

I would look for a deal on a used 044,440 046,460....

southbound said:

No no no ,,,, The 36 is done and you need to sell it to me CHEAP

Then run down and buy another stihl..

I would look for a deal on a used 044,440 046,460....

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Noooooooo........... ME FIRST! But seriously, I'd rebuild or have that 036 rebuilt before I'd buy a box store saw. I think if you price a Husky pro model you'll find the prices comparable to the Stihl. From there imo it comes down to which "local" dealer is better. Get the 036 checked out to make sure it's worn out, & doesn't just need some minor repairs. AC

naptime said:

Kenster said:

I've never heard of a Stihl getting tired after only that amount of time 200 cords or not. Was it new when you bought it or were those 200 cords cut by someone else?

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Yeah, well you're asking if I'm a liar or if I'm just lying?

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No, I think he's asking was it new 11 years ago and then you put 200 cords on it, or is it older than that with 200 cords on it not necessarily all by you.

naptime, all my saws are over 30yrs old. All still get to have a chance to play at the woodpile. Any of the two saws should make you happy. I would still hold on to your saw and have some fun with it. Pretty simple machines. 11 years must of had some serious run time.
Cheers.

Ok my take on this...

I don't like paying for new saws when I can find a deal and fix it myself... I have my fil 036 apart waiting for some cash to rebuild. So yes I think your 36 is worth fixing...

Now if you watch the bay for a oem p&c you can get good deals. I just got a top end kit for my 046 oem stihl $150 in the box shipped..

Even if you decide to split the case and do new bearings you should be able to fix it up for under $300.... Now if paint and stuff matters to you maybe a little more... All my saws are work saws so I don't care if there is paint or not...

naptime said:

Kenster said:

Do you need a 61cc saw? Maybe something like a MS 390 would work and would run you around $400 or so.

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I don't see a 390 on the Stihl website. There's a MS 391 at 64.1cc and a MS 290 at 56.5cc. I'm 61 now, so maybe I should consider something lighter for the road ahead.

HeatsTwice said:

Whats wrong with it? A tune up may be all it takes. If not, I would go for the rebuild. Sure you could do it yourself as suggested. I've never heard of a Stihl getting tired after only that amount of time 200 cords or not. Was it new when you bought it or were those 200 cords cut by someone else?

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The spark is good and I let it warm up inside from -30F and no gas vapor, so I don't think there's any leaks there. But it's making a strange slight popping noise when running and not getting up to full rpm. Unlike some, I guess, I'm getting less and less inclined to play mechanic as the years pile on.

Yeah, well you're asking if I'm a liar or if I'm just lying?

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Rereading this makes me think fuel line/filter or maybe the carb needs retuning....

I wish I could hear the popping sound..

Danno77 said:

naptime said:

Yeah, well you're asking if I'm a liar or if I'm just lying?

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No, I think he's asking was it new 11 years ago and then you put 200 cords on it, or is it older than that with 200 cords on it not necessarily all by you.

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Thats what I meant. I can easily see someone putting 200 cords through a saw over 11 years. But if it wasn't you that did it, perhaps the guy you got it from did. To me, it sounds like the saw is still in good shape and may only need a few tweeks here and there.

My question is what are you using the saw to cut? I have a 12 year old 025 and still keeps up with me cutting red oak, hickory, and walnut. This year I just purchased a new ms 250 cb with a 18" bar. All I can is I love this thing. If you still needed more power go with the ms290 farm boss. under 400 yet.

naptime said:

My 11 and a half year old Stihl 036 is sounding poorly of late, and I'm looking at a replacement. It's a 61.5cc with a 20" bar. The dealer says the MS 362 is comparable, but the sticker shock sent me looking at Husqvarna. I think I can get the 460 Rancher for $450, about $280 cheaper than the Stihl. Price-wise, I can't do much as there is only one dealer around for a few hundred miles. Any input is welcome and appreciated, but I will be out for the next two hours and then will check back.

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If you want the best saw made, buy a Stihl

If you want an orange saw, buy a Husqy

Naptime, yes there seem to be lot's of Stihl fans... They make good stuff. So does Husky. The key is to compare the same "grade" of saws between the two.

Stihl makes "homeowner" saws that are a clamshell design, like the MS250, with Chinese carbs and the lowest cost components that they think they can get away with. They also make great "pro" level saws like the MS200T, that have an easily serviceable piston and cylinder and a better power to weight ratio. They make some saws kind of in between, like the 361, I think.

Husky does the same thing. Their pro saws are quite nice and loved by their fans; the Rancher series is kind of their mid level range, and very reliable, but not as repairable or as powerful for their weight as their "pro" level xp saws.

I don't think you could go wrong with a new mid-level Husky, if the power to weight ratio works for you. If you want lighter with more power, you will probably want a pro level Husky or pro level Stihl. I buy Stihls mostly because I get decent pricing from a family friend. I have owned several Huskies, and still keep a 20+ year old model 45 around because it is dead cold reliable and asks for almost nothing in return.

But I'd probably Stihl fix your existing saw, first!

"was really wondering if the Husky compared or not, that is all."

This is a Ford/Chevy debate. Yes the Husky's compare (and to some people are liked MORE).

Make sure you are comparing apples to apples though.

The 362 should be compared to the 357XP.......these are both pro saws and you will pay a premium.

The 455/460 Husqvarna should be compared to the Stihl 290/311/391....... they are homeowner grade saws, thus the price is better and very well may meet your needs (you cut a lot of wood though).

I own and have run quite a few Husky's, but if I was a person looking for a single firewood saw to run with a 18"-20" bar, I would seriously look at the Husky 359. Kinda of falls in the middle sharing a lot of the solid construction features of the pro series at little better price.

My two cents.

naptime said:

My 11 and a half year old Stihl 036 is sounding poorly of late, and I'm looking at a replacement. It's a 61.5cc with a 20" bar. The dealer says the MS 362 is comparable, but the sticker shock sent me looking at Husqvarna. I think I can get the 460 Rancher for $450, about $280 cheaper than the Stihl. Price-wise, I can't do much as there is only one dealer around for a few hundred miles. Any input is welcome and appreciated, but I will be out for the next two hours and then will check back.

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Rebuild the 036.......................

smokinjay said:

naptime said:

My 11 and a half year old Stihl 036 is sounding poorly of late, and I'm looking at a replacement. It's a 61.5cc with a 20" bar. The dealer says the MS 362 is comparable, but the sticker shock sent me looking at Husqvarna. I think I can get the 460 Rancher for $450, about $280 cheaper than the Stihl. Price-wise, I can't do much as there is only one dealer around for a few hundred miles. Any input is welcome and appreciated, but I will be out for the next two hours and then will check back.

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Rebuild the 036.......................

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AND the 041 Super... Those two saws running right will cost less and perform as well as anything you can buy new (and for only half the cost.)

HittinSteel said:

This is a Ford/Chevy debate.

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Get whichever one is the Ford. :shut: