Husquvarna still or Ecco

[td25c]

Buy whatever brand you have good service and parts from, the best saw in the world still needs to be fixed, for me its Stihl, hands down due to the dealer.

Same story Randy .

Dealer is customer friendly and has a lot of parts & machines on the shelf .

 

[Randy88]

I can't recall all the saws we've had over the years, both brands and also models, been through so many dealers its not funny, some died, some retired, some were beyond worthless, others great and everything in between. Thinking back now, not sure how we got it all done, then again, not sure why we did most of it in the first place, there certainly were easier ways to make a living and heat a house and shop. We did wood working for a hobby, still do, but saws were the first things picked up, and the last thing set down, used hours on end, days on end and weeks and months on end, both used and abused beyond words. They did make my life easier, but hydraulics have made my life much easier still, now have a firewood processor and someday going to have a feller buncher before I die, if for nothing else, just because I've always wanted one and couldn't justify it.

For me now, the ideal chainsaw is the one I DON"T have to run or keep running, I now understand my grandpa's and dad's comment of been there done that, had about enough. So for me I really do enjoy it when I can hand the saw to someone else and point and say, that one there, cut it down and work it up enough so we can handle it with heavy equipment and watch as it gets done and taken care of.

My next step in life is do exactly what my grandpa and dad did, call the kids and say, could you bring your saw over and do this for me, [it then comes with both an operator and mechanic] bring the grand kids along as well to help, I'm finding this very enjoyable as time progresses and could care less what brand of saw it is, what size, or how new, in the end they all do the same job.

 

[td25c]

We still heat with wood . Mostly as a back up in the homes in case of power outage . Keeps the Stihl busy in the fall of the year .

Old Stihl don't work to bad on wood carving . Use it to rough out a new bow to speed up the process & finish with a draw knife .

I left a few saw chain gouges on the last bow . LOL !

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/for-the-shooters.37844/page-9#post-755383

 

[Ashley52]

Husqvarna and Stihl both have professional grade saws that are a step up in every regard from their "homeowner" grade saws like the 450.

 

[aighead]

Back from the dead!

I've only been using a chainsaw for a few years, but I'm giving them a workout when I use them. I started with a small Stihl 16" bar, which, when I could get it running, was a nice manageable saw to learn on. Then I got a bigger Husqy 455 Rancher (I think) with a 20" bar. While I agree that the Husqy torque can be a problem it's been an excellent saw otherwise. That being said since I've gotten the backhoe I've not used the chainsaw much. It's much more satisfying to knock a tree over and drag it out back. I've got a feeling I'll be deep in a saw this weekend.

Uh, also, when they say 50:1 gas to oil ratio they really mean it. I've got a bunch of gas cans sitting around and while I thought I added oil to the one I was filling the saw up with, a lack of compression and engine seizure told me otherwise. It's no fun to unintentionally buy two 500 dollar saws in about a year.

 

[Junkyard]

With aftermarket parts like they are that saw could be fixed for a reasonable cost. Or sell it on eBay. I see parts saws sell for what I think are ridiculous prices!

I assume the 455 bit the dust?

 

[Tenwheeler]

I had a dealer tell me the better Huskies have the serial number tags riveted on them like mine. The ones made to compete in the low price market are from other countries. They have stickers for the serial numbers.
HD Poulans are yellow? I have only seen small ones.
Stihl has been my choose for several years due to dealer support. If they have different grades how do you tell?

 

[Randy88]

Stihl's have two grades of saws, homeowner models and the pro line of saws built for those that use them hard and often. As to how to tell the difference, you'd have to ask the dealer or look them up online, it might have something to do with the numbering as well of the saws. I've never run or owned anything but the pro line so I'm not familiar with the homeowner models at all.

I was thinking the major difference was in the crank and bearings sizes and the jug and piston being heavier, but don't quote me on that.

 

[Skeans1]

Husqvarna has three lines the XP the pro line, the farm/ranch line which is basically a pro saw that doesn’t turn the rpms, and finally the homeowner line like your rancher.

Stihl the even numbered saw are the professional and the odds are the homeowner saws.

 

[aighead]

I assume the 455 bit the dust?

Yep, it has seized up and was no good. I probably got taken a bit but my dealer gave me a deal on the new one if I left my old one with him. He probably did pretty well on it. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Randy88]

Not sure about the odd and even numbering on Stihl saws, the pro line is 262 and those series of saws, 362 series, 462 series and 661 series, and 880 magnum, the next older vintage were 361, 461, 660 and 880, older still were 360, 460, 660 and 880, the last two have been made for decades.

Homeowner models are from 170, 180, 211, 250's and 251's.

They now have farm and ranch saws, that are mid use saws they call them. 150, 193, 201,271,291,311, 391 saws.

If your hunting used saws, you'd have to ask the dealer exactly what models are considered what.

 

[Skeans1]

Not sure about the odd and even numbering on Stihl saws, the pro line is 262 and those series of saws, 362 series, 462 series and 661 series, and 880 magnum, the next older vintage were 361, 461, 660 and 880, older still were 360, 460, 660 and 880, the last two have been made for decades.

Homeowner models are from 170, 180, 211, 250's and 251's.

They now have farm and ranch saws, that are mid use saws they call them. 150, 193, 201,271,291,311, 391 saws.

If your hunting used saws, you'd have to ask the dealer exactly what models are considered what.

On the newer generation if you look at the middle number it’s an even to make a pro saw including the 201 top handle.

 

[Randy88]

except three models of the 180 and two of the 181 all of which are homeowner saws and one model of 201 which a farm and ranch saw.

 

[southernman13]

We have all 3 brands. 372xp husky. 291 and 391 stihl. I think that’s correct and a CS590 echo. Hands down the echo is a better Saw. Have had the echo since 2013. Not once has is been repaired. The others have all had issues and the husky rebuilt twice in 6 months. Actually just got the husky back from the second rebuild and it was running really good till a big log crushed it. I think it was running to lean the first two times. But we never adjusted it ourselves.

 

[chroniekon]

We heat our house with wood. I've had an 031 Stihl since the 70's, it's cut countless cords of wood and has been a stellar piece of equipment. It's been getting to a place where I have to keep fussing with the carb adjustments so I bought a new Stihl 391 this fall. I cut a couple of cords with it so far. Too soon to give it much of a review, but so far I'm happy with it. It's one pound lighter (feels the same to me) and a little more power. It's a hungry saw!

 

[aighead]

I've had an 031 Stihl since the 70's, it's cut countless cords of wood and has been a stellar piece of equipment. It's been getting to a place where I have to keep fussing with the carb adjustments so

I imagine they may not make carbs that fit your old saw anymore, but I was amazed when I bought a new carb for the Stihl saw I had for a bit. Brand new, working like a charm, for like 18 bucks.

 

[chroniekon]

I put a rebuild kit in it and it ran good for a few hours and then it got to where it wouldn't idle. Make a few adjustments, good for a while, then won't idle. It's been getting more temperamental the past few years. I was complaining to the wife and she said why don't you just get a new one. An hour later...new saw!

 

[aighead]

Ya gotta love a wife like that!

 

[chroniekon]

Yup, she's a keeper

 

[aighead]

I got one too! (on the retry!)