re: chainsaw purchasing advice
#1
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re: chainsaw purchasing advice
Hello:
I currently have a McCullogh 3816 saw (38 cc, 16" bar.)
I got this used as a gift from a relative and know they are not the best but it always performed well until my brother started "borrowing it" often without permission.
It came back one day covered in mud and missing the scabbard and the choke lever. Parts are not readily available for this saw so I fabricated a new choke lever from some steel.
Heck, around here the chains are not even available so I have to have a guy make them up ($19.72 each.)
Anyway, I plan to give this to the person who has destroyed and abused it and buy a new saw (one he will never get his hands on.)
I'm looking at Husqvarna and Stihl and wonder if anyone has any recommendations or pros and cons about one or the other.
The Husky I'm looking at now is the model 350 with an 18" bar
Have not done much research on the Stihl but do see many professional tree surgeons in this area using them. On the other hand, the guy who makes my chains to order told me today that Husky wins hands down and he repairs small engines for a living. He also mentioned that the forest service in my state and all the work crews for cities and towns are using Husky now--and that he almost never sees any of warranty repair but sees quite a few of the Stihl.
I'm keeping an open mind but am biased and leaning towards Husky as I used to race a Husky 500 cc motocross bike years ago and was always impressed with it and it's engineering and reliablility.
BTW, I could be wrong but am not considering light duty Husqvarna models as it's my understanding that one must get to the 345 or 350 to have a unit that is actually manufactured in Sweden. Apparently the lower priced and light duty units are made offshore.
Can anyone clarify?
TIA,
Snowman 53
I currently have a McCullogh 3816 saw (38 cc, 16" bar.)
I got this used as a gift from a relative and know they are not the best but it always performed well until my brother started "borrowing it" often without permission.
It came back one day covered in mud and missing the scabbard and the choke lever. Parts are not readily available for this saw so I fabricated a new choke lever from some steel.
Heck, around here the chains are not even available so I have to have a guy make them up ($19.72 each.)
Anyway, I plan to give this to the person who has destroyed and abused it and buy a new saw (one he will never get his hands on.)
I'm looking at Husqvarna and Stihl and wonder if anyone has any recommendations or pros and cons about one or the other.
The Husky I'm looking at now is the model 350 with an 18" bar
Have not done much research on the Stihl but do see many professional tree surgeons in this area using them. On the other hand, the guy who makes my chains to order told me today that Husky wins hands down and he repairs small engines for a living. He also mentioned that the forest service in my state and all the work crews for cities and towns are using Husky now--and that he almost never sees any of warranty repair but sees quite a few of the Stihl.
I'm keeping an open mind but am biased and leaning towards Husky as I used to race a Husky 500 cc motocross bike years ago and was always impressed with it and it's engineering and reliablility.
BTW, I could be wrong but am not considering light duty Husqvarna models as it's my understanding that one must get to the 345 or 350 to have a unit that is actually manufactured in Sweden. Apparently the lower priced and light duty units are made offshore.
Can anyone clarify?
TIA,
Snowman 53
#2
I think which ever dealer offers you the best deal with the most goodies would be the closer in this case.
Personally I prefer Husky much for the same reason as you, accept against one not on one hehehe.
I've had my 36cc 16" for bout 11yrs now. Tho its not done alot of duty, what it has done has been hard and it keeps up with bigger saws regardless the make.
In my local Stihl is the big name. Husky support locally is still coming.
I know Husky has been making box power equipment, dunno how long but one comparison I made would still have me loyal to the Husky name.
I have mentioned b4 that craftsman mowers are a good value for the dollar. Sears sells a mower with the Husqvarna name that is the same and made in the same plant as the craftsman, however, one with the Husqvarna name will not have the lighter gage steel, will not have the transmatic, and will not have a manual PTO. In short I guess Husqvarna lowline is equal to topline of lesser names IMO.
My closest resource for small engine items is a Stihl dealer and I have seen some sales go on heheh. If they dont offer ask for extra oil, sheath, chain... heheh been shocked at some of the things. But they can do it becuz the next time they see that saw will be for chain bar or tuneup
Personally I prefer Husky much for the same reason as you, accept against one not on one hehehe.
I've had my 36cc 16" for bout 11yrs now. Tho its not done alot of duty, what it has done has been hard and it keeps up with bigger saws regardless the make.
In my local Stihl is the big name. Husky support locally is still coming.
I know Husky has been making box power equipment, dunno how long but one comparison I made would still have me loyal to the Husky name.
I have mentioned b4 that craftsman mowers are a good value for the dollar. Sears sells a mower with the Husqvarna name that is the same and made in the same plant as the craftsman, however, one with the Husqvarna name will not have the lighter gage steel, will not have the transmatic, and will not have a manual PTO. In short I guess Husqvarna lowline is equal to topline of lesser names IMO.
My closest resource for small engine items is a Stihl dealer and I have seen some sales go on heheh. If they dont offer ask for extra oil, sheath, chain... heheh been shocked at some of the things. But they can do it becuz the next time they see that saw will be for chain bar or tuneup
#3
My neighbor operates a rather prosperous tree trimming business, and swears by his huge collection of Stihl chainsaws...said he'd never buy anything else. I suspect this is just extreme brand loyalty...I'm sure Husqvarna makes all sorts of goodness.
#4
Among the right crowd, asking the stihl vs. husquvarna question is like going to a race and asking the ford vs. chevy question. Both are top of the line, and each has their characteristics that set them slightly apart, and those may only be on certain models.
Myself, I think quality is equal. The main reason I personally prefer Stihl is because they have refused to put their dealers out by selling to box stores. Husq has poulan make their low priced equipment, but it costs more because it carries the name.
I own both names of saws. Both perform quite well. My stihl is an '85 model and it still runs great. I used it today as a matter of fact. My husquvarna is a model 61 (older) and much bigger than the stihl, so it doesn't get used as often, but it works fine when I get ready to make firewood. No complaints about either from me.
Myself, I think quality is equal. The main reason I personally prefer Stihl is because they have refused to put their dealers out by selling to box stores. Husq has poulan make their low priced equipment, but it costs more because it carries the name.
I own both names of saws. Both perform quite well. My stihl is an '85 model and it still runs great. I used it today as a matter of fact. My husquvarna is a model 61 (older) and much bigger than the stihl, so it doesn't get used as often, but it works fine when I get ready to make firewood. No complaints about either from me.
Last edited by cheese; 11-10-07 at 09:11 PM.
#5
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Hello:
I currently have a McCullogh 3816 saw (38 cc, 16" bar.)
I got this used as a gift from a relative and know they are not the best but it always performed well until my brother started "borrowing it" often without permission.
It came back one day covered in mud and missing the scabbard and the choke lever. Parts are not readily available for this saw so I fabricated a new choke lever from some steel.
Heck, around here the chains are not even available so I have to have a guy make them up ($19.72 each.)
Anyway, I plan to give this to the person who has destroyed and abused it and buy a new saw (one he will never get his hands on.)
I'm looking at Husqvarna and Stihl and wonder if anyone has any recommendations or pros and cons about one or the other.
The Husky I'm looking at now is the model 350 with an 18" bar
Have not done much research on the Stihl but do see many professional tree surgeons in this area using them. On the other hand, the guy who makes my chains to order told me today that Husky wins hands down and he repairs small engines for a living. He also mentioned that the forest service in my state and all the work crews for cities and towns are using Husky now--and that he almost never sees any of warranty repair but sees quite a few of the Stihl.
I'm keeping an open mind but am biased and leaning towards Husky as I used to race a Husky 500 cc motocross bike years ago and was always impressed with it and it's engineering and reliablility.
BTW, I could be wrong but am not considering light duty Husqvarna models as it's my understanding that one must get to the 345 or 350 to have a unit that is actually manufactured in Sweden. Apparently the lower priced and light duty units are made offshore.
Can anyone clarify?
TIA,
Snowman 53
I currently have a McCullogh 3816 saw (38 cc, 16" bar.)
I got this used as a gift from a relative and know they are not the best but it always performed well until my brother started "borrowing it" often without permission.
It came back one day covered in mud and missing the scabbard and the choke lever. Parts are not readily available for this saw so I fabricated a new choke lever from some steel.
Heck, around here the chains are not even available so I have to have a guy make them up ($19.72 each.)
Anyway, I plan to give this to the person who has destroyed and abused it and buy a new saw (one he will never get his hands on.)
I'm looking at Husqvarna and Stihl and wonder if anyone has any recommendations or pros and cons about one or the other.
The Husky I'm looking at now is the model 350 with an 18" bar
Have not done much research on the Stihl but do see many professional tree surgeons in this area using them. On the other hand, the guy who makes my chains to order told me today that Husky wins hands down and he repairs small engines for a living. He also mentioned that the forest service in my state and all the work crews for cities and towns are using Husky now--and that he almost never sees any of warranty repair but sees quite a few of the Stihl.
I'm keeping an open mind but am biased and leaning towards Husky as I used to race a Husky 500 cc motocross bike years ago and was always impressed with it and it's engineering and reliablility.
BTW, I could be wrong but am not considering light duty Husqvarna models as it's my understanding that one must get to the 345 or 350 to have a unit that is actually manufactured in Sweden. Apparently the lower priced and light duty units are made offshore.
Can anyone clarify?
TIA,
Snowman 53
I would never again buy a cheap version of any chainsaw as I puurchased a Husqvarna 136 some 2 yrs ago & little use ,after about 10 hrs the gear drive went on the chain oiler [fortunately under warranty] after aboutthe same again
a recurrance of the same thing to discover that the gears on cheap base saws are plastic, on the dearer models they are of a much higher quality of which I am not sure, except for the Shinndaiwa which I was assured all drive parts were constructed of an metal. Al the best & proceed w/- care.