Along with a stihl seedeater that I would pray for it to break down every summer when I was a kid. Needless to stay, it never did.
I have 2 Stihl's, a 017 limbing saw and a ms 361 pro saw, 20" bar. The pro saw just plain rips a$$. This is usually my go to saw, even for limbing........ 20" bar = not having to bend over so far when limbing.
I have a Stihl 041 I pretty much took over that my dad has had for a long time. He never did anything to it other than clean it. I put a new sprocket and carb kit on it two years ago, and its been running great. The 20" bar is awesome for all around cutting IMO, sometimes I wish it was longer for the big oak trees but then my saw would be a bit under powered. I have thought about upgrading to a new Stihl for quite a while now, just haven't pulled the trigger.
Funny ... I was taking down a tree at my Grandmothers House today. Got the work done, mostly trimming not a total removal. Scored some good size pieces of fire wood that will dry out over the summer and be ready for camp. I used a saw zall for most of this work but sure would have liked to have a chain saw in hand. After reading this I am going to take a look at the Stihl.
Stihl. I have a 16" MS 250 and love it. Perfect saw for cuttin up firewood. It's about 10 years old now and still runs great.
I like Stihl but have never had a Husky. Whatever you get....avoid using ethanol gas mix in it. I ruined two good stihl saws using ethanol gas. All I will use now is the premixed in a can. Ethanol reduces the lubrication of the oil in mixed gas and will allow the pistons to score the cylinder. I lost both of my 029 Farmboss saws because of it....sad.
Well My dad has been a logger for over 30 years now and I grew up with and around chainsaws and Husqvarna seems to be built tougher and the saws have never given us any problem! Stihl is a good saw to and if your not going to be "logging" and using the saw everyday and pushing its limits then a Stihl would be a good choice to ! My dad always say's it really doesnt matter what the brand is as long as the chain is SHARP !
I probably cut more wood then most. I heat 4 buildings with my outdoor wood boiler. I own a Stihl and 2 Huskies. The Husky has out performed my Stihl. Either way though you can't go wrong with either brand.
We cut a good bit of firewood a year and have been clearing some food plot areas. We've been running a stihl for years now without even a hiccup with extremely minimal maintenance. My dad bought a husky used. It was a real good saw but he breaks everything he owns. You can't go wrong with either. A lot of farm stores have huskies at a pretty good price too.
I used to have a Craftsman chain saw for pretty much the same reasons you stated. Often had trouble starting it and it handling anything with size to it. Ended up getting a Stihl several years ago and it was well worth the money IMO. Still use it about the same way but it starts easy and can handle the big stuff like it's butter.
I prefer Stihl. it's kind of like ford Vs. chevy. I have a farm boss ms 290, with a 20" bar. as long as the chain is sharp, it's a beast. im using it now to clear 3 acres. most important....BE CAREFUL! watch for kick back, keep your front arm straight at all times to control the unexpected kickback when it happens. have fun too!
I'm going to be the guy that tells you to buy a pair of the safety chaps. They saved one of my buddies legs. You don't plan on slipping with a saw in your hand but it happens. Just like a harness in a tree stand. But as far as my experience with saws was Stihl. You can always rebuild the engines they work hard! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Whatever you get, don't leave gas sitting in them for long periods of time. Its the chainsaw enemy, old gas. If you are done using it and know your going to put it away for a while, empty it back into the can. I have an Echo topping saw thats 16 years old and has never broken down. Starts on the first 3 pulls every time. Stihls take abuse. Never used a Husky. I was a tree trimmer for the local elec. utility for 5 years and used Stihl and Echo every day.
