Stihl vs Husky

An arborist buddy of mine recommeded a 360, but i think they changed the model number. Provably close to the 361. After using mine forever I want to go back with a 3/8 chain without any anti kickback junk on a 20" chain and option to go bigger. Also been kicking around with Jonsered, but the local dealers are more sporatic.
 
frankenyoter said:
An arborist buddy of mine recommeded a 360, but i think they changed the model number. Provably close to the 361. After using mine forever I want to go back with a 3/8 chain without any anti kickback junk on a 20" chain and option to go bigger. Also been kicking around with Jonsered, but the local dealers are more sporatic.
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the 361 is dead it is now the 362 one of the best saws by far
 
frankenyoter said:
I purchased my Husky before they reached out to the box stores. I will purchase from a local shop for the customer service and supporting a local.
Def going with a pro model. I like my power toys to last! Never owned a Stihl but never needed one either!
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That's what I love about Stihl....they're ALL "pro models". They don't have a crappier "Big box store model". Like Husky, and John Deere.
 
Pacfanweb said:
That's what I love about Stihl....they're ALL "pro models".
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Actually they're not. It's just that their consumer level saws are far superior to most of the other crap on the market.
They don't have a crappier "Big box store model".
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That part is true.

Santa is bring me an MS391 this year. I think my neighbor might be tired of me borrowing his MS310. Using that "old" 50 something cc saw with a 20" bar has sold me on using a Stihl.
 
Ive got a stihl 180c mini boss and an old Echo 452vl. The Echo is super heavy! They both cut really well as long as you keep a good chain on them.
I bought them both used over the past few years. I think the stihl was 100$ and the echo was 50$. I can't complain at all. I put a new bar and chain on the Echo a few weeks ago...They cost almost as much as I paid for the saw.
 
IT LIVES

I performed and autopsy to see what caused the problem. I pulled the cover and pull cord assembly off. This is what I found.

One of the air injection/cooling fins (at 6 oclock in the photo) broke and became lodged in the housing where my finger is pointed.

I grabbed a wooden dowel and my favorite BFH and rotated everything counter clockwise and it fell out.

Started right up and ran perfect, like it has for years. I contacted a local dealer and inquired about the part....$225 YIKES! The service tech said not to bother with it unless 3 or 4 were broken or the vibrations we too severe. I cannot tell the difference.

The only lingering question is why the fawk did it break off in the first place? Gravel or something in it, defect, years of abuse, a fluke? Who knows...

Thanks for everyones .02 on the matter. Very glad a new saw is a requirement! More coin for Cruiser parts or at least a new tarp!!!
 

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Thats awesome! Makes the decision simple huh?

Got any pics of the fin and a close up of where it broke?
 
frankenyoter said:
I performed and autopsy to see what caused the problem. I pulled the cover and pull cord assembly off. This is what I found.
I grabbed a wooden dowel and my favorite BFH and rotated everything counter clockwise and it fell out.
Started right up and ran perfect, like it has for years.
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LOL....that's like a year ago my little Dolmar wouldn't start anymore ... it's a nice little 14" saw thats great for climbing. ....it sat in the shed for several months and I almost considered tossing it ...recently I cracked it open to look...cleaned it out real good, refueled, adusted the carb, fired up and runs like a charm again! :)
 
On going saga...

Well...

Went to cut more dead standing locust :)fuck-you:) last weekend. Fired up the saw and dropped a 20" tree. Got about 15ft into bucking into rounds... It was cutting like a dream and then I started to hear popping. I shut it off and could see small pieces of plastic.

Pulled the pull cord cover. The plastic between the cover and saw was all but gone, leaving the wires hanging. The culprit... more disintegrating flywheel. Local shop looked at it. They say that after contacting Husky the flywheel is no longer being made. They told me a few weeks ago that it was like $250 or so: WTF. Anyone have a source on that part? I can post a pic of the carnage and provide a model number if someone has an in.

So I went and got a Stihl MS362 with a 20" bar!!!! Whooohooo!!! Merry Christmas to me, the family and the woodstove!
 
I build stands for the SAWA lumberjack series, they all run a mix of Husky's and Stihl's, I'd say 65ish percent Stihl's. Either one in an upper end model should serve you well, if I had the extra change get the Stihl because they still haven't sold out/cheapened their stuff for the big box guys (like John Deere lawnmowers did). Plus, one of the sponsered lumberjacks went to the Stihl plant. He said like every 7th (I think) saw was pulled off the assembly line and tore down completely for quality control.

Or, you know I always post this when saws come up. Build your own Rotax Model;
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My gas saw now is a 22" Makita so I didn't even take my own advice? Makita is Dolmar for those who don't know. That is certain models of them - DCH I think is the PN reference. Dolmar is German, Makita bought them awhile back.
 
I bought a Stihl a few months back and love it. Its not a "Pro" model but for what I use it for it will serve me well. The middle Stilh saws are still far superior to the other chaper saws in the same category and pricepoint.

Never owned anything but a Stihl but I wouldn't have it any other way. All of their products have never let me down, ever. So, why change?
 
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