(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

New Husqvarna vs. Stihl Chainsaw

M

Married2Allis

Well-known Member
I have Stihl 025 that I've had for years and it's been great for firewood. Getting a bigger saw this year but don't want to spend $600. Looking at a Husqvarna 450 50cc w/ 20 inch bar. Are the new Husky's as good as they used to be? Are they made in you know where?
 
I can't speak on experience with husqvarna products but the 450 is not a pro saw, they don't even consider the 450 to be a farm/ranch or semi-pro saw.

I'm not sure what model you are comparing it to for the stihl, maybe should compare to the MS-251 or MS-271 which should be in the same range
 
The Husky 450 (50 cc) is not much bigger than your Stihl 025 (45.5 cc). I would look at a Stihl MS311 farmer saw or the MS362 a pro saw if looking for a larger saw. I have a 50 cc Husky and a Stihl MS 250 which cuts circles around the Husky. What ever you buy make sure they service what they sell. I only buy Stihl because we have no servicing Husky dealers around here. We have some big box stores selling Husky but no parts or service.
 
My next door neighbor bought a new 50cc Husqvarna saw last spring a year ago and it takes him 1/2 hour to start the saw every time he tries to use it. He has had it back many times, but the dealer has given up on it. He asked for his money back but they told him he has had the saw too long. Most of that time, it has been in the shop. I bought a Dolmar 510 (50cc) chainsaw and have been ecstatic with this saw. Starts on 2-3 pulls, rips, and it is all around great. Check for a dealer around you. They spend their money on engineering and some of the better known brands spend much more on advertising.
Dolmar invented the chainsaw in Germany and builds a great product.
 
I got a new Stihl last year, set me back almost $700 , first saw I ever had with a compression release, starts up well, I got a good local servicing dealer, am pleased with the saw. You usually get what you pay for. My Echo 452 lasted about 30 years, but we don't have any dealer here anymore.
 
If you act now you can get a Stihl MS250 for $299, rather than the regular $359 price.

The 250 is being replaced with the 251 (I have both and the 250 is a better saw), so the deal is only until Dec 31 or supplies are gone.

Dean
 
I have a new Husky in my shop.Owner and Dealer are in a fight over it. Warranty maybe,maybe not.Two hours on it crank broke.
 
Agreed.

After 19 + years I sold my 029 while it was still valuable and bought a MS290 before they were replaced with the 01 version.

I also have a MS 250 and MS251 (don't ask). The 250 is a better saw.

Last weekend my dealer loaned me a new MS311 demo to use for a rather large job. Great saw.

Dean
 
The stihl is a much better product and is made in THE GOOD-OLE USA the husky is not made in USA AND REALLY IS INFERIOR PRODUCT COMPARED TO STIHL, ENOUGH SAID!!!!!!, really though I hope this helps your decision, dale
 
Performance wise, with a sharp chain, I thought the 455 rancher/20" bar was a decent saw for firewood, clean up etc. There's the pro vs homeowner saw thing, seems with good care you'll get your moneys worth for seasonal work with one of these, as noted by a friend who cuts with one for a few years now.

I run a 13 year old Stihl, MS 390, its been a good general purpose saw, with no appreciable wear on the motor, been well maintained. I like and prefer the brand, but having used the much newer 455, it would be just fine for what I do. Even my Stihl is not a pro model, engine may have plastic bearing races, but internally when I checked the cylinder bore, as well as the crank bearing clearance at the cooling fin/flywheel, thickness of an envelope, seems fine after 13 years,. 4 cord/year, its never been apart, and you can replace the the bearings with ones made a steel race.

Saw shop in town, sells husqvarna, and they seem to have a good reputation. Either brand will work fine, just they do need good care to perform, some people don't get that and any brand will not work as advertised if not looked after the way they should be, sharp chains, properly tuned, clean air filter, + all the other little things.
 
I work in a shop that sells Husqvarna and services Stihl. The 450 is o.k., but if it was me, I would pay the difference and get the 455. I think it is standard with an adjustable oiler and I know it has compression release. (And starts real nicely even without using the compression release.)
 
Years ago, an old buddy of mine came over to my place. He had never seen my 088 Stihl. I had the bar and chain off of it. He had never seen a saw that big. Though him and I had cut a lot of wood together. I pushed the decompression button, and fired it up. I then shut it off. I ask him if he wanted to start it. Yeah ,he said ,he didn't know about the button. He gives it a rip. Ouch he said, what can't you start it, I said? I pushed the button as he handed it back to me.I Fired it back up, He said let me see that dang thing. He tried it again, Ouch frig that sob. I fired it back up. tried to hand it back to him. He was done playing with it. LOL... I nick named the saw(Sissy), I got another one, it was to good of deal to pass up. I named her Missy...MTP
 
My first chain saw was a Sachs-Dolmar 110. I went to buy a Stihl saw. Sales guy demo'ed both saws for me. The 110 ran through a 12 inch log lots quicker than the equivalent Stihl, and it was over $100.00 cheaper!

Some saws are definitely better than others, but keeping the chain sharp and tight, good gas and good oil, clean air filter, and keeping the carb adjusted as the seasons change will keep your saw running good.

Back then Sachs built off road racing motorcycles too! No wonder it outran the Stihl!
 
Thanks guys for all of the advice, think I'll stay away from the Husky homeowner saws. Probably go with a Stihl MS271 or 311. Also found a used Stihl 038 magnum at a local dealer for $390.
 
I would seriously consider jumping up to the 261 or 362 stihl. The pro series saws have more power and weigh less but of course have a pro series price tag too. I have used a 250 and used my 260. Big difference in power and weight.
 
My experience with Stihl has been just the opposite of yours. Had an 80cc Stihl and it only lasted a year and a half and blew up. Had my 385 Husky 6 years now and it is sill going strong. Don't know how it is now, but the Husky's had a better warranty at the time. 1 year for the Husky compared to 90 days for the Stihl. In all fairness to Stihl, I figured I got a lemon. However, even my old Pro-Mac 850 lasted longer before the first blowup. I'll be the first to admit that my experience with Stihl is not typical compared to what I've have generally read on YT. That doesn't change the fact that the Stihl blew up in a year and a half and the Husky has 6 hard years on it a still going strong.


My advice would be to stay away from those stupid "homeowner" saws and buy the pro model no matter what brand or size you buy, and when in doubt, always spend the money for the next size bigger than what you think you need. It's all well and nice to say keep the chain sharp and you'll be fine with a smaller saw. In real life no matter how careful you are, you are almost always sawing with a less than perfectly sharp chain. You'll never hear anyone say, "I wish my saw had less hp". I'd be less concerned about the brand than making sure I bought a pro model and enough hp to easily handle the size wood you are cutting.
 
... and enough hp to easily handle the size wood you are cutting.
Click to expand...
Yes, I will absolutely need the hp to clean up a big mess after a storm. Would like something to handle a 24" bar or larger. Trees are lying down a hillside and have to buck a dozen or more some wider than 4ft at the base.
 
(quoted from post at 09:02:43 09/16/15)
... and enough hp to easily handle the size wood you are cutting.
Click to expand...
Yes, I will absolutely need the hp to clean up a big mess after a storm. Would like something to handle a 24" bar or larger. Trees are lying down a hillside and have to buck a dozen or more some wider than 4ft at the base.
Click to expand...

i work at a john deere dealer that also sells stihl and have sat and looked at the specs of all the stihl saws when i was buying a small saw, i would recommend either a stihl 362 or a 391.

both saws are rated very close in horsepower, the 362 is a pro grade saw, compared to the 391 it is both lighter and revs faster, it also offers the ability to be rebuilt since the case can be split where the 391 does not offer the ability to easily be rebuilt. if you want a 24 inch bar these two saws are the bare minimum for any decent speed when cutting. the 362 with some technique can out cut the 391, if you can keep the revs up on the 362 (remember it revs higher) it will cut faster, but being a lower displacement engine will bog down faster than the 391 if you put too much pressure on the bar. the 391 will pull down more and is a larger and more torquey engine. the 362 can also be equipped with an auto brake feature in which there is another brake other than the chain brake that stops the chain very quickly when you let off the throttle, the 362 also costs more than the 391 but in my opinon is worth the extra cost for the extra features and better power to weight ratio
 
(quoted from post at 11:04:12 09/15/15) I have Stihl 025 that I've had for years and it's been great for firewood. Getting a bigger saw this year but don't want to spend $600. Looking at a Husqvarna 450 50cc w/ 20 inch bar. Are the new Husky's as good as they used to be? Are they made in you know where?
Click to expand...

There have been many replies so here is my side by side comparison.

I am a member of a volunteer disaster relief team that does almost exclusively chainsaw work. We have on our trailer both the Husky and Stihl branded saws. We have found that the Husky's always start easier, use less fuel and will out cut the the same size CC Stihl with same length bars. Also have found all of the Stihl's are more difficult to start we call them "Finicky" on their best days. The Stihl's are also louder requiring better hearing protection.

We also found that the new Stihl's have a funky warranty. If you have fuel in the tank that is more than 1 month old (they use a litmus paper to test) any fuel related issues will not be covered under warranty. Cost us $85 for a new carb.

Have had to take a Huysy back in also no hassle on warranty work.

Have had one of the husky's in for Warranty vs 2 of the Stihl's and all were new at the same time.

Both will extend warranty to 2 years if you buy a 6 pack of the synth 2 cycle oil when you buy the saw.

My personal choice after running both was the Husky 455 Rancher. This is a 59CC engine and I have 16, 18 and 20 bars for it and it has always been from day one easy to start and I rarely have to use the compression relief. It has handled every job I have thrown at it using it all day for days on end with NO failures.

As I regularly get to use both I will take a Husky any day of the week.

Anyone can have a good opinion of any brand but we run various models of each side by side. There is only one guy on our team that will go for a Stihl over a Husky. They all get used about the same amount of run time due to the number of people on the team.

I really wish that Mac still made the old Pro Mac 1010 but those days are gone so for me and most of the guys that I work with on the DR team we personally own Huskies now due to using both side by side.
 
For trees that size get a ms-441 or ms-461 with a 24" or 28" bar and use your 025 for the smaller wood.
 
(quoted from post at 19:04:12 09/15/15) I have Stihl 025 that I've had for years and it's been great for firewood. Getting a bigger saw this year but don't want to spend $600. Looking at a Husqvarna 450 50cc w/ 20 inch bar. Are the new Husky's as good as they used to be? Are they made in you know where?
Click to expand...

I've had a Husq. 455 for over a decade, no issues, ever, never had it to a dealer. I do ranch cleanup as needed, couldn't count how many branches/cottonwoods/cedars it's cut. Wind storm blew over several full size cottonwoods this summer, added 6 trees to my yard pile alone, several out in the pasture are on the "someday" list.

Stihl is good though, some models are better than others with both brands. I'd buy either if I was looking today. Was thinking about getting a lighter/smaller one to cut cedars out of some fencelines (have a few hundred probably). Can't say much about the reliability of the newer models, I do see some mention of the emissions systems (and some people altering).
 
You must have bought your Stihl saw many years ago. I bought my first new Stihl saw 15 years ago and it had a one year warranty for non-commercial use. Echo has the best warranty five years non-commercial use. I started cut wood with dad 60 years ago and still cut wood but not as much as years before. I have never had a chainsaw blowup but have wore a several out. I have a Husky but won't buy a new one because they are only sold by big box stores around here and handle no parts to service them and don't handle the pro models.
 
(quoted from post at 09:12:59 09/16/15) Thanks guys for all of the advice, think I'll stay away from the Husky homeowner saws. Probably go with a Stihl MS271 or 311. Also found a used Stihl 038 magnum at a local dealer for $390.
Click to expand...

You'd be better off with the 038.
 
The wish to "run a 24" or larger" bar throws every saw mentioned off my list of recommendations other than maybe the 461 if you run that "larger" bar sparingly. But then again I don't like having time to take a nap while the saw gets through a cut. I am also a certified saw nut so my opinion maybe slightly canted. We run 16" bars on the 50CC range saws because anything bigger your taxing them hard. We don't run 60CC saws much but the two we own, 036 and 361 Stihls wear 20" bars. Our 70CC saws from Husky, Shindiawa and Stihl all wear 24" bars most of the time but long before we are heavily using all of that 24" we step up to 660 Stihl and 395 Huskys. So I just took you from spending $400 to 12-1400.00 LOL

Back to your question Just like Stihl Husky makes high quality saws and they make saws to sell to price shoppers. Myself I have never regretted buying a high end saw from either maker. I have kicked myself in the rear for buying home owner saws from both. We don't abuse saws but they do get some hours on them. If you want a nice 50CC saw from Husky buy a 550 but don't expect it to pull a 24" bar with much authority. I havent picked up my 261 Stihl since the 550 came home, they are VERY good.
 
I would hop up to a better saw. Like others have said the one your looking at is a low grade saw.

I run a 346XP (no longer made) and it's great. I chose it over the similar Stihl 261. It weighed less had the same power and cost less.

My feeling is Husky is pushing the envelope more the Stihl. Both are good saws in the pro models. If you can save and jump up to the pros, they're so much better...

K
 
Really appreciate the comments to help me decide. Brought home the Stihl 038. Runs great barely smokes and has 4.8 hp. Had to fight off a bad case of new saw fever, shop had a rack of shiny new Stihls on one side and a rack of shiny new Huskys on the other. Salesman was a 'yes' man.
 
(quoted from post at 11:38:15 09/23/15) Really appreciate the comments to help me decide. Brought home the Stihl 038. Runs great barely smokes and has 4.8 hp. Had to fight off a bad case of new saw fever, shop had a rack of shiny new Stihls on one side and a rack of shiny new Huskys on the other. Salesman was a 'yes' man.
Click to expand...


You made the right decision. I'd rather have a bulletproof older saw than some plastic abomination that can't be serviced in my own garage. The 038 is a fine saw that will do anything a 4.0 ci saw is meant for. Plus, I bet you saved a bunch of money!
 

Doesn't matter the make or model. None will work any good unless the proper style of chain is chosen and the chain is properly sharpened.
 
(quoted from post at 13:21:43 09/16/15)
(quoted from post at 11:04:12 09/15/15) I have Stihl 025 that I've had for years and it's been great for firewood. Getting a bigger saw this year but don't want to spend $600. Looking at a Husqvarna 450 50cc w/ 20 inch bar. Are the new Husky's as good as they used to be? Are they made in you know where?
Click to expand...

There have been many replies so here is my side by side comparison.

I am a member of a volunteer disaster relief team that does almost exclusively chainsaw work. We have on our trailer both the Husky and Stihl branded saws. We have found that the Husky's always start easier, use less fuel and will out cut the the same size CC Stihl with same length bars. Also have found all of the Stihl's are more difficult to start we call them "Finicky" on their best days. The Stihl's are also louder requiring better hearing protection.

We also found that the new Stihl's have a funky warranty. If you have fuel in the tank that is more than 1 month old (they use a litmus paper to test) any fuel related issues will not be covered under warranty. Cost us $85 for a new carb.

Have had to take a Huysy back in also no hassle on warranty work.

Have had one of the husky's in for Warranty vs 2 of the Stihl's and all were new at the same time.

Both will extend warranty to 2 years if you buy a 6 pack of the synth 2 cycle oil when you buy the saw.
Click to expand...

This is excellent advice and as you say, most people can only speak to the one brand they own, not to the side-by-side nature of comparing similar saws bought in the same timeframe.

Your experience mirrors mine EXACTLY.

Also, I too have been caught in Stihl's non-warranty warranty where every engine failure is blamed on "bad fuel" and the owner is handed the bill. I got this treatment on my brand new Stihl FS310 brush cutter. Spend $1000 and get handed a bill when it won't start. I was running non-ox and using Stihl pro oil with stabilizer.

IMO it's time Stihl started dealing with reality and making machines like Husky and Echo make: Ones that run on TODAY'S fuel, not some mythical mixture of unicorn juice that was fresh-squeezed yesterday. I buy non-ox. That's all I can do. I cannot control the age of the fuel.

Our last two new Stihl machines (blower and brushcutter) have both FAILED completely before they were a year old. I'm not talking about broken parts, I'm taking about dead engines that won't run.

Our Husky (commercial trimmers) and Echo (chainsaw) machines have never seen the inside of a dealer or a repair shop since I bought them.

Needless to say, we've bought our last Stihl tools for quite a while. We'll keep on using our older Sthil stuff, but I'm not impressed with the machines Stihl has been producing recently (last 3 years). I'm even less impressed with their "warranty".

Grouse
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hemmjo
Battery Chainsaw vs Reciprocating saw
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Fixingfarmer
Fixingfarmer
F
Stihl Chainsaw Case old vs new
Replies
3
Views
667
BillinCentralMO
B
R
Stihl
Replies
6
Views
899
Billy NY
B
Ultradog MN
I need a chainsaw
2 3
Replies
47
Views
3K
ASEguy
A
T
Poulan 306A chainsaw
Replies
8
Views
1K
Bret4207
B
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top