chainsaws???Stihl or Husqvarma maybe dolmar?

Anonymous-0 · Mar 15, 2010

Hey folks,
I have a stihl ms250 now and am thinking about a Farm Boss. Have a dealer/shop for stihl and another for Husqvarna within 5 miles. No echo's that I know of and no actual dealer close for the Dolmars (they are in a big box store). Now, I would be buying the Stihl from the States because it is less than half the price as here. The Husqvarna may come from the States also for the same reason. I know Stihl will honer the warrenty regardless of where I buy (BTDT), but, assuming I was paying everything out of pocket, which direction should I look??

Not a saw that will be used daily, but want something that will be available and not fussy when I need it (old fuel aside, I'd run it empty before storage). Would like to stick with Stihl because I like the folks at the dealer real well, but if Husq, dolmar, or echo is the better bet, I'm flexible.

Thoughts/advice appreciated.

Dave

rubberwrench · Mar 15, 2010

Last saw I bought was stihl for two reasons.
1. prior useage
2.Stihl was easier to handle(balance was to my liking).

Billy NY · Mar 15, 2010

I've been satisfied with my MS390, a good friend has a MS361, ( think its a 36 one ) heavy enough for larger diameter trees, and though a tad big for limbing, works fine for me. Might be a matter of preference on how heavy a saw you use for what purpose. I believe the 361 is a professional saw, whereas the 390 is a top of the mid range homeowner, apparent by what I have heard about how they are built, side by side I can't see much difference in performance. I've used the Husquavarna farm boss, another friend has one, performed well. I have seen some Dolmars for sale on occasion on craigs list, always wanted to try one. Figured I'd give a vote for those Stihl models, both of us have cut quite a bit of firewood, mine is an '02 model, so 8 years worth of moderate cutting.

pat sublett · Mar 15, 2010

I would go with stihl. I use to be a Husqvarna dealer. They have lowered their quality and started selling to discounters. Dolmar is a decent saw owned by Makita now. Stihl is a strickly a saw company and support its dealers which in turn reports the users.

Dean · Mar 15, 2010

Dave:

I bought a Stihl 029 Farm Boss in 1995.

I use it regularly and have had no problems with it. I've been through 3 or 4 chains and one sprocket but it still has the original spark plug.

It's a bit heavy for light work and a bit underpowered for heavy work but a good compromise for one with a single saw.

Dean

Paul from MI · Mar 15, 2010

I bought a used Dolmar 6800 two years ago because the price was right. It's a great saw, starts and runs well. Lots of power and very reliable. Dolmar doesn't have as many dealers as STihl or Husqvarna, but the saws are very good.
Paul

JOCCO · Mar 15, 2010

Jonsered

ericlb · Mar 15, 2010

id buy stihl, ive had 3, the first one a 028 bought new in 1983, finally broke its plastic casing in 2007 [ im thinking a helper and his pickup might have helped it break, but i'll never know for sure] it was a great small saw [ 20 inch bar] i bought a 044 in 2000, fitted it with a 24 inch bar, 3/8 skip tooth chain and its ready for any tree to this day[ used regulerly], i replaced the 028 with a 026, and its as good a saw as the o28 used to be, iwould not change saw brands after all this time for nothing, i did buy one of those 150 buck poulan green saws for my helper to use, what a joke, its virtually usless

Anonymous-0 · Mar 15, 2010

There are good models with-in each brand, so I hesitate to give a straight up "one is better than the other" answer, but as a general statement, I'd go with Stihl.

Reasons? Better dealer service support in general. Good warranty reputation, although I've never had the need to explore that area.

Stihl also doesn't sell "department store saws". They have multiple "duty levels", but even their homeowner saws are better than most high end saws.

I'm partial to the MS260PRO Stihl saws myself.

I've used Stihl, Husky, Dolmar, Echo, and a few "cheap-o's". I've never used anything that I'd classify as "better", but I've found quite a few that were decidedly lower quality than the Stihl saws I'm familiar with.

Cub n M in OR · Mar 15, 2010

Husky! I have four of them. 372xp all the way down to a little electric model. Never had a lick of trouble with them. Certain times of the year they do get used all day every day. Never cause a lick of trouble. The only maintenance I've had to do to any of them is a fuel filter in my 359, Likely caused by dirt in my fuel can. I can't comment on warranty support or parts, Cause I'VE NEVER NEEDED ANY! Fill em with good fuel, name brand bar oil, Blow out the air filter every once in a while and throw a file at the chain. That's all I've ever had to do to them.
Great saws.

Ben

JML755 · Mar 15, 2010

dave2,
All I can say is I love my Stihl MS361. It was a little hard starting when I first got it, but I figured out the right sequence of primes, pulls, choke settings, etc. and it's not an issue now.

That being said, I think proper technique, a sharp chain and the job you're trying to do with a saw is a big factor in whether you love it or hate it. :lol:

sammydwm · Mar 15, 2010

We bought a 310 a couple of years back. Upgraded from an 029.
Very nice saw, bulletproof. At least 4 dealers within 20 miles. They have really expanded their network.
Used a buddys Husky 455 and I really liked it. Lighter, faster cutting but it was less than 5 years old on on its 3rd or so oiler rebuild. And it crapped out again halfway through our cutting season.

chevytaHOE5674 · Mar 15, 2010

Between the three brands (Stihl, husky, dolmar) all of their pro models are of roughly the same quality. I have saws of each brand and use then to cut daily for a living. No one brand is really better than another.

Having said that if you like the stihl dealer then buy a stihl. Having a good knowledgeable dealer goes a long ways if you need parts or service. I have a great stihl dealer in town so I end up using my stihl saws more than the dolmar or huskies because the dealer support is that much better.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 15, 2010

Guess I'll send my brother shopping..... I need it like I need another hole in the head, but "better to have and not need, than need and not have"............
My other saw is actually more than I need (8" stuff tops and soft wood), just want a second saw. Stihl sounds like the way I'll go.

Thanks, Dave

PeterE · Mar 15, 2010

I purchased a MS361 about a year ago and have been very happy with it.

BCnT · Mar 15, 2010

i got a 041 Stihl Farm Boss...its pretty old but that heavy sucker will cut some wood...bought a Stihl ms170 few years back for limbing and trim work...so far its been a goodun even tho its one of the cheapies...keep in mind the pro lifetime models are around 5 bills and up.

M Nut · Mar 15, 2010

Husqvarna. Have run the others, and nothing compares in my opinion. I have 3 372's and a 261. (bought one 372 for parts and have never needed any parts for the other two so I'm using that one too.) They are great saws.

nickg · Mar 15, 2010

I think there both excellent saws. I have a farm boss and a buddy has a husky 455 rancher. I think there both comparable saws its just a matter of your prefrences same as why some guys run red and some green. Ive used his husky several times when we cut firewood and its just as good as my farm boss.

Bill Tom · Mar 15, 2010

Bought a 041 Stihl Farm Boss in 1976 and used it to cut firewood for 15 years before we got central heat. Still have it and still use it a couple times a year. It has never failed to start and finish the job. It weighs 16 lbs tho and gets rough on the back. Husky makes a good saw also.
I would go with the dealer you like.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 15, 2010

we were stihl dealers for 20 years---after changing to husky we found out how much better the saw was ---a stihl is normally 2-5 years behind husky in engineering and quality

MarkB_MI · Mar 16, 2010

By Farm Boss I assume you mean the MS290. I suggest the MS260 Pro over the MS290. The 260 is a professional-grade saw, has about the same power as the 290 but is almost three pounds lighter.

ncpapaul · Mar 16, 2010

Husqvarna. We have both Stihl and Husqvarna saws here in this family but I really like the Husqvarna's low noise, torque and ablility to idle without dying when you set it down a minute to clear brush back. Paul

scot in pa · Mar 16, 2010

We have a Stihl 260 or 290. About 55 CCs. Not a bad saw. I'm thinking of trading it for a professional model though, it seems to run hot if I do any real cutting with it.

The Husky 141 we got when the 288XP's flywheel got broke is about a POS. But then it is less than half the saw. I need to get a flywheel on that 288.

I'd love to have one of them new 120+ CC Huskys. Maybe once I win the lottery.

chevytaHOE5674 · Mar 16, 2010

(quoted from post at 10:35:41 03/16/10)and ablility to idle without dying when you set it down a minute to clear brush back. Paul

Sounds like the saw needs a proper tune-up. All of my dozens of stihls/huskies/dolmars will idle for as long as I want them too. I've idled for 10-15 minutes before and barely a sputter when i got back to cutting.

chainsaws???Stihl or Husqvarma maybe dolmar?

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads