Redleg,
Checking out that link you sent, I see the Jonsereds also. Now I can look at those, but I don't know of a dealer for those around here.

I think I would be OK with the MS270C and a 20" bar as it is 49CC, or did I misunderstand you about being underpowered?
http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS270C.html

I'm looking at the Huskys online now.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Nope, 49cc is a little better. I forgot Stihl model # didn't match displacement. There are more jonsored dealers every day. I think they disappeared for a bit, but are now under the same ownership as husky as said above. I'll bet you'd find one close if you looked.

 

Another good one, these guys sell both too, but again Stihl doesn't let them show prices. Look through their photo albums too.
http://madsens1.com/

 

Jonsred or husky, can't go wrong with either. Used many different saws building permanent piers in Northern Wisconsin, cutting firewood, and pulp cutting. The Jonsreds and Husqvarna (sp) saws cut all day long, asking for more. The Stihls were not as reliable, needing more tinkering to keep going, keep air cleaner clear, and needed a larger saw to do the same work as the others. Just my experiences.

 

I've cut wood with my Husky 61 w/20inch bar next to two Stihls. If I recall correctly they were both 29s. I had used these Stihls a bit also and they were harder to start than my Husky. I could also cut faster than the Stihls.

You stated going with a more aggressive chain you can make whatever chain you get more aggressive by fileing the rakes down a bit. You don't want to take them down too far or the teeth will take too big a bite and then you get your chain stuck.

 

I hear the Stihl has lost some power in recent redesigns for believe it or not... emissions.

I have an MS260. Cuts nice. No trouble starting ever. I also have a Stihl 010-AV which is a tiny pruning saw I picked up at a yard sale for $5. It needed about $25 worth of fuel system components... new lines, filter and a cleaning. Runs great.

I recently used a friends Husky. Don't know the model but it came with 18" bar or 20" if you desired. It was a very aggressive saw with what seemed to be more power. I think Husky may be using more aggresive chains.

 

well I run Husk and have cut alot of fire wood. all my friends run Husk's and all their dads who are loggers run Husk' . the only person I know who runs a Sthil is my brother. he use to do some odd jobs for Interfor and bought a rebuilt from them a couple years back.(it is an awesome saw) I have used it my self but sill perfer my Husk
what you need to do is go to both the dealers and ask to try out their saws. you need to compare equal saws though. I will not sway anyone into buying one model over the other because they are both equal as far as I am concerned. If you want to run a 20" bar and plan on using it alot then you need to buy a saw that will easily run a 20" bar. remember the next size saw up never hurts with a smaller bar on it good luck and have fun I know everytime I fire up my saw I have a grin ear to ear.

 

Right now I own 4 saws.
Stihl 034av super
Husky 55
Husky 371xp
Husky 394xp

Not trying to play favorites here.
I have had good luck with all of them.
Might be just me, but the Husky seems to have just a little more than the comparable sized Stihl.

I cut between 75 to 100 cords of wood tree length so it will go through the firewood processor each year.

Rich

 

Here in Timber country the loggers use alot of Stilh saws & Huskeys. I had a Stilh 037 for years & it never gave me any trouble until I loaned it to my brother-in-law. He left it out in the weather snow, rain & it wouldn't start like it used to even after the saw shop tunned it up. Dad had a huskey & loved it & he heated his house with wood & used a wood cook stove, so he went thru alot of cord wood. When we went out cutting wood together his saw I don't remember the model # but had a 36" bar seemed to cut the bigger rounds without being resharpened as often. I never cut with it but if I was still heating with wood I think I would go for the Husky.

 

Bought a 031 Stihl in alaska in 1977 and it still starts on the second pull, hard to beat.

 

As luck would have it, I stumbled across this post as I was in the market for a saw. I pretty much had my mind made up on a Stihl 250. After reading this thread, I jumped on the Husq website, liked what I saw, and ordered a 55 rancher. Thanks for the timely topic.

 

I have two Stihl saws. A little 210C and a 440 Magnum. Both have been prefect saws in every way, and I'd buy them again in a second. My future brother-in-law has a larger Husky (not sure what model) and he keeps borrowing and drooling over my 440. I've replaced the factory chains on both with more agressive chains, and that has helped. That 440 with only a 20 inch bar just burns through 15" diameter oak. I love it! The 210C is good for smaller trees and branches. I usually hand off the 210C to a helper and play with the 440 myself.
But it is widely agreed that Stihl or Husky are both great, respectable saws. Just personal preference.

 

Have used both,own a husky.Would buy either in a heart beat

 

I have a stihl 360 pro and a stihl ms 460, always have been easy to start. Never had any trouble in the winter, would buy another one in a heartbeat. you can't go wrong with either one.

 

Chris
I have the MS290 (Farm Boss) and it has been great. If it ever dies I would get another just like it.
my .02
wayne