Ok, I'm looking to buy a new chain saw in the next few weeks. It will be used for cutting a little firewood for deer season and clearing roads after storms (vol ff) and occasional blown over tree @ the farm. I'm looking @ the Stihl ms260 and the Husky 353 with 18" bar. Both have about the same power, but I think I can get the Husky about $100 cheaper. "But" we have a local dealer for Stihl, and he also services them too. We have a husky dealer about 30 mi away. Without starting brand wars, please help me decide.

 

I love my husky. I've had it for 8-9 years and I've never had it in for repairs. A new chain and spark plug occasionally is all it ever needed.

 

You'll be very happy with either imo.

 

I was gonna say the same thing, I love my Echo, people are rarely unhappy with any of the big names.

Local service can be real nice though.

 

I cut ALOT of firewood, about 30-40 cords a year with my buddy who sells it and I also had a wood eating outdoor boiler up intil last year ( thank God i got rid of that thing ) But, I have had the same Stihl for the past 10 years and it hasn't missed a beat.

 

Get the husqvarna. We have 5 husqvarna. We use them for cutting fire wood for the winter and clearing fence lines. They have all worked great and are easy to start. As for service you could probably due 95% of the service your self . and it would be cheaper then taking it some where. And i would bet that the stihl dealer would service pretty much any kind of band you took there.

 

I have used both and like both. I bought a Husky 351 because I knew the guy that sold them and he gave me a better deal. Both the dealers are within a mile from each other so distance was no consideration for me. I have had my Husky for 5 years and cut about 6 or so cords a year I have gone through a few chains and one bar and done some maintenance it still works great. Stil owners will also tell you how well their machines work. Tell the Stil dealer you can get a Husky for $100.00 less and see if he can move on his price or throw in a few extra chains or something. A closer dealer would be better.

John

 

have to say stihl. my dad and grandfather have always heated with wood and they have had about every saw you can think of. including a few stihl's that pap has had since my dad was a kid hes 50 now never a minutes trouble with any of them.

 

I agree with hammily, for someone like a vol ff you need your saw. Service is key if something goes wrong, I personally am not bias on either but I do know with the 260pro or the ms 290 farm boss you can get carbide chains from the dealer. You being a fireman you may use your saw for car rescue or a structure fire. The carbide chains cut brick and steel so think of this during your purchase. Another thing to consider is warranty, they come with it are they the same? If I remember right the 260 and 260pro are tipping the scales at 10.3 pounds while the farmboss is 13.7 or so. Dont know the weights of the others but get one that you are comfortable with, trust me its worth the money if the light ones are more money!! IMO anyway

 

Gotta say Stihl. I've been a firefighter for over 20 years, about twelve years ago we bought some Huskies, they couldn't take the abuse that the Stihl's could. I've had my Stihl for 9 years, never an issue.

Local service is a plus.

 

There are LOTS of loggers on the coast that earn their livings with both. You will get years of service from either, if you can save $100 on a husky........

 

Yeah, he works on all of them. And I kinda like spending my money local when I can.


Quote> Tell the Stil dealer you can get a Husky for $100.00 less and see if he can move on his price or throw in a few extra chains or something. A closer dealer would be better.


I was thinking of that too. I have bought a few items from him, and sometimes he cuts me a little slack. Talked to him breifly Mon but he was sold out of the 260, and I didn't want to special order one.


Last yr a buddy helped me cut and split (he has a wood splitter) camp wood, And I used his Sthil 026 some (same as 260) and man was that thing sweet!

Decisions, decisions

 

Yup, either one. I prefer my Stihl 32 (also have a 29) but a couple of other guys I know have the Husky's. One of them is rough on his (using used oil for bar oil, not getting his mix right etc.) but it keeps working. My Stihl seems to start better in the cold but I am prejudiced.

 

Ditto on the Echo. The quality is right up there with the big two. I was gonna buy a Husky until their local dealer did some warranty work for me on another product. The guy turned out to be a real "Richard," so he lost a sale, and I went looking for another brand and ended up with an Echo. Couldn't be happier.

 

Both brands are great saws. The most important thing to remember is keeping a sharp chain on them. i have been sharpening my own chains since about ten years old (dad cut firewood and i would sharpen chains on the saws while he cut with another saw.) Nothing worse than trying to cut a nice piece of hard wood and seeing lil small chips instead of the nice big chips of a sharp blade. A sharp blade redueces the strain on the saw and lowers the amount of work on your part to cut the wood.