In this video, Rod from Mill Creek Saw Shop compares Stihl and Husqvarna's Farm and Rancher mid range series chainsaws to help the average consumer decide which is best for them.
*Coming up on having had this saw for a year....am a casual user and bought it to cut up sections for bowl blanks. Easy to start, **Bestfor.Garden** also recommend even after storage for a couple of months. Simple chain tension adjustment. Just cut up some 20" Osage Orange, including ripping bolts in half (at an angle). Like butter!*
It seems to me that when choosing between Stihl, Husky, and Dolmar (Makita), brand doesn't matter much. It's more wise to choose whatever the local retailer carries so you have quick access to parts/accessories, and their servicemen will be very familiar with your saw.
I bought a Stihl MS270C in Dec 2007 when a major ice storm hit NE Oklahoma. I used that saw every weekend cleaning up people's yards and then my own yard. That saw still sees occasional use and continues to impress me to this day. I rotate the bar and sharpen the chain (still the original); needless to say, I now own several additional Stihl products each of which serve me well! 😎
VERY well presented and executed video Rod! I might suggest using a medium field of view with 720 resolution at 30 frames per second and remove the GoPro from the skeleton housing for better Audio. The content was excellent! You never skipped a beat, and that's key to a well represented review and you stayed impartial and stated just the facts. We need more videos like this! Cheers!! Zip~ Aborist, climber and collector of fine Stihl saws.
Fantastic video!! Absolutely the best video about chainsaws I have ever seen!! I’ve been using the same Poulan 18” Wild Thing purple and green saw for 17 years. I purchased it at Home Depot for $99 Back in the day and I’ve replaced the spark plug once in all that time. And I’ve cleaned the sponge type air filter regularly. I cut 2-3 cords of wood per year and sometimes 15-20 rounds when camping. So IMHO maintenance is the absolute defining activity for making your saw last no matter which brand you have. If you treat your tools like crap they will perform like crap and not last very long. I’m about to retire the old wild thing and purchase a new saw and I’m considering a Stihl just so people will quit making fun of my purple and green saw lol
Andrew Maas i had two 455s. ised the heck out them. when a tornado hit my property i lost 100 trees, some 40 inch across. worked those saw 4 hours a day for 4 months. i would run out of gas and swap saws while my daughter filled oil and gas. good saw. i did upgrade to a larger stihl ms441 but only after 9 years.
oswalt Edmond I have a 455 rancher and it is has always been there for me. Starts every time with tone to three pulls. I just got a 365 x torq husky for a little more power on the bigger trees.
Again folks remember that Husqvarna & Stihl are BRANDS. Don't bash the brand....bash the specific MODEL within the brand!!! Both of these Companies make great saws & cheap saws. That said it's unfair to compare a Husky 455 rancher to a Stihl MS461
Rod Jones) Great representation of products here. It is both entertaining and frustrating to hear people talk smack. A cheap saw is intended for the person who just needs a saw for minimal cutting or emergencies. Saw prices have remained so low for so many years that it is truly amazing what you can obtain for under $500. By way of comparison an 80cc saw in the early/mid 60's was between$200 & $300. Look at the value of the dollar with inflation factored in and $1200 for a commercial grade saw that will outlast and out cut the vintage unit is a screaming deal. I collect and run vintage saws, but I do have current issue models that I use when I'm all about getting it done. My point is, just as it is with trucks, motorcycles or anything else you can buy... Everyone has made junk, just as everyone has made solid stuff. Thanks for the un-biased review. If you were local to me, I'd spend my dollars with you. Take Care.
@@broken_bones_acres Yes get a pro saw' main thing is selling it later' not to mention scene 1986 when I bought my first stihl saw an 026 for 400.00 it lasted 12 years? then another 026 another 10 years' then a MS261 and MS362 and MS201 and now a MS461 which I hope I can handle. All running great' The price was just to good' for the ms461 with 25 " bar and a 6 pack of oil mix for 962.00 out the door //
Very well presented indeed ! You made fine points of both brands without leaning favoritism towards one or the other like Husqvarna or Stihl... That's the difference between a good salesman dealing with multiple brand products ! All these saws have a place in the market whether it is a homeowner using a Husqvarna 240 for cutting a minimal amount of firewood for his fireplace or a professional logger using a Husqvarna 395XP for felling timber ! I like both equally as I carry a disassembled MS170 Stihl in a backpack as a emergency saw in case the Husky gets jammed up. Hats off to you for a perfect presentation and as a great salesman too !
I would ad Husqvarna 545 and 555 to this topic. They are mid range saw built on pro chassis. Husqvarna have always made their semi pro saws on magnesium crank case unlike Stihl that does it in to plastic case.
Rod thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. I'm a McCulloch guy, but I decided to buy 1 "new" generation saw for the heck of it. I'm simply a firewood/emergency user. My saw is used maybe 15 days a year. I'd like a big boy, for no other reason than power and noise :-) Thanks again Rod.
VintageMotoSeattle sooooo did you buy a “big boy” saw ?.... and ohhhh my first saw I ever used. Was my dads pro Mac 610..... still have that saw and still use it from time to time .... love the manual Oiler option.... wish all saws came with em
Sir,Excellent review and comparison of both saws. iI appreciated the factual, accurate reviews of the saws you presented in this video. Folks, this is the reason you go to a authorized dealer. They should know the products they sell and this gentleman is the example. Buy what you feel is best for you and the job you will be using it for. Good luck and be safe.
Very informative video. Reading for a few days, I just picked up all the info I was not finding anywhere else. I have two small Husky 440 and 450s that I use around the ranch - needing something more robust for larger timbers. Thanks for the great video. 5-stars!
You can buy entire replacement engines for farm and ranch saws online these days for a little over $100. They're easy to replace by loosening the bolts on the bottom and removing one of the the bar mount studs. I've ran a stihl ms310 for years and other than being ready for a carb rebuild,its good as new. They are heavy for the power they produce. You may find it interesting that echo saws all have the pro style magnesium case,metal handles,twice the warranty of stihl and husqvarna and cost less than most farm and ranch saws. A stihl ms261cm is stihls,50cc pro saw and a husqvarna 550xp is Huskies 50cc pro saw. Each cost around $650. The echo cs501p is echos 50cc pro saw and it's around $459. Just food for thought,if you're a firewood guy.
Excellent video, I'm a farmer/ weekend warrior and traded a ms390 against a ms261cm solely for the weight, I've a busted shoulder, it's a ripper despite being 14cc less than the 390 and only .3hp less. I picked up a second hand ms461 a few years ago for bigger stuff so the 261 is used mostly. Loved the 390 but found the weight a problem over time. Pro saws are worth the extra money for my circumstances
both brands are great, ehya~~reminds me of the 60's and Ford vs Chevy~~i was and will always be that Chevy guy~~and so, i'm a husky fan all the way~~thx for the quality vid `
I was running this saw for about 2 hours at about a 30-50% duty cycle th-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and it did a great job. I used the lever for the built in sharpener to clear chip buildup out more than to actually sharpen the chain. It managed to cut some hardwood stumps much larger than it's size without bothering the neighbors with hours of 2 stroke noise.
look the husqvarna and stihl are good saws, some favour husqvarna and some favour stihl. my experience with both makes is good I like both , I had a 365 special husqvarna and it lasted 11 years with serious abuse then final piston went in it, also had a small husqvarna but there's a screw at the bottom that falls out after time and it draws air and won't start, there known for this, I have a good few husqvarnas and the old husqvarna was a excellent saw , dnt know the number of it but it has a white top on it and it's a great saw. the stihl is a excellent saw I have 050 av , 041av , 028,029, ms 290 farm boss, ms 170,038,017 and many more in the shed and there all great saws never gave any trouble, the only one that gave trouble which was ms 170 the float came out and it keeps flooding, out of all them the ms 290 farm boss is the best in my opinion. if I were to choose husqvarna or stihl, I'd pick stihl that's jst me, the three best makes out there from my experience is stihl, echo, husqvarna, the old echo's were some saw I have a few vintage ones and by Jesus they still run perfect, there's one I have and it got so much abuse , trees fell of top of it and it got everyday going with it , I still use it now and again but there's no brake on it. the worst chainsaw I ever had from my experience is the old homelite chainsaw there heavy and a cunt on fuel , hated them saws, but I still have a few left in with all my other saws , I'm a chainsaw collector really I have so many saws in the shed its really outrageous how many there is.
spetsnaz army i've never had any problems with my 170 she starts up everytime and i always find my self using that saw rather than my farm boss because the 170 is so much lighter and can do most of the tasks the farm boss did but i love both saws i've had my farm boss for 6 years and i got my 170 about a year ago best purchases i've ever made
Great video. I purchased a Husqvarna 450 five years ago and have never had a problem with it. I've cut chord after chord of firewood. I'm in the market for a chainsaw for milling trees and am torn between Stihl and Husqvarna. I've had great success w/ my Husky but would like to add a Stihl just to see what it's like.
fastrivers if uou are goung to mill trees use a 70cc saw. Like the husky 372 or stihl 441 or 461. I used a husky 455 for a tome milling with a chainsaw mill and it was slow and really rough on tbe saw.
From a mechanics point, If the crankcase on a stihl brakes i can buy a side, husky you buy a short block. Also throughout the range the stihl is a complete metal engine the lower end huskys the bottom half of crankcase is a plastic unit which doesnt handle the heat of long usage as much.
I bought a 455 rancher used 6 years ago for 325.00 and that saw has been flawless, 100% perfect and has had a rough life cutting firewood, tree roots and stumps. It starts right up every time and does the job. Found a bunch of butt cuts after a logging job got done and we cut up 10 cord of 2 to 3ft rounds in 16inch lengths for hours straight and that saw never blinked. Why get a pro saw? Do the pros really do that much cutting with all there equipment. Some loggers don' even carry a saw anymore. I heard a 455 ranch will cut 300 cord of wood before the ring wares out. That is probably true
*This saw does exactly what I'd hoped The 9" size, 🌻 **allabout.wiki/DECKER** weight, & ease of use are right on for me. I decided to power up my gas chainsaw on a 20 yr old, 12" diam burford stump because I didn't want to overtax the 20V, but the 20V was perfect for cutting a bunch of 4" branches into firewood. That's what I wanted: an "easy" chainsaw for light duty (too big for a lopper) on my 1/2 acre woodsy property.*
Good info , just all in what you need I guess . I started with a Mac10-10 then added a 272xp and over 20 years added on 028 av , 034 av ( with 036 top end ) , 262xp , 576xp and a 395xp . I gave an 029 super and 460 rancher a shot . Just didnt meet my standards
I still have my old 028 Super from the mid '80s and will NEVER part with it because of the construction, materials and reliability. It has always been well maintained and cared for, is rock solid reliable and still gets the nod for firewood and lighter tasks. Hope the 461 lasts that long.
Hi love the video, and that I thought I knew what I was going to get until you pointed out that these have cheap plastic under the bars and can't handle bigger bars... I'm Handicapped from an accident, and need a saw that is "light" and can handle a 25 or 26 inch bar so I don't have to bend over as much limbing and cutting, I need a saw to last and not break down... I'm on SSD and Very low fixed income.... I need the fastest starting and the most dependable saw... I'm leaning towards a Husky but now I don't know what model... I was hoping to buy a chainsaw mill to make boards for tables and arts and crafts stuff, besides firewood... But I would need a 36 inch bar for that but I can't afford those huge saws that come with a 36" bar as well as I can't lift the 17 -24lbs saws either... So I'm kinda stuck now as I was hoping to just get one saw to do everything... So from what you said I guess I'm looking for a Pro saw, I would take either a Stihl or Husky, Which would be the best model for me of each brand... I look forward to your response... Then I can call around and hope someone gets one that's factory refurbished or an open box new one that's discounted... Thanks
Not to mention the whole home owner saw debate. All the chainsaw forums look down on these saws, and go out of their way to get saw "newbies" to spend an inordinate amount on pro saws that can cost hundreds more than a farm/rancher saw. Kind of like telling a 16 year old to not buy a Chevette to learn on, but buy a Ferrari. These saws work just fine as a firewood saw and occasional usage, just what they were designed to do. Now if we could just get the EPA to bugger off and allow us to adjust our saw's carburettor (to run a tad richer), without having to buy a special tool (that apparently is somewhat illegal to purchase), and have them last longer than the manufacturers hope for.....
colin p LOL very true. I'm a member of Arboriistsite and it always bugs me when someone asks about getting a saw for cutting 3-4 cords of wood a year but don't have much money and 4 or 5 guys tell them they need to spend 6-800$ on a 550 or 562xp. a few people suggest the much more reasonable 590 echo, poulan 5020, or finding a good used saw on ebay.
I remember a guy asking for suggestions for a light weight saw to clear some small trees 8-14 inches and some suggested a dolmar 6400 and husqvarna 562xp. Someone even said get a stihl fs460(1000$ weedwacker). My suggestions were the echo 335, 310, dolmar 421, or a husqvarna 543xp (made by zenoah/redmax).
firewatch814 We're rockin a Dolmar 421 at the farm for firewood and general farmyard cleanup on fencerows and in the windbreaks. It's a fantastic saw. For the 100-year-old Burr Oak tree trunks, I found a Husq 562xp used at the local shop for $450. I'm stoked!!!
Y have a old Castor cp 55 model .. old and stil very good saw is made't with strong material but is very heavy.. after a day of work with that saw you are realy tirred.. but with the Stihl ms 261 same power but is not heavy.. is a pleasure to work with that saw
I like the nice comfortable trigger/handle design on the husky/jonsered saws. It gets tiresome holding that trigger up all the time and husky makes it easier. Nice that stihl went to spring antivibe. I have a stihl with the rubber shocks and there is a big difference.
I have serious addiction, I can't stop buying chainsaws especially stihl, I can't go into the stihl chainsaw store , cse when I see the second hand stihl chainsaws they have on display I have to buy one , for some reason I don't want to buy a new stihl it's jst the second hand ones, my wife won't let me to go into the store anymore, my son has to go in there to get me the stihl chainsaw mix, and I'm not allowed to go onto the buy and sell site anymore cse when I see a used stihl on there I have to ring abt it and buy it, it's actually crazy idk I jst love the look and the wear on the bar from use the name is faded on it, it's like when people can't stop buying guns , but for me it's chainsaws, but if I were in America I wud be a gun addict to. do u know when u go to someone else house be it ur brothers house or whoever's house and u walk into there shed and u see a stihl chainsaw sitting there looking beautiful and it jst cracks u up , u want it , u can't stop looking at it by God it's the most wonderful thing walking into a shed or seeing a stihl, even seeing some random person cutting up wood , I remember I was parked up in the town and I seen some guy using and stihl , I had to get out and go over cse I had to know what model it was and I started talking for ages abt chainsaws and my wife was fucking bulling at me in the car she beeped the horn at me , it's really a fucked up addiction. anyone esle have the same problem????????
Man, you've just described the sickness that I suffer. Но я думаю что ты русский и продолжаю по твой язьк. У меня появилась зависимость к бензопилах Тайга 214 и 245. I spent a lot of money to buy second hand saws and я очень рад когда их покупаю в разобранном виде. Then I fix them and cut some wood to test them. Я не думая что сошол с ума. This is a hobby.
so you are saying that unless you spend 700. plus on a saw these days you are getting a pile of disposable junk. What a shitty way for these companies to run their businesses. I guess I can't afford a chainsaw, cause I am not throwing my money away on junk and can't swing 700. or even 600. for a chainsaw. Thanks for the truth. My first job ever was with a tree service and we used several different saws that worked hard and well. Now the saws I have bought wont even keep a chain on them after 4-5 horizontal cuts. AND if you don't run Stabil in them, the carb gets gunked up from the ethanol in the gas and your gonna be doing a carb clean often. One other difference is back in the day the dollar went wayyy further than it does now. It was actually worth something. These companies believe that you can offer a crap product and still charge for a premium product to increase profit margins so their CEO's can get fat bonus checks, the customers fund that philosophy by keeping them in business. I was about to buy a Farm Boss, I think now I will save my money and run my current saw til it falls completely apart. I can't justify 6 or 700. for a quality saw.
Truth is, the hi-end saws are really less money now than they used to be 25 years ago. As stated in the video, these "firewood saw" are a lot less money and therefor the operator is giving up some of the reliability that made these companies who they are today. That's the way of the world! When some brags about owning a certain Brand of anything I always want to know what specific model they own? Most everyone makes O.K to Best within their offerings.Make Sense? Thanks
billy blaze I have a 455 rancher and it's amazing you can get up to a 24 inch bar when he said the numbers means nothing is wrong the 455 has a 55 cc motor the 460 has a 60 cc motor
I have a 290 farm boss and I'm absolutely amazed at its performance, it might be just a home owner saw but it has never let me down and it will scream through oak and hickory like a hot knife through butter, I run nothing but stihl bar oil, stihl 2 stroke and premium ethanol free gasoline in everything I own and it goes a very long way.
Choose your saw shop / dealer before you choose the brand. Both of these brands are fine. Have used many saws from both brands. And both offer lots of different models. I overworked a small husky 5 years ago taking out bigger wood than it was designed to handle. I burned it up, basically. Took it back to my local dealer and sheepishly asked for a repair. She said she was sorry it had let me down and gave me back 100% of what I paid for it as a credit against a bigger saw of the same brand.
thanks for sharing sooner or later i would like to upgrade, some what say i know and some i didnt know watched the whole video. 440 or 441 maybe someday. Thank you!!
echo dosent last bought one at Local Homedepot lasted 4 days of just medium cutting locked up..so I bought a stihl ms250 shes still going that was 3 years ago..so in my book echo is crap just like Husky...
Today they are called junk saws. I'll take my old stihl and husky and keep them running as they will last forever. Even a weekend warrior can appreciate a well made saw that will stand up to the test of time. I always bought commercial equipment that's made to hold up, and if taken care of they will run forever.
Many times on chainsaws, the failure is due to crappy seals making them not start. It’s usually not the carb, injector, plug or air flow - it’s a slight compression leak due to crappy seals which you would almost never notice and are hard to replace. Chainsaws run at very high RPM’s that cause friction around the main drive shaft. The seal around that shaft often gets deformed by the intense heat allowing compression loss. The Japanese do a much better job in building small engines in my opinion because they use high-temp seals and have a great history in small engine building. I would only own a Japanese made Chainsaw.
One big difference I have found as I have two of each. I love both but in local shop buying chains filters and fuel. The biggest difference is how you get your tune up kits husky was $29.99 and gave you oil the stihl was $14.99 as I don't need the little bottle of oil it makes no sense for me to spend the money on them. So that is one thing as I try to make up my mind that is a big factor in witch I will choose is the maintenance costs.
they both need to get rid of the plastic designs and emission rules. The old 066 ,088, 090 , avs were the best. Husqvarna 70 + cc saws are the best in 2017. In Europe NLD there are NO good Stihl nor Husqvarna dealers that have the top of the line saws on stock , nor they have dealers with technical experiance. Stihl or Husqvarna support is far to find. In the usa i see dealers with a good stock line of saws, and with knowledge. The now what people want with there saws. 3/4 handle, other carburetor, muffler mod, bigger flow oil pump.
@@andrewford80 hear that all the time out here...also "raig" instead of "rag", warsh, sarce instead of sauce...drives me insane. My neighbor thought I was slow because I didn't know what a "warsh raieg" was when I was like 7 ahahahahaha.
@@mcss317 The gentleman stated that the saw has been completely rebuilt new piston rings connector rod seals clutch carburetor etc. $250 sound like a good price? It also has a brand new 18 inch bar with brand new chain
@@paulb9376 probably has a new piston and rings, I doubt it has a new connecting rod because the connecting rod is part of the crankshaft. If it has good compression and doesn’t appear to be physically damaged that’s a fair price
Had one also(Junk). Bought a CS-590...game over. If Echo can build a saw of this quality(split case etc) for $400 U. S. ($550 can) then Stihl/Husky should be ashamed of themselves putting out their clamshell garbage and charging that kind of money. That is just corporations being GREEDY! Keep up the shitty quality and ripping off your customers and Echo will Own the farm/ranch segment. I'm sure the market is bigger for farm/ranch/firewood than pro loggers. Vote with your $$$ until they return to building quality Echo will get my money!
Both Stihl and Husky made good saws - but my biggest gripe about serviceability is that Stihl uses hairpin clips to attach the throttle and choke linkage. Those tiny clips make a field repair almost impossible. You know the feeling when one of those clips gores flying across the shop - well, in the woods there is NO finding it ever again and there is very little you can do to put the linkage back on without it. Husky uses "Z-bends" on the ends of the linkage and there are no 'Jeez-Clips" (so named because you say: "Jeez - there goes the clip!"). Since Husky uses a "Dykes-type" L-shaped and keystoned piston ring ---> you could have mentioned that they are a lot less drag on the cylinder walls and therefore don't wear the bore out as quickly. Just saying...... BTW: Husky markets a 100:1 oil for it's engines too. I use it when I can find it - or afford it!
Have a Husqvarna 55 Rancher that was just out of warranty, fuel line rub a hole through it, sucked too much air and seized the piston to the jug. Tractor Supply wouldn't do anything for me, being right in the middle of cutting season I bought a Husqvarna 455. Found a jug & piston kit on eBay for the 55, New jug has pressure relief on it, original did not. Was around $80 for the kit at the time. Kit worked great, still using both saws. Was wondering if my 55 Rancher is considered a modular saw that you were saying replacing the jug & piston were a thing of the past? If so, eBay has parts, wasn't that difficult to do. Thanks for the video btw.
That 55 is similar to a pro design, magnesium split case, separate bolt on cylinder. it's not a modular "clamshell" plastic case design. Your new 455 is a modular clamshell plastic case design.
mmmm like to see the saws after they have been cutting a winter season of firewood. they do need maintenance and cleaning. nothing like a good coating of sawdust and oil on everything internal. like the magneto. personally. never seen a plastic sided chainsaw. opps yes I have. the operator accidentally engaged the chain brake. the result. hot plastic thats rendered the saw as sparse parts made. the chain brake is a safe mechanism. and needs to be accessed for inspection and cleaning. the decompressor make life simple. starting a saw. once it fires on choke. remember to reset it. before you pull that starter cord.
Rod, thanks for the comparison .What is ur preference between the two brands?I have a 455 rancher, was a gift. Ive barely used it, and i dont think it takes a beating well. Ive had to replace the oiler, from new it didnt work. Now, this clutch is giving me grief. The plastic pieces that trip the break are wore, and the spring to engage release brake doesnt travel well. I think its a poor design. Its failed and i think needs replacement, i think i need a new side cover. Not sure what that costs. ( i probably have 4 hours use on this saw) But i think i might be better off buying a stihl????
Rhett Kutney I have a 455 rancher and its been a great saw for the last 6 years. Bought it used for 325.00 cut 10 cord of butt cuts from a logging job and it handled it with a problem in 90 degree heat. You got a lemon
Great power to weight saw. From the 80's. 2 models, 41.95 c.c.'s. And the Super at 44.24 c.c.'s. 40:1 fuel mix. look on the side cover, made in germany or virginia beach Va. Run only non ethanol gas. Ethanol will eat away at the metal fuel tank! I think it was considered a semi pro- saw, or a pro saw. Still sought after. They don't make them like that any more. Well worth repairing. Can cut all day, and it won't beat you up! I guess that's why they're so popular.
So for someone who is a buy on e cry once type of person and wants longevity in their chainsaw what would you recommend? I need it for cutting down trees on my property and bucking them into firewood
Wish things where that cheap in our country. Here you'd be looking at twice that price if they had a massive clearance sale. For instance the 455 is $1350 here.
excellent video - well presented - still haven't made up my mind whether to buy a Stihl or Husqvarna - as well there's the Echo - kinda leaning to the Husqvarna though
majorgeeek I have been cutting with a Stihl since I was young. Grew up with a 039 from the early 90s. I just picked up an ms251 wood boss. I got it just to have a lighter saw for cheap. I love it, it cuts just as good as an old 039. If you go with stihl you will not be disappointed. The farm boss is a bit bigger and probably better but no matter what Stihl will do everything you need. Never used a Husqvarna honestly, they do have a longer warranty though. I'm a stihl man myself. Just thought I'd give my opinion
What did you go for in the end? I was in the same boat and went for the Husqvarna. Pound for pound you seem to get more bang for your buck with them than Stihl. That's not to say I don't like Stihl, but I got a 450 and a 135 with Oil Kit and twin fuel can for £621.
Man you know your stuff. Us newbies ( speaking only for myself) can't understand the numbers you are throwing out. if it is model number, price, displacement or maybe something else. I am looking for a chain saw that will last and is reparable. I am screwing with father-in-laws MuCullauh and the carb is clogged and the thing has to have a special socket to open the thing up. So Im trying to educate myself on what chain saws are best for me. I work on my tools, but this nutting little chain saw is making me question my abilities. I love your video, but I am lost in the numbers. What I am seeing is lots of plastic chain saw parts.
Both brands make some great saws. Ethanol and poor maintenance is what fouls them up. And the fact that they all are becoming high tech as to where only the dealer can service them. Been running both brands for 25+ years. Enough with the silly "favorite brand" arguments.
*Coming up on having had this saw for a year....am a casual user and bought it to cut up sections for bowl blanks. Easy to start, **Bestfor.Garden** also recommend even after storage for a couple of months. Simple chain tension adjustment. Just cut up some 20" Osage Orange, including ripping bolts in half (at an angle). Like butter!*
It seems to me that when choosing between Stihl, Husky, and Dolmar (Makita), brand doesn't matter much. It's more wise to choose whatever the local retailer carries so you have quick access to parts/accessories, and their servicemen will be very familiar with your saw.
Or maybe get a good old saw and learn to work on it yourself. Parts are readily available and can be deliverer directly to you door step.
Have ! Buckins ! YELLA ! MAC ! TOO !!
this is by far the best video I have found on TH-cam breaking it down between both saws.
Just the truth, No Marketing Hype here!
I love my Stihl MS251 wood boss. Always fires up and cuts like a dream. I use mine all the time for cutting and carving.
keverc , I just picked up the MS 250.( different carb) works fantastic.
Most informative and balanced presentation on TH-cam. If I was close I would come to your shop without hesitation.
One piston ring laughing
I bought a Stihl MS270C in Dec 2007 when a major ice storm hit NE Oklahoma. I used that saw every weekend cleaning up people's yards and then my own yard. That saw still sees occasional use and continues to impress me to this day. I rotate the bar and sharpen the chain (still the original); needless to say, I now own several additional Stihl products each of which serve me well! 😎
VERY well presented and executed video Rod! I might suggest using a medium field of view with 720 resolution at 30 frames per second and remove the GoPro from the skeleton housing for better Audio. The content was excellent! You never skipped a beat, and that's key to a well represented review and you stayed impartial and stated just the facts. We need more videos like this! Cheers!! Zip~ Aborist, climber and collector of fine Stihl saws.
Ditch the go pro and just use a decent cell phone camera.
This video gave me a migraine....
Fantastic video!! Absolutely the best video about chainsaws I have ever seen!! I’ve been using the same Poulan 18” Wild Thing purple and green saw for 17 years. I purchased it at Home Depot for $99 Back in the day and I’ve replaced the spark plug once in all that time. And I’ve cleaned the sponge type air filter regularly. I cut 2-3 cords of wood per year and sometimes 15-20 rounds when camping. So IMHO maintenance is the absolute defining activity for making your saw last no matter which brand you have. If you treat your tools like crap they will perform like crap and not last very long. I’m about to retire the old wild thing and purchase a new saw and I’m considering a Stihl just so people will quit making fun of my purple and green saw lol
Prepperjon you can get a Makita (formerly Dolmar) and wow them with the gumby green!
I have a 455 rancher built in 05 and it's a beast I love it it starts Everytime on the second pull
Andrew Maas i had two 455s. ised the heck out them. when a tornado hit my property i lost 100 trees, some 40 inch across. worked those saw 4 hours a day for 4 months. i would run out of gas and swap saws while my daughter filled oil and gas. good saw. i did upgrade to a larger stihl ms441 but only after 9 years.
oswalt Edmond I have a 455 rancher and it is has always been there for me. Starts every time with tone to three pulls. I just got a 365 x torq husky for a little more power on the bigger trees.
Again folks remember that Husqvarna & Stihl are BRANDS. Don't bash the brand....bash the specific MODEL within the brand!!!
Both of these Companies make great saws & cheap saws. That said it's unfair to compare a Husky 455 rancher to a Stihl MS461
Rod Jones) Great representation of products here. It is both entertaining and frustrating to hear people talk smack. A cheap saw is intended for the person who just needs a saw for minimal cutting or emergencies.
Saw prices have remained so low for so many years that it is truly amazing what you can obtain for under $500. By way of comparison an 80cc saw in the early/mid 60's was between$200 & $300. Look at the value of the dollar with inflation factored in and $1200 for a commercial grade saw that will outlast and out cut the vintage unit is a screaming deal.
I collect and run vintage saws, but I do have current issue models that I use when I'm all about getting it done. My point is, just as it is with trucks, motorcycles or anything else you can buy... Everyone has made junk, just as everyone has made solid stuff.
Thanks for the un-biased review. If you were local to me, I'd spend my dollars with you.
Take Care.
Rod Jones true
I plan on cutting a lot of fire wood so should u get a pro saw? I want a stihl that is going to last year's
@@broken_bones_acres Yes get a pro saw' main thing is selling it later' not to mention scene 1986 when I bought my first stihl saw an 026 for 400.00 it lasted 12 years? then another 026 another 10 years' then a MS261 and MS362 and MS201 and now a MS461 which I hope I can handle. All running great' The price was just to good' for the ms461 with 25 " bar and a 6 pack of oil mix for 962.00 out the door //
Ms 461 is a bad ass.
I miss my McCulloch it started no problem even with leftover gas from last season, my Husqvarna is a finicky little fuck.
MrFakit hahahahaha
MrFakit maybe because with have ethanol in our fuel now?
MrFakit Ye the McCullough is a good little saw had one for years as a backup and to cut light timber.
MrFakit pussy boy's video. My saws are GERMAN made. so They work cold hot weather. We cutin.
All of my Stihl saws are as old as me, or older ( 056 and 045's ), and they still all run strong for being 35-40 years old.
yeah had a 031 for years n years Couldant kill it!
Very well presented indeed !
You made fine points of both brands without leaning favoritism towards one or the other like Husqvarna or Stihl...
That's the difference between a good salesman dealing with multiple brand products !
All these saws have a place in the market whether it is a homeowner using a Husqvarna 240 for cutting a minimal amount of firewood for his fireplace or a professional logger using a Husqvarna 395XP for felling timber !
I like both equally as I carry a disassembled MS170 Stihl in a backpack as a emergency saw in case the Husky gets jammed up.
Hats off to you for a perfect presentation and as a great salesman too !
I would ad Husqvarna 545 and 555 to this topic. They are mid range saw built on pro chassis. Husqvarna have always made their semi pro saws on magnesium crank case unlike Stihl that does it in to plastic case.
Mill creek this maybe the best video on tbese saw i had ever seen. I own both stihl and husky.
This was the best video I have found on the internet trying to make a decision between Husqvarna and stihl
Good video. I learned more about these saws in 15 minutes then I did in hours of reading online.
Thanks!
@Jim Marcum go into your local dealer and find out what brand they support, make your decision based on that.
@@mcss317 YOU ! ONLY ! SUPPORT !! A !! BRAND !! THAT !! GIVES ! YOU !! THE !! BEST !! INCOME !! OUT !! OF !! IT !! SAD !! REALITY !! ROD !!
Awesome! Excellent comparison for a first time buyer. Better than all the online written reviews.
Stihl 028 , maintenance engine rebuilt including cylinder , and "Stihl" an AWESOME SAW !!
Rod thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. I'm a McCulloch guy, but I decided to buy 1 "new" generation saw for the heck of it. I'm simply a firewood/emergency user. My saw is used maybe 15 days a year. I'd like a big boy, for no other reason than power and noise :-) Thanks again Rod.
VintageMotoSeattle sooooo did you buy a “big boy” saw ?.... and ohhhh my first saw I ever used. Was my dads pro Mac 610..... still have that saw and still use it from time to time .... love the manual Oiler option.... wish all saws came with em
Great info. Awesome explanation/comparison. Didn’t like the type of lens nor the distance the video was shot from. Thank you so much though
Excellent breakdown about the farm and ranch saws
Sir,Excellent review and comparison of both saws. iI appreciated the factual, accurate reviews of the saws you presented in this video. Folks, this is the reason you go to a authorized dealer. They should know the products they sell and this gentleman is the example. Buy what you feel is best for you and the job you will be using it for. Good luck and be safe.
Very informative video. Reading for a few days, I just picked up all the info I was not finding anywhere else. I have two small Husky 440 and 450s that I use around the ranch - needing something more robust for larger timbers. Thanks for the great video. 5-stars!
You can buy entire replacement engines for farm and ranch saws online these days for a little over $100. They're easy to replace by loosening the bolts on the bottom and removing one of the the bar mount studs. I've ran a stihl ms310 for years and other than being ready for a carb rebuild,its good as new. They are heavy for the power they produce. You may find it interesting that echo saws all have the pro style magnesium case,metal handles,twice the warranty of stihl and husqvarna and cost less than most farm and ranch saws. A stihl ms261cm is stihls,50cc pro saw and a husqvarna 550xp is Huskies 50cc pro saw. Each cost around $650. The echo cs501p is echos 50cc pro saw and it's around $459. Just food for thought,if you're a firewood guy.
Excellent video, I'm a farmer/ weekend warrior and traded a ms390 against a ms261cm solely for the weight, I've a busted shoulder, it's a ripper despite being 14cc less than the 390 and only .3hp less. I picked up a second hand ms461 a few years ago for bigger stuff so the 261 is used mostly. Loved the 390 but found the weight a problem over time. Pro saws are worth the extra money for my circumstances
GREAT comparison video! Really wish you'd do more of these comparing competing saws.
Thank you for saying "nitch". There are still a few of us out there that know how to pronounce it.
Most excellent presentation, Honesty, not miss-placed here. Thank you Sir.
both brands are great, ehya~~reminds me of the 60's and Ford vs Chevy~~i was and will always be that Chevy guy~~and so, i'm a husky fan all the way~~thx for the quality vid
`
I was running this saw for about 2 hours at about a 30-50% duty cycle th-cam.com/users/postUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and it did a great job. I used the lever for the built in sharpener to clear chip buildup out more than to actually sharpen the chain. It managed to cut some hardwood stumps much larger than it's size without bothering the neighbors with hours of 2 stroke noise.
I have owned and like Stihl and Husky. I currently own an 8 year old Husky 350 that I bought new and it has been great.
look the husqvarna and stihl are good saws, some favour husqvarna and some favour stihl. my experience with both makes is good I like both , I had a 365 special husqvarna and it lasted 11 years with serious abuse then final piston went in it, also had a small husqvarna but there's a screw at the bottom that falls out after time and it draws air and won't start, there known for this, I have a good few husqvarnas and the old husqvarna was a excellent saw , dnt know the number of it but it has a white top on it and it's a great saw. the stihl is a excellent saw I have 050 av , 041av , 028,029, ms 290 farm boss, ms 170,038,017 and many more in the shed and there all great saws never gave any trouble, the only one that gave trouble which was ms 170 the float came out and it keeps flooding, out of all them the ms 290 farm boss is the best in my opinion. if I were to choose husqvarna or stihl, I'd pick stihl that's jst me, the three best makes out there from my experience is stihl, echo, husqvarna, the old echo's were some saw I have a few vintage ones and by Jesus they still run perfect, there's one I have and it got so much abuse , trees fell of top of it and it got everyday going with it , I still use it now and again but there's no brake on it. the worst chainsaw I ever had from my experience is the old homelite chainsaw there heavy and a cunt on fuel , hated them saws, but I still have a few left in with all my other saws , I'm a chainsaw collector really I have so many saws in the shed its really outrageous how many there is.
spetsnaz army i've never had any problems with my 170 she starts up everytime and i always find my self using that saw rather than my farm boss because the 170 is so much lighter and can do most of the tasks the farm boss did but i love both saws i've had my farm boss for 6 years and i got my 170 about a year ago best purchases i've ever made
Great video. I purchased a Husqvarna 450 five years ago and have never had a problem with it. I've cut chord after chord of firewood. I'm in the market for a chainsaw for milling trees and am torn between Stihl and Husqvarna. I've had great success w/ my Husky but would like to add a Stihl just to see what it's like.
fastrivers if uou are goung to mill trees use a 70cc saw. Like the husky 372 or stihl 441 or 461. I used a husky 455 for a tome milling with a chainsaw mill and it was slow and really rough on tbe saw.
Excellent video for me the non pro!!! Thanks.
From a mechanics point, If the crankcase on a stihl brakes i can buy a side, husky you buy a short block. Also throughout the range the stihl is a complete metal engine the lower end huskys the bottom half of crankcase is a plastic unit which doesnt handle the heat of long usage as much.
Great video .
That clock in the background is killing me lol
think of it as a metronome ok for slamming the saws back down on the counter lol :)
excellent video learned way more in 15 minutes watching this then 2 hours of reading.
I bought a 455 rancher used 6 years ago for 325.00 and that saw has been flawless, 100% perfect and has had a rough life cutting firewood, tree roots and stumps. It starts right up every time and does the job. Found a bunch of butt cuts after a logging job got done and we cut up 10 cord of 2 to 3ft rounds in 16inch lengths for hours straight and that saw never blinked. Why get a pro saw? Do the pros really do that much cutting with all there equipment. Some loggers don' even carry a saw anymore. I heard a 455 ranch will cut 300 cord of wood before the ring wares out. That is probably true
*This saw does exactly what I'd hoped The 9" size, 🌻 **allabout.wiki/DECKER** weight, & ease of use are right on for me. I decided to power up my gas chainsaw on a 20 yr old, 12" diam burford stump because I didn't want to overtax the 20V, but the 20V was perfect for cutting a bunch of 4" branches into firewood. That's what I wanted: an "easy" chainsaw for light duty (too big for a lopper) on my 1/2 acre woodsy property.*
30 years running stihl
What's wrong with your clock?
Jasper Dunkin it’s the second hand, nothing wrong with it.👍
It’s a chainsaw second hand.
Good info , just all in what you need I guess . I started with a Mac10-10 then added a 272xp and over 20 years added on 028 av , 034 av ( with 036 top end ) , 262xp , 576xp and a 395xp . I gave an 029 super and 460 rancher a shot . Just didnt meet my standards
I still have my old 028 Super from the mid '80s and will NEVER part with it because of the construction, materials and reliability. It has always been well maintained and cared for, is rock solid reliable and still gets the nod for firewood and lighter tasks. Hope the 461 lasts that long.
Hell yeah, pretty much anything from the 80's and back was Pure badass.
This may be a old video but this guy actually knows his shit.
Hi love the video, and that I thought I knew what I was going to get until you pointed out that these have cheap plastic under the bars and can't handle bigger bars... I'm Handicapped from an accident, and need a saw that is "light" and can handle a 25 or 26 inch bar so I don't have to bend over as much limbing and cutting, I need a saw to last and not break down... I'm on SSD and Very low fixed income.... I need the fastest starting and the most dependable saw... I'm leaning towards a Husky but now I don't know what model... I was hoping to buy a chainsaw mill to make boards for tables and arts and crafts stuff, besides firewood... But I would need a 36 inch bar for that but I can't afford those huge saws that come with a 36" bar as well as I can't lift the 17 -24lbs saws either... So I'm kinda stuck now as I was hoping to just get one saw to do everything... So from what you said I guess I'm looking for a Pro saw, I would take either a Stihl or Husky, Which would be the best model for me of each brand... I look forward to your response... Then I can call around and hope someone gets one that's factory refurbished or an open box new one that's discounted... Thanks
This guy knows his product lines!
Not to mention the whole home owner saw debate. All the chainsaw forums look down on these saws, and go out of their way to get saw "newbies" to spend an inordinate amount on pro saws that can cost hundreds more than a farm/rancher saw. Kind of like telling a 16 year old to not buy a Chevette to learn on, but buy a Ferrari. These saws work just fine as a firewood saw and occasional usage, just what they were designed to do.
Now if we could just get the EPA to bugger off and allow us to adjust our saw's carburettor (to run a tad richer), without having to buy a special tool (that apparently is somewhat illegal to purchase), and have them last longer than the manufacturers hope for.....
colin p LOL very true. I'm a member of Arboriistsite and it always bugs me when someone asks about getting a saw for cutting 3-4 cords of wood a year but don't have much money and 4 or 5 guys tell them they need to spend 6-800$ on a 550 or 562xp. a few people suggest the much more reasonable 590 echo, poulan 5020, or finding a good used saw on ebay.
I remember a guy asking for suggestions for a light weight saw to clear some small trees 8-14 inches and some suggested a dolmar 6400 and husqvarna 562xp. Someone even said get a stihl fs460(1000$ weedwacker). My suggestions were the echo 335, 310, dolmar 421, or a husqvarna 543xp (made by zenoah/redmax).
firewatch814 ya...you don't need that $1300 ms880 to cut your campfire wood..lol
firewatch814 for that. .I'd suggest a very moderate priced ($175?) ms170....
firewatch814 We're rockin a Dolmar 421 at the farm for firewood and general farmyard cleanup on fencerows and in the windbreaks. It's a fantastic saw. For the 100-year-old Burr Oak tree trunks, I found a Husq 562xp used at the local shop for $450. I'm stoked!!!
Y have a old Castor cp 55 model .. old and stil very good saw is made't with strong material but is very heavy.. after a day of work with that saw you are realy tirred.. but with the Stihl ms 261 same power but is not heavy.. is a pleasure to work with that saw
Great concise break down. Thank you.
I like the nice comfortable trigger/handle design on the husky/jonsered saws. It gets tiresome holding that trigger up all the time and husky makes it easier. Nice that stihl went to spring antivibe. I have a stihl with the rubber shocks and there is a big difference.
I have serious addiction, I can't stop buying chainsaws especially stihl, I can't go into the stihl chainsaw store , cse when I see the second hand stihl chainsaws they have on display I have to buy one , for some reason I don't want to buy a new stihl it's jst the second hand ones, my wife won't let me to go into the store anymore, my son has to go in there to get me the stihl chainsaw mix, and I'm not allowed to go onto the buy and sell site anymore cse when I see a used stihl on there I have to ring abt it and buy it, it's actually crazy idk I jst love the look and the wear on the bar from use the name is faded on it, it's like when people can't stop buying guns , but for me it's chainsaws, but if I were in America I wud be a gun addict to. do u know when u go to someone else house be it ur brothers house or whoever's house and u walk into there shed and u see a stihl chainsaw sitting there looking beautiful and it jst cracks u up , u want it , u can't stop looking at it by God it's the most wonderful thing walking into a shed or seeing a stihl, even seeing some random person cutting up wood , I remember I was parked up in the town and I seen some guy using and stihl , I had to get out and go over cse I had to know what model it was and I started talking for ages abt chainsaws and my wife was fucking bulling at me in the car she beeped the horn at me , it's really a fucked up addiction. anyone esle have the same problem????????
spetsnaz army
It's called OCD. See a shrink.
Man, you've just described the sickness that I suffer. Но я думаю что ты русский и продолжаю по твой язьк. У меня появилась зависимость к бензопилах Тайга 214 и 245. I spent a lot of money to buy second hand saws and я очень рад когда их покупаю в разобранном виде. Then I fix them and cut some wood to test them. Я не думая что сошол с ума. This is a hobby.
so you are saying that unless you spend 700. plus on a saw these days you are getting a pile of disposable junk. What a shitty way for these companies to run their businesses. I guess I can't afford a chainsaw, cause I am not throwing my money away on junk and can't swing 700. or even 600. for a chainsaw. Thanks for the truth. My first job ever was with a tree service and we used several different saws that worked hard and well. Now the saws I have bought wont even keep a chain on them after 4-5 horizontal cuts. AND if you don't run Stabil in them, the carb gets gunked up from the ethanol in the gas and your gonna be doing a carb clean often. One other difference is back in the day the dollar went wayyy further than it does now. It was actually worth something. These companies believe that you can offer a crap product and still charge for a premium product to increase profit margins so their CEO's can get fat bonus checks, the customers fund that philosophy by keeping them in business.
I was about to buy a Farm Boss, I think now I will save my money and run my current saw til it falls completely apart. I can't justify 6 or 700. for a quality saw.
Truth is, the hi-end saws are really less money now than they used to be 25 years ago. As stated in the video, these "firewood saw" are a lot less money and therefor the operator is giving up some of the reliability that made these companies who they are today. That's the way of the world! When some brags about owning a certain Brand of anything I always want to know what specific model they own? Most everyone makes O.K to Best within their offerings.Make Sense?
Thanks
billy blaze I have a 455 rancher and it's amazing you can get up to a 24 inch bar when he said the numbers means nothing is wrong the 455 has a 55 cc motor the 460 has a 60 cc motor
I have a 290 farm boss and I'm absolutely amazed at its performance, it might be just a home owner saw but it has never let me down and it will scream through oak and hickory like a hot knife through butter, I run nothing but stihl bar oil, stihl 2 stroke and premium ethanol free gasoline in everything I own and it goes a very long way.
im 1300 into my 372xp ported :)
Get an Echo CS-590. For $450 and is the old design. 5 year warranty and a life time on the ignition.
Great information that is still timely today.
The rear bar stud on the Stihl threads into the engine block.
Choose your saw shop / dealer before you choose the brand. Both of these brands are fine. Have used many saws from both brands. And both offer lots of different models. I overworked a small husky 5 years ago taking out bigger wood than it was designed to handle. I burned it up, basically. Took it back to my local dealer and sheepishly asked for a repair. She said she was sorry it had let me down and gave me back 100% of what I paid for it as a credit against a bigger saw of the same brand.
thanks for sharing sooner or later i would like to upgrade, some what say i know and some i didnt know watched the whole video. 440 or 441 maybe someday. Thank you!!
If you're comparing ranch saws why isn't the Echo CS-590 in there. Probably the best performance for the value in this segment.
echo dosent last bought one at Local Homedepot lasted 4 days of just medium cutting locked up..so I bought a stihl ms250 shes still going that was 3 years ago..so in my book echo is crap just like Husky...
Very well explained. And informative. And to the point. Thanks for this video.
Some saws are heavier than others, if you’re going to use it all day that should be a consideration.🙏
Good video thank you 😊
Today they are called junk saws. I'll take my old stihl and husky and keep them running as they will last forever. Even a weekend warrior can appreciate a well made saw that will stand up to the test of time. I always bought commercial equipment that's made to hold up, and if taken care of they will run forever.
Many times on chainsaws, the failure is due to crappy seals making them not start. It’s usually not the carb, injector, plug or air flow - it’s a slight compression leak due to crappy seals which you would almost never notice and are hard to replace. Chainsaws run at very high RPM’s that cause friction around the main drive shaft. The seal around that shaft often gets deformed by the intense heat allowing compression loss. The Japanese do a much better job in building small engines in my opinion because they use high-temp seals and have a great history in small engine building. I would only own a Japanese made Chainsaw.
Great video. Highly recommended for chainsaw newbies.
Just Like Ford and Chevy personal preference means a lot, the pro saws are the better choice but costs more, I ike the Old Stihls, but both are good.
One big difference I have found as I have two of each. I love both but in local shop buying chains filters and fuel. The biggest difference is how you get your tune up kits husky was $29.99 and gave you oil the stihl was $14.99 as I don't need the little bottle of oil it makes no sense for me to spend the money on them. So that is one thing as I try to make up my mind that is a big factor in witch I will choose is the maintenance costs.
Thanks for your time on the video. Rod, Do the machines differ in how they oil the chain? Thanks
they both need to get rid of the plastic designs and emission rules. The old 066 ,088, 090 , avs were the best. Husqvarna 70 + cc saws are the best in 2017. In Europe NLD there are NO good Stihl nor Husqvarna dealers that have the top of the line saws on stock , nor they have dealers with technical experiance. Stihl or Husqvarna support is far to find. In the usa i see dealers with a good stock line of saws, and with knowledge. The now what people want with there saws. 3/4 handle, other carburetor, muffler mod, bigger flow oil pump.
This guy makes me want to buy a sawL....😁
breakfree41 guess it's a regional thing huh? :)
@@andrewford80 hear that all the time out here...also "raig" instead of "rag", warsh, sarce instead of sauce...drives me insane. My neighbor thought I was slow because I didn't know what a "warsh raieg" was when I was like 7 ahahahahaha.
Thanks. Nice report.
is STIHL MS 261 C-M good saw?If i am not mistaken it is pro line saw but allso works fairly well for farm usage ?
Yes
is the 550xp a good saw?
Would you recommend and older husky 51 over a newer husky 450? Also what about echo brand? Thanks
Go with that 51! Great old saw. New stuff 450,455 are plastic cheaper saws.
@@mcss317 The gentleman stated that the saw has been completely rebuilt new piston rings connector rod seals clutch carburetor etc. $250 sound like a good price? It also has a brand new 18 inch bar with brand new chain
I was looking at a newer Husqvarna 460 rancher brand new from Lowe’s for comparison
@@paulb9376 probably has a new piston and rings, I doubt it has a new connecting rod because the connecting rod is part of the crankshaft. If it has good compression and doesn’t appear to be physically damaged that’s a fair price
@@mcss317 yes a new piston, rings, clutch, carb, bar and chain. I’ll give it a look tomorrow, thanks for the insight
MS291 Didn't last six months with me, and yes I used Stihl fuel and oil. No decompression valve iether.
If you need a decompression valve to start a 291 it's time to stop using your saw.
Had one also(Junk). Bought a CS-590...game over. If Echo can build a saw of this quality(split case etc) for $400 U. S. ($550 can) then Stihl/Husky should be ashamed of themselves putting out their clamshell garbage and charging that kind of money. That is just corporations being GREEDY! Keep up the shitty quality and ripping off your customers and Echo will Own the farm/ranch segment. I'm sure the market is bigger for farm/ranch/firewood than pro loggers. Vote with your $$$ until they return to building quality Echo will get my money!
Both Stihl and Husky made good saws - but my biggest gripe about serviceability is that Stihl uses hairpin clips to attach the throttle and choke linkage. Those tiny clips make a field repair almost impossible. You know the feeling when one of those clips gores flying across the shop - well, in the woods there is NO finding it ever again and there is very little you can do to put the linkage back on without it.
Husky uses "Z-bends" on the ends of the linkage and there are no 'Jeez-Clips" (so named because you say: "Jeez - there goes the clip!").
Since Husky uses a "Dykes-type" L-shaped and keystoned piston ring ---> you could have mentioned that they are a lot less drag on the cylinder walls and therefore don't wear the bore out as quickly. Just saying......
BTW: Husky markets a 100:1 oil for it's engines too. I use it when I can find it - or afford it!
Have a Husqvarna 55 Rancher that was just out of warranty, fuel line rub a hole through it, sucked too much air and seized the piston to the jug. Tractor Supply wouldn't do anything for me, being right in the middle of cutting season I bought a Husqvarna 455. Found a jug & piston kit on eBay for the 55, New jug has pressure relief on it, original did not. Was around $80 for the kit at the time. Kit worked great, still using both saws. Was wondering if my 55 Rancher is considered a modular saw that you were saying replacing the jug & piston were a thing of the past? If so, eBay has parts, wasn't that difficult to do.
Thanks for the video btw.
That 55 is similar to a pro design, magnesium split case, separate bolt on cylinder. it's not a modular "clamshell" plastic case design. Your new 455 is a modular clamshell plastic case design.
What about echo
mmmm like to see the saws after they have been cutting a winter season of firewood. they do need maintenance and cleaning. nothing like a good coating of sawdust and oil on everything internal. like the magneto. personally. never seen a plastic sided chainsaw. opps yes I have. the operator accidentally engaged the chain brake. the result. hot plastic thats rendered the saw as sparse parts made. the chain brake is a safe mechanism. and needs to be accessed for inspection and cleaning. the decompressor make life simple. starting a saw. once it fires on choke. remember to reset it. before you pull that starter cord.
Rod, thanks for the comparison .What is ur preference between the two brands?I have a 455 rancher, was a gift. Ive barely used it, and i dont think it takes a beating well. Ive had to replace the oiler, from new it didnt work. Now, this clutch is giving me grief. The plastic pieces that trip the break are wore, and the spring to engage release brake doesnt travel well. I think its a poor design. Its failed and i think needs replacement, i think i need a new side cover. Not sure what that costs. ( i probably have 4 hours use on this saw) But i think i might be better off buying a stihl????
The Stihl saws overall hold up better to abuse. That said, if both brands are treated with TLC both brands will hang.
Rhett Kutney I have a 455 rancher and its been a great saw for the last 6 years. Bought it used for 325.00 cut 10 cord of butt cuts from a logging job and it handled it with a problem in 90 degree heat. You got a lemon
The fisheye or extreme wide angle lens is probably not the best view when doing a review.
Great video! Super informative and you did a great job going through the use case for the saws in question.
what saws are these I have an 024 sthil Woodboss and the chain case cover is metal so it the recoil handle
Great power to weight saw. From the 80's. 2 models, 41.95 c.c.'s. And the Super at 44.24 c.c.'s. 40:1 fuel mix. look on the side cover, made in germany or virginia beach Va. Run only non ethanol gas. Ethanol will eat away at the metal fuel tank! I think it was considered a semi pro- saw, or a pro saw. Still sought after. They don't make them like that any more. Well worth repairing. Can cut all day, and it won't beat you up! I guess that's why they're so popular.
So for someone who is a buy on e cry once type of person and wants longevity in their chainsaw what would you recommend? I need it for cutting down trees on my property and bucking them into firewood
The clutch cover on the 450 455 460 rancher are metal.....the comparable stihl is plastic.....
the 455 is is the model number but it means something it has a 55 cc motor and the 460 has a 60 cc motor.
Saw this Video on "Chainsaw Junkies" on facebook, Grate Video and full of info ! Big Like !
Wish things where that cheap in our country. Here you'd be looking at twice that price if they had a massive clearance sale. For instance the 455 is $1350 here.
kyle philips Wow... Where are you?
A stupid little country called New Zealand! The $1350 is our money, but still a lot for a little saw.
at the end of the video, you said "if youre a professional youre not even looking at these saws"
what saws would a professional look at?
Pro saws. Not Home Depot saws.
Who is strong stihl or husqarna ?
When mentioning plastic pieces, i meant to say how the brake lever mates to the brake. Spring/band etc
excellent video - well presented - still haven't made up my mind whether to buy a Stihl or Husqvarna - as well there's the Echo - kinda leaning to the Husqvarna though
majorgeeek I have been cutting with a Stihl since I was young. Grew up with a 039 from the early 90s. I just picked up an ms251 wood boss. I got it just to have a lighter saw for cheap. I love it, it cuts just as good as an old 039. If you go with stihl you will not be disappointed. The farm boss is a bit bigger and probably better but no matter what Stihl will do everything you need. Never used a Husqvarna honestly, they do have a longer warranty though. I'm a stihl man myself. Just thought I'd give my opinion
Keanan Temple
thanks Keanan for you time to reply and advice you gave - I will certainly take it on board when I decide to buy my new saw
majorgeeek you're welcome
BUY A STIHL or youll wish you had before its all over..
What did you go for in the end? I was in the same boat and went for the Husqvarna. Pound for pound you seem to get more bang for your buck with them than Stihl. That's not to say I don't like Stihl, but I got a 450 and a 135 with Oil Kit and twin fuel can for £621.
I'm a STIHL guy for 40 yrs. Husky saws are just as good but are completely encased in plastic which I hate. That's my comparison.
thanks good video lots of useful information
Thank you for your very informative video.
Thank you for this!!
I picked up a husky 1997 257 is this pro grade saw?
Whah do i need to do when i adjust the chainsaw chain all bar is all the way out but the chain is not tight
Take a link out of the chain.
Very well done! Thank you.
My Toro string trimmer called for 32:1 fuel and it's working for 30+ years. Is it a good idea to run a Stihl chainsaw on 32:1?
Motor 2 stroke oil is a lot better than it used to be. Lot of 32:1 stuff can run 50:1 now.
Man you know your stuff. Us newbies ( speaking only for myself) can't understand the numbers you are throwing out. if it is model number, price, displacement or maybe something else. I am looking for a chain saw that will last and is reparable. I am screwing with father-in-laws MuCullauh and the carb is clogged and the thing has to have a special socket to open the thing up.
So Im trying to educate myself on what chain saws are best for me. I work on my tools, but this nutting little chain saw is making me question my abilities. I love your video, but I am lost in the numbers. What I am seeing is lots of plastic chain saw parts.
Both brands make some great saws. Ethanol and poor maintenance is what fouls them up. And the fact that they all are becoming high tech as to where only the dealer can service them. Been running both brands for 25+ years. Enough with the silly "favorite brand" arguments.
Ms 311 or husqvarna 460 which one better