Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you! ECHO: amzn.to/3IpWYBZ ECHO Electric: amzn.to/3Ggf2fi Husqvarna: amzn.to/3GEhI7C Ryobi: amzn.to/3GEk9r8 (no longer available) Salem Master: amzn.to/3unQlLu Craftsman: Available at Lowes Poulan Pro: amzn.to/3CnTXhU Stihl MS 250: Available at Stihl retailers such as Ace Hardware and Northern Tool
Just happened see compared chainsaws, of I gravitate to Stihl. Not long a ago I forced to replace my old 026 and got a MS 250 and had new version chain blade really like it. Also came with a tab by carb filter for summer and winter convertible tab.
I've owned a dozen or more chainsaws and have always found the Stihl and Husqvarna's to be the best and they performed well in your tests. Another important factor for me is the ability to get parts, shops that can fix them and how good they are after they break and get fixed. Another important reason to go with the two mentioned...
This was exactly what I was thinking. There are multiple Stihl repair shops in my area - the Salem Master did well, but I can't see a plastic chainsaw holding up long term, and it's going to be more or less disposable at that price point.
@@ProjectFarmmy dad has owned a Husqvarna 455 Rancher for about 13 years now. Every year we’ve used it to cut all of our wood for the winter, here in upstate New York. The saw is an absolute beast, and has never gone up against something it couldn’t cut. The new Husqvarna saws just aren’t built the same as they were.
That is an excellent point that I wish folks would consider more often than price point. Service after the sale is HUGE with something like a chainsaw. If you have a really good Stihl dealer nearby you buy Stihls which is what we did. I would suspect people that have good Echo or Husky dealers would do the same. I can't tell you how many times as a kid growing up on a small farm that we would be out clearing fence lines etc and we would have a problem with a saw and Dan would take it in and have it going again within a day or two (usually a gunked up oiler or contaminated fuel). A saw is one of those tools that for most folks it sits idle in the shed/garage for 99% of the time. But when you need it, YOU NEED IT...
Another tremendous test run. In all truth, Todd, I'd trust your testing results over anything that a manufacturer said as far as results go. Although my chainsaw slinging days are long over, I was really stoked to see you test the gas saws. If you have a lot of wood to clear, gas is the way to go for sure. Thanks again for all you do, and for staying true to your no-sponsorship stance. It means a hell of a lot to us.
I bought a Stihl MS 290:Farm Boss about 13 years ago and have been impressed. Have used it thru several hurricanes and many hours of property clearing and cleanup felling trees, cutting branches, etc. and it’s never failed me. Just did it’s first tuneup last summer and she’s still plugging along perfectly. I’ve owned half a dozen different brands over the years but only the Stihl and a little 10 year old Homelight with a 16” bar have lasted and continue to perform. Excellent test, thanks for the video. Top shelf content as always! 👍
@@JohnDoe-df2zz My Dad still has his old Homelite XL1. Talk about a VERY loud saw😆Those old saws had no chain brake, no vibration dampening, not much in the way of safety whatsoever, but they were all metal and built to last with very few plastic pieces.
Biggest factor for me is being able to consistently start the saw and long term reliability. I've watched my dad go through 3 Homelite/Ryobi chainsaws having them break and be un-repairable while I've still have my one home grade Stihl MS171 which hasn't let me down yet.
Go the old homelite XL 12 / super / auto model. Better than anything else, extremely torquey, doesn't let me down at all. Still use it 50 years later.... Doesn't flop around like these new plastic ones, in the video they flop around so bad when you pull the pull starter haha.
@@qwertyui90qwertyui90bet you sing a different tune if you bought a new equivalent to the home light. I have used a homelite 925xl and bought a stihl ms880, never touched homelite except for mill work now
I've owned about every brand there is and nothing compares to a Stihl, I love your observation on the gas caps in regards to preventing contamination in the tank, I carry a small paint brush in each of my saw cases to clean the cap areas off before refueling/reoiling. I hope the manufacturers take note of your critique on this.
Having a couple husky xp saws I will say when looking at top models husky still holds its own. It does offer low tier models that do make the company reputation sink though.
I have a 30 cal ammo can with all my chainsaw maint. items, extra 2 cyc oil mix, and spare parts. You can bet the farm I have a paintbrush in there! That was something I learned a long time ago.
I only use husqvarna saws. Fluid refill contamination has never been an issue with a small utility brush on hand. Husqvarna seem to be my ideal saw. Not heavy. Easy fluid fill and chain change is quick. Most saw stores carry Husqvarna parts as well as the other popular brands.
Similar experience to you. I went through three lowes Husky's before I said ENOUGH of this crap and got a nice 261CM. Best saw ever. Not the most powerful saw in the world but the features, ease of use, reliability, weight to power ratio, etc. are lightyears beyond anything I got from lowes. Granted it may not be the fairest comparison, I'm sure Husky has great stuff at the top end, but I'll never buy anything but a Stihl again. Husky sells too much low end junk at lowes for me to bother with them anymore.
I currently use a Stihl MS 290 and an Echo CS 590. They are very close in specs. Over my nearly 78 years I've used a lot of saws including other Stihls and Echos. My experience has been that Stihls are very well made (maybe less true now of the base consumer models), but so are the Echos. My Echo starts much more easily than my Stihl, cuts faster and seems to have more power--but it's also newer, and that may explain a lot. My son has one of my old Echos that must be almost 40 years old now. It still runs. He has an old Stihl of mine too, maybe 30 years old, and it runs fine. I think the takeaway is that any of the high-end saws--Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, Dolmar, etc. are worth the money--they last, they have high resale value if you don't want to keep it, and they are much easier to live with. Which is best? I really think it's just a matter of personal preference and how you prioritize the fine differences in details.
Your tests are in a league of their own! Great job once again! Your no BS approach is more and more refreshing in these times of increasing Phoniness. Please continue to keep it real for those of us that truly appreciate your efforts.
Hey thanks for all of your videos! In the past I have asked for an all USA made video for tools or whatever else you do a video on. I was curious though if when you do these videos if you could also include after the initial test where each item is made? I know you say in the videos but when compiling my data from your videos I want to avoid anything made in China. I can then eliminate all of those and then go off of what offers the best option for stuff made outside of China. I have a good friend who is from China and she has told me about the atrocities she has seen out there first hand by the Government. She escaped from there and from things that she has told me I don’t have any desire to ever give China any of my money. Plus their stuff has the worst longevity and durability.
@lenardruterbories6742 I am from the PNW, and 24" does the job for the stuff I have to work with. There are bigger trees around, but the trees on my land aren't too big for it to get the job done.
I think DeWalt, Echo, Makita, EGO, Stihl and Husqvarna all owe you a lot of money for the increases in sales they have all undoubtedly experienced from your two battery chainsaw vids and now this one. Hopefully you're making enough of an impact to inspire all of the others to step up their games as well! That's exactly why we need more of this in today's world... Fair, unbiased, thorough product comparisons.
Everything is linked in the description. He’s getting paid through affiliate marketing when people purchase one of these products after following his link to the site. Also TH-cam pays creators. Im sure he’s doing just fine for himself.
I bought the Stihl MS180 16” about 12 years ago because I kept seeing them on the professional landscaper trailers. I managed to clear 1.5 acres of property with that little thing, including cutting down eighteen, 26-30” diameter trees. It is still on the original spark plug and air filter and still starts on the third pull even if it sits for a year or two between uses. If I ever have to replace the saw, I’m going with another Stihl.
I've currently got the Husqvarna for my property. Clearing strawberry guava is a nightmare but the saw has been holding up perfectly. I would've preferred the Stihl, as those are the saws my brothers wildfire crew run and I've become familiar with them, but couldn't find any on my small island.
You’ll be putting a fuel line in is before to long. It’s well worth the repair when it comes due. With small needle nose you don’t have to take the whole saw apart.
As a former professional rural lineman, I must tell you that the little points have another purpose. When cutting larger demension material there is a trick with the points. Let the chain pull the barbs into the wood, with a little added force, then gently pull up on the rear handle rotating the bar and chain into the cut, let it rock 20 degrees, then slide the bar/chain back a couple of inches, then stab it in again. Keep the bar rocking as you go thru--try it.
Jeffrey - " u are the lineman for the county, and u drive the main roads , searching in the darkness for an other overload , I hear u singing in wire , I can see through the vines and the Witchita lineman is still on the linnnnne " ! Glen Campbell - Witchita Lineman
I get the impression he knows that, but doing all that might introduce another variable in the form of user skill. Every extra bit of manipulation he does creates more play in the final results. Maybe if he devised a way to measure the angle in real time. That might keep it fair.
Great test! My father and brother are both foresters and they only use Stihl saws, also all most of the lumberjacks they work with. My father still has 20+ year old Stihl saw and using it regularly. The premium price comes back if you plan to keep it and work with wood every year.
I've always owned Stihl saws but have used Husky, Jonsered, etc. One thing I'll say about Stihl is that they are super easy to work on. You can basically take the whole saw apart with the two tools that come with the saw : the scrench and the L-shaped torx tool. Plus parts are easy to find and readily available.
I agree with that, did a lot of Stihl motors when working at a hire company. I still have the extra long Stihl torx in my tool chest (and the carb adjusting screwdriver that came with them new), found it again a few days ago looking for something completely different (don't get into tools much since retiring)
I’ve burned wood for over 40;years. Most of these saws are throw away saws. If you want a saw, buy a professional grade saw. It might cost more, but you will not regret it! Stihl never fails.
I've used several chainsaws over the years and ended up purchasing a Stihl Farm Boss a few years ago. The first time I used that thing I was blown away. Hands-down more power and speed than anything I'd ever used before. I also feel more safe using it because I'm not fighting it at all, just comfortable letting the saw do the work.
Also have the Farm Boss. Took it in last year and basically needed to be rebuilt. I enquired as to whether I should look at replacing it with STIHL’s modern equivalent of the Farm Boss. The shop owner was adamant and replied immediately with, “Oh no! Never get rid of this. They don’t make em like this anymore.”
my x dun did buy me my 039 farm boss 20 years ago for me birthday . she sed they are the best ... the thing still runs strong i guess i have to eat my undies nextime me x and i meat
As a professional horticulturist/arborist - I do a lot of tree work, but not as much as a full time dedicated arborist who carries an entire arsenal of different sized saws. I needed a single saw I could do everything with including light enough to climb a tree with, but robust enough to drop a 36” tree if needed. When you’re up a tree, the LAST thing you want is a saw that takes more than 3 pulls to start… one pull EVERYTIME when warm. A lot of stop and go when climbing/pruning/removals. I went with the highest end professional saw I could get, a Husqvarna 550xp - LOVE that saw… watching these homeowners models trying to cut through a piece of wood in this video is like torture. 😂 If you can afford it, and if you use a saw more than once a month, I’d go for professional model Stihl or Husqvarna.
Go electric. I used to be a climber and last year had to buy an emergency saw for my mom's house and I picked up a battery powered Echo top handled saw. If I were back in the business today I would sell all my gas climbing saws and go full electric. They are that good.
@ I know they were starting to try to become a real player in the professional market 5+ years ago. Took one for a test back then, but I still have a hard time getting over their ‘cheaper’ history. Was interested in buying their smaller climbing arborist saw years ago, but just couldn’t justify the purchase. My good arborist friend tested out the climbing saw head to head (echo vs. Stihl) on the job for about a week, and decided to go back to his old faithful climbing/pruning saw, the Stihl.
Absolutely awesome test! I love the inclusion of the electric chainsaw to put it in perspective. Just once I'd love to see a behind-the-scenes video that goes into the making of your reviews! You've got some serious gear holding those logs and the attention to detail in maintaining consistency during testing certainly would be interesting to hear about how you maintain it for your testing. Top stuff, as always!
@@ProjectFarm I'd love to see a video on soft shackles - maybe a couple of the most reputable off-road brands (e.g. Warn/Factor55/BubbaRope/YankumRopes), couple less-reputable off-road brands (e.g. Smittybilt/Rough Country/etc), Harbor Freight, and a few popular/cheaper Amazon ones. 👍
I have a 18" Husqvarna that's over 20 yrs old, farm and ranch use. Had a bunch of storm damage this past year, and switched over to the newer Xcut Husqvarna chain. What a difference. It's easily cutting at the speeds you're showing for the Stihl, and most of my cutting is Bois' Darc /hedge apple. Can't argue with 20yrs usage and still going.. Thank the Good Lord!
Stihl and Husqvarna make great saws, their pro ranges are the choice of professional users (logging teams etc.) so that says a lot about their quality, longevity and customer support. A brand that is quite popular here in New Zealand is Shindaiwa (Japanese), they make really high quality outdoor equipment.
Hey Mark. Shindaiwa and Echo are functionally the same brand. You'll occasionally find a tiny difference between the two brands but fundementally the products they produce are identical other than being different colors.
When I worked at a rental company, we exclusively used Shindaiwa for chainsaws, polesaws, power brooms etc. They held up pretty well and I only had one go down due to the customer using straight gas for an extended period (we did get it rebuilt though). Don’t miss the sound of 2 strokes on a daily basis,😅
@@hornetdt I didn't know that, interesting. Shindaiwa have always been a bit of a niche brand in NZ, but I always liked them, they have a very unique sound. Echo always seemed to be aimed more towards the home owner, and Shindaiwa more towards the commercial user, but that's just my impression and perhaps just a marketing thing.
@@hornetdt Spot on. I'm a small engine mechanic and factory trained on Echo equipment. Good reliable value equipment that are easy and cheap to work on.
BE CAREFUL WITH SALEM MASTER! No slight to PF, your reviews are great. After this review we ordered a Salem Master from their website. They billed us but never sent the saw. Despite repeated contact attempts, we were ignored. Their Facebook page is full of complaints of their not answering email and call inquiries. Their website has inexplicably kept the Salem Master title, but is now featuring some sort of exercise bicycles. If you do purchase a Salem Master, I'd recommend doing it through a legitimate dealer where you are assured of the integrity of the seller. How Salem Master will handle subsequent warranty and support problems is anyone's guess. Thanks again for a great channel, PF!
A few years back, I went to help one of my sisters with storm damage after a hurricane. Wanted to buy a Stihl due to past experience, but money was a little tight...so went with the Echo. Overall, very impressed. The only issue I had was with the restrictive muffler system they were required to install, really slowed down the response time. Once I 'corrected' that issue, it ran great. Very easy to start and fairly strong. Should've never gave away my Stihl to my BIL out west.
I have an Echo CS 590 about 3 years old. I have cut about 20 cords so far and felled a few large trees. No problems so far (knock on wood). I heard about opening up the muffler system to really make it go, but don't want to fix something that is working well.
Another excellent review. For me durability is huge a factor. I had a Poulan Pro unit and after two years I grew impatient with its issues. For my next chainsaw, I went with Stihl and that was more than a decade ago. It is yet to let me down. It was certainly more expensive to begin with but as you duly noted, buy once and cry once.
good choice, nothing more frustrating than a saw that won't start. homeowner, but i don't have time to fiddle with things that don't work properly or well. Stihl 362 going on 12 years countless chains, and still works like a top, AFTER i got rid of the bosch plugs... for some reason that year or that dealer stuck a bosch plug in it, damn thing would never start... got talking to a different dealer one day on a different mission asked me what kind of plug was in it... all he said was "theres your problem"
After using borrowed Homelite and Poulan saws, I went out and got a Stihl. Turned out to be a great decision! Got the little ms170 and it's one angry little beaver! 🦫
I was a Stijl salesman and owned a few. Nothing will ever make me switch brands. The parts support, ease of fixing, and durability that I’ve seen throughout the years is wild. Should see some of the stuff those climbing saws go through and still run fine.
Agreed. My current Stihl is a second hand 039. I think they stopped making those in 2002. I use a 28" bar and it still runs great. My Husky is a 455 Rancher. I like them both.
The Husky 445 is has a 50cc engine vs the 440's 40cc engine and is one reason I bought the 445 as well. This test should have been run with the Husqvarna 445, not the 440. The Husky 445 is closer to the price of the Stihl in this video than the 440. Not quite apples to apples in this test.
Had my Stihl Farm Boss for 18 yrs, it’s always been a rockstar. Currently using the aggressive rapid cutting chains, just rips through jobs😁👍 If it ever fails, would never consider anything else.
@no name Was it the M-Tronic computerized carb? My local independent Stihl dealer won't sell them unless the customer insists on one. I guess the issue with the early M-Tronics was a failure to re-start when hot/warmed up, that is supposedly not a big issue now.
I've had a farm boss for 22 years. It has been such a good saw I bought a sthil 391. The new bigger saw has had problems running since day one and can not keep up with the old farm boss.
exactly old stihlc saws last and keep performing over the years and iive been offered almost has much has i paid when it was new but cant sell my baby ,
My dad had a Farm Boss for 5 years. After he died it sat unused for another 3 or 4 years.. I didnt even put in new fuel..!! It started on the 2nd pull..!!! Its been doing all my heavy work for the last 6 years without a hitch. I wouldn't have a different saw.
As always great video! Another thing to consider is the availability of replacement parts. Stihl, husqvarna and echo are probably the only saws with readily available parts.
@@kayak_homie And yet most people dont care, like the other commenter said, they just throw it away. I read a review for an unrelated product, where the customer liked the item but said it was difficult to clean. I qoute "but its so cheap, I just throw it away after its dirty...". People have no respect for the planet, or themselves anymore. Or so it seems from my small sample data :/
I got the Poulan because the price was right (before watching this video). It has trouble idling, and I'm not the only one who experiences this. I've heard other people say that it bogs when the throttle is opened. My saw runs fine wide open. For a brand owned by Husqvarna, they don't seem to have very good QC. We shouldn't have to adjust a brand new saw just to get it running.
To anyone buying their first chainsaw, I'll add this bit of advice: Part of your decision should include what shop you are going to rely on for future maintenance and repairs. For my money, Stihl and Husqvarna are both awesome products and the choice between them is often subjective preference. However, my preferred local shop is a Husqvarna shop, so my most recent purchase was that brand.
Solid advice. I don't cut often, so I went with the 18" EGO. Oregon replacements for the bar and chains. 16" & 14" compatibility. 3 years in and nothing has broken. Not so much as a chain skip. An old friend has a Husky and the thing starts on every 1st pull. I don't miss the noise though.
The crazy thing is, when i needed a chainsaw, the Stihl was the best deal, it was only $200 Canadian for the MS170 and that included set up and tune up, the chinese saws were 150-300+ for things i'd never heard of with no support or reviews, one of the few no brainer purchase decisions i've had to make.
I have a little older version of the Stihl MS250 and I've found that I just barely need to pull the string to start it vs. yanking the whole string out. Tremendous saw. Chainsaws are one of those things where you get what you paid for. Generally, the more expensive the saw, the better quality and longer lasting. However, the results of that Salem Master are very impressive for the price!
Stihl chainsaws have been my favorite saws for my entire professional and personal life. You can't go wrong with them. But if you're just using them occasionally and don't want to spend the money for one then I would go with the Echo. They've really stepped up their saw game over the past few years and are way easier to start than either the Stihl or Husqvarna.
If a person doesn’t use their saw often, then the battery powered saw is the best option. No worries about failure to start after not running for four months.
I went and purchased a Stihl MS250 because of this video and it's been amazing. I had a Poulan Wild Thing 2375 I got for free (still overpaid) that was causing me to spend more time working on the chainsaw than working on my land. I'd be down 20 minutes for every hour of work--and that was on a good day. It was awful. The Stihl has been great. Thank you.
Electric saws have come a long way. Especially for homeowners. They have a long ways to go to match higher end Pro saws, but for your average homeowner who cuts and bucks a few trees a year, electric seems to be the way to go.
@@briananderson7497 I went this route for that very reason. Corded because I inevitably use it so rarely that the batteries lose capacity due to age before they do charge cycles.
Won't ever buy a Husqvarna again. B ought one from lowes. Never would run right from the second year i owned it. Spent so much time working on it. New carbs everything! Just would bog and wouldn't run once warmed up. Ended up buying an electric one that fits the same battery as my wife's weed wacker.
I did not expect the two top gas chainsaws to be on opposite ends of the price spectrum like that! Stihl is in a league of its own and is the best hands down. Salem Master put out a great showing for the price, well done on their part. Thanks again, Todd! 🐺🔧
The best gas trimmer I’ve owned is (still) a Stihl. But it started with the dealer taking one off the shelf, putting some non-ethanol gas & oil in it, starting it and giving it a quick tune. Big box stores don’t do that…
Love the hard work and dedication that goes into your videos. Keep up the good work. I love my Echo saws! Most saws need their carbs tweaked from the factory due to altitude etc. I gained huge rpm after retuning my saw from the factory settings. This includes my cheap Chinese arbor saw which is now a beast for $100!
Most of the Husqvarna manufacturing facilities are concentrated in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. They also have subsidiaries in France and Germany. Next in line are the USA and China, each with 6 production plants. Brazil has one Husqvarna manufacturing plant. It’s most likely that your Husqvarna chainsaw is made up of components sourced from more than one of these countries. For example, the wildly popular Husqvarna 455 Rancher is made mostly in Sweden. The power head is manufactured in Sweden and then shipped to the US where a locally manufactured Oregon bar is fitted. Even then, no one can be sure whether some of the components are manufactured in China, possibly even Brazil, and then sent to the European or US plants for assembly.
I have a mid level Husqvarna battery trimmer (225il). Made in Vietnam. Don’t really care where it’s made, but if a company moves to Vietman or India these days, that means that they are chasing lowest possible labor costs. (i.e. China is too expensive for them!) Doesn’t mean the product is bad, just gives an idea about the company’s mentality.
@@SolidStateWorkshop Vietnam's economy is growing rapidly and their labor cost might be low but it affords them a comfortable life due to cost of living differences. I suspect this will change over time and I hope companies invested over there will stick with them even if costs go up. Related, they also don't seem to share china's "me first" attitude in regards to money and tendency to do as little as required to make sure profit is maximized. In short, if you don;t spell out EXACTLY what you require from china they will screw you over, whereas Vietnam seems to have at least some sense of pride in their work and desire for their customers to be happy with what they get. I think they are more related to Japan's economic mindset then china. I can't speak to India. Seems to vary by industry. So I guess I wouldn't rule out a Vietnam product right off the bat. I prefer stuff from the US when I can, but "not china" has become my second criteria when looking just because of quality and reliability and consistency reason. Vietnam doesn't make me second guess.
@@davenhlaThe only reason companies are moving there in the first place is because labor is cheap...cheaper than China namely. They will leave Vietnam just like they left every other country whose manufacturing industry they built up, and then left when wages rose as a result of improved quality of life. I am wary of trying to relate the culture of a people to quality of product. Generally, a good quality product can be made anywhere, given a well defined specification, quality system, and so on. There are plenty of high end manufacturers in China who do great work. And there are crappy ones too. Same applies to the Vietnam, US, Germany and so on! Like I mentioned, not that concerned about where it was made. Rather - if a company is constantly chasing the lowest possible labor market, what does this tell you about what they value in the first place? Sure, you can argue that they want to keep labor low so that they can use good quality components/materials and sell at a reasonable cost. Possible, yes. But, not my experience (usually).
As a former Stihl salesman, I agree with these results. But don't sleep on Husky, they build some amazing saws. Both companies guarantee at least 15 years of parts availability and as such, these are lifetime purchases.
Try contacting Husqvarna.... I had trouble with my chainsaw and it was new. Couldn't get person on the phone, and there were no reps close. Since it was a year old I couldn't take it back to Lowe's either. I wound up taking it apart and reassembling it which seemed to fix the starting issue. Later bought a Stihl, a superior chainsaw I must say.
I've owned a Stihl since idk when ( at least 10yrs) but if it's ever non-fixable(doubt) I'll give Husky a shot. Chainsaws really do seem to be the "You get what you pay for"
@@insanospaz My recommendation is to stay away for Husq. I have one and a Stihl. There is a huge quality difference. If you're an average Joe then go for it. But if you want something well worth the money then its Stihl forever.
I've had my Sachs Dolmar 120 for over 18 years, never did any major engine rebuilds. As a matter of fact I got it from my father back in 1998, back in his day he used it 10-15 years, it still has the factory 49mm piston(68cc)! Apart from the scuffed/banged up paint works great! I use it 2-3 times a week, does what it's supposed to do :). Truly a saw to pass on to generations.
Sachs Dolmar‘s gets my vote & my Dad bought one in the 80’s. Only thing that got replaced was ignition coil besides bar & chains. I was hoping to see a Dolmar/Makita in this test.
Stihl chainsaws do require lots of torque to pull over, but fortunately for the consumer they offer an alternative method on some models called Easy2Start. This system utilizes two springs, one is the traditional recoil spring, and the other, when the rope is pulled, is put under load until the point where the strength of the spring overcomes the engine compression. What I would recommend, if you wish to make a video about this feature, is buying a model MS180 and a model MS180C, the two have some differences, one being Easy2Start vs a traditional pull start. But otherwise they have the same size engine and bar and chain. Love your videos, keep up the good work!
As a certified arborist of 27 years I have used both Stihl, Husqvarna medium sized saws above but small Echo's as climbing saws. All 3 are extremally well built & Long listings machines... Great Video !!
I haven't tried the gasoline powered Stihl yet. However the battery powered Stihl M5A 220C with AP 300 battery is incredibly efficient. I'm not a professionnal however I was instructed by a Stihl professionnal. I've had it for 5 years now, not a single problem.
I'm guessing firewood, the occasional coppice in a field, general garden work ? if so, stick with the electric, they're quiet, they're efficient and if you keep the chain razor sharp the 220c rips. @@chayetsylvain1837
@chrissartain4430 27 years? Cool. I got certified in 1997. Took my test at Whistler Mt. PNW ISA conference in Dec 1996. As I'm mostly retired, after 47 years aloft, I let my cert lapse about 18 months ago. Now the PNW chapter pays my way to the training conferences in exchange for my photography. I have used many saw brands. In order of use and preference, Husky, Stihl, Dolmar, Jonsered, Echo/Shindaiwa/Solo, Homelite, McCullough. I've also run many fully wood-modified saws as they run cooler, cut up to 50-70% faster, and last a long time.
This just proves again, that Stihl is really a Brand you can put your money behind. My Dad has two of them Stihl Saws, a small one that by now...has got to be at least 20 years old, the other is a a bigger one, from their Farm Boss Series, and is about 15 years old, both run as smooth as the day they came out of the factory.
Being just a self-employed gardener, I don't use chainsaws that much. Still have my first chainsaw, which is a small Hitachi , it still runs and cuts relatively well, upgraded a few years ago to a Husqvarna 455 Rancher. It's quite heavy, but does everything I need!!
I have been using Stihl for over 30 years now. I have used many different saws over time; Husky, Echo, Homelite, Jonsered. The Stihl has impressed me time and time again. Not always the best, but the most consistent and easiest to repair in the field. Also, most professionals I know use Stihl or Husky, all for good reason.
If you cut heavy and hard the stihls clutches go out I’m a husky man and wouldn’t ever buy a rebranded piece of shit 440 everyone who knows saws knows that this want fair that’s not a real husky that’s like buying a John Deere from Lowe’s and calling that a real John Deere it’s and MTD
@@MichiganMitch23 I have had an 044 for a long time, my favorite saw, heavy as ever and has never failed. The newer Stihls are hit and miss. I have a 10 year old 390 and a newer 180, both are good. Also have a 290 that is one of the biggest pieces of crap, gonna find something to trade it for.
@@Echowhiskeyone that's sad to hear.. I have a 290 that absolutely rips. Starts first or second pull every time. Eats wood for breakfast lunch & dinner
@Echo Whiskey however I did end up buying a husq 372xp with a big bore kit so it's 76.6cc now instead of 71. Quite a difference between 56.5 and 76.6 lol.
Having worked on many huskys and stihls, I think the huskys are easier to work on.. they are both very good saws though and most of the repairs I've done has just been cleaning carbies out and the occasional full rebuild after 20 years of almost daily abuse in Australian hardwoods
I don't have brand loyalty for many companies, but Stihl is the exception when it comes to chainsaws. I've used tons of different saws, and the first time I used a commercial grade Stihl I was legitimately blown away at what a fantastic machine it was. Look at what professional lumberjacks use for their day-to-day work, and it's almost exclusively Stihl chainsaws. As always - fantastic comparisons and analysis!
I really don't even consider it brand loyalty. If somebody built a better saw, I'd buy theirs. I just so happens that Stihl makes the best damn affordable medium duty chainsaw on the market. I'd call it "good product loyalty." 😁
I'd love to see a final showdown with homeowner, ranch grade then pro grade and see how they compare. Certainly a price difference. Love the channel, always innovate ways to test stuff I'd never think of.
@@valdman123zxz I own the Husqvarna 560, it's a great saw. My neighbor owns a Stihl 311, although a little more expensive than my Husqvarna, it's a better saw. At retail price, I'd pay the extra money for the Stihl. You can occasionally find a Husqvarna on sale, but never Stihl. At a sale price, the Husqvarna wins out.
I bought a Holzforma 120 CC Saw a few months ago. Best Saw Ive ever had and that’s better than Stihl, Husqvarna and Makita. I have a 48” bar on it and have used 8 plus hours a day since the Hurricane hit the Southeast. It cost me $600 brand new. The same Stihl would cost me. $1,800. Uses all Stihl parts. It’s an 8 1/2 Horsepower Wood Eating Machine.
I've got an 032AV and it's performed well for, um, 40+ years... There have been some great old saws. I still occasionally use my Homelite XL. McCullough used to make some fine saws before they went down the drain. Sachs-Dolmar also.
I have a ms170 and despite it being a cheap home gamer saw I've beat the hell out of it for almost a decade cutting Australian hardwoods and it still runs perfectly
After owning about 4 different cheap saws I broke down and bought a Stihl 271. It was like holding onto a dragster compared the other others that I had. Love it.
Couldn't agree more. Turned to Stihl 8 years ago and haven't turned back. If you haven't discovered the carbide tipped Duro chains, I highly recommend them. More expensive to start but stay sharp a LOT longer --- only downside is you need a diamond tipped sharpener. My local shop does it for $8
@@lloydnewman5285 Sorry to hear this! Sounds like there may be something wrong with your carb if it isn't starting. Stihl's predictably start on the 3rd pull after priming, so what you're experiencing doesn't seem right. I would have it checked out. The non-stop pulling is awful, so I definitely empathize with you.
@@bradb_in_Iowa Thanks for the information, ℹ️ worked on Cummins mechanic for 40yrs, that was what I was thinking the carb, a friend of mine owns the shop I bought it from I talked to him about it I had it with me so he wanted to see if he could get it running he did after about 10 pulls, it was blowing alot of fuel out the exhaust he said I had gotten it flooded it had been sitting for 12hrs can't believe he didn't say leave it with me and I would check it out, he said nothing, I tried this morning it tried to start I took the choke off still nothing about Fed up with this 500.00 dollar saw, I still think it has a carb problem.
That Stihl is one of the best performing saws for the money. I had one for over 10 years and it was flawless. Only upgraded for a bit more power. Wish I had kept it.
My 250 has cut close to 50 cords in the last 6 years. Thing does not quit!!! It does struggle on bigger logs in terms of cut speed. I just grabbed a Ms400 to get the job done a bit quicker and keeping the 250 of course!
I'm a long time Stihl customer. Glad to see you agree it's a good investment. I got a Ryobi brushless 18v 12" for the little trimming jobs and brush too big for loppers and haven't been disappointed. Lightweight and strong enough for me.
I found that upgrading the chain on cheap saws made a huge difference. Most come with an Oregan chain which isn't too bad, but changing to a good Stihl chain would really help.
I found that the Oregon chain was a huge upgrade from whatever junk came with my Ryobi! It was the best value for the $, based on my interpretation of Project Farm's testing in another excellent video.
@jelad Snikpoh Oregon do make a good chain, they also make a cheap chain! Same for Stihl. It's possible to match the wrong chain with the wrong saw too. I'm pretty bad with maintenance and looking after things so I used to buy $70 saws and take them into a shop to have good chains made. They would be ok for a year or so! And when I bit dirt I still had the factory chain as a backup
Interesting. I find the Oregon chains to be as good as the Stihl ones. What matters most is whether they are full chisel or semi-chisel and, of course, whether they are sharp. Brand new, both perform extremely well on red and white oak. After some usage, performance comes down to whether you have sharp chains.
I had that Echo and that stihl for years. The Stihl was indeed faster and "funner" but the Echo seemed more durable. They both made lots of money for me as a pro landscaper but I grabbed the Echo when a windstorm and wildfire struck and I came to the aid of friends and neighbors. I ran it along with my big Echo 620 for hours and hours. and both were unrecognizable, coated in pitch and debris, but the tanks and air intake were clean as new when I took it apart for maintenance. As you would say, "very impressive!"
I have used Echo and Stihl extensively over the years and have always found Echo to be be more reliable and better made, but Stihl generally has more grunt. I do prefer Echo as I have had lots of issues with modern Stihl equipment, mainly due to Stihl cheaping out on a lot of parts (like carburettors).
The cs 400 is a great saw for its size but I wouldn't put an 18 inch on it 16 at the max really if you wanted an 18 inch chainsaw you'd want atleast a cs 4510 or a 490 and you can get those for under 300 on ebay
I have ECHO chainsaw and Husqvarna trimmer/brush cutter, all good, but i liked legendary husqvarna 254 until it got too old to find spareparts. Even sthil 261 was very good after my best after husq got retired. Now its ECHO time and im not dissapointed it peformace, CS-501SX its its name.
@@tavv17 Me too on the 501. Was initially keen on the S261 because I have lots of other Stihl gear, looked at the H550, but in the end went with the E501. Beautifully lightweight and torquey.
I have been having an ECHO CS 400 for 7 years. It is an amazing saw. It has been very well used and never gave me a single issue. It is also very good on fuel. I did the muffler mod the other day just before cutting a trailer load of rounds. It gave this saw a noticeable power boots, and didn't make it burn any more fuel. The CS400 is basically a professional level saw.
Not surprised to see Stihl on top, even after testing this thorough. I've always owned Stihls but this test just makes me feel really good about my last purchase. Great job as always, Todd. I can't even begin to talk about how much money and time your channel has saved me over the last few years!
Yea and it's even one of their homeowner "cheapo" saw lineup, not their pro models. Still very good and reliable saw, just harder to repair/work on due to the clamshell design and plastic case compared to the pro line.
I think Stihl has always been the top dog for chainsaws....followed closely by Husqvarna, and 3rd being Echo. Those box store saws just don't last long....and in my experience those Poulan saws are pure garbage don't even waste your money and time with one.
I went with the echo, Timberwolf, CS590, when you considered other saws in the same category you were getting more bang for your buck with the echo, also, one thing I liked about the echo is the crank case is made out of metal, the sthil and Husqvarna saws are a composite crank case
@@ProjectFarm thanks for making awesome content! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched your videos before making a purchase decision. Keep Um coming!
No there not. All are metal crank cases,surounded with plastic, the plastic is very tough in some cases better ie getting run over OR dropped , at first i was sceptical , but i have found the plastic survives were the metal will crack ,i love husky saws but my cheap throw away pulans are impressive ,i cut allot of firewood i have 1 big husky 262 xp and 8 pp4218 saws. there very fuel efficent the only maintenence is bar ,chain and drive sprockets,i rarely need the husky , i keep the 8 pulans sharp and fueled so all i do is cut when i go to the bush ,so no down time and interchangable parts , i buy them as surplus stock some as cheap as $100 each so i have under $1000 invested in 8, much less then 1 husky,and i have found that the cheap chains off of amazon or wallmart for $8.00 stand up just as well as $35.00 oregon chains .
i bought my husqvarna in 2009 and it's still running strong with very little maintenance. the only saws that i've worked beside that seemed to out preform mine were the stihls, but mine cost a few hundred less than a comparable stihl. i think they're both good saws and either are a good recommendation.
I have an Echo CS-590 that starts on the 3rd pull every time I use it. It’s a beast of a saw, but, it’s too big for brush cutting the yard. I just bought a Stihl MS-170 today. I’ve burned a full tank of fuel with it and it’s been a joy to use for small stuff. Highly recommended!
My old man has always bought Stihl and they never let us down. I took a gamble at Lowe's in the aftermath of hurricane Ida and bought my first saw. They had a half-off deal on the Husky 545 Mk2 Professional. I've put it through its paces on my little piece of land and it's a damn good saw.
I had a friend who had 3-4 Stihl saws, after he used my Echo a few times and saw how much easier it was to start, he trades all his Stihl saws in and got new Echo saws! And I recently inherited my fathers 30 year old Swedish made Husqvarna and its the best saw I’ve ever used!
I have a 91 Swedish made jonsered (now Husqvarna owned) I got for free it was sitting atleast 10 years. All I got in to it is 10$ for fuel line and a good ol' disassemble to clean. It starts and runs but I cant get it to start in cold or idle very long. It's not set right after I took apart and rebuilt carb. I have it's service manual but can't get it right. No primer and a hell of a lot of compression.
I have a 25 yr old Husky 55 Rancher...made in Sweden. It is was a beast for its day and still runs very well. My only complaint about Husky these days, is its gotten hard to find dealers for the Pro and semi Pro Saws. Tons of dealers for Husky's consumer grade saws. Not so sure of their biz strategy here.
I bought the echo cs400 last year. Every time I use it I’m more and more impressed with it. Take some material out of the mufflers cat and the thing will be an animal. After using it the saw gets better and better each time as it breaks in. I was very very impressed with the cs400. Never gave me a problem starting either. Thanks again for the testing!
I like the fact that you included a very budget friendly saw. The fact that it turned out to be a decent saw was a bonus. After this review, I bet the price goes up.
Based on construction quality (as reported here), I doubt it. About 100% of people buy chainsaws looking at long-term durability and reliability. You do not want to have plastic piece fly off while you're on location.
@@GianmarioScotti yeah, those saws have been around and reviewed for a while... They work, they are great for a homeowner, but not of high quality. More of storm cleanup and casual use... I wouldn't buy one to cut firewood with. I'd buy one over a poulan if I had to, but not over anything else.
@@GianmarioScotti Yeah, even good quality chainsaws are still complex machines that break down often enough, when travelling some distance to go wood cutting we always pack 2 medium sized chainsaws, a small chainsaw and an axe with wedges (usually to rescue a stuck chainsaw). It's very unlikely we will get through 2 days worth of cutting without a single chainsaw going down. However this is also in Australia with some pretty hard hardwoods that love to gum things up with their finer dust.
The Salem Master appeared to be a Zenoah 5800 clone saw. A lot of them exist in the $150-200 price range. I doubt the Salem Master price will go up due to competition. I actually have a different brand of the "same saw" and it's been 100% reliable. It's very strong and pulls hard with a simple muffler mod and base gasket delete. And some pretty light port work wakes it up even more
I know it would probably be really expensive to pull off, but if you did a side by side comparison of a bunch of truck winches, that would be an epic testing video.
With the top three saws, the chain makes a HUGE difference. The Husqvarna/stihl/echo would probably be more evenly matched if they all used the same chain.
The Salem Master would be an excellent choice for someone who just had storm damage, needs to clean up, and my never need a saw again. Or as a loaner saw to relatives that you don’t trust enough to loan your Echo, Husqvarna, or Stihl saw to.
@@haneyoakie14 Possibly, but I had to use my Makita 7900 with it's 28 inch bar a good bit after Sally. These oaks and pecan trees down here get pretty big. $1000 saw more than paid for itself tho.
I have a smaller and older echo and I’ve put that saw through hell and it refuses to quit. It might not cut as effortless as my newer and larger stihl but the abuse it has taken cutting wood larger than it should be has made it a good buy. Maybe I got lucky with this one but that little echo has impressed me. Can’t go wrong with a Stihl though if you have the money.
@kram that's my name too! Does the home light have a little switch on top. My mechanic going some old abandoned chainsaws and the. 1982 home light cranks up with a minimum of work
@Richard Chase Yeah, they were. I have an XL that is blue. It will cut with any of them, but I after several hours, I will take my Stihl 026 pro or 066 mag.
I owned one for years; didn't use it all that much but it always started and ran well, even after sitting for a long time with old gas in the tank. My son still uses it today.
For smaller saws, lower weight is an important feature to reduce fatigue. Next I'd be looking for anti-vibration features and durability - I'd either for the Stihl or Husky too.
anti-vibration features are very impornant, for pro's who can get Vibration white finger and even for regual people who just use it only for thier own fireplace. My professor who was in 40s already had it and he is not phisical worker. There is no price for your health
i love your tests . i love the way that no matter what the product is you manage to find the right tools and testing equipment to test them thoroughly and fairly . no one else seems to cover quite the range of things tested as you do . keep up the good work .
Great video. I have a 18inch Craftsman I bought 3 yrs ago for $125 (before inflation) and its still running strong. Its used for light duty and 8-12 inch trees. I also have a Husqvarna 455 Farm Tough for the bigger trees and that thing is a beast! Love your videos. Keep up the great work!!
@@BLOODnVALOR362 is 59 CC and would be the comparable saw there. One of the best power to weight ratios out there. I have an old 036 PRO and that thing runs like nothing else at 26 years old
I personally own a MS250 and for it's size it's been a really good saw. I purchased it close to 8 years ago for just a hair over $300. Felled alot of trees and done alot of cleanup on both my property and my parents property. The MS250 has been in Stihl's lineup for probably close to 10 years at this point and the reason you still see it out there is because the design just holds up and works.
Stihl has been making variants of the MS250 since 1991 and even updated it recently with the MS251 but the MS250 is so popular they still make it to this day, perfect all around saw for most people
@@M00SEM0T0 The MS250 is simply a better saw than the 251. For the active homeowner or small firewood work the MS250 is a really good saw. I have a small tree farm and it is one of my less expensive but most used saws.
The first one has a Rim Sprocket, like Echo uses. It's a superior design to the typical clutch flywheel/gear. The rim sprocket design uses a harder metal and prevents notching the clutch wheel (superior tension control and no chain jumping the bar.) Im impressed to see it on a cheap import.
My Echo 600p has that Sprocket, I have had good luck with the Echo and was surprised it didn't do so well; honestly the 400 series looked a bit cheaper than the larger saws like mine did. I have always thought Echo, Husq and Stihl all made great saws though.
After cutting firewood for a while, I'd have to say echo is my favorite. Had a Stihl ms250 and it worked well, but didn't last as long as the echo. Plus, the echo usually started first pull, while the stihl took around three.
I agree. I have a very expensive Stihl 441 magnum. 85% of the time I prefer to just grab one of my echo's. They start every time, lighter and work awesome. Stihl isn't working, I took it to the shop and with a 30 sec looking they think it's toast. I'm paying $50 for a deeper dive, but if it's toast I'm buying an echo over another Stihl.
If you buy a Poulan for shoulder strain, you have to take into account the fact that the older the saw gets, the more pulls you need. You'll just keep Poulan and Poulan until the thing starts. Top 5 most common repair on a Poulan is replacing the pull start cord.
I have had my beloved Echo chainsaw for 40 years or so. One of the best purchases I ever made in my life. Still it's good to know about the Stihl should the day ever come.... GREAT and SUPER review! Wow! Ya done good PF!
Todd, here's an idea for an episode. Test auto sump pumps. Harbor Freight has a portable sump you just put it in a flood area and walk away. It self primes and starts and shuts off automatically. I have one and it works great. Now I can sleep all night long when I know a big storm is coming in the middle of the night so my garage won't flood out. There are others on the market that I didn't get a chance to test or look at the specs, but these drop anywhere auto sump pumps are a lifesaver. You should test them. I'll give you more info if you need it.
As someone who has a basement that floods, I've gone through sump pumps and tired of them, they are expensive and disintegrate over time. I really like Rule boat bilge pumps, they are the size of your fist and will pump water quite well, with a float switch, a very good alternative. I currently use a water pump designed for recreational vehicles; it does _not_ sit in the water, and runs at 55 psi which is enough to run pop up emitters to water my lawn. Hence, if I were to see a test on pumping water, I would want to see sumps, boat bilge pumps, and RV water pumps for comparison.
I use bilge pumps for stuff like that, they self prime, their cheap, they handle a bit of crap, they can run off a battery, they use very little power and they are very reliable.. they also come in various sizes depending on how much water you need to move and if you have a sump area where the pump can sit in an inch of water they can be left on and they'll happily just sit their running and not pumping with just enough water to lube the seals without burning out while waiting for the water to start coming in
Thanks for the test! I really like the see through fuel tank that some of the Stihl chainsaws come with. So you can easily see how much fuel is left in the saw.
I own Stihl and Echo saws, both are good! I’ve had to work on my Stihl saws more but they are good. Echo has been the most dependable, starts every time and I’ve put it through hell. Enjoyed the video my man! Happy New Year!
I've owned 3 Stihl's over the last 25yrs. Never had to work on a single one of them. Currently have the MS440, and the MS-201 arborist saw. Lived in hurricane area of Virginia and cut up hundreds of oak trees with them.
I'm just a home owner so I do not need a " Pro " saw. However I buy quality as the need arises. I have the Stihl MS 250 and I love that saw. It will last ME a lifetime as I am now 70. But that was very interesting that you included the amount of pulling force to get those saws started. I have advocated from day one that Stihl should have installed a compression release on the 250. That little bugger is snorty, and has a ton of compression. But I love it all the same !
Great content as usual! My old man gave me the Echo saw I used to use as a kid. It's over 30 years old and still getting the job done when it's needed.
I've used both Husqvarna and echo saw through about 35 years of heating my home with wood, in the high sierra and the backwoods of Maine. I can't imagine the number of cords I've cut. For large pines I highly recommend the Husqvarna with a 30" bar. For regular oak and maple it's hard to beat an Echo for the price. I've used the small, medium and large Echos and they were all equally tough and dependable.
Thanks for the great comparison. I had a Poulan Pro and always had a hard time starting it. I bought an Echo professional series chainsaw and love it. It starts usually by the 4th or 5th pull and it cuts better than any chainsaw I have ever owned. I liked it so much that I bought an Echo string trimmer also, and it usually starts by the 3rd or 4th pull.
An important criteria was missed... Vibration to the hands 🙌. In cold weather this can lead to permanent damage. I used to enjoy modifying chainsaws, the Jonsered was similar to the Husky, but better. Some had a small impeller acting as a supercharger. Low vibration, higher performance commercial models were available in several sizes. The piston/cylinder lasted very well. Of course a huge factor is the chain. Oregon at the time was very good. In comparing saws, it is the intrinsic weaknesses that make a big difference. Nice video 👍
@@scottdowney4318 Certainly, I had 10 mile Orange gloves with both padding and protection from chain. The damage is real and permanent, freezing conditions make it worse. It is something that occurs over a long time. You won't notice it until there is damage. Like riding a hardtail without a kidney belt. I brought it up because Jonsered openly published their chainsaw vibration levels. Of course some people have poor circulation and fragile joints to start with, especially I the hands and feet. Cheers 🍻
You have to be aware that both the Husqvarna as well as the Stihl saw are from their respective hobby lineup. So the 543xp might have done a bit better and the Stihl 241 might have been in another league... Chain sharpness and vibration is key though if you have to work with them all day...
Would be really nice to see some comparisons of what spare parts are available for each item in some of your reviews, I think its an absolutely crucial thing when deciding to buy any tool and generally guides my decision for purchasing anything these days. What warranty comes with each item would be fun to look at too. Keep up the good work.
I tell my customers to go down to Ace Hardware and spend $200 for a residential grade Stihl chainsaw (MS170 I think). 90 percent of them come back with their $145 Poulan or Ryobi saw a few months after buying them so I can get them running again and replace the parts that disintegrate shortly after beginning to use them. Everything but Echo, Stihl, Shindaiwa, Red Max, and upper models of Husqvarna (lower models are made by/like Poulan) comes from the same vat of crap and is painted different colors. I think the electric Echo works decently because of the Stihl chain. If you have a cheap (barely good enough) chainsaw, most Stihl dealers will sell you a custom made chain (made from Stihl stock) that will drastically improve performance. All of the pros I do work for have multiple brands of chainsaw lying in the back of their work trucks. The ones in their worker's hands and up the trees are Stihl and the occasional older Husqvarna.
@@bobbipson8906 Yeah I get the same sort of stuff happening in the bicycle industry, customers buying cheap stuff and then wanting them repaired - only issue being the labour and parts end up costing just as much as what a good bicycle would have cost in the first place and I can only imagine its the exact same in the chainsaw industry.
True. The fact that I have TWO local dealers with full shops, had everything to do with why I chose Stihl for my gas saw. It was my first gasser, and I KNEW I'd screw it up sometime, lol. So, whatever I bought, HAD to have good service and parts availability.
I own several Stihl products including 2 Chain saws. My recommendation is if you are going to buy a Stihl Chain saw get one that is going to be more than you need. Get the pro edition and get yourself a 20" to 24" bar. If you are going to go smaller get a battery operated one. You'll pay the price up front but you'll never be wanting more.
Stihl are very popular here in Australia. A lot of their equipment is used by the professional operators here. If I was working in the forestry industry, I'd buy Stihl. I have used their saws in the past, & found then to be very good
@@ProjectFarm we pronounce as still v steel i do worry Todd on the wire with the weight on the end, may not end well if the chain grabs it,i know your carefull ,but....
I bought a used stihl around 10 years old for $220. I used it all day bucking some huge trees that went down in a storm last week, ran flawlessly! I haven't used it since I maintained it afterwards, but it sounded even better after the new air filter and spark plug. If your on a budget like I was just look for used Stihl.
We got a 1970-1980 Stihl it was my grandpas it was sitting for at least 15 years. Took it apart cleaned it, filled it with new gas it starts up and sounds so loud works like cutting butter.
I have to wonder how much the quality of the chain itself played into the results. I've noticed the chains on our Ryobi 40V electric chainsaw dull quite a bit faster than the aftermarket chains I use on my Josered and Echo chainsaws. Either way, Stihl has always been a leader in the chainsaw market and your test just proves it.
Yes the chain makes a difference. We modify our chain to increase the cutting ability. I'm sure some out there know the modification I speak of. You have to be careful when changing the dynamics of the chain but it will make all the difference in cutting no matter what saw you have in hand.
I worked with a logger in high school and all he used was Husqvarna. I bought a Craftsman chainsaw bigger than what I thought I needed but I was cutting Osage Orange/Hedge wood and I had to upgrade and put out the money for a Stihl. I was working with a farmer in Kansas and all he had were Stihl and the dealer was in the same town. I don't regret the purchase and it has paid for itself a few times over. We burn wood and I cut and sell firewood.
I've tried a lot of brands but I wound up loving Stihl the most. I learned a lot about forestry and land management for tree growth during the years I lived in Northern Maine
Dad has always liked his Husqvarna so when I needed a saw that is what I bought and have been very happy with it. Not sure how fast it cuts compared to comparable saws, but it just works. I use ethanol free fuel with stabilizer and it doesn't matter if the saw sits for 2 months or 2 years, it works every time, no drama, no BS. I've owned it for close to 15 years now and it has never let me down. I'd of course consider a Stihl, but my experience with Husqvarna is hard to beat.
@@vitalikpopov30 that's a shame. I picked mine up last weekend and it started on the 3rd pull and ran flawlessly. It's been sitting for at least 6 months, probably more.
It is good to see, that tests are performed in the very similar conditions. It helps to compare newly tested equipment with these from older videos. The best channel I have ever encountered. Good job👍
I was helping with cleaning out houses after hurricane Harvey, I removed a STIHL chainsaw from a garage to the street as trash because it had been flooded. I asked the owner of the house if I could take it to fix and return, he refused and said to just take it. I did, disassembled and cleaned down to the carburetor. And the 10 year old STIHL started firing on the 3rd pull. That was 4 years ago. Twice a year I start it to help remove some brush or cut some wood, it has started every time. I also own a STIHL weed eater, 8 years old. Starts every time. Echo I have had some experience with, they are good. STIHL is great. No biases, just proven quality. STIHL is the Toyota of chainsaws
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Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you!
ECHO: amzn.to/3IpWYBZ
ECHO Electric: amzn.to/3Ggf2fi
Husqvarna: amzn.to/3GEhI7C
Ryobi: amzn.to/3GEk9r8 (no longer available)
Salem Master: amzn.to/3unQlLu
Craftsman: Available at Lowes
Poulan Pro: amzn.to/3CnTXhU
Stihl MS 250: Available at Stihl retailers such as Ace Hardware and Northern Tool
Just happened see compared chainsaws, of I gravitate to Stihl.
Not long a ago I forced to replace my old 026 and got a MS 250 and had new version chain blade really like it.
Also came with a tab by carb filter for summer and winter convertible tab.
8
I've owned a dozen or more chainsaws and have always found the Stihl and Husqvarna's to be the best and they performed well in your tests. Another important factor for me is the ability to get parts, shops that can fix them and how good they are after they break and get fixed. Another important reason to go with the two mentioned...
Thanks for sharing!
This was exactly what I was thinking. There are multiple Stihl repair shops in my area - the Salem Master did well, but I can't see a plastic chainsaw holding up long term, and it's going to be more or less disposable at that price point.
@@ProjectFarmmy dad has owned a Husqvarna 455 Rancher for about 13 years now. Every year we’ve used it to cut all of our wood for the winter, here in upstate New York. The saw is an absolute beast, and has never gone up against something it couldn’t cut. The new Husqvarna saws just aren’t built the same as they were.
That is an excellent point that I wish folks would consider more often than price point. Service after the sale is HUGE with something like a chainsaw. If you have a really good Stihl dealer nearby you buy Stihls which is what we did. I would suspect people that have good Echo or Husky dealers would do the same. I can't tell you how many times as a kid growing up on a small farm that we would be out clearing fence lines etc and we would have a problem with a saw and Dan would take it in and have it going again within a day or two (usually a gunked up oiler or contaminated fuel).
A saw is one of those tools that for most folks it sits idle in the shed/garage for 99% of the time. But when you need it, YOU NEED IT...
For some reason most people ignore cost of ownership with garden tools and only focus on mpg of their SUV 😅
Another tremendous test run. In all truth, Todd, I'd trust your testing results over anything that a manufacturer said as far as results go. Although my chainsaw slinging days are long over, I was really stoked to see you test the gas saws. If you have a lot of wood to clear, gas is the way to go for sure.
Thanks again for all you do, and for staying true to your no-sponsorship stance. It means a hell of a lot to us.
Thank you!
I bought a Stihl MS 290:Farm Boss about 13 years ago and have been impressed. Have used it thru several hurricanes and many hours of property clearing and cleanup felling trees, cutting branches, etc. and it’s never failed me. Just did it’s first tuneup last summer and she’s still plugging along perfectly. I’ve owned half a dozen different brands over the years but only the Stihl and a little 10 year old Homelight with a 16” bar have lasted and continue to perform. Excellent test, thanks for the video. Top shelf content as always! 👍
Wow I forgot about Homelight. I remember my dad running Homelight saws when I was a kid before he switched to Stihl. Brings back memories...
Thanks and you are welcome!
Homelite huh, I bought a gas leaf blower that was a homelite and to be honest it was pretty trash lol
I have the same MS290 and it has never let me down (except once when I got some bad gas). Glad I spent the extra $ on a Stihl.
@@JohnDoe-df2zz My Dad still has his old Homelite XL1. Talk about a VERY loud saw😆Those old saws had no chain brake, no vibration dampening, not much in the way of safety whatsoever, but they were all metal and built to last with very few plastic pieces.
Biggest factor for me is being able to consistently start the saw and long term reliability. I've watched my dad go through 3 Homelite/Ryobi chainsaws having them break and be un-repairable while I've still have my one home grade Stihl MS171 which hasn't let me down yet.
Go the old homelite XL 12 / super / auto model. Better than anything else, extremely torquey, doesn't let me down at all. Still use it 50 years later....
Doesn't flop around like these new plastic ones, in the video they flop around so bad when you pull the pull starter haha.
@@qwertyui90qwertyui90 thats called anti vibration mounts old man lolol
@@qwertyui90qwertyui90bet you sing a different tune if you bought a new equivalent to the home light. I have used a homelite 925xl and bought a stihl ms880, never touched homelite except for mill work now
Stihl runs in my bloodline.
@@alexandercopeland2849Im a home gamer. I got an old ms440 it is the last saw I will ever need.
I've owned about every brand there is and nothing compares to a Stihl, I love your observation on the gas caps in regards to preventing contamination in the tank, I carry a small paint brush in each of my saw cases to clean the cap areas off before refueling/reoiling. I hope the manufacturers take note of your critique on this.
Having a couple husky xp saws I will say when looking at top models husky still holds its own.
It does offer low tier models that do make the company reputation sink though.
I have a 30 cal ammo can with all my chainsaw maint. items, extra 2 cyc oil mix, and spare parts. You can bet the farm I have a paintbrush in there! That was something I learned a long time ago.
I only use husqvarna saws. Fluid refill contamination has never been an issue with a small utility brush on hand.
Husqvarna seem to be my ideal saw. Not heavy. Easy fluid fill and chain change is quick. Most saw stores carry Husqvarna parts as well as the other popular brands.
Similar experience to you. I went through three lowes Husky's before I said ENOUGH of this crap and got a nice 261CM. Best saw ever. Not the most powerful saw in the world but the features, ease of use, reliability, weight to power ratio, etc. are lightyears beyond anything I got from lowes. Granted it may not be the fairest comparison, I'm sure Husky has great stuff at the top end, but I'll never buy anything but a Stihl again. Husky sells too much low end junk at lowes for me to bother with them anymore.
I fell timber professionally for 16 years and can tell you that "oil contamination" on pro saws is all in your heads.
I currently use a Stihl MS 290 and an Echo CS 590. They are very close in specs. Over my nearly 78 years I've used a lot of saws including other Stihls and Echos. My experience has been that Stihls are very well made (maybe less true now of the base consumer models), but so are the Echos. My Echo starts much more easily than my Stihl, cuts faster and seems to have more power--but it's also newer, and that may explain a lot. My son has one of my old Echos that must be almost 40 years old now. It still runs. He has an old Stihl of mine too, maybe 30 years old, and it runs fine. I think the takeaway is that any of the high-end saws--Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna, Dolmar, etc. are worth the money--they last, they have high resale value if you don't want to keep it, and they are much easier to live with. Which is best? I really think it's just a matter of personal preference and how you prioritize the fine differences in details.
Thanks for sharing.
Someone else who knows what a Dolmar is!
@@terrysoule8441 Sachs-Dolmar
Love my 590. Been using it very heavily all year without issue. There have been days where it's running 6+ hours of hard cutting. No issues so far.
I really really miss the old Homelite’s you couldn’t kill those things.
Your tests are in a league of their own! Great job once again! Your no BS approach is more and more refreshing in these times of increasing Phoniness. Please continue to keep it real for those of us that truly appreciate your efforts.
Only problem is in the real world you wouldn't put a 18 inch bar on a cs 400 . You would want a cs 490 or a 4510 for that
Thanks for the feedback!
Hey thanks for all of your videos! In the past I have asked for an all USA made video for tools or whatever else you do a video on. I was curious though if when you do these videos if you could also include after the initial test where each item is made? I know you say in the videos but when compiling my data from your videos I want to avoid anything made in China. I can then eliminate all of those and then go off of what offers the best option for stuff made outside of China.
I have a good friend who is from China and she has told me about the atrocities she has seen out there first hand by the Government. She escaped from there and from things that she has told me I don’t have any desire to ever give China any of my money. Plus their stuff has the worst longevity and durability.
Always Excellent videos without bias, thanks!
@mr Tree I got a cs400 with carb limiters and muffler screen removed and it pulls the 18 no problem. Even stock it did fine
Running a Husqvarna 460 Rancher for my land. Works like charm, and the 24" bar is incredibly useful for some of the huge logs I have to work with.
Thanks for sharing.
Can’t go wrong with Husqvarna. Good quality equipment.
24 inch bar for huge longs
Your not from the northwest are you
@lenardruterbories6742 I am from the PNW, and 24" does the job for the stuff I have to work with. There are bigger trees around, but the trees on my land aren't too big for it to get the job done.
I love my husqvarna chainsaw, leaf blower, weed wacker. I use the 50-1 vp and every time I need my tools they fire up.
I think DeWalt, Echo, Makita, EGO, Stihl and Husqvarna all owe you a lot of money for the increases in sales they have all undoubtedly experienced from your two battery chainsaw vids and now this one. Hopefully you're making enough of an impact to inspire all of the others to step up their games as well! That's exactly why we need more of this in today's world... Fair, unbiased, thorough product comparisons.
there are some things better than money
Everything is linked in the description. He’s getting paid through affiliate marketing when people purchase one of these products after following his link to the site. Also TH-cam pays creators. Im sure he’s doing just fine for himself.
Over 1 million views by the target group.
He's making more than enough $ by making these videos as TH-cam pays him for the views and subscribers
weeellll Makita is the old school Dolmar. one of the best
I bought the Stihl MS180 16” about 12 years ago because I kept seeing them on the professional landscaper trailers. I managed to clear 1.5 acres of property with that little thing, including cutting down eighteen, 26-30” diameter trees. It is still on the original spark plug and air filter and still starts on the third pull even if it sits for a year or two between uses. If I ever have to replace the saw, I’m going with another Stihl.
Thanks for sharing!
I've currently got the Husqvarna for my property. Clearing strawberry guava is a nightmare but the saw has been holding up perfectly.
I would've preferred the Stihl, as those are the saws my brothers wildfire crew run and I've become familiar with them, but couldn't find any on my small island.
You’ll be putting a fuel line in is before to long.
It’s well worth the repair when it comes due. With small needle nose you don’t have to take the whole saw apart.
@@Mike-sy6oy your life sounds fascinating, you should do a video about your situation/work!
The best saw is the one that starts when you're in need, and I find angle of cutting teeth dictates how well a saw cuts 😅
As a former professional rural lineman, I must tell you that the little points have another purpose. When cutting larger demension material there is a trick with the points. Let the chain pull the barbs into the wood, with a little added force, then gently pull up on the rear handle rotating the bar and chain into the cut, let it rock 20 degrees, then slide the bar/chain back a couple of inches, then stab it in again. Keep the bar rocking as you go thru--try it.
Thanks for sharing.
Jeffrey - " u are the lineman for the county, and u drive the main roads , searching in the darkness for an other overload , I hear u singing in wire , I can see through the vines and the Witchita lineman is still on the linnnnne " ! Glen Campbell - Witchita Lineman
Yeah I was going to mention that but I figured someone else did.
@@joetroutt7425 🤣🤣, did I beat u on that one J ? One of my all time favorite classics of all time 🚬🥃👍Glen C RIP
I get the impression he knows that, but doing all that might introduce another variable in the form of user skill. Every extra bit of manipulation he does creates more play in the final results. Maybe if he devised a way to measure the angle in real time. That might keep it fair.
Great test! My father and brother are both foresters and they only use Stihl saws, also all most of the lumberjacks they work with. My father still has 20+ year old Stihl saw and using it regularly. The premium price comes back if you plan to keep it and work with wood every year.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
A couple of my friends who've worked as wildland firefighters consider the stihl the industry standard-- so the result wasn't too surprising ;)
Thanks for sharing.
@@ProjectFarm Please review DIY HVLP paint sprayer. Homeright super finish max, Graco 360vsp, Wagner flexio Yattich.
When you have to have it, you want the best!
I've always owned Stihl saws but have used Husky, Jonsered, etc. One thing I'll say about Stihl is that they are super easy to work on. You can basically take the whole saw apart with the two tools that come with the saw : the scrench and the L-shaped torx tool. Plus parts are easy to find and readily available.
Thanks for the feedback.
I agree with that, did a lot of Stihl motors when working at a hire company.
I still have the extra long Stihl torx in my tool chest (and the carb adjusting screwdriver that came with them new), found it again a few days ago looking for something completely different (don't get into tools much since retiring)
@@1crazypj #27
Which best chainsaw machine your choice
I’ve burned wood for over 40;years. Most of these saws are
throw away saws. If you want a saw, buy a professional grade saw. It might cost more, but you will not regret it! Stihl never fails.
I've used several chainsaws over the years and ended up purchasing a Stihl Farm Boss a few years ago. The first time I used that thing I was blown away. Hands-down more power and speed than anything I'd ever used before. I also feel more safe using it because I'm not fighting it at all, just comfortable letting the saw do the work.
Agreed. Husqvarna has nothing on Stihl in last 15 years. I clear land with my 210.....things amazing.
Stay safe!
The anti vibration system on Stihl saws is second to none.
All around the best saws out there.
Also have the Farm Boss. Took it in last year and basically needed to be rebuilt. I enquired as to whether I should look at replacing it with STIHL’s modern equivalent of the Farm Boss. The shop owner was adamant and replied immediately with, “Oh no! Never get rid of this. They don’t make em like this anymore.”
my x dun did buy me my 039 farm boss 20 years ago for me birthday . she sed they are the best ... the thing still runs strong i guess i have to eat my undies nextime me x and i meat
Stihl doesnt make a model named "farm boss"
As a professional horticulturist/arborist - I do a lot of tree work, but not as much as a full time dedicated arborist who carries an entire arsenal of different sized saws.
I needed a single saw I could do everything with including light enough to climb a tree with, but robust enough to drop a 36” tree if needed.
When you’re up a tree, the LAST thing you want is a saw that takes more than 3 pulls to start… one pull EVERYTIME when warm. A lot of stop and go when climbing/pruning/removals.
I went with the highest end professional saw I could get, a Husqvarna 550xp - LOVE that saw… watching these homeowners models trying to cut through a piece of wood in this video is like torture. 😂
If you can afford it, and if you use a saw more than once a month, I’d go for professional model Stihl or Husqvarna.
Or a professional echo, they have stepped up to the plate in the last few years. And they are very durable
Go electric. I used to be a climber and last year had to buy an emergency saw for my mom's house and I picked up a battery powered Echo top handled saw. If I were back in the business today I would sell all my gas climbing saws and go full electric. They are that good.
@ I know they were starting to try to become a real player in the professional market 5+ years ago.
Took one for a test back then, but I still have a hard time getting over their ‘cheaper’ history. Was interested in buying their smaller climbing arborist saw years ago, but just couldn’t justify the purchase.
My good arborist friend tested out the climbing saw head to head (echo vs. Stihl) on the job for about a week, and decided to go back to his old faithful climbing/pruning saw, the Stihl.
Absolutely awesome test! I love the inclusion of the electric chainsaw to put it in perspective. Just once I'd love to see a behind-the-scenes video that goes into the making of your reviews! You've got some serious gear holding those logs and the attention to detail in maintaining consistency during testing certainly would be interesting to hear about how you maintain it for your testing. Top stuff, as always!
Thank you! Thanks for the suggestion.
@@ProjectFarm I'd love to see a video on soft shackles - maybe a couple of the most reputable off-road brands (e.g. Warn/Factor55/BubbaRope/YankumRopes), couple less-reputable off-road brands (e.g. Smittybilt/Rough Country/etc), Harbor Freight, and a few popular/cheaper Amazon ones. 👍
@@camro210 yes! Great idea! Test the ropes too!
I have a 18" Husqvarna that's over 20 yrs old, farm and ranch use. Had a bunch of storm damage this past year, and switched over to the newer Xcut Husqvarna chain. What a difference. It's easily cutting at the speeds you're showing for the Stihl, and most of my cutting is Bois' Darc /hedge apple. Can't argue with 20yrs usage and still going.. Thank the Good Lord!
Thanks for sharing!
Don't buy a newer husky, they're the same as a poulan
Stihl and Husqvarna make great saws, their pro ranges are the choice of professional users (logging teams etc.) so that says a lot about their quality, longevity and customer support. A brand that is quite popular here in New Zealand is Shindaiwa (Japanese), they make really high quality outdoor equipment.
Thanks for sharing.
Hey Mark. Shindaiwa and Echo are functionally the same brand. You'll occasionally find a tiny difference between the two brands but fundementally the products they produce are identical other than being different colors.
When I worked at a rental company, we exclusively used Shindaiwa for chainsaws, polesaws, power brooms etc. They held up pretty well and I only had one go down due to the customer using straight gas for an extended period (we did get it rebuilt though).
Don’t miss the sound of 2 strokes on a daily basis,😅
@@hornetdt I didn't know that, interesting. Shindaiwa have always been a bit of a niche brand in NZ, but I always liked them, they have a very unique sound. Echo always seemed to be aimed more towards the home owner, and Shindaiwa more towards the commercial user, but that's just my impression and perhaps just a marketing thing.
@@hornetdt Spot on. I'm a small engine mechanic and factory trained on Echo equipment. Good reliable value equipment that are easy and cheap to work on.
BE CAREFUL WITH SALEM MASTER! No slight to PF, your reviews are great. After this review we ordered a Salem Master from their website. They billed us but never sent the saw. Despite repeated contact attempts, we were ignored. Their Facebook page is full of complaints of their not answering email and call inquiries. Their website has inexplicably kept the Salem Master title, but is now featuring some sort of exercise bicycles. If you do purchase a Salem Master, I'd recommend doing it through a legitimate dealer where you are assured of the integrity of the seller. How Salem Master will handle subsequent warranty and support problems is anyone's guess. Thanks again for a great channel, PF!
You are welcome!
A few years back, I went to help one of my sisters with storm damage after a hurricane. Wanted to buy a Stihl due to past experience, but money was a little tight...so went with the Echo. Overall, very impressed. The only issue I had was with the restrictive muffler system they were required to install, really slowed down the response time. Once I 'corrected' that issue, it ran great. Very easy to start and fairly strong. Should've never gave away my Stihl to my BIL out west.
Thanks for sharing.
Our farm echo sits alot and it never takes more than 5 pulls with old gas! Best starting saws hands down!
@@ryanfarthing8434 my neighbor says the same thing about his echo!
I have an Echo CS 590 about 3 years old. I have cut about 20 cords so far and felled a few large trees. No problems so far (knock on wood). I heard about opening up the muffler system to really make it go, but don't want to fix something that is working well.
Ya, I bought a echo, timber wolf.Great running saw,56cc lot of power.I have a smaller stiel.that one works good too...
Another excellent review. For me durability is huge a factor. I had a Poulan Pro unit and after two years I grew impatient with its issues. For my next chainsaw, I went with Stihl and that was more than a decade ago. It is yet to let me down. It was certainly more expensive to begin with but as you duly noted, buy once and cry once.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
good choice, nothing more frustrating than a saw that won't start. homeowner, but i don't have time to fiddle with things that don't work properly or well. Stihl 362 going on 12 years countless chains, and still works like a top, AFTER i got rid of the bosch plugs... for some reason that year or that dealer stuck a bosch plug in it, damn thing would never start... got talking to a different dealer one day on a different mission asked me what kind of plug was in it... all he said was "theres your problem"
After using borrowed Homelite and Poulan saws, I went out and got a Stihl. Turned out to be a great decision! Got the little ms170 and it's one angry little beaver! 🦫
I was a Stijl salesman and owned a few. Nothing will ever make me switch brands. The parts support, ease of fixing, and durability that I’ve seen throughout the years is wild. Should see some of the stuff those climbing saws go through and still run fine.
Thanks for the feedback.
Agreed. My current Stihl is a second hand 039. I think they stopped making those in 2002. I use a 28" bar and it still runs great. My Husky is a 455 Rancher. I like them both.
Yeah, the professional tree people in my area all use Stihls.
Main reason my family only ever buys Stihl. We have a MS180 I believe is between 15-20 years old. It's a bit cantankerous to start but it still runs.
You were a STIHL salesman and you still cant spell the brands name correctly?
I've had a Husqvarna 445 18" for years and always starts quickly & cuts extremely well especially with a sharp chain .
Thanks for sharing.
The Husky 445 is has a 50cc engine vs the 440's 40cc engine and is one reason I bought the 445 as well. This test should have been run with the Husqvarna 445, not the 440. The Husky 445 is closer to the price of the Stihl in this video than the 440. Not quite apples to apples in this test.
Had my Stihl Farm Boss for 18 yrs, it’s always been a rockstar. Currently using the aggressive rapid cutting chains, just rips through jobs😁👍 If it ever fails, would never consider anything else.
@no name
Was it the M-Tronic computerized carb? My local independent Stihl dealer won't sell them unless the customer insists on one. I guess the issue with the early M-Tronics was a failure to re-start when hot/warmed up, that is supposedly not a big issue now.
I have a newer farm boss and it has worked flawless.
I've had a farm boss for 22 years. It has been such a good saw I bought a sthil 391. The new bigger saw has had problems running since day one and can not keep up with the old farm boss.
exactly old stihlc saws last and keep performing over the years and iive been offered almost has much has i paid when it was new but cant sell my baby ,
My dad had a Farm Boss for 5 years. After he died it sat unused for another 3 or 4 years.. I didnt even put in new fuel..!! It started on the 2nd pull..!!!
Its been doing all my heavy work for the last 6 years without a hitch. I wouldn't have a different saw.
As always great video! Another thing to consider is the availability of replacement parts. Stihl, husqvarna and echo are probably the only saws with readily available parts.
Good Point!
Very true. Although anymore, people don't really fix anything, it breaks they throw it away because it ain't the newest latest model.
@@wildbill23c nowadays newer model usually = lesser quality
@@kayak_homie And yet most people dont care, like the other commenter said, they just throw it away. I read a review for an unrelated product, where the customer liked the item but said it was difficult to clean. I qoute "but its so cheap, I just throw it away after its dirty...". People have no respect for the planet, or themselves anymore. Or so it seems from my small sample data :/
You can get most parts from oregon
Your reviews have become the GOLD STANDARD for product testing!
Keep up the awesome videos!
Thanks, will do!
+1. You’ve managed to put consumer reports out of business.
They were from the very beginning.
I got the Poulan because the price was right (before watching this video). It has trouble idling, and I'm not the only one who experiences this. I've heard other people say that it bogs when the throttle is opened. My saw runs fine wide open. For a brand owned by Husqvarna, they don't seem to have very good QC. We shouldn't have to adjust a brand new saw just to get it running.
Thanks for sharing.
To anyone buying their first chainsaw, I'll add this bit of advice: Part of your decision should include what shop you are going to rely on for future maintenance and repairs. For my money, Stihl and Husqvarna are both awesome products and the choice between them is often subjective preference. However, my preferred local shop is a Husqvarna shop, so my most recent purchase was that brand.
Thanks for the feedback.
Solid advice. I don't cut often, so I went with the 18" EGO. Oregon replacements for the bar and chains. 16" & 14" compatibility. 3 years in and nothing has broken. Not so much as a chain skip.
An old friend has a Husky and the thing starts on every 1st pull. I don't miss the noise though.
The crazy thing is, when i needed a chainsaw, the Stihl was the best deal, it was only $200 Canadian for the MS170 and that included set up and tune up, the chinese saws were 150-300+ for things i'd never heard of with no support or reviews, one of the few no brainer purchase decisions i've had to make.
Good advice for most mechanical equipment
100% agree. Both stihl and husqvarna are great saws.
I have a little older version of the Stihl MS250 and I've found that I just barely need to pull the string to start it vs. yanking the whole string out. Tremendous saw. Chainsaws are one of those things where you get what you paid for. Generally, the more expensive the saw, the better quality and longer lasting. However, the results of that Salem Master are very impressive for the price!
Thanks for sharing.
Stihl chainsaws have been my favorite saws for my entire professional and personal life. You can't go wrong with them. But if you're just using them occasionally and don't want to spend the money for one then I would go with the Echo. They've really stepped up their saw game over the past few years and are way easier to start than either the Stihl or Husqvarna.
Thanks for the feedback.
Watched the video, but already knew that Stihl was the king of chainsaws!
I agree STHIL all the way their farm/ ranch saws are superior husky box store saws. Those are orange pouland's absolute garbage..
Agree 100%.
If a person doesn’t use their saw often, then the battery powered saw is the best option. No worries about failure to start after not running for four months.
I went and purchased a Stihl MS250 because of this video and it's been amazing. I had a Poulan Wild Thing 2375 I got for free (still overpaid) that was causing me to spend more time working on the chainsaw than working on my land. I'd be down 20 minutes for every hour of work--and that was on a good day. It was awful. The Stihl has been great. Thank you.
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
100% agree on your Poulan assessment. Had the same saw for the same price and same experience.
The Stihl is definitely in a league of its own, but the electric echo did better than I expected! Very impressive
Thanks for the feedback.
@ProjectFarm Please review DIY HVLP paint sprayer. Homeright super finish max, Graco 360vsp, Wagner flexio Yattich. For sprainig furniture wall and cars
Electric saws have come a long way. Especially for homeowners. They have a long ways to go to match higher end Pro saws, but for your average homeowner who cuts and bucks a few trees a year, electric seems to be the way to go.
@@briananderson7497 I went this route for that very reason. Corded because I inevitably use it so rarely that the batteries lose capacity due to age before they do charge cycles.
Won't ever buy a Husqvarna again. B ought one from lowes. Never would run right from the second year i owned it. Spent so much time working on it. New carbs everything! Just would bog and wouldn't run once warmed up. Ended up buying an electric one that fits the same battery as my wife's weed wacker.
You always go way above and beyond when you perform product tests. Great video! A++
Thank you very much! This means a lot to me!!
I did not expect the two top gas chainsaws to be on opposite ends of the price spectrum like that!
Stihl is in a league of its own and is the best hands down. Salem Master put out a great showing for the price, well done on their part.
Thanks again, Todd! 🐺🔧
If stihl would fix their oil and gas caps they would have no competition, those twist lock caps just plain suck
Stihl corporate customer service absolutely sucks!
Thank you!
The best gas trimmer I’ve owned is (still) a Stihl. But it started with the dealer taking one off the shelf, putting some non-ethanol gas & oil in it, starting it and giving it a quick tune. Big box stores don’t do that…
@@rudyjanke5942 The Husqvarna ones let tons of dirt in as well, and my saw the oil fill is behind the handle. 🤦♂️🤦♂️
Love the hard work and dedication that goes into your videos. Keep up the good work.
I love my Echo saws!
Most saws need their carbs tweaked from the factory due to altitude etc. I gained huge rpm after retuning my saw from the factory settings. This includes my cheap Chinese arbor saw which is now a beast for $100!
Yup my echo came way too rich. Muffler mod and a tune and it woke it right up. Left it a little rich for longevity
Most of the Husqvarna manufacturing facilities are concentrated in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. They also have subsidiaries in France and Germany. Next in line are the USA and China, each with 6 production plants. Brazil has one Husqvarna manufacturing plant. It’s most likely that your Husqvarna chainsaw is made up of components sourced from more than one of these countries. For example, the wildly popular Husqvarna 455 Rancher is made mostly in Sweden. The power head is manufactured in Sweden and then shipped to the US where a locally manufactured Oregon bar is fitted. Even then, no one can be sure whether some of the components are manufactured in China, possibly even Brazil, and then sent to the European or US plants for assembly.
Thanks for sharing.
People expect from a brand to have consistent quality.
I have a mid level Husqvarna battery trimmer (225il). Made in Vietnam. Don’t really care where it’s made, but if a company moves to Vietman or India these days, that means that they are chasing lowest possible labor costs. (i.e. China is too expensive for them!) Doesn’t mean the product is bad, just gives an idea about the company’s mentality.
@@SolidStateWorkshop Vietnam's economy is growing rapidly and their labor cost might be low but it affords them a comfortable life due to cost of living differences. I suspect this will change over time and I hope companies invested over there will stick with them even if costs go up. Related, they also don't seem to share china's "me first" attitude in regards to money and tendency to do as little as required to make sure profit is maximized. In short, if you don;t spell out EXACTLY what you require from china they will screw you over, whereas Vietnam seems to have at least some sense of pride in their work and desire for their customers to be happy with what they get. I think they are more related to Japan's economic mindset then china.
I can't speak to India. Seems to vary by industry.
So I guess I wouldn't rule out a Vietnam product right off the bat. I prefer stuff from the US when I can, but "not china" has become my second criteria when looking just because of quality and reliability and consistency reason. Vietnam doesn't make me second guess.
@@davenhlaThe only reason companies are moving there in the first place is because labor is cheap...cheaper than China namely. They will leave Vietnam just like they left every other country whose manufacturing industry they built up, and then left when wages rose as a result of improved quality of life.
I am wary of trying to relate the culture of a people to quality of product. Generally, a good quality product can be made anywhere, given a well defined specification, quality system, and so on. There are plenty of high end manufacturers in China who do great work. And there are crappy ones too. Same applies to the Vietnam, US, Germany and so on!
Like I mentioned, not that concerned about where it was made. Rather - if a company is constantly chasing the lowest possible labor market, what does this tell you about what they value in the first place? Sure, you can argue that they want to keep labor low so that they can use good quality components/materials and sell at a reasonable cost. Possible, yes. But, not my experience (usually).
As a former Stihl salesman, I agree with these results. But don't sleep on Husky, they build some amazing saws. Both companies guarantee at least 15 years of parts availability and as such, these are lifetime purchases.
Thanks for the feedback.
Try contacting Husqvarna.... I had trouble with my chainsaw and it was new. Couldn't get person on the phone, and there were no reps close. Since it was a year old I couldn't take it back to Lowe's either. I wound up taking it apart and reassembling it which seemed to fix the starting issue. Later bought a Stihl, a superior chainsaw I must say.
@@Kmangod i’ve never had issues with contacting them, but maybe it’s because i’m in Sweden where husqvarna is located
I've owned a Stihl since idk when ( at least 10yrs) but if it's ever non-fixable(doubt) I'll give Husky a shot. Chainsaws really do seem to be the "You get what you pay for"
@@insanospaz My recommendation is to stay away for Husq. I have one and a Stihl. There is a huge quality difference. If you're an average Joe then go for it. But if you want something well worth the money then its Stihl forever.
I've had my Sachs Dolmar 120 for over 18 years, never did any major engine rebuilds.
As a matter of fact I got it from my father back in 1998, back in his day he used it 10-15 years, it still has the factory 49mm piston(68cc)! Apart from the scuffed/banged up paint works great!
I use it 2-3 times a week, does what it's supposed to do :).
Truly a saw to pass on to generations.
Sachs Dolmar‘s gets my vote & my Dad bought one in the 80’s. Only thing that got replaced was ignition coil besides bar & chains.
I was hoping to see a Dolmar/Makita in this test.
@@smileysun9212 same :(
Stihl chainsaws do require lots of torque to pull over, but fortunately for the consumer they offer an alternative method on some models called Easy2Start.
This system utilizes two springs, one is the traditional recoil spring, and the other, when the rope is pulled, is put under load until the point where the strength of the spring overcomes the engine compression.
What I would recommend, if you wish to make a video about this feature, is buying a model MS180 and a model MS180C, the two have some differences, one being Easy2Start vs a traditional pull start. But otherwise they have the same size engine and bar and chain.
Love your videos, keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do! Thanks for the video idea.
Get a Stihl pro model; they have compression releases at all sizes except the tiny arborist saws.
As a certified arborist of 27 years I have used both Stihl, Husqvarna medium sized saws above but small Echo's as climbing saws. All 3 are extremally well built & Long listings machines... Great Video !!
Husqvarna equipment is just as nice as Stihl. I prefer them for concrete saws because 90% of the time it takes one pull starts almosy every time😁
Good to know as I need a new chainsaw (still cleaning up from Hurricane Ian last September 😒)
I haven't tried the gasoline powered Stihl yet. However the battery powered Stihl M5A 220C with AP 300 battery is incredibly efficient. I'm not a professionnal however I was instructed by a Stihl professionnal. I've had it for 5 years now, not a single problem.
I'm guessing firewood, the occasional coppice in a field, general garden work ?
if so, stick with the electric, they're quiet, they're efficient and if you keep the chain razor sharp the 220c rips.
@@chayetsylvain1837
@chrissartain4430 27 years? Cool. I got certified in 1997. Took my test at Whistler Mt. PNW ISA conference in Dec 1996. As I'm mostly retired, after 47 years aloft, I let my cert lapse about 18 months ago. Now the PNW chapter pays my way to the training conferences in exchange for my photography.
I have used many saw brands. In order of use and preference, Husky, Stihl, Dolmar, Jonsered, Echo/Shindaiwa/Solo, Homelite, McCullough. I've also run many fully wood-modified saws as they run cooler, cut up to 50-70% faster, and last a long time.
Thanks for the work you do as always! Any chance you could do a video testing heat guns? It'd be good to know temperature control, area, loudness etc.
Thank you for the video idea! I'll do it if there's enough interest.
Great suggestion
Heat guns are vital in heat shrink, soldering wires with solder-shield splices.
@@ProjectFarm Please review DIY HVLP paint sprayer. Homeright super finish max, Graco 360vsp, Wagner flexio Yattich.
@@Pptxy dude, calm down, he need some time to react to all the reactions lol
This just proves again, that Stihl is really a Brand you can put your money behind. My Dad has two of them Stihl Saws, a small one that by now...has got to be at least 20 years old, the other is a a bigger one, from their Farm Boss Series, and is about 15 years old, both run as smooth as the day they came out of the factory.
Nice!
Being just a self-employed gardener, I don't use chainsaws that much. Still have my first chainsaw, which is a small Hitachi , it still runs and cuts relatively well, upgraded a few years ago to a Husqvarna 455 Rancher. It's quite heavy, but does everything I need!!
Nice choice in upgrade
I have been using Stihl for over 30 years now. I have used many different saws over time; Husky, Echo, Homelite, Jonsered. The Stihl has impressed me time and time again. Not always the best, but the most consistent and easiest to repair in the field.
Also, most professionals I know use Stihl or Husky, all for good reason.
If you cut heavy and hard the stihls clutches go out I’m a husky man and wouldn’t ever buy a rebranded piece of shit 440 everyone who knows saws knows that this want fair that’s not a real husky that’s like buying a John Deere from Lowe’s and calling that a real John Deere it’s and MTD
@@MichiganMitch23 I have had an 044 for a long time, my favorite saw, heavy as ever and has never failed. The newer Stihls are hit and miss. I have a 10 year old 390 and a newer 180, both are good. Also have a 290 that is one of the biggest pieces of crap, gonna find something to trade it for.
@@Echowhiskeyone that's sad to hear.. I have a 290 that absolutely rips. Starts first or second pull every time. Eats wood for breakfast lunch & dinner
@Echo Whiskey however I did end up buying a husq 372xp with a big bore kit so it's 76.6cc now instead of 71. Quite a difference between 56.5 and 76.6 lol.
Having worked on many huskys and stihls, I think the huskys are easier to work on.. they are both very good saws though and most of the repairs I've done has just been cleaning carbies out and the occasional full rebuild after 20 years of almost daily abuse in Australian hardwoods
I don't have brand loyalty for many companies, but Stihl is the exception when it comes to chainsaws. I've used tons of different saws, and the first time I used a commercial grade Stihl I was legitimately blown away at what a fantastic machine it was. Look at what professional lumberjacks use for their day-to-day work, and it's almost exclusively Stihl chainsaws.
As always - fantastic comparisons and analysis!
Thanks!
I really don't even consider it brand loyalty. If somebody built a better saw, I'd buy theirs. I just so happens that Stihl makes the best damn affordable medium duty chainsaw on the market. I'd call it "good product loyalty." 😁
@@Centermass762 even professional grade stihl is the best
stihl is the best saw by far, hands down. If you want to cut wood. :)
@@Deere2154D that's good to hear. I've never used their larger commercial models so I couldn't comment on those.
I'd love to see a final showdown with homeowner, ranch grade then pro grade and see how they compare. Certainly a price difference. Love the channel, always innovate ways to test stuff I'd never think of.
The Stihl 500i would also blow away the rest of the competition
I would think the pro saws would only shine in weight at first, but stand alone in the long run.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Husqvarna 560 would be rather good for this
@@valdman123zxz I own the Husqvarna 560, it's a great saw. My neighbor owns a Stihl 311, although a little more expensive than my Husqvarna, it's a better saw. At retail price, I'd pay the extra money for the Stihl. You can occasionally find a Husqvarna on sale, but never Stihl. At a sale price, the Husqvarna wins out.
I bought a Holzforma 120 CC Saw a few months ago. Best Saw Ive ever had and that’s better than Stihl, Husqvarna and Makita. I have a 48” bar on it and have used 8 plus hours a day since the Hurricane hit the Southeast. It cost me $600 brand new. The same Stihl would cost me. $1,800. Uses all Stihl parts. It’s an 8 1/2 Horsepower Wood Eating Machine.
Thanks for sharing!
I have a Stihl MS250 and it has performed flawlessly for over 10+ years. Well worth the cost
I've got an 032AV and it's performed well for, um, 40+ years... There have been some great old saws. I still occasionally use my Homelite XL. McCullough used to make some fine saws before they went down the drain. Sachs-Dolmar also.
Thanks for the feedback.
30 plus here.
I have 3 290's actually one is a 029 same saw just older. Best saw for the money hands down
I have a ms170 and despite it being a cheap home gamer saw I've beat the hell out of it for almost a decade cutting Australian hardwoods and it still runs perfectly
After owning about 4 different cheap saws I broke down and bought a Stihl 271. It was like holding onto a dragster compared the other others that I had. Love it.
Thanks for the feedback.
Couldn't agree more. Turned to Stihl 8 years ago and haven't turned back. If you haven't discovered the carbide tipped Duro chains, I highly recommend them. More expensive to start but stay sharp a LOT longer --- only downside is you need a diamond tipped sharpener. My local shop does it for $8
I've got a 271,hate it, want run, about had a heart attack trying to start it. Oyea it's only about 2 years old I hate it 😢😢
@@lloydnewman5285 Sorry to hear this! Sounds like there may be something wrong with your carb if it isn't starting. Stihl's predictably start on the 3rd pull after priming, so what you're experiencing doesn't seem right. I would have it checked out. The non-stop pulling is awful, so I definitely empathize with you.
@@bradb_in_Iowa Thanks for the information, ℹ️ worked on Cummins mechanic for 40yrs, that was what I was thinking the carb, a friend of mine owns the shop I bought it from I talked to him about it I had it with me so he wanted to see if he could get it running he did after about 10 pulls, it was blowing alot of fuel out the exhaust he said I had gotten it flooded it had been sitting for 12hrs can't believe he didn't say leave it with me and I would check it out, he said nothing, I tried this morning it tried to start I took the choke off still nothing about Fed up with this 500.00 dollar saw, I still think it has a carb problem.
That Stihl is one of the best performing saws for the money. I had one for over 10 years and it was flawless. Only upgraded for a bit more power. Wish I had kept it.
Thanks for the feedback.
My 250 has cut close to 50 cords in the last 6 years. Thing does not quit!!! It does struggle on bigger logs in terms of cut speed. I just grabbed a Ms400 to get the job done a bit quicker and keeping the 250 of course!
@@ProjectFarm love your videos!
@@commonsence8223 nice upgrade! I grabbed the MS261. Similar size and weight to the MS250 but more powerful and less vibration.
I'm a long time Stihl customer. Glad to see you agree it's a good investment. I got a Ryobi brushless 18v 12" for the little trimming jobs and brush too big for loppers and haven't been disappointed. Lightweight and strong enough for me.
Thanks for sharing.
I found that upgrading the chain on cheap saws made a huge difference. Most come with an Oregan chain which isn't too bad, but changing to a good Stihl chain would really help.
Thanks for the feedback.
I found that the Oregon chain was a huge upgrade from whatever junk came with my Ryobi! It was the best value for the $, based on my interpretation of Project Farm's testing in another excellent video.
@jelad Snikpoh Oregon do make a good chain, they also make a cheap chain! Same for Stihl. It's possible to match the wrong chain with the wrong saw too.
I'm pretty bad with maintenance and looking after things so I used to buy $70 saws and take them into a shop to have good chains made. They would be ok for a year or so! And when I bit dirt I still had the factory chain as a backup
Stihl chains, for whatever reason, have proven absolutely superior to all other brands, in my experience.
Interesting. I find the Oregon chains to be as good as the Stihl ones. What matters most is whether they are full chisel or semi-chisel and, of course, whether they are sharp. Brand new, both perform extremely well on red and white oak. After some usage, performance comes down to whether you have sharp chains.
I had that Echo and that stihl for years. The Stihl was indeed faster and "funner" but the Echo seemed more durable. They both made lots of money for me as a pro landscaper but I grabbed the Echo when a windstorm and wildfire struck and I came to the aid of friends and neighbors. I ran it along with my big Echo 620 for hours and hours. and both were unrecognizable, coated in pitch and debris, but the tanks and air intake were clean as new when I took it apart for maintenance. As you would say, "very impressive!"
I have used Echo and Stihl extensively over the years and have always found Echo to be be more reliable and better made, but Stihl generally has more grunt. I do prefer Echo as I have had lots of issues with modern Stihl equipment, mainly due to Stihl cheaping out on a lot of parts (like carburettors).
Thanks for sharing!
The cs 400 is a great saw for its size but I wouldn't put an 18 inch on it 16 at the max really if you wanted an 18 inch chainsaw you'd want atleast a cs 4510 or a 490 and you can get those for under 300 on ebay
I have ECHO chainsaw and Husqvarna trimmer/brush cutter, all good, but i liked legendary husqvarna 254 until it got too old to find spareparts. Even sthil 261 was very good after my best after husq got retired. Now its ECHO time and im not dissapointed it peformace, CS-501SX its its name.
@@tavv17 Me too on the 501. Was initially keen on the S261 because I have lots of other Stihl gear, looked at the H550, but in the end went with the E501. Beautifully lightweight and torquey.
I have been having an ECHO CS 400 for 7 years. It is an amazing saw. It has been very well used and never gave me a single issue. It is also very good on fuel. I did the muffler mod the other day just before cutting a trailer load of rounds. It gave this saw a noticeable power boots, and didn't make it burn any more fuel. The CS400 is basically a professional level saw.
Thanks for the feedback.
Not surprised to see Stihl on top, even after testing this thorough. I've always owned Stihls but this test just makes me feel really good about my last purchase.
Great job as always, Todd. I can't even begin to talk about how much money and time your channel has saved me over the last few years!
Thanks!
We use hardwood to heat our house and my dad has owned the same Stihl saw for over 20 years with no problems cutting in either extreme heat or cold.
Yea and it's even one of their homeowner "cheapo" saw lineup, not their pro models. Still very good and reliable saw, just harder to repair/work on due to the clamshell design and plastic case compared to the pro line.
I think Stihl has always been the top dog for chainsaws....followed closely by Husqvarna, and 3rd being Echo. Those box store saws just don't last long....and in my experience those Poulan saws are pure garbage don't even waste your money and time with one.
I went with the echo, Timberwolf, CS590, when you considered other saws in the same category you were getting more bang for your buck with the echo, also, one thing I liked about the echo is the crank case is made out of metal, the sthil and Husqvarna saws are a composite crank case
Thanks for the feedback.
@@ProjectFarm thanks for making awesome content! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched your videos before making a purchase decision. Keep Um coming!
And Echo has a 5 year consumer warranty. A buddy of mine has a Echo Timberwolf and it does really well.
No there not. All are metal crank cases,surounded with plastic, the plastic is very tough in some cases better ie getting run over OR dropped , at first i was sceptical , but i have found the plastic survives were the metal will crack ,i love husky saws but my cheap throw away pulans are impressive ,i cut allot of firewood i have 1 big husky 262 xp and 8 pp4218 saws. there very fuel efficent the only maintenence is bar ,chain and drive sprockets,i rarely need the husky , i keep the 8 pulans sharp and fueled so all i do is cut when i go to the bush ,so no down time and interchangable parts , i buy them as surplus stock some as cheap as $100 each so i have under $1000 invested in 8, much less then 1 husky,and i have found that the cheap chains off of amazon or wallmart for $8.00 stand up just as well as $35.00 oregon chains .
I love my 590
i bought my husqvarna in 2009 and it's still running strong with very little maintenance. the only saws that i've worked beside that seemed to out preform mine were the stihls, but mine cost a few hundred less than a comparable stihl. i think they're both good saws and either are a good recommendation.
Thanks for sharing!
I have an Echo CS-590 that starts on the 3rd pull every time I use it. It’s a beast of a saw, but, it’s too big for brush cutting the yard. I just bought a Stihl MS-170 today. I’ve burned a full tank of fuel with it and it’s been a joy to use for small stuff. Highly recommended!
My old man has always bought Stihl and they never let us down. I took a gamble at Lowe's in the aftermath of hurricane Ida and bought my first saw. They had a half-off deal on the Husky 545 Mk2 Professional. I've put it through its paces on my little piece of land and it's a damn good saw.
Thanks for sharing.
I had a friend who had 3-4 Stihl saws, after he used my Echo a few times and saw how much easier it was to start, he trades all his Stihl saws in and got new Echo saws! And I recently inherited my fathers 30 year old Swedish made Husqvarna and its the best saw I’ve ever used!
Yep my 1998 Husky is the best saw
Thanks for sharing!
I have a 91 Swedish made jonsered (now Husqvarna owned) I got for free it was sitting atleast 10 years. All I got in to it is 10$ for fuel line and a good ol' disassemble to clean. It starts and runs but I cant get it to start in cold or idle very long. It's not set right after I took apart and rebuilt carb. I have it's service manual but can't get it right. No primer and a hell of a lot of compression.
Very impressive!
I have a 25 yr old Husky 55 Rancher...made in Sweden. It is was a beast for its day and still runs very well.
My only complaint about Husky these days, is its gotten hard to find dealers for the Pro and semi Pro Saws. Tons of dealers for Husky's consumer grade saws. Not so sure of their biz strategy here.
Have an Echo. Years old,no problems,starts every time. Great saw !
They are made a bit weaker, to survive wear and tear and to save engine. BUT, thats why they can be ported to crazy numbers. Echo is amazing !
I bought the echo cs400 last year. Every time I use it I’m more and more impressed with it. Take some material out of the mufflers cat and the thing will be an animal. After using it the saw gets better and better each time as it breaks in. I was very very impressed with the cs400. Never gave me a problem starting either. Thanks again for the testing!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
I like the fact that you included a very budget friendly saw. The fact that it turned out to be a decent saw was a bonus. After this review, I bet the price goes up.
Based on construction quality (as reported here), I doubt it. About 100% of people buy chainsaws looking at long-term durability and reliability. You do not want to have plastic piece fly off while you're on location.
@@GianmarioScotti yeah, those saws have been around and reviewed for a while... They work, they are great for a homeowner, but not of high quality. More of storm cleanup and casual use... I wouldn't buy one to cut firewood with.
I'd buy one over a poulan if I had to, but not over anything else.
Thanks for sharing!
@@GianmarioScotti Yeah, even good quality chainsaws are still complex machines that break down often enough, when travelling some distance to go wood cutting we always pack 2 medium sized chainsaws, a small chainsaw and an axe with wedges (usually to rescue a stuck chainsaw). It's very unlikely we will get through 2 days worth of cutting without a single chainsaw going down. However this is also in Australia with some pretty hard hardwoods that love to gum things up with their finer dust.
The Salem Master appeared to be a Zenoah 5800 clone saw. A lot of them exist in the $150-200 price range. I doubt the Salem Master price will go up due to competition. I actually have a different brand of the "same saw" and it's been 100% reliable. It's very strong and pulls hard with a simple muffler mod and base gasket delete. And some pretty light port work wakes it up even more
I know it would probably be really expensive to pull off, but if you did a side by side comparison of a bunch of truck winches, that would be an epic testing video.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Ditto. Funny how these videos always seem to inevitably appear as I'm considering buying something.
Great idea!
I second this
Yes, this!
With the top three saws, the chain makes a HUGE difference. The Husqvarna/stihl/echo would probably be more evenly matched if they all used the same chain.
Well the Stihl is also a 45 cc saw, the Husky a 40cc, but you're right.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@ChrisGilliamOffGrid The Echo is 40.2 cc., although they make a 45 cc model.
The Salem Master would be an excellent choice for someone who just had storm damage, needs to clean up, and my never need a saw again. Or as a loaner saw to relatives that you don’t trust enough to loan your Echo, Husqvarna, or Stihl saw to.
@@haneyoakie14 Possibly, but I had to use my Makita 7900 with it's 28 inch bar a good bit after Sally. These oaks and pecan trees down here get pretty big. $1000 saw more than paid for itself tho.
I have a smaller and older echo and I’ve put that saw through hell and it refuses to quit. It might not cut as effortless as my newer and larger stihl but the abuse it has taken cutting wood larger than it should be has made it a good buy. Maybe I got lucky with this one but that little echo has impressed me. Can’t go wrong with a Stihl though if you have the money.
Thanks for sharing.
My dad bought a Homelite XL12 back in 1978 when we got a woodstove and it's still running strong to this day. It's really an incredible saw.
Early homelights were torque kings and throttle responsive. Excellent saws
@kram that's my name too! Does the home light have a little switch on top. My mechanic going some old abandoned chainsaws and the. 1982 home light cranks up with a minimum of work
@Richard Chase Yeah, they were. I have an XL that is blue. It will cut with any of them, but I after several hours, I will take my Stihl 026 pro or 066 mag.
@@richardchase4019 homelite made good saws but tried to go cheap in the 80s and soon were out of the competition.
I owned one for years; didn't use it all that much but it always started and ran well, even after sitting for a long time with old gas in the tank. My son still uses it today.
For smaller saws, lower weight is an important feature to reduce fatigue. Next I'd be looking for anti-vibration features and durability - I'd either for the Stihl or Husky too.
Thanks for sharing.
anti-vibration features are very impornant, for pro's who can get Vibration white finger and even for regual people who just use it only for thier own fireplace. My professor who was in 40s already had it and he is not phisical worker. There is no price for your health
i love your tests . i love the way that no matter what the product is you manage to find the right tools and testing equipment to test them thoroughly and fairly . no one else seems to cover quite the range of things tested as you do . keep up the good work .
Thanks, will do!
Great video. I have a 18inch Craftsman I bought 3 yrs ago for $125 (before inflation) and its still running strong. Its used for light duty and 8-12 inch trees. I also have a Husqvarna 455 Farm Tough for the bigger trees and that thing is a beast! Love your videos. Keep up the great work!!
Thanks, will do! Thanks for sharing.
Would be interesting to see this test with saws at the 60cc level. I think that's the sweet spot in terms of size between pro and prosumer.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Cs600p would make quick work of that test.
@@mikewest712 you miss spelled the 562xp ::P
But that STIHL ms461 is $1200. Lol. That would be an expensive test.
@@BLOODnVALOR362 is 59 CC and would be the comparable saw there. One of the best power to weight ratios out there. I have an old 036 PRO and that thing runs like nothing else at 26 years old
I personally own a MS250 and for it's size it's been a really good saw. I purchased it close to 8 years ago for just a hair over $300. Felled alot of trees and done alot of cleanup on both my property and my parents property. The MS250 has been in Stihl's lineup for probably close to 10 years at this point and the reason you still see it out there is because the design just holds up and works.
Thanks for sharing!
That saw today would be like $500.
@@kobelcofan Did you actually watch the video, it's listed as $400 constantly.
Stihl has been making variants of the MS250 since 1991 and even updated it recently with the MS251 but the MS250 is so popular they still make it to this day, perfect all around saw for most people
@@M00SEM0T0 The MS250 is simply a better saw than the 251. For the active homeowner or small firewood work the MS250 is a really good saw. I have a small tree farm and it is one of my less expensive but most used saws.
The first one has a Rim Sprocket, like Echo uses. It's a superior design to the typical clutch flywheel/gear. The rim sprocket design uses a harder metal and prevents notching the clutch wheel (superior tension control and no chain jumping the bar.) Im impressed to see it on a cheap import.
Thanks for sharing!
Rim sprocket is a necessary upgrade on any saw that doesn't come with one.
Well said
My Echo 600p has that Sprocket, I have had good luck with the Echo and was surprised it didn't do so well; honestly the 400 series looked a bit cheaper than the larger saws like mine did. I have always thought Echo, Husq and Stihl all made great saws though.
@@dogleg6669 how did i live without it! Since i got one i dont want to go back. I last paid 36usd for a stihl star shaped clutch flywheel gear
After cutting firewood for a while, I'd have to say echo is my favorite. Had a Stihl ms250 and it worked well, but didn't last as long as the echo. Plus, the echo usually started first pull, while the stihl took around three.
Thanks for the feedback.
I agree. I have a very expensive Stihl 441 magnum. 85% of the time I prefer to just grab one of my echo's. They start every time, lighter and work awesome. Stihl isn't working, I took it to the shop and with a 30 sec looking they think it's toast. I'm paying $50 for a deeper dive, but if it's toast I'm buying an echo over another Stihl.
If you buy a Poulan for shoulder strain, you have to take into account the fact that the older the saw gets, the more pulls you need. You'll just keep Poulan and Poulan until the thing starts. Top 5 most common repair on a Poulan is replacing the pull start cord.
Thanks for the feedback.
Stihl makes an easy start model of the 250 with a spring assisted pull. Takes about 3 times less force to pull it. More delicate but much easier!
I have used stihl for years. Yes they are expensive but well worth the money. Great video!👍
Thanks!
My personal preference is Echo and Stihl saws for their long-term dependability and power output. Overall, loved the video, keep up the good work.
Thanks, will do!
I have had my beloved Echo chainsaw for 40 years or so. One of the best purchases I ever made in my life. Still it's good to know about the Stihl should the day ever come.... GREAT and SUPER review! Wow! Ya done good PF!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
Todd, here's an idea for an episode. Test auto sump pumps. Harbor Freight has a portable sump you just put it in a flood area and walk away. It self primes and starts and shuts off automatically. I have one and it works great. Now I can sleep all night long when I know a big storm is coming in the middle of the night so my garage won't flood out. There are others on the market that I didn't get a chance to test or look at the specs, but these drop anywhere auto sump pumps are a lifesaver. You should test them. I'll give you more info if you need it.
Thank you for the video idea!
Excellent idea
@@ProjectFarmyou might include battery backup pumps, too.
As someone who has a basement that floods, I've gone through sump pumps and tired of them, they are expensive and disintegrate over time. I really like Rule boat bilge pumps, they are the size of your fist and will pump water quite well, with a float switch, a very good alternative. I currently use a water pump designed for recreational vehicles; it does _not_ sit in the water, and runs at 55 psi which is enough to run pop up emitters to water my lawn. Hence, if I were to see a test on pumping water, I would want to see sumps, boat bilge pumps, and RV water pumps for comparison.
I use bilge pumps for stuff like that, they self prime, their cheap, they handle a bit of crap, they can run off a battery, they use very little power and they are very reliable.. they also come in various sizes depending on how much water you need to move and if you have a sump area where the pump can sit in an inch of water they can be left on and they'll happily just sit their running and not pumping with just enough water to lube the seals without burning out while waiting for the water to start coming in
Thanks for the test!
I really like the see through fuel tank that some of the Stihl chainsaws come with. So you can easily see how much fuel is left in the saw.
really no need for the clear tank, if there is a puddle under the saw it means there is still gas leaking out of the crappy fuel caps.
I own Stihl and Echo saws, both are good! I’ve had to work on my Stihl saws more but they are good. Echo has been the most dependable, starts every time and I’ve put it through hell. Enjoyed the video my man! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year"
I've owned 3 Stihl's over the last 25yrs. Never had to work on a single one of them. Currently have the MS440, and the MS-201 arborist saw. Lived in hurricane area of Virginia and cut up hundreds of oak trees with them.
@@CaptainRon1913 just replaced the carb on my 190T
I should add my Husqvarna needed a new carb recently too. My Echo runs flawless but its pretty new and I've switched to VP engineered fuel.
I have 2 echos that are 30 years old and still start but my Stihl is way more powerful and my go to. Doesn't hurt that its 25 years newer 🤷♂️😂
I'm just a home owner so I do not need a " Pro " saw. However I buy quality as the need arises. I have the Stihl MS 250 and I love that saw. It will last ME a lifetime as I am now 70. But that was very interesting that you included the amount of pulling force to get those saws started. I have advocated from day one that Stihl should have installed a compression release on the 250. That little bugger is snorty, and has a ton of compression. But I love it all the same !
Thanks for sharing!
Great content as usual! My old man gave me the Echo saw I used to use as a kid. It's over 30 years old and still getting the job done when it's needed.
Nice!
I really like Stihl and echo. I tend to lean towards echo before I've always been happy with how dependable they are and they're really easy to start.
Thanks for the feedback.
If i was worried about price and warranty I would go with Echo. Can't beat 5 year warranty, but like Stihls to much. I grew up with them.
@@alexandercopeland2849 I have a 25 year old Echo blower I use all the time. I like Stihl too I've got a lot of friends who have old Stihl stuff too.
I've used both Husqvarna and echo saw through about 35 years of heating my home with wood, in the high sierra and the backwoods of Maine. I can't imagine the number of cords I've cut. For large pines I highly recommend the Husqvarna with a 30" bar. For regular oak and maple it's hard to beat an Echo for the price. I've used the small, medium and large Echos and they were all equally tough and dependable.
Thanks for sharing.
Good review .. my huskys my fav to after 4 years
Truth be told!😮
Thanks for the great comparison. I had a Poulan Pro and always had a hard time starting it. I bought an Echo professional series chainsaw and love it. It starts usually by the 4th or 5th pull and it cuts better than any chainsaw I have ever owned. I liked it so much that I bought an Echo string trimmer also, and it usually starts by the 3rd or 4th pull.
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
An important criteria was missed... Vibration to the hands 🙌. In cold weather this can lead to permanent damage. I used to enjoy modifying chainsaws, the Jonsered was similar to the Husky, but better. Some had a small impeller acting as a supercharger. Low vibration, higher performance commercial models were available in several sizes. The piston/cylinder lasted very well. Of course a huge factor is the chain. Oregon at the time was very good.
In comparing saws, it is the intrinsic weaknesses that make a big difference.
Nice video 👍
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
May help to wear gloves. Have not noticed vibration being any problem for me. I have run Husqvarna, Stihl, Blue Max.
@@scottdowney4318 Certainly, I had 10 mile Orange gloves with both padding and protection from chain. The damage is real and permanent, freezing conditions make it worse. It is something that occurs over a long time. You won't notice it until there is damage. Like riding a hardtail without a kidney belt. I brought it up because Jonsered openly published their chainsaw vibration levels. Of course some people have poor circulation and fragile joints to start with, especially I the hands and feet.
Cheers 🍻
You have to be aware that both the Husqvarna as well as the Stihl saw are from their respective hobby lineup. So the 543xp might have done a bit better and the Stihl 241 might have been in another league... Chain sharpness and vibration is key though if you have to work with them all day...
Thanks for the feedback.
The 543 is even built by the Japanese company Zenoah 👌 Very good saws, wt least line with Echo if you ask me.
Would be really nice to see some comparisons of what spare parts are available for each item in some of your reviews, I think its an absolutely crucial thing when deciding to buy any tool and generally guides my decision for purchasing anything these days. What warranty comes with each item would be fun to look at too. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, will do! Thanks for the suggestion.
I tell my customers to go down to Ace Hardware and spend $200 for a residential grade Stihl chainsaw (MS170 I think). 90 percent of them come back with their $145 Poulan or Ryobi saw a few months after buying them so I can get them running again and replace the parts that disintegrate shortly after beginning to use them. Everything but Echo, Stihl, Shindaiwa, Red Max, and upper models of Husqvarna (lower models are made by/like Poulan) comes from the same vat of crap and is painted different colors. I think the electric Echo works decently because of the Stihl chain. If you have a cheap (barely good enough) chainsaw, most Stihl dealers will sell you a custom made chain (made from Stihl stock) that will drastically improve performance. All of the pros I do work for have multiple brands of chainsaw lying in the back of their work trucks. The ones in their worker's hands and up the trees are Stihl and the occasional older Husqvarna.
@@bobbipson8906 Yeah I get the same sort of stuff happening in the bicycle industry, customers buying cheap stuff and then wanting them repaired - only issue being the labour and parts end up costing just as much as what a good bicycle would have cost in the first place and I can only imagine its the exact same in the chainsaw industry.
True. The fact that I have TWO local dealers with full shops, had everything to do with why I chose Stihl for my gas saw. It was my first gasser, and I KNEW I'd screw it up sometime, lol. So, whatever I bought, HAD to have good service and parts availability.
I own several Stihl products including 2 Chain saws. My recommendation is if you are going to buy a Stihl Chain saw get one that is going to be more than you need. Get the pro edition and get yourself a 20" to 24" bar. If you are going to go smaller get a battery operated one. You'll pay the price up front but you'll never be wanting more.
Stihl are very popular here in Australia. A lot of their equipment is used by the professional operators here. If I was working in the forestry industry, I'd buy Stihl. I have used their saws in the past, & found then to be very good
Thanks for sharing.
Same with British Columbia, that said I prefer the huskies.
@@ProjectFarm we pronounce as still v steel i do worry Todd on the wire with the weight on the end, may not end well if the chain grabs it,i know your carefull ,but....
Which store can u find them in australia
@@BlackMamba-lt8oe Stihl are everywhere
I bought a used stihl around 10 years old for $220. I used it all day bucking some huge trees that went down in a storm last week, ran flawlessly! I haven't used it since I maintained it afterwards, but it sounded even better after the new air filter and spark plug. If your on a budget like I was just look for used Stihl.
Thanks for sharing!
We got a 1970-1980 Stihl it was my grandpas it was sitting for at least 15 years. Took it apart cleaned it, filled it with new gas it starts up and sounds so loud works like cutting butter.
I have to wonder how much the quality of the chain itself played into the results. I've noticed the chains on our Ryobi 40V electric chainsaw dull quite a bit faster than the aftermarket chains I use on my Josered and Echo chainsaws. Either way, Stihl has always been a leader in the chainsaw market and your test just proves it.
Thanks for the feedback.
Yes the chain makes a difference. We modify our chain to increase the cutting ability. I'm sure some out there know the modification I speak of. You have to be careful when changing the dynamics of the chain but it will make all the difference in cutting no matter what saw you have in hand.
I worked with a logger in high school and all he used was Husqvarna. I bought a Craftsman chainsaw bigger than what I thought I needed but I was cutting Osage Orange/Hedge wood and I had to upgrade and put out the money for a Stihl. I was working with a farmer in Kansas and all he had were Stihl and the dealer was in the same town. I don't regret the purchase and it has paid for itself a few times over. We burn wood and I cut and sell firewood.
Thanks for sharing!
I've tried a lot of brands but I wound up loving Stihl the most. I learned a lot about forestry and land management for tree growth during the years I lived in Northern Maine
Thanks for sharing!
Dad has always liked his Husqvarna so when I needed a saw that is what I bought and have been very happy with it. Not sure how fast it cuts compared to comparable saws, but it just works. I use ethanol free fuel with stabilizer and it doesn't matter if the saw sits for 2 months or 2 years, it works every time, no drama, no BS. I've owned it for close to 15 years now and it has never let me down.
I'd of course consider a Stihl, but my experience with Husqvarna is hard to beat.
Thanks for sharing.
Have to return my 440 after 2 days of use. Took 15 pulls to start and finally day 2 it would not start. To Stihl it is.
@@vitalikpopov30 that's a shame. I picked mine up last weekend and it started on the 3rd pull and ran flawlessly. It's been sitting for at least 6 months, probably more.
It is good to see, that tests are performed in the very similar conditions. It helps to compare newly tested equipment with these from older videos.
The best channel I have ever encountered. Good job👍
Thanks!
I was helping with cleaning out houses after hurricane Harvey, I removed a STIHL chainsaw from a garage to the street as trash because it had been flooded. I asked the owner of the house if I could take it to fix and return, he refused and said to just take it. I did, disassembled and cleaned down to the carburetor. And the 10 year old STIHL started firing on the 3rd pull. That was 4 years ago. Twice a year I start it to help remove some brush or cut some wood, it has started every time. I also own a STIHL weed eater, 8 years old. Starts every time. Echo I have had some experience with, they are good. STIHL is great. No biases, just proven quality. STIHL is the Toyota of chainsaws
Thanks for sharing.