Why I stopped using Stihl chainsaws
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Not trying to pick a fight or claim to be an expert but I am no longer a Stihl chainsaw man.
The Echo CS-370 that I use can be purchased here --- amzn.to/2Eh5Qb0
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Echos are a Japanese brand and Japan is know for high quality due to their perfectionist culture.
I in the past year, I converted from Stihl to Echo. Not picking a fight, just sharing my story. I had a old Stihl 036 pro and a ms310. Both were good saws, and never had a problem. Bought my dad a MS 250, and he had starting issues, and when I looked for smaller saw for me, I decided to try a Echo CS 400, and WOW! What a great 40cc saw, starts great, cuts through larger stuff than what I should have put it in, and I was so impressed, I bought the CS590 Echo Timberwolf...........and holy crap! It smoked my larger Stihl saws in power and speed of cut. That saw is a beast. Starts easy. I sold both of my Stihls and my dad sold his and bought both a 400 and a 590 too. End of story.
The echo are more reliable than the stihl.
I now have an Echo Cs400 and love it
I've had my Stihl 041 for 38 years and still cut a couple of cords a year. Never a problem.
I had one of those back in the day. Very fast.
0 series were good... ms series is junk
@@JourneyNorthAK Nah' their all scream for me'026' ms201' ms261' ms390' ms362' ms461 // one coil went out of one' bout it //
@@JourneyNorthAK I've been using Stihl saw's almost 20 years, Ms250 and Ms251, never had any reliability issues, great saw's.
STIHL is the saw!!!
I have been running a saw pretty regular for 27 years at work. We used to use husqvarna and they worked ok. We changed to Stihl for around 6 or 7 years and always had problems. The last few years we use echo and I love them.
I have an Echo cs500evl that I've had for 25 or so years. Before that it was my step dad's who bought it new in 1982. It's the only saw I've ever owned. I've cut all my heating wood with it for years and even logged with it for several years. I use both 16 and 20 inch bars.
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! My little Stihl 12” electric chain saw. Husband has dementia and unable to operate a gas saw any longer so it’s up to my 74 year old bones to keep up our supply of wood for the wood stove. I mark the dead trees with an orange ribbon in the summer and weather permitting, over the river and thru the woods I go and cut for just a couple of hours if I want to walk upright the next morning.
Good woman be safe, take yer time, maybe time just get a young fella sell you few cords
Stihl just release a little electric pruning saw. 8" bar, handheld. I think its a gt 36 is the model I could be wrong. I'm a dealer in oregon and I literally cannot keep them on the shelf
Is that your fucking life
@@erikkrushelnytskyy6124 WHAT ! Age ! Are ! You ! Then !!??
Always run premium non ethanol gas. Saws always run awesome with premium oil too
Love my Echo. The dealership I bought it from also sells dollar and husky, and I chose echo after talking to the repair guys. From what they said, dollars run a little higher RPMS but don't last as long. They said echo's run a little slower than some saws and they seemed to think that was a big reason they run forever. I've cut 4-5 cords yr for 6 years on my Echo 450 and it starts on the second pull every time. I did replace some tensioner parts 2 years ago, but that was no big deal. Love my Echo
I bought my first stihl 4 years ago. It cuts great when it runs but it only runs when it wants to. Its a small MS211 and its in the shop right now. I just bought a small Echo and I love it.
I have the Stihl MSA 220 C and 161T for about 2.5 years so far I am 100% happy, 6 months ago I buy the MSA300 I can't complain except the batteries on this one don't last long.
McCulloch Promac 610 w 28” bar run No ethanol fuel 50:1 ! Owned this saw since new in 87 and it still runs like a champ
I was all set on getting a Stihl for my first chainsaw, the Husqarvana swayed me their way with their reputation, but ECHO just nailed it for me. I just ordered one tonight catching a good Columbus Day Sale. I got about $100 off their already low price and free shipping. ECHO just earned it's place among the top 3 manufacturers.
I'm still a fan of stheil, however, recently I've had experience with Echo and I was pleasantly surprised over and over with it's performance. I now tell people, "Echo makes a nice little saw" whereas before I just lumped them in with all other consumer brands.
I have three Stihl consumer grade chainsaws - one of them melted down after 12 years of use. The other two still going strong. Never used Echo but I'm glad to hear it works for you.
I love my Echo. Mine chainsaw is smaller than yours. It's a fickle to start if you don't know how to start it. It cuts like a beaver and I can cut whatever size tree I encounter.
I’m a woman and I bought my first chainsaw in 2012. I did a lot of research and I chose a Poulan Pro 16” 35cc with low vibration. I clean her after almost every use, and effectively can use the files and such. I’ve had her serviced once and even now, 8 years later, she’s a good saw.
I’ve heard people put down PP as a crap brand. Maybe Stihl isn’t what it once was. Sad, I was hoping to one day have one.
Bought a 029 farm boss in 1998. Not a world beater, but one fuel line, and one lube pump, 21 years and 65 cords of oak, still fires on the second pull. Hope I never have to replace it.
0 series were great saws.... ms series are junk
I run the echo 440 and just picked up lightly used 590 for 250.00 😀 echo is a good saw
The 590 is a great saw.
*If you own any equipment no matter what brand and you don't know how to maintain and tune it it's not going to run perfect forever. Most sithl complaints are user error and ignorance.*
Had a bad experience buying a new Stihl, wouldn't start and idle correctly from day I purchased it. Returned it 3x before selling it cause the dealership couldn't get it right and last time they wanted to charge me a shop charge on a new saw that I hadn't used yet. Sold it and bought a Timnerwolf and no troubles yet. Sent it to Iowa Performance Saw's for a muffler mod and tune it's a torque monster, cuts anything. I'm loving it so far
I have stihl saws that I have used almost every day Monday through Friday for years. I only use stihl oil and premium fuel. No complaint as for last ability
U dont buy pre mix?
pancho villa
I have found pre mix to be convenient but costly. So mixing fuel is really no problem, I would mix 20 litre’s each time. That would last about 2 weeks. I have a 460 made in Germany that l have been using for about 5 years with no issues. It’s a little heavy but it’s really a great workhorse
I own a tree service business and use Stihl only. Maintenance and upkeep is a major part of the upkeep of a saw. Every manufacturer has design flaws here and there. I started with Stihl in 2001 and continue. Some saws are easier to maintain not everyone is capable of doing work on stihls just like diesels. I would love to know what model you has as well as see your maintenance records on your stihls. I also would like to see what fuel you used.
Then you know about the clogged filter . Get a husky or Dolmar and be done.I also have a tree service and use whatever starts and the stihl gets completely clogged with chips and doesen t like to start easy when climbing this can be an issue . All the power in the world but can't get the chips out like a husky
@@jerrybrandt9377 oh sure do know about them but require my guys every 2 weeks generally rainy days to clean up the saws and go over them not because they need it but because I'm anal about maintenance. As far as chips go if you consider that what makes husky best so be it. I look for longevity and reliability. Stihls been putting food on my table and keeping my bills paid that's all I can say. You keep your huskys I'll keep my Stihl we can't convince each other otherwise but if Stihl screws me and I convert I will be the first to admit it. I hope you have a prosperous New year.
I have both names in the truck and I spend allot on filters for the stihls and the husky Wil go a season on same filter. I always wondered why stihl can't incorporate a similar design? Cause I run dolmar husky and stihl and love them all but I avoid that eco
Where are you out of?
@@jerrybrandt9377 I'm in Virginia you?
Echo saws are made by Yamabiko in Japan, the old Shidaiwa co. The're great saws but the parts are crazy expensive. The old timer down the road runs a cs 590 daily and loves it. It's powerful and its light.
Oem parts for Echo saws cost less than Stihl and Husky oem parts. Its hard to find cheap aftermarket parts for Echo saws.
Didn't know this I have owned a couple shidaiwa trimmer never has failed me, that's in 25 years. I used to pray it would quit, used to use it from sun up till dark. Best trimmer ever used and I have Stilh, echo husky, and a few other brands.
@@michaelwolfordr1 Ya they made really excellent products. I misspoke a tad about Echo parts prices, I should have said they seem expensive compared to the initial cost of the saw. I helped the neighbor replace his 590 clutch drum and it seemed expensive to me @ $50.00 IMHO. He paid $380.00 for the saw new.
Southeastern Ohio Honey Bees & BBQ yea that’s the saw I’m running right now to the echo cs 590 is a great saw no problem with it had it almost a year now
@@scottmugford1123 It's a good saw.They make an after market clutch for it that uses a rim sprocket.
As a Stijl tech, I can say from my experience most times a unit fails is because the owner doesn’t maintain the equipment.
I agree with you Donald I got a Stihl saw from my dad that he got from my great uncle they didnt maintain it much if at all i took it over and its great its its older than i am
I also agree that it’s the way a machine is maintained. Stihl makes a superior product!
Stihl tech you mean? can't even spell the name of your own brand??
I switched to Husqvarna Xp saws years ago and never looked back . I have 2 372xps 1 288xp a 390xp and a 395xp and never had a problem with any of them .
@@Bigmike3406E xp's r the way to go. I'd buy a xp any day of the week over a free anything..even stihl... a little pricey. But they don't come with lots of or any for that matter, complaints...even over long periods of time...
I have an Echo and it performs fairly well. It wouldn't be my choice for cutting a lot of firewood. I also own Stihl's, Husqvarna, and a couple of Homelite trimmer's saws. I believe there are a couple of Poulan's on the saw shelf, too. I have a certification plaque on the wall that says I can fix 2 cycle engines. Most of the problems I see with 2 cycle stuff is in the fuel system. Either an owner is trying to use old gas or there is a breakdown of materials, fuel hoses being the most common. The fix for fuel system issues is to breakdown the carb, clean or rebuild, install new fuel hoses with a clean filter in the tank.
i run an echo 590 i bought used. did a muffler mod and turned up the top end on the carb. she runs great. and you cant beat the price. new also.
Both of my pro Stihls work great never had to bring them in at all. You do every day work you need a pro line saw.
ditto...i only use the 'pro' range i have 4 Stihl's and they are great....My Husky is a beauty too.....i think you're using the 'home user' versions lower down the price range, more plastic, cheaper made....why they even make them is beyond me....if its destroying their rep like this.....proper chainsaw maintenance and knowing your saw is key.
I can’t stand my husky and I ended up trading it for some engine work on a power washer. Granted i think it was the model and the previous owners maintenance that had more to do with it. My Stihl pro is the best saw I’ve ever had. I even love the micro processor controlled carb which I thought would be a nightmare.
I switched from Stihl to Echo and absolutely love it! 👍
Husqvarna 357xp is my main saw. Always starts and idles perfectly between cuts...monster power.
I bought a Husqvarna 266xp in 1992; the only thing I’ve ever had to replace on that saw is spark plugs, chains and bars. I’ve never had to adjust the carburetor! I heat my house with wood so cut a lot of wood and that chainsaw still works.
I think those chickens are Husqvarna fans LOL LOL
Isaac Reichard n
Chickens are smart because husky r bad ass kicking stilth saws ass
Lol. Those chickens voicing their opinion.
Those chickens/Rooster strongly voiced there opinion after he said husqvarna...They must be stihl fans
I have 4 Stihls: 170, 250, 361C & 410. All of them run fine, don’t stall, cut like they’re supposed to and have never been in any shop. I use 91octane pure gas and full chisel chains, cut a lot of beetle kill pine in Colorado and Wyoming.
I mostly use a chainsaw to cut up the occasional windfall limbs. I used to have an old KMart-grade Homelite that I inherited from my grandfather. It was garbage: weak, smoky, hard starting, frustrating as hell, but it was better than hand cutting with a bow saw. When I got a little money in my pocket, I sold it for $20 on Craigslist - being honest about its issues - and bought a small homeowner Stihl new. Compared to that old Homelite, it is a wonder to behold. It starts, runs, and cuts up limbs with authority. I've dropped a few trees and cut up some big limbs - about 16" at the trunk - and it never hesitated at all. As a fairly light-duty homeowner, I love it.
my gripe with stihl is getting parts. have to go through a dealer.
Huztl.net. or hlsproparts.com. Lots of replacement parts go threw them.
My local dealer put a plug, fuel filter and air filter in my little saw and charged me $35.00
@@cabbyhubby ahhhhhh. Ouch.
Parts all over EBay
I've got a Stihl I bought brand new in 2000. I've replaced the gas line once. Still runs great. Not giving it up. I also have a Jonsered. Same story, great saw.
As a stihl and echo dealer owner I prefer the echo also! I have sold more stihl saws doa then echo. Also was a husqvarna dealer but am no longer
Just bought my self an echo, it's a great saw and have other echo equipment such as strimmer and 3 hedge cutters , all work and start amazingly well . You can start them gently and they run well . I have been let down by stihl equipment alot over the Years , always cutting out and cant start them . A Tanaka strimmer I have had for over ten years still starts easily and has never let me down. And thier hedge cutters ! Can recommend then too .
I’ve had my echo for 12 years. Never once and issue. Starts every time and have never even changed the spark plug. And it’s been neat the hell out of lol.
Same with my echo weed eater. Never once and issue. Had an echo tiller also.
Echo is the only way to go
I have an Echo 310 that I've beat up for about 10 years, and a 352 for about 5 years - the 310 is starting to act up, but still no problems with the 352.
I have a 10+ year old Stihl MS361 saw. Been the best saw I every owned, never quits, only had it tuned one time. Still running good and strong after many years and little maint on it. I bought an MS170 as a limb saw for my teenage sons, it has been to the dealer before and never runs good for long. My kids hate it as it always dies out. Had it worked on multiple times. Tired of it. I bought a Husky and an Echo recently and I am getting ready to test them out in the forest but the weather went bad and my work changed to where I have not had time. I hope the best for Stihl. Will go back and buy one when a new dealer comes to town. Our original dealer was the largest in the state years ago but recently went out of business this year from poor management after the business sold.
I have never used an ECHO chainsaw. I have used Poulan, David Bradley, McCulloch, Homelite, Diston and Strunk chainsaws. My current saws are Stihl of which three are 038s and are over thirty years old and have seen extensive use (I cut and sold firewood for several years). I currently cut about forty to forty five face cord of firewood a year with these Stihls. Four years ago I purchased a new MS 311 Stihl and I have used this saw and have found it to be as good a saw as any of my 038s. This year I purchased a small Stihl MS170 saw to carry on the ATV when doing trail work in my hundred acre woodlot and have not run it enough to have formed an opinion on it yet. I like the performance and reliability of the Stihl products better than any of the other saws I have used over the years. I am not trying to pick a fight either nor am I in any way a chain saw expert and I am not connected to the Stihl company in any way. I just like the Stihl product line for their reliability and the years of service I have gotten out of my saws.
I started some 60 yrs ago with Pioneer 600.I thought it was great, in retrospect it was a monster,100cc ,404 chipper chain ,no anti vibration, heavy a hell. Still it was quicker than a axe ! Since I've gone through almost every saw make you can think of but my favourite has to be Dolmar a a good workmanlike brand. Nothing fancy, just well designed well engineered. I've had them from 60 to 110cc and 20 to 40 inc bars. I still have a119th that I bought in 1983 I use cutting firewood. A few years ago Dolmar was taken over by a Japanese company, but the pro range is still made in Germany. I have a 90cc model just as good as they ever were. Bob long retired English tree faller.
I own four Echo chainsaws. They are great.
5500 1988 50 tanks a year just had it frist piston kit
I had three Husky saws stolen early 2018. So I was in the market for some new saws. Most of the people I follow on TH-cam use Stihl saws so I figured I would give Stihl a try. I picked out a MS291. It stopped running before I ran the dealers tank of fuel dry. It required a new carb to get it working correctly. It was covered under warranty but has left me feeling a little disappointed. I still need a one hand saw, maybe I will look at Echo this go round.
Echo has a couple of great top handle saws. 355 t and 2511T...Love them both!!!
Get Dolmar. Do yourself a favour.
Forty years ago Shaws Dolmar, now Dolmar, was one of the best I have used. I took one the the Alaska Bush when I moved there. Now I use Stihl mostly because at my age I have great luck starting the ones I own and they are dependable.
Stihl MS362 (none of that M-Tronic stuff). I even pulled the caps off the carb so I could adjust it. I opened up the exhaust, retuned the carb and it’s been great. I’ve been ripping up the woods / lately been making benches out of 20’, 20” pine logs. The MS362 replaced (in 2012) my 1994 era 036. RUN ETHANOL FREE - look for it from pumps - only $3/gal vs $20/gal by the can
I have an ECHO CS-400 and CS-800P and couldn’t be happier!
I've got their 620 with the full wrap handle and am very impressed. How do you like the 800? I was considering it for a chainsaw mill application. Thanks!
travis gilbert I haven’t had any issues with it other than the chain tensioner is in the front, not on the side like the 400. The 800 also has a bar oil button that you can push when you’re cutting big logs for more lube. It’s a loud saw for sure.
A friend recently bought an Echo gas weed eater. We used it to cut all the grass & weeds from both sides of a large swale ( a large, wide, shallow ditch with a shallow grass covered levy on each side ) that's about 150 yds long x 15 yds wide. Most of the grass & weeds was extremely thick & nearly thigh high, and that Echo whizzed through all of it. I mean we were literally ¨bush hawging¨ with this little weed eater. It never once stalled & it took most of the day to complete. Only quit when it ran out of gas. Some of the weeds had stringy, vine type stalks that would mire up in the rotating head that holds & dispenses the cutting string of course, but that's normal. Unwind it and go right back to weed eating. One tough weed eater. VERY impressed with it.
I've been a Stihl person since 1980 (031av 49cc)but also own/use Dolmar, Makita, Chinese Husky copy, Boss etc and they are all good tools. My son recently bought a Redmax (about 45cc) and it too seems to be very good but it is early days yet. I've heard a lot of good things about the recent Echo units; back in the 1980's they were not held in high regard. My younger son bought an Echo grass trimmer and it easily out-performs my Stihl unit. I was recently given a Stihl ms230 (about 40cc) and it's "OK" but not up to the old 200t standard.
Buckin Billy loves old McCulloch saws but most of my mates hated the things; they were cantankerous buggers to start. "Horses for Courses"
I hear you! They don't make quality! Husquvarna all the way!
They may not make them as good as they used to but one big thing that has changed in the last few years is ethanol added to the fuel. Ethanol can leach the platicizer out of plastic and rubber making it brittle. Cracked carb diaphragms is one the main sources of trouble with Stihl 2-stroke motors. Ethanol absorbs water which can rust iron and steel parts. Ethanol in water and exposed to air can become ethanoic acid which will corrode zinc and aluminum parts. Stihl has to comply with government regulations and say their products will run on ethanol-blended fuel but they only sell ethanol-free pre-mix. Use unadulterated fuel in your equipment to increase its service life.
I’ve used an echo CS680 for cutting firewood and it’s a great saw. It’s a howler and it gets heavy after a while but it eats. I don’t have a lot of time on newer stills but I know my old 041s are tanks. I really don’t have a dead set brand, I like husky’s too.
i have an Echo that is 35 years old and it still runs like a champ! I am going to purchase a Stihl 661 today or tomorrow for my Alaskan Mill though...wish me luck!
How is that stihl doing? Just bought a echo timberwolf today.
Depends on the class of saw you buy. If you buy a "light duty" saw and use it all the time, it's gonna give you trouble. Buy a professional series Stihl and never look back.
With that said, my occasional use saw is an Echo.
My wood for winter and downed tree saws are a Stihl ms 362 and an ms 461. Zero issues with either, rip through a doug fir, sycamore, willow, poplar.
Agree with you about the quality. My relatively new Stihls don't look like my dads 25 year old Stihl, and do run with more vibration.
I've been using two Stihl chain saws for years cutting oak. Very satisfied with the product.. Just keep the chain sharp. But they are 20 year old.
I think it's like anything else, sometimes you happen to get a lemon. My first saw was a craftsman and it held up amazingly well. Next 2 were Poulans and were junk. My last 2 were/are Stihls and I can't say enough about them. I'd do a commercial for free for Stihl I'm so impressed.
Yep, unfortunately, I've been hearing the same with other people and their Stihls. Quality control took some kind of turn. I would go hours and hours back 18 years ago with an older woman's collection of these ch.saws. Matters have been made worse with stupid ethenol messing up two-strokes.
Maintenance on any saw is the biggest problem. If you don't maintain it properly it will fail. At least one time a year I bench work my saws, some disassembly required. I let them warm up before cutting and I don't over work them. Always make sure chain is sharpened and tensioned properly. Some are made better than others but proper maintenance makes a huge difference in working performance and longevity.
I've had still, husky and echo. The biggest problem with any saw these days is almost always fuel related, ethanol based fuels are very hard on saw carburetors and pick up lines. That sed all the professional loggers either run Stills or Huskies. Sadly only there pro saws are worth buying.
Go l'ectric
@@paulsawczyc5019 electric is only barley useful up to about 16 inches and a Stihl 16 inch electric saw a couple spair batteries costs as much as my pro falling saw with a 32 inch bar so electric is not yet a viable option for me at least
I was talking about 120volt with a cord - 100% trouble free - no noise - no gas/oil - incredible torque.
Adam Batchelder z@
@@paulsawczyc5019 believe me if I could I would, I own and maintain over 20 gas and diesel engines and if I could run a corded saw I would but I work in the woods.
I have both and like them both. Echo does has a longer warranty. If that's sort anything. I've kept both maintained and didn't need the warranty so far.
Did you train your chickens to laugh at your jokes? That's what it sounded like to me upon your opening statement. That was such perfect timing I had to laugh. Thanks! Yes, I do know hey weren't trained.🙄 I knew someone might have thought that I was a dimwit. 🤣
U would love the echo cs590
I gave my $400 Stihl away. I figured it was cheaper just to give it away than keep repairing the damn thing. These stupid "green" features they're putting in these things are going to be the death of us all. Dealer support was non-existent.
I was told the US forestry service won't use stihl anymore. they spry fuel when you open the cap. and.. as for buying cheap. I find 1. if you are not buying bottom shelf brands. get the next cheap one up when on sale or clearance. it's all timing when buying cheap. best bet, father's day sales when it come to any tools. 2. if you don't treat it like it's cheap, you'd be surprised how well it treats you. I've bought cheap all my life. the tools I've respected and took care of I'm still using. but the moment you start not doing the little things for care and maintenance that's when your in trouble.
Your chickens are your studio audience to give the real feel and sound of farm life, just love it Bro!!!
Having worked with saws daily in the North WA, ID, MT woods for over 25+ years, ( and NorCal for a short time), Husqvarna is my choice. The early 90's Stihls were good saws, but having run a lot of Stihl 044, 061, the first 066's etc Husqvarna's 288, 394 & 395 have always performed flawlessly, which I can't say the same for all the Stihl' s I've owned. As an example I borrowed a fuel can from a buddy one day and mistakenly ran 30:1 in a Sthil 066 that was only one season old. Ran for about an hour before seizing up I switched to my 288 (also one season old) and continued to run it all day on the same fuel without issue. Ever since then (1993) I've been running Husqvarna's, minus buying another 066 in the early 2000's from a friend and quickly realizing why I quit running them. Traded that 066 almost immediately with another buddy for some Shimano XTR components for my Klein Mt Bike. I will say I do own some other Stihl equipment (brush cutters, and gas trimmer) that I absolutely love.
Ethonal is what kills them. I buy the Stihl gas. I use about three cans a year between my saw, trimmer, and my leaf blower. Also they double the warranty when buy a can.
Ethanol #1, but like pump gas has more other garbage than just the ethanol.
I have had trouble with Stihl chainsaw and weed eater..I wouldn't buy another Stihl
As a gold certified stihl tech for a a few years now with a 4 years of husky experience, I really suggest husky over stihl. Stihl makes good professional saws. There home owner/average saws really just seem cheap. I work on 75% stihl always for basic routine maintance. I have a husky from 1976 a guy brought it because he said it wouldn't start. Incredibly, this thing was used alot. Manuel oiler, 42" bar, thing is a beast. Stihl had great compression! I will say, husky are a bitch to work on until you get the hang out them. Stihls are easier to work on because your always working on them. Ill get some heat for it, but im about to finally open my own small engine shop officially and im going to stock husqvarna over stihl once I can get the contract. Good luck everyone at the end of the day, a saw is a saw and whatever works.
Forgot to give my 2 cents on echo. There great for the money, I hardly ever hear anything bad on echo equipment. Great for home owner use
Chickens are a hoot! Think what would've happened if you'd shown 'em the camera. I've used Echos for years.
I have used Stihl most of my life....I'm 64. Their quality has really went down hill the past few years. Stihl has become totally overpriced. I too have recently become an ECHO man! Great video...thanks!
I always used to you stihl saws but just recently bought a used Johnsred . I pretty happy with it so far .
I have a Stihl 193t and 026 (both older saws no longer made) and they work great, but I also own an older Echo CS-341 and that's a great little saw. I think the older Stihl saws are better and Echo makes a very nice line of saws.
Your comparing a dolmar forestry saw to a stihl homeowner. That's like comparing a wheelbarrow to a skid steer man. If ur on an anti stihl mission check out holzfforma models...
I'm not anti Stihl. I just don't think their homeowner saws are to the standard they used to be.
I had the same issue. About 10 years ago I bought a Stihl homeowner to replace a junky box store Mac. I had bought some acreage and needed something better. It was like the 230? model. It was a great little saw and started so easy. A few years later I needed a 20" bar and got a Farm Boss Stihl. That saw was a dog. Maybe 2-3 years ago both were stolen out of my barn. I replaced the 230? with 250 and have hated that saw ever since. I stopped waving the Stihl flag and bought a larger Makita/Dolmar 20' to replace the Farm Boss and that thing is a beast although a bit heavy. The modern homeowner Stihl is just so damn temperamental with starting.
I've had a Jonsered 625 since the late 70s. Bought it brand new from a home and ranch supply outfit near where I lived a long time ago. It's cut more wood than I can even imagine. I don't use it a lot these days except when a fella brings me logs to buck up for winter heat in late August or early September. It's only been in a shop maybe 3 or 4 times to have some minor work done to it -- a carb adjust or a rebuild stuff like that, and a new chain about every 8 years. I don't mess with diesel locomotives or chain saws -- I pay the pros to work on my saw and I know it's gonna run. Plan to get myself one of those new Stihl 2 in 1 file gizmos to keep the teeth sharp and the depth gauges at the proper depth. Lots of saw owners love them and my saw guy swears they are the best thing since sliced bread. That's good enough for me. Even Steve's Saloon likes 'em.
I got tired of my stihl, and bought a Makita. Works Great. MS390 was so hard to start. The makita 4300 is so much better to work with.
I had a verity of saws through the years. Used to run Pioneer until they went to the farm saw. Went to Johnsen red good saw. I know it a husky just cheaper. The Stihl was ok. Didn't hold up logging. The Pioneer P61 was probably the best. Total torque monster.
Been battling an MS361 for weeks, bought new coil, carb, plug, fuel lines, still can't keep the damn thing running. Cuts out at full throttle. One big problem is getting parts around where I am. Amazon only carries Chinese knock-off parts most of which are garbage shaped like the part you need. None of the big box stores carry any parts because they basically just want you to buy new and spend $$$. Also, no big boxes around me carry Stihl brand anyways. Frustrating. The little repair shop by me folded up when the owner died and the family sold the land it was on and now there's a giant retirement filing cabinet for humans and a self-storage place. Progress.
As for me, I had to stop fiddling with the Stihl for now and bought a small Husky 135 to get by with and it runs great because it's new. I figure I have 20 hours fiddling with the damn Stihl, enough is enough. If I can find a Stihl brand coil I might try that, but that's the end and if it won't run it's going out on the curb with a "Free" sign on it.
Stihl will not allow their products to be sold in the big box stores. That is why I have become a Stihl man. Any brand that enters the big box stores gets pressured to lower the cost so the store can turn volume. The end result is quality suffering. Fortunately for me I have several great Stihl dealers to choose from, all within 30 minutes of me. What I don't take to the dealer, I have my mechanic friend work on, or else my saws would be as reliable as yours. I love wrenching, but not matter how good or bad the saw is, I lack the knowledge and experience to make them run reliably. That being said, my 261 and my 210 both will start with 5 pulls or less and keep running once started.
I'm gonna stop using Stihl chainsaws when I die.
I've got a OAV-26 ,OAV-31, OAV-45 and 2 OAV-56 Magnum 2
You can tell what saw's I live by
Most people do stop using whatever tools they have when they die.
@@jbonnell1117 Thats the only way I will stop using Stihl.
@@MegaDavyk Complete crap. Worthless heaps of shit
I dont play well with plastic chain saws. Had some Stil Husky poulan. Now ive come full circle. Back to using 1960 ,s and 70's Homelites. Old Xl12s and a 70,s 925. and I use them a lot. My father bought a new XL12 in 64 and I was 13 and it was great. I still have it and have brought it back to life. Watch Leons chainsaw channel He is a antique Homelite GURU.
I was an echo and husqvarna dealer for several years and I now work for a stihl dealership. I cut several cords of firewood every year. I've owned a husqvarna 455 rancher. Not a bad mid grade saw overall. Wanted a little more power so stepped up to a husqvarna 359. Had good power and weight but was very unreliable. Tried an echo 450cs. Was a very comfortable, well balanced, smooth running saw but I wasn't very impressed with the power. I now own a stihl ms362. It's a beast and has proven to be reliable for going on 3 years now but can get a little heavy after a few hours. But I have to be honest guys, my favorite "go to" saw is my old reliable poulan 3500 timbermaster from the 1990's. It has the absolute best power to weight ratio, adjustable oiler, fully adjustable carburetor and always starts right up hot or cold. Only ever had to make one repair to it. So yes, there are good and bad in all of them but when you find one you like, hang on to it!!!! Use good quality fuel/mix and keep a good, sharp, aggressive chain on it!!!!!
My dad had multiple stihls when I was growing up and stihl was the first saw I ran, then I bought a husqvarna and have only ran husky’s ever since
i own a MS 460 FOR 12 years never been to a shop runs like a top log with it as well A CUT FIREWOOD.never had a problem
Not just Stihl chainsaws, I had a problem with blowers, hedge trimmers, grass trimmers...paid more for repairs and maintenance than they were worth. Husqvarna only now, never had a problem. Never.
Ya I've owned stihl for years. I have new ms362c, ms250, and older 044. I've never once had a single issue since the 90s with any of these saws. Sounds like the local shop is the problem
Around here a lot are switching to Echo
What model Echo saws do you own and run
I've the 2711t something or other - awesome little top handle climbing saw!
I have a cs590 and I love it, I use it at least 3 or 4 times a month and I have owned it for 4 yrs now. It has never broke down, and it runs as good now as the day i bought it.
echos are junk ive worked on a few of them
You're, full of bs I've run Echo saws for years with VERY few problems. The lower level Stihls are hard to start, heavy ,built cheap, hard to work on, cost too much and gutless. Stihl pro saws were fine but their quality goes down every year. I own all brands over here except the real cheapos like Poulan.
Agreed. I love my Stihl saws but they aren’t what the used to be.
I have a Stihl and an echo. They both run great if you use non-ethanol fuel
Farmertec holzformma g660 all parts are same as stihl and it's only $400 from a us dealer or under $300 on the farmertec website! They been making a hell of a good rep!
I did agree with you that Stihl was 'living off their reputation' until I bought my new ms 661 c! Very impressed with the AV and Air filtration issues Stihl had if past. The 461's and 661's are very good QUALITY. Husky's are great too, and not just the XP's.
Overpriced shit. An echo 7310 will outrun a 462 and give the 661 a run for its money all day for 200 dollars or more less while having a 5 year warranty on it.
@@joshlower1 ok, sure, whatever you say...
It's just a natural cycle. The top dog gets fat and lazy while the underdog is always trying to steal his crown by working hard at it.
I have an 039, a 110, and a 381. All need new cylinders and pistons. I use ethanol free high test and good 2 cycle oil. I made my living as a small engine mechanic for a very long time. Back in the 1960's Stihl saw were the best. Not any longer. Echo equipment is excellent. In the 1980's I was a Shindawa Dealer. Back then they were excellent saws. I can't say if they are still good.
I owned a Stihl once...bought it brand new and it would sing when it was cutting. Trying to start or trying to idle for a bit though? Forget it. After being in several shops and getting shown up by a buddy’s Husqvarna, I pulled the trigger on a Husky. Doesn’t sound as good as a Stihl, but I’m cutting wood instead of cussing a saw. I’ll trade that any day.
It's not just Stihl chain saws. I've had trouble with their string trimmers too. Always in the shop.
Piss poor shop
@@Wanous-hv7zo which shop?
@@djangoapple8230 you must be stupid and not know how to run stuff or take care of it. Most of the time it's user problems and neglect on owner part then they are the first ones to say oh it's junk. Can't fix stupid
@@Wanous-hv7zo I have a farm and I also do work in 4 different counties. You ask which shop? Apparently all the shops I've used. The nearest Stihl dealer to my location is Ace Hardware. The other is a privately owned old school store. Been around since I can remember. Actually been very good in the past. The last time they worked on my string trimmer I noticed a screw missing from a plastic housing cover. Didn't think much of it. It'll run until I can get another screw. What could possibly go wrong? Anyhow, after a short period of time that screw showed up. I guess the magnets on the flywheel just couldn't hang on to it with all that spinning. When it let go it made a racket. I removed the cover, the screw fell out with pieces of two flywheel fins. That was a shitty day.
stihls r pure junk. takes all day to start the junk. my echo's start on 2-3 pulls
cool story man
josh w haha...cool story. Love it.
I bought the cheapest stihl saw and it sure works good. A lot quieter than a lot of saws. If a couple saws suddenly give you trouble its likely the gas station where you buy fuel changed its blend. Gas nowadays is a science. And the average consumer does not know how it can affect certain designs of chainsaws. Stihl uses a flexible rubber boot between the carb and jug. That's because of the design of the anti vibe handle. Echo vibrate worse but used to be a direct bolt on carb with a gasket. Different ways for different things but all for a saw. Buy what you like if you want. Buy what you need if your educated.
I run 4 Husqvarna pro saws. I love my 372xp. Stihl is good. I had the MS460, but I found myself always going with my Husqvarna saws because they all start every time.
Best thing I’ve ever done for my saws was visit my local airport and bought a couple gallons of av-gas and mixed it with pump gas 50/50. No shelf life and it eats the ethanol from the pump gas!
I'm an arborist, and the tree company that I work for only puts av-gas in their saws, and we have alot of nice old ones that you cant really find, and some big modded ones. It's a great way to take care of your saw!. More people should do it
I have seen a lot of Ignition coils that do not meet the specs and cause a lot of problems. Not only in this country but many others too. Might want to check this item first. Easy to replace.
Very first saw I ever tried was a old 70s echo. They were great. Then gramp got himself a STIHL064. I love that saw. I picked up a new Husqvarna, and then a new Echo670. But out of alllll the saws the one that was most finicky was the STIHL. Again. Love that saw. But it def is hard starting and a bit finicky. But it is a hard workin saw. Cheap saws... agree 100% when it comes to saws do your research and take care of it. It's that simple. STIHL, Husqvarna, ECHO, Dolmar, all have great saws of all diff calibers and purposes. You can't go wrong w any of these saws
I have an old ms361 that I absolutely love, and three different echo's that I like very much. I've also owned Partner/Husqvarna cut-off saws to cut rebar and masonry. I still own an old stihl ts400, I kept it because it vibrates a lot less than the husqvarnas. They have all been good, reliable saw. If people aren't going to use a saw much, they should consider buying a battery powered one. Some of the new Makita and Milwaukee models are pretty sweet.