Going to stir the pot. Stihl vs Husky.

[bwalker]

I just wanna see a 260 that smokes a 261.

That kinda made me laugh.

Not going to happen.
The 260 was a complete dog. It's good points where it was very trim and light. Plus very durable. Performance wise it sucker.
The older 026's where somewhat better.
However the 346 blew both into the weeds.

 

[bwalker]

It's just zenoah since husqy bought them out.
As for my input. This has been the husqy stihl game forever. Stihl is just ahead right now.

Stihl made an agreement to get some technology from Husqvarna. Husqvarna controlled all the best strato patents by acquiring Redmax.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

Not going to happen.
The 260 was a complete dog. It's good points where it was very trim and light. Plus very durable. Performance wise it sucker.
The older 026's where somewhat better.
However the 346 blew both into the weeds.

I don't think a 346 has anything on a new 261 as far as work goes.

 

[bwalker]

I think one of huskys downfalls is their cheap homeowner box store saws. These things have given husky a very bad reputation up in this neighborhood.
They would do well to scrap the bottom line box store saws and just build a couple of good quality small saws plus the usual xp line. Plus keep everything at the dealership like stihl.
I haven’t run the 5 series much, but the larger ones seem on the bulky side.


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Stihl sells some home owner junk too.

 

[olyman]

steal sucks every which way but loose...……….

 

[Northerner]

Stihl sells some home owner junk too.

Ya for sure. But I see more of the husky junk because they are even more available everywhere.


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[MaddBomber]

I’m not a brand fanboy at all. I own 5 different brands and hate them equally. But nearly every point in your first post is incorrect. Opinions are one thing. We all have those. But it’s easy to tell your opinions don’t come from actual personal use.

What points exactly?
Fwiw, my grandfather logged in the moosehead area of maine right after the depression. He'd cut ice in winter.
In the 1960s he became a Mac "fanboy". Retiring in 1981.
After serving in vietnam, my father worked for Chestna Timber in the Rochester/Brandon, Vermont area from 1970 until 1991. Just him and a crusty guy named Bill that paired off on a skidder, cutting tote roads and landings. All Jonsered. After which, he started a firewood and tree service in MA which was bought out by Maltby Tree. All husqvarna. He retired in 2008, when I got out of the army. I've been stomping the woods with a saw for 18 years. Yes, not every day, as there's just not much work left. I used my gi bill to get rat certified in Las Vegas, then started a company with a friend which I eventually left in 2011 as it became more landscaping than tree work. Gotta follow the money.
I've worked for Maltby Tree as a faller for select cutting, which I still do from time to time. In 2018 I relocated to NC and only do per diem work for a variety of companies. Some good, some not.
My father and I are still in contact with most of our former companies and coworkers. None of which can find a husqvarna dealer anymore. They're almost exclusively stihl now. The ones that do still have a few new husky saws, aren't exactly excited about them. That's my point.
Am I a full time logger? No. And I don't claim to be. But experience is one thing I do have.
Next time ask. Don't just assume.

 

[MaddBomber]

I just wanna see a 260 that smokes a 261.

That kinda made me laugh.

It's the weight. That's why I favor the 260 over the 261. They're absolutely incomparable.
Most work I get is hardwoods. I'm not buzzing limbs off of a straight stick. Just limbing out an oak, ash, hickory or maple can take hours. And in those scenarios, ounces mean way more than power.

 

[huskihl]

What points exactly?

The comparisons.
You say the 261 spanks the 550, and then a few words later mention how close it is. The 261 is a little bit lighter, but the 550 seems to have better torque to me.
The 500i is actually slower than a 572 with a shorter bar, and they both run longer bars relatively well.
The 390 being 90ish cc was designed more for a 28 or 32 inch bar. Most bigger saws are probably slower than many smaller saws with shorter bars. Many folks rave about the 462 being faster than the 500. And it is with a shorter bar as long as you don’t lean on it. But once you get out beyond 24 inches, or start pushing harder, the forgiveness of the bigger saw almost always takes over. There’s no comparison between a 462 and the 500 in 32” hardwood. Same as the 390 being slower than the 500 in smaller wood. Start using longer bars and you’ll see which one has more power and usability.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

It's the weight. That's why I favor the 260 over the 261. They're absolutely incomparable.
Most work I get is hardwoods. I'm not buzzing limbs off of a straight stick. Just limbing out an oak, ash, hickory or maple can take hours. And in those scenarios, ounces mean way more than power.

I work with a chainsaw every day of my life.

Ounces don't matter. The saw is the easiest part of the job.

I've never heard anyone talk about this weight thing anywhere other than the internet..

The difference between a new 261 and 260 is so similar I don't think I could pick them apart blindfolded. I'll bet you no one I work with could either.

 

[MaddBomber]

The comparisons.
You say the 261 spanks the 550, and then a few words later mention how close it is. The 261 is a little bit lighter, but the 550 seems to have better torque to me.
The 500i is actually slower than a 572 with a shorter bar, and they both run longer bars relatively well.
The 390 being 90ish cc was designed more for a 28 or 32 inch bar. Most bigger saws are probably slower than many smaller saws with shorter bars. Many folks rave about the 462 being faster than the 500. And it is with a shorter bar as long as you don’t lean on it. But once you get out beyond 24 inches, or start pushing harder, the forgiveness of the bigger saw almost always takes over. There’s no comparison between a 462 and the 500 in 32” hardwood. Same as the 390 being slower than the 500 in smaller wood. Start using longer bars and you’ll see which one has more power and usability.

Definitely very valid points. To me, the 550 and 261 are essentially the same. I've repeatedly seen the 261 grabbed before the 550 when both are in the truck. I don't have a dog in this fight one way or another. But that's just me. Neither feels like a 50cc, but rather a 60cc, in all the right and wrong ways.
I have zero experience running a 500, so cannot speak to that. Nor a 400.
I'm in no way trying to take anything away from the 390...at all. However, on paper and in countless videos, the 500 wins in weight and chainspeed. Even Bucking Billy lit up after using one....that was completely stock....from someone who runs ported Huskies almost exclusively. His video got me thinking and I started making a few calls.
As for the west coast long bars... That just doesn't work out east if you aim for production. 70cc almost exclusively run 20" or 24". Anything bigger is left for the 395 or 661 with a 32" or 36"
Maple or Hickory in -20° is very different than fir or cedar in rain.
My entire point was that husqvarna is losing ground. That's undeniable. And they just don't seem to care. The 572 was supposed to be a game changer. After almost six years of development and eager anticipation. It just isn't.
The 371 was. The 346 was. The 390 was. The 462 is. The 500i is. The 400c is.

 

[MaddBomber]

I work with a chainsaw every day of my life.

Ounces don't matter. The saw is the easiest part of the job.

I've never heard anyone talk about this weight thing anywhere other than the internet..

The difference between a new 261 and 260 is so similar I don't think I could pick them apart blindfolded. I'll bet you no one I work with could either.

Hahaha!!!
Okay. Wow

 

[sean donato]

I have to largely agree with the weight thing, but I go from a 359 and 562xp up to a 390xp. The weight difference in a 50 to 60cc saw was never a bother hence why I got rig of my 50cc saws. The last time I felt the pain I decided to take my 359 out and grabbed the 390xp as a just in case I needed it. Turned out the fuel line broke during my second cut of the day, forcing me to either return home and grab the 562xp or just use the 390xp for the day. Didnt make sense to drive an hour and a half to grab another saw, so I finished out the day with the 390xp, to say the least my back was killing me at the end of the day from all the limbing i had to do. I didnt mind the felling with the larger saw. I know extreme example, I would have gladly taken any other lighter saw on planet earth about half way through the day. I learned from that day and now take all 3 saws with.

 

[North by Northwest]

No doubt, it's about like the .270 vs. 30/06' debate that's been ongoing for almost a century.

.308 vs 30/06 is a better debate

 

[North by Northwest]

Stihl sells some home owner junk too.

You can say that again !

 

[huskihl]

I’m in northern Michigan. Lol. Don’t cut much 50” Western Red Cedar in the rain. Must be a YouTube thing

 

[MaddBomber]

I’m in northern Michigan. Lol. Don’t cut much 50” Western Red Cedar in the rain. Must be a YouTube thing

That's what I'm saying!
Lol!!
I'm going to Washington in august. Can't wait to see these mythical trees.

 

[MaddBomber]

T

.308 vs 30/06 is a better debate

That's a tough one. I think I'd have to lean .308, strictly for availability....nato and whatnot.

 

[bwalker]

I’m in northern Michigan. Lol. Don’t cut much 50” Western Red Cedar in the rain. Must be a YouTube thing

I cut a 10" cedar in the UP once..

 

[huskihl]

I cut a 10" cedar in the UP once..

Fence posts lol