Just read a thread that said Husky 141 made by Poulan. What a bummer. I was looking at a 141 and thinking of buying one. Now Im confused. How do I know a Stihl is a Stihl and a Husky is a Husky. How do I know which models are home owner saws and not the best. reminds me of 25 years ago when a fellow pulled into his driveway with his new Olds and his neighbor asked him how he liked the Chevy engine.
Good grief, or when is a Husky a Husky?
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SawTroll
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Electrolux owns a lot of chainsaw production companies, among them Husqvarna, Jonsered, Partner and Poulan - and it is only natural that these companies collaborate on saw production. One of the results is that the least expensive "homeowner" type saws all are made at one factory - the Poulan factory in the USA. This includes the 1xx-series Huskys, a couple of Jred's, several Partner models, and most of todays Poulan's - if not all.
As I recall, all the more expensive Husky's and Jreds are made by the Husky factory.
Trough the years there have other ways of collaboration. Some examples:
-Partner has made saws for Jonsered.
-Saws designed by Partner has been "inherited" by Jred. After initial sale as Partner, they were sold as Jred's and Poulan Pro's.
-Poulan Pro's have been sold as Partner, at least in Europe.
-Earlier "homeowner" Husky's has been made both by Solo/Germany and EMAB/Canada. The Emab saws were also sold as Jred's, Frontiers, etc
It is simpler with Stihl; They can be made in Germany, USA, Brazil and probably more countries - but all the factories are owned by Stihl. A Stihl is therefore always a "real" Stihl, regardless of quality and were it is made.
One possible exception is the Stihl copies made in China, but I don't think they are sold with the Stihl label.
As I recall, all the more expensive Husky's and Jreds are made by the Husky factory.
Trough the years there have other ways of collaboration. Some examples:
-Partner has made saws for Jonsered.
-Saws designed by Partner has been "inherited" by Jred. After initial sale as Partner, they were sold as Jred's and Poulan Pro's.
-Poulan Pro's have been sold as Partner, at least in Europe.
-Earlier "homeowner" Husky's has been made both by Solo/Germany and EMAB/Canada. The Emab saws were also sold as Jred's, Frontiers, etc
It is simpler with Stihl; They can be made in Germany, USA, Brazil and probably more countries - but all the factories are owned by Stihl. A Stihl is therefore always a "real" Stihl, regardless of quality and were it is made.
One possible exception is the Stihl copies made in China, but I don't think they are sold with the Stihl label.
How do I tell between home owner stuff and the good stuff. Is there something in Stihl or Husky model numbers that tell me this? Even so,is a bottom of the line Stihl or Husky better than a top of the line Homelite for example? I think Im going to get a Stihl 226. Are there different models and which should I get? What if the dealer pulls out a 026 he has not sold. Should I buy that or go with the replacement 226?
tony marks
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see if the 026 has all the carb adjustments. if so grab it.jmo
Mange
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The price tag usually gives a clue what qualety it has.4pwr said:
If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is!
spacemule
The Peanut Gallery
Mange, I've got a saw I'll sell to you for $1,500. You know it's got to be good if it cost that much!Mange said:
Fish
Tree Freak
Partner/Pioneer was absorbed by Poulan a long time back, and most models were
phased out, some survived as Poulan Pros, and sometimes the Partner named is
still used. In general, the more digits in a Husky model number, the higher the quakity,
or at least it used to be that way.
phased out, some survived as Poulan Pros, and sometimes the Partner named is
still used. In general, the more digits in a Husky model number, the higher the quakity,
or at least it used to be that way.
Mange
Addicted to ArboristSite
There is no substitute for common sence. :blob5:
I did say clue!
fishhuntcutwood
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4pwr said:
By Stihl 226, do you mean 026? The 026 was replaced by the MS 260 several years ago. If a dealer still has a new 026 on the shelf, man, it's been there for a while. As far as model number, Stihl used to list their pro saws as even numbers-026, 044, 046, 066, 088, which after the number changes that took place a few years back, are now the MS 260, 440 Magnum, 460 Magnum, 660 Mag, and 880 Mag. They labeled their homeowner saws with odd numbers, 011, 021, which is now the MS 210. And after they got away from metal handles (031, 045, 056, 076, etc.) and went with plastic, they gave the pro saws white handles and homeowner saws orange handles.
Now, that said, these lines have been skewed a bit over the past few years. The MS 310 is not a replacement for the 031, the 270 has a white handle, and now all of their number are even, except for the 361, which is a pro saw, so nevermind.
For Stihl, the 009, MS 170, 180C, 210, 250, 250C, 270, 290, 310, and 390 are homeowner saws. The MS 260, 361, 361C, 440, 460, 650, 660, and 880 are all pro saws. The MS 280 is a pro or homeowner saw, depending on who you ask. Stihl lists it as a mid range, homeowner saw, and I think that it is. I'm not a Husky guy, so don't really know that much about their numbering, but I thought I heard someone say that any of their saws with "XP" in their numbers are pro saws. That said, their catalog describes the 570 and the 353 as professional saws. Basically, the best advice anyone can give you is to buy the best saw you can afford. That doesn't mean the biggest, as I'd rather own a Stihl 260 than a 390. Do some research, check their websites, get their catalogs and you'll start to get a handle on what's what. Also, if you're looking at a particular model, do a search for that model on this website. If you put in a search for "440" or "372", you'll get a bunch of good info, and guys talking about how they like these saws. If you narrow it down to a particular model, post it on here and ask what we think. Man, you'll have replies for days. That'll give you a good idea as to whether it's a good saw or not. Or post on here, and tell us what you're cutting, how much of it you are cutting, and how often you'll use the saw. Again, you'll get plenty of honest opinions, and you can decide from there.Jeff
fishhuntcutwood
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4pwr said:
I'd have to say so, and the reason is dealer support. If you buy a rock bottom Stihl or Husky, that dealer will take better care of you than Wal-Mart or Home Depot will.
Jeff
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But who really needs a dealer. With the help of you guys here, I rebuilt the top end of my saw with $16 in parts, the dealer wanted $200 to do it. Yes I did reuse the piston and jug but it was only slighty scored on exhaust side. Yes the dealer is one I would use and a really nice guy. But why pay the big bucks when you dont have to. The dealer is a one man operation that sells Dolmar and echos. But is also authorzied to do work on the other brands. So why do you folks really care about dealer service when you do the work yourself and buy parts off the net and others to fix them yourselves anyway. Just wondering?
Chris J.
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Timber:
Quite a few folks around here work on their own saws, & quite a few folks take them to the dealer. Sometimes it's a matter of skill level, like knowing when you're in over your head. Sometimes time is a factor--The dealer might be able to diagnose & repair a problem in one day whereas it would take the saw user several days to get the saw running again. And not everyone has a stash of back-up saws.
There's also warranty work to consider because new saws sometimes have problems. Even if you work on your own saw you sometimes need the dealer for parts; some dealers don't give quality customer service to the folks who don't buy their saws from them.
Some folks here are (or were) dealers, or work for dealers. Since their income, or at least part of it, depends on having paying customers in the shop, those folks are going put more emphasis on dealer support.
In brief, some can get along fine without dealer support, while others need a good working relationship with their local dealer(s). There have been quite a few discussions, some a little heated, here regarding supporting your local dealer.
Quite a few folks around here work on their own saws, & quite a few folks take them to the dealer. Sometimes it's a matter of skill level, like knowing when you're in over your head. Sometimes time is a factor--The dealer might be able to diagnose & repair a problem in one day whereas it would take the saw user several days to get the saw running again. And not everyone has a stash of back-up saws.
There's also warranty work to consider because new saws sometimes have problems. Even if you work on your own saw you sometimes need the dealer for parts; some dealers don't give quality customer service to the folks who don't buy their saws from them.
Some folks here are (or were) dealers, or work for dealers. Since their income, or at least part of it, depends on having paying customers in the shop, those folks are going put more emphasis on dealer support.
In brief, some can get along fine without dealer support, while others need a good working relationship with their local dealer(s). There have been quite a few discussions, some a little heated, here regarding supporting your local dealer.
For Husky the 3xx range seems to be the "real thing". 1xx is definately consumer and made in Poulans factory as Sawtroll said. I don't know about the "climber saws" though.
In Sweden 340, 345 and 350 are named as consumer saws, but close to the pro range. 353, 359 and all xp are pro saws. XP are the new engines, the engines in say 359 is just as professional and reliable, just a bit older in design. Unless I'm completely misinformed.
I haven't even seen the 1xx for sale, but I guess they must be sold somewhere.
For Jonsered the 2137 and 2138 seem to be the consumer saws. 2141 and up is near pro, or pro. Jonsered is a sister brand to Husqvarna, they are virtually the same saws, but they don't always have the same line-up. Husqvarna saws that have been "phased out" are often sold a couple more years from Jonsered it seems. And this is a good thing as these saws are tested and reliable. And Jonsereds look better
Jonsered brand in Sweden is only sold at authorised dealers, so even if you buy a consumer saw you should get pro support. At least in theory.
I have emailed Husqvarna now, I'll see if they tell me where they produce the stuff. They have factories in many countries, but I guess saws sold in Western Europe and North America are produced in Sweden or the US. I expect an answer in the style of "We have the same quality standards in all our factories, blah, blah, blah"
In Sweden 340, 345 and 350 are named as consumer saws, but close to the pro range. 353, 359 and all xp are pro saws. XP are the new engines, the engines in say 359 is just as professional and reliable, just a bit older in design. Unless I'm completely misinformed.
I haven't even seen the 1xx for sale, but I guess they must be sold somewhere.
For Jonsered the 2137 and 2138 seem to be the consumer saws. 2141 and up is near pro, or pro. Jonsered is a sister brand to Husqvarna, they are virtually the same saws, but they don't always have the same line-up. Husqvarna saws that have been "phased out" are often sold a couple more years from Jonsered it seems. And this is a good thing as these saws are tested and reliable. And Jonsereds look better
Jonsered brand in Sweden is only sold at authorised dealers, so even if you buy a consumer saw you should get pro support. At least in theory.
I have emailed Husqvarna now, I'll see if they tell me where they produce the stuff. They have factories in many countries, but I guess saws sold in Western Europe and North America are produced in Sweden or the US. I expect an answer in the style of "We have the same quality standards in all our factories, blah, blah, blah"
fishhuntcutwood
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Timbermaster said:
Everybody needs a dealer!
Even if you don't need them to do work on your saw, they're there for parts, manuals, (I just got the service manual for my 361 from my dealer for like $4, as I can't find it online yet, and the one's on ebay are going for $14), bars and chain, and then everything to go along with saws-wedges, ppe, files, bar and mix oil, and small stuff like saw-specific fasteners, like the ones that go through the old AV mounts on 056's and 020's. I've never worked in a saw shop, but have worked many years in an archery shop, and it's amazing all the little ways shops help guys who are self-sufficient, as much as the guys who are bone-fresh noobies.Jeff
SawTroll
Information Collector
Mktest, I agree with you in most of what you stated. The "Poulan" Jonsereds sure are the 2137 and 2138. As late as last year, there also was a 2040 which I think is replaced by the 2138.
A number of 2xx series Huskys is still sold around the world as "current" models, and I think that at least some of them are made in Russia.
I thougt that the Swedish and Russian factories were the only Husky named factories, but I may very well be wrong.
The more you know, the more you realise that you still don't know......
A number of 2xx series Huskys is still sold around the world as "current" models, and I think that at least some of them are made in Russia.
I thougt that the Swedish and Russian factories were the only Husky named factories, but I may very well be wrong.
The more you know, the more you realise that you still don't know......
Swedish LO (a labour union) said that instead of expanding capacity in Husqvarna Sweden, Husqvarna has increased production in Russia and Brasil. I have no clue if they actually own a factory in Brasil though. Electrolux are moving lots of production to cheaper factories, just like everyone else.
Is this to sell saws cheaper or to make shareholders richer I wonder...? :blob5:
I'm not too fond of this "moving" business. If I buy a Chevrolet, I want one that's made in Detroit, not made in Korea. Don't mean to talk bad about Korea, I have several technical products that was made in Korea that work fine. But if product developers, engineers, designers, workers and professional users can work closely together for many years (such as in Husqvarna Sweden) I think you get a better product than if you draw something on a computer in one country and produce it half-way across the globe.
And then I'm a traditionalist... I like old tools with history. I didn't like that Snap-On bought Bahco from Sandvik. Not that I say Snap-On has lower quality, but it's different quality. And an uglier name (I have not yet seen Snap-On actually changing Bahcos tools though)
Fortunately I'm not alone, the success of Gränsfors Bruk with traditional axes makes me really happy. Plastics and rubber might be ok, but steel and wood rule.
Whenever I go to farm auctions (not often) I always itch to buy old tools that I don't need Pliers, spanners, saws...
Is this to sell saws cheaper or to make shareholders richer I wonder...? :blob5:
I'm not too fond of this "moving" business. If I buy a Chevrolet, I want one that's made in Detroit, not made in Korea. Don't mean to talk bad about Korea, I have several technical products that was made in Korea that work fine. But if product developers, engineers, designers, workers and professional users can work closely together for many years (such as in Husqvarna Sweden) I think you get a better product than if you draw something on a computer in one country and produce it half-way across the globe.
And then I'm a traditionalist... I like old tools with history. I didn't like that Snap-On bought Bahco from Sandvik. Not that I say Snap-On has lower quality, but it's different quality. And an uglier name
(I have not yet seen Snap-On actually changing Bahcos tools though)Fortunately I'm not alone, the success of Gränsfors Bruk with traditional axes makes me really happy. Plastics and rubber might be ok, but steel and wood rule.
Whenever I go to farm auctions (not often) I always itch to buy old tools that I don't need
Pliers, spanners, saws...Electrolux had a shareholders meeting a couple of days ago. Apparently Husqvarna Outdoor products are doing great. At the same time household appliances are facing stiff competition from Asia. Electrolux is planning to move Husqvarna Outdoor products to a separate company, with its own board and management.
The labour union at the former Jonsered factory in Brastad (they now make other stuff for Husqvarna Outdoor products, no saws) says this is a good thing. Electrolux has to move more production to eastern europe and asia, and Mexico, and if Husqvarna Outdoor products can be left out of that it's probably beneficial for the brand. (I heard this on local news radio, the union could be talking garbage, I don't know)
What all this means? I have no clue. Doesn't sound too bad though.
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/?d=76615
The labour union at the former Jonsered factory in Brastad (they now make other stuff for Husqvarna Outdoor products, no saws) says this is a good thing. Electrolux has to move more production to eastern europe and asia, and Mexico, and if Husqvarna Outdoor products can be left out of that it's probably beneficial for the brand. (I heard this on local news radio, the union could be talking garbage, I don't know)
What all this means? I have no clue. Doesn't sound too bad though.
http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/?d=76615
346xp made where?
I was thinking of trying another Husky. Last year I bought a Husky 23 Compact. It vibrates so badly I can't stand to use the little vibrator. Turns out it was made by Poulan/Weed Eater. So I guess I really didn't try a Husky. Does anyone know where, who makes the 346xp? Do the guys on the assembly line make a wild thing today and tomorrow they put together 346xp's? I just don't want to be faked out again. Thanks! I have Husqvarna model 96 mausers in 6.5X55 that are quality tack drivers. They are quality. Thats what I'm looking for in a saw.
I was thinking of trying another Husky. Last year I bought a Husky 23 Compact. It vibrates so badly I can't stand to use the little vibrator. Turns out it was made by Poulan/Weed Eater. So I guess I really didn't try a Husky. Does anyone know where, who makes the 346xp? Do the guys on the assembly line make a wild thing today and tomorrow they put together 346xp's? I just don't want to be faked out again. Thanks! I have Husqvarna model 96 mausers in 6.5X55 that are quality tack drivers. They are quality. Thats what I'm looking for in a saw.
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treesurgeon
ArboristSite Operative
take the engine size and buy the most expensive saw with that size. then your probably going to get a good commercial saw.
