Help with some info on above ground saws

[shucksters]

Hey- I used to cut trees for a living- been a few years back- the Poulan Super 25AV was my saw of choice for cutting while climbing back then. I have bought 14 acres and pulled out the spikes and equipment and been doing
alot of trimming and enjoying the heck out of it. i am ready to graduate to a first class climbing saw- so please forgive the redundancy of this question-

should it be a stihl 200T or a husky 338XPT?

Thanks for the input. I have been using a Stihl 009L and started looking around at all the work I have to do and realized I need the real thing.

Once again- thanks loads for any input.

OK- I'm new here and just realized this should be in the homeowners forum- I'm trying to figure out how to switch it- sorry- now harm intended.

 

[pbtree]

Shucksters,

Welcome to the site.

You will probably get a lot of passionate responses to this question, mine included. I prefer the Husky. I am not saying that the Stihl is not a good unit, I just happen to prefer the balance and feel of the Husky, not to mention it is, to me, more reasonably priced.

That said, enjoy the responses I am sure you are going to get. Pick them both up, see which feels best in your hand and fits your pocket book, and be safe!

 

[jmack]

Hey- I used to cut trees for a living- been a few years back- the Poulan Super 25AV was my saw of choice for cutting while climbing back then. I have bought 14 acres and pulled out the spikes and equipment and been doing
alot of trimming and enjoying the heck out of it. i am ready to graduate to a first class climbing saw- so please forgive the redundancy of this question-

should it be a stihl 200T or a husky 338XPT?

Thanks for the input. I have been using a Stihl 009L and started looking around at all the work I have to do and realized I need the real thing.

Once again- thanks loads for any input.

OK- I'm new here and just realized this should be in the homeowners forum- I'm trying to figure out how to switch it- sorry- now harm intended.

i tell ya there both even but i think for durabilty and all around beatings factor, sthil is #1 , if your budget shopping for saws you will have cheaper options in a top handle design echo, solo, for instance, yeah your gonna hear all about it after you posted that good luck bro.

 

[shucksters]

Thanks for the responses. I really am interested in the husky- it bothers me a little that the air filter is right up front next to the chain. I like the fact that they have boosted the power up to 45CC and , of course, it is $100 less.

I am not really bargain shopping, although I do want the best bang for my buck. I am more concerned with quality and longevity.

I appreciate the responses.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

The air box on the Husky is feed by air pumped in from the side cover. It's called "turbo" but it doesn't increase atmospheric pressure in the air box, it's just supposed to blow away the big chunks and keep the air cleaner cleaner longer.
I have no problem with the air cleaner on my Husky. The air cleaner and carb on the 200T is located right in the back where you would normally hold the saw, so it makes it a little uncomfortable to hold the saw in some positions.

 

[Gumneck]

I climb with an s25 cva like your old one. I've got about $50 bucks in it and at 38cc's I doubt I could justify the cost of the others mentioned. If your just climbing for the fun of it why invest the extra unnecessary dollars when your old saw is just as good as the overpriced saws today.

 

[Newfie]

geez, I'm surprised the gaff police haven't jumped you for spiking your prunes.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I climb with an s25 cva like your old one. I've got about $50 bucks in it and at 38cc's I doubt I could justify the cost of the others mentioned. If your just climbing for the fun of it why invest the extra unnecessary dollars when your old saw is just as good as the overpriced saws today.

Yikes, I remember that old poulan, what a total piece of junk. Maybe not for its' day, buy compared to the 200t or 338xp, it is slow, has no antivibration, rattles apart, and runs inconsistanly.
It did have a nice rear handle that allowed you to hold it on top, as a top handled saw, or to slide your hand way back on the large handle to give you some more reach.

 

[Gumneck]

Yikes, I remember that old poulan, what a total piece of junk. Maybe not for its' day, buy compared to the 200t or 338xp, it is slow, has no antivibration, rattles apart, and runs inconsistanly.It did have a nice rear handle that allowed you to hold it on top, as a top handled saw, or to slide your hand way back on the large handle to give you some more reach.

Not mine. CVA is a countervibe and works well for me. I have several. Start easy(sometimes first pull cold), idle fine, and no rattles. Opened up the muffler a little for that extra zing!!
I dont have to use mine everyday to bring home the bacon and I just thought since this guy probably doesn't either....anyway.

Maybe shucksters could just send me his old poulan super 25 and I'll have another. Sort of a poor man's collection.

 

[shucksters]

yup and the S25 was heavy too- I think the fact that my stihl dealer is 20 mins from the house will be the deciding factor- I've called all the husky dealers within 60 miles and none of them know much about the 338- they haven't sold it and they keep trying to talk me into a 334.

I think the 200T will be easier for me to service because of that.

You guys are great for giving me some feedback- hope everybody's weather is as nice as it is here in TN!

 

[shucksters]

I wish I still had the old AV but it died a long time ago and I never resurrected it....

 

[Pilsnaman]

No question you will be happy with the Stihl or Husky. IMHO the stihl is a better climbing saw and Husky ground saw but may will say otherwise. I used both when working for a tree company and always thought the stihl was of better quality. As for my personal saw, that I use for having fun and taking care of friends and family, I have an echo 346 due to the bang for the buck. I guess it is just what you like and how much you are willing to spend.

 

[shucksters]

Ok I made my mind up- I went to my local dealer and ordered the 200T with an ultralite bar- it will be in next Wednesday. I have a good dealer so I used them even though I could have picked it up across town today.

I know I will be happy

I appreciate all the input - it was a BIG HELP.

 

[Gumneck]

yup and the S25 was heavy too- I think the fact that my stihl dealer is 20 mins from the house will be the deciding factor- I've called all the husky dealers within 60 miles and none of them know much about the 338- they haven't sold it and they keep trying to talk me into a 334.

I think the 200T will be easier for me to service because of that.

You guys are great for giving me some feedback- hope everybody's weather is as nice as it is here in TN!

Just for the record. The s25 with oil tank filled up/fuel tank filled up/and 16"bar and chain on, only weighs 10.5 lbs. Stihl ms200t is 7.7 lbs powerhead only. Sounds comparable in weight to me to the 200t especially considering the 200t is only 35 cc's.

Just tryin to keep the pot stirred a bit...

 

[climber1423]

Thanks for the responses. I really am interested in the husky- it bothers me a little that the air filter is right up front next to the chain. I like the fact that they have boosted the power up to 45CC and , of course, it is $100 less.

I am not really bargain shopping, although I do want the best bang for my buck. I am more concerned with quality and longevity.

I appreciate the responses.

The air filter in the front is better than in the back like the 200t's. Husky knows whats going on, they know that if you drop it out of a tree its going to land on the back/heavy half of the saw. Huskys design with the spark plug in the back and plastic cover will take the impact of a fall. And if something breaks it will mostly be cheaped to fix than the 200's. And the 334 and 338 are not underpowered by no-means either they have gotten better over the years.

Dan

 

[shucksters]

Ok- I bought the 200T and I absolutely love it. I'm sure the Husky is great too, but I fell in love with this thing within 60 secs!!!!!!!!

 

[treespluscalif]

Congrats

Congrats on the new saw.

My personal fav for climbing is the echo cs300 /3000. Cheap, and they run forever. Ok, you can all stop laughing now.....

 

[shucksters]

Thanks- life is good... no laughter here...everybody makes their own choices- I respect that...

 

[xtremetrees]

one of dem 1 handed saw huh?:greenchainsaw:

I wish I had 5 hand all the vines I gotta pull tommorrow.

Palmer ., I didnt know