Husqvarna 137 or 141?

[rodak]

Hi. I just now joined this forum to get some chainsaw advice. After reading a lot of posts here about the Husq 136/137/141/142, I've decided that one of them will meet my needs (light, occasional around the house work). Lowes has the 141 for $199, but it's unavailable for online order, and is out of stock at both my local stores. I suspect that since it's a discontinued model, they may never have it in stock again. They do have the 137 (appears identical, except for the engine size, 36cc vs 40cc) for $179, which is also unavailable locally, but you can order it online.

My questions: Is the extra 4cc's displacement worth holding out for a 141, i.e., am I likely to notice a big difference for my type of use? Is the 141, being the "older" model, that much better than the newer 137/142 models?

Right now, I have a Sears/Poulan 16" bar 36cc engine, that was just fine, power-wise (I even felled a 12" dia. sweetgum with it, much to my surprise), but it has some wretched plastic "quick release" mechanism for adjusting/removing the chain, and that's stripped out, and I can't figure out how to get the blasted thing apart, so I'm planning just to eBay it for parts/repair.

I'm not really keen to spend more than $200 on a new saw, but I wanted to get something better than a Sears/Poulan this time. I did find a McCulloch and a Homelite for under $200, but I haven't read good things about them. Should I give them another look?

 

[Cut4fun]

Free shipping and no tax this way. http://www.zimmfamily.com/products/Husqvarna/Chainsaws/consumersaws2006.html

 

[computeruser]

Don't give the McCulloch and Homelite and Poulan and Craftsman saws anything approaching another thought, much less another look.

In addition to the Husqvarna saws you mention, Stihl's MS180 and MS190 would be within your price range, as would a number of good used saws. I would try to get as much displacement/hp for the weight as possible, which would militate in favor of hunting down a 141/142. There are many places where you can find them online, if you are intent on buying online.

Have you checked your local Husqvarna dealer (i.e. not a big-box store)? They can likely set you up with whatever you're looking for and do it while staying within your budget.

 

[scottr]

Warranty

Rodak , not long ago I saw a craftsman on ebay like you are describing and I would think that it would still be under warranty .

 

[Cut4fun]

I test ran a stihl 170 and 180. Those things are just dogs. IMO stay away from them. My poulan 220 would cut twice as fast as those two little stihls and my 220 had alot more pwer then they even thought of. The only thing the little stihl had going was it was so light it felt like a toy compared to my 10lb 220.

 

[rodak]

Rodak , not long ago I saw a craftsman on ebay like you are describing and I would think that it would still be under warranty .

I kind of doubt it. This saw is over 4 years old. I guess I'm lucky it lasted that long.

I looked at the Sears saws the other day, and they've ditched that ridiculous plastic quick-release doodad in favor of a more standard 2-bolt configuration. I didn't know diddly about chainsaws when I bought this one (still don't, but I'm learning!)

 

[romeo]

I test ran a stihl 170 and 180. Those things are just dogs. IMO stay away from them. My poulan 220 would cut twice as fast as those two little stihls and my 220 had alot more pwer then they even thought of. The only thing the little stihl had going was it was so light it felt like a toy compared to my 10lb 220.

I would agree, same thing with the 136 and 141 husky. I have a little $99 Poulan that will eat up both of those saws. Dont get me wrong, I like my big Huskies and Stihls, Mac, etc. But the small "home use" models are not worth it. My little Poulan gets used for nothing but nasty work and gets no love and still works just fine. It has lasted one year and when it breaks I will throw it in the trash and buy a new one.

 

[mbopp]

There's guys here running Echo 3400-3450's. They're going for $200 or so on Evil Bay. They may be factory recon units though.

 

[scottr]

Model Number

Rodak , what's the model number ? It might be interesting to see the IPL on the sears parts website .

 

[sawn_penn]

I test ran a stihl 170 and 180. Those things are just dogs. IMO stay away from them. My poulan 220 would cut twice as fast as those two little stihls and my 220 had alot more pwer then they even thought of. The only thing the little stihl had going was it was so light it felt like a toy compared to my 10lb 220.

My 180 cuts twice as fast as the Poulan I had. When the Poulan ran, that is.

My 180 isn't the same saw the 288xp is. It isn't mean to be.

I'd go for a 141 over a 137, but both saws will cut just fine. Could you get more saw for more money - Yes. How much more money? Everything you've got, and then some...

If you run both saws you'll notice that the 141 has more power. The 137, being the base model gives you more performance per $ than the next few saws in the range. Around here the 141 is 20% dearer and probably 10% more powerful.

 

[rodak]

Rodak , what's the model number ? It might be interesting to see the IPL on the sears parts website .

Model# is 358.360100

What's IPL (I'm an old-time mainframe computer guy, and IPL is "Initial Program Load")

 

[rodak]

Model# is 358.360100

What's IPL (I'm an old-time mainframe computer guy, and IPL is "Initial Program Load")

Oh, is it "Internal Parts Layout"? I found that, and it's the same diagram as in my owners manual. The part in question is 530071520, "KNOB ASSY KIT", $5.95. Thing is, even from the diagram, I can't see any way of removing the thing. There are no screws visible or accessible. It looks like the only way would be to dismantle it from the opposite side. Maybe I'll give it a shot, if nothing else, so it'll be worth more on fleaBay. I saw two auctions for the exact same saw, used but supposedly working, that ended for $51 and $84. If I could get that much for it, I'd be thrilled.

 

[scottr]

Illustrated Parts List

Rodak , your saw looks like a Poulan 2250 with the wretched plastic quick release . You could probably put a standard side cover on your saw or maybe if you popped the wretched plastic doodad off you could use standard bar nuts on your side cover .

 

[retoocs555]

I test ran a stihl 170 and 180. Those things are just dogs. IMO stay away from them. My poulan 220 would cut twice as fast as those two little stihls and my 220 had alot more pwer then they even thought of. The only thing the little stihl had going was it was so light it felt like a toy compared to my 10lb 220.

I agree on the Stihl, I don't like the 170/180.

Of all the huskys you have in mind the 141 is probably the best bet.

One last one to consider may be Efco, I like the 940.

I've used and worked on all these little saws and definitely like the Efco best. I actually have a brand new one that would be close to your $200 price range.

Oh, yeah. If you want a nice saw and the best bang for your buck just buy one of the 3000 series echos as mentioned in an earlier post. They're cheap and sweet saws.

 

[Cut4fun]

My 180 cuts twice as fast as the Poulan I had. When the Poulan ran, that is.

You must have been running the little green junk poulans that I wouldnt give a nickle for. The little poulan pro 220 yellow in color rips for a small saw. Thing runs like a little buzz saw IMO.
The 220 is the 3rd one from bottom. http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=32388&d=1142788647 Heck the poulan 2000 and XX will out cut the stihl 170 and 180. Those 2 stihls are just dogs IMO.
Heres info on the 220 from poulan site. http://www.poulan.com/products/chainsaws/gas/prod_220.asp
I did switch it back to regular bar adjustment screw over the intenz crap. The screw hole is still there in the side covers for the bar adjustment screw. Thanks to Scottr on that info in the past.

 

[scottr]

Removal

Oh, is it "Internal Parts Layout"? I found that, and it's the same diagram as in my owners manual. The part in question is 530071520, "KNOB ASSY KIT", $5.95. Thing is, even from the diagram, I can't see any way of removing the thing. There are no screws visible or accessible. It looks like the only way would be to dismantle it from the opposite side. Maybe I'll give it a shot, if nothing else, so it'll be worth more on fleaBay. I saw two auctions for the exact same saw, used but supposedly working, that ended for $51 and $84. If I could get that much for it, I'd be thrilled.

Rodak , there looks to be a hole in the edge of knob in the picture . Maybe there's a set screw or a pin that the lever swivels on that would release the knob .

 

[rodak]

Rodak , there looks to be a hole in the edge of knob in the picture . Maybe there's a set screw or a pin that the lever swivels on that would release the knob .

Well, that's what I had thought, but lifting the little flap that covers it (if we're talking about the same thing) only reveals what looks like the head of a rivet or pin or something that has nothing you could get a socket or screwdriver around. I'll poke around at it some more and see what I can turn up.

Many thanks to all you folks for the advice and encouragement. Whether I buy a new saw now or later, I'm sure I'll be able to make a wiser choice.

 

[SawTroll]

... Of all the huskys you have in mind the 141 is probably the best bet. ....

I agree, it has the best power to weight ratio of the Poulan made Huskys.

The 142 is downrated in power, except for the very first ones that they made, and you don't really need the spring assisted starter.
It just adds weight and complexity for most people, and probably makes it very easy to flood the saw.

For some reason, the power difference is less between the 137 and 142, than it was between the 136 and 141.