Stihl 280 CQS vs. 310 - recommendations?

[Noah]

Hi guys,

Hope that you all are making plenty of money in your professions to make up for the outragous gas prices.

I took everyone's posts very seriously and spent some more time considering each one. After reading and shopping, I looked at the Huskies. After comparing specs and talking to a guy who was trying to decide between the Stihl 310 and the Husky 359, side by side, a year ago, told me why he settled on the Husky.

He already bought a Stihl 310 and compared his friend's Husky 359 side by side on the same log. Said that the Husky didn't bog, but the Stihl did a little. I realize this is very subjective, since he probably didn't check the filters of each, the chains might have been different pitch, sharpness, etc. Being the same HP, I took it w/a grain of salt.

Next were the features. The Husky comes standard w/a decompression valve for easy starting, carb that self adjusts for air flow, and features that seem comparable to the Stihl 361c, if I read it right.

The Husky is one pound lighter than the Stihl 310, which was the big selling point for me.

After shopping around it didn't cost me much more. $21 More than the 310, but $240 LESS than the 361. They all sound as if they are awesome tools, as well as the others that you all recommended. This reply might get buried in this old thread, so I might make this a new thread, so you all will see that I finally got something to cut down those trees for the ark.

That said, I stihl, I mean still need some accessories....Helmet/ face shield, saw chaps, saw case (It doesn't come w/one), and I'm sure I think of something else.

Everybody, thanks for all of the advice. This is a great forum. I'll be trying this puppy out the next couple of days. The big storm that we had last week took enough trees down to keep me busy all summer.

Gotta make like a tree and leave D: ....................Best regards,

Noah

 

[glens]

"The Husky is one pound lighter than the Stihl 310, which was the big selling point for me."

Sorry to rain on your parade but I can almost <i>guarantee</i> the 359 is not anything like 1 pound lighter than the MS310.&nbsp; Likely the same weight at best and possibly even heavier.&nbsp; I say that based on my weighing some few brand new Huskies, all of which were at least 1 pound heavier than their specs, dressed with everything but the bar and chain.&nbsp; Some Stihls weighed the same time outfitted the same weighed at or below spec.

Of the features you listed, only the decompression valve is missing from the MS310.&nbsp; I'm not saying you should buy (have bought?) the Stihl over the Husky, just that the points you listed as pertinent aren't.

Glen

 

[ricksvar]

Noah,I've got to nod my head in your direction,good choice in a saw.

I'am not bashing Stihl and do own a MS290.The 359 has larger fuel and oil tanks,wet/filled I doubt you would notice much difference in the weight.What really matters is how the saw feels to you.

Now,considering the rain on your parade(as if you're having one).The only rain you will have to concern yourself with will be in the form of wood chips covering the ground IMO.

Work safe and enjoy that Husky,
Rick

 

[Noah]

Glens,

I hate that when the companies print bogus specs. I'll get out my digital scale tonight and check out the weight. Yeah, I don't see any reason anyone could go wrong w/the Stihl either. I don't think I'd be disappointed w/ the 310, just decided to settle w/ a Husky. Maybe my parade w/be postponed until the weekend when it does quit raining and I get to use this wood chipper.

Ricksvar,

Had other work today and will have tomorrow. Dying to try it out. Glad to hear that it has a good oil and fuel capacity. One thing that I noticed about the tanks on the ones at one store over the ones that I saw on the saws at the store I was going to buy one from were the different color caps. The gas cap was green. Looked like a new feature. Not sure if the others had the nylon cord attached, but the ones w/the green cap have cords to keep from setting them down and losing them, I guess. Little difference, but still like it. It was the only one left in the box. Half a dozen were out on display. I asked for the one in the box, way up 20' on the top shelf. It Just happened to have it. Not a big deal, just something I wanted, and the sales guy said the were all the same. Well, he made a sale and I got a price match plus 10% additional discount on their policy. Parade will be this weekend.

Best regards,

Noah

 

[glens]

Noah, in a short trial of a couple different things, we could not determine what it was Husky was removing to achieve the weight they have in their data sheets.&nbsp; Taking off the sprocket cover resulted in too much weight being removed.&nbsp; It's obvious that Stihl considers the bar and chain as the only "cutting attachments" not on the saw at weigh-in.&nbsp; Husky isn't the only one being creative; Dolmar is pulling some shenanigans too with their weights, and for the "bubble" saws, their power specs are for saws "without starter valves".&nbsp; Not only are they not available for purchase that way, but it's unclear whether they mean "decompression valve" or "choke plate".&nbsp; Removal of the latter would certainly allow a little better intake flow while the former might allow higher compression.&nbsp; Heck, maybe it's both...

Glen