Stihl HT 101 vs. Husqvarna 326P5x

[OV1kenobi]

I am new to this site and this forum. If I am on the wrong forum, please forgive me and direct me to where I need to go.

Here's the situation:

As many of you know, we here in NE Oklahoma have recently experienced a severe ice storm. You know, lots of tree limbs snapped and "widow makers" everywhere.

I am in the situation where I need a gasoline-powered telescoping pole saw. I've been looking at the two models mentioned in the title, but will consider any you suggest.

You folks are the pros, so I thought I would ask you first. I am sitting here on a small farm with trees in great number (elm, oak, hackberry, ash and hickory). Whatever saw I buy will more than pay for itself eventually (or so I believe). After all, I use wood for my heat, and I am a firm believer in the fact that I can't have enough seasoned firewood stored and on hand.

I want something that will go the distance and not let me down. I am concerned about bearing longevity, "bounce", and the availability of spare parts and service.

I want you to know that I maintain and service my saws on a regular basis.

I have put the two Stihl saws I currently own through the paces (for a farmer) and have never been disappointed. Should that give me a clue as to what to buy?

Price is of no concern to me. I just want the best pole saw money can buy, but yet considering the above-mentioned concerns regarding service, longevity, and overall ease of maintenance.

I want you professionals out there to know that I am not so vain as to attempt to handle something that is too dangerous and out of my league. I am perfectly willing to seek out the help of a professional arborist if need be.

Regards,

David

 

[hornett22]

HT 101 all the way!

the husky you have to attach another piece to make it longer.why they did this i have no idea.

the Stihl you just twist a knob and slide the extension out.i love my HT101.couldn't live without it.i suggest the 14" bar and chain over the 12"

 

[Ed*L]

the husky you have to attach another piece to make it longer.why they did this i have no idea.

the Stihl you just twist a knob and slide the extension out.i love my HT101.couldn't live without it.i suggest the 14" bar and chain over the 12"

+1
I've got the older Stihl ht-75. The telescoping saw is the only way to go. You might also want to look into the angled head gearbox for the Stihl, it will get you out from under the branch when cutting, especially with the pruner extended.
Also, wear a hardhat and safety glasses, the wind will always be blowing sawdust in your face.

Ed

 

[Davey Dog]

+ 2 stihl all the way....

 

[Nailsbeats]

We just bought the Husky this summer. The 326 is a great little engine. Runs strong with plenty of power and easy to start. I have had a weed wacker for a couple of years with the same engine and like it. We have had no problems so far but probably to early to tell. In my opinion it has a great engine and I would not hesitate to buy another. I have no experience with the Stihl.

 

[John464]

My biggest issue with the Stihl power poles is the drive shaft(gear inside the pole) can snap and break and wear out. I have about 9 spare motors and 0 spare pole extensions/gearing. A bad twist or pull can cost you about $300 very quickly and in that case, you may just want to buy a new unit all together.

 

[Xtra]

I have 4 Stihls, only thing to ever go wrong was a clogged oil pump.

(used 2 for three weeks, 60+hrs/week non-stop trimming of a large retirement community, hundreds of trees . . . no problems)

 

[Frank Boyer]

I have the HT 101 with a 14" bar, yellow chain, and the 30 degree angle head. I really like it. I use the same bar and chain on my 200T. I use it for my own property. They make a larger unit now and it has more power.

 

[undercut]

re post from home owner section

This is a repost but applies to this thread.

I have the KM 130 R multi tool from stihl and really like it.
i will just tell you a few things i like about the multi tool that i use primarily as a pole saw.

I use an extra extension pole and get 12-16 feet of reach. (they reccomend one extension i broke the rule, works great) just becarefull it will be easier to bend your pole, that is why they don't reccomend it.

the whole thing is 4 feet long for stow away when i stack up any attachments, pole saw, weed wacker, articulating pruning sheer. (lots more attachments those are just the ones i happen to use all the time) I can just toss it in the back of my tacoma.

You can use it as a light weight stick saw if you use just the one attachment at eight feet.

I never had any issues with it, cuts great plenty of power. You will be surprised how often you use the different attachments on jobs. Cut a few high branches then weed wack around stumps before you flush cut them to check for rocks. Squaring off hedges 20 feet high with out a ladder. All in all it is a cool tool that i couldn't live with out now. Thought this info could help. Maybe your local shop will let you demo saws and you could try a km 130 r for a cut. My shop let me demo mine on their rug with the paddle sweeper attachment. i cleaned off the rug in like 3 seconds shooting all the dirt out the front door into the parking lot. that was what sold me. I suppose if you need a dedicated pole saw you might just get a POLE SAW but maybe not, you might want to give it a shot. good luck.

Please comment.. i am interested if anyone also uses this multi for a pole saw and likes it more or as much as a standard pole saw, even if you dislike it, i would like to hear
thanks.

 

[Nailsbeats]

This is a repost but applies to this thread.

I have the KM 130 R multi tool from stihl and really like it.
i will just tell you a few things i like about the multi tool that i use primarily as a pole saw.

I use an extra extension pole and get 12-16 feet of reach. (they reccomend one extension i broke the rule, works great) just becarefull it will be easier to bend your pole, that is why they don't reccomend it.

the whole thing is 4 feet long for stow away when i stack up any attachments, pole saw, weed wacker, articulating pruning sheer. (lots more attachments those are just the ones i happen to use all the time) I can just toss it in the back of my tacoma.

You can use it as a light weight stick saw if you use just the one attachment at eight feet.

I never had any issues with it, cuts great plenty of power. You will be surprised how often you use the different attachments on jobs. Cut a few high branches then weed wack around stumps before you flush cut them to check for rocks. Squaring off hedges 20 feet high with out a ladder. All in all it is a cool tool that i couldn't live with out now. Thought this info could help. Maybe your local shop will let you demo saws and you could try a km 130 r for a cut. My shop let me demo mine on their rug with the paddle sweeper attachment. i cleaned off the rug in like 3 seconds shooting all the dirt out the front door into the parking lot. that was what sold me. I suppose if you need a dedicated pole saw you might just get a POLE SAW but maybe not, you might want to give it a shot. good luck.

Please comment.. i am interested if anyone also uses this multi for a pole saw and likes it more or as much as a standard pole saw, even if you dislike it, i would like to hear
thanks.

Yeah as I stated we got the Husky, but it is a multitool like you have. First job we cut some limbs and then threw the brush blade on it and mowed down some thick stuff around the base of the trees. Used the hedge trimmers on another job. I told my dad when we got it that we wouldn't be able to live without it. He now agrees. Very useful, versatile tool.

 

[woodchux]

I've got the Ht101 and i love mine. I just added the angled gear box to it and dont know if i put it on right or not. Should the bar be angled down or to the side? I put mine angled to the side so it would lay down flat...but which is the correct way?

 

[Bigus Termitius]

I am new to this site and this forum. If I am on the wrong forum, please forgive me and direct me to where I need to go.

Here's the situation:

As many of you know, we here in NE Oklahoma have recently experienced a severe ice storm. You know, lots of tree limbs snapped and "widow makers" everywhere.

I am in the situation where I need a gasoline-powered telescoping pole saw. I've been looking at the two models mentioned in the title, but will consider any you suggest.

You folks are the pros, so I thought I would ask you first. I am sitting here on a small farm with trees in great number (elm, oak, hackberry, ash and hickory). Whatever saw I buy will more than pay for itself eventually (or so I believe). After all, I use wood for my heat, and I am a firm believer in the fact that I can't have enough seasoned firewood stored and on hand.

I want something that will go the distance and not let me down. I am concerned about bearing longevity, "bounce", and the availability of spare parts and service.

I want you to know that I maintain and service my saws on a regular basis.

I have put the two Stihl saws I currently own through the paces (for a farmer) and have never been disappointed. Should that give me a clue as to what to buy?

Price is of no concern to me. I just want the best pole saw money can buy, but yet considering the above-mentioned concerns regarding service, longevity, and overall ease of maintenance.

I want you professionals out there to know that I am not so vain as to attempt to handle something that is too dangerous and out of my league. I am perfectly willing to seek out the help of a professional arborist if need be.

Regards,

David

Well David,

I found Picher, OK. in it's death throws last week. Plenty of "widow makers" in that tri-state region. Of course we brought ours down with the rest of the tree in most cases.

That's not an option for you I understand. All the difference between a weed and a well placed tree.

I'm a husky fan for the most part, but the stihl polesaw has no equal.

Be careful. While the saw will pay for itself in comparison to hiring it done. It won't come close if things go wrong.

Can you reach them all with a polesaw? If and when you cut them free, will you be able to get them out of the tree?

I second the notion on the hard hat and safety glasses, but even they can only help so much.

From what I've seen even what you can get will probably pay the saw off. Get the rest with a good hired crew and relax by the stove. opcorn: