Stihl MS290 or Husqvarna 455

[Heilman181]

The Pittsburgh area has a few big steel mills (Weirton and Wheeling-Pitt) that are drying up very quickly. I grew up about 40 minutes west of Pittsburgh, just inside the Ohio boarder. When the mills finally go under, that place will have dirt roads. Industry is a major provider. I moved south to get away from the weather a bit too. Seasonal depression is terrible! Then again Cinnci is construction central! Not that I have anything to brag about living here in the Raleigh area.

 

[hydro2]

The Pittsburgh area has a few big steel mills (Weirton and Wheeling-Pitt) that are drying up very quickly. I grew up about 40 minutes west of Pittsburgh, just inside the Ohio boarder. When the mills finally go under, that place will have dirt roads. Industry is a major provider. I moved south to get away from the weather a bit too. Seasonal depression is terrible! Then again Cinnci is construction central! Not that I have anything to brag about living here in the Raleigh area.

You grew up out around New Castle then???

 

[wagonwheeler]

As for technique, full choke until it sputters, push choke in and it should start on the next pull. The decompression button makes starting ridiculously easy.

I wouldn't pull more than 3 or 4 times on full choke. If you miss the 'pop' there may never be another. You can always choke it again if you must.

That 359 will be a nice saw. I think it's pretty much the Husky equivalent of the Stihl 361 I bought. My :bang: neighbor should have bought one...

Get a pro chain. A non-safety chain.

You may get out of this cheaper than I expected... kudos.

Chaser

 

[460Ted]

So if I ordered a Husky 359 from Bailey's for $399, it will be ready to cut out of the box. Or will I have to find a local Husky dealer to fine tune it?

You will have to mix up some fuel and oil at 50:1. Make sure you get a good 2stroke pre mix oil. I think Bailey's has the Husqvarna oil. Read the owners manual and keep an eye on the chain tension; you should be good to go!

Ted

 

[Heilman181]

You grew up out around New Castle then???

New Castle is to far north. Steubenville, Ohio. Take Route 22 West from Pittsburgh through the WV panhandle.

 

[asb151]

So if I ordered a Husky 359 from Bailey's for $399, it will be ready to cut out of the box. Or will I have to find a local Husky dealer to fine tune it?

Glad to see you are considering the 359. It’s a great saw. The 455 is too heavy for the power output. I was wondering how you ever downselected to that model?

No need to go to a dealer, as long as you have some basic fundamental mechanical ability. Just follow the manual. There is not that much to it. If you have any questions or problems just come back here and ask.

 

[SawTroll]

....That 359 will be a nice saw. I think it's pretty much the Husky equivalent of the Stihl 361 I bought. My :bang: neighbor should have bought one.....Chaser

When the saws are stock, the 359 is about the equivalent of the MS341, not the 361.
The Husky equivalent of the 361 is the 357xp = a lot more money.

 

[spike60]

I wouldn't pull more than 3 or 4 times on full choke. If you miss the 'pop' there may never be another. You can always choke it again if you must.

That 359 will be a nice saw. I think it's pretty much the Husky equivalent of the Stihl 361 I bought. My :bang: neighbor should have bought one...

Get a pro chain. A non-safety chain.

You may get out of this cheaper than I expected... kudos.

Chaser

Just about EVERY Husky requires 8 pulls out of the box when new. Got to fill those fuel lines. An exception seems to be the newer 345/350's which now have a primer on them.

 

[Heilman181]

Glad to see you are considering the 359. It’s a great saw. The 455 is too heavy for the power output. I was wondering how you ever downselected to that model?

No need to go to a dealer, as long as you have some basic fundamental mechanical ability. Just follow the manual. There is not that much to it. If you have any questions or problems just come back here and ask.

Honestly the write ups about the saw put it on a gold platter. Also, I spoke with a Husqvarna dealer and was told the saw was "down right awesome." Evidently, he just wanted to make a sale. I almost bought it, but decided to do some research. I am sure the saw would be fine for my needs, but now it sounds like I could get a different saw that will last many, many years.

As for mechanical knowledge, that is no problem. I am a Middle School Math teacher :bang: :bang: and also am ASE certified and work as an assistant manager of an automotive retail store. In my spare time, I race motorcycles (4-stroke) and work on my own bikes.

This is not the first time that I have used a saw, it is just the first time I purchased my own. My brother has a Stihl 039 and my father has an 029. Both seemed like good saws and did what we needed them to. I guess it is just my own ignorance to not consider the power to weight ratio.

There was a Husky 359 NEW (display model) on Ebay that went for $359. This may start another pissing contest, but would you guys consider buying saws off of Ebay. I can get a 359 with free shipping, no tax and 2 extra chains for $399. Thanks for all the input!

 

[SawTroll]

Personally I like to have support from a good servicing dealer available not too far away.
It would not be important enough to keep me from making a really good deal elsewhere though....