stihl or husky

[dave1]

Stihl and husky make a lite weight bucket or a limb saw. The stihl is almost 500 $ . The husky is only 350$ Is the differance worth 200$ These are new saws and have all the features . Is it a horse apiece. Paper or plastic. I want every dollar I spend to be used every time I work . Thank you for your thoughts dave1

 

[NeTree]

Actually, $ for $ I'd go with an Echo 340.

The Stihl is indeed a nice powerful little saw, and if you HAVE to have a Husky vs. Stihl choice, go with the Stihl.

The top-handled Husky's haven't impressed me much with either ergonomics or reliablility. On the other hand, I have a 300 and a 3400 that have been around a LONG time and have taken far more abuse and lived than any $200 ought to have a right to.

JMHO

BTW, leave the chain brake intact...LMAO

 

[Lumberjack]

I recently bought a 200T, and I love it. I think that if you climb, it is worth the 500, no problem. Never used a husky 335, but I have heard good things about the echo. I would get the stihl if you can afford it.

Carl

 

[stihltech]

husky

I recently had the misfortune of rebuilding a 335XPT.

Buy the 200 stihl, it is worth it.

 

[Base]

i have had a husky 335 and i did not get along with it at all, kept losing spart plug covers and IMO it did not cut as smothly as the stihl top handled, that i now currently own, i do not know about the new Husky 338 top handled but from what i have seen it still has a crap spark plug cover that keeps going bush, though i was told by a local dealer that they have fitted a manual pump so they start better...... i never had a problem with mine starting though just getting the thing to run well in general, I do not know anything about echo saws as its not a huge commercial seller over here at least with the people i deal with and know, so given a choice i would go stihl for top handled saws.

 

[Doug01]

I had an Echo dealer tell me the Stihl was better but you could buy two echos for the same money.

 

[NeTree]

I dunno, Rocky. Having run both the 200t and my 3400, I didn't really notice THAT much difference in power, anyways. Keep a sharp chain on ANY saw and it will cut just fine. Now the CS-300, well, that's lacking in power, but I only keep it as a backup. Funny, I've never had to use it as such. The 3400 just keeps plugging away.

 

[TREETX]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
People buy the Stihl because of name brand recognition and because it is the strongest, but there are lots of things a user must give up in order to be able to own the strongest top handle saw. I'd rather have a more functional saw.

If by functional, you mean you can work on it, then yes, the echo is functional.

I don't mind having a saw that is a PITA to work on...if it never has to be worked on. That is what the stihl is. Mine had to have work on it, but not until after 3+ years and cutting $100+K of wood.

Nose heavy?? Yeah, I usually cut with the bar so that is cool. The other end is pretty dull.

If you want and expendable saw that you can work on to keep it from being so expendable, get an echo.

Echos are industry standard here. Because they are expendable. Drop one, run over one, who cares?? You didn't lose anything valuable.

If you want to buy a saw for you, to last, buy a stihl. If you are buying for a crew, buy a echo.

I suppose the stihls may be a bear to work on. Mine have never required work except for one time. So what if I had to spend a few hundred to repair something that made me $100+K??

They are both good saws, if you are new to a top handle, try the echo first. You won't be disappointed. If you really like tophandles, after the echo dies, in a year or 2, get a stihl.

.02

 

[Jumper]

Go with the Echo to start. I bought one last summer after two years of using someone else's Stihls, and have been very happy with it, to the point I also bought another Echo mid size saw last fall.

 

[Koa Man]

I used to use the Poulan top handled saws and switched to Stihl 020s over 10 years ago. Fooled around with the 3400 Echos because they were cheap. Smooth running but not much power compared to the Stihls (you'll notice the difference in 6" and bigger wood). They don't hold up for me. After about 6 months they are done. My Stihls hold up great and last for about 2 years under my use. I am currently running 2 020Ts and 1 MS200T. All have fully adjustable carbs. The Echos have that stupid plastic cap that only allows you to turn the adjustment screw 1/4 turn. They are not commerical grade equipment IMHO.

I never had the need to disassemble or take apart my top handled Stihls. After they wear out from 2 years of hard use I buy another.

 

[Joey P]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
Do you know that if something pops out of line in the top handle/ throttle assembly you're looking at over $100 to fix it? I took one apart once and had to turn it over to the dealer after 3 days because a normal person cannot reassemble it.

Do the new 200T's have an adjustable carb yet? And just how much work is involved in getting to that carb for cleaning/ basic service?

Im not sure where this is coming from. First off....yes the 200T does have a fully adj carb now......just pull the limiter caps and there ya go.

The linkage assembly is easy to work on once you accually study it (and I mean study it not rip it apart then get pissed off cause you didn't pay attention to how it came apart) and work with it a little bit. $100 to fix it if it pops out of line??? You getting ripped off......4 screws and the cover comes off then all it is is realigning what popped out of line.

The carb is accessable without removing the whole handle. 2 nuts and the filter base comes off and you have access to the carb.

Just from my experience.

 

[Koa Man]

Originally posted by Joey P
Im not sure where this is coming from. First off....yes the 200T does have a fully adj carb now......just pull the limiter caps and there ya go.

My MS200T had no limiter caps. I bought it brand new from the dealer here in June 2003.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I have an older Stihl 020T, pre-epa. As much as I like the saw I probably wouldn't buy another one. I also have a Solo 633 that I like too. For me, the Echo 3400 would be my choice!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Yur nuts, Rich.

And I mean that in a good way! :angel:

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
Yur nuts, Rich.

And I mean that in a good way! :angel:

I agree!!!

 

[MasterBlaster]

 

[Koa Man]

Originally posted by Rich Hoffman
I have an older Stihl 020T, pre-epa. As much as I like the saw I probably wouldn't buy another one. I also have a Solo 633 that I like too. For me, the Echo 3400 would be my choice!

Hey Rich,
I'll send you my Echo 3400 plus 2 new bars, 4 new loops of chain and $100 for your Stihl 020T.