Stihl vs Husky (Pro Models - 70+cc) - Durability

[Big_Wood]

Here in the log woods, the Fallers use either Stihl or Husky.
I talked to them when I worked in the log woods, and they explained it to me in this way.
"we use what we know best, our family depends on these saws working"
It does not matter what saw you pick. Take care of it, keep it clean and chain sharp.
Those of us that do have a preference is just that a opinion..
I use Huskys, just cause it is what I have experience with.

i have experience with both saws and i choose husky for the better AV, power to weight, and balance. nothing worse then dealing with a 066/660's nose dive all day when running a 36" bar. i like the natural cutting position balance of the 385/390. air injection is also i real great feature. don't even get me started on the smaller saws.

 

[weedkilla]

I dunno, my big saws get less hours on them but I have a 2005 husky 345 that has worn out 4 bars and at least 100' of chain. It's probably clogged the muffler screen a couple of times, but it's never been lean. Clean filters, sharp chain, a healthy fuel/oil mix and wearing out saws seems hard to do. That little saw still pushes 150 psi.

 

[CJ1]

I'll echo Westcoasters comment, Both saws if taken care of will more than likely out last the operator for general use. A 285 that I owned almost 30 years ago is still useable and that saw had 3 hard years of use on a deck bucking logs. It cut more firewood than I care to remember after that. A few of our old 254's were sold to friends and are still ran regularly. I also have 2 Stihls that have had about the same use by other people with no real issues other than operator error. So like was stated before pick the saw you like best. CJ

 

[w8ye]

I've bought several ground saws, Stihl, Husqvarna, Dolmar, and every one had accumulated simple maintenance problems as their downfall. They all had loose fastener problems with resulting stripped out holes. No one who really cared looked after these chainsaws or showed any ownership.

 

[CJ1]

Oh and 1 other thing remember a lot of loggers now use equipment for a lot of their work and the chainsaws stay in the cab unless they get into a bind. One of my 357's was sold to a good friend and that saw rides around in a cab all day. I bet it does not see a tank of fuel a week. So if the crews you talk to are hand cutting that is a good source for how saws hold up. As far as saw size, well when we were in jackpine or firewood thinning the 50-60cc saws got used. Hardwood logs [grade] and cabin logs were all 70cc and up. CJ

 

[tallguys]

Lots of good saws available out there. Lack of maintenance will kill any of them. Buy what you like and feel comfortable with.