Stihl vs Husqvarna

[t-stumpin]

I just bought a stump grinder and need to buy a chain saw for those high stumps. I stopped by a Stihl dealer and they recommend nothing less than the new 650. Friend of mine drops trees and lives by the Husqvarna 385 and says I don't need anything more than that and probably could get away with a Stihl 440. He's heard bad things about the 460, which he says is comparable to his 385. Looking at some specs, it looks like the new Stihl 650 is closer to the 385 than the 460 is and I would rather step up than down. It's my first saw too. Any thoughts on which way I should go? I'm likely run into some big stumps.

 

[Andyshine77]

If you need a BIG saw go for the Stihl 660, it's the best big saw I know of. If you can get away with a smaller saw in the range of 70cc's than go for the Husky 372xp, it's a better saw than the 440, and it has almost as much power as the 460. I ran a 385 once, I was not impressed. If all your going to be doing with the saw is removing stumps I would get the 660, the more power the better when it comes to removing stumps.

 

[geofore]

stumping

If your stumping, ask for/buy an MS660. You're down there at the root flair and the wood there takes more to cut. Twisted grain, bigger diameter and the tree guy probably left a foot or two sticking up cause his saw wasn't big enough to get it and that last bit is hard on a saw so he left it for you. You need a brute of a saw until you're an expert at cutting stumps. Make sure you have a nice collection of wedges to hold the stump up while your cutting so it doesn't sit on the bar and pinch it tight. The more the saw can get the easier the stump grinders job is. What you spend on the saw now will be saved on stump grinder teeth later.

 

[Mange]

Husqvarna, but there is more than these to brands you know!!!

 

[t-stumpin]

Thanks for the advice. I'm listening about the grinder teeth... The more stumps I can get out of them, the better. Sounds like the MS660 is the way to go. Any experience with the 650? How long of a bar should I get? Any more advice for a beginner who doesn't want to saw his leg off?

 

[Jackman61]

For your first saw, jumping into the MS660 is going to be a leap! The advice of getting a good collection of wedges for keeping the cut open is valid. Make sure you get personal protective equipment to go with the saw. See if you can find a training course to help with the transition to that large of a saw. Be careful! Grinder teeth may be purchased, body parts, priceless.

 

[SawTroll]

Be careful with both the saw and the grinder, take a look at this tread if you haven't seen it already;
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=23463

The MS650 is basically the same saw as the 660, but with a smaller motor - but about the same weight. I would not consider it unless it was offered at a bargain price.

 

[Butch(OH)]

I am usualy not a "be safe now" type but having run mid sized saws for 30 years and recently purchasing and running a 660 the thought of a newbie operator, a 660 sized saw AND using it for stumping sent chills up my spine. Any make saw of that magnitude is a tool for the experienced in my opinion even if you were going to buck logs, let alone being on your knees working in the tuffest wood a tree offers. Do not think for a second that a 660, 385 size saw wont eat you alive given the chance to do so. Buy chaps or whatever they sell to keep saw chains and skin seperated and at least use the saw on some easy bucking cuts to get used to the power before stumping. Thats my advise.

 

[Marky Mark]

Stay away from the 650 the 660 or the 385 is the way to go.I would opt for the 385 but that's me. If you go for the 660 get the dual port muffler from your dealer and a little power gain. Here's where I would run skip tooth chain due to the amount of sharpening you'll be doing.

 

[t-stumpin]

Thanks! This is all great information. If I have to spend some extra time and $ to be prepared and protected, I will. I'll work with my experienced buddy on a couple large jobs in order to get used to the techniques and saw before takling a large stump job solo. I'll take in all the information and advice i can get.

 

[t-stumpin]

Thanks for the link SawTroll. More safety motivation is good.

 

[geofore]

more saws?

Husqvarna, but there is more than these to brands you know!!!

I have couple ported Dolmar 7900's but this guy didn't say DOLMAR, that was my first choice so I got a couple of them! I use a 32" bar for stumps when the 24" doesn't reach more than half way. If this guy is a noobie he's going to need some lessons in technique just for stumps. Cutting flairs off like cutting a notch to get to the meat of the stump on the wide flairs.
The 660 is a saw with brute force and I think I mentioned that. Way over the top for a noobie, I agree, but one nice saw for stumping. If he's got a guy to show him how to use it he'll be okay.

 

[DanManofStihl]

I would go with the stihl ms 660 I have a stihl 066 and it the best saw money can buy I would not trade my 066 for any thing. When I helped out tree services around here after Isebel I used a 066 mag they had the ms 460 but after they used my saw they said they were going to step up to that I wouldn't use anything less for stump removal. That is my opinion but others will back me up the 066 is the way to go.

 

[kf_tree]

tsk tsk tsk i'll take a 395 over a 066 anyday........