What do the terms's super, magnum, av, and farm boss mean

[mike031]

Ive been told the even numbered ones are professional models and also have been told that anything with super on it means its a professional model. I though farm boss meant that it was a homeowners saw. How can tell the difference between a pro saw and a homeowner series saw. thanks

 

[Lawn Masters]

Normally, a Super, will mean the engine is slightly larger displacment than the non super model, for instance, the Stihl 038, is 66.8CCs, while the 038 MAG, and Super are 72.2CCs. this isnt always what the terms mean, since the 046 and 046 MAG had the same displacment, but I think different muffler covers.

 

[TonyM]

Super often times meant that it was an older model designation with a little more displacement and power, like the 028 Super versus the 028AV. AV just means anti-vibe. AVE meant anti-vibe and electronic ignition. The 038 and 041 carried the title Farmboss at one time, and those weren't homeowner saws. And now that the numbers are MS###, expecially with the MS180 and MS361 in the mix, the old odd even thing dosn't work so well anymore.

 

[TonyM]

Homeowner
MS170
MS180
MS210
MS250
MS290
MS310
MS390

Pro
MS260
MS361
MS360
MS440
MS460
MS660
MS880

Not sure where the MS270/MS280 fall. Somewhere in between.
These just off the top of my head, so there are models missing.

 

[Lobo]

Stihl Canada list them in the midrange group along the 290 & 390.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

I wish stihl would get their crap together and name there saws in such a way that they make sense, trying to explain it to mates is impossible.

 

[tawilson]

Don't the colors of the handles mean something? They used too. I'm gonna go check.

 

[glens]

I think the handle color used to be a good indication on the saws using the mid-sized bar mount, but the 270/280 rather muddied the waters in that respect.  It's currently a pretty sure bet for that range that if the cases split vertically they're "pro" grade.

 

[mike031]

Stihl needs to start their homowner saws out with different letters. Say HM310 or something like that

 

[tony marks]

or they could just stay with the old way.. 025,026,036..
simpler and it just had a lot of built in respect,from there record.. to muddled now to suit me..jmo

 

[MasterBlaster]

And all this time I thought I was the only one confused...

 

[TonyM]

Don't count on Stihl, or any other manufacturer for that matter, to make a distinction in their model numbering system seperate their pro and consumer model saws. Stihl wants the unsuspecting consumer to perceive that he is buying a high quality saw because it carries the Stihl name, even if the saw is designed for a less demanding market. I'm not targeting Stihl, as the lower end Husqvarna's are the same as well. I don't think it is in their best short term interest to distinguish quality levels in their product lines. Now their long term best interest may be another story, just look at Homelite and Mac. So as a consumer, the best thing you can do is the research to understand the difference between a MS290 and a MS260. Not that a MS290 isn't a good saw, when it is used for purposes in line with it's design. The average consumer just doesn't understand the difference.

 

[redpowerd]

so whats my 029 super farmboss compared to a 029 super?

what is a husky 340? my buddy has one and its a little screamer, got the little 'ping' in the exhaust that only comes with huskys

 

[njforestfire]

I believe that the 029 super and 029 super farmboss are the same saw - same displacement just a different 'title' if ya want to call it. I had an 029 super that I bought new in '95, it was also called a 'farm boss' but nowhere on the saw did it saw that. Now they are labeling that 'farm boss' on the saw. They should be the same. IMO - I guess that they are changing the marketing strategy for that saw.....again.

I know that the 3 in the 340 is a pro grade saw due to the 3 in front of the number. A 141 would be a 'lower' grade or non-professional saw that was meant for homeowner use.

Here are the numbers from the Husqvarna web site;
141
2.4 cu.inch / 40.2 cm³ 2.6 hp / 1.9 kW 10.1 lbs / 4.6 kg

340
2.5 cu.inch / 40.8 cm³ 2.7 hp / 2.0 kW 10.4 lbs / 4.7 kg

But then again.......

 

[DDM]

I noticed on the Stihl USA site that the 260 & 260Pro are not listed in the Pro Section anymore. Glitch?

 

[TonyM]

The 340, 345, and 350 have plastic chasis (and I think the bottom half of the crankcase is plastic, if I'm not mistaken). Again, not that they are a bad saw, and maybe there is going to be further graying of the line in the quality difference between plastic and metal, but I would put the 340 in the consumer category. Pro saws today have a lot more plastic than pro saws off years ago, so I think we have to be careful with saying plastics = low quality. Used apropriately, plastic can be advantageous.

 

[redpowerd]

the higher range dolmar/makitas have a metal chain cover, rest bein' plastic. i definatley wouldnt call them a consumer saw. my 036 pro is all plastic.

 

[redpowerd]

i once fired my jeep up in low gear, only to watch it crawl over my farmboss. it aint no ordinary jeep either, 3/4 ton forward control dually with a steel flatbed. if that was my o41av under them sneakers i would have been picking it up in a box. used replacement chassis for them older saws are generally cheaper, though.

 

[TonyM]

The only real beef I have with manufacturers building to meet different markets is that they try to hide the differences between models, or maybe most dealers don't know any better. I was there once. I walked into the local Stihl dealer, and they practically handed me the 029 Super before I opened my mouth. I really think it is in the best interest of a manufacturer and a dealer to be honest and straightforward about why one saw costs half again as much as another and what the stregths, AND WEAKNESSES, of a given saw are. I want my customers to make an informed purchase, and I try to point out the good and bad of a given model, and match the model to the need. Dolmar has not been competing in the consumer market as heavily as Stihl and Husqvarna. It is hard to sell against the MS290. I don't necessarily think it is has to be a bad thing to introduce a more consumer oriented model, as long as it's not trying to be passed off as something it isn't.

 

[glens]

I noticed on the Stihl USA site that the 260 & 260Pro are not listed in the Pro Section anymore. Glitch?

If you're really interested you can see many iterations of the site here (just be sure you enable javascript or the subsequent links often won't work and/or the images won't load).

I've felt the inclusion of the 036 in the mid-range classification was always an anomaly and so far as I know, only StihlUSA did that.