What will come next from Husky and Stihl?

[peter399]

What do you think will be the next move from Husky and Stihl?

I think like this:

50cc: Stihl will have to come up with at better MS260 to be cometitive with Husky
246XP and 353G.

60cc: Husky will have to make a 60cc saw again. I think they thought 60cc were
on it's way out (too little difference to 50cc and 70cc). Obviously they
were wrong since so many buy the MS361. An updated 262XP would do.

70cc: Here I don't know. Seems like people are more happy with 372XP and
the 440 as the 575 and441? Very hard to guess.

>70cc: After the 390XP, maybe a new big one to take care about the MS880?
The 3120XP is from 1988 from what I know! Stihl could update the MS660 with latest
anti-vibe à là MS361 and MS441 to meet the 390XP.

What do you guys think?

/Peter

 

[sawinredneck]

I think Husky is hedging it's bet on the 460 to run with the 361, they have released an new 362, but everyone has told me it's no where near the saw the 262 was, a crying shame I must say!

I would love for Stihl to come out with the 261 and it be the baddest on the block, that will just push Husky to revam those models:biggrinbounce2: they are getting old too!

I predict? the 461 in the next year, and the 661 the following year. I don't see any changes with the 880 for some time. No idea what will come of the 3120?

I think what is going to hurt Stihl the most will be lack of EPA compliance, unless they go strato or something else on about all models? Husky has the edge here just due to the box stores, I'd bet they sell 3-4 homeowner saws to every one of the pro models now.
Just my thoughts.
Andy

 

[Lakeside53]

Stihl will replace all their models in the next couple, of years with the 880 being last. Expect to see a bunch of changes next year.

They really don't have to make many new saws - the 210,230,250 are one engine, ditto for the 290,310, 390.. Another for the 170/180. Three base models and the consumers are done.

Predications...
261 (hmmmm...), STIHL 362 (yep, 361 too dirty for 2009), 461 (done, just a 441 big bore), 661 (2009) and 881 (2010).. Oh yes, 201T... No idea about the 193T..

EPA won't hurt Stihl.. it's what is forcing the changes, and not just for Stihl. Some manf. won't be able to economically make the changes and will abandon the USA/EU market or re-badge other saws.

 

[ciscoguy01]

Flowes

Course if husky keeps selling all their crap saws in Flowes their business won't go downhill, but I believe their quality will, if that's possible. I think Stihl needs to come up with a lower model they can put on shelves at smaller hardware stores etc... Hell, if they can get some of that market, they'll be making a killing and will most definitely put a hurtin on husky sales. It's all just the name thing I believe... I tried the 455 Rancher a couple months ago under someone's recommendation. POS, this was my opinion and the buddy's that recommended it. Now for the guy that needs to cut a branch here or there, it's prolly good for them. I didn't keep mine for a full day and brought it back. Stihl needs to come up with saws between 30 and 60 cc's that are comparable to the ones they sell everywhere for the homeowner. Just a thought here. I love the XP line from husky so don't think I'm bashing the name.

 

[ciscoguy01]

I think Husky is hedging it's bet on the 460 to run with the 361, they have released an new 362, but everyone has told me it's no where near the saw the 262 was, a crying shame I must say!

I would love for Stihl to come out with the 261 and it be the baddest on the block, that will just push Husky to revam those models:biggrinbounce2: they are getting old too!

I predict? the 461 in the next year, and the 661 the following year. I don't see any changes with the 880 for some time. No idea what will come of the 3120?

I think what is going to hurt Stihl the most will be lack of EPA compliance, unless they go strato or something else on about all models? Husky has the edge here just due to the box stores, I'd bet they sell 3-4 homeowner saws to every one of the pro models now.
Just my thoughts.
Andy

Ditto: and they need to get back the 266 for sure. That's prolly one of their best builds I believe, and make it so everyone can get their hands on it. It's a great running saw for sure, and very reliable.

 

[Justsaws]

A price increase.

 

[Lakeside53]

 

[MOA]

hopefully a pro saw between the 260 and the 361 from stihl. Its a big gap from 3.2hp to 4.4. Maybe a 55cc saw with around 4hp. This is just what I want because I cant afford the 361

 

[peter399]

I think the big money will be on the consumer side. Here in Sweden, harvesters do 99,9999% of all logging. I think firewood cutting and gardening will be of bigger interest ;( unfortunately. With big competitions from asian manufacturers. Like for hand tools where you can buy a drilling machine
for five bucks.

 

[SawTroll]

hopefully a pro saw between the 260 and the 361 from stihl. Its a big gap from 3.2hp to 4.4. Maybe a 55cc saw with around 4hp. This is just what I want because I cant afford the 361

I believe they tried to fill that gap, and even tried to replace the 260 with the 270/280 series.
Even though these saws have magnesium cases and white rear handles, they are not constructed like traditional pro saws, and have not been accsepted as pro saws by the market. They also are a bit on the heavy side.....

The 280 is 54 cc, 3.8 hp here - less hp in the US.

 

[SawTroll]

... Predications...
... and 881 (2010)...

Wasn't it 882???? :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[computeruser]

Stihl needs to come up with saws between 30 and 60 cc's that are comparable to the ones they sell everywhere for the homeowner.

They already have. 170/180, 210/230/250, 290/310/390. These are perfectly good homeowner saws that are price competitive with their Husqvarna equivilents. These are NOT expensive saws, either.

SawTroll, bless his heart, will undoubtedly jump in and talk about the anti-vibe and air filtration superiority of the Husqvarna equivilents, but the average homeowner couldn't care less. So I don't think it is really a relevant consideration in this market for most buyers.

What Stihl really needs to do for the homeowner market is to get Consumer Reports to test saws larger than the MS180. CR is THE guide for the suburban male setting out to buy a tool, so the greater the coverage that Stihl can get in that publication, the better.

 

[B_Turner]

I agree that the real money going forward is in consumer saws.

So I know it won't happen for a long time, but if Stihl reworked the 660 to keep the power to weight and put on a good anti vibe, I would buy one in a heartbeat. But if the 661 or whatever picks up much weight it might cancel some of the popularity of that model, depending on the weight of what Husqvarna has at that time.

To me, the whole weight issue reaches a real threshold at saws of that size. Guess it's just about right at the limit of what my back will put up with for a day. A lb more and ouch...Kind of like my 395 with a long Canon bar.

I know I am an exception on this, but at my studio oftern I have to do some quick trimming of big blocks as I work them and I don't like to get 2stroke stinky for such little cutting. I currently sometimes use my Stihl MSE220 (electric) for this. But I am very curious about what the upcoming 4 stroke saws (like the Dolmar) will be like next year. It will never replace my stronger saws, but someone makes one that is pretty civilized and doesn't have that 2 stroke way of stinking a person up, I would have to get one of those as well for the quick work.

 

[Lakeside53]

... but someone makes one that is pretty civilized and doesn't have that 2 stroke way of stinking a person up, I would have to get one of those as well for the quick work.

Try the new Stihl Ultra oil... almost stinkless and smokeless, and I kind of like that new scent!

 

[oldsaw]

Try the new Stihl Ultra oil... almost stinkless and smokeless, and I kind of like that new scent!

My last run on the mill was with Mobil 2T, and it struck me about half way through that there was no smoke or smell to speak of. I was impressed.

Mark

 

[Cut4fun]

hopefully a pro saw between the 260 and the 361 from stihl. Its a big gap from 3.2hp to 4.4. Maybe a 55cc saw with around 4hp. This is just what I want because I cant afford the 361

How about a 57 cc with 4.4 hp? Already out there. But it's not a stihl, Can you name it?

 

[Lakeside53]

How about a 57 cc with 4.4 hp? Already out there. But it's not a stihl, Can you name it?

Nope. I saw it scratched on a wall once, but...

 

[Woodie]

60cc: Husky will have to make a 60cc saw again. I think they thought 60cc were on it's way out (too little difference to 50cc and 70cc). Obviously they
were wrong since so many buy the MS361. An updated 262XP would do.

/Peter

Over here in the States we have the 359 in the 60cc class, as well as the 357 that was *allluded too* in a previous poster's thread. I'm surprised they don't offer those in their home market!

 

[SawTroll]

They are here, but not ballsy enough for their true weight, when compared to the old 262xp and the European MS361.......:greenchainsaw: :deadhorse: :deadhorse:

 

[bwalker]

to the old 262xp and the European MS361.......

It would be a cold day in heii that a 361 runs with a 357 xp. I owned a 361 and have run a 357 on more than a few occasions. When they are in like trim the hUsky will always win.