Both excellent saw brands- all depends on size, your intended uses & what type of timber you want to cut.
As general recommendations buy a slightly bigger than smaller saw, don't be talked into too big a bar (with experience/thought you can cut at least double the bar length less c2inches without drama), watch the operating weight as only a few extra lbs can make long operations a workout, make certain the chain oiler is adjustable, for longevity get a bar with a greasable bar sprocket, dismiss any saw with a "quick twist" chain adjustment - stick with the proven screw/2 nut adjustment, run the saw on premium 2 Stroke @ 50:1 non-ethanol fuel/good bar oil/clean filters/& a sharp properly adjusted chain....& it should last at least c.10yrs+)
In smaller general duty saws (50-65cc) for general farming, rural fencing & breaking down firewood/limbing/felling trees (@ up to c. 30inch trees) I prefer Husky's, where a larger saw (85cc up) is required for felling bigger trees or breaking down large timber I prefer Stihl.
My personal preference for general rural duties if I had only 1 saw would be:-
a) Husky 455 or 460 (55--60cc) fitted with 18inch bar & probably a .325pitch chain (in ieu of 3/8 pitch). The .325 is the "safest"/most versatile combo (well only as safe as chainsaw can be), an 18inch bar will take down the occasional c.30inch hardwood tree & the .325 will minimise kicking/kickback ( & despite what the "shop experts" say,if kept sharp has no trouble cutting through dead hard woods - handles dead Australian hardwood no drama) & cut or carve without drama for the operator
b) or as a step up in size if you're only cutting hardwood or larger timber Stihl MS781 (72cc) rugged reliable, low tech & good value, or a Husky 562 (59cc), but to make best use of the power you'll need a 3/8 min 24inch bar combo
IMO, rightly or wrongly, the Husky in small saws fire up far easier & their startup/shutdown controls & maintenance are more intuitive for operators, nothing against Stihl's it just seems small Husky's are just a tad marginally better in these areas.
Once you go below 50cc, you're into a "homeowner" range of which I've no experience - may be great for extremely limited use, but you're not going to be cutting much more than small Xmas trees & "shrubs" on a regular basis.
We own/operate all the above saws & more on our farms, & with 35yr+ professional rural chainsaw use & logging experience, like most I have favourite saws - unfortunately the US McCulloch PM850's/1000's became extinct in the early 80's, but then I'm not quite as fit as in the late 70's/80's to operate a .c10kgs/20lbs saw all day long...but I still have keep a few in running order for special occassions as below........
If a breakdown would cost you over 500.00 a day then you better have a back up machine, or two. Why not buy one of each and switch between machines everyday and see which one lasts longer in your particular situation?
#10
Parkmower
Are we talkin saws or trimmers or blowers?
I prefer stihl saws and trimmers, don't care really about blowers. But do like alot of husq products.
And yeah you better have a back up if you stand to lose 500 for a day. Think I'll pull my boots up.
#11
reynoldston
Now you are talking about a 2 cycle engine running a chain in a dirty environment. A chain saw needs maintenance and repairs because just how its used. Chains get dull, bars ware out,and a 2 cycle engine can just be tempamental. They are both good saws and yes they will both need repairs in there life time no matter what brand saw you get. My husky I have had coil problems and my Stihl carburetor problems. Now I just like the Husky better just because I like the feel of it better not because its better made. Some of the things I try to minimize problems are keep a sharp chain, use clean fuel and bar oil, before I start the day I remove the bar and clean it and blow out all the old wood chips the best I can with compressed air. I find I will still hit something to dull the chain at times but that is the time to resharpen.
I have thought about that before, it probably isn't a bad idea:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
At 11years old I don't think you are ready to handle either of the saws mentioned. You just posted you weigh 75 pounds and you had a hard time controlling a Z-turn. You a also questioning the info being given to you by mechanics that have decades of knowledge, when you should be trying to just learn from them.
Rivets, to tell you the truth you are scaring me. You know my profile by heart, and follow my postings. I don't have trouble controlling a zero turn, I occasionally tear the ground a little bit when it is wet. I use all of the latest safety equipment, and my dad cuts big branches in our yard with a chainsaw, so he wanted me to check out new ones, siince his Husqvaurna is leaking. I am not questioning the mechanics, I am finding out more, and I am not new to this, I built and welded a mini bike at 7, and am currently building a desk. I also carry around tools to fix/replace problems with my equipment. It isn't all for show either, I have had to tighten z-turn handles, change the belt, regularly check and change the oil, and sharpen the blades. Maybe you had some bad corn flakes, but I am not looking to make anyone mad, btw I know this isn't your first virtual war online.
If education scares you, so be it. I have taught engine rebuilding and small engine repair for over 30 years, and have seen students like you before. They know some parts of the trade extremely well, but don't see the big picture. You are to be commended for going out and working, but to call yourself a professional at this point is a little out of line. You ask for help, but question the answer. You think using 10 icons is cool. That's not professional. Drop the attitude, and listen to the answer, whether you like it or not. A professional uses a quiet, silent smile over a quick loud remark to get respect.
Education doesn't scare me at all, I go to the best school in my area and get A's. I am trying to fill the footsteps my dad made when he was a kid, because I want to. He had a huge business until he went to college. I have recently rebuilt a JD mower with my dad, so I know my share of mechanics, I you think I am lying, I was recently fetured in Make Magazine (School's Out page 92). Don't get me started on working, I started picking up pine cones at 5. I am a kid, and if you can't respect that, I don't know what will make you. More smiles means your happy, and we are on LawnMowerForum.com not Oprah Winfrey's channel so stop with the judging. Why don't you go rivet your mouth shut, stop dissing children, and let them work, and run errands for their fathers. BTW when I click on faces my mouse just randomly selects a ton of faces.
