It's time for a new chainsaw! Stihl or Husqvarna?

[2porscheguy]

My 20 year old Stihl 025 is just plain gettin' old. It needs a new bar, chain, etc plus it's getting more difficult to start...or I'm not pullin on her hard enough too maybe..

I'll probably end up giving her to my neighbour's son. He enjoys mechanical DYI projects and probably has way more patience than I do to do the needed repairs.

I use the saw mostly at our place in central BC to cut firewood. It's mostly deadfall White Birch, Douglas Fir, Spruce and Jack Pine with a max diameter of around 2 feet.

What say yee old and wise Pelicans.....?

Good ol' German STIHL again?.... or should I switch to a Sveeeedish one sis time....howe yoo saaaay?....HUSQVARNA?

[sc_rufctr]

Neither... I'd go a McCulloch.

[dad911]

I say give the old stihl a new blade, bar and a tune-up. Probably just as good if not better than the new ones......

[2porscheguy]

^Can't get those up here in southern Alberta, at least not in Calgary...no dealers listed!

[2porscheguy]

I meant there are no McCulloch dealers here.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

How did the 025 size work for you? Was it powered right for your needs? If so- you may just need a refresh on it.
Be wary of Stihl though- Because if you don the matching orange Stihl facemask/helmet and orange chainstopper leg chaps and inadvertently wear a yellow t-shirt, you will look like ronald mcdonald!

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

Good ol' German STIHL again?.... or should I switch to a Sveeeedish one sis time....howe yoo saaaay?....HUSQVARNA?

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Neither... I'd go a McCulloch.

McCulloch is a brand of Husqvarna; since 2008.
Before that, they were Taiwanese owned.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

How did the 025 size work for you? Was it powered right for your needs? If so- you may just need a refresh on it.

^^^ this.
New bar/chain and a new carb...can't be more than $50 for one on eBay.
Look at your clutch, too...YouTube may be your friend on that one.
If new, I'd buy Stihl, no question.
.
Note: Make sure you're getting oil to your bar. Fire it up, put the tip of the bar (with chain on) close to something, go full throttle and watch for oil splattering.

[intakexhaust]

Depends how many hours you want to use it in a day. I have both small and large CC Husky's. Great saws, no issues but after using them, borrowed my buddy's Stihl's and boy are they vibe isolation free! Big difference. Other question should be whether a difference in the commercial line or homeowner saws. Only if I had to, but next time around would consider Stihl.

[VINMAN]

Stihl or Jonsered .....

[ckelly78z]

mcColloch always seemed like a department store brand to me for the casual homeowner. Stihl, on the other hand is for those who are serious about getting the best saw made, so they can use it hard for 25 years before upgrading to a newer stihl.

I have cut about 6 cords a year for 25 years now and will own nothing else than a stihl, other brands might be as good, but nothing is better.

[rusnak]

I have 4 Stihl saws that I use for our annual Christmas tree lot. We cut around 2,000 trees in 2 weeks. Features that I would recommend are the compression release button, which makes starting much easier, and remove the safety chain. If you're using a Stihl, then you don't need it.

I switched out the bars for 18" shorty bars. Those things spin like the devil.

[Don Ro]

For small work I started using the STIHL Oilomatic Picco Micro Mini bars and chains.
Narrow and quick. Man oh man, they cut like a scalpel.
.
http://www.amazon.com/61PMMC3-55-Oilomatic-043-Inch-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B005DBZ876

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

How did the 025 size work for you? Was it powered right for your needs? If so- you may just need a refresh on it.
Be wary of Stihl though- Because if you don the matching orange Stihl facemask/helmet and orange chainstopper leg chaps and inadvertently wear a yellow t-shirt, you will look like ronald mcdonald!

The 025 to me is a little underpowered for them thar big azz birch logs!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I have 4 Stihl saws that I use for our annual Christmas tree lot. We cut around 2,000 trees in 2 weeks. Features that I would recommend are the compression release button, which makes starting much easier, and remove the safety chain. If you're using a Stihl, then you don't need it.

I switched out the bars for 18" shorty bars. Those things spin like the devil.

That's why I want a new one! The new Stihl's have that easy-start feature which sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. The Husky's don't mention that feature, so....

[Hugh R]

I have an ECHO, the real professional gardeners (as opposed to the illegalos) around here use ECHO chain saws and leaf blowers.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

That's why I want a new one! The new Stihl's have that easy-start feature which sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. The Husky's don't mention that feature, so....

Well then don't go look at the new Stills unless you are ready to buy one.

The pro models use light weight materials such as magnesium, and rev much higher. You'll be hooked the minute you give it a little shot on the throttle. I sometimes think I want to buy a demo/ rescue model sort of "just because" lol.

[VincentVega]

I have an old 026 and love it, great old saws. I think it's well worth a little $$ once in a while. I put a carb kit in it, new fuel cap and chain and it runs like new. If you are open to Echo their 590 is a ncie mid grade saw, good power and not too much $$. Not commercial though.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

I have an old 026 and love it, great old saws. I think it's well worth a little $$ once in a while. I put a carb kit in it, new fuel cap and chain and it runs like new. If you are open to Echo their 590 is a ncie mid grade saw, good power and not too much $$. Not commercial though.

Your O-two-six was THE humdinger of a climbing saw in its day...still is a great saw. I have one that's still barely used.
I've had a few Stihl saws. An 036 Pro w/36" bar was a beast and dependable.
One of my fav's was the 019T...a little one-handed sweetie for small cuts.
Hard to start ...tons of compression for a little bugger.
I put a Pico Micro Narrow bar 'n chain on her and she would cut like she was pissed off.
.

[vash]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I have an ECHO, the real professional gardeners (as opposed to the illegalos) around here use ECHO chain saws and leaf blowers.

Me too. my ECHO is so revvy and powerful. mine is one of those tiny overhand models..it has the capabilities of a bigger saw.

i'm just a homeowner, and camper. i feel i'm probably over-sawed.