Which chainsaw is better and why for 1 ac forested lot? – Husqvarna, Poulan, Echo, Homelite, Sthl,?

Sure pick Stihl. Even for someone who knows nothing about chainsaws, that brand just appears to be superior. My request is not to simply pick the best but rather to understand why one is better than the other. After all, machining of the components and motor technology are not what one would view as new stuff.
Thanks
Thanks Cat and Summer for your insight. I have also learned that both Stihl and Husq have much bigger engines (more powerful and heavier).
It makes sense that the wear and tear would be greater on a Poulan than on a Stihl/Husq.
... but for third-half the price ...

Comments

4 Responses to “Which chainsaw is better and why for 1 ac forested lot? – Husqvarna, Poulan, Echo, Homelite, Sthl,?”
  1. Cat says:
    July 14, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Mostly "attention to details" differences…ones that won’t matter to the occasional-use, light-duty chain saw needs. But If you need to DEPEND on it, and use it a lot….

    One "for instance"…on the Poulan’s…they don’t have a small piece that prevents the cord from retracting too fast and wrapping itself up the wrong way, which will take a five-minute fix to right it so that you can use it again. IF your hand never slips, and lets go of the cord for any reason…it may not matter.

    Again…it’s the small things. Stihls have proven more reliable, and you can work them harder with fewer problems. And it’s not just one thing…it’s the whole package, that provides that durability.

    I haven’t used all those brands, but I did start with a Poulan, and when I moved on, I moved on to a Stihl. And I haven’t looked back.

  2. hopscotch says:
    July 14, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Sthl is the best because it is the original chainsaw that is strictly made for heavy duty operations, like your 1 ac forested lot. Sthl is like the ferrari (or your favorite type of car here) of chainsaws. Poulan and Homelite are made by the same company therefore they are the same saw, btw.

  3. fred pie says:
    July 14, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Stihl are proven to be pretty good saws and if you use them right theyl do heaps of work. Ive bought one coz i known other people who had them and they are reliable and start pretty good. Husq got a good reputation too ,ive never had one, Id reccomend Stihl

  4. Summer says:
    July 14, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Well, we farm and have a lot of use for a chain saw year round. (*over 100 wooded acres and we used wood to heat for years, not to mention the "jobs" we need it for)
    We’ve had both the Stihl as well as the Husqvarna for our heavy duty jobs. My husband prefers the Husqvarna and he’s the one who uses them most. He has two Husqvarna he uses exclusively nowdays and for good reason… "They simply perform better".

    I purchased a Poulan for myself for the smaller jobs (16" bar) and it’s hard to start. Pain in the rear…Poulan is definately NOT as good as the aforementioned two, but for only an acre, it may do the job.

    If you intend to cut all the tree’s on your 1 acre and I assume they are a mature stand, I would go for a Husqvarna… You’ll want/need at least a 20" bar.
    The "455 Rancher" model (55.5cc 3.5hp) does very well for all the jobs we have around here… and unless you intend to use it for much more than this one job, I’m not sure I’d spend the dollars for a pro-model. Contact Husqvarna as well as Stihl and let them know what your intentions are. Have them talk to you about their machines…

    MHO is that I don’t think you could go wrong with a Husqvarna or Stihl. The "key" to a good running motor is to take care of it…. Don’t expect either of the "high dollar" saws to live up to your expectations without ensuring you’re taking care of it properly.

    Good Luck!!

    BTW… Homelite and Poulan are your lower price point saws… they do NOT perform like a Husq or Stihl… Same company doesn’t mean same saw. :o )


 
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