Light Bars - Stihl vs Sugihara

lxskllr · June 18, 2019, 02:35:14 PM

Ordered a 661 today, and I'm interested in a lightweight 20" bar for my 362. The Stihl dealer wants $120+tax for an ES Light, or I can get a Sugihara online for $96+shipping. The prices are close enough, so which would be the better bar for the $?

olcowhand · June 18, 2019, 05:36:40 PM

I bought a light Bar from my Stihl Dealer quite a bit cheaper than list; In fact it was real close to the number you're using for the Sugihara. Perhaps offer him/ her less, or ask what their best price is, or say something like "I've only got around $100.00 to spend, and I can get the Sugihara for that. Can you take $100.00?". If they say no, PM me and I'll see if my Dealer will ship it for that.
Steve

lxskllr · June 18, 2019, 05:47:39 PM

The Stihl dealer I go to is list price for everything. I've asked a couple times about prices, and they pull out the Stihl catalog, and get me a price. I could have done that! :^D Maybe they give better prices to the pros, but I'd have thought they could give a break when I just ordered a $1.3k machine. I did get two chains(72dl) and a 3 pack of files today for the insurance claim. Came to $86 with tax. Got me interested in buying another 100' reel from ebay. Payed $240 shipped last time for 100' of rm2. I'd have preferred yellow chain, but at that price, I'll take Stihl green chain over Oregon yellow every time, not that Oregon yellow is easy to find that cheap anyway.

olcowhand · June 18, 2019, 07:10:23 PM

lxskllr,
I don't know if your Stihl Dealer is setup in a Mall, so he has to pay that expensive rent, but I'd be checking out other Dealers. Maybe check out some of your local Green Tractor Dealers; they carry Stihls.
I'm hoping you get relief.
Steve

lxskllr · June 18, 2019, 07:22:31 PM

The dealer doesn't seem too "suburban". They used to be a Western Auto, but now sell a bit auto supplies, pro zero turn mowers, and Stihl stuff. They even have a bit of arborist gear; rope, saddles, rigging gear... Your point's taken about checking out other dealers though. The guys above are convenient cause it's close to work, and not a terrible drive from home. There's an elite dealer on the other side of the county, but you have to run the gauntlet of atrocious traffic to get there. They're the ones that were reaming a buddy of mine on chain sharpening though, so I'm not sure if they'd be any better. I'll keep my eyes open. Maybe just stop in when I see a Stihl sign, and ask if everything's list price. That'll be to the point, and give me a feel for the local market. This isn't really logging territory, so it may just be list here. There's clearing for building lots, and some pro arborists, but you don't often see log trucks.

btulloh · June 18, 2019, 07:33:35 PM

Ask some of the tree service guys where they buy saws. A lot of times the good dealers are low profile.

Here in Richmond, the best dealer to buy from is in an old industrial area. Hard to find him even when you're in his parking lot. Doesn't discount saws, but bars and chain and stuff are the sweeteners. I have to drive by at least nine stihl dealers to get there, but it's only twelve miles.

Anyway, congrats on the new 661. Hope you find the perp one day that stole your stuff.

gspren · June 19, 2019, 08:30:52 AM

lxskllr, where in MD do you live/work?

lxskllr · June 19, 2019, 08:45:48 AM

Harford County. Our office is in Jarrettsville, and the end of the driveway on the other side of the farm is literally at Jack's Small Engine.

btulloh · June 19, 2019, 08:49:32 AM

That's a nice resource to have that close.

lxskllr · June 19, 2019, 08:57:42 AM

That's where I got my second brushcutter. I haven't bought a lot from them, but I've been pretty happy with what I've gotten, and it's certainly convenient. Their prices aren't amazing, but I think they're fair, so I don't really shop around unless I need something that might be better gotten from a specialist shop.

gspren · June 19, 2019, 07:21:55 PM

Some time take a drive to and check out A K Saw Shop in Peach Bottom, PA. This is an Amish owned shop that sells and services Stihl equipment and in the past he has done better than list for me. Since it is Amish don't look for a web site but should have a phone number. Last I was there, last year, he had a lot of saws, weed eaters, etc. in stock.

lxskllr · June 19, 2019, 07:38:58 PM

That might be a nice Saturday trip. I enjoy my trips into PA as long as it isn't too urban. I like the farm country. Ever been to... J&K I think the initials are? I think the town's Quarryville. Amish owned hardware, and the craziest collection of lighting I've ever see. Kerosene lamps, and led worklights hung from the ceiling. Very dim inside, but good prices, and more useful stuff than you find at HomeDepot. I haven't installed it yet cause my handle's still good, but I got a short axe handle(~18") for a full size axe. I've been looking for something like that for 20+ years. I'd just cut a full size handle down, but then lose the deerfoot. They had it :^)

edit:
I think it's D&J. J&K is a pawnshop near Aberdeen.

porcupine · June 20, 2019, 09:12:23 AM

Quote from: lxskllr on June 18, 2019, 02:35:14 PM
Ordered a 661 today, and I'm interested in a lightweight 20" bar for my 362. The Stihl dealer wants $120+tax for an ES Light, or I can get a Sugihara online for $96+shipping. The prices are close enough, so which would be the better bar for the $?

Several years ago I switched from a 25" Stihl to a 20" Sugihara on my Stihl 461.
It's held up well, works fine...no complaints.
$100 - good deal in my opinion.

Reddawg · June 20, 2019, 09:55:08 AM

My 461R wears the 20" ES light bar more often than the 25" standard ES that I bought it with. I really like the better balance it has and I also run an 8 pin rim with a full comp semi chain. The torque from that saw and the extra speed on the chain just tears through both soft and hardwoods.
The Stihl bar is pricey , so if cost is an issue I would go with a Sugi , just remember that you can't pry or beat on it too much in pinch situations. At the end of the day, balance and weight are important if you are going to handle a bigger saw for this kind of duty. For felling , I swap in to the heavy bar with the stock rim. Once I get them back to the firewood area I either use a smaller saw or just have fun running that 461R until my arms give out.

HolmenTree · June 20, 2019, 11:31:10 AM

The physics of lightweight bars are interesting.
I have an example here. I was running a standard 11 tooth sprocket nose on this 18" bar for years. I just replaced it with a smaller radius 9 tooth sprocket safety nose.
The saw now feels lighter and more nimble to cut with, why is that?
Well the smaller nose is less then a ounce lighter so that doesn't sound like much.
But when I factor in the less leverage on a 18" lever onto the saw's handles the bar feels less end heavy and easier on my grip .......imagine that on a 32" bar :laugh:

outinthewood · June 20, 2019, 05:48:33 PM

Depending on how/what you are cutting I find in my work the Sugi tips are just to prone to badly chipping far to quickly so if only had choice between it and Stihl I'd go for the Stihl.
Interesting point from Mr H , I had a delivery of new Tsu bars and a guy asked why did I pay the extra ? I held a Oregon 24" Powermatch by the tail in one hand and the same with the Tsu in my other hand and hold the bars out straight and got him to do the same. He saw very quickly why I pay the extra, as Mr H says it may only be an oz or two but the longer the bar the more it matters !

HolmenTree · June 20, 2019, 06:23:09 PM

outinthewood, any news on the 562XP Mk ll?
My 2012 562 is still going strong for my seasonal tree service, but temps are up to 30C lately and I have to be careful on warm starts.

lxskllr · June 20, 2019, 07:24:47 PM

Quote from: outinthewood on June 20, 2019, 05:48:33 PM
Depending on how/what you are cutting I find in my work the Sugi tips are just to prone to badly chipping far to quickly so if only had choice between it and Stihl I'd go for the Stihl.
Interesting point from Mr H , I had a delivery of new Tsu bars and a guy asked why did I pay the extra ? I held a Oregon 24" Powermatch by the tail in one hand and the same with the Tsu in my other hand and hold the bars out straight and got him to do the same. He saw very quickly why I pay the extra, as Mr H says it may only be an oz or two but the longer the bar the more it matters !

I like reports from pros. While I may not have issues as fast, it'll probably happen eventually. That's the kind of comparison I was looking for. Sounds like you prefer Tsumura bars? There was a thread around here somewhere(I think it was here) with pros saying they were blowing out tips on them. You haven't had issues? Both Sugihara and Tsumura have good internet reputations, but I'm personally unfamiliar. I know Stihl makes a good bar. I've been very happy with mine, and if I'm being honest, I'd like to keep the branding consistent on my saws. That's probably the worst reason for picking something, and it would only go so far. All things being equal, I wouldn't pay more than $10 extra for graphics I prefer, especially when they'll wear off, but if Stihl is objectively better, it makes the decision easier.

lxskllr · June 22, 2019, 12:54:33 PM

Quote from: gspren on June 19, 2019, 07:21:55 PM
Some time take a drive to and check out A K Saw Shop in Peach Bottom, PA. This is an Amish owned shop that sells and services Stihl equipment and in the past he has done better than list for me. Since it is Amish don't look for a web site but should have a phone number. Last I was there, last year, he had a lot of saws, weed eaters, etc. in stock.

Can't thank you enough for this post! Found a new saw shop. I went up there today, and got an ES Light for $95. Added four 10" and two 8" wedges for a total of $145 out the door. The shop was well stocked, and the saw prices were below list. Wish I found out about them sooner, but better late than never. It's a bit of a hike, but I really like that part of the state. It's a pleasant drive, with interesting things to see. Thanks again :^)

gspren · June 22, 2019, 09:10:54 PM

I bought my MS261, a hand held blower, and my Stihl combi unit from AKs shop plus some assorted small items and like dealing with him. Glad you liked their shop.

outinthewood · June 23, 2019, 11:16:47 AM

Mr H, no word at the moment but with Brexit we are having enough trouble getting parts. All our stuff comes from the UK so the UK seem to be ordering as they need it not holding stock as such as normal... I'm told we here in Irl will start getting stuff direct from Sweden when the UK leaves the EU single market but for now it's hard enough to get parts never mind answers !!

lxskllr I've only had two complete tip failures on my Tsu bars , they do chip but not as bad or as quickly as the Sugi bars. As I said in the thread you refer to it's just my experience and I suppose it depends on how and what you are cutting ? I always found Stihl bars to be good.

gspren · June 23, 2019, 04:36:42 PM

Quote from: lxskllr on June 22, 2019, 12:54:33 PM
Quote from: gspren on June 19, 2019, 07:21:55 PM
Some time take a drive to and check out A K Saw Shop in Peach Bottom, PA. This is an Amish owned shop that sells and services Stihl equipment and in the past he has done better than list for me. Since it is Amish don't look for a web site but should have a phone number. Last I was there, last year, he had a lot of saws, weed eaters, etc. in stock.
Can't thank you enough for this post! Found a new saw shop. I went up there today, and got an ES Light for $95. Added four 10" and two 8" wedges for a total of $145 out the door. The shop was well stocked, and the saw prices were below list. Wish I found out about them sooner, but better late than never. It's a bit of a hike, but I really like that part of the state. It's a pleasant drive, with interesting things to see. Thanks again :^)

Another shop you should know about is Pro Saw Fix on Ridge Road, Delta, PA. The owner, Thia, knows her saws and while she no longer sells new at one time her family was a Stihl dealer. Look her up on Face Book.