The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => Chainsaws => Topic started by: edge on October 31, 2004, 07:31:13 AM
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I'm new to the forum, been reading a lot and you all have a ton of good info. here! I was recently in the market for a new saw, and was of course looking at the Stihl and Husky lines. I wanted to post my buying experience in hopes that it may help others out and I also wanted some feedback on my choice.
I'm looking to run a saw in the 57-61cc range with an 18 inch bar and 3/8" chain. Although they are close, I prefer to pay some extra bucks to go with the pro-grade saws vs. the standard-grade for a tad better construction and power/weight ratio.
I went with the Husky 359. In talking to dealers and doing some homework, I narrowed it down like this:
• Stihl 260 Pro
Great pro-grade saw but a tad small for what I need.
• Stihl 270, 280
Standard-grade saws, probably a bit small to pull a 3/8" chain around an 18" bar.
• Stihl 290, 310
Standard-grade saws that would get the job done, but they are both bulkier and heavier than the Husky 359 and Stihl 360/361.
• Husky 357 XP
Although the Husky XP saws are great pro-grade saws, I eliminated them since they are higher RPM saws. I wanted something a little more forgiving with a wider power band.
• Husky 365
Pro-grade saw with a wider power band than the XP series saws, but this saw at 65cc was bigger than the range I was looking at.
• This left me with my top three choices:
Stihl 360/361............pro-grade, excellent specs and reviews
Husky 359...............pro-grade, wider power band than 357XP
Husky 55 Rancher....standard grade, wider power band than 357XP
Although a classic, I eliminated the 55 Rancher for the newer technology and slightly better power of the 359 and 360/361.
Down to the final two, the Husky 359 and the Stihl 360/361. Both are pro-grade saws that would fit my needs pefectly. It was pretty much a toss up but I went with the Husky 359 for these reasons:
- better carb adjustment on the Husky (has high, low, and idle speed jet adjustment)
- heard good things about Husky's air cleaning system
- the 359 was about $120 less expensive than the 360/361
Any comments or feedback on the Husky 359? Anybody out there running them...how is it going?
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Edge,
I think that your evaluation and final decision were very sensible, it`s quite possibly the same conclusion that I would have come to if I were looking for one "do it all" saw.
I have one final criteria that I add to the equation, that is highest power to weight ratio. Given that the 357 and 361 have more power for the same weight, I`d go that way first. but it neglects the very important aspect of budget.
FWIW, I`ve got all three of these models in my stable and find them all to be excellent examples of the finest saws made today.
Russ
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I have a 036 stihl chainsaw that is in good condition that I love it runs very well. It has never left me out in the woods so I am very happy with it.
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Comparing an 036 to the new 361 is like comparing Pee Wee Herman to Mike Tyson. The 036 are and always will be a lesser grade of saw simply because they lack any real good low-end. The 361 on the other hand has good power everywhere.
I have a stock 359 and a modded 357. I really like the 359. It can be had for a good price and will run a 20" bar very well!