Husqvarna 257

[Mainah]

Looking to get a Husky 257 used. Price is $200. Has anyone had one or know how they are? Its the size I'm looking for just wanted to make sure they don't have issues.

[sawguy21]

Nice saw, good power to weight, but it better be in good shape for two bills. If you are not familiar with saws, have someone who is check it first. If this is not possible due to distance or other issues, put your wallet away and keep looking.

[Singlemalt]

The 257 is an older model.  Agree that $200 for this saw used is a lot.
Had my Husky 257 since about 1997 and love it. Won't begin to embarass myself with stories of abuse but it keeps on running.
Also have a 359 and I'm not as happy. Starts different, weighs different.

[ladylake]

$200 isn't bad for a good running pro saw, I just sold a 029 Stihl with a case for $200.  Steve

[nhlogga]

$200 is not too bad of a price for a 257 in good running condition. A new 357xp which replaced the 257 costs over $600 around here.

[Knute]

Just saw a used 257 last week at a dealer for $295.

[SawTroll]

$200 isn't bad for a good running pro saw, I just sold a 029 Stihl with a case for $200.  Steve

Calling it a pro saw is a stretch, it was the "low point" in that "saw family", and not an xp.

[Spike60]

$200 isn't bad for a good running pro saw, I just sold a 029 Stihl with a case for $200.  Steve

Calling it a pro saw is a stretch, it was the "low point" in that "saw family", and not an xp.

"low point" is a kind of unfair for the 257. Same chassis as the much loved, and somewhat over-hyped 262XP. The 257 simply had a straight open port cylinder on it. Most guys who have experience with both will tell you that the 257's power came on lower in the RPM band than the 262, and in many ways was a better firewood saw. $200 for one in good shape if not a bad price. Even though it hasn't been made for about 10 years, parts are no problem at all.

[ladylake]

 Would a 262xp piston and cylinder bolt on?    Steve

[saw_nut]

The only "low point" with the 257 came when it was discontinued. They cut more pulp/logs here than the 262 ever did. Personally I always bought the non xp models. Better powerband, better price and tougher. 246 vs 242xp. 257 vs 254 or 262xp. 365 vs 372xp.

[nmurph]

The only "low point" with the 257 came when it was discontinued. They cut more pulp/logs here than the 262 ever did. Personally I always bought the non xp models. Better powerband, better price and tougher. 246 vs 242xp. 257 vs 254 or 262xp. 365 vs 372xp.

Better powerband???? debatable----I will take the extra power of a 262 any day.
Better price??? of course, and less power.
Tougher???? I don't know where you came up with that one from, but I have an idea.

Make mine the worser powerband, cheaper (always good) and wimpier 262. better yet, make it the three of them I have.

The cylinder from a 262 will fit, but the clutch is the two shoe version as found on the 261, the muffler is the same (more restrictive) as found on the 261, and I think the carb is different also(???).

[saw_nut]

Were I get it from is 30 years of East Coast logging.

A 262 will not cut a 1 inch limb any quicker than a 254 or 257. After early model 262s the rest were not much in the power department.

As for tougher, I get that from repairing saws at the shop. XP models fail here at a higher rate than non XP. Power has a price.

This is what played out here, and what I replied on. I know it can be different in your part of the world as cutting requirements are different worldwide.

Myself, I don't think that the world begins and ends at my back door.

[SawTroll]

"low point" is a kind of unfair for the 257. Same chassis as the much loved, and somewhat over-hyped 262XP. The 257 simply had a straight open port cylinder on it.  .......

:D :D I was expecting you to say something like that.....

[Spike60]

"low point" is a kind of unfair for the 257. Same chassis as the much loved, and somewhat over-hyped 262XP. The 257 simply had a straight open port cylinder on it.  .......

:D :D I was expecting you to say something like that.....

Didn't want to disappoint you!  8)

[weimedog]

Were I get it from is 30 years of East Coast logging.

A 262 will not cut a 1 inch limb any quicker than a 254 or 257. After early model 262s the rest were not much in the power department.

As for tougher, I get that from repairing saws at the shop. XP models fail here at a higher rate than non XP. Power has a price.

This is what played out here, and what I replied on. I know it can be different in your part of the world as cutting requirements are different worldwide.

Myself, I don't think that the world begins and ends at my back door.

I can understand this. Actually makes sense. East Coast hardwood is a rough place to be both in climate and in wood to cut. Power has a price but i believe Higher RPM's has even a higher price. Both in the number of cycles per unit time and in pushing the lubrication boundaries. (In case the cycle per unit of time is confusing...there is a theoretical life span in terms of cycles for anything aluminum. Unlike Steel where if the cycles are below a certain stress level the cycle life is infinite, Aluminum is finite regardless of the stress....run the saw faster? It fails faster. This is addition to the rate of "scrub" wear as the piston cycles on the cylinder wall)

I also thing the east coast mentality is different. Seems like there is a disposable mentality out west. Hop it, cut more trees faster throw it away after a year and get another one. The East Coast agriculture mentality seems to have bled into the logging community...the tractor is a family heirloom! Same with the saw...(Don't even want to go into the 18inch bar vs. 36inch bar!)

Funny thing is when faced with that decision..money no object..I bought a 365 years ago. Its lasted a long time..because it sits on the shelf! It will be pased on to my kids.. Great machine..I just have more fun cutting with my hopped to hell junker saws!