Stihl HT131 vs Husqvarna 525PT5S

[Mesquite cutter]

I am undecided on which pole saw to buy, the Stihl or the Husqvarna.  They both seem to extend just as long.  Which pole saw have y'all used and like best.  

The local dealers have the Husqvarna is in stock.  The stihl had been on back order for almost two months.  

[zippski]

I faced this exact dilemma three years ago, and I ended up buying the Husqvarna 525PT5S over the [then] plastic-shafted Stihl pro equivalent.  Although I am a happy Stihl chainsaw owner (MS362, MS461, and MS500i), I couldn't be happier with my choice.  The Husky starts -literally- on the first or second pull.  Every. Single. Time. Cuts very big limbs like butter because it uses a full 3/8" low profile chain.  

Just to be clear, you can buy a version with or without the extension.  Get the version with the extension; it is incredibly useful and even with it fully extended I find I am sometimes cutting right at the limit of its reach on tiptoes.

A word of caution however: even a few hours on this saw will build some strong arm muscles.  It's not a lightweight at full reach, even with the aluminum extension tube. Also, if working around a crew, see below, you get my drift:

Leigh smiley_swinging_board
zippski

[Tom King]

My HT85 was new in 1999.  Still works fine, and is great when I need it. It's the telescopic one.

I'd get whichever one is lighter.  

[Mesquite cutter]

I was reading that the stihl produces 1.9 horse power of torque and the Husqvarna produces 1.3 horsepower of torque.  Would it be that much of an advantage to have about 1/2 of torque ? 

[Tom King]

I don't see where it's a tool that needs a lot of horsepower.  I would think my HT85 has a lot less hp than the 131, but it doesn't bother me at all.  With a sharp chain, it will melt right down through a limb.  Getting it in place is where all the work is.  Once you have it on the limb, the weight of the thing does the work.

My most used pole chainsaw is a Ryobi 20v, that stays in the toolbox on the truck.  It comes apart easily, and quickly.  You can use two, or all three of the parts.  It's a lot slower than the fuel powered one, but no worries at all to operate.