Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Husqvarna Rancher or Stihl Farm Boss

Chainsaw finally gave it up. Been using a Husqvarna 455 for about 10 years and it was a quality saw. Anybody have a real world comparison between the Husqvarna Rancher and the Stihl Farm Boss? I'm felling hundred year old white oaks or any serious chainsaw work. Need a 18" - 20" bar and will be used primarily for cutting downed trees and cutting up firewood.

What’s wrong with your current one? I just rebuilt a 455 and it wasn’t too complicated.

Bynum’s in Fayette can rebuild your 455

I have both. When we moved back out, I bought strictly Stihl because of their reputation and because there are 3 dealers nearby. Since then, I have slowly switched to Husqvarna. I have a 455 and a Farm Boss. Understand, I don't make my living with a saw. I do have a farm and the saws are used primarily to keep trails and fences clear, clean up storm damage and cut firewood. What I have learned is: The Husqvarna's are so much easier and more reliable to start. The Stihls seem to run a little stronger. The biggest advantage on the particular saws I have is the Stihl's have better anti-vibration systems. They are much more enjoyable to run for longer periods. When you can get them to start.

A typical day is this: I will get one of the Stihl's out. If it will start, I use it until it runs out of gas. Refilling it and getting it to start hot usually results in a the Stihl being thrown in the back of the Ranger and a trip back to the barn to get a Husqvarna. I'm in my mid-60's and have run saws since my late teen's. I think I generally know how to start a saw. You just have to be really careful to keep the Stihl's from flooding. I had one Stihl, an MS-250, that I recently threw in the metal hopper at work because I got tired of fighting it. (Another hint: Go to Youtube and search the model of saw you are looking at. If I had done this for the MS250, I would have seen at least half of the videos are about its' starting issues.)

I also thought I was the only guy having this problem. However, I have a couple of friends are state employees on the local WMA's. They use Husqvarna's. When I asked why, one replied they just lost too much time trying to get the Stihl's to start. It isn't just me.

The engine is fine but the model I bought had a plastic tensioning wheel instead of the screw tension system. Over time the wheel has lost the ability to stay locked and keep the necessary tension. An example would be typical cutting job to remove a 16" diameter tree from a road with five to six cuts will require me to stop and tighten the chain three or four times. The chain will loosen and hit the metal guard and be dull before I can stop the saw. Repair will be close to cost for a new saw.

Used a 455 for years and loved it. When it died, I decided to try a farm boss. Never really liked it and it was HEAVY. It had compression issues and I never attempted to get it fixed. Bought a little Echo, 18"bar that weighs less than 10 lbs. So far, I really like it. I use it for trimming, clearing roads and such. Keep in mind, I'll be 79 this summer and I ain't the man I used to be

Husky 100%

Stihl everytime

Stihl 261 is the only answer

Makers that use plastic instead of metal should be crotch kicked and set on fire.

I have a MS290 Farm Boss that I bought when Hurricane Ivan came through. It’s been great for me. I’ve never had any starting difficulties with mine. In fact, it’s been easier than some Huskys I’ve been around. Hard to go wrong with either.

With the Stihls being easy to start and a joy to operate, they get my vote.

I have a Stihl MS 270 farm boss. I've owned it 20yrs and it has been a great saw. Only thing that's ever had to be done to it was I've had to replace th fuel pick up tube a couple times over the years.

Husqvarna!

My Stihl farm boss is a rugged cutting running sob and I’ve had 12 yrs.

Stihl 261 or Husqvarna 550, depending on who works on your saws. If more budget conscious, Farm Boss is often available very lightly used. I wouldn't buy a used Husqvarna unless I was a trained tech.

I used to hate my Stihl due to difficulty starting or restarting but once I learned to listen for the faintest hint of the cold engine starting to turn over and taking off the choke, it starts quickly every time. It was operator error and not the saw. Now I enjoy it. My big stihl saw has a decompression valve and a child can pull that cord.

Husky and not even close...

Whatever you buy id buy entry commercial and not a home owner version. I have both husquvarna and Stihl. My older saws (80-90s era) are much better than my early 2000s saw. Need to ask JWalker. He’s the guy the wakes up and uses a saw everyday.

Personally I’d look at a husquvarna 61. They don’t make them anymore but they’re a great saw. Buy used.

I got, I think a 280 Stihl about 20 years ago and it will eat some wood. No tool tensioner is worth it imo.