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Key:
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,581 Likes: 17
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,581 Likes: 17 |
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.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 254 Likes: 1
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 254 Likes: 1 |
What’s wrong with your current one? I just rebuilt a 455 and it wasn’t too complicated.
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,814 Likes: 14
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,814 Likes: 14 |
Bynum’s in Fayette can rebuild your 455
ALDeer physics: for every opinion, there's an equal & opposite opinion
A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,006 Likes: 12
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,006 Likes: 12 |
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.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,581 Likes: 17
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,581 Likes: 17 |
What’s wrong with your current one? I just rebuilt a 455 and it wasn’t too complicated. 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.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,447 Likes: 17
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,447 Likes: 17 |
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
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 550
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 550 |
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 516 Likes: 1
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 516 Likes: 1 |
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 517 Likes: 2
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 517 Likes: 2 |
Stihl 261 is the only answer
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,738 Likes: 64
Pope of Aldeer and Expert
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Pope of Aldeer and Expert
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,738 Likes: 64 |
Makers that use plastic instead of metal should be crotch kicked and set on fire.
Support our country. Kill chickens.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15,416 Likes: 16
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 15,416 Likes: 16 |
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.
83% of all statistics are made up.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 3
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 3 |
Stihl 261 is the only answer
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 453 Likes: 1
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 453 Likes: 1 |
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.
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 236 Likes: 2
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 236 Likes: 2 |
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 604 Likes: 4
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 604 Likes: 4 |
My Stihl farm boss is a rugged cutting running sob and I’ve had 12 yrs.
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,840 Likes: 45
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,840 Likes: 45 |
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.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5,760 Likes: 75
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 5,760 Likes: 75 |
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.
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it"
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,571 Likes: 1
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,571 Likes: 1 |
Husky and not even close...
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,497 Likes: 4
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,497 Likes: 4 |
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.
Last edited by Cactus_buck; 01/20/26 10:44 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,168 Likes: 6
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,168 Likes: 6 |
I got, I think a 280 Stihl about 20 years ago and it will eat some wood. No tool tensioner is worth it imo.
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