The chainsaw is one of the most common tools used by homeowners in North America. Stihl and Husqvarna are two brands that produce a wide range of different models. This article will help you decide which brand to go with based on your preferred features, cutting performance and warranty coverage.
Stihl and Husqvarna are two of the most popular chainsaws in the market. Each has its own unique features that make it a favorite for consumers. Stihl is known for its power, while Husqvarna is known for its light weight. The “stihl vs husqvarna vs echo chainsaw” is a comparison of these two chainsaws to help you decide which one to buy.
When it comes to epic rivalry between prominent companies, Stihl versus Husqvarna chainsaws is right up there with Apple vs Android, Windows vs macOS, Pepsi vs Coke, Nike vs Reebok, and Starbucks vs Dunkin’ Donuts.
While deciding which brand is best may seem like splitting hairs, those in the know know that there are a few tangible differences between the two brands’ offerings that make them a better or worse choice for your yard projects, whether you’re felling trees, pruning, or simply trimming firewood down to size.
Contents
What to Look for in a Chainsaw
To offer you an in-depth insight, we’ll go through the unique attributes of each chainsaw choice in the following sections.
Chainsaws that run on gas
To get right to the point, gas chain saws are typically the ideal choice for more heavy-duty and large-scale jobs like falling trees, cutting hefty branches, or chopping up any of the above for fuel.
Due to their cable- and battery-free deployment, gas-powered devices are also the most transportable, and provide higher cutting capabilities due to their bigger engine size and resulting increase in raw power.
While gas-powered chainsaws are louder, heavier, need more maintenance, and have continuing fuel expenditures, their power makes cutting considerably simpler, and their mobility makes them the ideal choice if you want to use your chainsaw far from a power source.
Chainsaws that run on electricity
Chainsaws that run on electricity are ideally suited to smaller projects such as pruning, trimming, and cutting up smaller branches near a power source.
Electric chainsaws are often more lighter, simpler to handle, cheaper, reduced maintenance, easier to operate, quieter, and don’t have the same continuous fuel expenditures and significant emissions as gas-powered chainsaws.
If you have minor jobs to do that are near to a power source and don’t mind having an electric wire hanging about, an electric chainsaw would most likely suffice.
capacity of the engine
The majority of gas-powered chainsaws have engines ranging from 32cc to 60cc. As you would expect, those at the lower end of the range are best for little projects, but they’re generally slower cutters that lack the power needed for serious logging or falling.
Given the foregoing, it may be tempting to choose a more powerful model in the 50-60cc range, but keep in mind that, while powerful, such machines often have several disadvantages, including increased bulk and weight (and thus less maneuverability), increased fuel consumption, and can cost up to twice as much as low-powered machines.
Length of the guide bar
In other words, the length of a machine’s guide bar determines the thickness of wood it can cut through and how simple it is to handle.
Shorter guide bars, on the whole, are simpler to handle, but they can only cut through thinner logs or trees, making them a better option for trimming and resizing firewood but not so much for falling trees.
Some machines may work with different guide bar widths (typically from 14″ to 20″) to get around this difficulty, but you’ll have to spend another hefty sum to obtain a second blade.
Weight
While some lightweight chainsaws may weigh as low as 10 pounds, many bigger versions approach, if not exceed, twenty pounds.
This, of course, has a significant impact on how simple the equipment will be to use. Weightier models may be a choice if you have Popeye-like forearms and don’t mind lugging about the weight of a well-fed kid for as long as you’re cutting, but keep in mind that having less control over your machine makes accidents more probable.
As you would expect, there’s always a trade-off between weight and performance, with bigger versions often providing greater power, having larger blades, and carrying more fuel. If none of these are critical, we strongly advise choosing a machine that is more controllable at the lower end of the weight spectrum.
Tensioning Chains Without Using Tools
This function may seem to be a nice-to-have but unnecessary extra if you’ve never had to stop multiple times during a cutting session, dig out your equipment, and manually change the chain tension on your saw.
Chain tensioning is an essential aspect of chainsaw operation, and most units need it on a regular basis. As a result, tool-less tensioning may save you a lot of time while also increasing your chances of avoiding damage to your saw, chain, or bar as a result of a badly tensioned chain on those instances when you choose to rush through a job instead of stopping to lube up.
If simplicity of use and convenience are important to you, search for a model that has a tool-free tensioning system, such as a wheel tensioner—it may cost you a little more money, but it will save you a lot of time and bother, especially if you plan to use your machine regularly or on bigger tasks.
System for a Quick Start
Another feature conducive to ease-of-use and convenience is the System for a Quick Start, something that is a feature in most, but not all, gas-powered models of a chainsaw.
Both Stihl (Ergostart) and Husqvarna (Smart Start) use System for a Quick Starts in their chainsaw units. For our money, the better of the two is the Ergostart, which is very easy to pull without throwing yourself off balance thanks to a proprietary spring in the recoil mechanism.
Oiler that works automatically
To maintain your chainsaw cutting effectively, make sure it’s fully greased. When a chain isn’t properly oiled, friction between the chain and the wood rises, increasing the danger of a chain failure.
Damage to the engine or chain, or, in the worst-case situation, kickback, which is the most common cause of chainsaw injuries.
Oiler that works automaticallys release a steady trickle of oil while the machine is in operation and is a common feature on most chainsaws, but some Oiler that works automaticallys are better than others. Naturally, most brands tout their Oiler that works automaticallys as super-efficient and clean, and gauging to what extent this is true can be tricky. The only way to really do so is to read through user reviews and check how wasteful with oil and messy any machine is, and how liable the blade is to sticking due to a lack of oil in the system.
Features of Safety
We probably don’t need to tell you that chainsaws are dangerous, nor that buying a device that scores highly on Features of Safety is the way to go. But the Features of Safety in different devices vary greatly in their effectiveness. In short, just having them isn’t enough. Below, we’ve identified how the most common features work and what you should look for when buying.
On/Off Switch
Many chainsaws feature a On/Off Switch that prevents the trigger from being accidentally engaged by a branch or log, or by your hand when moving between cuts. While this feature comes as standard on most devices, it’s well worth checking before buying—if it ain’t there, we’d advise you to spend your money elsewhere.
Brake Chain
The Brake Chain is normally located on a chainsaw’s front handle and is triggered when kickback pushes the user’s hand against the switch, at which point the chain stops instantly to prevent serious injury. While avoiding kickback mainly comes down to correct usage, this feature is well worth having for those odd occasions when your concentration slips, a tough cut takes you further down the bar than you intend, or when moving between cuts.
Brand Comparison: Stihl vs. Husqvarna
Husqvarna
This Swedish firm has been around since the late 17th century (no joke) and was founded as a musket maker. Husqvarna no longer produces muskets, but the company now produces a broad selection of garden and backcountry equipment such as knives and camping axes.
Husqvarna has a long history of manufacturing high-quality, long-lasting yard equipment, and their chainsaw lineup is no exception.
But how do its chainsaws stack up against Stihl’s? The key changes are listed below.
- Husqvarna machines are usually more powerful and cut quicker than Stihl models of same size and price.
- Husqvarna machines are a tad heavier than other brands.
- The gasoline tanks on Husqvarna machines are bigger (and, thus, longer runtimes)
- Husqvarna machines are less gas-hungry.
- Longer warranties are available.
Stihl
Stihl was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1926 and is now headquartered in Virginia. The company, like Husqvarna, makes a broad variety of power tools but is best known for its high-quality chainsaws.
The following are some general observations we may make regarding Stihl chainsaws:
- Stihl machines are lighter and simpler to operate thanks to smaller fuel tanks…
- …but it also means they’ll need to recharge more often.
- They perform better on harder woods since they have less torque.
- Stihl machines are less expensive than Husqvarna machines.
- The majority of computers have shorter warranties.
Both Brands at Their Finest
Let’s have a look at two of the top chainsaws available from both Husqvarna and Stihl now that we’ve seen what makes a great chainsaw and learned a bit more about their origins.
1. Husqvarna 460 Rancher 18-Inch Gas Chainsaw
Husqvarna 460 Rancher 18-Inch Gas Chainsaw
- The 460 Rancher chainsaw is a powerful all-around saw for operations requiring a longer bar.
- 2 cycle engine with intertia activated Brake Chain for safety while operating
- Bar cover and 2. 6 ounce 2 cycle gasoline are included with the orange Husqvarna chainsaw, however bar and chain oil must be bought separately.
- For safe and effective usage, an automatic chain oiler offers a consistent supply of bar and chain oil.
- While operating, a simple side-mounted chain tensioning mechanism enables for rapid chain adjustments.
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This beast of a machine comes in 20 and 24-inch versions, but for most non-commercial users, the Rancher’s Bar with an 18-inch diameter will sufficient.
This isn’t the cheapest chainsaw out there, granted, but in return for your outlay you get a very powerful, 50.2cc, 2-cycle engine with low emissions, a SmartStart System for a Quick Start, a relatively manageable weight of 12.8 lbs, and oodles of quality throughout the unit.
The flexibility of this chainsaw, with its user-friendly features and light, controllable weight, makes it suitable for anything from massive tree falling to more delicate tasks like pruning or chopping firewood.
Other nice features include an Oiler that works automatically, an easy-to-use tensioning system, and a vibration reduction system that’s surprisingly effective for such a powerful machine.
To top it off, this chainsaw comes with a 4-year guarantee, which is three years longer than competitor Stihl’s.
What We Enjoy
- Bar with an 18-inch diameter
- Engine produces 3.2 horsepower and has a displacement of 50.2 cc.
- Cleaning is made easier with the quick-release air filter.
- Exceptional fuel economy
- Vibration reduction method that works
- It is simple to begin.
- Brake Chain and inertia Brake Chain
- Automatic chain oiler that works
- Side-mounted chain tensioning system that is simple and fast
- Warranty period: 4 years
What We Don’t Care For
- Pricey
- It’s a petrol guzzler, to be sure.
2. Stihl MS 251 C-BE Bar with an 18-inch diameter 45.6 cc
This feature-packed chainsaw is ideal for individuals looking for a simple-to-use, lightweight instrument with little sacrifices in terms of overall performance.
This chainsaw is suitable for individuals who want to use it for less heavy-duty jobs like falling small trees, trimming and thinning, and chopping firewood since it weighs just 11.9 pounds.
And for such a lightweight machine, the MS 251 also provides plenty of power and cutting performance on a par with many far heavier chainsaws thanks to its 45.6 cc engine, Bar with an 18-inch diameter, and STIHL’s Easy2Start starting system.
This machine also comes with a bespoke chain-tightener that doesn’t require additional tools, offers up to 20% fuel savings and 50% reduced emissions compared to previous iterations of this model, has an effective vibration-reduction system, and boasts a handful of Features of Safety, most notably a Quickstop chain braking system, front and rear hand guards, and a ‘Master Control Lever’ that reduces the risk of accidents by forcing the user to pull the throttle trigger before operating the choke.
What We Enjoy
- 14″, 16″, and 18″ bars are all compatible.
- The 45.6 cc engine produces little under 3 horsepower.
- Effortless (11.9 lbs)
- The Vibration reduction method that works
- Chain tensioning in a flash
- Oiler that works automatically
- It is simple to begin.
What We Don’t Care For
- Warranty period is limited (one year)
- Pricey
- Fuel usage is high.
Stihl Chainsaws vs. Husqvarna Chainsaws
Which of these two incredible companies gives the greatest chainsaw will ultimately come down to what you want your chainsaw to accomplish.
In the end, we’d say that both manufacturers provide such high-quality products that you can’t really go wrong, but if pressed to choose between the two, we’d say:
Husqvarna models are likely to be your best pick if you’ll be using the saw regularly on harder and bigger projects because of the extra power and runtime. If you choose an easy-to-use machine that needs less maintenance and is better suited to minor operations that demand simpler handling and mobility, a similar model from Stihl will usually suffice and save you a few dollars.
The “stihl vs husqvarna chainsaw maintenance” is a question that has been asked for years. There are many factors that go into deciding which type of saw is best, but the most important factor is personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the better chainsaw Husqvarna or Stihl?
A: Stihl is a better chainsaw than Husqvarna.
What is the most reliable chainsaw?
A: The most reliable chainsaw is the Husqvarna 9.325-12 400 cc Electric Chainsaw, Model 40148 for a long time it was regarded as one of the best electric chainsaws on the market today due to its durability and reliability.
Which chainsaw brand is the best?
A: The best chainsaw brand that is currently available on the market today would be Husqvarna. This company produces high-quality and durable equipment which suits most needs as well as being reasonably priced for consumers.
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