Falling saws

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cottonwood1

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Hello,
I tried to find something on this already and I am sure I simply missed it, but for the fallers running Husky 390's on a daily basis are you seeing them hold up well yet or are there common issues with them you see from daily use? Any guys switch from Stihl 660's over to the 390? Thanks!
 
I'm tempted to move this to Chainsaws, but I'll let it sit here a bit and see what conversation follows.

I will say this -- it seems highly regional. Seems the guys in BC are all Husky devotees, while just south Stihl is dominant. Jred has its fans back east. It's really too bad there's not more variety, but that's business, I guess.
 
Madhatte,
Thanks for the reply was hoping to hear from the fallers out there so that is why I thought here, but whatever you think is better. I wondered why the guys up north run Husky saws so much more, they must have good service up that way. I have been running a 044 and 064 for awhile now the 064 is tired and been redone so kind of want a different model. I had a 394 for a bit and liked it and ever since I sold it I have been kind of wanting another Husky, but not sure how the 390xp holds up. I know they are very popular so they must be doing well. I keep tossing the 461 and 661 in the mix as well, but I have heard some bad on the 661 in the past.
 
I have owned the husky 390 now for 4/5 years and no issues with it ! if and when it ever comes to an end with the 390 I will buy another with out a second thought! except with more power! and when I retire in a few more decades I will eventually get the dream saw (3120xp,west coast handle) just for ghits and siggles!
 
We run 461s, I've been running mine for four years and replaced the sprocket, brake spring and clutch bearing...pretty good i think.
 
I've had five 390s over the last five years. That's the only saw I run and I cut with it 5/6 days a week. One was a lemon that got ironed out after a month or so. The intake boots have gotten better finally. Otherwise a great saw. Every saw has its drawbacks. Just depends on if you have enough time on them to see what they are. The Stihl dealer in town here is not overly helpful. The husky dealer is awesome. Thats a big deal when your saw feeds your family.
 
Dealers are key...

Have 2 husky dealers outside of hardware stores, one is an industrial supply type place that is hard to get any kind of service out of, the other is a motorcycle dealer... that would really, really like to sell me the now sport touring whatever plastic junk, instead of a saw or saw parts.

The Stihl Dealer in town is awesome, folks drive from other counties to have them service their saws
 
11, 390 - 3 SthilsIMG_20160912_184730386.jpg Don't get the 372, mine, the handle bar broke and the trigger smashed out. All in under 30 days. What is anoying is I replaced two trigger locks and a few chokes in 30 days . None of them have on/off switches. They just separate...both oilers have seemed to fail at the same time and another trigger lock broke the other day. The only reason I keep buying chokes is so I can shut it off. That's what you get for supporting the 'same model for 20.5 yrs. I think its letter time. See what junk they will give me. On the bight note. The engines all stellar. 21 year old AV mounting technology and I wouldn't trade 'em for the world. 390 are pretty durable pro saw. The bearing/seal is there weak spot. They full fill a pro fallers time expectations with little issue. I am looking forward to see the 462 with AV mounting. I know lots of fallers that ran Sthils for years when to the 390 and said sthil ruined there hands. I know some guys that when to sthil20161007_171923.jpg
 
661's are crap and husky 390's are not.

I guess I run a piece of crap... bummer I didn't know.
My piece of crap runs awesome. Amazing what crap will cut down. Excellent turd in my opinion.
and only 1 pound more than a 461 which I used to run.

I feel so insecure about running a piece of crap now

It also is a dealer thing. My good dealer here only sells crap, so I bought crap.
I have a Husky 272 I use also and just put a new ring in it. My husky dealer here didn't have one.
My stihl dealer had one on the shelf. You do the math who I support.
 
The company I service saws for, used to run Stihl's but some years back the boss got a bigger/better bang for his buck with Husky we run 3120's & all 3 of the "lads"that fall prefer them to the Stihl's, maintenance & reliability wise has worked out much the same & we trade in the 2 saws with the most hours on every 2 years
 
Thanks for the reply's. I kind of figured it was depended on the service in your area of work. I have one okay husky dealer in my area and three good Stihl dealers. When I ran my husky 394xp I do remember having to have to order parts from the west coast suppliers more times then not. I didn't mind as I had back up saws, but a few times that bit me when I was really in need of the large saw and a short time to get a job done. Even being a Stihl nut I really liked that Husky and it was good to me for the most part so now I keep letting it sneak its way back into my mind when I need a new saw LOL! I think my worry of service and having to order parts is what has kept me from buying another so far.

Glad to hear the 661's are holding(was told by a friend they had issues, so I am glad I asked) also like hearing the 461 is used a good amount as I have one I keep looking at. Be a bit lighter then my 064 and I would assume a bit more noticeable power to my 044. Would be running a 28 to 32" on it all the time.

Thanks again for the opinions and help! Hope you all stay safe and God Bless!!
 
I've got no real time on either the 461 or the 661 yet but I've run each a little and was favorably impressed by both. Good a/v, big wide powerband, good ergonomics. I feel the same about the 390. Most of my time has been on 440/460/660 Stihls and 7900 Dolmar, as well as the 562 Husky I have now. Fact is pretty much every pro saw manufacturer these days is building mostly good machines. The 441 was kind of a dog but I hear they've ironed most of that out, although it's a little too late to salvage that pile. The 575 also dinged the reputation for the 576 which I hear is a fine machine but I'm not gonna throw money at finding out.
 
@bnmc98 how much time you got on that piece of crap so far. Didn't mean to make you insecure about said pos. You might be one of the lucky ones and ended up with a good one.
 
The company I service saws for, used to run Stihl's but some years back the boss got a bigger/better bang for his buck with Husky we run 3120's & all 3 of the "lads"that fall prefer them to the Stihl's, maintenance & reliability wise has worked out much the same & we trade in the 2 saws with the most hours on every 2 years
Am I missing something here?
I know one Faller from France "Captain" that was active on this site, I believe he used a 346 with 18" bar and 3/4 wrap.
Seems like every Euro/ Scandinavian vid I have clicked on; this was the trend.
Very low cuts and it's piece work he told me. He said there is work if you are fast.
You wouldn't see that in BC coast. It is rare to see a 395. they are all collecting dust.
*Edit, I guess I did miss something. Absolutely not for a felling application.
 
We've been running the 390's and 385's before that. They hold up well. Cracked intake boots in the cold before but no major problems. Occasional crank seals. One of the guys swears he can smell when a crank seal is going.
He may have something, bad crank seal means lean run = more heat causing the cylinder to smoke from burning off oil, sawdust combo. A guy in tune with his saw will always shut it down before serious damage occurs.
 
@bnmc98 how much time you got on that piece of crap so far. Didn't mean to make you insecure about said pos. You might be one of the lucky ones and ended up with a good one.
Oh about a year and a half , but I don't cut every day anymore so less running time than that. Used it real heavy at first.
Only thing I don't like about it is that you have to cut a bit at first for the mtronic to set the fuel right.

Yeah I'm pretty worried now that I know it's a pos, definitely won't be able to make the money I was before. Might have to throw it in the bushes real quick if someone comes around. You know, embarrassment and all.

I myself am not a big brand preference guy. I think it's the whole Ford Chevy dodge thing.
 
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