Are Stihl saws as good as they were?

[indiansprings]

Work on them everyday, in many ways they have improved, Stihl's warranty is second to no one, we've never had a issue getting legitimate warranty work done, they have went well beyond what I would expect in many instances, about the only work we do anymore is on the fuel systems due to the crappy gas and fuel being left in the saw for months on end, the replacement for the 250, the 251 is going to be a big improvement, build on basically the same platform as the 261, will use the same air filter and anti-vibe system, major upgrade, same with the 271 and 291. The 261 was a big improvement over the 260, the 461 is provong to be superior to the old 460, compared to the other brand we have sold for over 34 years, Echo, I would take a new Stihl over a new Echo anyday, the five year warranty is a joke, warranties are only as good as the dealer anyway. The old Echo's were great machines as good as any saw ever sold these new ones are designed to sell at Home Depot. I would stay with a Stihl or Husky XP.
The quality of the Stihl's built in VA Beach actually have a lower defective rate than those built in Germany. There is so much coming down the pike from Stihl but they release it when Stihl Germany says it fits their plan, can't wait on the 261CM, 241CM, 661 and the new line of "I" saws, digital fuel injected chainsaws, but it will prolly be 2014 before we see them. I know I would take my 261 over my 30+ year old 028 anyday, and it stihl cuts as good as it was new, I expect the 261 to exceed it but I won't live to see it, it'll be the boys that are using them at that point.

 

[CATDIESEL]

i would bet there were a fair amount of 056 and 076's dropping timber in the 70's and early 80's as well. i bet those fellas would have been in 7th heaven to have a saw like the ms661 that is soon to be out.

 

[Timber Jim]

Work on them everyday, in many ways they have improved, Stihl's warranty is second to no one, we've never had a issue getting legitimate warranty work done, they have went well beyond what I would expect in many instances, about the only work we do anymore is on the fuel systems due to the crappy gas and fuel being left in the saw for months on end, the replacement for the 250, the 251 is going to be a big improvement, build on basically the same platform as the 261, will use the same air filter and anti-vibe system, major upgrade, same with the 271 and 291. The 261 was a big improvement over the 260, the 461 is provong to be superior to the old 460, compared to the other brand we have sold for over 34 years, Echo, I would take a new Stihl over a new Echo anyday, the five year warranty is a joke, warranties are only as good as the dealer anyway. The old Echo's were great machines as good as any saw ever sold these new ones are designed to sell at Home Depot. I would stay with a Stihl or Husky XP.
The quality of the Stihl's built in VA Beach actually have a lower defective rate than those built in Germany. There is so much coming down the pike from Stihl but they release it when Stihl Germany says it fits their plan, can't wait on the 261CM, 241CM, 661 and the new line of "I" saws, digital fuel injected chainsaws, but it will prolly be 2014 before we see them. I know I would take my 261 over my 30+ year old 028 anyday, and it stihl cuts as good as it was new, I expect the 261 to exceed it but I won't live to see it, it'll be the boys that are using them at that point.

QUOTE OF THE DAY "warranties are only as good as the dealers anyway" my point exactly ....ya think the manufacturer would do something about it ...heck anyone can have a poetic license or for that matter be a poet. Especially when the Stihl technician works for the dealer.

 

[roberte]

i would bet there were a fair amount of 056 and 076's dropping timber in the 70's and early 80's as well. i bet those fellas would have been in 7th heaven to have a saw like the ms661 that is soon to be out.

I would have too agree on that statement, at least the first part

 

[Timber Jim]

out side of the occasional defect from new, not too much warranty business going to go on with most good quality saws. if you intend on using/getting warranty because you do not know how to tune a saw, well you might want to consider electric, baattery, or a hand saw.

"not too much warranty business going to go on with most good quality saws."......Wow so because the company thinks they have a GOOD QUALITY SAW they dont have to warranty it all the time just some of the time.... makes me wanna run out and buy several more Stihl saws.

 

[Timber Jim]

Yes they do build vacuum cleaners, also in their new catalog here in Europe (STIHL Catalogus 2013 p154)

I'm sure I'll have better help with my Stihl dealer than I would have with my Echo dealer (warranty or not). It all depends on the person in question imo.

You may be right I just havent had to use the warranty with my Echo yet.

 

[CATDIESEL]

"not too much warranty business going to go on with most good quality saws."......Wow so because the company thinks they have a GOOD QUALITY SAW they dont have to warranty it all the time just some of the time.... makes me wanna run out and buy several more Stihl saws.

probably best for you if you hold on to your echo, and its 5 year warranty. it sounds as if you and your saw will need all the help you can get.

 

[stihl sawing]

Probably the only folks that will use the warrenty is loggers that use them all day every day. I doubt that any firewooder or homeowner could ever put enough hours on a pro saw to wear it out under the warrenty period. So warrenty is not a big thing to me if it's a pro saw. Never had to take my pro saws in for anything. i did have to take the 250 in a couple times. the dealer wasn't very nice either.

 

[Timber Jim]

probably best for you if you hold on to your echo, and its 5 year warranty. it sounds as if you and your saw will need all the help you can get.

I'm not saying that an Echo dealer is any better than a Stihl. Just havent had to use an Echo dealer yet and its an older saw than my 290. FYI I'm an ASE Master Tech WILL NEVER LET ANY TECHNICIAN FIX MY SAWS OR ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER.

 

[bcorradi]

Both stihl and Husky missed the big PNW OG show, you will just have to live with that.
I'm betting the big Pioneers cut far more OG than stihl and Husky put together.
Oh, I'm sure that monster 4.31 cubic inch 044 really put down the big timber.

Sure the new chainsaws dominate the market, no dispute there, but to say one particular model out cut the big Homelites is idiocy.

Ok gotcha...we are living in yesterday with slow saws.

Where can I get a new homelite or pioneer that u speak of? Or a Mac?

 

[bcorradi]

We aren't living in the 70's anymore...

 

[NORMZILLA44]

easy there California, don't go get yourself up in a lather. if you like playing with those old over-weight dinosaurs, then so be it. now, wasn't this thread about Stihl anyway? it is all in good fun.

Easy friend, Randy is a good friend, and well respected around here. Also one of few in here who actually fell real timber. Lets give credit, and respect where it's due.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

I think stihl did pretty good....imo. To this day a stihl 044 has put more board feet on the ground than any of your homelites have.

Keep livin in the past lol.

Not rrue, some of those trees from the past, you would have to cut half the year to equal the footage in old growth.

 

[RandyMac]

It's ok Norm, he is just being double tapered.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

i would bet there were a fair amount of 056 and 076's dropping timber in the 70's and early 80's as well. i bet those fellas would have been in 7th heaven to have a saw like the ms661 that is soon to be out.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but believe both the 076, and 056 were not introduced until 1980.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Good to see ya Randy, just raises my hackles, when someone dirsrespects my friends. Especially calling them old, when I was raised to respect elders, not make fun of there age. I rubbed elbows with older crowds amazing the knowledge if one will listen. That is why I am still alive today.

 

[SawTroll]

OK, most of the saws shown in different TV shows about tree felling actually are Husky 385 and 390xp saws - but some are MS660, who really cares?

 

[NORMZILLA44]

750 homelite, and a 48in Cannon put this on the ground. Far from a dinosaur even today. Husky pic is my line up and the old 2101 gets used the most. O.P I am a mixed bag on saw likes, some old, some in the middle. And a few today. The new saws are lackluster, and need to be modified to perform, and with all the epa regs. No matter what that will sacrifice certain quality, and in this world today, what is built as goo as it used to be? That is a great question, answer is not too many things. Yes saws have taken certain hits. Yes they are still good, bought saws bought maybe ten to twenty or thirty years ago, right off the shelf put a smile on your face. And are still running today.

 

[SawTroll]

We aren't living in the 70's anymore...

No, that was when Jonsereds no doubt made the best saws...
....and then Husky started to take over, and by 1990/91 they made all the desent Jonsered saws, regardless of the origin of the design - but the last trace of Partner design didn't disappear before 2003 or so, with the 2095, 2077 and 2055.

 

[SawTroll]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but believe both the 076, and 056 were not introduced until 1980.

Both were introduced in 1980, according to my info. :msp_smile: