My Hutzl Experiance

[jon@camano]

After building a MS 660 and two MS440 kits, I have decided that building more Hutzl kits are not worth the investment and frustration of trying to deal directly with Hutzl. I had a very bad experience trying to get a damaged order taken care of. I will say that Hutzl is consistent - with some poorly done parts, fit issues, some orders received damaged and very, very poor customer service. Every kit I have assembled has required expensive OEM parts. This brings up another point - the Stihl OEM parts are very over-priced. Obviously Stihl wants to sell new saws instead of selling us parts to repair our saws.

It is too bad because the idea of building working chainsaw kits is very clever. Hutzle's execution of their business model is where the problems are.

I do not regret building the saw kits. I understand the Stihl saws much better and can assemble or take one apart fairly easily.

Jon

 

[Stump Shot]

Just a thought here, doesn't always have to be OEM parts as replacements. My race 660 for example has zero OEM parts. Not that what you are saying isn't 100% true. It's been the problem with Chinese parts from the get go, they are getting better, but at a very slow rate. Parts from Taiwan seem to have much better consistent quality.
Here's what another member is doing to try and make a viable saw.

 

[MustangMike]

I have only played with the MS 660 kits (3). IMO, if you get the optional Cross P+C with it (comes w/caber rings) and use OEM piston pin clips, piston pin bearing, a O ring (from auto store) for the Fuel cap, and "play" with the chain adjuster, they make a pretty decent saw.

 

[Jimmy in NC]

I have only played with the MS 660 kits (3). IMO, if you get the optional Cross P+C with it (comes w/caber rings) and use OEM piston pin clips, piston pin bearing, a O ring (from auto store) for the Fuel cap, and "play" with the chain adjuster, they make a pretty decent saw.

Do you remember what size the O-ring was?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[jon@camano]

Just a thought here, doesn't always have to be OEM parts as replacements. My race 660 for example has zero OEM parts. Not that what you are saying isn't 100% true. It's been the problem with Chinese parts from the get go, they are getting better, but at a very slow rate. Parts from Taiwan seem to have much better consistent quality.
Here's what another member is doing to try and make a viable saw.

I agree that there are good parts from Taiwan. Why should we need to upgrade poorly done parts from Hutzl? My main points are poor customer service from Hutzl and their inconsistent and sometimes poor quality parts. We are buying complete parts kits. Good luck for anyone dealing directly with Hutzl.

Jon

 

[cre73]

I have bought both my kits through HLsupply and the one issue I had they took care of quickly. I did order some bars and chains through huztl and they came in a timely manner. Shipping costs took most of the good price from it. Bars appear to be pretty decent.

 

[MustangMike]

Do you remember what size the O-ring was?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

No, I just brought the cap into the store and asked them to fit it snug.

 

[Gary Courtney]

If I have a problem I contact their rep. Bedford T.

 

[Jimmy in NC]

If I have a problem I contact their rep. Bedford T.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

If I have a problem I contact their rep. Bedford T.

 

[Stump Shot]

If I have a problem I contact their rep. Bedford T.

Lol, spit out my darn coffee on that one!

 

[Definitive Dave]

Thats a pretty fair assesment of the huztl experience.
Also why buying from HL is better than from farmertec direct,
Quality will likely never aproach oem, if they spent what it would cost to close the gap, they would sell nearly none of then.
Fun puzzle and a nice clean way to build and learn.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I really don't think the majority of Stihl OEM parts are necessarily overpriced. Compared to other small equipment and the marginal spare part price increase over the marginal cost of a complete saw is no different.

Nonetheless, what OEM costs compared to what you get can be shocking. The high wear parts are what get me though. 35 dollars for an HD filter is pretty brutal.

I like Hyway and Cross parts for aftermarket.

 

[MustangMike]

Some are, some are not. OEM Piston pin bearings for $10 are very reasonable!

 

[bottlefed]

Agreed on Farmertec's business model, its a joke. What would it cost to include a packing list with a parts description....for 10-20 cents this alone would reduce by 50% the aggravation many users feel.

 

[RedGas]

What would it cost to include a packing list with a parts description....for 10-20 cents this alone would reduce by 50% the aggravation many users feel.

Yabbut then they couldn't load their boxes for shipping with a snow shovel and scale.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

Agreed on Farmertec's business model, its a joke. What would it cost to include a packing list with a parts description....for 10-20 cents this alone would reduce by 50% the aggravation many users feel.

But I think it’s a standard way, to help the customer to pay f-all import duty.

So if none are sent then there no confusion, Well that’s how I see it

 

[thesawincanada]

Huztl is getting better at it as time gos on, that’s because of the feed back from you people on here. On the other hand I have noticed Stihl has dropped the prices on parts recently. Which I find funny

 

[Oregon]

Their websites plainly states that these kits are to repair chainsaws and that using them for other purposes is not recommended. That being said, I believe that they are decent for what they are. A box of after market parts. The fact that some of you guys can turn them into decent saws is quite impressive. How often do we have to take a new OEM saw back to the dealer because of some issue? More than anyone wants to admit. Keep doing what you guys do, I’m constantly learning new things about these things. When I get to putting a couple together for my own entertainment, I feel that I have a leg up because of this sight and the “tube”.

Cheers guys

 

[MustangMike]

Welcome to the Loony Bin, hope you enjoy all the Insane Knowledge!