3120 and 880 opinions

[Normzilla]

Hello band. As We get the tree service rolling. Was going to buy a 3120. I remember some have had problems are they ironed out and reliable? Im a Husqvarna man through and through. Run most all brands, mainly Stihl and husky. But husky is my choice. A friend recommend the 880 because of reliability. So wanted to get opinions. It will be used for tree work, big cuts stumps etc. Not milling or logging. Thanks Norm....

 

[Definitive Dave]

I have owned and run both.
Both have plenty of power pulling 60" and larger bars.
Both are heavy.
Both will benefit from some professional manipulation of the cylinder
I like the antivibes of the 880 better and it feels more balanced to me with a 42" bar (only size I had for both at the time besides a 20").
Run better than 50:1 mix in them and keep sharp chain and clean air filters and either will do you solid.
Good local dealer support would be a deciding factor for me.
If the big boy breaks you want to be able to get it fixed or parts for it ASAP.

 

[DELETED (Struggle)]

I have two of them one tree monkey ported and was bought in near new condition. The other one (non-ported) bought used and runs great as well. I have 59"41"and 36" bars for them and not a problem with ether one running them. I did put a 9 pin on the ported 880 and it noticeable being ported cuts faster and all around stronger. Nether saw has had a break down.


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[Adirondackstihl]

880

 

[Deets066]

I've never ran a 3120 but did talk to a logger that's been in the business for a long time. Said he hated the 3120 with a passion and the 880 was barely any better. Said he'd take an 084 anyday.

He now uses a 395

 

[Chainsaw Jim]

You should head on in to town and meet the dealers to see who you like more. it looks like you have some good options for both brands.
The 880 needs a muffler mod right out of the box of its anything like mine. Maybe there will be some luck with one of the shops doing hop up work.

 

[Definitive Dave]

I love my 084, but it has several rare parts and is old enough overall that I hesitate to recommend it for the big saw for a commercial crew.
If you find one at a good price with a good muffler grab it up, it will make more smiles than a 3120 or 880 or 088.

 

[Jimmy in NC]

3120 needs a bunch of carb work right off ... after that they can run.

 

[Definitive Dave]

To me it sounds like the OP wants to buy a new saw for his business.
Both have shortcomings in stock form that can be improved upon by a saw surgeon, but I think they are pretty even stock for his stated use.
Warranty might be important depending on how many guys are going to use the saw.
Dave

 

[Onan18]

IMHO the 3120 performs better out of the box than the MS 880. I am not just saying that as a Husqvarna dealer, I am saying it as a former Stihl dealer that sold 880s new and as someone who has personally run both. The 3120 is a good LONG bar saw out of the box, can it be better, yes, does it have shortcomings, yes, but it is decent enough in stock trim that I don't consider it a turd. My personal belief is the MS 880 NEEDS to be ported out of the box, they are just plain disappointing. I have ran 084s, MS 880s and 3120s, I own a 3120.

 

[Nitroman]

Buy a decent used 3120. Send it to MM, TM or other reputable builder for the treatment. You won't want anything else. Mine cuts so effortlessly the weight isn't a factor; it is a pleasure to use. The manual auxiliary oiler is the real deal; it will empty the oil reservoir in one tank.

 

[Deets066]

Buy a decent used 3120. Send it to MM, TM or other reputable builder for the treatment. You won't want anything else. Mine cuts so effortlessly the weight isn't a factor; it is a pleasure to use. The manual auxiliary oiler is the real deal; it will empty the oil reservoir in one tank.

I've got a mmws 088 that's pretty sporty. It comes down to what ya like.
Norm is kind of a husky guy so I bet he picks the 3120

 

[Normzilla]

Hey thank you all very much. Truly appreciate the input, very interesting and still can learn. I've run 084s, 76s, one 3120. That's my experience at work for the county. I'm in pretty good hands with 2 288s, one 395. 2101, and a 372. But rather than play musical bars. I have decided while money is there from my partner investor. Maybe I should just grab the big boy, dedicate that 60 inch Cannon to it. My dealer is great trusted, been with Em for years. They deal in husky, stihl, and echo.

 

[Al Smith]

I have 5 saws over 100cc displacement,105 Mac ,2100S Homelite, 2 125 macs and an 084 Stihl .For all intents they are shelf queens because it's very seldom a saw that size gets used . I've operated 3120's , 090 's ,166 Sachs-Dolmar but do not own any .

I have a 48" bar that fits the Macs and Homelite and a 42" for the 084 Stihl .Then again just how often does one need that long of a bar ? Lack of usage is the main reason a large displacement saw will last almost forever .

Stihl is the predominant leader in these parts .It's because Husqvarna tried a power play years ago and it backfired on them from what several dealers told me .The closest Husky dealer is 40 miles away and they claim he's a putz .

 

[mdavlee]

3120 and 880 are both have pigs with low rpm now. 3120 is cheaper by a decent bit usually and you have bars that fit already.

 

[Normzilla]

Thank you all. Still thinking it over. And yeah have never really felt undersized on saws. Do get into big wood most often around here. So probably could have used the bar for sure, and probably needed the bigger bar before the bigger saw. Do have the opportunity with my parter, and then it could be written of tax wise. I have accumulated alot of gear over the years for tree work. Some used routinely, some not. But all has been used and needed. And most times that one job it's truly needed it pays for itself, as well as job profit return of course. My friend Matt is a production cutter, and a real good one. He suggested another 395. As he's run all saws mentioned in the woods. In large timber. So I'm weighing that too, as I love mine and the 395 is more than worthy....

 

[Definitive Dave]

395 is more versatile, and if it is slower running a 36" bar, you can probably live eith it
Dave

 

[DELETED (Struggle)]

Your not going to win races with the big saws for sure. Their purpose is best running .404 bucking large wood and for flushing big stumps. I think your in the right mind set for getting one. I leave mine for flushing stumps and bucking large trunks. Not saws you pick to handle all day. More of a pinch hitter. They get the job done at the right time and the you put them away.


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[Deets066]

120cc really shine stumping, it's hard on parts. Mostly clutches.

 

[Four Paws]

Since your dealer sells Echo, try out a CS-1201.