STIHL The Official Stihl Chainsaws Thread

[Partner]

The handle can be changed

 

[bogieboy]

Stopped in at the Massey Ferguson dealer today to order some tractor stuff and took a look at the Stihl section. I'm still amazed at how Stihl is asking 800 bux for an MS-391, and a bit over six for a 271. I mean, that's not chump change and if I'm spending it on a chainsaw it better be the best I can get. I'm not saying those saws are junk, but if little old Echo can deliver an actual pro quality saw for way less than that I'm not sure why big bad Stihl can't. Or rather, they don't want to. Local Echo dealer has the CS-501P for $489.00 and CS-620P for a bit under 7. These are made in USA or Japan magnesium crankcase saws intended for professional use priced less than a mostly plastic homeowner unit from Stihl.

Don't get me wrong, I'm far from a Stihl hater or against homeowner grade machines. Gave my FS-91 some exercise today and was impressed with it as always. What I am against, is being expected to pay about twice what something should cost when I can get a better machine for less money elsewhere.

Coming from someone who works on them...stihl certified and echo master tech... if you think the echos are anywhere near the quality of even a stihl homeowner saw... you would be wrong... once you have them in your hads and feel the controls, the materials, and the power delivery, you might think otherwise.... least thats my personal experience... take it from the echo master tech that doesnt own a single echo product.... but i have 8 stihl saws, a husqvarna saw, a poulan pro (black plastics husqvarna), 2 stihl weed wackers, and a stihl backpack blower...

 

[EFSM]

Coming from someone who works on them...stihl certified and echo master tech... if you think the echos are anywhere near the quality of even a stihl homeowner saw... you would be wrong...

That’s a pretty broad statement. Remember that for 50 years Echo’s bread and butter has been landscaping tools, not firewood saws. That’s why when building saws, they try to stay away from the high-quality carburetors like Zama and go with the cheap unreliable Walbros. Similarly, on the rancher saws they avoid the convenience and weight savings of the vastly superior clamshell and use magnesium crankcase instead.

Putting sarcasm aside, there are certain things that Echo saws are weak on compared to Stihl’s. One thing that comes to mind is chain tensioners, although the 7310 has a much more robust system. But there are places they are clearly superior, which include air filtration (especially pre-cleaning—except for the 501), oiler systems on both durability and performance, and engine component build quality.
Also take this from someone who has worked on many thousands of units including just about every brand out there. It’s interesting how we can come to such different conclusions.

 

[jacktheripper]

I cut up some firewood for a guy to use in his wall tent for bear season today. I got the MOFO 034 Super out to size up the pine and Russian Olive. I have a hard time picking up 60cc saws when I have such a great assortment of ported 70cc saws. But today I decided to give it a go. Holy cow. I forgot how awesome this saw is. It totally rips like a hot 70cc. It will probably be in the rotation more this summer.

 

[bogieboy]

That’s a pretty broad statement. Remember that for 50 years Echo’s bread and butter has been landscaping tools, not firewood saws. That’s why when building saws, they try to stay away from the high-quality carburetors like Zama and go with the cheap unreliable Walbros. Similarly, on the rancher saws they avoid the convenience and weight savings of the vastly superior clamshell and use magnesium crankcase instead.

Putting sarcasm aside, there are certain things that Echo saws are weak on compared to Stihl’s. One thing that comes to mind is chain tensioners, although the 7310 has a much more robust system. But there are places they are clearly superior, which include air filtration (especially pre-cleaning—except for the 501), oiler systems on both durability and performance, and engine component build quality.
Also take this from someone who has worked on many thousands of units including just about every brand out there. It’s interesting how we can come to such different conclusions.

A carb is a carb. I have had to repair or replace as many walbros as i have zama or rui-xing or any other brand... as far as filtration goes, i know people rag on stihl but i have not had any filtration issues on any of my saws...proper maintence and making sure the filters are seated correctly go a long way...

Guess its an agree to disagree sort of thing... my money is on stihl...

 

[Seachaser]

Coming from someone who works on them...stihl certified and echo master tech... if you think the echos are anywhere near the quality of even a stihl homeowner saw... you would be wrong... once you have them in your hads and feel the controls, the materials, and the power delivery, you might think otherwise.... least thats my personal experience... take it from the echo master tech that doesnt own a single echo product.... but i have 8 stihl saws, a husqvarna saw, a poulan pro (black plastics husqvarna), 2 stihl weed wackers, and a stihl backpack blower...

Thanks! How’s the Husky comparably?

 

[bogieboy]

Thanks! How’s the Husky comparably?

I dont have as much time on the huskys as i do stihl and echo... the small saws are essentially poulan... i have a 455 rancher, falls nicely between my ms261 and 362, with power being a hair closer to an ms362 IMO

 

[EFSM]

A carb is a carb.

Simply not true. Zama has way more issues with check valves and accelerator plunger o-rings. I can count on one hand the number of times I have replaced accelerator plunger o-rings on Walbro carburetors. I’ve replaced hundreds on Zamas. But all carbs will need new diaphragms if they sit for too long with ethanol.