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stihl 290 vs husqvarna 455

B

blue65coupe

Well-Known Member
I've looked and compared till I'm blue in the face. I know, ford vs chevy. I need something medium size and have narrowed it down to these two. I've also considered Dolmar but the closest dealer is an hour away. Anybody used one of these two for 5+ years and have a recommendation? I can blow through a craftsman or poulan in no time. I've got to step up and only want to do it once. It will see heavy use 3-4 times a year. Other times I'll use one of my other saws. When I say heavy use, I literally mean it will see a day of "loggers use".
 
I've had my Stihl 029 for 13 years, it's cut buttloads of wood without the first problem.
 
My father has had a Husky for 10+ years and has been problem free. It sees use about 3-4 times a month cutting through some fairly mature hardwood trees.
 
My Stihl 045 is about 25-27 years old, and still going strong. It was my dads, who was a logger. Now it just gets occasional use. Now, the Johnsred that I've got is older that I am, and I'm 40.

-rob
 
I hear a lot of good things about the J's but finding one is the difficult part. The stihl 290 is about $50 cheaper than the 455 but you get a couple more features with the 455s. The 390 and 460 are close in price but I don't think that extra $ is gonna make a difference. The 310 is more in line with the 455. I guess I'm gonna have to fire each one up at the dealer and take 'em for a test drive. Anybody have any BAD luck with either one?
 
My dad has cut his own firewood for eons. He also sells and repairs chainsaws, mowers, etc.

He quit selling everything but Husqvarna. Swears by them.
 
so how did this turn out? Funny, i find myself in the same boat at the moment. Im really leaning towards the husky 455, mainly because i can get one with a 20% off coupon at lowes. D, what did you end up doing? How do you like it?
 
I used to cut right-of-way professionally for electric companies several years back. I've used both for 10-12 hrs a day. I can firmly say that Stihl is my choice. Husqvarna is a fine saw, but after going through several of them, they just don't hold up. The problem with the husq is that they have an oil wheel that slings oil at the bar, this clogs and causes dry bar and chain issues. The Stihl has a jet that squirts pressurized oil and it doesn't clog nearly as easily.

My 2 abes.

Bill
 
I went with the 455. I love it. The stihl is the choice of pros I guess but saved some money as you can with the husqvarna. It's got some weight which makes it good for typical cutting but I've literally spent 5-6 hours with it over my head. Not too bad but knew it the next day. I don't regret the buy at all. Love it. I think both would be good so it may just come down to money...did for me. I've even cut up a 120'+ poplar that was about 3' across with no problem whatsoever. It has a cylinder pressure release button for easier starting but have never had to use it. Very crankable while holding. Much easier than even my 16" Craftsamn and Poulan. You won't be dissappointed.
 
All I want to know is which one will cut through some nasty toe nails?

IMGP0001_fs.jpg
 
Well I picked up the ms290 today. I noticed the fine print on the coupon I was going to use excluded husqs, so took a ride to the Stihl dealer to compare and get a running saw in my hands. I'm glad I did, it seemed to fit me a lot better. I felt like it had a better balance then the 455. And once in the door they didn't want me to leave. The price kept coming down, and they kept adding in more stuff. I walked out with the saw, 2 chains, a gallon of bar oil, a case, a Stihl flat screw driver and a tank of gas( for the saw) for 360 bucks + tax. I think I did great. I really think they are both great saws. I'm not sure there is a loser with either of the two.
 
My father-in-law burned wood to heat, his choice was stihl, he passed on and I got his saws, he had a 064 that sounds just like a old dirt bike! It has a 24" bar on it and is supposed to handle a 30 I believe,(man killer--HEAVY) I use a old 024 once in a while, his little 16" won't stay running. I actually use a $99 dollar china special with a 20 inch bar more than any other---never fails to start on 3rd pull---
 
I was born into a stihl family, They are tough as nails I was handed down my dads 036 and have logged almost 6 years now with nothing but the occasional sharpening. My Old man has a "newer" 029 and has no complaints.
 
Very cool Jake. Like you said, I don't think there is a loser. One reason I leaned toward the husq (got a helluva deal) is my dad has had a 55 for years so I knew it. It's amazing what you can do with a good saw. I've always stuck with Poulan and Craftsman (still have 'em) but when I started having to cut bigger stuff I was blazing through them. Broke down and spent a little more money and never looked back. Congratulations. Nice piece of equipment.
 
Thanks guys

It's always been craftsman for me. I stepped up from an 18 inch 40 cc to this thing and the difference is amazing. I got a big maple and a walnut tree to handle next. I just hope my back can keep up.

I'll hold on to the craftsman For the easy pruning.

This Stihl saw is by far the coolest tool I've ever purchased. I'm still grinning. Lol
 
i've got one of the stihl ms280's that i picked up off craigslist a couple years ago. guy that bought it new was an independent insurance adjuster who had a tree fall during a storm. that was when one of those bad tornados hit in the midwest (same storm system that took out his tree) & he got called to work & only made one cut with the saw.ended up out of town for over a month & had to pay someone to clear the tree out so didnt need it anymore. i got it for $200 & it didn't even have any of the paint rubbed off of the bar. it has to be tough as it made it thru the fire. i dug it out of the mess, hosed it off & it fired right up!
 
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