Incidentally, both Husqvarna and Jonsered are built by the same company, so the same quality is in both saws. They seem to shuffle the deck a little to give different features to different size saws, it's a matter of choosing what works best for you. One thing to consider before you choose... Husqvarna has two distinct saw lines, the everyday plain Husqvarna brand, and the XP series. The XP series is considered to be a "pro" series, and you pay through the nose for it. They supposedly have a higher performance level, but for the cutting I do, an extra cord a day makes no difference.
Here a 346XP (46 cc) costs about $800.00 Cdn, and comes with a 90 day warranty. A similar sized saw will cost you about half as much in the regular line. For my use, I might not even start the saw for a few months, so it's not for me, and the price is enough to make me choke. The other line carries a 2 year warranty, and a few dealers here also offer a free tuneup after the first few tanks of gas. As far as I know, Jonsered only offers the single line, with two years of warranty, etc.

Chilly

 

my sister was clearing a lot for her house and she bought me an MS290 for helping... probably the best saw for your buck i think (300$)... not to big but not to small... and it gets the job done.

 

bill, he lives right down the road from me he built his house by hand all out of trees. he cut every tree with his stihl and it died on him he took it back to the shop and guess what... there was a screwdriver head in his piston for 5 years, that chainsaw cut over 200 trees. he complained and got a brand new saw free of charge. i dont know if this proves that stihl are made carlessly or they are tough.

 

Go w/ the 290 Stihl Super Farmboss - you won't be disappointed. I own a tree and landscaping company and we've got a 026Pro, an 029 Farmboss, an 044, and an 066. Get that bar upgraded to 18 or 20" and you're set. Should cost you $300 and you can prolly work a free hat, chain lube, and case in [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

ya thats what i got.. a farm boss...

 

Husqvarna and Jonesered are made in the same factory on the same assembly line in Sweden. Husky's 55 Rancher is a great saw under $400 for medium duty work. It also has a metal based crankcase whereas the Stihl Farm Boss has a composite (plastic) crankcase (at least it did a couple of years ago) That said, I think Stihl makes an excellent saw and you would probably be equally happy with either make. The differences in performance between their comparable models would be difficult to detect unless you cut wood for a living.

 

I love my Husqvarna 55 Rancher. It or the slightly smaller 350 are good mid range saws. I also have a Jonsered brushcutter and it is great too. For the saw the cheapest place I have found to get them is www.southwestfastener.com They ship for free too on most.

 

When I bought my Husky, the place sold both Husky and Stihl. When I ask which was the best;performance, less problems, etc etc. The salesman just kinda shrugged and said "Both are great saws". He said it was really just a customer choice and I couldnt really go wrong. Seems Husky and Stihl compete pretty hard against each and both offer a great saw. Dont know why I chose the Husky really but I love it. I have the Rancher 55 Farm Tough, 18" and its great. You can get one for around $300-$325.

Brad

 

Hi all, jonsered and huskys are both built in the same factory. Nothing wrong with any of them. Both stihl and husky build both professional and non professional saws. We have a plantation and broadacre farm and own both stihl 038,029,034 and husky 272xp and a 345 as well as some older saws I cannot remember the numbers for. Stihl probably builds a better saw in the smaller sizes which is probably what you want from described. Has anyone thought about shindawias (Japan)(quality build) I just bought one for trimming a 488 48cc. I have never had one before but it is a terrific little saw and would suit you I predict very well. It is built to the same standard a the professional saws in the other two. About the same price but with a larger air cleaner and lifetime ignition warrenty. Starts first time every time so far, I put a 18 inch bar on it and it is well suited. One thing about the huskys is the ignitions are very expensive to replace so I have been told. Something to look into when purchasing.
Cheers all and happy cutting.

 

We have have 5 Stihl chainsaws never have had probs with any of them and 3 of them are really old and the other 2 we have are newer which is a 18 c and the other is a 29 farmboss,Our older ones are 28 super,a 28 and a 009.I would go with Stihl.you will not be dissatisfied