Stihl or Husqvarna?????

[Toolfool1]

Looking to purchase a stihl kombi as a multi attachment platform, line trimmer, hedge trimmer, lawn edger, etc. long time Stihl fan but am considering Husqvarna from an economic standpoint. Any input or experience with Husqvarna would be great.

 

[Sikk50]

I've had a Husqvarna for two seasons now with zero issues

 

[Wamsutta]

I got a 4-mix Stihl weedeater because I liked how clean the engine burns without putting out fumes. It also has a fully adjustable carburetor for people who know how to set fuel / air mixture. I have no opinion on the Husqvarna.

 

[CJM8515]

I dont think you can go wrong with either.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

I would say that both brands are respectable and make reasonable quality products. I would recommend getting whatever brand has better support in your area. If support not an issue though I would lean towards Stihl as I feel that while both make good quality products Stihl while slightly more expensive also has the edge on quality.

 

[marineman]

I generally prefer stihl equipment but on this one the only one I have experience with is the Echo PAS and we had good luck with them. Worth a look at least.

 

[Kaizen]

Either is great. However would recommend against multi tool attachments unless all of them are universal.


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[SRSemenza]

Well the Stihl vs Husky choice usually ends up in a split decision. I can't tell you about the Hsq. but I can about the Stihl. I have had a KM110 for about ten years. Added attachments as needed. It has been really good. Not professional use but plenty of personal yard and grounds keeping on two properties.

I have ..............

String trimmer
Poly blades trimmer
Clearing saw , designed to cut up to about 2" saplings close to the ground.
Pole saw with an extension shaft.
Articulating hedge trimmer

Been thinking about getting the rubber flap drum whatever it is called to get the gravel out of the grass after winter plowing.

Seth

 

[IndyGarage]

Everybody will tell you whichever they bought is the best. Flip a coin, they're both good.

 

[kctyphoon]

I like echo too for the 2 stroke stuff, and would suggest individual tools over the attachment thing.. that's just my preference..

 

[Musicinabottle]

I have both Husqvarna and Stihl and happy with both.

 

[6PTsocket]

I got my advice from someone who climbs trees for a living." For chain saws, the higher end Stihls are the best, but at the lower end, not so much. Go Husqvarna." I took the advice and bought a Husky for my occasional use. A little hard to start but otherwise satisfied.

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[CR888]

I own both....get the husky. If you get Stihl stay away from the 4mix & get the traditional 2stroke km94. I'd also consider echo & even Shindaiwa. The Stihl attackments lack grease zero and have Chinese bearings. They aren't quite made the way the used to be. OK for homeowner use I suppose.

 

[Shawn S]

I have Stihl and we use them professionally. We have a 90 and 2 130's. We have 2 trimmers, an edger, hedge trimmer, rubber paddle, garden tiller, and pole saw with extension. We bought the first one 6 or 7 years ago. They have been great. They sell tune up kits too which is nice for spring tune ups.

 

[buba]

I bought into the mutli-attachment setup 15 years ago via an old Craftsman system (shares attachments with with other companies that take the TrimmerPlus setup). The attachments work well enough but had to swap out the head unit a few years ago and found it was cheaper to purchase a Husqvarna trimmer that would work with my TrimmerPlus attachments than just a head unit or have the Craftsman engine repaired. FYI: the repair shop said the Craftsman engine was made by Toro.

I am pleased with the Husqvarna head unit. I use ethanol free gas and it always starts.

 

[cweidert03]

I have the Stihl. I’d have to look at the engine size. Only have trimmer and edger and it has worked wonderfully. Friend also bought one and he has the cultivator and pole saw with extension and both work well


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[Michael_in_DE]

I have a Husqvarna mower. Just picked it up last fall. Got it for $15, couldn't resist the price. It runs ok (it needs the drive cable fixed) but I found the ratings and reviews on it to be very poor, and have found very little support via youtube or anywhere else for even simple maintenance or fixes. I have also found that parts are really expensive and not widely available.

Given your choices I would go stihl, but I also have had really good luck with Echo (my personal preference).

 

[jonshonda]

Such question marks...much impressed.

 

[Parrothead]

Batteries!!! Choose Stihl or Husqvarna, but battery powered.

Unless you're clearing a field or have a farm, gas powered isn't the way to go. There's a reason Stihl, Echo and Husqvarna all have battery powered trimmers, blowers, etc.

No more cleaning carbs, mixing fuels, winterizing, spark plugs, etc. Charge battery and go!

 

[1foxracing]

I work on a lot of my neighbors small engine OPE, I don't like working on my own stuff so I own Husqvarna.

 

[finn]

Either one. My dealer offers both, but sells more Husqvarna.

The grocery / hardware store sells Stihl.

 

[sberry]

I am disappointed with Husky starting.

 

[SRSemenza]

My Stihl 4-mix has been fine. What issues have come up with the 4-mix?

Also my attachments have greaseable gearboxes. Maybe that is different now but I bought the hedge trimmer last year and it has a greaseable gearbox. Not a zerk but you just unscrew a cap and check/ add grease.

Yes, there are differences between Stihl pro line and homeowner. But it doesn't make sense to me to get non-Pro Stihl. In that case probably any brand will do about the same.

I am sure Husky pro stuff is probably just as good.

Seth

 

[kelpaso1]

I fix far fewer Stihl's than Husky's. My own saw is a ten year old Stihl 270 and I have never done a thing to it. Always starts with a couple of pulls even after sitting for a year.

 

[IndyGarage]

I fix far fewer Stihl's than Husky's. My own saw is a ten year old Stihl 270 and I have never done a thing to it. Always starts with a couple of pulls even after sitting for a year.

Is that because they are better, or because the Stihl dealers are fixing them? Real question. I'd think an opinion from someone that knows is valuable.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I am disappointed with Husky starting.

I have two Huskies and they are hard starting, whereas the two Stihls I have fire up on the second or third pull at the most.

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I have a husky 270 saw. Heres how it starts. Switch on, choke on, pull, pull, pull, pull. Sputter and stall, choke turned off, pull once more starts and stays running with throttle cycled a few times. Good to go. It has started this way for over 10 yrs. No complaints.
BCD

 

[bobeelr]

Looking to purchase a stihl kombi as a multi attachment platform, line trimmer, hedge trimmer, lawn edger, etc. long time Stihl fan but am considering Husqvarna from an economic standpoint. Any input or experience with Husqvarna would be great.

Or Echo.

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[Dumber than lumber]

Batteries!!! Choose Stihl or Husqvarna, but battery powered.

Unless you're clearing a field or have a farm, gas powered isn't the way to go. There's a reason Stihl, Echo and Husqvarna all have battery powered trimmers, blowers, etc.

No more cleaning carbs, mixing fuels, winterizing, spark plugs, etc. Charge battery and go!

Here in Central Florida we went into a store that sells the whole Stihl line. Well, so I thought. I told them I wanted to look at the battery powered pole saw with extension. They said that no one wants them so they don't keep 'em on hand. Said they could get them in, but only if I would buy it.
But it seems to me that battery would be really popular with the advances in battery tech.

 

[CR888]

My Stihl 4-mix has been fine. What issues have come up with the 4-mix?

Also my attachments have greaseable gearboxes. Maybe that is different now but I bought the hedge trimmer last year and it has a greaseable gearbox. Not a zerk but you just unscrew a cap and check/ add grease.

Yes, there are differences between Stihl pro line and homeowner. But it doesn't make sense to me to get non-Pro Stihl. In that case probably any brand will do about the same.

I am sure Husky pro stuff is probably just as good.

Seth

All kombi equipment is in the 'pro' grade designation. The kombi FS attachment (trimmer) used to have a grease zerk to fill gearbox grease now the new ones as of about 15 months ago don't, the gearbox is sealed. The hedgetrimmer HT attachment has two grease ports for the two gearboxes and is a well made unit. The pole saw has no articulating option its just straight which means your not in the best safest position to make cuts. The blower attachment it good but bulky as. The 4mix engines have great torque and power but are difficult to control throttle, its either idle or wide open, this is not good when trimming around small shrubs, edges etc. I own km130 & km-94 power heads and all the attachments even 2 hedgetrimmer ones. The coupling for the tools is a complex poor design that wears and stops working properly. They should have made a spring loaded locking pin like other designs. Look for a homeowner the km-94 is quite good and will serve someone well. Using these systems as much as I do commercially they have a big amount of room for improvement. All the gearbox main bearings are now a unknown Chinese make where they used to all be German INA. I just think there is much better options on the market especially for the money. The 4mix are bulky and heavier than the 2mix strato design 2stokes and have much lower working rpm. The commercial market has not really accepted the 4mix design despite it being a clever new design, it would work great on small stationary engines like small pumps or generators but not so good in H/held OPE.

 

[PugetDude]

A Stihl will never stab it's owner in the back.

No experience with Husqvarna.

 

[rrangus]

I would say that both brands are respectable and make reasonable quality products. I would recommend getting whatever brand has better support in your area. If support not an issue though I would lean towards Stihl as I feel that while both make good quality products Stihl while slightly more expensive also has the edge on quality.

I second these comments. Buy whatever brand that has the best local support

 

[Lassen Forge]

I prefer Stihl over Husq, but that's because everyone up here runs Stihl, and its what most (but not all) our local saw shops sell and service. Not sure if it's a better product - or just better marketing - but I do know Stihl seems to start easier, tho they've had a rash of recalls the past year or 2.

May as well ask Ford, Chevy or Dodge pickups?

 

[motorhead12]

I've had good luck with the Stihl KM130 for hedge trimming; it's got awesome torque. However, the 4-Mix engine is either idling or wide open, so it's a pain when you're using the string trimmer attachment. I prefer traditional 2-strokes for that and stick with Echos...

 

[lis2323]

I have a mid range husq chainsaw, works as intended. For my lawn equipment I have redmax edgers, whips, and blower. Fully satisfied with them and would recommend

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[gearhead1]

I’ve got Husqvarna chainsaws, weed eater, and blower. I would definitely recommend. I upgraded from other brands, and have to say the additional money was worth it because they work. I also use non-ethanol gas with Stabil. Zero issue starting after the winter, etc.

My friend owns an automotive machine shop. He has bored out/rebuilt small engines and said he noticed the Stihl engines have a cylinder that appeared to be chrome coated. His opinion was Stihl is the best for the that reason and Husqvarna was #2.

I went with Husqvarna because I could get them from my local Lowes. If the Home boy Depot down the street from Lowes had Stihl, I would have bought Stihl equipment. If I had a local place open on an evening or Saturday to easily get Stihl I would have. Lowes was easy. I would buy Husqvarna again.....

 

[seagravedriver]

Either one. Better support from a dedicated saw shop or lawn and garden shop. Big Box stores tend not to have the experience level in their saw/mower/line trimmer depts. At least around where I live.

 

[CR888]

Stihl homeowner and ranch level cylinders are chrome lined. Their top level pro stuff is Nikasil. While chrome can have a good service life all the best pro cylinders are Nikasil lined by either Mahle or Kolbenshmitt. Neither Husky or Stihl actually make cylinders but they do design their specs i.e port timing, bore size and general port map design. While I have no issue with chrome in cylinders it works well and offers a good liner, Nikasil is a much better extremely hard long lasting liner. You can usually clean up a scored Nikasil bore after removing the transfer, put a new piston/rings in and are good to go. Mercedes Benz developed Nikasil plating in the 90's and Mahle paid for the rights to use it.

 

[Transam461]

Another vote for Stihl.... I weedeated for 10 years working for my brother and his lawn care business, and call me crazy(I have been many times Lol), but I cant stand using a straight shaft weedeater, so I used the cheapo residential FS-38 curved shafts, and with around 125 accounts total, and doing 15-18 accounts daily, Monday-Friday, a new FS-38 would last me about 1 1/2 years. Not bad for $129 bucks each. One would last a home owner no telling how long. I have broken a few flex shafts in them, and had to replace the bump knob about every 3 or 4 weeks, but that's about it. The flex shafts normaly won't give any problem if you take them apart when you buy them new, and grease the flex shaft with a good marine grease, and pack the tube full of grease as well, and put it back together, they last for a long time doing that, it's is much better than the little grease they come with. The other two guys that weedeated for us, use Stihl straight shafts(FS-56's), I just never could get used to a straight shaft, they turn opposite directions, and much heavier Lol. Gotta love Stihl products

 

[flushcut]

Batteries!!! Choose Stihl or Husqvarna, but battery powered.

Unless you're clearing a field or have a farm, gas powered isn't the way to go. There's a reason Stihl, Echo and Husqvarna all have battery powered trimmers, blowers, etc.

No more cleaning carbs, mixing fuels, winterizing, spark plugs, etc. Charge battery and go!

Batteries are "ok" for the home owner but lack serious power for the professional. And lack power and performance in general. As a professional tree guy I would skip the current generation of battery powered equipment and wait for the next generation.
Husqy for the win!