Hey Dan

[assateague]

Can't find your chainsaw thread. After trying to start the fucker for 20 minutes, I think I'm officially done with Husky. Should've just got the Stihl last time.

Anyway, looking at an MS 251 for $320. Since you've already done all the research, which Dolmar is comparable? Looks like the 6400, but don't know if your research led you to "the one you got is a good one", or if they all looked better.

[jehler]

You put gas in it?

[assateague]

The tank may be cracked now, but yes, it had gas in it. Seriously, every Husky I've owned has turned into a piece of shit inside 18 months. Go great for a year, then shit the bed. I'm done with them.

[DeadEye_Dan]

If your looking for a comparable sized saw - the PS 421 is similar in size, displacement, etc. to the 251, guessing it can be had for a similar price point.

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The 6400 is a professional grade saw made for guys who make a living in the woods, and is priced probably 2x more than either the PS 421 or the Stihl MS 251

[Goldfish]

Just make one out of a couple can openers

[Eric Haynes]

The tank may be cracked now, but yes, it had gas in it. Seriously, every Husky I've owned has turned into a piece of shit inside 18 months. Go great for a year, then shit the bed. I'm done with them.

I've got both, and both start every time. Only real difference I see is that my husq is a commercial saw made for day in and day out cutting and the Stihl is just your typical "homeowners" grade. I do notice that the "homeowners" grade Husqs seem to have a harder time being reliable.

[assateague]

I gotta be honest, at identical price points, it's going to be difficult for me to go with the Dolmar over the Stihl, particularly when I have many Stihl dealers around but only one Dolmar. What was the differentiator for you?

[assateague]

The tank may be cracked now, but yes, it had gas in it. Seriously, every Husky I've owned has turned into a piece of shit inside 18 months. Go great for a year, then shit the bed. I'm done with them.

I've got both, and both start every time. Only real difference I see is that my husq is a commercial saw made for day in and day out cutting and the Stihl is just your typical "homeowners" grade. I do notice that the "homeowners" grade Husqs seem to have a harder time being reliable.

I've heard this from many people, but personally, I'm done with them. From not starting to ruptured fuel lines to oilers not oiling to burning up spark plugs (for some reason), I'm just finished with them.

[Eric Haynes]

The tank may be cracked now, but yes, it had gas in it. Seriously, every Husky I've owned has turned into a piece of shit inside 18 months. Go great for a year, then shit the bed. I'm done with them.

I've got both, and both start every time. Only real difference I see is that my husq is a commercial saw made for day in and day out cutting and the Stihl is just your typical "homeowners" grade. I do notice that the "homeowners" grade Husqs seem to have a harder time being reliable.

I've heard this from many people, but personally, I'm done with them. From not starting to ruptured fuel lines to oilers not oiling to burning up spark plugs (for some reason), I'm just finished with them.

I hear you. The price will probably deter you but I'd get a commercial saw and be done with it. You will never want to touch another small saw again.

I have a 20" bar for my Husq for the small jobs

[assateague]

I just don't think I'd use it enough to justify it. Truthfully, a lot of the problems I have are (I bet) from the saw sitting for 8 months a year, and I suspect I'd run into the same issues with a pro-grade saw. Every time I get one, I tell myself I'm going to make a point of running it every month, even if only for an hour or so, but I never do. Hell, there's not enough hours in the day for all the irons I've got in the fire right now. I try to do what I can, which is mostly just using ethanol free gas in all my small motors. It'd just make me cuss even louder, and the blood pressure go up that much more if I couldn't get a $600 saw to start as it does with a $400 saw.

[BrewGUN]

The tank may be cracked now, but yes, it had gas in it. Seriously, every Husky I've owned has turned into a piece of shit inside 18 months. Go great for a year, then shit the bed. I'm done with them.

I've got both, and both start every time. Only real difference I see is that my husq is a commercial saw made for day in and day out cutting and the Stihl is just your typical "homeowners" grade. I do notice that the "homeowners" grade Husqs seem to have a harder time being reliable.

I've heard this from many people, but personally, I'm done with them. From not starting to ruptured fuel lines to oilers not oiling to burning up spark plugs (for some reason), I'm just finished with them.

Must just be you, my 25 year old husky runs like a dream. Fuel lines needs to be replaced on any saw. General maintenance is different from "breaking". Either that or you keep getting lemons.

[DeadEye_Dan]

I gotta be honest, at identical price points, it's going to be difficult for me to go with the Dolmar over the Stihl, particularly when I have many Stihl dealers around but only one Dolmar. What was the differentiator for you?

I was looking for a little larger saw, but my differentiators were - Power : Weight ratio, Reputation, Warranty (I understand if you buy Stihl oil they will give a 2 year warranty), and advice of guys that use saws daily.

Fwiw - A coworker was talking to a Stihl dealer last week (because he wants a saw and can't buy one like me) and was told to avoid the 251 due to current issues. The dealer showed him 10-12 251's that were in for warranty work and told him that he (the dealer) is buying all the "new" old model 250's he can find...apparently the "upgrade" has to do with emissions standards and the result is they aren't as reliable.
Same could be said for the Dolmar 420/421, but those issues have largely been resolved as those changes were required in Europe several years ago.

[BrewGUN]

Assa , you may have answered this before, but do you run non-ethanol gas in your small engines?

[Mornin Beef]

I just don't think I'd use it enough to justify it. Truthfully, a lot of the problems I have are (I bet) from the saw sitting for 8 months a year, and I suspect I'd run into the same issues with a pro-grade saw. Every time I get one, I tell myself I'm going to make a point of running it every month, even if only for an hour or so, but I never do. Hell, there's not enough hours in the day for all the irons I've got in the fire right now. I try to do what I can, which is mostly just using ethanol free gas in all my small motors. It'd just make me cuss even louder, and the blood pressure go up that much more if I couldn't get a $600 saw to start as it does with a $400 saw.

I hear that!!! I splurged on a stihl weed eater and tore up my ankle trying to light a cigarette. Switched to ethanol free and smokeless tobacco and burnt through my dish tv cable line. Too many pokers in the fire over here too, uuggghhhh.

[jehler]

Assa , you may have answered this before, but do you run non-ethanol gas in your small engines?

this^
Sitting for months the ethanol can seperate out and make your saw act as if there is water in the gas

[jehler]

I'll give ya 50 for your old saw

[BrewGUN]

I'll give ya 50 for your old saw

I'll give him $51. (Price is right rules?)

[Flightstopper]

I try to do what I can, which is mostly just using ethanol free gas in all my small motors.

Better raise the bidding.

[Olly]

I have a Husq that is just over a year old and it fires right up every time. I've found with it you have to follow the exact start up sequence printed in the cover but if you do it starts first time every time.

[assateague]

I'll give you $100 if you come start mine according to their sequence on 3 consecutive days. And if you do it on 5 consecutive days, I'll give you $200. But if it doesn't, you owe me the same.

Must just be you, my 25 year old husky runs like a dream. Fuel lines needs to be replaced on any saw. General maintenance is different from "breaking". Either that or you keep getting lemons.

I hear you. But less than a year, and split fuel lines (on two different saws, with ethanol-free gas) seems a bit more than "general maintenance". My Husky weed eater gets treated like shit, and I've not had a problem with it like the saws.

[Eric Haynes]

I just don't think I'd use it enough to justify it. Truthfully, a lot of the problems I have are (I bet) from the saw sitting for 8 months a year, and I suspect I'd run into the same issues with a pro-grade saw. Every time I get one, I tell myself I'm going to make a point of running it every month, even if only for an hour or so, but I never do. Hell, there's not enough hours in the day for all the irons I've got in the fire right now. I try to do what I can, which is mostly just using ethanol free gas in all my small motors. It'd just make me cuss even louder, and the blood pressure go up that much more if I couldn't get a $600 saw to start as it does with a $400 saw.

$600? :lol::lol: More like $1000 but I see where you are going.

I don't run mine for almost 8 months at a time and I don't use non ethanol gas. Has started within 3 pulls, every time. Haven't used it since last September if you'd like to come give it a whirl.

[FlintRiverFowler]

We bought a husqvarna 450 rancher for the smaller jobs around the golf course last year bc the ms441s we have are just overkill sometimes. I really like the husky, only one I ever ran but it cuts great.