Husqvarna 550xp mark 2 or Stihl ms261

JLS

New member

Equipment
L3901
Jan 2, 2021
11
10
3
Iowa
I think Stihl did a gas cap recall in 2011 for the "flippy" caps that were leaking. I've got a lot of Stihl saws and never had a gas cap leak problem, although one of my saws was included in the recall, so I got a new "flippy cap" for that one.

A chainsaw shop was saying that when Husky started selling saws at big box stores and local ma & pa hardware stores, when the owners had a problem and took it back to the place they bought it, they'd tell them to take it to his shop for warranty work.

He went on to say that one guy had bought a saw at I think a JD dealership (may have been a few years ago, IDK if JD sells them now or not.. for that matter it may not have even been a JD dealer) and they hadn't prepped it before he left the store. Got home and couldn't get it to stay running. Within an hour or two of purchase he went back to the place he bought it and said I can't get it to stay running. They told him they didn't have small engine mechanics, they just sold them - to take it to this guys Husky Dealer saw shop and he'd deal with it under warranty.

He said that kind of thing was running dedicated Husky dealers out of business, that these nationwide chains could sell the saws cheaper than he could, so he wasn't selling that many Husky saws, but was getting all the saws to do massive paperwork on to get paid, etc.

I've often gripped about the cost of things from a Stihl Dealer, but I do like the dealer network they have.

If you're handy you can get Husky parts online whereas genuine Stihl parts are not that easy to source outside of dealers. They tend to protect their dealers in that regard anyway.

I have Nephews that have a ton of Husky stuff and they run hard, and have been very trouble free for them. (Neither are overly brand loyal, as they each have Stihl MS462's and one has a 261 while the other has an older 461)

I've just had Stihl my whole life and haven't had any real issues at all. But mostly older Stihl's are particular on the cold starting technique as "Scissors" noted above.

TBH I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.
 
Last edited:

Mitjam

Well-known member

Equipment
M-108, M6-111, Lx3520, Rtv-520 and LandPride implements
Jan 14, 2013
253
270
63
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Leaking gas cap problem? Never heard about that and have been running Stihls for decades.
I truly don’t know as I don’t have a stihl that’s just what I was seeing on YouTube some of the complaints. But most are saying bar oil. And I agree I have I have a bunch of older gas saws always wet with bar oil sitting ,even the new Milwaukee electric leaks out sitting I just know now to empty if gonna be sitting for a while.
 

whatsupdoc

Member

Equipment
L3302
Jul 9, 2024
30
28
18
USA
LOL reminds me of years ago guys claiming that carbs were better
than the scary electronic fuel injection. The same guys were out in the cold bitter days with screwdrivers holding their chokes open to get their cars started.

I have three saws and the one that always starts easy is my
562XP with electronic carb. As long as you follow the starting
procedure exactly it will start every time any any weather.

I worked for a outfit that had over 150 chainsaws (not rental)
and we repaired them in house. We had 90% Stihl saws and they
were very reliable even though they were operated by knuckleheads.

Repairs were either they dropped the saw or they ran it on straight gas.

Husky or Stihl both make good saws, I doubt either will disappoint.
 
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Mitjam

Well-known member

Equipment
M-108, M6-111, Lx3520, Rtv-520 and LandPride implements
Jan 14, 2013
253
270
63
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I think Stihl did a gas cap recall in 2011 for the "flippy" caps that were leaking. I've got a lot of Stihl saws and never had a gas cap leak problem, although one of my saws was included in the recall, so I got a new "flippy cap" for that one.

A chainsaw shop was saying that when Husky started selling saws at big box stores and local ma & pa hardware stores, when the owners had a problem and took it back to the place they bought it, they'd tell them to take it to his shop for warranty work.

He went on to say that one guy had bought a saw at I think a JD dealership (may have been a few years ago, IDK if JD sells them now or not.. for that matter it may not have even been a JD dealer) and they hadn't prepped it before he left the store. Got home and couldn't get it to stay running. Within an hour or two of purchase he went back to the place he bought it and said I can't get it to stay running. They told him they didn't have small engine mechanics, they just sold them - to take it to this guys Husky Dealer saw shop and he'd deal with it under warranty.

He said that kind of thing was running dedicated Husky dealers out of business, that these nationwide chains could sell the saws cheaper than he could, so he wasn't selling that many Husky saws, but was getting all the saws to do massive paperwork on to get paid, etc.

I've often gripped about the cost of things from a Stihl Dealer, but I do like the dealer network they have.

If you're handy you can get Husky parts online whereas genuine Stihl parts are not that easy sources outside of dealers. They tend to protect their dealers in that regard anyway.

I have Nephews that have a ton of Husky stuff and they run hard, and have been very trouble free for them. (Neither are overly brand loyal, as they each have Stihl MS462's and one has a 261 while the other has an older 461)

I've just had Stihl my whole life and haven't had any real issues at all. But mostly older Stihl's are particular on the cold starting technique as "Scissors" noted above.

TBH I don't think you can go wrong with either brand.
Thank you. Ya my stihl dealer and husqvarna dealer are right across street from each other but neither have these saws in stock. Might drive to city one day let wife go to Costco 😞 and I’ll go look at saws in person pick them up and feel which one feels better. And see if and what price difference there is.
 

Mitjam

Well-known member

Equipment
M-108, M6-111, Lx3520, Rtv-520 and LandPride implements
Jan 14, 2013
253
270
63
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I have 2 Stihl MS261’s. I’ve had them for years. Never had a problem with them … ever. The professional grade Stihl saws are absolutely the way to go IMO.

Husky makes a great product as well. Both of my weed eaters are Husky & have been running for decades plus. My son has cut miles of fence line without issue w our Husky’s.

I’m just a Stihl guy for chainsaws. Our Stihl dealer close by is just fantastic.

I would absolutely go with the 18in bar. That bar length lets you maximize the 261’s cutting ability. I’ve got a 462 & a 500i for the bigger stuff. The 261’s are the saws I grab 9 out of 10 times.

They just run. Keep us posted.
Thank you. For the comment
 

JimmyJazz

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Aug 8, 2020
1,226
748
113
Pittsburgh, Pa
I just bought a Stihl MS462 and went out of my way to avoid the m-tronic self tuning version. It probably works great until it doesn’t. Then you have no choice but to take to a dealer. When I need to adjust mine I just use a screwdriver. I went with Stihl over Husky simply because of dealers and price. Stihl dealers are everywhere around me.
I have had my MS462 with the self tuning feature for several years and have experienced no problems. A few times in order to tune it you run it wide open for about 45 seconds and that does the trick. It is a ferocious wood eating beast. Its best to operate it while wearing a flannel shirt and a grin. Its the epitome of manliness.
 
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Flintknapper

Well-known member
Premium Member

Equipment
L2350DT
May 3, 2022
1,788
2,254
113
Deep East Texas
MS462 . It is a ferocious wood eating beast. Its best to operate it while wearing a flannel shirt and a grin. Its the epitome of manliness.
^^^^
Great saw for sure.

I get out my SOLO 603 if I need to feel 'manly', but honestly...the older I get, the heavier it feels. ;)


Solo 603a.jpg
 
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