Experience please Husqvarna 445,450 or Stihl 250

Looking at getting one of these models for a tractor saw to clear fencerows,limbs and cut firewood under 12".
Ant experience with them would be appreciated.

 

In your signature you list all Stihl saws. If you have a good dealer stick with that brand. Any of those saws will do the job well. You might even drop to an MS 180 for stuff that size if weight is any consideration. If the local Husky dealer is better, go that way. For the money, Echo gives a really good product for $$$ spent also. They make some excellent saws.

 

I have dealers for both.Don't know why I keep thinking about Husqvarna since my others are all Stihl.Guess I'm just thinking something different might be nice.I had planned on buying a 261 to replace the old 026 but I read the 261 is bulkier than it.I really liked that saw and the how it handled and may rebuild it in the future but it's wood cutting season and I will have to take my time learning the rebuild.
Borrowed a friend's MS250 and it's great with a 16"bar.Of course,the way he sharpened it was much better than I can.

 

After reading this I now have a stronger opinion. I love my 026's! If yours is getting tired, I would be very inclined to have it rebuilt & ported if it's in decent condition still. I've a got a ported 026 done by huskihl that is an absolute joy to run. Keep in mind that I like to fix "older" stuff as opposed to just buying new. There are some excellent saw builders on FHC that do superb work. My ported 026 will outrun a new 261 I think, although we haven't raced them yet. It's not quite the same as having brand new, but it's a better saw imho. Money well spent for a tool that will serve me well for a long time. Other's will weigh in too I'm sure. Consider what they say & make your decision based on your own preference. I doubt you'll regret whatever choice you make.

 

I packed a John Deere 40V in a White 2-85 when needed for years. Switched tractor colours to match the saw and I couldn't close the cab door on the 14" bar. Just something to check.

 

I've run run my FIL's 250, it works just fine, but didn't compare to my 026 and 260. If you like your 026 I'd look for another nice used one, or a nice used 260, should be able to get either one for less than a new 250.

Let's us know what you do, and pics of course!

 

I agree with amateur cutter. Consider getting your 026 rebuild and modified by Kevin (Huskihl). You will be amazed and will have a new favorite saw. I've owned a 450 Husky and ran a 445. A friend of mine cuts with the 445, more than his 460 Rancher. Says it cuts faster. I'm not a fan of the 4xx series Husky's. If you judge Husqvarna in general through those saws, I think you'd be disappointed.

 

Just so happens I have a Husqvarna 450 Rancher in our classified ads here .
Nothing wrong with these saws. It's my second one....and I hate to part with it...but having a 562xp around..kinda means I don't need the rancher anymore

 

Get the Stihl 261 for general cutting as you somewhat planned and fix the 026 for your lighter, easier handling tractor saw. Both are great saws will serve you for years.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

Definitely consider getting your 026 rebuilt and ported. It should be the same or less money as a new "homeowner" saw for a far superior saw.

 

Thanks.I want to get the 026 running again.Just to see if I can do it.

Just looking for something until I can

 

I would be very intrested in getting either my 026 or 260 ported when the time comes, there's just not a reliable porter in my area that I know of, and shipping just doesn't make sense to me.

 

Shipping isn't as bad as you'd think. I spent less than $40 to send my 50cc Husky to Eric in Ohio. There is a very well respected guy in Iowa. He ported my 394. Amazing work. His name is Shaun Carr. I wood highly recommend him. Here's a vid to show his youtube channel.



I lean toward the safe side...

 

That's pretty good The Wood Wolverine , but Chvymn99 has got you beat. I wish I'd taken pics of the wrapping job on the MMWS o44 that he sent me. Took longer to find the saw in the box than it did to put the B & C on it. You could've dropped that one from 20K feet & it woulda been fine.

 

I've been running a 445e for 9 years now. No complaints with the saw. I also have a 372xpg that's great for bucking. For limbing, it gets heavy quick. If both saws are sitting side by side and I dont need anything more than an 18" bar, I'll reach for the 445 every time.

 

I finally decided on the MS250.I've been using a friends to try out and liked it.I liked the better filter on the 251 but the wider stance and the extra weight went against what I was looking for.
When I went in the dealer's the counter man asked if he could help.I told him I had been thinking about a 250.I then picked up a 250 and 251 from the shelf and looked the 250 over.As I was switching to the 251,he said,if wanted his advice,to set that 251 back on the shelf and get the 250.That sealed the deal for me.
Got the 250,a RS chain to cut firewood with and a six pack of 2.5 gallon mix.Proceded to bring it home with us.My son,wanting to see how it did,fueled it up and put in bar oil.Fired it up and it cuts like a champ for it's size.
I know it's not in the same league as my old 026 but I feel like I got a good saw for it's intended use.

Someday,I'm going to get the parts and rebuild my 026.Always liked that saw and want to try to rebuild one.Friend who loaned me his 250 will help if I need him.

 

I have a MS250 that I did a muffler mod on and I'm pretty happy with it. It is my go to saw these days. I like a simple carburator and no frills. I'm not a pro, but I heat with wood and my neighbor and I have a sawmill for our use so I spend a lot of time in the woods.