I'd be curious what the general consensus is here - Husqvarna 372 or Stihl 441? They are both in the ~70cc class and price is about the same. Does one have any advantages over the other? I'd rather not have a bashing session for one over the other - my opinion is the quality is there with both companies. Outside of quality, what are some of your opinions on either saw? Can you give a comparison between the two or a comparison to another saw? My use for the saw is bucking storm blown pines. I have a 55cc saw and it isn't very efficient cutting down the trunks. We have about 10 laying around our summer property and all that's been cut is enough to open up the paths again.
Price the same and you think the quality is the same....why ask? ;)
Go for it.
Hows the dealers where you live. they are both good saws and are pretty equal. I prefer stihl,but thats me.our husky dealer is getting to be a pain in the a-- to deal with,never has anything we need and will not order until he has enough to pay shipping :o our stihl dealer will order right away and the parts are in after two business days ;D Tim
There is a CAN-O-WORMS. :D
Ironwood
:D Summer property is a 2 days drive. I can get Stihl stuff, if its in stock, same day at home. Husq next day, but just as easy. As to whats up near the property... good question. It would be better to take spares rather than be out a day getting back in the country... Chain shouldn't be an issue, but I am not "logging" up there so I'd just bring a few spare parts and be done with it. If it gets to a non-functioning saw there's always next year... Then again, 3 more trees could come down too. >:(
I'd prefer the 372 ;D :) but in a pinch the Stihl would do :)
Same here. I like Husky's air intake system over the Stihl.
I'd go for the Husky as well( no bias here ;D), I have to say I prefer the air induction setup over stijl as well.
The only big difference between the two is weight. The 372 is 13.4 lbs. and the 441 is 14.6 lbs. It may not sound like much but carry the extra 1.2 lbs. around all day and you will notice it.
I have never used or seen them side by side,but I would lean toward dealer support.
Never ran the new 372xp XT x-torq strato saw to know. Know I would take a older 372 over a 441 10 out of 10 times.
I ran a 441 and to me it was heavy, underpowered, but had nice smooth coil spring AV. Hmmm wonder where they got that idea. :D
Quote from: bill m on November 26, 2011, 09:47:49 PM
The only big difference between the two is weight. The 372 is 13.4 lbs. and the 441 is 14.6 lbs. It may not sound like much but carry the extra 1.2 lbs. around all day and you will notice it.
The NEW 372's that are strato with de-comp in top of cylinder cover are listed at 14.1lbs PHO.
No one has hit on the 3 different "models" of each, in current production (new) saws. The Husq 372 is either the 372xp, 372xp-g, 372xp-w, and the Stihl 441 is either the base 441, 441c-m, or 441c-q.
If I have the features right - the Husqvarna 372XP-G has a heated handle and the regular 372XP does not. The 372XP-W has a full wrap handle whereas the base model has a flush cut. I don't need the heated handle and I am not sure I'd ever need a fancier handle. Bucking is about as basic a use for a saw as you can get.
The Stihl 441C-M has Intelligent Engine Management. The C-Q version has the secondary chain break activated by release of the throttle lock-out lever. That seems like a more useful feature than a heated handle, but any sensible saw operator can work around the chain.
Did I miss anything?
You did miss one thing. The 372xpw has a slightly larger engine. I can't remember for sure but I believe it is 74cc, so you get a little more power with the wrap handle version. Happy saw hunting. I don't think you can go wrong with either saw, they're both good. Just see what you like most. :)
Some of the old style xpW had 74.66cc motors not all of them in the beginning were. The new strato 372 throws that idea out the door. 70.7cc only.
Quote from: Ironwood on November 26, 2011, 07:19:59 PM
There is a CAN-O-WORMS. :D
Ironwood
hear we go again! OK guys its not the orange vs white orange thing its about getting the bang for the buck for KC8QVO, right! think outside the box and give him the ammo that he nneds to go buy another play toy 8) These are both good saws no doubt, dealer back up is the next factor involved,any body come up with other reasons for swaying one way towards another! Tim
I have both. I have the new and old 372s and a 441. have owned 044s and have a 460. I am going to buy 2 new saws this week. and they will both be 372s. i do all of my service work myself so dealer service is not a big deal to me. I also keep a good stock of spare parts on hand. when i do need parts the local dealer who has husky and stihl is a real &^^$%%!! the next closest dealer only has husky and is a great guy to deal with. I can drive about the same distance the other direction and get stihl from another great guy. so that throws the dealer thing out the window fro me.
Dealer service should play a big part in which saw you get.
they are both great saws. I dont think you will go wrong with ether one. I think the husky has one up with the air system over stihl.
They are both so close you should try to run one of each and see which one fits you better.
Woody
Thanks for all the info. Woody - good to see another Ham out there. I have family just west of you in Lynchburg. Beautiful state.
Dealer support is really a non-issue. No problems there. I do all maintenance of my equipment myself anyways - even my truck, as long as it isn't electronic or otherwise too involved (or warranty). The only spare parts I could for-see needing are chains, perhaps an extra bar, and a spark plug. Aside from the bar I can run to the hardware store up in the North Woods and get the rest - that or the local marine supply (work on everything engine-driven).
I have owned a lot of saws and in my opinion the best saw ever made is the Husky 372XP. I can get through a log faster with a stock 372 than a Stihl MS461 stock can and it's almost 2lbs lighter. I used my old 371 for 3 full seasons of cutting timber before the logging industry disappeared with no problems so I know there dependable. You can put a big bore kit on it and dual port the muffler for under $120 from Baileys and that really opens that saw up. Hope that helps!
576 autotune or 441 M tronic. I,ve never ran the 372 but everybody likes the 365 to and I thought it was a dog. A 372 is old stock or new X torq without the curtousy of a new #just to make sure people still buy it. Sorry but 90% of people tell you buy Harley Davidson- 80% of people know crap about motorcycles. Why would I buy some old outdated design? ::)
Quote from: bill m on November 26, 2011, 09:47:49 PM
The only big difference between the two is weight. The 372 is 13.4 lbs. and the 441 is 14.6 lbs. It may not sound like much but carry the extra 1.2 lbs. around all day and you will notice it.
What he said.
I have had both Stihl and Husky and they are both good saws, but now I own 7 Huskys and no Stihls.
I have to say I've run them both and either one is awesome! I'd pick based on dealer support.
372 xpw
I have a 372xp with a ported & polished big bore kit on it and did the same to my bro-in-laws 044 mag. i like the 372xp better. either saw you pick will be good one.
I would go with the 372 , They are both good saws but i always want the most power with the least amount of weight.
Quote from: KC8QVO on November 26, 2011, 05:45:08 PM
I'd be curious what the general consensus is here - Husqvarna 372 or Stihl 441?
As I posted..Both awesome.. I bought a CS-2172 which is essentially a 372Xp X-torq I may have a 441 in the future. You would be happy with either one. Dealer, intangibles like what you like, price..stuff like that will be the deciding factor is my guess. and then you will be an advocate for which ever you end up with!
Have to wonder based on the soft wood application you might have more fun with a 562XP?
I didn't think that the 441 is a professional saw? Could be wrong here. ??? I own an old 028 wood boss, a 046 and a 066. I have a 372xp and it is nothing short of awsome. I love Stihls but I have to admit, the power and throttle response of the xp deserves thumbs up. My 046 and 066 are beasts and the 066 will outcut the 372xp any day of the week but they don't seem as responsive.