The ULTIMATE Guide to Chainsaw Model Numbers & Features!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Chainsaw shop with confidence! Today we break down model numbers on Echo, Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws. Hopefully this will help you to know exactly what you're buying.
Skip ahead to the Stihl section of the video my clicking on this time stamp!
➡️ 4:30
Click directly to the Husqvarna section here!
➡️ 8:20
Find all my MUST HAVE TOOLS and accessories HERE!
➡️ www.amazon.com...
If you would like to buy me a coffee, find my Amazon Wish List HERE!
www.amazon.com...
Want to drop me a line or send stickers!
Chickanic
PO BOX 22062
Hot Springs, AR
71903
Buy your own Chickanic T-Shirt or Hoodie HERE!
chickanic.com/
My name is Bre. I took two years of small engine repair at the local college. When I left school, I fell into a wonderful job at a local small engine shop where I worked the counter for a couple years. In 2010 my husband and I opened up our own small engine shop in central Arkansas where I am able to work alongside my family and best friends. We saw over 2,000 pieces of small engine equipment every year, and answer 1,000's of small engine questions. We specialize in brands such as Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Echo and Shindaiwa, but work everyday on MANY other brands like Stihl, Husqvarna, Honda, Craftsman, Remington, Red Max, Troy Bilt, Scag, Bad Boy, Hustler, World Lawn, Poulan, Mantis, Etc.. Hopefully, my experience I share, will save you Time, Money and Frustration in the future!
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
Although very informative, these videos are for entertainment purposes. Please use all possible safety precautions when repairing and operating your small engine equipment.
This is probably the best, most comprehensive video for explaining the top three brands anywhere on the internet! I own a small engine shop and try to explain the differences to customers occasionally. I now have a video I can just send to them instead that's much more thorough! Thanks Bre!
Aw! Thanks so much!
@@Chickaniccould you do a video on older stihl chainsaws like the ones that start with a 0 like a 044.
@@funnyfails2701 You can just drop the first digit (0) and apply the remaining numbers to the chart in the video, they apply to older models too. Congrats on owning an 044!!
@@nailpounder3013I own the 085. But thanks for that my brain is a bit tired to think😂
@@nailpounder3013 I don’t fully understand what you mean with the chart but I love that saw. It’s a beast
I tell ya, this lady is something else. Smart, funny, cute and not afraid tho get her hands dirty. A perfect woman. God bless her.
Clear as mud!! Thanks for the 3 cheat sheets.
Excellent video. Very informative for confusing coding to know what you are actually purchasing. Thank you so much. Very helpful
Her video on how to start a large saw is 💯.!
I gotta say, and I rarely say much....but....you have become my favorite "Sunday morning hot cup coffee out back in pergola chillin" youtube video pro. Loving Chichanic, so much info, such a smart lady, Thank you.
🇺🇲🇺🇲
This channel is so helpful its unreal, as a small business owner in the Landscaping industry I cant thank Chickanic enough, these chain saw videos are being shared to all my team and more. Keep up the great work please......
Undoubtedly one of the Best explanations of the world of chainsaws. Thank you for sharing this information. Yes I went out and looked at the model numbers of all my saws as I watched the video. 😊
I run the 660 magnum at work out on the landing cutting up logs to go to the mill. The guys out in the woods felling trees are running the 500i’s bored and ported with wcs exhaust’s. Those things run fast and hard! One of our other crews has a 660m magnum. At home I simply run a 271 Farm Boss. It’s a nice reprieve from running the brute of a saw at work!
Many thanks from down under.. keep smiling 😊
You're not wrong about the alphabet soup when it comes to saws. A couple years ago I decided to replace my old corded electric saw (cords are a PITA) and started looking at battery powered saws. Holy buckets! There were a million options even for smaller saws. Picked up a 12" Kobalt kit on sale for $149 which is plenty of saw for me the few times a year when the inevitable branch comes down after a storm.
Love the tips for keeping my other gas powered tools running smooth!
The 043 gauge chains have a narrower kerf so it takes less power to run over the equivalent 050 chain. Much more important with small displacement saws.
Thank you for this. It's a huge help. Now, if you can get all the online sellers of Husqvarna parts to list saws older than 20 years on their websites, that would be great. I recently had a friend who asked me to work on two of his saws. Neither one of them had model numbers that matched the model numbers listed on their websites. I had to call them, which wasted both their time and mine.
Good morning Bre! Great info. Thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge. Have a good day!!!
Thanks Dave!
I’m a moderate to heavy firewooder and have Husqvarna saws. I upgraded to professional grade saws (550&562). The ergonomics are much better and the power to weight ratio is better! To me the upgrade was well worth the extra money
LOL, I watched this, hoping to get spec info on my Husqvarna 240 chainsaw, but no mention of a "2" in the Husqvarna lineup. I did lean about my Stihl MS240 though. Thanks, love your channel, it's helped me a lot in my tinkering.
I'll stay with my Efco made john deere cs56 chainsaw as it has more metal parts than the newer saws. I dont care for the plastic newer saws have been made with. My saw doesn't get very much use anyway, but it sure is nice when yah need it. Keep rockin Bre, love the videos! Tell Ron hello if you would.
My Stihl FS 56 RC string trimmer is 27cc
I didn't think I would learn anything from this video after using saws for 40+ years, but I was wrong! Thanks for the tip about odd and even second numbers on Stihls! I have 16 even numbered Stihls and didn't know it!
To keep it simple I bought Stihl 261, 461 and 661 saws.... With the right bar installed I know one of them will get the job done. 😉
That’s a great selection!
man……I’ve been pulling wrenches a long time and this young lady knows her sthi. To take the time to educate us about model numbers and what they signify is awesome…….I’ve always heard orange cover huskys were pro and the grey top were not pro……I’ve been using stihl chainsaws for over 36 years…../038/044/066/088/500i/020t……..I am proud to say that I ran an 18" bow on my 038 before they were banned. If you use a bow saw exactly the way it was intended it is what I would consider safe. However if you do have an accident it will more than likely be fatal.
Very informative. Thank you.
Great job explaining the numbers on these three saw brands.
Cheers !!
absolute brilliant. this is the best way you can ever explain all the numbers. thank you so much for making this video , now i can send this to costumers who ask me why I have model a and not model b..
You are a wizard in the small engine world!
Awesome explanation.
Right to the point.
Hi Bre,
Great explanation and visuals. Everyone there stay safe.
Great information. Thank you for doing the charts. If only they could be printed.
You can screen shot your computer and then print or I am fixing to add them to the photos section of my Facebook page where you can save them to your computer and print.
@@Chickanic you know everything ??? 😜
@@Chickanic You are the best !!!
Thanks Bre. I always had to look up specs on saws to figure all this out. Your charts are now saved on my phone.
❤️❤️❤️ love the information!!! 😊
Spring inside starter
Very straightforward clear explanation of these 3 chainsaw manufacturers. Thanks!
Hmm. I'm thinking I'm going to need the Chikanic's decoder charts to remember all of this. Our local hardware store person had a very limited knowledge about all the mfrs/models discussed. I do remember that I was very confused about the all the various models. And yes, I had to go home and do a lot more research. Those charts you generated would have saved me a kaboodle of time (and MONEY). Thanks for the video.
Thank you for all the info on the saws 👍🤙
Several years ago, Red Max introduced a starting system for their 2-cycle engines, called "Strato-charged". I think it used some kind of spring-assisted system, requiring less pulls to start an engine. However, what I have noticed, as the equipment gets older, this system gets harder and harder to pull. I have a Red Max trimmer that I use as a backup to my Echo trimmer. It has become so hard to pull, that I am surprised that the starter rope hasn't broken by now. It literally takes all of my strength to pull the rope, just to turn the engine over one time. It is a good thing that it is only a backup, because it totally wears me out just to get it started a couple times a year. Don't get me wrong. Red Max was very high quality, in its day. I went to that brand, after "Green Machine" went out of business. Echo is my "go-to" brand now for most of my 2-cycle equipment. I have a small lawn care business to supplement my retirement. But, at 67 years old, I am not capable of pulling on a starter rope for very long. I need my equipment to start on the 2nd or third pull every time.
Thanks for the great info! I think Husqvarna first digit is the generation. Currently they are making 4th and 5th generation saws.
Very informative video. Thanks.
Then there are the Holzfforma (sp?) which I believe use nearly the exact model numbers of the saw they are cloning 🤣
Thank you sweetie for all your videos, I first found you about a year ago having trouble pull starting my Husqvarna 435.
Your video showing the trick of getting past the first compression stroke saved my day (many times), I look forward to watching any of your upcoming, OR scrolling through your past videos.
God Bless,
Tim
Thanks for this....very useful!!🤘
Bre~ while I did know this (it took me a while to learn) this is a really great tutorial. THANK YOU!!!!!! Some viewers will learn a lot.
Fantastic information as always. Thanks again for doing what you do. I appreciate it.
Good vid. I welcome this warmer weather.
Great explanations, thank you.
Thanks Bre,Great Information,😊
Very helpful, thank you!!!
Thanks Bre for the awesome explanation excellent video
Thank you for this info. Keeping this video for reference.
I absolutely hate the Stihl tool-less chain adjuster. I saw somebody, maybe Stihl, I don't know, makes a conversion kit that looks pretty easy to do. I bought the saw from a neighbor who was getting divorced and didn't anticipate burning wood in his apartment. It does have the spring driven starter rope and that has worked flawlessly.
I have a 034 Stihl chainsaw. I bought it about 30 years ago. I always kept the teeth super sharp and filed the guide teeth down. Pro lumber man was amazed at the chips it produced.
I would love your thoughts on it.
Good video. The old Stihl numbering system was very simple. Example: An 039 was 3.9 cubic inches.
Thanks, I have an old 41 and was curious.
Not true for my 026, which the owners manual says is "2.97 ci" (48.7cc). 😮
@@browngreen933 You had to go and toss a wrench in the works, lol. Back to the land of confusion. I'm sure they just changed the nomenclature.
@@browngreen933 When the 026 was released it was probably 2.6 cubic inches and overtime Stihl upgraded the displacement but didn’t change the model number.
@@terryburke2587 That's a nice theory, but online sources only give one displacement for the 026 -- 2.97ci (48.7cc).
Thank you for the video
That was really thorough and great. I ran stihl mostly and some husky but love my stihl. Me and my dad had a tree company (now just stump grinding) so I am glad to have got to run basically all the professional saws stihl makes. I think personally if someone is going to run a saw at least a couple times a week the professional (in any brand) is probably the way to go just because they will last. The professional saws have so much run time on them for us and still going strong.
Thank you for the video, very informative. You help a lot of people by explaining how things work.
Awesome..thanks
Great Video and Great Information!! Thank You! 👍🏻 👍🏻 I've learned so much from your videos!
Thank you, Bre. That was an awesome explanation of things that I have been wondering for years.
I've got a 266xp and it's a hoss, and now I know why it's run so long, I always thought XP was extra power Now I know the rest of the story... Many Thanks Miss Bre.
Husqvarna smart start feature on chain saws just refers to a compresion release valve on the side of the cylinder.
Thank you Bre
Great info. Thank you!
Great video Bre.👌 Thank You.👍👍
I Love your channel.👏👏
Hq550 and 550MK2 is accually two difrent saws
Same with the 562xp and 562xp MK2. They changed the bearing designs and a lot of tweaks that weren't just autotune tweaks. Many of the parts aren't compatible between the 2 models.
Great!. Maybe one on backpack blowers?
💯That's a big 10-4! Great info!
Love your videos Chikanic!!
Thanks for the explanation. Having owned 2 hooscavarna [ a joke ] zero turn mowers and a weed eater I will never buy another husqvarna again. The weed eater didn't last 5 hours and spun the flywheel the key or whatever sheared off, the mowers are a pain. I have changed the key switchs twice jumped one of the safety switches and currently crank them by jumping the solenoid. I am not a mechanic but I refuse to spend 95 dollars an hour shop fee to bring them in to be fixed. bought a used Stihl brought it in for repair got charged more than the saw was worth and still didn't work, ended up in the trash. I bought them because I thought husqvarna was supposed to be quality equipment and there should be no way I could get 3 lemons in a row. Never again. Eco is so far the only one I haven't had a problem with
Thanks for a very nice video! It is very interesting to see you explain the different modells. But just be aware of one thing: you are wrong when it comes to Husqvarna, Mark II. The mark II is a completly different saw. Just check out the details on 550 XPG and 550 XPG Mark II. They are completely different. Mark II has a way higher output, has a different buildt top cover, air filter, etc, etc.
Correct hence the mark 2, original series had issues so it’s a complete redesign. Did the same with the 562 which has even had revisions throughout the mark 2 series and they are on mark 3 for the 540 top handle.
Thanks! This is a very intresting and ininformative break down.
The only saw we own is our 40 + year old 041 Farm Boss that didn't fall into the charts.
We run mostly Stihl (MS 180 to a MS460 and about 7 in between) but picked up a Husky 543 XP as part of a lawn care package through a big box farm store.
I figured it would be a nice limbing saw but find myself using it more all the time
I really enjoy your channel and have referred to your videos many times to get myself out of a pickle.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Great video.
Thanks for the info
great info, could we get something like this for the string trimmers? THE BEST CHANNEL ON UA-cam !!!!!!!! .
Great video
Excellent video
Great video !
Super G you did it again!! Awesome 🇺🇲
Thanks so much!
Good one, Chick
Very good.
Good information
Grate video 😊 thanks!
Ms 500i shreds !! Gotta be handy with Stihl
Im assuming the Nano is referring to Oregons new SpeedCut Nano system. It uses a .325LP 043 chain. Its also offered in a .325 .050 Narrow Kerf for the bigger saws.
Faster, more efficient, and all that jazz.
Hva 562 the 2 = large bar mount
G = generator, heated handles as you said and also heated carb
thank you
Very good information thanks
Thanks, but more information I need on Friday evening. I have overworked my MS 250 and now need to replace sprocket, cage bearing, bar and chain. Next find out and let us know which equipment will have parts with #47 Tarriff charges or unobtainable.
Beyond the model numbers, the descriptions can be downright misleading. I have a chainsaw described as a "Poulan PRO 260." If it says "PRO," it's gotta be good, right? Nope! Manual states, "For occasional use only." 😅 Great video!
So of the three, in your opinion which is the best quality?
Good job!
on one of your vids you used a spark testing tool >>what was it & where you get one>>thanks
My 2 neighbors in Florida were crazy over Echo and they would say don't waist your money on anything else. So i bought Stihl, just to piss them off and the fact is before i ever moved to Florida i had Stihl. In Florida I needed a small chainsaw and i bought a Stihl ms 170 and it took care of what I threw at it. Now living in Missouri i looked around at saws that Stihl had and bought one. I wish I would have done more research on them. I still don't worry about the price of them. I bought a ms 250, well I'm 72 years old and not as strong as i use to be. I have a hard time pulling it to start it. I should have bought a easy start. I only use the Stihl moto mix, i know it can be expensive but I also know it should last longer, plus to keep it clean is a must. I kinda like the Husqvarna but being new in the area don't know who could work on it. I see Echo for sale everywhere but I just don't want one.
I suspect your dealer could get you the easy start cover or take your saw as trade in on a replacement. At age 82 I assure you the easy start is worth every penny of the extra cost. I also use the motomix. (I was a Stihl repair tech for a few years)
Hey alright Bree that’s what we’re talking about. Love this channel thanks for the video
You just did the best of what the dealers supposed to do. It's not their secrets. On the contrary, it shows what we all buyers need to do and choose the best needed instruments for our jobs. Thanks, chickanic.
Awesome video
Fantastic explanation! Just wishing that had been time to cover the old Stihl "0" series... Like my Prized 028 Super 💯❤️
It's pretty much the same. They just moved the zero from the front to the end as the first model variation. For example the 028 turned into the MS280 and then the MS 281.
@Chickanic Aha! Brilliant... or just convenient? TY
The 028 is nothing like the Ms270 or ms280 that is the same chassis. The 028 is a mag case saw with attached cylinder and the 270/280 is a clamshell engine. It’s not the same situation like the 026/260 where the name just changed in 1999-2000. The 026 was actually the saw that came out to replace the 028 got mine in 1991 and the 028 was still for sale at that time. The Ms 280 is a farm ranch saw not pro.
Thanks
Howdy Bre. When you were talking about Husqvarna saws, I am glad you mentioned the 445 being 50cc and the 450 being 50cc as well. I own the 445 and love that little saw. Not sure why Husqvarna made the 445 a 50cc saw instead of a 45cc saw. Not complaining, but why make two 50cc saws with different names?? Anyway, take care and keep videos coming 😊.
The 445 is the same chassis as the 450 but is smaller displacement at 46cc vs 50
@ that depends on what literature you look at. Some say it is a 50cc saw, others say it is 45cc. Personally I don’t care because I LIKE my 445.
Husky says it’s 46 cc, just like the 455 and 460 are the same saw with different displacement 55 vs 60 cc
@@christopherlehman4045 google Husqvarna and check out their page. Probably a typo, but it says both the 445 and 450 they claim as 50cc. I bet that is bad information. I always assumed the 445 was 45cc and 450 was 50cc or somewhere close to that.
Thanks Bree.
Dropping knowledge school today, that'll work!
Good info. I noticed on the last two notifications for your videos it's tagged as Members Only.
They are members first. UA-cam added a button to where when I finish editing a video, I can let the members see it immediately and still schedule it for public view the next day.
On Stihl the I stands for injection, because it's the only fuel injection saw in the world. The Husqvarna mark 2 was more then just auto tune. For instance the 562 xp mark 1 is different in side the case under the piston compared to the mark 2. The mark 2 fixed any and all problems that the mark 1 series had, but they still sell the mark 1 at a little cheaper price.
Any new saw at the dealer will be a mark 2 the old series is discontinued