Stihl Farm Boss 20" v. Husq Rancher 455 20"

[peterc38]

310 is kaput-replaced by 311.
311 is ~$450.
290 is $340. leaves me a little wallet money.

Or buy some PPE if you don't have it

[Steve C]

Is Sachs Dolmar the one Makita bought? Heard nothing but good about them. I've also heard a lot of good things about Jonsereds, but I worked for a guy decades ago who had one and that frickin saw wouldn't start for nobody.

I agree neither saw is great, but I limited my budget to $400. Looking at used "pro" saws, but afraid I'm gonna get a turd or something with low compression, etc.

Get a new "pro" saw, an Efco 152 or an Echo 600P Both saws can be purchased new for around $400. You will love either one of them. The Makita 50cc saw can be had for even less and it is a great saw also.

[KeithT]

I just picked up a Dolmar 5100s today at a dealer for $350. It has been replaced by a newer 5105 (several improvements) model that would have cost me $500.

I couldnt pass up the deal on the 5100, I was close to pulling the trigger on a Stihl 260 which I know is a great saw but would have run me $520.

I am pleased to get a "pro" quality 50cc saw for $350!

you may want to check around for a leftover 5100??

[LD1]

I just picked up a Dolmar 5100s today at a dealer for $350. It has been replaced by a newer 5105 (several improvements) model that would have cost me $500.

I couldnt pass up the deal on the 5100, I was close to pulling the trigger on a Stihl 260 which I know is a great saw but would have run me $520.

I am pleased to get a "pro" quality 50cc saw for $350!

you may want to check around for a leftover 5100??

The 5105 shouldn't cost anyone $500. It should still be in the $400-$450 range OTD. Allthough you may have to whell and deal a bit.

The 5100 is a great saw but has had numerous problems which has lead to a bad rap. Most of the problems were caused by mis-informed operators. So make sure you us GOOD SYNTHETHIC 2-cycle mix and HIGH TEST ETHANOL FREE gas.

Also, the 14,500 is a bit much. Dolmar ran these things lean to get them to pass EPA with the hopes that the selling/servicing dealer would re-adjust the saw. So...If I were you, I'd richen it up just a tad. You will lose a tad bit of power, but you will increase the service life of the saw tremendously.

[gladehound]

I'd love to have a dolmar 5100 to go with my 7900. But I second the previous post. Richen it up so that it is 4-stoking at WOT not in wood but smooths out in the wood. If it's not 4-stroking at WOT no load it will likely burn up.

[KeithT]

Thanks guys, I will richen it up. I richened (slightly) my 7900. I may adjust the rpms down a touch too.

The dealer started it and ran it at WOT and I immediatley noticed no 4 stroking. -Keith

[Steve C]

Amazon.com: Makita DCS510-18 Commercial Grade 18-Inch 50cc 2-Stroke 3.2 HP Gas-Powered Chain Saw: Patio, Lawn & Garden

It is a couple cc's and a couple tenths of HP below a Efco 152 but it is a lot of saw for the money.

[mountainlake]

The 5105 shouldn't cost anyone $500. It should still be in the $400-$450 range OTD. Allthough you may have to whell and deal a bit.

The 5100 is a great saw but has had numerous problems which has lead to a bad rap. Most of the problems were caused by mis-informed operators. So make sure you us GOOD SYNTHETHIC 2-cycle mix and HIGH TEST ETHANOL FREE gas.

Also, the 14,500 is a bit much. Dolmar ran these things lean to get them to pass EPA with the hopes that the selling/servicing dealer would re-adjust the saw. So...If I were you, I'd richen it up just a tad. You will lose a tad bit of power, but you will increase the service life of the saw tremendously.

i don't think the Dolmar 5100 has numerous problems, just one being set to lean to get by the EPA as you said. These saws will gain power when set a little richer, when on the borderline of burning up they have high RPM's but bog easy, a little more fuel they'll have way more torque. Steve

[mountainlake]

There are quite a fews saws built better and with more power for the wieght than either a MS290 or HUsky 455 that are close in price.

Echo CS600 $400 off Ebay
Dolmar 5100s or 5105 $375 to $450
Makita 510 $320
Efco 152 or 156
Redmax 621 $450
Echo CS400 Ebay $200 I have one muff modded and tuned right it will cut almost as fast as the 290 455
Husky 346xp $475 If your going to keep it for years $100 more will be well wrth it.
With either the 290 or 455 your just paying extra for the name, also the 455 has a LOT of oiler troubles.
Steve

[Builder]

There are quite a fews saws built better and with more power for the wieght than either a MS290 or HUsky 455 that are close in price.

Echo CS600 $400 off Ebay
Dolmar 5100s or 5105 $375 to $450
Makita 510 $320
Efco 152 or 156
Redmax 621 $450
Echo CS400 Ebay $200 I have one muff modded and tuned right it will cut almost as fast as the 290 455
Husky 346xp $475 If your going to keep it for years $100 more will be well wrth it.
With either the 290 or 455 your just paying extra for the name, also the 455 has a LOT of oiler troubles.
Steve

We're talking new saws with 20" barhere, right? I can't touch a CS600 for less than $499. I can get an MS290 for $340 no tax or shipping at a local dealer I found. That's $159 difference. Granted the CS600 is more saw, but a $159 is a BIG price difference.
My budget is $400 or less.

Now the Makita (Sachs) is pretty nice and priced right.