Recommendations for 14"/16" chainsaw?

[IslandTractor]

I need to limb and cut up a bunch of small/medium size softwood trees that I felled with tractor/BH/ripper. The biggest is probably 12 inches in diameter, most are 6-8 inches. I already own a crappy 16" Poulan on it's last legs and was thinking of investing in a better and perhaps even lighter saw as this is the type of work I do most often. I have access to a 20" Husky for bigger work. I expect to be doing this type of cutting each year as I clear land and imagine it will be about two or three days of chainsaw work each year (a few cords).

I'd like to get a reliable saw that I will not need to replace in a few years (eg not a Poulan) and also do not want to have problems locating parts.

I know most of the discussion here is for bigger saws but wonder if any of you have experience with the smaller versions put out by Husquvarna, Stihl etc. In particular I came across a Makita DCS34 which is a rebranded Dolmar PS34 for a pretty good price ($230 or so) and wonder about that saw's reputation and parts availabilty. How would the Dolmar compare to prosumer versions of Husky/Stihl products?

Finally, am I wrong to think that a smaller saw would be the way to go in my situation? I really will not need to use this saw on anything bigger than 12" and most cuts would be 4-6" or smaller.

Thanks

 

[dfkrug]

I have the DCS34, purchased new 5 y ago. I love it, and I VERY much
need a small saw for my hillside logging and limbing. (My big saw is for
level ground cutting only.)

I accidentally broke it a few years ago, and the parts cost was too high
at the time. I custom-fixed it myself, and it has served well for these
years. 2 weeks ago, the starting effort made it unusable. Thankfully,
the parts prices are way down, and I have ordered the plastic parts to
repair it.

Meanwhile, I need a small saw, so I bought a Shindaiwa 377 used on
Craigs. Not cheap, but I love the easy-start, and the power of this
thing. Soon I will have TWO good light saws.

 

[LD1]

I need to limb and cut up a bunch of small/medium size softwood trees that I felled with tractor/BH/ripper. The biggest is probably 12 inches in diameter, most are 6-8 inches. I already own a crappy 16" Poulan on it's last legs and was thinking of investing in a better and perhaps even lighter saw as this is the type of work I do most often. I have access to a 20" Husky for bigger work. I expect to be doing this type of cutting each year as I clear land and imagine it will be about two or three days of chainsaw work each year (a few cords).

I'd like to get a reliable saw that I will not need to replace in a few years (eg not a Poulan) and also do not want to have problems locating parts.

I know most of the discussion here is for bigger saws but wonder if any of you have experience with the smaller versions put out by Husquvarna, Stihl etc. In particular I came across a Makita DCS34 which is a rebranded Dolmar PS34 for a pretty good price ($230 or so) and wonder about that saw's reputation and parts availabilty. How would the Dolmar compare to prosumer versions of Husky/Stihl products?

Finally, am I wrong to think that a smaller saw would be the way to go in my situation? I really will not need to use this saw on anything bigger than 12" and most cuts would be 4-6" or smaller.

Thanks

The PS34 is actually one of dolmars lowest end saws. And they don't still currently offer it in their lineup.

As dolmar saws go, anything with 2 numbers is considered a homeowner version. Allthough it is still a better quality saw than a craftsman/poulan/homelite. 3 Numbered saws are mid range. And 4 numbers are professional.

If you have acess to the bigger saw when you need it, I would be looking at the dolmar 350 or 420. They are the same saw, the 420 just has a larger piston and cylinder.

Thing about smaller saws like what you are looking for, performance IMO means nothing. Vibration means everything. Our trim saw used to be a 136 husky from the box store. It got stolen and we got a 350 dolmar. I have NEVER ran a saw this smooth. The AV is amazing. You cant even feel the saw in your hands. I would get to a dealer and see if he will let you try one of these. I think they rund about 250 new and the little bigger 420 is closer to 300 but I think still under.

If you think you want a little more power with not much more weight look at the 5105.

Or if you have a spare $750 laying around, buy a 7900 and throw a 14" bar on it.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[ultrarunner]

I've been using a Echo CS-341... it's been bulletproof and keep in my truck at all times.

What I like about it is:

Always easy to start... one of the few models with a primer bowl.

Light Weight making it perfect to use when I'm climbing high in a tree.

Replacement Loops are reasonable... a good thing when I know I might damage one cutting a root.

A few years ago, a large 40" dia tree topple and blocked a friends driveway... I had the Echo in the truck and it did the job making two cuts allowing a section of trunk to be moved.

This is a small saw and the handle is compact great for limbing and one handing...

I paid around $239 a few years ago.

 

[mjonesnh]

I have a Husky 142-e series that was was purchased new at Lowes by a co- worker. It came with a 16" bar but after I bought it from him I put a 14" Oregon bar and chain on it. Going to a 14'' bar made this saw into a very decent limbing saw for my occasional farm use.

 

[LD1]

I forgot to mention (ultrarunner reminded me)

The PS350 and PS420 also have a primer bulb.

 

[bstrom]

I've had good luck with the smaller Echo saws that I've owned. Right now I've got a CS-400 that is lightweight, always starts, has great revs and compression and cuts like crazy. And since it's orange, you can find it in the woods and if you got a Kubota it will match your tractor.

 

[ultrarunner]

The Echo cs-341 is a little more pricey... around $300 now.

ECHO CS-341 33.4cc Top Handle Chain Saw - ECHO USA

 

[IslandTractor]

For those of you with Dolmar saws, have you found it difficult to get parts or service?

 

[LD1]

Have rarely needed parts of service.

But I do have a good servicing dealer 20 miles away. But the only dolmar "parts" I have ever purchased were top plastic covers.My 7900 was one of the first few years that was ALL ORANGE. I like the black top plastic better. None in stock, order only. He took the plastic off a saw he had on the shelf, gave that to me, and said he would put the ones he ordered back on that saw. Hows that for service.

But seriously, in this day in age, internet is the parts king. You can get anything and everything. Ebay, out of state distributors and dealers.

But I do my own servicing though. But have rarely had to. Dolmars are built solid.