New Chainsaw Question

[crazyal]

I do notice a difference. The 7900 has noticabally more power IMO. But I have not ran the 576 or the 385.

But how the saw feels in the cut, and how fast it cuts isn't just about power. Chain sharpening, raker depth, and cutting technique have as much to do with it as anything considering these saws are all fairly close on power.

The 372xp does perform very well. And if you cut with it today and the 7900 tomorrow, you wont notice much difference. You have to run them back to back to notice.

And as far as wether or not to compair the 7900 to the 385 or the 372, I would say either. Husky doesn't really have a saw that matches up with the 7900. It is about right smack in the middle of the 372 and 385 as far as cc's go. And its like the power of a 385 with the weight of a 372. The 385 is a couple of lbs heavier than either the 372 or the 7900. So as far as shear power to weight ratio, the 7900 wins.

Looking around I've noticed the 7900 looks like it's about the same price as the Huskys (372 and 576). Of course if you look over at baileysonline they sell a big bore kit for the 7900 that also fits the Makita 6421/ Dolmar 6400 (they use the same crankcase). For under $600 you could get a saw with more power than any of the saws listed above.

 

[LD1]

Looking around I've noticed the 7900 looks like it's about the same price as the Huskys (372 and 576). Of course if you look over at baileysonline they sell a big bore kit for the 7900 that also fits the Makita 6421/ Dolmar 6400 (they use the same crankcase). For under $600 you could get a saw with more power than any of the saws listed above.

Price is the one thing that dolmar usually has in its favor. It us usually a good bit cheaper than stihl and husky.

Around here, the 7900 can be had for 700-750. The 372xp and the ms460stihl are a tad over 800.

 

[gladehound]

Price is the one thing that dolmar usually has in its favor. It us usually a good bit cheaper than stihl and husky.

Around here, the 7900 can be had for 700-750. The 372xp and the ms460stihl are a tad over 800.

Price is not the ONE thing. It is just one of the many things.

HP - 6.3 (7900), 6.0 (460), 5.3 (372xp)
weight - 13.6 (7900), 14.6 (460), 13.4 (372xp)

Yes, the 7900 head weighs 2% more than the 372xp but for that 2% you get 20% more power!

Price, power, power/weight over both the 460 and 372xp, and weight over the 460. Are the many advantages of the 7900.

Plus did I mention the vibration control is awesome? It might also be awesome on those other saws but I haven't run them.

Dolmar has been in the game as long or longer than Stihl and Husky as well.

You really can't knock the 7900. Some say the plastic looks "cheaper" than that on the Stihl or Husky. That's subjective and usually comes from individuals who have never used a Dolmar. And if that's the best knock a Stihl or Husky loyal can take on a 7900 that in itself tells you something about the depth of the individuals thinking.

The one legitamate complaint I've heard about Dolmar is that the dealer network at least in the U.S. is weak compared to Stihl and Husky. The saw it's self seems top notch but if you don't have a dealer close by that has to be a consideration. That being said, I have only taken 1 of 5 saws that I or my father owned back to the dealer for repair. And that saw (a JD, I think made by Echo) was totaled (not the saws fault, my sisters boyfriend removed the spark arestor and did not re-tune the saw so it was probably running lean). So in 5 saws and 40 years of cutting firewood a dealer has never been helpful.

So why is Dolmar less expensive? I think it's where the company spends or doesn't spend money. I've seen lots of Stihl and Husky commercials on TV. Never in my life have I seen a Dolmar commercial. So I speculate that Dolmar is not paying for a big marketing campaign in the U.S. contributing to an overall lower cost structure.

Bottom line, I think Dolmar makes a better saw for the price than Stihl or Husky and that's why I bought one after owning two Stihls. I still like Stihl very much. I don't have experience with huskys but I think the plastic looks cheap :laughing: (I crack myself up!) But seriously, in the 70-80cc range, the 7900 is THE saw as long as you're not color blind.

 

[gladehound]

LD1 - How did you find all those Dolmar saws that you have! I think the big ones are kind of rare aren't they?

 

[LD1]

Price is not the ONE thing. It is just one of the many things.

HP - 6.3 (7900), 6.0 (460), 5.3 (372xp)
weight - 13.6 (7900), 14.6 (460), 13.4 (372xp)

Yes, the 7900 head weighs 2% more than the 372xp but for that 2% you get 20% more power!

Price, power, power/weight over both the 460 and 372xp, and weight over the 460. Are the many advantages of the 7900.

Plus did I mention the vibration control is awesome? It might also be awesome on those other saws but I haven't run them.

Dolmar has been in the game as long or longer than Stihl and Husky as well.

You really can't knock the 7900. Some say the plastic looks "cheaper" than that on the Stihl or Husky. That's subjective and usually comes from individuals who have never used a Dolmar. And if that's the best knock a Stihl or Husky loyal can take on a 7900 that in itself tells you something about the depth of the individuals thinking.

The one legitamate complaint I've heard about Dolmar is that the dealer network at least in the U.S. is weak compared to Stihl and Husky. The saw it's self seems top notch but if you don't have a dealer close by that has to be a consideration. That being said, I have only taken 1 of 5 saws that I or my father owned back to the dealer for repair. And that saw (a JD, I think made by Echo) was totaled (not the saws fault, my sisters boyfriend removed the spark arestor and did not re-tune the saw so it was probably running lean). So in 5 saws and 40 years of cutting firewood a dealer has never been helpful.

So why is Dolmar less expensive? I think it's where the company spends or doesn't spend money. I've seen lots of Stihl and Husky commercials on TV. Never in my life have I seen a Dolmar commercial. So I speculate that Dolmar is not paying for a big marketing campaign in the U.S. contributing to an overall lower cost structure.

Bottom line, I think Dolmar makes a better saw for the price than Stihl or Husky and that's why I bought one after owning two Stihls. I still like Stihl very much. I don't have experience with huskys but I think the plastic looks cheap :laughing: (I crack myself up!) But seriously, in the 70-80cc range, the 7900 is THE saw as long as you're not color blind.

I mention price as the one thing but obviously in certain classes their are other things as well. The power to weight advantage in the case of the 7900vs372vs460 does not hold true through out the entire line up. In the 30cc-60cc range in particular. But in the case of almost all of the saws they sell, they are usually cheaper than the comparable husky and stihl.

Also, The 7900 kinda has an unfair advantage over the husky and stihl as it fits a nitch right in between the 372 and 385 as well as the 460 and 660. So that is why I didn't mention the Power/weight ratio either.

And another disadvantage for dolmar is that they dont make a saw bigger than 90cc's. And even their 90cc PS9010 isnt quite the performer as the 660, 390xp and 395xp, or so I have read. I have never actually ran a 9010, but I have ran the 660 and 395xp.

But no doubt the 7900 is a great saw. I agree 100% with your last statement.

 

[LD1]

LD1 - How did you find all those Dolmar saws that you have! I think the big ones are kind of rare aren't they?

Which saws in particular are you talking about???

The biggest I own is the 7900. It as well as the 6400 and 350 are all current models that can be had at any dealer right now.

Of the others, NONE are over 70cc's.

The 120si is 68cc
The 117 is 61cc
The 116si is 60cc
and the 112 is 52cc

And by far, the better of the older ones is the SI saws. I did a little more agressive port job on the 116si and I think it will actually out-cut the 6400 and the 120si. It currently only has an 18" bar with semi-chisel low profile chain on it.

And in timed cuts in 12-13" ash it holds its own at the 9-10second mark.

The 6400 and the 120si are in the high 8's, the 372xp was in the low 7's and the 7900 is in the mid 6's. But If I were to run the full chisel chain on the 116si, I think it would possibly outcut the 6400 and 120si.

And just incase anyone was wondering, the 117 was in at mid 11's, the 112 was 15-16 seconds and the 350 was 19-20 seconds.

 

[gladehound]

LD-1 - Good info... I was mistaken and thought the model numbers indicated the engine size... i.e. 120si = ~120cc.

All my comments about the Dolmar advanges were specifically directed towards the three saws being compared (7900, MS460, 372XP). Didn't mean to imply it extended to the entire line. Dolmar did used to make a bigger saw. I think the model was 166. It was around 118cc. Don't know why they dropped that size.

 

[LD1]

LD-1 - Good info... I was mistaken and thought the model numbers indicated the engine size... i.e. 120si = ~120cc.

All my comments about the Dolmar advanges were specifically directed towards the three saws being compared (7900, MS460, 372XP). Didn't mean to imply it extended to the entire line. Dolmar did used to make a bigger saw. I think the model was 166. It was around 118cc. Don't know why they dropped that size.

Yes they also made a 133 @ 85cc a 143 @ 95 cc and a 153 @ 100cc's.

I would love to have any of them. The 133-153 usually go pretty reasonable. But the guys that have the 166 usually want $800+ for them. Too rich for my blood.

I think the reason they dont make em any bigger any more is demand. Most of the stihl and husky shops that have the new 3120xp and the 880, they are a few years old because they dont move that fast. And then they end up selling them for a lot less profit than intended. The guys that actually need saws that big dont use them that often either, so they aren replacing them that often.

I think it is costing dolmar sales in the smaller models too. Cause most tree outfits (atleas around here) like to stick to one brand and one servicing dealer. And when they NEED a bigger saw, and dolmar doesnt offer one, they wont even give the smaller models the time of day, even if they are in every way better and cheaper.

And to answer toy earlier question as to where I got them, Mostly c-list and ebay. I would like to eventuly own one of every dolmar in the series from 109-123, and then a few of the bigger ones earlier mentioned. But there are a few in that 109-123 range that were older models from the 70's. like the 118, 119, and the 122. I am trying to get the ones from the mid 80's and on.

 

[Storm56]

LD1 - How did you find all those Dolmar saws that you have! I think the big ones are kind of rare aren't they?

I bought 2 Makita 6401's, (same as Dolmar, just different color), from Baileys. $499 shipped when they have free shipping. Also bought a big bore kit, have not yet installed it. Saws have plenty of power for my uses stock. I also bought a new never had gas in it Dolmar 510 out of the local paper for $240. Deals are around, you just have to keep your eyes open.

As stated in an earlier post, I also have 3 Stihl's and have come to prefer the Dolmar/Makita saws. No new Stihl's are in my future.

 

[crazyal]

I mention price as the one thing but obviously in certain classes their are other things as well. The power to weight advantage in the case of the 7900vs372vs460 does not hold true through out the entire line up. In the 30cc-60cc range in particular. But in the case of almost all of the saws they sell, they are usually cheaper than the comparable husky and stihl.

Also, The 7900 kinda has an unfair advantage over the husky and stihl as it fits a nitch right in between the 372 and 385 as well as the 460 and 660. So that is why I didn't mention the Power/weight ratio either.

And another disadvantage for dolmar is that they dont make a saw bigger than 90cc's. And even their 90cc PS9010 isnt quite the performer as the 660, 390xp and 395xp, or so I have read. I have never actually ran a 9010, but I have ran the 660 and 395xp.

But no doubt the 7900 is a great saw. I agree 100% with your last statement.

I really don't need a new saw as I have no plans on cutting until spring at the earliest so I have been reading up. The 6400, 7300, and 7900 are all the same frame. I think that in power to weight the 7900 should be very high while the 6400 not so. The advantage of getting the 6400 (or the makita version if you like blue) is you can put the same big bore kit on it for under $600.

The next time I head down to NH I'll stop at a Dolmar dealer and get some hands on.