A family member is needing a new saw to replace his Stihl wood boss. He said he wants to spend $400 or less, but that's really kinda flexible. He's a Stihl fan and I'm a Husqvarna fan. We've both read good things about Dolmar, but have neither one used one. He doesn't heat with wood, so it's use is pretty limited. He has a current project where he needs to cut about a dozen trees, but after that it won't get used very often. Around 50 cc will be adequate, but the biggest he can get without exceeded the weight of the current wood boss is more important.
You'll spend more money that way, unless you do VERY little cutting.
It had a poor power to weight ratio. There's way better saws for the given budget.If your friend had good luck with the Wood Boss why not get another one? Cutting a dozen trees is break-in time.
Not the ms250. Sorry guys, but it's a homeowner saw. For $400 there's WAY better saws. I think you can buy a Dolmar 5105 for that. Echo cs590 would be a good choice too. Husky 555 is a good saw as well.
$400 is right at the cusp of good machines. Yes an ms250 is a fine saw, and yes it'll cut a lot of wood, but it's got a plastic crankcase, and is a "clamshell" design. Spend a little more, buy something pro-grade. All of the ones i mentioned above are pro grade. Magnesium case, split case construction.
I'm a stihl guy myself, but unless you're buying used, $400 won't get you one worth buying.
Speaking of used, I know where you can buy an ms361 (60cc pro stihl) for $425 delivered to your door. Used, with no warranty, but dealership service is pretty shoddy anyways.
Scream and holler, but I bought this one.. Its a beast![]()
http://www.timberpro-uk.com/timberpro-62cc-petrol-chainsaw-with-16-20-chains-and-bars/