Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time.....

   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #91  
Power listed the same....the 291 lists 3/4# lighter. So I stand corrected.

Just assumed the 291 was a slight facelift and more EPA stuff vs the 290.

I cannot recall now weather it was the 290 or 291 that I tested. Was not impressed. Cut more like a 3 HP saw instead of pushing 4 HP. And heft in the hand felt closer to a 5 HP saw. So my conclusion was bulk / weight of a 5hp but performance of a 3hp. Not impressed.

You're right about the power to weight of that series of saws. I've never been much impressed with them either. Now, I've never ran a 291, maybe that's different. I do know that if I was spending $450 on a saw, it wouldn't be a farm boss.

On the other hand, though, those saws sure have cut a lot of wood for a lot of happy owners. They can definitely take some abuse and keep ticking. If someone gave me a burned up 029, I wouldn't mind throwing a high quality aftermarket 039 top end on it and having a little sleeper saw. That and a 16" 3/8 bar would be a fine little firewood saw.
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time.....
  • Thread Starter
#92  
A few weeks ago, I was at a sawmill/firewood EXPO, and there were a few venders there selling 550xp's for $500.00...

Anyway, here's what I bought a while back, and I love it!

standard.jpg


Switching it over to 3/8's chain, made a real saw out of it! lol

SR

Same as I have, 3 years old now, fastest cutting saw I ever had for the weight, very well balance fits me like a glove, it will cut circles around my son's Stihl MS 291, his saw starts good, idles good, runs good, but where's the BEEF, with Stihl if you want a fast saw, you have to buy the lead with it.
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time.....
  • Thread Starter
#93  
It seemed to cut pretty good. What kind of power does it make?

That old Husqvarna L65 saw had fairly good power for the 70s but todays Huskys are a lot better, more balanced and the power to wieght rastio is way up now......
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #94  
To muddy the waters a little. About 20 years ago a walked into sears wanting a cheap saw when I found out they had a solo 651 in the basement they used as a demo for a tent sell. I didn't even know at the time solo made gas saws. Locally their electric saw where the only ones anyone used and had used it myself. I talked them down to 200 dollars. I went in for a firewood saw but seeing I just bought a nicer saw I took it to work also. Don't do much log work anymore so it only sees about 5-8 day of work plus home use but it use to see 40-50 days for years. It went in when it was new because it would only use half a tank and the tune was terrible. It has never been back. Boss paid for the tuneup so I guess I'm at about 10 bucks a year. It wouldn't be my first choice because of dealer support but for that price I don't mind having to wait a week for a part to show up if I ever need one.
In the market for a new saw but not to replace the 651. Just need a bigger saw.
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #95  
To muddy the waters a little. About 20 years ago a walked into sears wanting a cheap saw when I found out they had a solo 651 in the basement they used as a demo for a tent sell. I didn't even know at the time solo made gas saws. Locally their electric saw where the only ones anyone used and had used it myself. I talked them down to 200 dollars. I went in for a firewood saw but seeing I just bought a nicer saw I took it to work also. Don't do much log work anymore so it only sees about 5-8 day of work plus home use but it use to see 40-50 days for years. It went in when it was new because it would only use half a tank and the tune was terrible. It has never been back. Boss paid for the tuneup so I guess I'm at about 10 bucks a year. It wouldn't be my first choice because of dealer support but for that price I don't mind having to wait a week for a part to show up if I ever need one.
In the market for a new saw but not to replace the 651. Just need a bigger saw.

Solo made GREAT saws. I don't think they're available though in the US anymore, though. If you want something similar but larger, look at Dolmars. I'd look at a 6100 or 7900. Both are great German made saws with excellent per to weight ratios.
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #96  
Solo made GREAT saws. I don't think they're available though in the US anymore, though. If you want something similar but larger, look at Dolmars. I'd look at a 6100 or 7900. Both are great German made saws with excellent per to weight ratios.
I have a Dolmar 7910. Great power and a great running saw. 24 inch bar and I have yet to get bogged down.
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #97  
IMO 290 310 are pigs and under powered too. ;)

Cant say that with the new replacement ones though IMO. Just from using firewood cutters saws that come in and tested before giving back.

I wouldnt buy any of them new. Maybe for 150-200 used but then again highly doubtful. :laughing:
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #98  
My deealer is selling 550 for $499 and 562 $609 right now. That is with the extra $50 off for a trash saw trade in.
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #99  
My Husky 266xp from 1983 would still put a whoopin on a lot of today's saws, cost per year on that bad boy? :D
 
   / Chainsaw brands, full time vs. part time..... #100  
My Husky 266xp from 1983 would still put a whoopin on a lot of today's saws, cost per year on that bad boy? :D

I had a 266SE that was a great saw to run. I bought it used for ~$250, it was my main saw for 5 or 6 years. Someone stole it:mur: along with all the other saws which were dolmars. I dont currently have any huskies in the stable, but if a good deal presented itself on one of the 1980's pro models....It would sure be hard to pass it up.
 

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