chainsaw decision time

[highboy1975]

im trying to decide what chainsaw to get. so far ive looked at the dolmar 5100 for 435 or so, a husky rancher 455 for 350, and a stihl ms290 for 379. i was leaning toward the ms290, but i just looked at the dolmar, which i liked alot for the money, and the 455 husky is a pretty good price too. im still holding the ms290 at the top of my list since it looks pretty powerful for the money, but the dolmar looks pretty good at 60$ more. i also thought about a used 036 pro, but im a little leery of a used saw.

 

[LD1]

The ms290 and the 455 are homeowner grade saws.

The 5100 is a pro grade saw but there have been some problems lately with them burning up. They run extremely high RPM and I have heard that a combination of dealers not tuning them right, cold weather, and ethanol in the gas have been the cause.

Just a suggestion but look at the makita dcs6401 at baileys. They are made by dolmar and is pretty much the same as a the 7900 jsut a smaller jug and piston. And the opition to upgrade is always there as they dont even make a replacement 64cc jug and piston. The only options are the OEM 79cc and an aftermarket 84cc kit.

Here is the link Bailey's - Makita Model DCS 6401 Chainsaw with 20" Bar & Chain

For under $500 no saw even comes close to the performance and quality IMO. It will absolutly smoke any of the other saws you listed and it is a true PRO grade saw. And if you don't want to order one without trying one, these are the saws that Home Depot rents, so you could always rent one to try it or go to a dolmar and try their ps6400, which is the same saw.

I will also add that you may want to check out arboristsite.com It is just like TBN here but instead of talking about tractors, all they do is talk chainsaws

 

[peterc38]

I agree w/ LD1 in regards to the makita 6401 being a big bang for your buck for under 500 clams.

For other good saws, check out my signature

Also, tell us what type of use you are considering, i.e. frequency, size and amount of wood, etc.

 

[drivadesl]

I know what you said about looking at used saws, but right now is a great time to get used equipment. If you're not in a rush watch for craigslist you will definintly find something and save yourself some good $$. I have a Stihl MS-361 which I bought new which is an excellent saw. If you search this on Arboristsite.com you will find lots of good info on this saw and others as well. A couple years back I found a lightly used Stihl MS-660 for $600 on CL. With two bars and chains this was a $1000+ machine, so the deals are there if you can wait. Also, suggest getting a pro-saw, if you plan on owning for a while you'll be much happier. My 2cents.

 

[highboy1975]

we're going to be burning wood here starting next winter, so i will be doing alot of cutting for the furnace. also, i have about 8 monster pines in the yard that need to get out of here. im talking at least 6 stories tall and with trunks probably over 30 inches. theyre 80 years old and need to leave before they fall on something. i know the dolmar is a pro saw and the others are landowner saws, but craftsman titles one of theirs a pro saw, but id hesitate to put it with the husky and stihl pro saws. i was going on a budget. id really like to stay under 400$, but the dolmar doesnt exceed that by much. my other option is ive found a stihl 036 pro on cl for 250 and im strongly considering that, but im afraid of getting something used. who knows what kind of life its had. im told an old farmer owned it, but people will tell you anything. mostly, i want something that will have the oomph to go through some big stuff at a decent pace but not be too heavy to use. the 455 is about as heavy as i want to go. another thing is, i dont like to replace things. i want something that is going to be around awhile, otherwise id spend 150$ on a craftsman and call it done.

 

[beenthere]

Stihl MS361....while they can still be bought.

 

[wampum]

im trying to decide what chainsaw to get. so far ive looked at the dolmar 5100 for 435 or so, a husky rancher 455 for 350, and a stihl ms290 for 379. i was leaning toward the ms290, but i just looked at the dolmar, which i liked alot for the money, and the 455 husky is a pretty good price too. im still holding the ms290 at the top of my list since it looks pretty powerful for the money, but the dolmar looks pretty good at 60$ more. i also thought about a used 036 pro, but im a little leery of a used saw.

That Dolmar 5100 is one fine saw. As far as them burning up, any saw will burn up if it is tuned to lean or you do not run the right gas mix. One
saw that is close to the 5100 in its class and ma-be a little faster is the Husky 346XP,but its a bit more expensive. I have seen a couple 5100's under $400.00 lately, Also if it does burn up or any brand saw for that matter,it should be under warranty. If its set to lean you will know way before the warranty is up. If you know someone with a tack,have them set it just under 13800 rpm. Once you run 10 to 12 tanks threw it bring it up to around 14200 to 14300. It is rated at about 14500 rpm's so you should be okay.I even know guys that are running ported ones over 15000 RPM. The 5100 is around 5 pounds lighter then the 6400. My 7900 loaded with fuel and a 20"bar comes in at about 19 pounds and the 6400 would come in about the same. The 5100 is a great all around woods saw,if you get one I do not think you will be sorry. There are several 5100's on E-bay that are under $400.00,(shipping price is included)if you want to use that as a bargaining chip with your dealer.

 

[LD1]

The 5100 is only 2.4 lbs lighter than a 6400-7900. 11.2lbs cs 13.6 lbs

For about $80-$100 more than the 5100, and a only 2.4lbs heavier, I'd take the 4.8HP 6400 over the 3.8HP 5100. And as I mentioned earlier, the upgradability of the 6400.

 

[SpringHollow]

MS 361 is a great overall saw. The 036 is nice. The 660 is a great saw but a little big for an everyday saw. The 260 is a pretty nice saw if you want a lighter one. And the 180 is really nice for a light weight saw - it always amazes me what you can cut with that saw.

Ken

 

[WayneB]

If it was me I would stick with Stihl or Husky with the key being able to find a service center close by where you live. Secondly I would not buy it from one of the big package stores! They know absolutely nothing about saws, just pushing boxes out the front door.

I have both Stihl and Husky saws and actually have a 455 that I like and hate at the same time. The problem I have had with the Husky is the oil delivery pump/system failing. (Twice) could be just the saw I have but the other Husky and Stihl have never failed me.

I also have an ECHO pruning saw which doesn't get lots of use, but has been a very good saw, problem is the local service guy went out of business.

If I sound hooked on service it is just when something breaks I want to be able to drive out that same day and get a part and be up and running. I buy from that guy that might crew a bit of tobacco, spits allot, says very little, but man does he know what he is selling. Find someone that is going to tune the saw up, check it out and when you walk out of his shop you know the saw is ready to cut wood.

Remember going into Sears and talking to the Saw Guy and the first question he ask me was "Are you cutting hardwood or softwood?" Decided right then to be nice and get out of there as fast as I could.