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.

 

[peterc38]

I think a 50 cc saw is too small for your described use of several trees over 30" and feeding a wood furnace.

If you are only going to have one saw, IMO you need a 60cc minimum.

I still agree w/ LD1 for bang for your buck you can't beat the Makita from Baileys.

Otherwise, pony up a little more dough for an MS361 or 372XP.

 

[20 20]

Out of the choices you gave I'd go with the stihl ms 290 I have a 310 and a 250 great saws. I use mine for more then just firewood I also have a small mill, so my saws are used A LOT. If you do want a little better bang for your buck go with the 361 pro saw. A 290 will handle the trees you mentioned, I've cut bigger{even with the 250}. Are you going to mill them or just buck them up? Another thing to think about is bar size, to big a bar and the saw is a pig. I use 16" on mine and they cut like beavers on steriods. A longer bar is handy when it comes into limbing but for firewood I would not worry about that.

 

[newbury]

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.

With those "monster" pines you should do "mission creep" and look into getting a chainsaw miil like the Alaskan Mark III. With a Stihl 460 class saw you could get enough lumber to build a barn.
Look on ebay for QUALITY sellers who only sell saws. I got what seems to be a good Stihl 660 for about $550.

 

[killdozerd11]

Buy the Stihl....... Luke :laughing:

Good friend of mine who had a lot of years in the lumber industry then retired to doing sales always told buy the Stihl and you will never be sorry :thumbsup:

But like all things tool ........maintenance is a key factor :thumbsup:
When your done using any 2 cycle equipment empty the fuel tank and run till it dies the biggest problem is gummed carbs :ashamed:

 

[wildwillie]

Stihl or Husky are the only saws you see up here and we got lots of trees.
My Stihl 036 is some 12 years old and never had any problems. Just run it out of fuel when your done with it.I bought it because that's what most loggers use.

 

[highboy1975]

the ms361 is a really nice saw, but way out of my price range. as far as the pines go, thats the only time ill be cutting that big, and i just want to drop, limb, and cut them up to burn in my outdoor pit or most likely just toss in the ditch. i have 3 stihl service shops nearby, a dolmar shop, and the place selling dolmars is the one clearancing the huskys. the stihl shop i drive past daily, and the place with the dolmars and husky i drive past every couple days. both are pretty convenient for me. im waiting on the guy with the 036pro to get back to me with the compression numbers, and i think the husky is sounding really good for the price.

 

[galen1115]

I bought the last Stihl MS360 my dealer had. They replaced it with a saw that doesn't perform as well. lf you can still find one, I suggest buying it.

 

[SensibleNick]

Another Vote for Stihl. :thumbsup:

My brother is an arborist/tree surgeon and runs 3 stihls daily. He has yet to meet another guy in his trade who uses anything else.

Having said that... I run a husky from '89 and it's faultless.

 

[wampum]

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.

Your numbers are not real world numbers. The 5100 power head is 11.2,
oil wt.is 9 oz.,gas wt. is 15.6 which makes the Power Head loaded 12.5 pounds. The 6400 is 13.6 pounds,oil 13.6 oz. ,gas 25.4 oz. ,which makes the loaded power head 16.96 pounds. Just for fun I weighed my 7900 loaded with a bar and chain and it was right at 20 pounds. Bailey's told me a good bar and chain (20 inch) for the 6400 would be 3 and 1/2 pounds,and shipping would be $20.00 to here in Pa. Which makes the actual running weight of the 6400 at 20 pounds give or take a couple ozs. The 5100 with an 18 inch bar and chain would be under 3 pounds,which would make weigh about 15 pounds,5 pounds less then the 6400. These are 2 totally different saws,the 5100 is for limbing and general firewood cutting. The 6400 can be used the same but the extra weight of 5 actual pounds difference would make it a lot more saw to lug around,for firewood cutting.

 

[arrow]

If you are not used to dropping trees, I would not look at dropping a 30" tree without some expertise. If you would like to reduce headaches and you plan on burning wood for some time in the future, get a pro saw. Husky and Stihl make junk as well as excellent saws. I feel you are under budgeting yourself especially if you plan eventually dealing with larger timber. A 20" bar even on something such as Husky 357 is at the max. Everyone has cheapened up their saws over the years so why start off with a disadvantage of buying a homeowners version of an already cheapened saw? The last thing you want is a saw wimping out on you as you are making the felling cut. If you are taking down trees, an occasional use built chainsaw is an oxymoron to me.