Dolmar 5105

[Pit Man]

I can't say enough about this little saw. What a bad *** ! I have a 16" bar and 3/8" chain. We cut 4 cottonwoods about 3' in diameter and a big oak about the same. The Dolmar was the one that cut them all down. All my buddies saws were too dull to get the job done so I handed them the Dolmar and set back with a few beers and enjoyed the show. Thats what I like about this saw. It's not well known around here and every time somebody tries it , I get to drink their beer! I feel good. Just doing my duty for the Dolmar guys.
I'm out, but I'll post some pics tomorrow.

 

[LD1]

So let me ask.....How do you cut down a couple of 36" tree with a 16" bar???:confused3: And does the saw have felling dogs??, cause that takes away another inch or so of bar??

(I know you said "about" 3 foot, just trying to have a little fun)

Dolmars are really good saws. If you are that impressed with the 5105, wait til if you ever get a chance to run a 7900

 

[Pit Man]

Ya, 36" is pushing it . I wasn't operating the saw while having a few to many brews.It's all within walking distance of my house also. Now for the 7900 saw. What do they usually sell for. I have a Dolmar dealer near me so I'll call them up, but what is a reasonable price I can look for?

 

[LD1]

Well, I think prices have went up a bit.

A few years back, you could walk out the door with one for $700 if you were a good negotiator. And $750 wasnt bad. I figure its probabally around $800 now.

 

[RandyT]

The PS-7910 which replaced the PS-7900 is ball parking around $900. Suggested sale price with a 24" bar is $953.74. Looking at the price list right now.

 

[LD1]

The PS-7910 which replaced the PS-7900 is ball parking around $900. Suggested sale price with a 24" bar is $953.74. Looking at the price list right now.

Ouch. I guess if someone is even considering a 7900, nows the time IF there dealer happens to have one left

 

[arrow]

So let me ask.....How do you cut down a couple of 36" tree with a 16" bar???:confused3: And does the saw have felling dogs??, cause that takes away another inch or so of bar??

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Actually there are a couple of techniques that allow one to cut a larger diameter than the bar length doubling (but not too much larger) and I do not recommend any for the occasional chainsaw user. The real pain in the neck begins if you need to buck this oversized stem once it's down with the undersized bar which fortunately I never had to do as all I did was wait for the skidder.

 

[stihlman]

Glad you like your Dolmar, I have heard great things about them. Unfortunately there are no stocking dealers near me to visit to check them out I want to attend your chainsaw technique class on dropping and bucking big wood with a 16" bar, then I can sell my MS660 and 441RCM

 

[LD1]

I "know" it can be dont, but it is a PITA for an average weekend user.

The method he is probablly talking about is cutting the wedge out. Then before starting the back cut, plunge cutting up inside the wedge to get out the heartwood. And I dont like that either.

Of-course another way to cut a really large tree with a small saw is pick a tree that is hollow

And depending on how much "oversize" the tree is, you cal always use wedges and/or pulling once you cut everything you could. We cut a tree down once that was BIG. Cut ALL we could with a 24" bar, then pulling with a JD2040 and cable while driving about 5 wedges in the back. When the tree went, there was still about 10-12" in the center untouched

 

[RandyT]

Stihlman, there are 7 dealers south of mt. Vernon, most within about 40 miles of Carbondale.

 

[Pit Man]

The new saws in warehouse are PS-7910.The bar length available are 24",28",30",32".I have priced the saw in a 24" bar and chain.This is a new saw.$1013.11.This price includes Missouri state sales tax of $59.37.

 

[RandyT]

That is Dolmar's big saw now. the PS9010 was discontinued. I have a customer that will put his PS-7900 with 24 up against anybody with a Stihl MS660 any day of the week.

 

[LD1]

That is Dolmar's big saw now. the PS9010 was discontinued. I have a customer that will put his PS-7900 with 24 up against anybody with a Stihl MS660 any day of the week.

What mods has he done to the 7900?? Cause stock for stock.....there's no replacement for displacement. The 660 is no slouch. But it is also much bigger and heavier. Thats what makes the 7900 great. It isnt raw power, but power to weight ratio:thumbsup:

 

[milkman]

The method he is probablly talking about is cutting the wedge out. Then before starting the back cut, plunge cutting up inside the wedge to get out the heartwood. And I dont like that either.

Here's a real good video of that technique, I found it interesting, but a longer bar would have been a lot faster.

Forestry in Sweden 2 - YouTube

 

[LD1]

Yea that is a good video to sho the technique and how it is possible. And that technique is JUST fine for logging if that is the plan.

BUT....If you are just cutting it for firewood, you really need a bigger bar. Otherwise, how do you cut peices off for the first 20' of the log??

 

[RandyT]

What mods has he done to the 7900?? Cause stock for stock.....there's no replacement for displacement. The 660 is no slouch. But it is also much bigger and heavier. Thats what makes the 7900 great. It isnt raw power, but power to weight ratio:thumbsup:

Saw is 100% stock. I have done all the maintenance since I sold it. Do all of his chain sharpening. I have personally put this saw through a 20 inch seasoned red oak log in 8 seconds. I have also run the PS-9010/Solo 694, and this saw is three times faster than either one of them.

I have seen this saw cut 2 inches deep in the time it takes to think about taking your finger off the trigger. The only complained the customer has had with this saw over the last 5 years, and like 60 gallon of gas through it is "It cuts too fast".

,

 

[arrow]

Yea that is a good video to sho the technique and how it is possible. And that technique is JUST fine for logging if that is the plan.

BUT....If you are just cutting it for firewood, you really need a bigger bar. Otherwise, how do you cut peices off for the first 20' of the log??

That's where the real pain is. Fortunately I never had to but I seldom ventured into the woods with anything longer than a 20" bar if oaks were being harvested that day. That would handle just about any tree I came up against including a 50" wolf oak tree that was in the middle of this 200 acre site we were once logging.Its primary limbs were over 24" and just that was a pain to clear the stem (which fortunately was very short) . But on the turn I asked for the operator that day to bring up a 36" bar to do the rest and that was minimal cutting just so the skidder could land it. Not on your life would I attempt to cut up this tree with the saw I dropped it with.

 

[arrow]

Here's a real good video of that technique, I found it interesting, but a longer bar would have been a lot faster.

Forestry in Sweden 2 - YouTube

If this guy is a "professional" he needs to think of getting a new career. One chainsaw? Refuses to buy another? Won't jump to an 18" bar at least? If anyone showed up to work with a 346 with a 16" bar (then it was a 246) to work on site and it was the only saw he had, he'd be summarily dismissed. He can't be a professional but they were sure cutting trees like they were. Could anybody hear a skidder in the background?

 

[LD1]

Saw is 100% stock. I have done all the maintenance since I sold it. Do all of his chain sharpening. I have personally put this saw through a 20 inch seasoned red oak log in 8 seconds. I have also run the PS-9010/Solo 694, and this saw is three times faster than either one of them.

I have seen this saw cut 2 inches deep in the time it takes to think about taking your finger off the trigger. The only complained the customer has had with this saw over the last 5 years, and like 60 gallon of gas through it is "It cuts too fast".

,

Im not going to say you are full or it, but that is certainly somehting I would have to see to believe. Especially a STOCK 7900 going through 20" SEASONED oak in 8 seconds.

 

[Topkicker]

I'm a Stihl man myself, but would love to get my hands on a Dolmar for a try. I really like the looks and reviews on their saws. Dolmar is the only other saw brand that I would be willing to spend my hard earned $$ on.