Looking at a 441 Stihl

[LD1]

The fuel mileage and anti-vibe are much better as well.
Steve

I dont get much fuel mileage out of any of my saws. I cut all day long carrying my saw around and burn over a gallon of fuel. Bt the saw never makes it more than ~1/4 mile. So....1/4 mile (or 4 gallons/mile) isnt too good:laughing::laughing:

I agree with Sean though, I am not looking forward to fuel injection. Carbs are fine with me. Easier to work on, easier to tune, easier to fix, and cheaper to boot.:thumbsup:

 

[art]

I think that has MUCH less to do with it than the reasons I mentioned.

If by that statement, you are somehow implying that stihl saws are more reliable than the competition. Because that is not a factual statement.

I can't talk about the dolmar as like others here there are no dealers in our area. I can tell you that many of our pro people DO work on their own saws!

I can also say that when we gave up Husky four years ago and went with just Stihl the warrantee work we were doing on the Husky was double the amount that we did on the stihls for identical sales per dollar.

The one thing I will let people know is we did a lot of "husky tune-ups" from people that were cutting at full throttle when running out of fuel. Many people just swapped them off at that time do to the cost of the pison and jug and having nearly the amount of a new saw when fixed. You should stop cutting and refuel at appropriate time so as not to run out of fuel!

I do know of customers that do enjoy the way a husky feels and that seems to be the largest reason for their purchase.

Personally depending on the amount of wood to cut I'd still stay with a 20" bar and just make two cuts if it is only for a dozen or so trees. You could have three extra chains for the price of a big bar!

 

[xyz123]

I'm with you Chilly. I'm staying old school for as long as possible.

Heck the dealer shops dont even have the diagnostic machines to trouble shoot these new saws yet. They just start throwing parts and chips at them hoping they find the problem.

 

[PLUMMER]

Hmmmm..... The pro's don't use dolmar's but a weekend warrior part timer suggests their better ??? I missed something here. They might be a decent saw, but you'll always wish you had a Stihl. There is a reason stihl is by far the most popular among pros, if it has to make you money for a living, you don't take chances. I just cant see using a big saw for a few trees when a perfect 360 will do fine. All these huge bars on small saws and big heavy saws for occasional use. I'm all good for the just gotta have it crowd, but for application, you just can't justify it. Don't forget, oil pumps don't always keep up with larger than recommended bars. A 440 & 460 is a bucking/fellers saw. JMO of course.

 

[jcmseven]

Plummer, you make a good point and one which I appreciate. I like the 441 saw based on its features and power (and the fact I could get a good deal on it) but really do not want something too big. I do not use my saws that much but when I do I use them on large wood and mostly oak, poplar, birch, etc. These trees are tall and thick and have fallen around my acreage from a mature hardwood forest. I very rarely cut down existing trees as I cannot chance the additional risk of felling much of what I have on the erratic terrain around my house. I leave that to the pro's. I can and do, though, cut downed trees (I have a lot of them) around my property and want something that will cut better than my example Stihl--and more quickly. I do not, though, want something so cumbersome that it defeats the purpose of having it. Much like with tractors: my current JD 2320 is as fast doing most of what I do on my terrain as was my old, much larger 4520 due to its maneuverability and I am sure the same can be said for saws. I have not purchased anything yet, as I want to get feedback and make sure I get the saw I will use and enjoy using for many years to come. I would say I am partial to Stihl power equipment but am not brand blind if there is a more suitable offering out there from another company.

John M

 

[LD1]

Hmmmm..... The pro's don't use dolmar's but a weekend warrior part timer suggests their better ??? I missed something here. They might be a decent saw, but you'll always wish you had a Stihl. There is a reason stihl is by far the most popular among pros, if it has to make you money for a living, you don't take chances. I just cant see using a big saw for a few trees when a perfect 360 will do fine. All these huge bars on small saws and big heavy saws for occasional use. I'm all good for the just gotta have it crowd, but for application, you just can't justify it. Don't forget, oil pumps don't always keep up with larger than recommended bars. A 440 & 460 is a bucking/fellers saw. JMO of course.

Wow, got something personal against me????

First time you visit in 2 months and you dig up a couple of older threads and single me out here:confused2:

You are right though, I certainly not a pro and not need a saw to make a living. But I do know saws pretty well. But like you said, I am just a "weekend warrior". JUST like everyone else on here asking opinions on saws. So this is just one weekend warriors advice to another.

I dont own a stihl because for the price, I could get a more powerful saw of another make. If Ive got $750 to spend on a new saw, and want the fastest and most powerful saw I can get for that money, it certainly aint a stihl.

Not to take that as meaning stihls are bad. Because they are a good saw. I just want MORE for my money.

And the more post you make, it is becoming very clear that you have never ran a dolmar. And if you want to know what the "pros" say, why dont you pay a visit to arboristsite.com and see what they say about saws like the 5105 and 7900. Perhaps that will open you brand blind eyes a bit.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion on what saws they like and everyone has a right to share there opinions and experiences with the different brands. But I dont much care for blatant brand bashing and singling a person out, without any informed facts to back anything up.

I'll ask again, what saws do you run??

 

[arrow]

Well I logged for 30 years and I never wished I had a Stihl. I mean I owned plenty of them but what I observed was that a "crew" would tend to buy what everyone else had for a given area. It also had more to do with the dealers and what they'd sell and work on a saw for. As they all break and they can all be good, I've had saws of the same model with both those characteristics and thus had no brand loyalty or affinity. I understand there are a few crews up in Maine that use Dolmars. I mean so what. It may mean absolutely nothing as to have one brand stand against another because "loggers" use them. There are too many other variables like dealers in an area, ergonomic preferences and egocentricities that go into it and thus why talking up or down any saw is like p$$$$g in the wind. Buy what's comfortable from the dealer near you. Mix the gas right and don't run over it with the tractor and as a weekend warrior or less, chances are your saw will last a lifetime and I don't care who makes it.

 

[LD1]

Well I logged for 30 years and I never wished I had a Stihl. I mean I owned plenty of them but what I observed was that a "crew" would tend to buy what everyone else had for a given area. It also had more to do with the dealers and what they'd sell and work on a saw for. As they all break and they can all be good, I've had saws of the same model with both those characteristics and thus had no brand loyalty or affinity. I understand there are a few crews up in Maine that use Dolmars. I mean so what. It may mean absolutely nothing as to have one brand stand against another because "loggers" use them. There are too many other variables like dealers in an area, ergonomic preferences and egocentricities that go into it and thus why talking up or down any saw is like p$$$ in the wind. Buy what's comfortable from the dealer near you. Mix the gas right and don't run over it with the tractor and as a weekend warrior or less, chances are your saw will last a lifetime and I don't care who makes it.

Well said:thumbsup: