great post. can’t really go wrong with the bigger saws. Mainly it is a Ford/Chevy fine point arguemtn thing. Go with the best dealer, and what just ‘feels right’ in your hands.
minor point, but don’t do the smaller Dolmars. all three share the same power head, just different cylinders for smaller displacement. The smaller two are popular in rental marker, maybe more durable when in hands of idiots? So if you get Dolmar, go the 7900 for same weight, but more power.
did I read that wrong-17 lbs and 7000 rpm for 55 cc saw! you could limb with a 460 or 7900 about the same......
you might come home with 5100/7900, or 026/440, or 346/372 pairs!
Thanks guys for all the help! I guess my next step is to go to our local Stihl/Husqvarna dealer and actually “put one in my hands”. I don’t know if they’ll actually let me cut something with one, unless they have a demo model of the same size I want. Then my next decision is do I want one of those, or mail order a Dolmar 7900 and save a few bucks. I’ll let you know what I decide.
Snyde
great post. can’t really go wrong with the bigger saws. Mainly it is a Ford/Chevy fine point arguemtn thing. Go with the best dealer, and what just ‘feels right’ in your hands.
minor point, but don’t do the smaller Dolmars. all three share the same power head, just different cylinders for smaller displacement. The smaller two are popular in rental marker, maybe more durable when in hands of idiots? So if you get Dolmar, go the 7900 for same weight, but more power.
did I read that wrong-17 lbs and 7000 rpm for 55 cc saw! you could limb with a 460 or 7900 about the same......
you might come home with 5100/7900, or 026/440, or 346/372 pairs!
k
I actually was thinking about the Dolmar 7300. 4.5 cu. in., 5.7bHP for $580. vs. Dolmar 7900 4.8 cu. in. 6.3bHP for $680. from Amicks as long as it’s as good a saw as the 7900. Why not buy the 7300 and save $100.? Are there any problems with the smaller ones or is it that the 7900 is just a better deal?
And yes, you read it right, at least that’s what the manual says.
Get the tool that does what you need to do. If you’re up for a macho experience, then it’s another matter.
Most cutting by loggers, producers, arborists--the professionals--work with the most efficient tool they need. No macho “muscle car” stuff. -
I’ve gone DOWN in size over the years: lighter weight, more effective cutting, better maintenance, less fatigue. No more lugging a 440 a mile for clearing < 20” softwoods. A 16” or 18” bar WITH LEARNED SKILLS, and a 50cc pro saw such as a 346 or 260 saw is more than sufficient for 95% of Eastern trees IN THE RIGHT HANDS. ( Caps are for shouting)
What’s this about 42” bars and 70cc pro saws simply for working up a truckload of logs or a couple of cords of firewood ?
Concentrate on the skills to cut efficiently, safely, intelligently. Know the way your safety gear (PPE-Personal Protective Equipment) works....and use it. Watch loggers and arborists, take a CPL ( Certified Professional Logger), or Game of Logging course. It’s competitive, not macho. There’s nothing male intuitive about using a tool like a chainsaw. Kind of like rock or ice climbing...mistakes can be the last.
So, except for Northwestern logging, with DBH ( diameter breast high) in the 6’ range, most of North American wood maxes at 2’-3’. Learn how to use a 16” or 18” bar for boring to fell a 3’ DBH for example. It’s the brain. How to drop the big one exactly where you want it. Understand how to use wedges and make a safe exit zone for yourself. Have some hard fun.
Mail ordering a Dolmar??? You’ll want to be sure to check that that is still possible. Last I checked it was not possible from Amicks or anyone else unless you can get someone to cheat.
I’ve been interested in the 5100s with an 18” bar and my local support it poor.
Mail ordering a Dolmar??? You’ll want to be sure to check that that is still possible. Last I checked it was not possible from Amicks or anyone else unless you can get someone to cheat.
I’ve been interested in the 5100s with an 18” bar and my local support it poor.
I emailed Amicks and asked if I could order one over the Net, and if not, if I could call it in and have them ship it to me. They never got back to me. I guess I’ll have to call. I don’t understand what the big deal is about mail ordering a chainsaw. I pre-pay for the chainsaw + shipping and handling with my Visa, they take the bar and chain off, put it all in a box and ship it, or am I missing something here?
I actually was thinking about the Dolmar 7300. 4.5 cu. in., 5.7bHP for $580. vs. Dolmar 7900 4.8 cu. in. 6.3bHP for $680.
The 7300 and 7900 have the same bottom end but different top end and same weight if I remember right. To me the $100 extra dollars is worth the extra power of the 7900. If the saw is going to weigh the same the extra power is worth it IMO.
Yep. You’re missing the Dolmar company rule that these saws can’t be shipped. They want to support the local dealers, else only the big boys would survive and then you wouldn’t be able to easily pick up a part for your Dolmar at a local shop.
Try to mail order a Stihl, Husky, etc. Same deal. To some extent it happens with woodstoves too. I believe Hearthstone has a policy against shipping product.
Get the tool that does what you need to do. If you’re up for a macho experience, then it’s another matter.
Most cutting by loggers, producers, arborists--the professionals--work with the most efficient tool they need. No macho “muscle car” stuff. -
Nothing macho here, I’m just looking for a bigger and better saw than the 55cc. Craftsman I have.
I’ve gone DOWN in size over the years: lighter weight, more effective cutting, better maintenance, less fatigue. No more lugging a 440 a mile for clearing < 20” softwoods. A 16” or 18” bar WITH LEARNED SKILLS, and a 50cc pro saw such as a 346 or 260 saw is more than sufficient for 95% of Eastern trees IN THE RIGHT HANDS. ( Caps are for shouting)
Well good for you! I guess you know it all and I have no idea at all what I’m doing. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
What’s this about 42” bars and 70cc pro saws simply for working up a truckload of logs or a couple of cords of firewood ?
I don’t know where you got that from. I WISH all I needed was a couple of cords of firewood. My woodstove is now my primary source of heat. I don’t know where you live, but in western NY state we need heat from AT LEAST Sept. - Apr. Hell, it was down in the 30’s last night, and we had the stove going all night.
Concentrate on the skills to cut ......... JMNSHO
blah, blah, blah. Preach it to someone who gives a crap.
Yep. You’re missing the Dolmar company rule that these saws can’t be shipped. They want to support the local dealers, else only the big boys would survive and then you wouldn’t be able to easily pick up a part for your Dolmar at a local shop.
Try to mail order a Stihl, Husky, etc. Same deal. To some extent it happens with woodstoves too. I believe Hearthstone has a policy against shipping product.
I see. I didn’t realize that. I guess that’s best if you support your dealer network. That’s great, but surprising in this day and age, where the bottom dollar is all that seems to matter to corporate America.
I see. I didn’t realize that. I guess that’s best if you support your dealer network. That’s great, but surprising in this day and age, where the bottom dollar is all that seems to matter to corporate America.
As someone who tried to buy a Dolmar - at 4 different Dolmar dealers - before I bought my Shindaiwa, I can tell you that their policy isn’t helping local dealers at all. Not only did I not buy my saw from them, I won’t be patronizing them for the lucrative parts and accessories I’ll be buying.
I prefer a Stihl 440 with a 26” bar. chain speed is the most important and this saw, even at ~$750, is a wood monster. With the long bar you can cut standing up, of course with steel toe boots, chaps and eye/ear protection. Consider investing in a log Peavy to lift logs off the ground, as rocks and dirt eat chains. If the cost is too much, try the Stihl Wood Boss with a 20” bar. Both saws have great oilers, easy fill caps for oil and gas. I have both saws.
For the money the Dolmar is a better performer in the same class compared to the Stihl 440 or the Husky 372XP. He’s made the right choice if he’s looking for the best power/weight ratio in a professional saw of that class. With more power you can always put a larger rim sprocket on the saw and get some additional chain speed, besides chain speed across all three saws will be similar.
I actually was thinking about the Dolmar 7300. 4.5 cu. in., 5.7bHP for $580. vs. Dolmar 7900 4.8 cu. in. 6.3bHP for $680.
The 7300 and 7900 have the same bottom end but different top end and same weight if I remember right. To me the $100 extra dollars is worth the extra power of the 7900. If the saw is going to weigh the same the extra power is worth it IMO.
I’m sure it is, if you’ve got the $100. to spare. I can put it to better/different use here. I was looking for an approx. 70cc. saw. The Dolmar 73cc. 7300 is just what I’m looking for, and if it’s as good as the 7900 I’ll take it. Well, I WAS gonna take it, a 7900, for $679.95 from Amicks Superstore, but it looks like they won’t mail order one. So now I have to see what kinda price I can get on one at a local dealer, which I’m sure won’t be close. Then I’ll have to compare prices to a comparable saw by Stihl and Husqvarna and get the better deal of the 3
