Need advise

[Jan Pijpelink]

My Poulan Pro needs to be replaced.

I am looking at Dolmar (Makita) 421 and the Tanaka (Hitachi) CS40.

Very comparable.

Dolmar comes with 3 years warranty and the Tanaka with 7 years.

Any suggestions/experiences?

 

[TreePointer]

I've never used that Tanaka/Hitachi saw, but the Dolmar 420/421 has a good reputation in many forums.

 

[DodgyNomad]

Go with the Dolmar. The Tanaka's are ok saws, but nowhere near the quality of the German built Dolmar.

I have a few Dolmar's, and a little Tanaka that I bought for my Dad. It's nice, and light, but built like a Chinese saw.

 

[claydogg84]

Not considering Husqvarna or Stihl, Jan?

 

[BrotherBart]

Not considering Husqvarna or Stihl, Jan?

Heresy!

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Go with the Dolmar. The Tanaka's are ok saws, but nowhere near the quality of the German built Dolmar.

I have a few Dolmar's, and a little Tanaka that I bought for my Dad. It's nice, and light, but built like a Chinese saw.

I looked at one at a local dealer who has both brands. I noticed the Tanaka is made in China. Being originally from the Netherlands, I know the German quality, so I am leaning towards Dolmar. However I was surprised that Tanaka has a 7 year warranty.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Not considering Husqvarna or Stihl, Jan?

I like both of these as well.I was helping my 78 year old neighbor today cleaning up some debris after he had a few trees cut this week. He has the Stihl MS-250. Used it and like it. Looking at reviews, I like the combination of weight, balance and power of the Dolmar. Being a smaller guy, 5'8" 170 lbs, that is important to me.

 

[TreePointer]

I wouldn't get hung up on the seven year warranty. It's a limited warranty that won't cover things that are most likely to go wrong like bad fuel, ethanol issues, improper tuning, abuse, or accidental damage. The shorter warranties from other manufacturers don't cover these, either.

What these warranties do cover is extremely likely to come to your attention very early in the saw's life.

Link: Hitachi limited warranty

 

[claydogg84]

I wouldn't get hung up on the seven year warranty. It's a limited warranty that won't cover things that are most likely to go wrong like bad fuel, ethanol issues, improper tuning, abuse, or accidental damage. The shorter warranty from other manufacturers don't cover these, either.

I agree. Warranties are generally worded to protect the manufacturer, not the consumer.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I wouldn't get hung up on the seven year warranty. It's a limited warranty that won't cover things that are most likely to go wrong like bad fuel, ethanol issues, improper tuning, abuse, or accidental damage. The shorter warranty from other manufacturers don't cover these, either.

I won't look at that too much. It's just that I did not expect that for an "entry level" chainsaw, so I was surprised. Main thing for me is quality, well built, power and balance. So Husqvarna and Stihl are still in the picture. I think I need to read a bench top comparison of the 3. Unless one of you guys can come up with a convincing argument what to choose.

 

[claydogg84]

I like both of these as well.I was helping my 78 year old neighbor today cleaning up some debris after he had a few trees cut this week. He has the Stihl MS-250. Used it and like it. Looking at reviews, I like the combination of weight, balance and power of the Dolmar. Being a smaller guy, 5'8" 170 lbs, that is important to me.

Your price point is the most important aspect to asking for saw advice. I absolutely love the weight/power ratio of my 562XP - but we are much different in size.. I am 6'5", 275 lbs.

 

[BrotherBart]

And I have five saws ranging back to 1991 and have never had a warranty issue with a one of them. They have all outlived their dealers. Well, not true. The one Chinese saw I bought off of eBay just for the hell of it locked up. But they replaced it.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

And I have five saws ranging back to 1991 and have never had a warranty issue with a one of them. They have all outlived their dealers. Well, not true. The one Chinese saw I bought off of eBay just for the hell of it locked up. But they replaced it.

I bought a refurbished 46 cc Poulan Pro a few years back. Runs not bad. The chain keeps running off and today I noticed the housing has been damaged (due to the chain) and the teeth of the wheel running the chain are not all straight anymore. Not saying Poulan is bad (Husqvarna would not have bought them if they are) but getting more into cutting, I think it is time for a better quality saw.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Your price point is the most important aspect to asking for saw advice. I absolutely love the weight/power ratio of my 562XP - but we are much different in size.. I am 6'5", 275 lbs.

The Dolmar 421 is priced at $345, which I think at a local dealer (no HD size store) is a reasonable price for that level of Deutsche grundlichkeit.

 

[BrotherBart]

Just saying don't get too hung up on all of this get it from a dealer and warranty stuff. Treat'em right and they run forever. And that I would run that Dolmar forever. Which for me might be next week but...

 

[claydogg84]

Just saying don't get too hung up on all of this get it from a dealer and warranty stuff. Treat'em right and they run forever. And that I would run that Dolmar forever. Which for me might be next week but...

I agree. There are good deals to be had on Craigslist if you know what questions to ask. Compression, pictures of cylinder/head through muffler can tell you wonders. And BB, let's hope your around for more than another week..

 

[duramaxman05]

I have a dolmar ps421 and i love it. For the price its hard to beat. Plenty of power and is well balanced. Always starts in first or second pull. I have never pulled it more than that. And it will cut with a stihl 029 super. So for a little saw, i am very impressed.

 

[dougand3]

I bought a refurbished 46 cc Poulan Pro a few years back. Runs not bad. The chain keeps running off and today I noticed the housing has been damaged (due to the chain) and the teeth of the wheel running the chain are not all straight anymore. Not saying Poulan is bad (Husqvarna would not have bought them if they are) but getting more into cutting, I think it is time for a better quality saw.

Sounds like your sprocket is worn out. It's probably a spur sprocket (sprocket and clutch drum in 1 piece). That's a wear item - you have to replace them, even on pro saws. The pro saw is most likely to have a rim sprocket (silver dollar size disk floats on clutch drum teeth) but the principle is the same.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Sounds like your sprocket is worn out. It's probably a spur sprocket (sprocket and clutch drum in 1 piece). That's a wear item - you have to replace them, even on pro saws. The pro saw is most likely to have a rim sprocket (silver dollar size disk floats on clutch drum teeth) but the principle is the same.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Done some more reading this morning. It's down to the following choice. Stihl MS 251 or the Dolmar PS-421. I will see the Stihl dealer today to check it out. Reading various reviews, I am very impressed with other people's experience with the Dolmar.

 

[Babaganoosh]

How much are you looking to spend and what size wood will you be cutting?

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

How much are you looking to spend and what size wood will you be cutting?

I am an occasional user, something between $350 and $400. Size of wood depends on what is falling into my yard after a storm. The rounds I need to cut in half before splitting are usually between 14 and 20 inches.

 

[Jon1270]

The rounds I need to cut in half before splitting are usually between 14 and 20 inches.

Are you referring here to crosscutting rounds that are too long, or cutting right-length rounds in half along the grain? If the latter, how long are they?

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

Are you referring here to crosscutting rounds that are too long, or cutting right-length rounds in half along the grain? If the latter, how long are they?

Cross cutting. I need to get them to 20 inch or shorter to load them onto my splitter.

 

[duramaxman05]

I think you will be happier with the dolmar. It is more of a professional saw versus the stihl is more of a home owner saw. I personally think the dolmar is built better. It has a magnesium case. Wish there were place around to run both. If you were close to where i live, you could run my dolmar to see if you like it. You will be impressed. I can guarantee that.