Step up from MS260

[Adios Pantalones]

Taking this out of the Stihl/Dolmar thread to avoid threadjacking

I have for the past 6 or so years had a Stihl 260Pro- which is, power and weight-wise- just a 260. I love this saw and won’t give it up, but do find it slow going in those 20"+ red oaks (18” bar). I’m not sure that the Dolmar 5100 is enough of a step up for the power I want. I mean- if I’m going to spend the coin for bucking larger rounds- I want a noticible increase in oomph or I won’t bother. Does Dolmar have a reasonably priced next step up from 5100?

 

[computeruser]

For Dolmar, the 5100 will not be enough of a step up from the 260 in bigger wood, in my opinion. The 6400-7300-7900 would be where I'd been looking. A 7900/MS260 would be a good combo.

 

[aandabooks]

^^^^^What he said!^^^^^^

If you want a step up, you have to actually move up in size class. Since your in the 50cc class currently, skip the 60cc class and look towards the 441, 372 or 7900. The 60cc class won't be enough of a step up considering the cost but the 70cc class will provide the boost you're looking for.

 

[Outdoorsman]

It was a great question, below is a copy/paste of your question and the response I gave there before seeing this thread. I think you'd love a Dolmar 7300 or 7900 for your use.





"Does Dolmar have a reasonably priced next step up from 5100?"

I do understand what you're saying in regards to the 260 in 20" wood, even in cedar it begins to slow enough to notice & in Oak, Ash or Hickory..... And you're also right that the 5100s is not a good option to pair with a 260 as a "big" saw, I bought mine for a great price or I'd not have bought it. The 5100 is not what you want for 20"+ oak.

Dolmar makes a 6400 with 4.8 hp., a 7300 @ 5.7 hp. and the 7900 @ 6.3 hp. All 3 weigh 13.6 lbs as listed at Amick's web site.

If price is part of your consideration I'd suggest the 7300 would be a good choice for you of the 3 as Amick's has this saw priced @ $580.00 which is $10.00 less than the Stihl 361 & $210.00 less than the MS 460 I use for a big saw.

OR if you can, the 7900 is still $110.00 less than my MS460 and offers a better weight/power ratio as well as better price. In fact the 7900 offers the best power/weight/price ratio of any saw, made by anyone, that I know of.

If I'd known of the weight/power/price ratio of Dolmar saws when I was buying my 260/460 pair I'd have a 7900 in my sig to go with that 5100s.

For someone cutting oaks of 20"-?? I'm not sure the 6400 Dolmar would offer enough of a increase to satisfy, even though it costs less than the 7300.

 

[aandabooks]

The 6401 (Makita version of the Dolmar 6400) can regularly be had new for less than $400 on ebay. Add a $200 piston and cyl from Bailey's and you've got a 7900 for $600 and a spare piston/cyl to go back to if you blow up the bigger one.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Thanks all for the replies. It looks like the 7300 or 7900 would be the ticket. Maybe I can get DW to spring for part for XMass this year- then I can get out and warm myself up breaking it in next January