Stihl MS 310 or Husqvarna 455

[spadafore]

I know there will be a mix of opinions, but I want to hear your opinion of these two saws. I doubt I will go wrong with either one. I talked to the dealers yesterday. I am leaning towards the Husqvarna right now. Also both saws come with 3/8 chain. Does this mean that the chain will cut slower than the .325 chain, buy will stay sharper longer? I cut 4-7 cords per year and right now use a poulan with 14 inch bar. Yes this will be a step up. Thanks folks.

 

[mike bove]

I have the 310 and I am very pleased with it . Mine has the 20 inch bar and it pulls it no problem,but if i did it again i would go 18 i feel it would be alittle more nimble. Just dont need 20 inches that often. I also have a 14 inch poulan great for cuttng the small stuff and working near dirt. Mike

 

[bayshorecs]

The Dolmar PS-5100S is a great buy. Stock is a 18" put you can use a 16, 18, or 20. Great saw for the price/performance too.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

The Dolmar PS-5100S is a great buy. Stock is a 18" put you can use a 16, 18, or 20. Great saw for the price/performance too.

Well THAT didn't take long.

 

[bayshorecs]

Say what you want, I like the Dolmar's for price vs performance over the other guys.

But I would say that if you don't work on your own saw, maybe go which whatever dealer you have close by.

My local Stihl dealer sucks so that option was already out the window!

 

[stee6043]

I'm pushing 10 cord on my Stihl MS310 which I bought last year. I have nothing but great things to say about it. I keep the oil full, gas full and air cleaner clean. The saw has all the power I need to take anything 18" in diameter and smaller....

 

[smokinj]

Say what you want, I like the Dolmar's for price vs performance over the other guys.

But I would say that if you don't work on your own saw, maybe go which whatever dealer you have close by.

My local Stihl dealer sucks so that option was already out the window!

price on them is now in line with the others 419.00 for the most part. And the 310 is a 59cc saw and the husky is a 54cc saw

 

[Highbeam]

Why would you spend the extra money to go from a 290 to a 310? It's a lot of money and not a lot more saw IIRC. Perhaps compare the 290 to the Husky of your choice. We don't jack around with huskys here in my part of the country. Might see one per five stihls.

I recently moved from a little poulan to the 290 and have been happy. The Poulan is much quieter to run though.

 

[HittinSteel]

Good advice, buy the 290 and use the extra money on a drill bit and a dremel tool to mod the muffler

 

[smokinj]

Why would you spend the extra money to go from a 290 to a 310? It's a lot of money and not a lot more saw IIRC. Perhaps compare the 290 to the Husky of your choice. We don't jack around with huskys here in my part of the country. Might see one per five stihls.

I recently moved from a little poulan to the 290 and have been happy. The Poulan is much quieter to run though.

+1 the 290 and the 455 would be the better choice to compare both 55 cc saws and the ms290 being the better saw!

 

[spadafore]

290 comes with smaller chain- 310 with 3/8 chain- Buy the bar for 3/8 chain and a new chain = same price as 310.

 

[smokinj]

290 comes with smaller chain- 310 with 3/8 chain- Buy the bar for 3/8 chain and a new chain = same price as 310.

that .375 sure makes a smaller saw run great I would go with the smaller kerf instead of the 3/8 imo (I run my 260 with 3/8 just because its easier set up for the 2 saws both being 3/8)

 

[Highbeam]

290 comes with smaller chain- 310 with 3/8 chain- Buy the bar for 3/8 chain and a new chain = same price as 310.

No no, the dealer sets up the saw with the optional 3/8" chain, sprocket, and bar length of your choice. All for MSRP. You don't want that little .325 stuff and do not have to buy it only to replace it with the proper gear. You don't buy a white trcuk and then paint it blue do you?

 

[smokinj]

290 comes with smaller chain- 310 with 3/8 chain- Buy the bar for 3/8 chain and a new chain = same price as 310.

No no, the dealer sets up the saw with the optional 3/8" chain, sprocket, and bar length of your choice. All for MSRP. You don't want that little .325 stuff and do not have to buy it only to replace it with the proper gear. You don't buy a white trcuk and then paint it blue do you?

dont over look that smaller chain set up! Alot of people going with it ,and it makes for very quick cuts. 3/8 is poplar but after seeing a 50cc saw just smokin fast in the cut it will suprise alot of people.

 

[johnsopi]

I have ms310 changed the 3/8 to a .325 chain and dropped the bar to 16" Run much nicer then a 20" 3/8. I all so have Dolmar 5100
which has a 20" bar. It pulls it better then the MS 310

 

[smokinj]

I have ms310 changed the 3/8 to a .325 chain and dropped the bar to 16" Run much nicer then a 20" 3/8. I all so have Dolmar 5100
which has a 20" bar. It pulls it better then the MS 310

muffler are much loser on the dolmar's modd that muff on your 310 then your talkin

 

[Highbeam]

I suppose the important fact is that the 290/310 series can run either .325 or 3/8 and you just need to buy it that way. They didn't even ask here in the softwood forest. 20" bar and 3/8" chain is all they sell. It was 389$ plus tax for mine.

I just ran it yesterday shortening stumps that I found while brush hogging the fields. Man it was hot out. Saws are much more fun to run when they're not setting sideways on the ground.

 

[smokinj]

I suppose the important fact is that the 290/310 series can run either .325 or 3/8 and you just need to buy it that way. They didn't even ask here in the softwood forest. 20" bar and 3/8" chain is all they sell. It was 389$ plus tax for mine.

I just ran it yesterday shortening stumps that I found while brush hogging the fields. Man it was hot out. Saws are much more fun to run when they're not setting sideways on the ground.

try doing it with a 50in. stump and the exhaust coming back at you.