Can of worms: open. Chainsaws

notjustair · Sep 27, 2015

This will get 900 opinions. I hope I can get some good feedback here.

I started cutting on next winters firewood this weekend. I have some ground I gave always hayed and am going to pasture in the spring, so I have to move fence rows anyway.

My go to saw is a Dolmar with an 18" bar. I love that saw. I have never run a saw that starts as easy as that one and it has absolutely no vibration in the handles. That's been important as carpal tunnel keeps rearing its ugly head. I've run Stihl's quite a bit and like them ok but they are harder to start. I love my Stihl blower and trimmer, though.

I want to know if anyone out there has an entry level trim saw from Dolmar. I want a light little saw with a 14" bar that I can use to strip a tree down before grabbing the bigger saw. I'm getting too run down to hoist that big mama all day! It doesn't have to be from the pro line like my big one. It won't get hours and hours of use. I know it will be mostly plastic with a fuel cap that will make me crazy. That's the way they are all going. I've just got to have something light for at least part of the day!

TimV · Sep 27, 2015

Can't comment on the Dohlmar, but Pop's got a small Echo for his trim saw and has been very happy with it. Starts easily, cuts well, and he's had no problems. They heat with wood, so it gets used quite a bit.

Chuck (CA) · Sep 27, 2015

I have a little Echo also and works good. My go-to saw is a Stihl, but the Echo sure makes short work of the branches and twigs. Can't compare it to the Dohlmar though.

Bryce Frazier · Sep 27, 2015

The main Husqvarna dealer in town has taken on Echo's as well... As of lately, they have been selling 2x the number of them as Huskys!! Mainly littler ones, up to say 50 cc, but they claim that they are built really well, start SUPER easy, are good one fuel, and will last a long time...

Never have run one, but I haven't heard a negative word about them!!

47fivewindow · Sep 27, 2015

another vote for Echo. I am happy with the starting, smoothness and power.

Tony Vidlak · Sep 28, 2015

I have an Echo CS3000 trim saw I purchased new in 1999 still runs great today only weighs 4.6 lbs. I also have a Dolmar trim saw also a nice saw a little bit heavier but all in all a nice saw. I think you would be happy with a Dolmar but I would suggest a professional saw not a home owners saw. Good Luck

88-1175 · Sep 28, 2015

echo,ive had mine for 23 yrs,love it,16 inch bar.my big saw is a husky 3120,love it too

RMinVa · Sep 28, 2015

I think the PS-420 might work for you unless it's still to heavy. I think it weighs 10.5 pounds. I don't own one but a guy near me that has a tree trimming business uses that model from the bucket and on the ground. I've seen his crew in action. If it didn't cut good and hold up he wouldn't use them. I do have two Dolmar 7900's. Started back in early 80's with a Sachs Dolmar 120 super. I've bought and sold several other brands for my own use and always stuck with Dolmar.

I use the larger saws because I use big wood for firewood. Big saws don't work you so hard on big trees and get it cut up faster.

JOCCO · Sep 28, 2015

Dolmar is still a good saw but may have dealer lacking in some spots. The 421 would be best the 32 and 35 is plastic cheaper occasional use saw. the 351 smaller 421 is now discontinued. Any more questions email me.

Bret4207 · Sep 28, 2015

I'm a Dolmar man too, Sachs Dolmar actually. I'm also a former Husky/Jred dealer and own Stihl as well. For a trim saw I wouldn't hesitate to consider Echo right beside Dolmar. The so called "off brands" are a real value these days considering how well they are built. Echo is coming on strong. If you have a decent dealer nearby go with Dolmar/Makita (same saw), but don't be afraid of Echo.

K Effective · Sep 28, 2015

We have had a Stihl 011 for thirty years or so- best saw I've ever run for all-around use. With a 14" bar it is a super trimmer, I also have a 16" on there for most times. Getting a tune-up and new bar at the dealer as we speak. It can be hard starting, if you are not careful, or if it just wants to be a PITA. I also have a Stihl 192 bucket saw, it's okay for what it is, light, one-hander. Not as powerful as the 202, but half the price (bought mine used, anyway) . Use a Husky 455 for the bigger stuff- also bought used, it's okay for what I paid.

Dachshund · Sep 28, 2015

I will second the 420 Dolmar! I've had Stihl (or STILL, as they like to sit and watch the others work....), and Echo, and the Dolmar beats both hands down. My POULAN does more work than my Still ever did. Second choice would be Husky....

D beatty · Sep 28, 2015

I have used Stihl, Husky, and Echo top handle saws for cleaning up tops and prefer the Echo with 12" bar. In our area Stihl has the best network of dealers that service and have parts when needed. Echo comes in second and Husky last. Husky dealers around closed up when they started letting big box stores sell them. Big box stores don't handle parts or do their own servicing. Dolmar makes a good product but makes no top handle saws and they don't keep up on their list of dealers. They still list a dealer we had that went out of business 15 years ago. I would go with a dealer in your area that services and has parts in stock.

Fatjay · Sep 28, 2015

my stihl is a pain to start as well. My husqvarna starts first pull every time. It's the 455 rancher and I've put quite a few hours oh. The stihl does the job well, runs great when it's going, but after 10min of pulling to start it, I'm to tired to use it.

GVSII · Sep 28, 2015

I recently bought a J/RED ,2240,16" bar,40 CC for limbing.8 or 9 lbs.An easy starter once you get the combination down.Not cheap but a cutting fool.I'm very happy with it.

Ken Macfarlane · Sep 28, 2015

Friend has a Makita (same thing) little sucker he uses for pruning in his orchard, he likes it alot but I've noticed it leaks oil badly. He just bought a Stihl MS-270 for using in the woods to replace his Husqy that has been finicky. I'm a stihl guy but I prefer my MS260 or my MS360 or MS361 to the newer Stihl's. Also store a different friends Husqy 345 saw at my place and have used it a bit, nice light limbing saw but starts hard. Excellent anti-vibe and air-filter precleaning.

wd9garymn · Sep 28, 2015

I have owned a stihl ms170 for 11 years and it runs like a new one. Cut 10 to 12 cords a year--most 10 to24 in. dia. trees. 170 has 14in. bar and have a jonsered 70E 20 in. bar for the larger stuff. My dealer can't belive that little stihl is still running--it's made for occasional use. Have heard good things about dolmar and echo, but it may depend on dealer location. As for hard starting stihl, yes, cold start is usually 5-6 pulls , but once warmed up almost always 1 pull is all it takes.

teddy52food · Sep 28, 2015

I will add another vote for the Echo. I had an issue with the bar & found out there was a 5 year warrantee. Dealer replaced it no charge. Starts easy & cuts good for a small saw. It could use a bigger air filter, but it is easy to take off & blow out.

wilson ind · Sep 28, 2015

Electric generator in back of pick-up light no vibration

Jiles · Sep 28, 2015

I have worked on and owned virtually every brand of chainsaw.
I now own Stihl, Makita/Dolmar. Echo and Husky.
My go to saw is my Makita DCS520i. Always starts with ONE pull!
Stihl is an excellent saw but sometimes hard to start.
My go to saw, for small stuff, is my Makita DCS401.
Arguably, the highest performance chainsaw, for it's size, is the Stihl MS200t. It was a "factory hot rod" that was replaced with their 201t.
I mention this saw because it has needle crank bearings instead of ball bearings and the Makita DCS401 has needle bearings also.
I prefer the older saws because of simplicity and not choked down with EPA requirements.
If buying new, I don't put much faith in Warranties--ALL are written to protect the manufacturer not you!

Married2Allis · Sep 28, 2015

All 2 strokes need to be tuned and the fuel mixed right for the conditions, otherwise you can wear out your arm pulling before you even start cutting. I think the Stihls are less forgiving so they get that reputation. The 038 Magnum I just got starts harder than my 025, but it has close to 150 psi compression.

JML755 · Sep 28, 2015

(quoted from post at 12:18:25 09/28/15)
If buying new, I don't put much faith in Warranties--ALL are written to protect the manufacturer not you!

Got that right. I love my Stihl but just after the 2 year warranty expired I couldn't start it one Spring. No spark, the magneto was bad. Called the dealer: $50 or so for the part. Also said the magneto was under a 5 year warranty. Great! (I thought). Order me the part. Dealer: "Oh, no, WE have to install it." Me: "What? It will take me 10 minutes to do it". Dealer: "nope, those are the mfr rules". Me: "Ok, how much to install it?". Dealer: "around $50". :roll:

Jiles · Sep 28, 2015

(quoted from post at 02:12:18 09/29/15)

(quoted from post at 12:18:25 09/28/15)
If buying new, I don't put much faith in Warranties--ALL are written to protect the manufacturer not you!

Click to expand...

Got that right. I love my Stihl but just after the 2 year warranty expired I couldn't start it one Spring. No spark, the magneto was bad. Called the dealer: $50 or so for the part. Also said the magneto was under a 5 year warranty. Great! (I thought). Order me the part. Dealer: "Oh, no, WE have to install it." Me: "What? It will take me 10 minutes to do it". Dealer: "nope, those are the mfr rules". Me: "Ok, how much to install it?". Dealer: "around $50". :roll:

In my post, I mentioned the Stihl 200t and the 201t.
Stihl made major changes to the 200t to make it a 201t. In 2012, when the 201t came out, they had many defective ignition coils that would go out at any time.
I had a 201t that was just out of warranty, about six weeks, when the coil went out.
I had a round with the selling dealer and Stihl customer relations.
In the end, Stihl offered me another [b:3044b57184]defective coil[/b:3044b57184] as a replacement and would not supply dealer with the new coil that replaced it.
And, like you, stated dealer had to replace it--and you guessed it $50.
I still have Stihl chainsaws and have to say, they are among the best but, needless to say, I will never buy another new Stihl. You can look at the prices of sold 200t as compared to 201t, on eBay, and there is a reason why the 200t bring so much more.
I could also tell some stories about Echo not honoring warranties.

JDIH · Sep 28, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:37:07 09/28/15) I have used Stihl, Husky, and Echo top handle saws for cleaning up tops and prefer the Echo with 12" bar. In our area Stihl has the best network of dealers that service and have parts when needed. Echo comes in second and Husky last. Husky dealers around closed up when they started letting big box stores sell them. Big box stores don't handle parts or do their own servicing. Dolmar makes a good product but makes no top handle saws and they don't keep up on their list of dealers. They still list a dealer we had that went out of business 15 years ago. I would go with a dealer in your area that services and has parts in stock.

X2! The top handle saws are the only way to go for brush clearing!

Jiles · Sep 28, 2015

(quoted from post at 04:04:47 09/29/15)

(quoted from post at 06:37:07 09/28/15) I have used Stihl, Husky, and Echo top handle saws for cleaning up tops and prefer the Echo with 12" bar. In our area Stihl has the best network of dealers that service and have parts when needed. Echo comes in second and Husky last. Husky dealers around closed up when they started letting big box stores sell them. Big box stores don't handle parts or do their own servicing. Dolmar makes a good product but makes no top handle saws and they don't keep up on their list of dealers. They still list a dealer we had that went out of business 15 years ago. I would go with a dealer in your area that services and has parts in stock.

Click to expand...

X2![b:c660fc448e] The top handle saws are the only way to go for brush clearing![/b:c660fc448e]

I agree, with a condition. Only an experienced user should use a top handle chainsaw.
In my opinion, a top handle is much more dangerous because of the hand position on the saw. This is especially true when cutting brush and small limbs.
I am in total agreement concerning local dealer.

casenut1 · Sep 30, 2015

Just go buy a smaller Stihl.

buickanddeere · Sep 30, 2015

Choosing a comfortable length bar, the proper style of chain and keeping the chain factory sharp. Together they are more important factors than brand X saw is "better".

Can of worms: open. Chainsaws

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