Finally ran the MS270!

[TonyM]

I got her back together tonight. I made several cuts and compared roughly to the Dolmar 115i. The Stihl had round ground chisel, and the Dolmar had square filed chisel. Both were running 16" bars. I couldn't use the same chain on both, since they are different gages. The 115i was certainly faster, roughly 25-30%, which corresponds well to the difference in rated Hp for the two at 3.8 vs. 3.2, especially when figuring the chain difference, and the fact that the Dolmar runs an 8 tooth drive and the Stihl 7. The anti-vibe on the Stihl was smoother, but not by a lot. It was probably the smoothest Stihl I've run, though. Not a bad saw, but I hate the QS brake system. How annoying. I think a Dolmar PS540 would be very close to the MS270 for cutting speed, with the Dolmar just tad faster.

 

[pinus]

I got her back together tonight. I made several cuts and compared roughly to the Dolmar 115i. The Stihl had round ground chisel, and the Dolmar had square filed chisel. Both were running 16" bars. I couldn't use the same chain on both, since they are different gages. The 115i was certainly faster, roughly 25-30%, which corresponds well to the difference in rated Hp for the two at 3.8 vs. 3.2, especially when figuring the chain difference, and the fact that the Dolmar runs an 8 tooth drive and the Stihl 7. The anti-vibe on the Stihl was smoother, but not by a lot. It was probably the smoothest Stihl I've run, though. Not a bad saw, but I hate the QS brake system. How annoying. I think a Dolmar PS540 would be very close to the MS270 for cutting speed, with the Dolmar just tad faster.

I think too that 270 is not so "bad thing" as the average opinion about it is. It is much much much faster from my neighbours old Jonsy 535 as well.

 

[rbtree]

Tony, if I may slightly derail the topic with a question: What is different about the 115i from other 3 cube Dolmars that gives it that hp rating?

 

[SawTroll]

PS-115 and DCS-5200 are closed loop design vs. open loop design on PS-111 and DCS-520. The PS-540 is most likely an "EPA spesial" with slightly more cc's, but less power output than the 111/520.

 

[TonyM]

What he said.

 

[pinus]

What he said.

probably, open loop=piston ported and closed loop=closed port design.
High torque and wide powerband powerheads are usually advertised as with closed port design.
115i is with very good technical data (52cm3/2.7kw/4.5kg) in its class, and here it costs the same as Stihl MS270. Only old feature is the outbound clutch, if I´m not mistaken.
v.

 

[Diesel JD]

I wonder if the square chisel accounts for some of teh speed difference, since it is a much faster chain. I'm not putting down the Dolmar, I haven't run one. Heard they are similar to Makita, if true this would make them a solid saw IMO

 

[pallis]

I'm not putting down the Dolmar, I haven't run one. Heard they are similar to Makita, if true this would make them a solid saw IMO

The red paint makes them faster than the Makitas.

 

[TonyM]

Yes, the square filed chain will make for a faster cut. This was not meant to be a exhaustive test of the two saws. I had to set the carb on a customer's saw, and I wanted something for a baseline to see how the MS270 performs. I already would put the Dolmar 115i up against any stock 50cc saw and expect it to come out on top (except maybe the Solo 651 and the Dolmar PS-5100s yet to be determined). I was pleasantly surprised by the smoothness and cut speed of the MS270, that was my point. I also just put a cylinder and Piston (44.7mm) on an older Stihl 026, and that saw didn't seam much if any quicker than the MS270, although I didn't run them back to back. I'd like to run an MS280. That should be pretty close to the 115i, judging by the numbers.

My other point was my dislike of the Stihl QS braking system. To me it seems rather annoying.

 

[Simonizer]

Yes, the square filed chain will make for a faster cut. This was not meant to be a exhaustive test of the two saws. I had to set the carb on a customer's saw, and I wanted something for a baseline to see how the MS270 performs. I already would put the Dolmar 115i up against any stock 50cc saw and expect it to come out on top (except maybe the Solo 651 and the Dolmar PS-5100s yet to be determined). I was pleasantly surprised by the smoothness and cut speed of the MS270, that was my point. I also just put a cylinder and Piston (44.7mm) on an older Stihl 026, and that saw didn't seam much if any quicker than the MS270, although I didn't run them back to back. I'd like to run an MS280. That should be pretty close to the 115i, judging by the numbers.

My other point was my dislike of the Stihl QS braking system. To me it seems rather annoying.

Have you ever tried the MS260?

 

[TonyM]

I owned an 026 Pro for a while, one with the fixed jet carb. I never really took a liking to it. IMO, there are better 50cc saws out there than the Stihl MS260/MS260 PRO. Not that they won't get the job done, and the dealer support may be best with Stihl, but I just don't get excited by that model. I'm not saying it is a bad saw, just that it doesn't fit me very well.

 

[Lobo]

For many of us it is not the brand of saws but as importantly the backup and service behind it.

No use having the greatest kamakazee fast saw if there is little or no parts, poor dealers and dealer knowledge behind it.

 

[Simonizer]

I owned an 026 Pro for a while, one with the fixed jet carb. I never really took a liking to it. IMO, there are better 50cc saws out there than the Stihl MS260/MS260 PRO. Not that they won't get the job done, and the dealer support may be best with Stihl, but I just don't get excited by that model. I'm not saying it is a bad saw, just that it doesn't fit me very well.

Have you tried the Husq 385XP?

 

[TonyM]

Have not run a 385XP. I really don't have a use for a saw that heavy, and most everyone around here jumps from the 70cc saws to the 90cc saws, so the 394/395's are more prevelant. That's part of what makes it a little tough to sell the PS7900 Dolmars. Too big and expensive for firewood duties, and just not quite enough for serious timber, stock that is.

 

[pinus]

I owned an 026 Pro for a while, one with the fixed jet carb. I never really took a liking to it. IMO, there are better 50cc saws out there than the Stihl MS260/MS260 PRO. Not that they won't get the job done, and the dealer support may be best with Stihl, but I just don't get excited by that model. I'm not saying it is a bad saw, just that it doesn't fit me very well.

I agree, that 026 is not wonder, but a good and reliable saw.
My experience:
MS026 (used unit, not modified)
Positive: fuel economy, small dimensions and weight, good power, very high popularity and reputation, well proven, etc.
Negative: quite strong vibration, possible cut large log only at the full throtle (seemed me as narrower powerband?) at least on the saw what I used

MS270 europan, 2.6 kw model (new unit, not modified)
Positive: Very good antivibe and well balanced body and the position of handles. very good acceleration of engine and possibility to cut large logs at the 3/4 throtle too. Cuttitng power feels bigger than with 026 was, but not direct comparision.
Negative: Larger dimensions and weight, however the good design of body balance is making excess weigt less noticeable.
A littlebit tricky carb. (Problems with idling, etc.) and not so fuel economic as 026, low reputation in some? reason.
THAT IS JUST MY OPINION!!!

 

[SawTroll]

pinus

........possibility to cut large logs at the 3/4 throtle too. .......

Why do you want to do that????
Why cutting slower than the saw is capable of?

As far as I know, the throttle should be used more or less as an on/off switch, as the carb doesn't have any mid-trottle adjustment, and you may lean seize your saw if running it continuously on anything but full throttle.

 

[pinus]

Why do you want to do that????
Why cutting slower than the saw is capable of?

As far as I know, the throttle should be used more or less as an on/off switch, as the carb doesn't have any mid-trottle adjustment, and you may lean seize your saw if running it continuously on anything but full throttle.

Throtle=on/of, in my opinion not exactly. The rpm-s are not linearly related to throtle position like a car, but the difference is. Thats my practice simply, not to pull all the time on max

 

[SawTroll]

.... I'm not putting down the Dolmar, I haven't run one. Heard they are similar to Makita, if true this would make them a solid saw IMO

They are, both the Dolmars and DCS-prefix Makitas are made by Dolmar, and identicel except for color as far as I know.

DCS=Dolmar Chain Saw (?)

 

[jokers]

Throtle=on/of, in my opinion not exactly. The rpm-s are not linearly related to throtle position like a car, but the difference is. Thats my practice simply, not to pull all the time on max

SawTroll is right. The fuel/air ratio may not be metered correctly at less than full throttle. If this is happening, you are running your saw in a lean condition.

Russ

 

[pinus]

SawTroll is right. The fuel/air ratio may not be metered correctly at less than full throttle. If this is happening, you are running your saw in a lean condition.

Russ

Thanks, the manuals are telling about the need to use for sawing full throtle, but it is mentioned as necessary for reducing the kickback possibility