How much is a pound and half?

[Agent Iron]

Is it just to heavy to pick up?

This is the situation. I just bought a PS-540 for $300 on a closeout. I figure that is a a reasonable price for a pro grade saw. When I look at the site people like the saw but feel in is low on power for it's discplacement, has poor anti vibe and is based on a 20 year old design. I also would like a side tensioner. So most reccomend the 510, or better yet the 5100.

I already own an old 038 super. It has seen better days, but keeps on cuttin. I am looking for a replacement for a echo 3400 that just died with almost no use compared to the Stihl. I was thinking top handle saw, but would like something for limbing and would like a bit more speed and power, thus the 50 cc saw.

The issue I now face is if I forego the 540 and get the 5100 I gain a better saw all the way around. To buy it I have to step up to around $439 -$449 depending how soon I want it. The dealer is good to deal with, but not the cheapest, and likely does not sell enough saws to be great at repair should the need arise. But I think to myself....the 038 weighs about as much as a buick. It keeps on cutting, but on the big stuff it is not great. I doubt the compression is that of a new saw, but in it's prime cutting 36" pieces of oak and cherry it was probably not a race horse either. May not be the ideal tool for that job. So I am thinking 7900 as I have for several years now. The 7900 will only weigh 1.5-2.5 pounds more then the 5100 and it would be an all around beast.

So the question is "long winded" for you guys cutting long days....how much difference does 1.5-2.5 pounds really make? Would you pick up the 5100 over the 7900 for small to medium size cutting when you know you will be at it for a while? To me, the 7900 is going to be a bit heavier, but I won't have to hold it as long because it will cut faster. I am having trouble seeing the point of the 50cc saw when it is so close in weight to the 7900.

Price no object I am leaning toward keeping the 540 and working on the muffler and buying a 7900. The 540 only weighs about 10.5 pounds which may make it more enticing to pick up, and would be a nice pinch saw if my Stihl should ever die.

Just thinking out loud, and am looking for different perspectives.
Thanks fellas
AI

 

[wood rat]

So the question is "long winded" for you guys cutting long days....how much difference does 1.5-2.5 pounds really make?

Take a pound and 1/2 - 2 1/2 pounds and hold them out at arms length for about 10 - 15 minutes and then ask the question again.

When you are cutting wood you move that around all day if you are seriously cutting wood and it adds up fast, real fast.

Of course if you're a young blood it may not matter all that much to you, as you get seasoned ... it will matter more, much more.


I'd play around with a pound or so but 2 pounds or more does make a difference.


Fact is the lighter is better, you will never see a smart woodcutter go into a shop and say --"I want a heavy saw" least I never have

Lighter = better in my book

ALWAYS

Edit:

If I could buy a Stihl 440 or 460 that weighed but 11 pounds because it was made out of a super light tough alloy and cost 300.00 more than the regular one I would snatch it up in a minute. But that is just me.

 

[computeruser]

So the question is "long winded" for you guys cutting long days....how much difference does 1.5-2.5 pounds really make? Would you pick up the 5100 over the 7900 for small to medium size cutting when you know you will be at it for a while? To me, the 7900 is going to be a bit heavier, but I won't have to hold it as long because it will cut faster. I am having trouble seeing the point of the 50cc saw when it is so close in weight to the 7900.

Price no object I am leaning toward keeping the 540 and working on the muffler and buying a 7900. The 540 only weighs about 10.5 pounds which may make it more enticing to pick up, and would be a nice pinch saw if my Stihl should ever die.

I think it all depends on what you'll be using that extra 1.5-2.0 lbs of saw for. Limbing and breaking down masses of blackberries (yes, I know that is a stupid use of a chainsaw...), it will tire the hell out of you. But for normal firewood duty, for storm damage cleanup, and for the weekend tree felling session, I think you'll be fine if you're an able-bodied person. It really depends what you spend the majority of your saw time doing.

I'd probably go with the 7900-540 idea over the 5100s alone. Two saws are always better than one, and the light weight of the 540 will be a pleasant attribute when you're limbing, trimming, or cutting small stuff up.

 

[cuttinscott]

Is it just to heavy to pick up?

This is the situation. I just bought a PS-540 for $300 on a closeout. I figure that is a a reasonable price for a pro grade saw. When I look at the site people like the saw but feel in is low on power for it's discplacement, has poor anti vibe and is based on a 20 year old design. I also would like a side tensioner. So most reccomend the 510, or better yet the 5100.

I already own an old 038 super. It has seen better days, but keeps on cuttin. I am looking for a replacement for a echo 3400 that just died with almost no use compared to the Stihl. I was thinking top handle saw, but would like something for limbing and would like a bit more speed and power, thus the 50 cc saw.

The issue I now face is if I forego the 540 and get the 5100 I gain a better saw all the way around. To buy it I have to step up to around $439 -$449 depending how soon I want it. The dealer is good to deal with, but not the cheapest, and likely does not sell enough saws to be great at repair should the need arise. But I think to myself....the 038 weighs about as much as a buick. It keeps on cutting, but on the big stuff it is not great. I doubt the compression is that of a new saw, but in it's prime cutting 36" pieces of oak and cherry it was probably not a race horse either. May not be the ideal tool for that job. So I am thinking 7900 as I have for several years now. The 7900 will only weigh 1.5-2.5 pounds more then the 5100 and it would be an all around beast.

So the question is "long winded" for you guys cutting long days....how much difference does 1.5-2.5 pounds really make? Would you pick up the 5100 over the 7900 for small to medium size cutting when you know you will be at it for a while? To me, the 7900 is going to be a bit heavier, but I won't have to hold it as long because it will cut faster. I am having trouble seeing the point of the 50cc saw when it is so close in weight to the 7900.

Price no object I am leaning toward keeping the 540 and working on the muffler and buying a 7900. The 540 only weighs about 10.5 pounds which may make it more enticing to pick up, and would be a nice pinch saw if my Stihl should ever die.

Just thinking out loud, and am looking for different perspectives.
Thanks fellas
AI

The actual weight of the PS540 is not 10 1/2 lbs when they weigh the saws for weight Dolmar takes the clutch cover off on the PS540 that is a mag cover with the chain brake installed so you are not getting a true weight. The 5100s has a plastic clutch cover and the brake is internally mounted on the saw so their is not as much weight discrepancy.

Scott

 

[sperho]

Limbing and breaking down masses of blackberries (yes, I know that is a stupid use of a chainsaw...), it will tire the hell out of you. But for normal firewood duty, for storm damage cleanup, and for the weekend tree felling session, I think you'll be fine if you're an able-bodied person.

Blackberries notwithstanding, I find that I have to do more limbing than any other kind of cutting for all of my firewood. I'm a scrounger, so I get tops, and clean-up type trees, so good handling (read: lightweight) is important to me. If someone were to have a truck full of nice, limbed poles where all they had to do was put raw horsepower to work in a bucking cut, then I'd agree with the above statement. I wouldn't own a 260 if I didn't have to dance around with it all day...

 

[ropensaddle]

I think it all depends on what you'll be using that extra 1.5-2.0 lbs of saw for. Limbing and breaking down masses of blackberries (yes, I know that is a stupid use of a chainsaw...), it will tire the hell out of you. But for normal firewood duty, for storm damage cleanup, and for the weekend tree felling session, I think you'll be fine if you're an able-bodied person. It really depends what you spend the majority of your saw time doing.

I'd probably go with the 7900-540 idea over the 5100s alone. Two saws are always better than one, and the light weight of the 540 will be a pleasant attribute when you're limbing, trimming, or cutting small stuff up.

Now that is a two bladed sword for instance a 3120 xp with a 72 inch bar
heavy yes but if you make one swath you cleared six foot at once of course that would be friggin wild to do and I will stick with five foot bush hog and
my tractor.

 

[computeruser]

Blackberries notwithstanding, I find that I have to do more limbing than any other kind of cutting for all of my firewood. I'm a scrounger, so I get tops, and clean-up type trees, so good handling (read: lightweight) is important to me. If someone were to have a truck full of nice, limbed poles where all they had to do was put raw horsepower to work in a bucking cut, then I'd agree with the above statement. I wouldn't own a 260 if I didn't have to dance around with it all day...

I hear ya there. I have had the good fortune (thanks caseyforrest) to have pretty consistent access to clear hardwood trunks, 10-20" in diameter and 3-12' in length, so my needs for a limbing saw for firewood have been greatly diminshed in the past year. But in my scrounging days, or in regular tree work, the lighter saws are definitely a necessary tool. For this reason, the a big-and-little saw or a three-saw program is helpful for even the home firewood cutter.

Some of the stuff I've come across of late:

Blocking with a limbing saw

The last 20% of the free maple, scrounged from Freecycle in the spring of 2006. Good stuff, down two years with the bark off before I got it, ready to burn within a month of splitting.

 

[SteveH]

It may be too many years of hard work adding up, or it might be the steep slopes I climb when cutting, but even though it doesn't sound like squat [even to me], I can guarantee that 2 lb. makes a big difference for doing more than an hour's quick cutting. If you are standing next to a felled tree, sectioning it up, then holding the saw to cut straight down into rounds, probably won't be a big deal. If you are hoofing it into the woods, up hills, etc., hot and dusty and gonna work a while at the cutting, the extra weight is gonna tell. If you're 22, husky and in great shape, maybe not.

 

[GASoline71]

1.5 pounds ain't nothin'... Been packin' heavier saws around for quite some time...

Gary

 

[Peacock]

1.5 pounds ain't nothin'... Been packin' heavier saws around for quite some time...

Gary

No kidding. After carrying the 660 around for half a day, the 441 feels like a 260.

 

[SawTroll]

The actual weight of the PS540 is not 10 1/2 lbs when they weigh the saws for weight Dolmar takes the clutch cover off on the PS540 that is a mag cover with the chain brake installed so you are not getting a true weight. The 5100s has a plastic clutch cover and the brake is internally mounted on the saw so their is not as much weight discrepancy.

Scott

That is the truth, as I know it also.......

The 115 series saws are much heavier than they used to state, but they are pretty close to the truth now (at least here)....

 

[Agent Iron]

Thanks for all the great thoughts guys!

I have an opportunity to get some large logs delivered from a local aborist. I know the big saw would be handy for these.

The other wood I get is from takedowns. I will have a sizeable trunk with alot of branches. I just wondered if I would bother putting the 7900 down in favor of the 5100 to limb the tree. It would seem that the saw weights are close enough that to continue using the bigger saw for all the work might make sense. I know one to two pounds makes a difference, I just figure after the 038 super, anything will feel light.

I wonder what the 540 really weighs.....might have to scale her.

 

[166]

That is the truth, as I know it also.......

The 115 series saws are much heavier than they used to state, but they are pretty close to the truth now (at least here)....

The original 109, 110, 111, 115 saws were a little lighter than than the later madel ones because of a few design changes.

Thanks for all the great thoughts guys!

I have an opportunity to get some large logs delivered from a local aborist. I know the big saw would be handy for these.

The other wood I get is from takedowns. I will have a sizeable trunk with alot of branches. I just wondered if I would bother putting the 7900 down in favor of the 5100 to limb the tree. It would seem that the saw weights are close enough that to continue using the bigger saw for all the work might make sense. I know one to two pounds makes a difference, I just figure after the 038 super, anything will feel light.

I wonder what the 540 really weighs.....might have to scale her.

I just pulled these 4 saws off the shelf and weighed them on my ups scale.

All of these saws are completly assembled with bar & chain. All they need is gas & bar & chain oil.

PS-540 w/ 18" .325 bar & chain = 14.0 Pounds

PS-510 w/ 18" 3/8" bar & chain = 15.2 Pounds

PS-5100S w/ 18" 3/8 bar & chain = 14.6 Pounds

PS-7900 w/ 20" 3/8 bar & chain = 18.2 Pounds

All of these saws have Dolmar label Oregon Prolite bars.

Steve

 

[Agent Iron]

166

That is great info! Can you evaluate the 540 for me compared to your other 50 cc saws? Do you still use it much, or do you usually turn to the 5100?

Thanks

 

[spacemule]

About 24 ounces.

 

[ericjeeper]

Where in Indiana are you?

There are 5100s to be bought for 375 to your door..
I own a 7900 and a 5100.. you asked about limbing with the 7900. I always work my way from the small to the big.. Let the trunk hold the limbs while I whack em off with the 5100. Once I get into the 8-10 inch range I let my son tinker with the 5100 and I go get Daddies saw.. and buck firewood fast and easy.
I have ran stihls off and on my whole adult life. They are great saws..But for my money I am a Dolmar guy now.
I do know where there is a DN540 for 250.. DN stands for Dave Neiger, He is one of the best saw modders around the midwest.

 

[sILlogger]

No kidding. After carrying the 660 around for half a day, the 441 feels like a 260.

yea i know the feeling, had been running the 660 for most of the day and grabbed my buddies 440 and about threw it across the woods when i went to put it on my shoulder

 

[sperho]

1.5 pounds ain't nothin'... Been packin' heavier saws around for quite some time...

Gary

Yes, but you also lift car engines with fast chains spinning off of one end of them....

 

[SawTroll]

.... The original 109, 110, 111, 115 saws were a little lighter than than the later madel ones because of a few design changes.
......

That makes sense - is one of the changes the use of alu instead of magnesium in the crank-case in the lastest 115s?

 

[Agent Iron]

Ericjeeper

Where can I get a 5100 to my door? Wow!

I live in Northwest IN...Porter county. The Dolmar dealer is very small, and I would be suprised if he has sold 5 saws the past year. If I can get one for 375....then Dolmar is really hoseing this dealer, or the dealer is trying to hose me. I would like to help the dealer as they seem like great guys but to save like 20 percent is pretty substancial. What kind of pricing can I get a 7900 to my door?

I work a tree the same as you. After the take down I limb it up and get it all away from the trunk. From the weights that were posted earlier the 1.5 pounds increases quite a bit with bar and such making it a bigger descrepency.

Also from what I read the DN540 is pretty impressive. Any info on that saw would be helpful as well.

Thanks