Largest Bar For Dolmar 7900

[JuanD]

I have a Dolmar 7900 that I usually use with a 20" bar. The saw is stock, unmodified. Most of the time the 20" bar is enough for my needs, however I have a couple large trees coming up that will require more bar than that. The trees are hardwoods - oaks and maples mainly. What is the largest bar that I can run on this saw and have satisfactory performance? I am guessing that 28" would be OK whether full skip or full comp, would 32" or 36" be too much bar with full skip chain? I could probalby get by with just a 28" and will probably buy one, but it would be nice to be able to use a 36" bar to neatly finish stumps off close to the ground. Any thoughts on this from folks who have used this saw with larger bars?

Thanks.

-Juan

 

[DanManofStihl]

I would not go past a 32 inch bar on a saw that size. It has about the same power more or less then the ms 460 and the 385 and both of them I would not put more then a 32 inch bar on. I think it would be ideal with a 24 inch bar on it but I have never used one and am going strickly on the ccs and hp facts.

 

[pallis]

My 7900 with a 20 inch bar and 8 pin rim blows through everything I put it in. It should handle a 24 or 28 inch bar easily.

 

[cuttinscott]

I have sold a few 34" .063" with 75 LG chain for the 7900's would not recommend for every day but occasional tree here and there its ok have had no problems so far..

although the 9010 pulls much nicer with long bars
scott

 

[J_Ashley]

What do you guys think of your 7900 Dolmars? I'm a Stihl man myself but this saw appealed to me as an alternative to an MS 460 Stihl. About what would one pay for the 7900? What do you think of it's performance and, just as important, ease of maintenance? Thanks Guys,

Justin

 

[TonyM]

Better price, better power, easier to work on, better warranty, smoother, lighter. Other than that they are no better. The MS460 has two piston rings. That's about the only thing I can think of that one might claim is better about the Stihl.

I can change the piston ring in a 7900 with the three tools they give you in the tool pouch that comes with the saw. How's that for ease of maintenance. I've sold them to guys who have MS460s, and hands down so far the Dolmar is preferred.

 

[Stumper]

I run an 8 pin sprocket and 28" bar on my modded 7900. The saw has good power but the saw is notably nose heavy with the 28. That is about as long as I would care to use on the saw except for some special circumstance(but then-there are few jobs that a 28inch bar won't handle anyway). The Airfilter on the 7900 requires frequent cleaning-on the plus side it is extremely easy to pull the filter and clean it. I wouldn't care to trade my 7900-great saw

 

[sedanman]

Did somebody say "nose heavy"? http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment_13373.php

 

[rahtreelimbs]

That is just too cool Paul!!!

 

[ehp]

And in a couple days it is going to be a modded huge belly bar 7900.
I have 1 guy running a 42 inch bar with skip tooth chain on a modded 7900 with no problems. Most of the time he runs a 24 inch but when the tree gets that big he uses the 42 inch bar instead of buying a bigger saw.

The 7900 is a good saw with good power and cheaper to buy like TonyM says than a 460, Are they as good ? in my books they are every bit as good as the 460

 

[rbtree]

I agree with everyone. I run, as well as shorter bars, 32 inch skip on my PP7900 with 8 pin sprocket. A great saw. But I won't be surprised one bit if both the 372's that Ed is modding for me beat it!