MS260 vs. Dolmar5100

[SawTroll]

Booker, what is your favorite 50cc saw, the 346NE I presume? Solo?

Mine sure is the NE346xp, with the 5100S a tad behind, as it doesn't really fit what I do with a 50cc saw - but it is a killer for blocking firewood with a 50cc saw - just not as nimble in the woods.

Witchy is very happy with the 5100, but she is mainly just blocking logs at the sawbuck, and have not used the 346xp.

 

[ciscoguy01]

Stop

Witchy is very happy with the 5100, but she is mainly just blocking logs at the sawbuck, and have not used the 346xp.

Don't be letting her try it either Troll-man. You'll corrupt her and ruin yourself a good woman, lmao... hehehehehehehe

eh?

 

[SawTroll]

LOL, nothing wrong with the 5100, just not as refined and "made to puprose" as the 346xp.

The 5100 is sort of a weaker 361, but the 346 is refined for a different purpose - just my take on it.......

 

[Yasha]

LOL, nothing wrong with the 5100, just not as refined and "made to puprose" as the 346xp.

The 5100 is sort of a weaker 361, but the 346 is refined for a different purpose - just my take on it.......

I look at it like this as well. The 5100 is also lighter and I feel the more I lean on it the more it wants to be leaned on. The 5100 is, IMO, a much better all around saw, similar to a smaller 361. (The 346 seems to be more nimble, [although I've never had maneuverability problems with my 5100, I think it's quite nimble] but I don't know for sure because I've only held a couple in my hands; I've never cut with one. The balance does feel great with the engine off though )

Plus the oiler has always worked better for me than any 361 I've ever ran. And if you don't have an adequate oiler we all know that the bar and chain can scorch, glaze, and warp. (If you don't stop it in time, adequate oil keeps the heat down for longer, more productive cutting times.)

(Side note" when we ran our 5100 vs the 260 pro. we weighed the saws and the both weighed in at 15lbs. The 260 pro had a 16 bar and the 5100 had an 18" bar. You're right Troll, the 18" is a little shorter than other 18" bars but still was a little longer than the 260 pro 16." I believe the 5100 had a little less gas in it though.)

Like I've said before, I have a friend that has an 036 pro that he just loves but has replaced the oiler 3 TIMES! And he does not own a tree business, but is using it to take out white oaks on his property to build part of his house.

But I'm beginning to wonder if I just ran into a bunch of bad 361s. The way you guys keep talking, I'm thinking maybe I need to go ahead and try another one. Imagine what kind of rep that would bring around here!

I'd like to run a 357xp as well. I hear that the anti-vibe is better and according to company specs., the 357xp has a better power to weight ratio.
(12.1lbs with 4.4 hp. vs. 12.3 with 4.4hp. - dry, power head only)

Oh well... back to the 260 pro vs. 5100 debate...

 

[SawTroll]

..

I'd like to run a 357xp as well. I hear that the anti-vibe is better and according to company specs., the 357xp has a better power to weight ratio.
(12.1lbs with 4.4 hp. vs. 12.3 with 4.4hp. - dry, power head only)

Oh well... back to the 260 pro vs. 5100 debate...

The 357xp is close to a pound heavier than Husky states - it is a good saw, but looses big-time against the 361 for power to weight, at least against the German made 361s.....LOL

The MS361 is the Husky that Husky forgot to make, when they discontinued the 262xp...

 

[Erick]

I'd like to run a 357xp as well. I hear that the anti-vibe is better and according to company specs., the 357xp has a better power to weight ratio.
(12.1lbs with 4.4 hp. vs. 12.3 with 4.4hp. - dry, power head only)

Oh well... back to the 260 pro vs. 5100 debate...

The 357xp is close to a pound heavier than Husky states - it is a good saw, but looses big-time against the 361 for power to weight, at least against the German made 361s.....LOL

The MS361 is the Husky that Husky forgot to make, when they discontinued the 262xp...

What you really need is a Redmax 621, then you can be a Wanabe

 

[huskystihl]

Yea OK if you say so............ I ran a 350 and a 353 yesterday and Ill Keep running the Dolmar PS5100 thank you. IMO the 350 was built like crap sheetmetal screws and jesus clips to hold it together and the air injection LOLOL what a joke that was espically with the one I ran I had to remove the 48 room mudwasp condo in the air injection path lol. I can see use for the 350 style saw in SOFT woods wearing a 13" bar the one I ran had NK .325 x 18" and when I set it on a 8" dry White Oak with a sharp chain I had to hold it up. If I let the weight of the saw do the cutting the chain would STOP. What a gutless wonder IMO

All I can say is I have MANY MANY happy PS5100 users.

My .02 Now the husky heads can bash me for the night LOL

Scott

I agree with most of what you said and will even add that my 5100 with a 20" will hang pretty good with my 361 with a 20" and when you factor in the extra $200 it looks even better. But huskies air injection system is far superior to what stihl is doing and dolmar isn't even at the party. I know your a dealer but give companies their due when they have done something right. As far as the 353 being a good saw start a thread to see how many have seized and then do the same with dolmar!

 

[ciscoguy01]

SAW for GTG

I did and I apologize for not getting it in the mail. I am gone for a couple months and won't be back home in time to ship it out. I was super busy trying to button up everything before I left and have lots of deals on hold until I get back. Moving everything to storage is taking longer than first expected....

OK!!! 2000SSM, I'll be glad to send you out my 5100 for you to give a try to. If you want I'll be glad to get you the 7900 also. That'd be pretty good I think. You'll just have to tell me how you want it set up, 18 or 16"??? What and where is that GTG and WHEN??? Make sure you let me know so I can have it there in time eh??? I'd be glad to help ya'll out...

eh?

 

[Yasha]

I agree with most of what you said and will even add that my 5100 with a 20" will hang pretty good with my 361 with a 20" and when you factor in the extra $200 it looks even better. But huskies air injection system is far superior to what stihl is doing and dolmar isn't even at the party. I know your a dealer but give companies their due when they have done something right. As far as the 353 being a good saw start a thread to see how many have seized and then do the same with dolmar!

That's an interesting thought. Maybe you should start that thread. I love my Dolmars, Stihls, and Huskies. I like the gas efficiency of the Huskies. My 460s could really drink the gas. The smoothness of the Huskies and the air-filtration is second to none. I don't know about the Dolmars not even being at the party though.

I agree with you. If some company does something well, give them credit for it.

Have you seen the YouTube video comparing the air-filtration of Husky and Stihl? Someone should set that up with Dolmar and Jonsered too.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rztm0HM9XzE&NR=1

 

[Yasha]

What you really need is a Redmax 621, then you can be a Wanabe

Don't know anything about the 621. I guess I'll have to do some research. Is it really comparable to the other big dogs?

The last I remember RedMax didn't even put HP specs. on their literature or website. Is that correct anymore?

 

[SawTroll]

Don't know anything about the 621. I guess I'll have to do some research. Is it really comparable to the other big dogs?

The last I remember RedMax didn't even put HP specs. on their literature or website. Is that correct anymore?

The Redmax 621 has been reated at 4.1hp - more comparable the 341/358/2159, than to the 361/357xp.

It has a good reputation, but the design is pretty unrefined.

I would have liked to try one, but they aren't here....

 

[huskystihl]

My 361 has good filtration, Husky always has but both Dolmars get the filters removed and blown out at least twice a day. Now don't get me wrong there is no wasp nest in there which lookks like it was probably there from before but we are lucky if we blow out the huskies once a week and the new stihls are pretty close, in fact I have read posts of guys talking about the same thing getting dirt under the filters. Apparently it is just a charateristic. As far as that video on you tube, I have the 044 and it is a great saw and it is exactly that bad. I will never get rid of it over bad filtration because it is so reliable. And as far as the 350 not having any power and couldn't cut I disagree, My dad has one and for a $300 dollar consumer saw it is D@m impressive. Maybe the chain was on backwards I've done it but don't blame the saw.

 

[ciscoguy01]

Dolmar filtration

My 361 has good filtration, Husky always has but both Dolmars get the filters removed and blown out at least twice a day. Now don't get me wrong there is no wasp nest in there which lookks like it was probably there from before but we are lucky if we blow out the huskies once a week and the new stihls are pretty close, in fact I have read posts of guys talking about the same thing getting dirt under the filters. Apparently it is just a charateristic. As far as that video on you tube, I have the 044 and it is a great saw and it is exactly that bad. I will never get rid of it over bad filtration because it is so reliable. And as far as the 350 not having any power and couldn't cut I disagree, My dad has one and for a $300 dollar consumer saw it is D@m impressive. Maybe the chain was on backwards I've done it but don't blame the saw.

What is this with the Dolmar Air filters everyone is talking about?? I've yet to see it on the 3 I've got. Mine haven't been blown out since last fall, I pulled them wondering after reading this and I see nothing. Spotless inside the carb... What exactly is everyone cutting to make them get dirty so fast I'm wondering??? Do you keep a sharp chain, i.e. is the sawdust super fine?? Not good, but my 7900 has prolly cut 50 cord of firewood and still has the same filter on it and has been blown out like maybe 3 times I'd guess. I'm cutting all hardwood though. I just dont' get it. The air filter is an air filter. if it's getting crap in the carb it must be because of the seal, not the filter itself. If you or someone else is having trouble, try using something to seal around the filter where it meets the carb. Some silicone compound on the outside around the filter would probably work. Take a pic of the carb, I'd like to see one that gets that dirty. I've never had problems with any saws air filters though, even my OLD stihls and homelites I've never had a problem with...

 

[huskystihl]

What is this with the Dolmar Air filters everyone is talking about?? I've yet to see it on the 3 I've got. Mine haven't been blown out since last fall, I pulled them wondering after reading this and I see nothing. Spotless inside the carb... What exactly is everyone cutting to make them get dirty so fast I'm wondering??? Do you keep a sharp chain, i.e. is the sawdust super fine?? Not good, but my 7900 has prolly cut 50 cord of firewood and still has the same filter on it and has been blown out like maybe 3 times I'd guess. I'm cutting all hardwood though. I just dont' get it. The air filter is an air filter. if it's getting crap in the carb it must be because of the seal, not the filter itself. If you or someone else is having trouble, try using something to seal around the filter where it meets the carb. Some silicone compound on the outside around the filter would probably work. Take a pic of the carb, I'd like to see one that gets that dirty. I've never had problems with any saws air filters though, even my OLD stihls and homelites I've never had a problem with...

Chains are always sharper than new. My 5100's are only a couple months old so maybe they had a design change on the filter or some freak thing. Once I noticed this I started cleaning them out after lunch and at days end, it's not chips as much as it is dust but either way if it's getting under the filter thats never good. I talked to another crew and they said they had noticed it to and we alerted the dealer, he just took on dolmar so these are all new issues for him. As far as sealing the filter thats a good idea and 've thought about it but it's something I shouldn't have to do, this is elementary for a saw company so we'll wait to hear back from the dolmar rep. Like I said I don't remember the thread but a couple other fellas were talking about the same thing.

 

[2000ssm6]

OK!!! 2000SSM, I'll be glad to send you out my 5100 for you to give a try to. If you want I'll be glad to get you the 7900 also. That'd be pretty good I think. You'll just have to tell me how you want it set up, 18 or 16"??? What and where is that GTG and WHEN??? Make sure you let me know so I can have it there in time eh??? I'd be glad to help ya'll out...

eh?

I'm trying to figure out how many people are coming, with a bunch of saw guys attending, there should be a 5100 somewhere. I will send you a pm hopefully before it's too late, to ask for the 5100 if needed. Thanks for the offer, with it in my hands you will have no worries.

GTG info: you can scan the whole thread but look at post #163 for date/place.
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=65889&page=11

 

[SawTroll]

.... Like I said I don't remember the thread but a couple other fellas were talking about the same thing.

That is true, it is not a new issue - but the one we have here seem OK in that regard.

The filters are cleaned a lot more often than Cisco indicates though - like after each use, even though that usually is not strictly needed........

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Chains are always sharper than new. My 5100's are only a couple months old so maybe they had a design change on the filter or some freak thing. Once I noticed this I started cleaning them out after lunch and at days end, it's not chips as much as it is dust but either way if it's getting under the filter thats never good. I talked to another crew and they said they had noticed it to and we alerted the dealer, he just took on dolmar so these are all new issues for him. As far as sealing the filter thats a good idea and 've thought about it but it's something I shouldn't have to do, this is elementary for a saw company so we'll wait to hear back from the dolmar rep. Like I said I don't remember the thread but a couple other fellas were talking about the same thing.

25-30 tanks through my 5100, have not had to clean the air filter yet

 

[SawTroll]

25-30 tanks through my 5100, have not had to clean the air filter yet

Hmmmmm - "had to", maybe not, but........:greenchainsaw:

 

[huskystihl]

Hmmmmm - "had to", maybe not, but........:greenchainsaw:

I'll get some pics tomorro, only thing I can think of is everyone that says no has an older model. By older I mean not since the new year. I had to get a new saw right off the bat because of a carb that wouldn't tune so maybe the supply and demand is up and they are rushing them through. We love the saws and they cut all day just some stupid quorks that seem more like johnny come lately than were german made and as old as stihl!

 

[rbtree]

But huskies air injection system is far superior to what stihl is doing and dolmar isn't even at the party.

Huh? My 5100's stay as clean or cleaner than my 346's.....love both saws!!