New Saw - MS460 VS Dolmar 7900

[Tree Raptor]

I need a second larger saw for the business and already have one Stihl MS460. It is three or so years old and no problems yet, very reliable and can't really say I have any issues with it. I have read on this site some very favorable comments regarding the Dolmar 7900 but have never owned one of them. I would assume that the 7900 and the 460 are in the same categaory as I can see that they are very close in displacement and H.P.

If I go and speak to the Dolmar dealer i know what to expect as far as his opinion so I thought it would be best to hear it from you guys as to your opinions on the two. Please give reasons for your choice..... as a (I vote for the stihl) or visa versa doesn't help me out at all.

I currently have an 056 Stihl which I really really like as it has lots of power (more than the 046) but the muffler went on it so I have decided to sell it and put money towards a new big saw. Would really like to get a replacement saw that had the power of the 056. Also, what can I expect as far as price compare of the two. Look forward to hearing your opinions. Thanks in advance


Tree Raptor
200t
200t
192t
192t
MS260 Pro
MS361
MS460

 

[blsnelling]

You'll find tons, and tons of post here about this comparison. The 7900 is definately stronger than the 460. It's also smoother and less expensive. I love a modded Stihl 460 thought. Just a muffler mod goes a long ways on the 460.

 

[madhatte]

I've got both and love 'em both, though the Dolmar is by far the better bang for the buck. However, it's put together a little weird, so the Stihl is way easier to work on. All in all, I'd say you won't be disappointed with either. Oh -- as for muff mods -- the DP cover for the 460 is a US$30 part and is WELL worth it.

 

[lone wolf]

I dont see the 7900 as any faster than my 046 at all they are dead even in a race 3 out of 3 times with the same size bar and chain 20 inch. the 7900 may pull better with a longer bar I guess its only me here because I am the only one to claim this ,would love to hear some other opinions on the 046 v the 7900 with a 20 inch bar.

 

[paloggger]

lone wolf

lone wolf are you from nj just wondering i ust to live in jersey now in northeastern pa I own big bear logging up here

 

[jeepyfz450]

Love my 046... hear lots of great things about the 7900 as well. My advice is to run both any buy the one you like the feel of.

 

[lone wolf]

lone wolf are you from nj just wondering i ust to live in jersey now in northeastern pa I own big bear logging up here

yes the south part.

 

[wigglesworth]

I would pick the one with the best dealer support.....so that means the MS 460

 

[biggenius29]

I would go with the 460 just looking at your lineup. You can interchange bars, chain ect...

Not saying the 7900 is a bad saw, but you have plenty of Stihl saws already, so why mix things up?

 

[smokinj]

I would go with the 460 just looking at your lineup. You can interchange bars, chain ect...

Not saying the 7900 is a bad saw, but you have plenty of Stihl saws already, so why mix things up?

+1 its great when everything can be interchangeable :chainsawguy:

 

[WoodChuck'r]

Ugh not again....:deadhorse:


Just get a 79'er and be DONE with it!!!!

 

[madhatte]

Interchangeability: get an adapter from Bailey's or a Sugihara bar with adapters and that issue is put to bed.

 

[huskystihl]

Never ran a 7900 side by side but know that a 460 in stock form cuts just fine. If you've had good luck mechanically with the 460 it really should be a no brainer especially when the tools is for business. One breakdown far outweighs 2 sec faster cutting time.

 

[lone wolf]

Never ran a 7900 side by side but know that a 460 in stock form cuts just fine. If you've had good luck mechanically with the 460 it really should be a no brainer especially when the tools is for business. One breakdown far outweighs 2 sec faster cutting time.

that is a real good point how long has the 7900 been out?

 

[mdavlee]

The 7900 was introduced in 2001. I see no way they aren't as reliable as the rest of them. You will get good ones and bad ones from stihl, husky, jonsered, and dolmar. If there is a dealer within an hour that is good enough for me. All the dealers in my area suck as far as having parts on hand. The stihl dealer is usually a 3-5 day wait on a lot of parts, the husky is 1-3 weeks and they charge shipping also. The dolmar has been 2 days.

 

[lone wolf]

The 7900 was introduced in 2001. I see no way they aren't as reliable as the rest of them. You will get good ones and bad ones from stihl, husky, jonsered, and dolmar. If there is a dealer within an hour that is good enough for me. All the dealers in my area suck as far as having parts on hand. The stihl dealer is usually a 3-5 day wait on a lot of parts, the husky is 1-3 weeks and they charge shipping also. The dolmar has been 2 days.

stihl dealer by me 3 weeks.now i know why we need so many saws.

 

[litefoot]

I'll admit to being somewhat of a Stihl homer, but I would "usually" suggest a 7900 over anything else in its class. However, since you are already using Stihl saws, stick with what you know and like.

 

[Tree Raptor]

MS460 VS Dolmar 7900 (followup from originator)

Blsnelling & Madhatte: I see you both are recommending a DP 460 muffler, stating it is well worth it. Is this a custom made muffler for “catalog” type product ? Aslo, exactly what does the muffler do ? rev higher, rev quicker, more torque ?? What generally is the typical response when the new muffler is installed and can I assume
that more air will be pumping through the muffler that a carb adjustment is an absolute must. This muffler change intrigues me as I am happy with the current MS460 output, just not delighted.


Biggenius29 & smokenj : I hear you on the compatibility issue and have always felt it was
A good idea to have multiple of the same saw for compatibility and used parts
Down the road.

Madhatte: What the hell is a Sugihara bar ????? I always like to buy quality stuff
But am totally unfamiliar with this name. I assuming that they will fit both the Dolmar and the Stihl ????? Are they a quality bar or just a gimmick to cover two
Saws ?

Wiggs:
I would pick the one with the best dealer support.....so that means the MS 460

I take it that you feel that Dolmar does not have the support that Stihl does ?? Since I have never owned a Dolmar I have NO idea of what to expect.

I still didn’t really get any responses as to which saw everyone felt was more
Reliable as that is a super big plus. You day can easily be ruined by a saw that
has a problem. That why we like to have two of everything with lots over “overlap”

I do have a Dolmar dealer just up the road (5 min) so I think I’ll go up and take a
7900 for a test drive, check on pricing, warrantee and all that good stuff then make a decision based on that.


Thanks to all for taking the time out to give me your viewpoints, enjoying the dialog.

Cut safe…

Tree Raptor

 

[blsnelling]

Blsnelling & Madhatte: I see you both are recommending a DP 460 muffler, stating it is well worth it. Is this a custom made muffler for “catalog” type product ? Aslo, exactly what does the muffler do ? rev higher, rev quicker, more torque ?? What generally is the typical response when the new muffler is installed and can I assume
that more air will be pumping through the muffler that a carb adjustment is an absolute must. This muffler change intrigues me as I am happy with the current MS460 output, just not delighted.

I am not a fan of the factory DP muffler. IMHO, they're over priced. A muffler mod is a must though. The factory port isn't much more than the size of a pencil! You can go a long ways by simply enlarging the factory port. If you want more than that, put another port on the other side and use a Husky deflector.

Sugihara bars are reduced weight bars that can be found on eBay. They are not near as much of a weight savings as the Oregon Reduced Weight bars.

 

[WoodChuck'r]

^^^^^



:greenchainsaw: