Put a 14" bar on my 021 today!!!

[NYH1]

I had a 16" bar on it..................WOW WHAT DIFFERENCE! It's like a different saw now. I can't believe how much better it cuts with the 14" bar! I have a friend that is supposed to buy a few things (hunting stuff) from me and when he does I'm getting a Husky 353 with a 16" bar. So I figured a 14" bar would work better for what I'm going to use my 021 for. I also have a 029 with a 20" bar. If I keep it I might put an 18" bar on that one. I don't (and probably won't) use the 029 too much.

So I'll end up with a pretty broad range of saws for all my needs.

021 w/ 14" bar for light limbing and use around the house.
353 w/ 16" bar this will be my main saw for bucking firewood, limbing and felling.
029 w/ 18" bar for bucking and felling larger stuff.

I have gotten a lot of information from this site. You guys are great, thanks!

 

[bump_r]

029 w/ 18" bar for bucking and felling larger stuff.

The bug ain't bit cha yet, Hoss! I remember when my MS290 and my buddy's 55 Rancher were the big boys on our block.

Was there a problem with the 16" on the 021? Pinched rails, FUBARed chain? Something besides shorter bar is coming into play, I think.

Either way, if it works well for what you want it to do, it's right on the money.

 

[Andyshine77]

I love my 353 it's a very reliable saw, but if I were you i'd opt for the Dolmar 5100s it has more power and speed than the 353.

 

[NYH1]

The bug ain't bit cha yet, Hoss! I remember when my MS290 and my buddy's 55 Rancher were the big boys on our block..

To tell you the truth for what I do I don't need anything bigger. I'll end up using the 353 75% of the time, then the 021, followed sparingly by the 029.

Was there a problem with the 16" on the 021? Pinched rails, FUBARed chain? Something besides shorter bar is coming into play, I think..

No problem at all. Like I said I'm going to get a 353 with a 16" bar so I figured I'd try my 021 with the 14" bar to see if I would like it any better. So far I do. I wish I would have bought it with the shorter bar. It was my first chain saw so I really didn't know any better. Now that I've used a few different saws I prefer shorter bars. What size bar did you have on your MS290?

 

[NYH1]

I love my 353 it's a very reliable saw, but if I were you i'ed opt for the Dolmar 5100s it has more power and speed than the 353.

There really isn't much dealer support in this area for Dolmar. Stihl, Husqvana and Jonsered all have HUGE dealer support in this area. There are 9 or 10 Stihl dealers, 7 or 8 Husqvarna dealers and I believe 3 Jonsered dealers within a half hour or so of me. I know there was one Dolmar dealer around here and I don't know if he is still there. The only other place I know of that sold Dolmar doesn't stock then any more but will order them. They stopped stocking Dolmar and now stock Solo. I have know Idea why. I don't have anything against Dolmar or Solo, but I'm going to go with what I can have serviced and get parts for.

 

[Andyshine77]

NYH1 That's a good point, good dealer support can be valuable. However I think you may end up wanting more power, the 5100 has that. Here is a link to Dolmar's web site, they have a dealer locater.http://www.dolmarusa.com/

If you're going with Husky you should look at the 359 or the 357xp, the smallest Husky bucking saw I would go with would be about 60cc, AKA the 359 or the 357xp.

Just trying to help Andy.

 

[NYH1]

Andyshine77, I'm also trying to get away from the weight of the 029 (13 lbs.). I want to get something with more power then my 021, but not to much more weight. Last weekend I was bucking up logs between 8 to 12 inches in diameter, a few were 13 to 15 inches. I used my 029 on one of them and used my 021 on the rest. I really don't get logs larger then this to often.

I know the 359 weighs only about a pound more then the 353. I just don't want the extra weight. My back gets pretty sore from work as it is. I only cut 5 or so face cords of firewood a year.

 

[NYH1]

Just trying to help Andy.

Oh yeah....................THANK YOU! :biggrinbounce2:

 

[Andyshine77]

You know that's why the 5100 is such a nice saw, it has the same weight as the 353 but the power of the 359.

Overall the 353 is a good saw and it sounds like it will fit your needs well.

Happy cutting Andy.