Stihl ms660 vs. dolmar ps 9010 ??? need help

[Nik_Danger]

Hey guys I am new so Hello! I am in the market for a large chainsaw and have narrowed my sights to either of the two saws mentioned in the title. I am not really concerned about dealer support because I have it equally for both manufacturers. I know stihl is the king but many people have great things to say about dolmar. I like them both equally and the dolmar is a better value, but 2 or 3 years down the line I don't want to regret my decision and wish I bought a stihl. Neither dealer has any info to add to my concern except yeah I like the dolmar or stihl is better. No non objective proof of superiority, just opinions. I want to buy the best saw that will last the maximum number of hours, be the most comfortable and function as intended. Thank you so much for any info or insight. Right on!

 

[computeruser]

Whatcha planning on using it for?

The Dolmar is supposed to be a solid saw that responds well to a muffler mod. The 066/660, well, it speaks for itself - open the muffler up and run the Stihl dual-port muffler cover and you've got a hell of a saw.

 

[Nik_Danger]

...

planning to use the saw for cutting oak, yellow pine and the osage orange/bodark tree. The bodark tree is one of the hardest freakin hardwoods around found only in parts of Oklahoma and Texas. I have used a buddy's stihl 044 in an Alaskan saw mill with the bodark before and I would say it is just a tad underpowered, or shall I say it gets tired easier. Its the only reason why I would justify using such a monster of a saw! These are my primary uses. Felling, bucking, and converting to lumber via Alaskan saw mill. I know the saws are heavy, but i ain't skared ;-)

 

[Big Neb]

I have 2 Dolmar 7900's and love them.

In the next size up, the 660 is "The King."

I just need some way to justify a new MS660.:bang:

 

[computeruser]

Either should work fine for the use you have in mind, and if the price differential is great enough then it might be worth your while to get the 9010, and if you still have a few bucks left over to send it off to get woods ported.

The 660 does have the advantage of an easy high-output oiler upgrade, which might be helpful in the milling context.

 

[jack-the-ripper]

If you are planning on doing quite a bit of milling you may want to opt for an Stihl MS880 or a Husky 3120XP. :chainsawguy: I had the same dilemma last year and bought the 660. It is one hellava saw. I don't do any milling, just felling and bucking.

 

[SawTroll]

As far as I know, the MS660 has more power and less weight, and an impeckable reputation.......

 

[Nik_Danger]

I've never modded a saw before. Is something like that safe as far as mechanical longevity is concerned? The 880 is $600 more and by size and weight it will limit itself to only being used in the mill. How many hours can be expected out of a stock 660 and how many hours can be expected out of a professionally ported unrestricted machine? Thanks for any insight ahead of time =)

 

[ray benson]

planning to use the saw for cutting oak, yellow pine and the osage orange/bodark tree. The bodark tree is one of the hardest freakin hardwoods around found only in parts of Oklahoma and Texas. ;-)

Depending on where you're from, this tree has such names as hedge-apple, osage orange, bodark, bowwood and bois d'arc. Originally, this plant hailed from the southwestern United States, but was so widely planted throughout the Midwest as a hedgerow, that it is now considered to be naturalized throughout much of the eastern United States and beyond. We have them in Indiana.

 

[Wood Hick]

How many hours you get from it is directly related to how you maintain it.
Milling is probably the toughest thing for a chainsaw, prolonged high output near max rpm. I have little experience with Dolmar, but I trust some friends who say they are top notch. I have extensive experience with Stihl, so you know what I would recommend. Don't rule out a good used or rebuilt big saw for your mill. I know several guys who planned on pulling the saw off the mill when needed who later decided two saws was better. I like the Stihl 084, I have two of them, and a nice one of those will do all the milling you want, plus you can find used ones for $500-600 bucks. I would never skip a chance to bring home a new MS660 though!

 

[Tatanka]

I have 2 Dolmar 7900's and love them.

In the next size up, the 660 is "The King."

I just need some way to justify a new MS660.:bang:

I don't know about that,I use a 660 every day.We have two 660's and two 395's.The 660's are a little more comfortable for me to run,but there is no doubt to me that the 395 has more grunt

 

[Tree Sling'r]

Been falling for a living on the west coast for nearly 14 years in lots of place's and have yet to see a professional using a Dolmar.

 

[Lakeside53]

so..... you're saying RBTREE isn't a professional? :monkey: opcorn: opcorn:

oh, I get it .. you haven't SEEN HIM..

 

[Nik_Danger]

Depending on where you're from, this tree has such names as hedge-apple, osage orange, bodark, bowwood and bois d'arc. Originally, this plant hailed from the southwestern United States, but was so widely planted throughout the Midwest as a hedgerow, that it is now considered to be naturalized throughout much of the eastern United States and beyond. We have them in Indiana.

I had no idea they were that wide spread. I should go to Indiana and take a pic of a nice big one and send it to the horticulture prof. at UTD. He said that they were only located in Ok and TX, but my dad said they are pretty wide spread. I guess it just depends on who you trust...a college prof. or your dad who drinks a case a day. Who'd a thought ;-)

 

[oldsaw]

I had no idea they were that wide spread. I should go to Indiana and take a pic of a nice big one and send it to the horticulture prof. at UTD. He said that they were only located in Ok and TX, but my dad said they are pretty wide spread. I guess it just depends on who you trust...a college prof. or your dad who drinks a case a day. Who'd a thought ;-)

Trust the one that's right. There is a huge one I pass every time I go to the office, 40+ inch. Sawinredneck just took down a 36", but it was made up of 5 or so that grew into one, he's in Kansas. Yep, they are much more widespread. Have a buddy with a few that he says are decent sized. It's cool looking wood, and I want to mill some up.

Mark

 

[Tree Sling'r]

so..... you're saying RBTREE isn't a professional? :monkey: opcorn: opcorn:

oh, I get it .. you haven't SEEN HIM..

Nope, yet to see him. Different styles - different places.

 

[Lakeside53]

He did just buy a nice MS660.... so he can't be all bad:biggrinbounce2: :biggrinbounce2: :biggrinbounce2:

 

[rbtree]

Ahh, but I could be....

Bailey's just sent a 75 cc 372 to me....and one to Ed Heard for him to mod....I'd only ordered one.....guess I'll have another saw to mothball. But, as I've heard good about Phil's Saw Shop in oregon, I may send the second 372 to him...then i can compare his work to Ed's.

Tree Sling'r.... as long as Dolmar has such a lousy dealer network, you won't see many run by west coast loggers who only need a couple saws at a time....and, the 7900 has no full wrap handle made for it....it would look odd with one..but who would care. As an arborist, I have oodles of saws, and use all sizes..have enough that if one needs parts, I can wait to get them. In three years, about all that's gone wrong with the modded 7900 is a broken mount spring, and same to a choke lever.

It seems the class of the 372/044/046/385 saws. Stock, it beats them all...only real problem is the too small filter that clogs easily...but does collect less material than the Stihl filters, though it seems more as the filter is so danged small.

 

[ray benson]

I had no idea they were that wide spread. I should go to Indiana and take a pic of a nice big one and send it to the horticulture prof. at UTD. He said that they were only located in Ok and TX, but my dad said they are pretty wide spread. I guess it just depends on who you trust...a college prof. or your dad who drinks a case a day. Who'd a thought ;-)

National champion is in Virginia. Over 8 feet in diameter.
http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/register.php?details=555

 

[Tree Sling'r]

Ahh, but I could be....

Bailey's just sent a 75 cc 372 to me....and one to Ed Heard for him to mod....I'd only ordered one.....guess I'll have another saw to mothball. But, as I've heard good about Phil's Saw Shop in oregon, I may send the second 372 to him...then i can compare his work to Ed's.

Tree Sling'r.... as long as Dolmar has such a lousy dealer network, you won't see many run by west coast loggers who only need a couple saws at a time....and, the 7900 has no full wrap handle made for it....it would look odd with one..but who would care. As an arborist, I have oodles of saws, and use all sizes..have enough that if one needs parts, I can wait to get them. In three years, about all that's gone wrong with the modded 7900 is a broken mount spring, and same to a choke lever.

It seems the class of the 372/044/046/385 saws. Stock, it beats them all...only real problem is the too small filter that clogs easily...but does collect less material than the Stihl filters, though it seems more as the filter is so danged small.

I never once doubted you or the saws, just never seen em' in the woods. Around here Husky is rare - Stihl more or less rules the roost in my area.