Good saw between 35cc and 50cc

[Adamski]

I disagree. First of all it’s really hard to qualify something as for farm use vs commercial use, except for a marketing department to convince you to open up your wallet for higher costs.

Secondly, the Dolmar 421/Makita EA4300 has mag cases (not clamshell), and is very close to other ~40cc saws in power/weight. It is only .3kg (8oz) heavier and makes 0.2HP less than the Husqvarna 242XP. If you remove the cat in the muffler you likely have your 0.2HP back, and gain better AV, better parts support, a side chain adjuster, and strato tech for cleaner emissions and better fuel economy.

Compared to the Stihl 241Cm it makes 0.3HP less with only 0.4kg more weight, BUT it costs less than ~1/2 the price. It is a little wider and fatter than the Stihl, but if you’re not taking it up into a tree, it could make a lot of sense for you.




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This.. is... all.. correct. [emoji106]

How anyone can call a 421/420/4300 a consumer/farm saw is beyond me. Exactly the same pro construction and a damn sight more durable if you ask me.

 

[Johnmn]

Somewhere on here there are weights of a 241,421 and 543 and they are all right there with each other. The dolmar wasn't the heaviest either! Plus in my experience they are right there with the 241 in terms of power.

 

[pavel408]

First of all it’s really hard to qualify something as for farm use vs commercial use, except for a marketing department to convince you to open up your wallet for higher costs. Secondly, the Dolmar 421/Makita EA4300 has mag cases (not clamshell), and is very close to other ~40cc saws in power/weight.

The vendor enlists PS350/421/460/500/550 in farmer category (i.e. not homeowner and not professional). Even though they share quite a few details with professional saws. I guess it is so because of the power/weight ratio.

It is only .3kg (8oz) heavier and makes 0.2HP less than the Husqvarna 242XP. If you remove the cat in the muffler you likely have your 0.2HP back, and gain better AV, better parts support, a side chain adjuster, and strato tech for cleaner emissions and better fuel economy.

242xp was produced in about 1987-1998, so you're comparing incomparable... You should indeed get better AV, emissions, parts support, etc. with a modern saw.

Compared to the Stihl 241Cm it makes 0.3HP less with only 0.4kg more weight, BUT it costs less than ~1/2 the price. It is a little wider and fatter than the Stihl, but if you’re not taking it up into a tree, it could make a lot of sense for you.

I agree, a bit heavier then the best in its class, but good value for money. ("too heavy for the power (may be good option if funds are limited, though)" I wrote)

 

[pavel408]

Somewhere on here there are weights of a 241,421 and 543 and they are all right there with each other. The dolmar wasn't the heaviest either! Plus in my experience they are right there with the 241 in terms of power.

Not entirely true. Power is 2.2-2.3 kW for all three, but weight is 4.9 kg for 421 and 4.5 kg for the other two.

 

[rumatt]

I was going to ask why, then I looked in the mirror. I have an 026, 241, and rear handle 200.

How do like the 241 vs the 200? If you had to get rid of one, which would it be?

I love my 241 but it's too close to the 261. I might replace it with the itty bitty Echo 2511WES when it comes out. I wanted a 201cem but could't get past the absurd price tag.

 

[Fishnuts2]

1,7-2,7 kW and 3.8-5.0 kg -> MS241, MS261, CS-501SX

Dolmar PS421/460 are farm chainsaws! And as well as professional chainsaws PS4605/5105 they are too heavy for the power (may be good option if funds are limited, though).

Sounds just like everyone else who has never run a 421! My cutting buddy has a great 241, but it’s hard to see any performance difference in the two.


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[Adamski]

I agree I had both. Regret selling the 421 more. Mainly as it was such a cheap saw to buy and like you said little if nothing between them.

 

[CrystalRiver1]

The MS 261c is hard saw to beat.
With 16 or 18" bar & square chisel it will make a believer out of the most hardened skeptic!
Unbelievable power and mighty nimble.
I legitimately could cut 95% of all the wood I need with this saw alone!

 

[huskyboy]

346xp if you want a 50cc. Nuff said. Lol

 

[Adamski]

I love my 545 atm.

 

[cuinrearview]

Nobody mentioned a 42mm 346/2147. They limb faster than the 44.3mm version, if that's what you're looking to do. I did some mild cylinder mods and a couple of other things, mine WOTs barely four stroking at 16k. I don't keep it tuned there but they're screamers.

 

[rumatt]

Somewhere on here there are weights of a 241,421

The Dolmar 421 weighs exactly the same as a Stihl 261 but gives you the power of a Stihl 241.

That's a hard pass for me, thanks.

 

[Woodpecker]

Great saws mentioned so far. I like the dolmar 421 and Stihl 241. I put quite a bit of run time on both of them but sold them after I bought a Echo 501p. Felt weight is the same as the 421/241 but performance is gooder. Totally underrated saw and after the easiest muffler mod ever it will cut right with a ms261.

 

[Skisawyer]

The Dolmar 421 weighs exactly the same as a Stihl 261 but gives you the power of a Stihl 241.

That's a hard pass for me, thanks.

Well not exactly true actually. 421 runs small Oregon bar mount. Stihl runs a larger bar, so right there, ready to cut weight is at least a half pound lighter in the 421. Several ounces lighter with 3/8 low pro vs 325 chain on the Stihl. Also, you can lose another half pound with a simple cat delete. I’ll have to weigh it but I bet my dolly pho is at 10lbs.

Now that I have both it and a 261 (2.0 new) I will put both on a scale with fluids and bars...

 

[Woodpecker]

FWIW Echo cs490 ready to cut. 20" .325 and full tanks. The 501p is a few .oz lighter ready to cut. No question I'm grabbing the 501p .vs the 421. Ive owned them both and liked the 421. Not a knock against the 421 it's just the 501p is stronger.

 

[Skisawyer]

FWIW Echo cs490 ready to cut. 20" .325 and full tanks. The 501p is a few .oz lighter ready to cut. No question I'm grabbing the 501p .vs the 421. Ive owned them both and liked the 421. Not a knock against the 421 it's just the 501p is stronger.
View attachment 200736

FWIW I darn near almost got the echo 501p... but ended up catching a bad case CAD... and now have an echo 352 sans cat, cat less dolly421, stock ms250, and a ms-261.

And I am about to bite on either an echo 361p or a dolkita 3601...

Help! Help me chose!

 

[Woodpecker]

FWIW I darn near almost got the echo 501p... but ended up catching a bad case CAD... and now have an echo 352 sans cat, cat less dolly421, stock ms250, and a ms-261.

And am about to bite on either an echo 361p or a dolkita 3601...

Help! Help me chose!

I liked the little 3601 I ran briefly a couple weekends ago. I'm itching to give the 361p a try though. I bet the 3601 has the better av.

 

[huskihl]

I've never run a 35cc saw other than the 3601, so take it for what it's worth. I took the depth gauges down after the 1st sharpening to get it to dig a little better. It'll manage it's way through 16" hardwood if you let it do its thing. And it's crazy slick for slashing 3" trees and limbs. I'm pretty happy with it

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Handy as a pocket on your shirt...!

 

[huskihl]

Handy as a pocket on your shirt...!

And lighter than the 357 I was using