Husqvarna 372 versus Husqvarna 372XPW versus Dolmar 7300

[bwalker]

I would go with something still in current production for the US market personally.
I wouldn't in any circumstance buy a Dolmar. When Dolmar was a semi going concern they had poor parts availability. Now that they no longer build saws it is no doubt getting much worse.
The Jonsered probably has most parts NLA right now.
375xpw cylinders are NLA. 372 OE is still being built for other markets but how much longer?
Then there is the fact the new stuff is just better.

 

[qurotro]

I would go with something still in current production for the US market personally.
I wouldn't in any circumstance buy a Dolmar. When Dolmar was a semi going concern they had poor parts availability. Now that they no longer build saws it is no doubt getting much worse.
The Jonsered probably has most parts NLA right now.
375xpw cylinders are NLA. 372 OE is still being built for other markets but how much longer?
Then there is the fact the new stuff is just better.

372 parts are still everywhere though. The OE share so many parts with the Xtorq I don’t see part shortage in a few years and the chincom 372 parts are piling online, most of them are good except the rubber stuff.

 

[bwalker]

372 parts are still everywhere though. The OE share so many parts with the Xtorq I don’t see part shortage in a few years and the chincom 372 parts are piling online, most of them are good except the rubber stuff.

Thr 375 XPW cylinders and pistons are NLA. Its only a matter of time before more parts become NLA.
Most Chinese parts are pretty poor. You want to deoend on that crap have at it.

 

[Stump Shot]

There's likely people in this discussion and others I know of that have some xpw cylinders squirreled away. Even if they are all gone too, certainly a saw can be made whole again with a standard 50mm P&C kit. Husqvarna has been good about having parts for ten years after discontinuation. I wouldn't worry too much just yet about the 372's time to join the Dolmar's and Jonsered's of the world.

 

[qurotro]

Thr 375 XPW cylinders and pistons are NLA. Its only a matter of time before more parts become NLA.
Most Chinese parts are pretty poor. You want to deoend on that crap have at it.

375 is over rated. A 52mm bb is good in the right hand. 50 standard is not that weak.

 

[bwalker]

375 is over rated. A 52mm bb is good in the right hand. 50 standard is not that weak.

I have had plenty of standard bore 372OE both ported and stock. They were a great saw in their time. They are antiquated now.
The 372xpw cylinder took alot of porting work to be good as the transfers were smaller. Personally wouldn't want one, but the OP brand it up.
The big bore cylinders have the same problem as the xpw cylinder. Bigger bore, but the port ducts are the same size or smaller. Hard pass.

 

[chipper1]

For a firewood saw, the difference is negligible in regardstohowthe cut. Unless there is a specific feature you like on one of them, your life won't be dramatically changed by any one of them, of course if you're married any of them could actually change your life I'd guess lol.
A sharp chain will make a huge difference though.

 

[rb924119]

I have a Dolmar 7310 that Kevin @huskihl ported. It’s my go to saw for firewood, and runs absolutely great. It’ll run a 24” bar with .404 chain without a problem.
Kevin is a great guy, and can really make the Dolmars run. He’s on a very short list of porters I trust 100%.
Whether it will run better than a ported 372 I can’t comment on, as it’s been so long since I’ve ran a 372 back to back with a 7300. Kevin will know.

Good to know, thank you

 

[rb924119]

Depends on how they are ported. Could go either way

Well, yeah, I understand this haha

No I don’t believe that to be true. The 572 is the one saw in the 5 series that has a relatively wide power band and does well being dogged in. 550, 562 and 592 are all a little bit higher strung and peaky

Really? That's interesting; you're really the first person that I've seen that's said that (assuming that you're talking about a stock saw). I've never personally run one, so I cannot speak from any experience and am therefore not trying to be argumentative, but it's just a different opinion from what I've largely seen and gathered from some of my spelunking around the interwebs haha I'm certainly not discounting what you say, though, and if I had a chance to run one I wouldn't turn it down simply because of preconceived notions lol

And I don’t mean “peaky“^ in a bad way. 572 just has a different attitude

Yeah, no, I knew what you meant, no worries haha

 

[rb924119]

The 572 will beat em all the way around. High or low end. They are just an awesome unit. Logged alot of walnut with em.

Interesting. Are you talking ported or stock......or doesn't it matter? haha

 

[rb924119]

Is it a working saw or a hobby? links to, what parts would you realistically need? I have Dolmars between 10-35 years old for a hobby and not issues getting parts. Look up the P/N, buy online done.

My 2c on the saws, 7300, light, powerful and easy upgrade to the 7900.

It would be a working saw - all of my saws are. That said, I try to be as kind to my equipment as possible, and am pretty meticulous with maintenance and keeping them clean. The adage "Take care of your equipment so that it can take care of you." is highly applicable haha But that's also why I want to expand my rotation to lighten the load any one saw needs to bear; so that they can last I and I can keep enjoying them lol

 

[rb924119]

372OE with the updated crank and build in Sweeden ported by @Stump Shot with a proper square setup is an absolute beast.

Can't make comparison to anything else, she is my most powerful in the fleet.

Finding large enough and bone dry wood to put her through her paces is my biggest problem.

Also helpful to know, thanks!

 

[rb924119]

Thanks for the kind words, Mike and Mike.

Hello Ray,
Great thing about the 372XP's is, they're still completely serviceable with them still in production worldwide. The Dolmar and Jonsered saw's mentioned were good tough saws, however, as mentioned, finding parts for service will require an owner that's patient and doesn't mind searching for parts when the time comes. Good news is, there is stuff still out there in the either to be had yet, and with the help of our friends here on OPE and elsewhere, one can usually get pointed in the right direction for what is needed. So, I guess it all comes down to personality, whether that older saw is a good fit or not for each individual. Also, it will help if that out of production saw you have is not depended upon as your sole source for your cutting. It's best to have backups to your backups at times.
Whatever you decide, if you have fun and enjoy what you're doing, that's all that matters.
Good luck
Steve

"Also, it will help if that out of production saw you have is not depended upon as your sole source for your cutting. It's best to have backups to your backups at times."

100%. I am slowly expanding my arsenal for exact this reason........and also because I just love saws, cutting wood, and being out in nature haha if anybody can understand, I feel like the group here can

"...if you have fun and enjoy what you're doing, that's all that matters."

This is actually a big component of my purchasing philosophy. Like a new pair of shoes, or a child with a new toy, if I don't like running it the instant that I get it in my hands, I'm not going to waste my or the seller's time. I have run 372's and XPW's ported and absolutely love them, even a stock XPW is fun for what it is, so I know what to expect. I have never run a Dolly before so I am trying to gather as much information about it as I can rather than flying blind. The general consensus seems to be that their build quality, longevity, and performance are right there with the brand that I am already familiar with, with maybe a slight edge over Husky with respect to the torque stock for stock. This is enough for me to at least give it a fair chance in my hands and figure out whether or not the personality aligns with what I like. If it does, then I'll move on to consideration of parts availability haha Until then, however, I'm just an appreciative sponge soaking up all of the information that the community has to offer

 

[rb924119]

For a firewood saw, the difference is negligible in regardstohowthe cut. Unless there is a specific feature you like on one of them, your life won't be dramatically changed by any one of them, of course if you're married any of them could actually change your life I'd guess lol.
A sharp chain will make a huge difference though.

"of course if you're married any of them could actually change your life I'd guess lol"

touche'!

Currently single, no kids, so my growing collection is safe for the time being lmao

 

[Stump Shot]

"Also, it will help if that out of production saw you have is not depended upon as your sole source for your cutting. It's best to have backups to your backups at times."

100%. I am slowly expanding my arsenal for exact this reason........and also because I just love saws, cutting wood, and being out in nature haha if anybody can understand, I feel like the group here can

"...if you have fun and enjoy what you're doing, that's all that matters."

This is actually a big component of my purchasing philosophy. Like a new pair of shoes, or a child with a new toy, if I don't like running it the instant that I get it in my hands, I'm not going to waste my or the seller's time. I have run 372's and XPW's ported and absolutely love them, even a stock XPW is fun for what it is, so I know what to expect. I have never run a Dolly before so I am trying to gather as much information about it as I can rather than flying blind. The general consensus seems to be that their build quality, longevity, and performance are right there with the brand that I am already familiar with, with maybe a slight edge over Husky with respect to the torque stock for stock. This is enough for me to at least give it a fair chance in my hands and figure out whether or not the personality aligns with what I like. If it does, then I'll move on to consideration of parts availability haha Until then, however, I'm just an appreciative sponge soaking up all of the information that the community has to offer

Personally speaking, I never met a chainsaw I didn't like, sure, there's some I would rather have/not have as another, favorites. I guess what I am trying to say is that our "hobby" of "collecting" chainsaws can be fluid. So, if you have a saw you aren't particular pleased with, there's someone out there that would just love to have it. We end up buying, selling and trading the entire time, refining our collections to meet our individual tastes. If one comes along that doesn't quite fit our criteria, that's what the for sale or trade sections on here are for. Same goes if you're looking for that special saw that you just have to have, place a want ad someone out there likely has one for you. Same goes for parts needed or not anymore. The community here is the conduit that links all those wants together and makes happen. It can take local finds and make them National or even International.
Long story short, don't be afraid to make a mistake, as it's only a misstep that is easily corrected.

 

[Jusgunn3]

Very well put Steve. That being said, buy the dolmar because its cool and a ported 572xp because they are awesome, you will not be disappointed…

 

[huskihl]

Really? That's interesting; you're really the first person that I've seen that's said that (assuming that you're talking about a stock saw). I've never personally run one, so I cannot speak from any experience and am therefore not trying to be argumentative, but it's just a different opinion from what I've largely seen and gathered from some of my spelunking around the interwebs haha I'm certainly not discounting what you say, though, and if I had a chance to run one I wouldn't turn it down simply because of preconceived notions lol

I believe you could find information on the Internet saying whatever you wanted it to say if you looked hard enough. If you put anything bigger than a 20 on a 550 it wants to “fall off the pipe“, same with the 562 running bigger than a 24. A stock 572 will chug along with a 32 and not be constantly bogging, kinda like the 500i.

 

[Stump Shot]

Very well put Steve. That being said, buy the dolmar because its cool and a ported 572xp because they are awesome, you will not be disappointed…

That's so last year, don't you know you have to get a 564xp now to be like the cool kids. Lol

 

[rb924119]

Thank you all for your input! Assuming that it's still available, I think I'll be going to check out the Dolmar tomorrow, so I'll let you all know what I discover