Looking at a 441 Stihl

[jcmseven]

I have my eye on a 441 Stihl chainsaw. I currently have a 291 Farm Boss which I use irregularly but has done well for me around the house. It is a good saw in good shape. Before spring hits I am planning to cut down several at risk trees and cut into firewood some that have already fallen. Some of these are large trees and almost all of them are hard wood. I was looking to into a larger saw because I felt that the type of cutting would benefit from the larger engine and ability to run a 28" bar. I have looked at the 460, but it is some more expensive than the 441. Does anyone have thought about where I should go here??

John M

 

[Turbys_1700]

That is a very good saw...
I've not run one but know people who have them and they like them...
I would have to have a lot of cutting to do to justify one...
Pretty much a hot rod...
Around here the saw of choice for most folk is the farm boss...
Some will say it is a pig but they have proven themselves over the years...

 

[LD1]

The 441 is no doubt a good runner.

But by the context of your post, it seems you want the best performance at the lowest cost. (why you dont want the 460).

If that is the case, I would go to dolmarusa.com and see if you have a dealer near by.

If you do, look seriously at a PS7900. Stock for stock, you probabally wont find a saw under $1000 that will out cut it. It eats the 441 and 460 and even the 372xp from husky.

It really is the top dog saw, until you get up in the 650 and 660 stihls or the 385 and 395 huskys.

 

[om21braz]

Can't argue with LD about the Dolmar. I never used nor have seen one personally, but they have a pretty reputation on the Arboristsite. A few things to remember about the MS441 and MS460 is that the 460 has more power, almost exactly the same weight as 441 and is "old school" technology. The 441 is more fuel efficient and has the new tech air intake design.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Not trying to start a brand war. Just my observation. Probably 90% (or more) of the loggers here use Stihl saws. I'm sure they have good reasons. I've never seen a Dolmar on a logging job.

I have three Stihl saws and a pole trimmer. You won't go wrong with the Stihl. I have a 046 Magnum (old number for the MS460) and it's a beast! It outperforms any other saw that I've ever tried, except the bigger Stihls.

As far as the 441 -vs- 460, I can't say. I would think that the extra 1/2 hp (10%) of the 460 would make a difference. The 28" bar might be a load on the 441, but the 460 will handle it easily. That's what I run on mine.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Not trying to start a brand war. Just my observation. Probably 90% (or more) of the loggers here use Stihl saws. I'm sure they have good reasons. I've never seen a Dolmar on a logging job.

I have three Stihl saws and a pole trimmer. You won't go wrong with the Stihl. I have a 046 Magnum (old number for the MS460) and it's a beast! It outperforms any other saw that I've ever tried, except the bigger Stihls.

As far as the 441 -vs- 460, I can't say. I would think that the extra 1/2 hp (10%) of the 460 would make a difference. The 28" bar might be a load on the 441, but the 460 will handle it easily. That's what I run on mine.

Same thing here with the Stihl's...
We have a good Dolmar dealer here in Taylorsville but multiple Stihl delaers...
I don't know where jcmseven lives at in western NC but Taylorsville may not be a long drive...

 

[LD1]

Not trying to start a brand war. Just my observation. Probably 90% (or more) of the loggers here use Stihl saws. I'm sure they have good reasons. I've never seen a Dolmar on a logging job.

A couple of reasons for that.

First, stihl has the best dealer network and dealer support.

That is something that doesnt matter much to us "weekend warrior" types. Most of us do our own maintenance and tune-ups and filter changes etc. Those "pros" always have a dealer service the saw.

Second reason that Stihl and Husky are popular among big loggers is that they offer 120cc saws. (MS880, and 3120xp). Dolmars current biggest offering is only a 90cc saw. And big outfits like to have all one brand. Makes things easier. And dolmar doesnt offer a "large" saw, so they dont buy any of their smaller ones either.

Third, what the loggers use (the grunts doing the work) dont really know much about chainsaws, and dont even have a say as to what they get ordered. (at least the few around here I have talked too). Last time asplund (tree trimmers...not loggers) was in my area doing powerline trimming, they were using huskies. I was cutting up the trees they were clearing for firewood. Had out my dolmar 6400 w/84cc kit. They were pretty impressed. With the sound and cut speed. A few of them (nice guys) asked to take a look at the saw. Their comment "I've never heard of dolmar before":confused2:

Anyone that makes their living w/chainsaws, and knows a little about them surely would know what a dolmar is:confused2:

 

[Toyboy]

Yep, in my neck of the woods up here all you see the loggers using is Stihl or Husky. Dolmar is not marketed here.

 

[cqaigy2]

Ditto here. Most cutters i've seen use stihl and they use their own saws. I own one too but the specs on the Dolmar look pretty good. I might be interested, i think closest "dealer" is somebody in cosmopolis.

 

[Chilly807]

I'd have no reservations about buying the 441, they're fun to use and cut like the devil himself. A bit heavy for limbing, but that's not what they're meant to do. If you go that route, the 290, although a good saw in it's own right, isn't in the same league as the 441. A different animal altogether.

I have the old version, the 044. I can honestly say I've never run anything with that much power and acceleration before, but I'm not a pro cutter either.
Pretty steep price tag for a new one as I recall, I got mine in pieces in a big cardboard box about 4 years ago for next to nothing... I put a few bucks into it for seals and bearings and haven't spent a dime on it since. It doesn't get used a lot, to be fair.

Dolmar (Sachs-Dolmar then) got a really bad name here back in the late 70's and 80's and have never recovered the market share. To the best of my knowledge, there isn't a Dolmar dealer in Nova Scotia at all.

They were up against Husky/Jonsered and Partner at that time, and now Stihl and Husky are the two biggest players locally.

I'm sure the Dolmar saws are much improved since then, but once burned twice shy as the saying goes.

Sean

 

[tawilson]

I've got a 441 and two things I like about this saw I haven't seen mentioned here are the fuel economy and the antivibration setup.

 

[FredH]

Use to own 2 041 Stihl's , one had a 28" bar , other had 18" bar . No expert , but I do kick myself for not swapping the 28" bar for the 25" bar that I now have on my 441 . Either 041 had no problem pulling the 28" bar through the white and black oak that we have around here , some as large as 30" + .

Quite happy with the 441 , especially the compression release , ( if I remember to use it :ashamed: although on first pull I DO REMEMBER if you get my drift:confused2: ) .


Fred H.

 

[Chilly807]

I've got a 441 and two things I like about this saw I haven't seen mentioned here are the fuel economy and the antivibration setup.

I'm not sure "fuel economy" should be used in the same sentence as "044"..:laughing: I actually think my 044 is pretty hard on gas, although when you consider the work it does I don't begrudge one drop of fuel burned.

The newer 441's may be pretty good on fuel, I've not run one.

I agree completely about the anti-vibe, for a 72 cc saw it's as smooth as silk.

Sean

 

[Chilly807]

Quite happy with the 441 , especially the compression release , ( if I remember to use it :ashamed: although on first pull I DO REMEMBER if you get my drift:confused2: ) .


Fred H.

Fred,

My 044 doesn't have a comp release, I've learned to start it the same way I used to start old 4-stroke dirt bikes. Ease it over until it's coming up on compression, then pull like you mean it.

Sean

 

[gc2310]

I've got a 260 and a 441. Love them both. 441 uses about the same gas as the 260 and does a lot more work/ faster. It's also smoother. I bought mine from a dealer who used to sell both Stihl and Husky. He dropped Husky after umpteen years because they became too big a pain to deal with. A 441 any day. My 2 cents worth.

 

[JimP]

I am looking at the 441 also. Good reviews in most places. The only bad comments are related to weight and chunky "feel". The 441 C-M model has an electronic carb and Arborsite tests on that model show its cut times are pretty close to both the 460 and Dolmar. A few comment that the adjustable oiler is a little low on output for bars over 25 inches. My dealer is getting info on a R version with higher output oiler, bigger dawns and some other external changes. I bought a 260 some years ago and still have sticker shock on the MS441 price (almost $1000 inc tax with a couple extra chains and files).

 

[Bigfoot62]

A couple of reasons for that.

First, stihl has the best dealer network and dealer support.

That is something that doesnt matter much to us "weekend warrior" types. Most of us do our own maintenance and tune-ups and filter changes etc. Those "pros" always have a dealer service the saw.

Second reason that Stihl and Husky are popular among big loggers is that they offer 120cc saws. (MS880, and 3120xp). Dolmars current biggest offering is only a 90cc saw. And big outfits like to have all one brand. Makes things easier. And dolmar doesnt offer a "large" saw, so they dont buy any of their smaller ones either.

Third, what the loggers use (the grunts doing the work) dont really know much about chainsaws, and dont even have a say as to what they get ordered. (at least the few around here I have talked too). Last time asplund (tree trimmers...not loggers) was in my area doing powerline trimming, they were using huskies. I was cutting up the trees they were clearing for firewood. Had out my dolmar 6400 w/84cc kit. They were pretty impressed. With the sound and cut speed. A few of them (nice guys) asked to take a look at the saw. Their comment "I've never heard of dolmar before":confused2:

Anyone that makes their living w/chainsaws, and knows a little about them surely would know what a dolmar is:confused2:

Dealer network and service is very important. Mechanical stuff will eventually break or wear out. Things have to be replaced. And, if you have a tree down across your fence, you need it now, not in a few days.

While I agree that most businesses like to have all of the equipment the same brand for convienence, there's another reason: Stihl saws work. Very, very little down time. And down time is money lost. Period. It's simple economics.

Contrary to what many people see on Ax Men, or other TV shows, most loggers around here are small companies with a handful of employees. (and those will likely be family) The "grunts" have a lot to do with which saw is purchased, since the owner will be using it himself.

Just my :2cents:

BTW, I know what a Dolmar is, I just stated that nobody I know uses them.

 

[tawilson]

I am looking at the 441 also. Good reviews in most places. The only bad comments are related to weight and chunky "feel". The 441 C-M model has an electronic carb and Arborsite tests on that model show its cut times are pretty close to both the 460 and Dolmar. A few comment that the adjustable oiler is a little low on output for bars over 25 inches. My dealer is getting info on a R version with higher output oiler, bigger dawns and some other external changes. I bought a 260 some years ago and still have sticker shock on the MS441 price (almost $1000 inc tax with a couple extra chains and files).

I didn't think the stock oiler in the 441 was sufficient for a 20" bar so I put in the high output oiler. I think it's the one used in the 460. This was just my opinion so I did it. If I was to order one with what I wanted I'd get the Arctic version too. When the hands get cold I like to grab my 346XPG.

 

[LD1]

Stihl saws work. Very, very little down time.

I think that has MUCH less to do with it than the reasons I mentioned.

If by that statement, you are somehow implying that stihl saws are more reliable than the competition. Because that is not a factual statement.

 

[KYboy]

I have been looking at these same two saws. I have decided on the 460 because of the adjustable chain oiler. I have a Stihl now that doesn't have this feature and I absolutely hate it because it makes the bar run hot because not enough oil is getting to the bar. I have already replaced the bar twice because of bluing and warping of bar. Also, if you plan on passing the saw on down in the family the 460 would be a good choice because saws with adjustable oilers will be a thing of the past after the EPA gets done with them. I hope this helps in your decision.