Looking for my first chainsaw: Stihl MS251 or Jonsered 2255?

[Bluegill2]

well, I didn't know a lot about saws (really still don't), but know more than I did when I bought the 55. I purchased the 55 from a dealer that should have known better than I. As far as the 372, I really didn't need that size saw ,but a 372for the same price as the 562 (which was my other choice). I went with the larger saw just incase I ever have the need for a larger bar than the 24'' I'll still have plenty of power. I agree, It's probably not for everyone. I'm 56 and was concerned about the power and the weight, but so far, I've had no problems operating the saw

The 55 is a good saw, but would be better with a 18" bar and maybe better with .325 chain.

I sold my 372xp after running the 562xp for a year. The new 562 is just so much lighter, smoother and handles better, also just as fast in smaller wood. I cut a lot of wood (15-20 cords of oak a year), but not much over 20" dia. Also do a fair bit of logging & thinning... I'm 52 and when I run a saw, it's for hours at a time and my back just likes lighter saws better.

The 372 is about $100 more here. Guess your dealer had the 562 too high, or a screaming deal on the 372?

Like I said, the 372xp is a classic, fantastic saw and it will serve you well...

 

[DeereMann]

There is one dealer here in the north metro area that has started to carry Dolmar saws. I don't know much about them other than I think I saw they are Canadian. I have 4 Stihl saws & they all run great so no reason really for me to try anything else at this point.

 

[Bluegill2]

There is one dealer here in the north metro area that has started to carry Dolmar saws. I don't know much about them other than I think I saw they are Canadian. I have 4 Stihl saws & they all run great so no reason really for me to try anything else at this point.

Dolmar saws are made in Germany and owned by Makita. Good saws!

 

[TaterinTexas]

after years of monkeying around with cheaper brands, I finally decided to get a Stihl (Farmboss 290). Wish I hadn't waited so long. Bought a larger one recently. Runs like a freight train, excellent performance.

 

[DeereMann]

Dolmar saws are made in Germany and owned by Makita. Good saws!

Interesting - have you or anyone you know run them? How do they compare to Stihl, Husky, Jonsered?

 

[xring100]

I'm in the shopping mix as well ... I had a Husq 450, bought at TSC about 1.5 yrs ago, put way more hours on that most folks ever would (cut & limbed 100+ oaks & maples, plus 25+ face cords in that time) ... finally burned out the clutch at the end of last year. Luckily, I had purchased the TSC 2-yr warranty, and low-&-behold, the warranty company bought my saw back & gave me a refund! (after they discovered that fixing it would cost nearly the same).

I was always very happy with the Husq, but since I have plenty more trees & firewood to cut, I figure I'll need to go bigger/stronger than the 450.

I'm considering the Husq 455 Rancher, the Jonsered cc2255 (same as already mentioned), the Stihl 291, the Makita dcs5121, & the Echo CS-590. They are all within $100 of eachother. TSC no longer carries the Husq, and carries the Jonsered now, so to get that extended warranty again, I would have to go with the red. I like the Stihl 291, and the Makita (Dolmar) gets great reviews too. Then again, I hear good things about that Echo !!!

It's a really tough decision... Murph, have you used your Echo much? I really like that 5-yr warranty ...

Wow for what your doing why not buy a PRO saw like a 372 xp or stihl ms361- 461 and be done with buying saws for a while. If they prove to big to limb buy a smaller pro saw. I usually run through at least 2 full tanks when ever I go out. I'd take power and weight over a light weight under powered saw any day. Pro saws have better power to weight. Stihl has dropped the ball in that category lately with newer saws. 660 still has one of highest power to weight ratios of all saws

 

[DeereMann]

after years of monkeying around with cheaper brands, I finally decided to get a Stihl (Farmboss 290). Wish I hadn't waited so long. Bought a larger one recently. Runs like a freight train, excellent performance.

:thumbsup:

Now git out there & cut that mesquite!

 

[DeereMann]

Wow for what your doing why not buy a PRO saw like a 372 xp or stihl ms361- 461 and be done with buying saws for a while. If they prove to big to limb buy a smaller pro saw. I usually run through at least 2 full tanks when ever I go out. I'd take power and weight over a light weight under powered saw any day. Pro saws have better power to weight. Stihl has dropped the ball in that category lately with newer saws. 660 still has one of highest power to weight ratios of all saws

Love the MS460 for the big stuff, MS660 is gettin' REALLY big! (not to mention the 880). The 261 is hard to beat for all around branch work, then a little dinker is a real forearm saver for the brush & branches. I have the 018.

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing - the MS261 first for all-around, the 018 next for forearm fatigue saver, then the big hoss for the big boles.

 

[Bluegill2]

Interesting - have you or anyone you know run them? How do they compare to Stihl, Husky, Jonsered?

I have run a few and know a few guys that run Dolmars. A little heavy, but well made. The 50cc, 60cc, 64 & 79cc are all pro quality. Also less money than the big two... I like em better than the other German saw, but like the Swedes a little better.

 

[TomSeller]

Dolmar saws are made in Germany and owned by Makita. Good saws!

I did not know that.

 

[kenmac]

The 55 is a good saw, but would be better with a 18" bar and maybe better with .325 chain.

I sold my 372xp after running the 562xp for a year. The new 562 is just so much lighter, smoother and handles better, also just as fast in smaller wood. I cut a lot of wood (15-20 cords of oak a year), but not much over 20" dia. Also do a fair bit of logging & thinning... I'm 52 and when I run a saw, it's for hours at a time and my back just likes lighter saws better.

The 372 is about $100 more here. Guess your dealer had the 562 too high, or a screaming deal on the 372?

Like I said, the 372xp is a classic, fantastic saw and it will serve you well...

I think the weight difference between the 2 saws is 1 1/2 lbs or less..... 372 is a little over 14lbs. and the 562 is close to 13 lbs. Isn't the 562 the saw with auto tune ?? If so, I was concerned about it having problems. like most new things that come out. I like to wait a couple yrs after the bugs are worked out.... I don't recall the dealer's price for the 562. I got the 372 OTD for $760.00. That's the best price I found for this saw. I agree , my rancher saw would perform a lot better with the 18 bar and smaller chain. I'm going to change it over some day

 

[kenmac]

Interesting - have you or anyone you know run them? How do they compare to Stihl, Husky, Jonsered?

There is a member here LD1 that runs Dolmar saws. He has several

 

[Bluegill2]

I think the weight difference between the 2 saws is 1 1/2 lbs or less..... 372 is a little over 14lbs. and the 562 is close to 13 lbs. Isn't the 562 the saw with auto tune ?? If so, I was concerned about it having problems. like most new things that come out. I like to wait a couple yrs after the bugs are worked out.... I don't recall the dealer's price for the 562. I got the 372 OTD for $760.00. That's the best price I found for this saw. I agree , my rancher saw would perform a lot better with the 18 bar and smaller chain. I'm going to change it over some day

Yep, that is the weight diff. 1.5 lbs is enough to feel after a while. I bought my 562xp first part of 2012 and the auto tune has been flawless. There have been a few problems saws, but not many. Carb trouble, not AT... The AT also makes more power over a wider power band and it's a pleasure to run. You got a great saw, I just don't need a 70cc saw myself.

 

[RobertN]

Interesting the issues folks have had with the 026/260/024 starting; have used them for years at home because they start so easy and handle so well. They are my "go to" saw because of that. I have a mix of Stihl and Husky.

We use Stihl mostly in our Fire Dept. Those saws(chain saw and circular saws) HAVE to start right away. There are a few Husky sprinkled in. But, those saws get started and checked all the time(weekly).

 

[Redbug]

That's interesting you mentioned about starting, Robert. I have several Stihls and they all start well. Except for my newest one...an MS290 Farm Boss. I don't know why it floods and won't start. I treat it the same as all my others. Any other people have problems with their 290's?

 

[Bluegill2]

My brother bought a ms290 8-10 years ago and has had a lot of trouble with it. Starting issues and oiler issues. He stop using it a few years ago.

 

[Bluegill2]

My brother bought a ms290 8-10 years ago and has had a lot of trouble with it. Starting issues and oiler issues. He stop using it a few years ago.

When my brother went to the Stihl dealer, he asked for Stihl's Best saw. They sold him Stihl's Best Selling saw. He got the Best Saw for the dealer, but not for himself...

 

[TSO]

Just left my local Stihl dealer. MS291 $450, MS261c (pro model) $620. Tax not included.

Dolmar 5105 (pro model?), $450 total, shipped.

Specs on the D5105 & the 261c are nearly identical.

So that's my current debate ...

 

[Bluegill2]

Just left my local Stihl dealer. MS291 $450, MS261c (pro model) $620. Tax not included.

Dolmar 5105 (pro model?), $450 total, shipped.

Specs on the D5105 & the 261c are nearly identical.

So that's my current debate ...

The 5105 is a no brainer between the two.

But I'd rather have a 346xp or 550xp. Smaller, slimmer, lighter, smoother, faster...

 

[TSO]

The 5105 is a no brainer between the two.

But I'd rather have a 346xp or 550xp. Smaller, slimmer, lighter, smoother, faster...

I understand, but at what cost? The 5105 should be right around 11.5 lbs... right with the 261c.