New saws

[Tree Feller]

I’m in the market for a couple of new saws.
I need a good 50cc saw and a 90cc saw. I currently have a dolmar 510 and a 7900.
so my thoughts are a 550xp, 545 or a ms261cm for the 50cc.
For the 90cc I was looking a old school 288xp. Or a 390xp
Thoughts? Recommendations??

 

[cuinrearview]

What are your Dolmars not doing for you?

 

[Andyshine77]

Are your Dolmar's warn out? So you have a pretty good setup, a 390 out of the box won't be much ahead of a 7900. The 510's are a bit slow but good saws non the less. If you just want new toys I totally understand. I would grab a ms261 and a 500i or 661, but that's some real money right there.

 

[Tree Feller]

So the 7900 is great!! It’s not going anywhere! The 510 has been ran a lot!!! It’s a pain to crank after it’s hot. I’ve been through the carb to no avail. I have to start it with the throttle locked at high idle when hot. Which is fine. But when I forget and pull the sob one time it floods! I have messed with the mix several times. The plan is to make it a back up saw.

 

[Tree Feller]

So I guess the 50cc saw is more a priority than the 90cc. So the ms 261 or 550 or 545?

 

[cuinrearview]

Between those three you really can't go wrong. Go put your hands on them and see what feels right.

 

[Andyshine77]

So I guess the 50cc saw is more a priority than the 90cc. So the ms 261 or 550 or 545?

MS261 is the saw to get hands down IMHO. After all the issues with the first gen 550 I would pass on it.

 

[BangBang77]

I agree with @Andyshine77 . The 261 is the way to go in my opinion.

 

[nwhunter]

I love my 550xp, used to think all I needed in a big saw was either my 2100cd or my homelite xl 925, but then I built three 372 style saws and I don't know how I ever lived without one!
I think my 75cc(51.4) 372 xp will cut anything those old bid saws will. I now have a 288xp on the bench IM slowly getting together but Ill be surprised if doesn't just become a shelf queen with my 372xtq or 375xp saws around. The 3d 372 I put together is a cutoff saw with am big bore kit. So, get the 550xp and add a 372XP.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

I love my 550xp, used to think all I needed in a big saw was either my 2100cd or my homelite xl 925, but then I built three 372 style saws and I don't know how I ever lived without one!
I think my 75cc(51.4) 372 xp will cut anything those old bid saws will. I now have a 288xp on the bench IM slowly getting together but Ill be surprised if doesn't just become a shelf queen with my 372xtq or 375xp saws around. The 3d 372 I put together is a cutoff saw with am big bore kit. So, get the 550xp and add a 372XP.

I was going to buy a ten pack of 372 XP over Christmas except they were sold out. However you do know that a big bore cylinder is available for the 372. However when I cut nothing beats a a 100 to 115 CC motor humming along. Thanks

 

[Timber MacFallen]

I’m in the market for a couple of new saws.
I need a good 50cc saw and a 90cc saw. I currently have a dolmar 510 and a 7900.
so my thoughts are a 550xp, 545 or a ms261cm for the 50cc.
For the 90cc I was looking a old school 288xp. Or a 390xp
Thoughts? Recommendations??

The 550XP is no longer in production. It’s been replaced with the 550XP MK2. It’s been completely redesigned with a focus on reliability and shops that sell them have not reported any issues.

Both the MS261 and 550XP MK2 are great saws with the differences lying in the ergonomics and warranty. The MS261 has a smaller diameter handle which will suit people with a smaller hand. The Husky has a downward press kill switch which I find more natural than the Stihl. The Husky is available with a five year warranty if you buy a gallon of their fuel at purchase and register it. The Husky balances better with a 20” bar than the Stihl and you have the choice between narrow kerf and regular chain. The Stihl engine case protrudes less in front and allows you an extra inch of bar length over the Husky with equivalent bar length.

Ive used both, and they each have their pros and cons. However, I don’t find one superior to the other.

Another saw worth looking at that’s cheaper, lighter and doesn’t have all the carb electronics is the Echo CS-501P. Not as powerful out of the box as the Stihl and Husky but reliable and simple.

 

[Tree Feller]

We I bit the bullet and went and bought a 550xp with an 18” bar. 530$ out the door. Very happy with this saw!! Plan to run it Friday!!!

 

[sean donato]

Late to the party, but my opinion in in the large saw. My logging buddy swears by a 372xp, but when it's not enough he comes and grabs my 390xp. Not a lot of weight difference, and the 390xp outshines the 372xp in bigger wood. Since your use to lugging a 90cc class saw around, I'd just stick with it. The 500i is appealing as well. Just waiting to see how they make out long term.

 

[Bostonstrongboy1965]

I agree with all the above. I just am about done with Stihl though! I have been at 3 dealers in my area that I have used for years for my business. Stihl apparently just raised prices on a lot of the saws. In the last 2 weeks, the MS261 jumped 20.00. Retail now is 609. I think that is insane. I am moving more and more toward Echo. Just my two cents.

 

[Timber MacFallen]

I agree with all the above. I just am about done with Stihl though! I have been at 3 dealers in my area that I have used for years for my business. Stihl apparently just raised prices on a lot of the saws. In the last 2 weeks, the MS261 jumped 20.00. Retail now is 609. I think that is insane. I am moving more and more toward Echo. Just my two cents.

Based on the retailers I've seen in the Northeast and their pricing strategy I can only arrive at a few conclusions:

1) They want to be perceived as a premium brand in power equipment with superior quality and retail experience that is more consistent.
2) Their pricing studies have revealed to them that they will be more profitable with the price increases and demand impact is minimal.
3) Most consumers don't buy pro-grade saws. The pros who use them every day on big money jobs won't care too much about paying an extra $50 or more over other options. Enthusiasts, professionals and the niche "I only buy the best" crowd make up the sales.
4) There aren't lots of alternatives anymore to Stihl in my area. I'm not buying my Echo chainsaw from Home Depot (no Echo dealers in my area in business). I had to drive hours to find a good Husky dealer. The local Stihl dealers are bright, clean, well stocked and the service from my local group is top notch.

In summary, they raise prices because they can and it won't hurt them.

 

[BangBang77]

A $20 increase on $589 is a 3.4% increase, which in the grand scheme of things is not out of line for everything else on the planet.

Raw material costs increase, i.e. plastic resins, metals, wiring, electrical components, etc. Freight, especially global freight is rapidly increasing due to rising fuel costs, government regulations, and operator shortages. Employees of these manufacturing companies get annual raises, profit sharing, and bonuses. Anything sourced out of China or Asian countries, coils, chips, carbs, etc are severely delayed and companies are paying a premium to get their products manufactured and delivered.

I work in the packaging industry, managing capital engineering projects globally. I deal with the rapidly increasing costs for raw materials on a daily basis. I would be ecstatic to only see a 3.4% increase on my projects.

I paid $599 for my last 261 v2 in 2017 so there hasn't been much, if any, price increase in that time. A $20 price increase in 4yrs busts your bubble? Welcome to reality and economics. Do you expect the manufacturers to absorb the cost increases they are seeing or would you assume they would be passed on to the end user? As would every one of us in our line of work...

 

[Bostonstrongboy1965]

Stihl dealerships are extremely variable nationwide. In my area, a significant number of them are owned by Amish. Since I have had business relationships with a lot of these local dealers for decades now, they always cut me good deals on equipment, parts, and service. There is a huge step off in that courtesy approach when you go into the more traditional dealerships that have the flashy displays, accessories, etc. I've never gotten a deal from any one of those dealerships despite the fact that I had business accounts there.
You are correct and that they can charge what they want, and the name recognition will keep them going. However, I have been delving into the Echos for the last 10 years, and continue to be more and more impressed with them. I have a couple of the 7310s that perform exceedingly well. Not sure who mentioned it on this thread, but the simplicity of them is very appealing. When you go through saws in a professional realm, I would disagree regarding not worrying too much about paying an extra $50. That's purely a function of where else I could use that money.

A $20 increase on $589 is a 3.4% increase, which in the grand scheme of things is not out of line for everything else on the planet.

Raw material costs increase, i.e. plastic resins, metals, wiring, electrical components, etc. Freight, especially global freight is rapidly increasing due to rising fuel costs, government regulations, and operator shortages. Employees of these manufacturing companies get annual raises, profit sharing, and bonuses. Anything sourced out of China or Asian countries, coils, chips, carbs, etc are severely delayed and companies are paying a premium to get their products manufactured and delivered.

I work in the packaging industry, managing capital engineering projects globally. I deal with the rapidly increasing costs for raw materials on a daily basis. I would be ecstatic to only see a 3.4% increase on my projects.

I paid $599 for my last 261 v2 in 2017 so there hasn't been much, if any, price increase in that time. A $20 price increase in 4yrs busts your bubble? Welcome to reality and economics. Do you expect the manufacturers to absorb the cost increases they are seeing or would you assume they would be passed on to the end user? As would every one of us in our line of work...

I think you're missing my point. My point is that for a 50cc saw, I would not be paying the current asking price. Anybody who has been doing this professionally knows how ground saws are handled by ground crews. I do not see the business sense of spending that much money on a saw that routinely gets mishandled and abused. I would much rather pay $440 for an echo 501 that will give me essentially the same lifespan as the 261. I can only speak that from experience, and of that, I have quite a bit, entering my fourth decade doing this work. Additionally, I think you have to acknowledge that pricing is geographically variable. In looking back over my purchases, a model year 2017 MS 261 cost me about $550. That was without any professional discount. So I think that changes your percentage of increase somewhat?

 

[BangBang77]

Agreed. That changes the overall percentage increase somewhat. Yet, it is quite common to see 3-4% YOY price increases on just about everything made or produced on planet earth. And that's a lowball increase.

 

[Tree Feller]

Stihl dealerships are extremely variable nationwide. In my area, a significant number of them are owned by Amish. Since I have had business relationships with a lot of these local dealers for decades now, they always cut me good deals on equipment, parts, and service. There is a huge step off in that courtesy approach when you go into the more traditional dealerships that have the flashy displays, accessories, etc. I've never gotten a deal from any one of those dealerships despite the fact that I had business accounts there.
You are correct and that they can charge what they want, and the name recognition will keep them going. However, I have been delving into the Echos for the last 10 years, and continue to be more and more impressed with them. I have a couple of the 7310s that perform exceedingly well. Not sure who mentioned it on this thread, but the simplicity of them is very appealing. When you go through saws in a professional realm, I would disagree regarding not worrying too much about paying an extra $50. That's purely a function of where else I could use that money.

I think you're missing my point. My point is that for a 50cc saw, I would not be paying the current asking price. Anybody who has been doing this professionally knows how ground saws are handled by ground crews. I do not see the business sense of spending that much money on a saw that routinely gets mishandled and abused. I would much rather pay $440 for an echo 501 that will give me essentially the same lifespan as the 261. I can only speak that from experience, and of that, I have quite a bit, entering my fourth decade doing this work. Additionally, I think you have to acknowledge that pricing is geographically variable. In looking back over my purchases, a model year 2017 MS 261 cost me about $550. That was without any professional discount. So I think that changes your percentage of increase somewhat?

Dealer up the road has the ms261cm for 560$ out the door with 18” b&c

 

[Fatherwheels]

The 550XP is no longer in production. It’s been replaced with the 550XP MK2. It’s been completely redesigned with a focus on reliability and shops that sell them have not reported any issues.

Both the MS261 and 550XP MK2 are great saws with the differences lying in the ergonomics and warranty. The MS261 has a smaller diameter handle which will suit people with a smaller hand. The Husky has a downward press kill switch which I find more natural than the Stihl. The Husky is available with a five year warranty if you buy a gallon of their fuel at purchase and register it. The Husky balances better with a 20” bar than the Stihl and you have the choice between narrow kerf and regular chain. The Stihl engine case protrudes less in front and allows you an extra inch of bar length over the Husky with equivalent bar length.

Ive used both, and they each have their pros and cons. However, I don’t find one superior to the other.

Another saw worth looking at that’s cheaper, lighter and doesn’t have all the carb electronics is the Echo CS-501P. Not as powerful out of the box as the Stihl and Husky but reliable and simple.

There is issues with the new 550xp MT2, from carb issues to bearing failures in under 70 hours.
The Stihl MS261 is the better saw in the 50cc class. I wanted a 550 Xp mk2, until I did some looking
and found too many problems, it’s not design, it’s quality control.