Sold Husquarna 550 xp - 545 - vs Dolmar 5105

[North by Northwest]

What are the overall merits of the above three 50 cc class saws , in a nutshell , which saw is the current Overall King of the Hill !

 

[Derf]

That’s a nuanced answer.

Do you need dealer support? Husqvarna has a larger presence than Dolmar, which is now owned by Makita. The 5105 has more torque, so if you push the saw into 18-20” bar territory, the 5105 will probably pull a longer bar in wood better. But, it’s a little chubby, heavy, and if you have a bigger saw already you can keep a 16” bar on your 50cc saw, and the 550xp will rev faster, be lighter and maneuver better, plus have auto tune.
The 545 will save you some money since it doesn’t have turbo boost, which allows the saw to spin up to 15K RPM for ~6 seconds to laser through tiny branches while delimbing a tree. The newest 550xp mark II is a little heavier than the previous v.1, but has more power. I’m not sure how it compares to the 5105, but I suspect it is as strong if not stronger.

 

[cuinrearview]

That’s a nuanced answer.

Do you need dealer support? Husqvarna has a larger presence than Dolmar, which is now owned by Makita. The 5105 has more torque, so if you push the saw into 18-20” bar territory, the 5105 will probably pull a longer bar in wood better. But, it’s a little chubby, heavy, and if you have a bigger saw already you can keep a 16” bar on your 50cc saw, and the 550xp will rev faster, be lighter and maneuver better, plus have auto tune.
The 545 will save you some money since it doesn’t have turbo boost, which allows the saw to spin up to 15K RPM for ~6 seconds to laser through tiny branches while delimbing a tree. The newest 550xp mark II is a little heavier than the previous v.1, but has more power. I’m not sure how it compares to the 5105, but I suspect it is as strong if not stronger.

This plus I'll add a couple things. The AV on the Dolmars is smoother. The easy start works pretty well if you have shoulder or arm issues, but with a primer bulb and decomp the Huskies start pretty easily too. The Dolmar is the only 50 I feel comfortable running 3/8 chain with. Both the 545 and 550 are "snappier" out of the box, but in the cut the Dolmars shine. A lot of this can be made up with a muffler mod on the Dollys. If you have carburetor issues with the Husky you're heading to the dealer. All of these saws enjoy good on-line parts support if needed.

For me, the decision would come down to budget and what the intended use is. Having owned all three, there is no way you would ever convince me the Huskies are hundreds of dollars better. If it's mainly smaller wood I would go with either Husky with a 16" .325 bar and chain. If I needed a saw to do firewood duty with full bar bucking, or if it were my only saw, I'd get the Dolmar with an 18" 3/8 setup.

 

[WKEND LUMBERJAK]

That’s a nuanced answer.

Do you need dealer support? Husqvarna has a larger presence than Dolmar, which is now owned by Makita. The 5105 has more torque, so if you push the saw into 18-20” bar territory, the 5105 will probably pull a longer bar in wood better. But, it’s a little chubby, heavy, and if you have a bigger saw already you can keep a 16” bar on your 50cc saw, and the 550xp will rev faster, be lighter and maneuver better, plus have auto tune.
The 545 will save you some money since it doesn’t have turbo boost, which allows the saw to spin up to 15K RPM for ~6 seconds to laser through tiny branches while delimbing a tree. The newest 550xp mark II is a little heavier than the previous v.1, but has more power. I’m not sure how it compares to the 5105, but I suspect it is as strong if not stronger.

This plus I'll add a couple things. The AV on the Dolmars is smoother. The easy start works pretty well if you have shoulder or arm issues, but with a primer bulb and decomp the Huskies start pretty easily too. The Dolmar is the only 50 I feel comfortable running 3/8 chain with. Both the 545 and 550 are "snappier" out of the box, but in the cut the Dolmars shine. A lot of this can be made up with a muffler mod on the Dollys. If you have carburetor issues with the Husky you're heading to the dealer. All of these saws enjoy good on-line parts support if needed.

For me, the decision would come down to budget and what the intended use is. Having owned all three, there is no way you would ever convince me the Huskies are hundreds of dollars better. If it's mainly smaller wood I would go with either Husky with a 16" .325 bar and chain. If I needed a saw to do firewood duty with full bar bucking, or if it were my only saw, I'd get the Dolmar with an 18" 3/8 setup.

What they said . I really like the 5105. But I don't need any dealer support.

 

[North by Northwest]

Thanks guys for the input , as I have advised previously both of my Son,s have been eyeballing my slightly been used 346 xp that I have just recently purchased . Unfortunately being Irish , just a little protective of personal saws lol . So I have been narrowing down a choice for a limbing saw backup for light bushing and cutting for Moosee Camp in November . I purchased a used 543 xp from a friend of a friend recently and rather disappointed in its overall performance , good for cedar and pine but not much in any hardwood . My bad lol . So I thought I would just get some perspective from some educated individuals within the matter , since good conditioned 346 xp,s are rare ... Cheers !

 

[WKEND LUMBERJAK]

Thanks guys for the input , as I have advised previously both of my Son,s have been eyeballing my slightly been used 346 xp that I have just recently purchased . Unfortunately being Irish , just a little protective of personal saws lol . So I have been narrowing down a choice for a limbing saw backup for light bushing and cutting for Moosee Camp in November . I purchased a used 543 xp from a friend of a friend recently and rather disappointed in its overall performance , good for cedar and pine but not much in any hardwood . My bad lol . So I thought I would just get some perspective from some educated individuals within the matter , since good conditioned 346 xp,s are rare ... Cheers !

There is also the Dolmar/Makita 4300 I don't have one but have heard very good reports on it.

 

[cuinrearview]

Don't let the fact that HE calls it "dirty" and "old" worry you, that 346 that @chipper1 has in the post would do exactly what you're looking for a saw to do.

 

[chipper1]

Don't let the fact that HE calls it "dirty" and "old" worry you, that 346 that @chipper1 has in the post would do exactly what you're looking for a saw to do.

It's a matter of standards .

For me, the decision would come down to budget and what the intended use is. Having owned all three, there is no way you would ever convince me the Huskies are hundreds of dollars better.

I agree sort of, if you add needing dealer support into the picture that will have to be a big part of the decision.
When it comes to handling the 545/550 feel like couple hundred dollar more saws, when you need a race car you don't bring a truck to the track.
That being said I won't dispute the fact that the 5105 is a great saw, I just prefer the huskys for handling, some may like the dolmar handling better although I've never heard that before .

There is also the Dolmar/Makita 4300 I don't have one but have heard very good reports on it.

Great little saws, but the 543 is only rated slightly less than the 4300 at 2.95hp(543) vs 3hp for the 4300. That being said I have no problem running the 4300 in smaller wood, but I'd rather run a 241 in that size, but the 4300 is a good substitute if you don't want the mtronic saw or the extra expense. I've never personally ran a 543 so I can't say other than what the specs say and that's not the best assessment.
@Broken if you want to send that 543 down I can do some real world testing and even some cookie cut comparisons with the 4300 for you .

 

[North by Northwest]

Tim , the 543 is already in the cold steel hands of my daughter , she is the Cedar kindling specialist @ Deer & Moose Camp , good luck with prying that little screamer from her ! lmao .

 

[cuinrearview]

when you need a race care you don't bring a truck to the track.

 

[chipper1]

View attachment 766462

You've proven my point exactly, it even kinda looks like a dolly .

 

[North by Northwest]

Rearview don,t get me wrong , I appreciate what you and Chipper 1 have within 346,s . I however polish and wax my work saws . I paid up for my 2014 346 , $ 480 us , it still had the Husquarna on the original bar . I have a tough decision , I am a former diesel mechanic and 3rd Class stationary engineer , so the mechanical amplitude has not been lost within this oldtimer . I have to decide whether I stay a traditional Husquarna owner 550 vs 545 or a New Mikita Owner lol. Decisions , Decisions !

 

[chipper1]

Brett , the 543 is already in the cold steel hands of my daughter , she is the Cedar kindling specialist @ Deer & Moose Camp , good luck with prying that little screamer from her ....Joe ! lmao .

So are you buying a saw, or just gathering info?
I just realize this is in the trading post.

 

[North by Northwest]

Both !

 

[cuinrearview]

You've proven my point exactly, it even kinda looks like a dolly .

Fast, but the handling takes some getting used to. I'm guessing the Dolly rides a lot smoother too.

 

[cuinrearview]

Rearview don,t get me wrong , I appreciate what you and Chipper 1 have within 346,s . I however polish and wax my work saws . I paid up for my 2014 346 , $ 480 us , it still had the Husquarna on the original bar . I have a tough decision , I am a former diesel mechanic and 3rd Class stationary engineer , so the mechanical amplitude has not been lost within this oldtimer . I have to decide whether I stay a traditional Husquarna owner 550 vs 545 or a New Mikita Owner lol. Decisions , Decisions ...Joe !

The nice part is if you change your mind both models will be available for a little while. I'm guessing you'll still be able to find OE 550s a year from now.

 

[chipper1]

Rearview don,t get me wrong , I appreciate what you and Chipper 1 have within 346,s . I however polish and wax my work saws . I paid up for my 2014 346 , $ 480 us , it still had the Husquarna on the original bar . I have a tough decision , I am a former diesel mechanic and 3rd Class stationary engineer , so the mechanical amplitude has not been lost within this oldtimer . I have to decide whether I stay a traditional Husquarna owner 550 vs 545 or a New Mikita Owner lol. Decisions , Decisions ...Joe !

Don't mistaken Tim for a husky fan, he likes those Dollys. Also I like the 346 a lot for firewooding, it's one of my favorites, but for work I'll take a 545/550. They are two different jobs and when making the decisions on which saw is the right one for you this needs to be considered. I could cut most all my firewood with a 291 or a 455, I just prefer running/owning pro saws.
What I've said before is key, "what works for one doesn't work for everyone".

 

[cuinrearview]

This reminds me, I need to start thinking about a "cabin saw"

 

[chipper1]

This reminds me, I need to start thinking about a "cabin saw"

I thought it was 2171/2

 

[cuinrearview]

Tim can like about any saw given the situation. An 026 is still my all time favorite handling limbing saw, just wish they were smoother and made more power. Pretty much any saw from any manufacturer has it's ups and downs given the user and situation. I still haven't found the perfect one...