Help me decide - new 346XP or PS5100?

[GSP]

The price really is the only reason to go with the Dolmar, and to me the difference isn't large enough to really matter!

The inboard clutch is one of the reasons that the Dolmar is rather clumsy to handle (for a 50cc saw) when limbing etc in the woods.

In canada,Our husky's are pricy (similar to europe)Maybe a little less.That's why i bought a 5100 last year.

When I'm limbing(especially in thick spruce), the chain seems to fly off occasioally when compared to my 357 or 262.

 

[Chaz1]

I own both and use both almost daily. I feel that the little dolmar has the advantage in power on the stump but I have never actually done timed cuts with both saws. The dolmar air filter could be better but if you buy another filter and clean/switch them frequently, it is not a problem. If you go with the dolmar keep an eye on your max RPM. I am running 14200 (10 percent ethanol premium mixed 50:1 with synthetic oil) without problems but that is as fast as I will push it. I also had problems with the saw throwing the stock 3/8 bar and chain set up when limbing. It seems to be a combination of the inboard clutch, sprocket / bar mount and speed that did not sit well with this saw. I switched it out to a .325 set up and have not had any problems since. If you get really stuck deciding on which saw to get, do what I did and get both. That way you will always have a great saw for a back up. Good Luck.

:agree2:That's another thing, The 325 IS smoother when limbing as well as being a good setup for bucking smaller firewood. Provided you can sharpen a chain reasoably well!

 

[birddogtg]

If you want to limb buy the 346,but for all around firewood cutting buy the 5105 . Now if you want to cut firewood in half the time get a 7900.

 

[2000ssm6]

I think that is what you meant to say!

Go back and edit!

I'm pretty sure he meant INBOARD. I see no advantages to an outboard other than aggravation to the end user.

 

[SawTroll]

In canada,Our husky's are pricy (similar to europe)Maybe a little less.That's why i bought a 5100 last year.

When I'm limbing(especially in thick spruce), the chain seems to fly off occasioally when compared to my 357 or 262.

I know about the high Husky prices in Canada (still cheap compared to here though) - and that the 5100S is a real bargain there.

 

[SawTroll]

I'm pretty sure he meant INBOARD. I see no advantages to an outboard other than aggravation to the end user.

I wasn't joking - what Andyshine posted about actually are advantages of the outboard clutch!

 

[04ultra]

Kinda funny how the 026/260's handle great for limbing and they are inboard clutch...........





.

 

[gink595]

Yeah that is funny, I guess I'm really missing out with these 346's, the little Dolmar seems to do just fine for me, With all these "handling" issues it has I have never missed my branch or ran off the side of the log, it just seems to cut where I put it.

 

[blsnelling]

I entirely agree with both of you guys. Both the 260 and 5100 are great saws. You just need to spend a little time with a MM 346 to understand. I can't really explain it. It's just so nice to use.

 

[Fastcast]

A lot of these arguments hold no weight at all for a main firewood saw.

For starters, if you want the grunt of the 5100, in the block, the 346 needs some type of muffler mod. Mod the original cat as Brad says and kiss your warranty goodbye. Buy a non cat muffler and spend even more money on top of the original $80-$100 up charge of the 346 but you may be able to just put the cat muffler back on and still have a warranty.....You know, what they don't know won't hurt 'em kind of deal....lol

As for as inboard clutch versus outboard clutch....Inboard all the way.....What happens if homeowner pinches his bar trying to fell a tree with an outboard clutch? Get out Wildthing try to cut saw and tree free tree comes down smashes $500 Husky.

With Dolmar inboard clutch.....Remove clutch cover, then remove saw from bar, get $400 - 5100 out of harms way .....Go kill yourself with Wildthing to save $40.00 bar and chain.....Son inherits perfectly working 5100.

As far as filters go....346 has better filtration but 5100 isn't that bad.....I have cut all day with a 5100 and never needed to clean or replace the filter till the work was done......If that is a necessity for you....Try sharpening your chain!

 

[gink595]

I entirely agree with both of you guys. Both the 260 and 5100 are great saws. You just need to spend a little time with a MM 346 to understand. I can't really explain it. It's just so nice to use.

I do plan on that, I have a little extra money coming back from my Health Care spending checks, I might just see if I can't pick a new one up, it might be in J-red colors though

 

[THALL10326]

A lot of these arguments hold no weight at all for a main firewood saw.

For starters, if you want the grunt of the 5100, in the block, the 346 needs some type of muffler mod. Mod the original cat as Brad says and kiss your warranty goodbye. Buy a non cat muffler and spend even more money on top of the original $80-$100 up charge of the 346 but you may be able to just put the cat muffler back on and still have a warranty.....You know, what they don't know won't hurt 'em kind of deal....lol

As for as inboard clutch versus outboard clutch....Inboard all the way.....What happens if homeowner pinches his bar trying to fell a tree with an outboard clutch? Get out Wildthing try to cut saw and tree free tree comes down smashes $500 Husky.

With Dolmar inboard clutch.....Remove clutch cover, then remove saw from bar, get $400 - 5100 out of harms way .....Go kill yourself with Wildthing to save $40.00 bar and chain.....Son inherits perfectly working 5100.

As far as filters go....346 has better filtration but 5100 isn't that bad.....I have cut all day with a 5100 and never needed to clean or replace the filter till the work was done......If that is a necessity for you....Try sharpening your chain!

Good points there ole boy but you know the argument will never end on these two saws. I don't see where the flitration is bad on the 5100 at all though. Mine stays pretty clean but I use only new chains, screw a sharpened chain,LOL

 

[woodshed]

A lot of these arguments hold no weight at all for a main firewood saw.

For starters, if you want the grunt of the 5100, in the block, the 346 needs some type of muffler mod. Mod the original cat as Brad says and kiss your warranty goodbye. Buy a non cat muffler and spend even more money on top of the original $80-$100 up charge of the 346 but you may be able to just put the cat muffler back on and still have a warranty.....You know, what they don't know won't hurt 'em kind of deal....lol

As for as inboard clutch versus outboard clutch....Inboard all the way.....What happens if homeowner pinches his bar trying to fell a tree with an outboard clutch? Get out Wildthing try to cut saw and tree free tree comes down smashes $500 Husky.

With Dolmar inboard clutch.....Remove clutch cover, then remove saw from bar, get $400 - 5100 out of harms way .....Go kill yourself with Wildthing to save $40.00 bar and chain.....Son inherits perfectly working 5100.

As far as filters go....346 has better filtration but 5100 isn't that bad.....I have cut all day with a 5100 and never needed to clean or replace the filter till the work was done......If that is a necessity for you....Try sharpening your chain!

You guys do realize that it is possible to remove the bar and swap chains and rims on a 346XP with outboard clutch, it just takes like 10 seconds longer than on a saw with an inboard clutch. They have clever little feature called a chain tensioner that loosens the chain so you can rmove the loop and swap the bar, kinda cool. Never been an issue for me but I am not looking for any little thing to bash a great saw wtha solid reputation. The 5100S on the other hand has numerous well documented flaws, mainly lean seizes and early deaths, almost all related to air leaks but explained with the poor dealer setup excuse that doesn't hold water. Kinda silly really, they have issued a fix for a known problem. The MS260 is a fine little vintage saw, not really in the competition and very enemic on power. The biggest gripe I can think of on the 346XP is it does occasionally tip over, easily fixed with a 357/359 dog. Haters need to wise up, run a 346XP NE and feel the 50cc love.

Scott

 

[gink595]

Hey Woodshed I'd love for you to come over and "school" me on how bad your 346 really is compared to my 5100. We can fit them with 24" if you'd like

 

[04ultra]

Hey Woodshed I'd love for you to come over and "school" me on how bad your 346 really is compared to my 5100. We can fit them with 24" if you'd like

opcorn:opcorn:

 

[woodshed]

Hey Woodshed I'd love for you to come over and "school" me on how bad your 346 really is compared to my 5100. We can fit them with 24" if you'd like

I suppose we could, but I usually run a 20" bar on my 372XP, why the heck would you run that long of bar on such a little saw, compensating for something are we?

Scott

 

[woodshed]

opcorn:opcorn:

Scott

 

[gink595]

I suppose we could, but I usually run a 20" bar on my 372XP, why the heck would you run that long of bar on such a little saw, compensating for something are we?

Scott

No not at all, I just know my 5100 will pull a 24", just curious if you will put up or shut up about how bad your 346 is?

BTW: bring the 372 also! I might have to run that against the 5100 for a better competition...LOL

 

[brncreeper]

The xpg's heated grips make it better this time of year, the 5100's 3/8th chain fits in better with larger saws (when it comes time to sharpen loops).

 

[woodshed]

No not at all, I just know my 5100 will pull a 24", just curious if you will put up or shut up about how bad your 346 is?

Careful there fella, your internet toughguy is showing. By the way you are clearly exceding the manufacturers recommended bar length for your saw, probably voided the warranty. :monkey:

Model: PS-5100 S
Displacement 50.4 cm³ (3.1 cu. in)
Max engine speed 14,500 min-1
Power rating 2.8 kW (3.9 bhp)
Engine manufacturer DOLMAR
Fuel tank capacity 0.46 l (15.6 oz)
Oil tank capacity 0.27 l (9.0 oz)
Net weight 5.1 kg (11.2 lbs)
Standard guide bar 16 ", 18 "
Optional guide bars 20"
Chain pitch 3/8 ", .325 "
Chain gauge .050 "

Features
• Vibration damping
• Automatic half-throttle lock
• Toolless airfilter maintenance
• Adjustable automatic oil pump
• Optimum chip flow through
• Airmaster air filter system
• Lean seizes due to poor dealer setup

Scott