help finding limbing saw?

[Adirondack]

I have found cutting the little stuff with my 7900 is a bit of a workout. The wildthing works but too much vibration. I am thinking about getting a little saw for limbing and back up. Not sure what size would be best. I have been looking at the Dolmar PS 420 and the 5105. Shindaiwa 446s also looks like an option. inboard clutch is nice. What other options are there?

 

[Freehand]

Here's a nice little Kita'...dcs34

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=DCS+34+16&catID=44

 

[Andyshine77]

I haven't heard much good about the Dolmar 34 and 45. I've ran a couple 401's and they are nice light, strong saws, but they are a bit outdated. The PS420 is a bit heaver but they're very modern, and they run like some 50cc saws. The little Redmax saws are nice, + they mod well.

 

[Cliff R]

Echo CS-510/520's are nice. Very well built and reasonable. I've got two CS-510's here, actually one of them is on loan now to a good friend who cuts about 15 cords a year for his outside wood burner. He LOVES that saw, and prefers it over his 028 Wood Boss. Says it faster, and easier on fuel. Hasn't killed it yet, and mine runs as good as when we got it about 5 years ago.

I just grabbed another one off Ebay (CS-520) for $142......Cliff

 

[miking]

I second the 50 cc Echo saws. My 530 is now my #1 saw of my timber thinning business, which is pretty much all limbing after the initial cut.

 

[SawTroll]

The natural choise for a 50cc limbing and back-up saw is the Husky 346xp, and I wouldn't go any smaller.

 

[mikefunaro]

346xp for limbing! If it's more all-around use 5100 or 5105, and for something smaller ps-420 sounds good.

 

[willsaw4beer]

A Husky 254 would be a great compliment to your 7900. If you look around you can probably find a good deal on one, less than $200..
There are newer and lighter saws but with a 16'' bar it's great for firewood and is more maneuverable cutting in brush compared to the bigger saw.

 

[SawTroll]

Bring Aspen 2T to US!

Mike Acres is the North American representative, ask him where you can get it!

 

[Scooterbum]

5105 with a 20" bar, your back will love you for it.

 

[danrclem]

The natural choise for a 50cc limbing and back-up saw is the Husky 346xp, and I wouldn't go any smaller.

:agree2:

I've got a 346 and Makita 401 that I bought before I got the 346. The 401 is a great small and light saw and very much qualifies as a limbing saw but that's it. It's only good for limbing small limbs. If you try to cut anything with any size you find out very quickly that it isn't up to the task.

I guess it would just depend on how far you want to go down the trunk as to what saw would be the best for you.

 

[rms61moparman]

:agree2:

I've got a 346 and Makita 401 that I bought before I got the 346. The 401 is a great small and light saw and very much qualifies as a limbing saw but that's it. It's only good for limbing small limbs. If you try to cut anything with any size you find out very quickly that it isn't up to the task.

I guess it would just depend on how far you want to go down the trunk as to what saw would be the best for you.

My 401 Makita will cut circles around a new 420!
And my Dolmar 401 will outcut my Makita.
I cut 75% of my firewood this year with that little Makita.

As for me, I will take my 6400++p, 5100, and 401 to the woods with ANYONE in this part of the country and not feel outclassed at all.

Mike

 

[2000ssm6]

Check out the 5100 since you have the 7900 already. For off the shelf saws, you cant beat these 2 as a combo. The 420 has great reviews but I believe it is closer to the weight of the 5100, while the 5100 has much more power. If you don't mind used, a 026 would compliment the 7900 well also. They can be found in the ~$200 range if you look hard enough.

 

[alderman]

I've done a lot of limbing with my Shindaiwa 360 and 377. Nice and light. The 446 looks like a winner with a bit more power, but I've not run one. As my macho days fade into the past, I've got no problem grabbing a little saw to do a job.

You might also look at the 488 or 490. If they aren't too heavy for you either would serve as a nice backup saw for some bigger stuff also.

 

[SawTroll]

Check out the 5100 since you have the 7900 already. For off the shelf saws, you cant beat these 2 as a combo. The 420 has great reviews but I believe it is closer to the weight of the 5100, while the 5100 has much more power. .....

The problems with the 5100S as a limbing saw is the way it handles, and the comparatively slow trigger response, compared to the 346xp.

 

[Freehand]

346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346 346.....infinityopcorn:

 

[166]

My 401 Makita will cut circles around a new 420!
And my Dolmar 401 will outcut my Makita.
I cut 75% of my firewood this year with that little Makita.

As for me, I will take my 6400++p, 5100, and 401 to the woods with ANYONE in this part of the country and not feel outclassed at all.

Mike

Is your 401 & 420 stock? What kind of RPM's is the 420 turning because they have been running very rich out of the box.

 

[barnumb]

Here is what I do 338xpt & 339xp for limbing, 254xp for the midsized stuff, Husky 66 or my new 372xp for big stuff and if it gets real bad the 394xp. The 346 is a great saw but the 338xpt / 339xp do a great job of limbing. When cutting tops or trees the limbing is done with the little ones.

 

[danrclem]

My 401 Makita will cut circles around a new 420!
And my Dolmar 401 will outcut my Makita.
I cut 75% of my firewood this year with that little Makita.

As for me, I will take my 6400++p, 5100, and 401 to the woods with ANYONE in this part of the country and not feel outclassed at all.

Mike

I might not have mine adjusted right or maybe I'm just too impatient. That little 401 is fun to work with though because it is so small and light.

 

[rms61moparman]

Is your 401 & 420 stock? What kind of RPM's is the 420 turning because they have been running very rich out of the box.

I might not have mine adjusted right or maybe I'm just too impatient. That little 401 is fun to work with though because it is so small and light.

The 420 is straight out of the dealer stock, tuned well.
The Makita has one of my basic woods ports, a mild muff mod and a real good cutting safety chain.
The Dolmar is considerably more radically ported and muff modded and is running the most agressive 3/8ths low profile I can find. It is faster than the Mak, but not as pleasant to work with.

I am real anxious to get over to Danrclem's and let him use it for a little while.
I believe he will be porting a 401 in short order.