346XP ne vs. Dolmar 5100

[encoredemon]

I am a big fan of the Dolmar saws.........I have been a Stihl owner for as long as I can remember. I currently have 2 036 Pro's. I would like to have a Dolmar ps 5100 , but I have no dealer near me in Billings Montana. I am looking hard at the Husky 346XP ne..........rumor says this is Husky's answer to the Dolmar competition. I have many dealers to support the Husky & would like some advice on whether to stay with my loyalty to Stihl or give the 346XP ne a try. All I do is 20-30 cords of fire wood a year & some post & poles. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[windthrown]

346XP vs PS-5100s vs MS260-PRO

Between these three saws, I am leaning back toward getting a 260/026, becasue:

1) Amicks Superstore is way too far away (has all 3 saws in stock!)
2) No Dolmar dealers anywhere near here worth a crap
3) Tried and true saw design (zillions of 026/260s out there)
4) I like Stihl saws and I am used to working on them
5) Stihl dealer less than 2 miles from here (10 more within 30 minutes)
6) Husky saws are, well, Husky saws (maybe someday)
7) No all-in-one Husky dealers here like Stihl, harder to find saws and parts.

Of course, now I have to go look at the 346XP to compare it to, as it has good anti-vibe (or so they say). Last time I picked one up, I did not like the mismatched plastic handle and all the levers and buttons on it. I like the one lever thumb switch on the Stihls. The Dolmar 5100s might be a sweet saw, but this side of the Mississippi, you cannot get very near one. Same with the PS-420.

Maybe the problem with living in Stihl country is that it limits one's choice pretty much to Stihl. Not the worst situation to be in of course. :greenchainsaw:

 

[Ole Farmerbuck]

You wont regret getting that 346xp!

 

[2000ssm6]

Small felling/bucking>5100

Limbing>260 or 346

If you want something like your 036, go with the 5100.

 

[windthrown]

Comparing the three saws

Husky XP346 : Dolmar PS5100s : Stihl MS260 plain/PRO
List Price: $489 : $434 : $449/$489
Displacement: 45 cc : 50.7 cc : 50.2 cc
Power: 3.4 hp : 4 HP : 3.2 bhp
Fuel tank: 17 oz. : 15.6 oz. : 15.6 oz.
Oil tank: 9.5 oz. : 9 oz. : 9.8 oz.
Oil pump: adj. : adj. : non-adj./adj.
Chain pitch: .325" : .325" : .325" or 3/8"
Recommended bar: 13-20" : 16-20" : 16-20"
Weight (dry, no B&C): 10.6 lb : 11.2 lb : 10.6 lb

 

[SawTroll]

At the woodpile there is not much differense, except that the Husky revs up faster, and the Dolmar higher.
In the woods the Husky handles better - feels more compact, more nimble.....

 

[SawTroll]

Displacement: 45 cc : 50.7 cc : 50.2 cc
Power: 3.4 hp : 4 HP : 3.2 bhp
....

Nope, that is the old 45cc 346xp, and the early somewhat inflated Dolmar numbers........:jawdrop:

 

[encoredemon]

Thank you all...................great info ! I have a date with a NE346xp next week-end........buddy of mine just bought one yesterday! We are going to get a few more loads of wood & I will see how I like it. It has to be lighter than my 036 pro's...........not sure what they weigh in at?
Thanks for responding to a newby to this sight so quickly!:greenchainsaw:

 

[tawilson]

I don't have a lot of experience with different saws, and I like my 346XPG but does the handle have to be right over the top of the oil fill?

 

[poulson01]

FWIW

In my experience, 346xp 50cc kills MS260. Never ran a Dolmar.

346 is my favorite saw.

My two cents.

 

[Ole Farmerbuck]

I don't have a lot of experience with different saws, and I like my 346XPG but does the handle have to be right over the top of the oil fill?

Getcha one of them there quart gear oil squeeze bottles. cant beat em!

 

[excess650]

Husky XP346 : Dolmar PS5100s : Stihl MS260 plain/PRO
List Price: $489 : $434 : $449/$489
Displacement: 45 cc : 50.7 cc : 50.2 cc
Power: 3.4 hp : 4 HP : 3.2 bhp
Fuel tank: 17 oz. : 15.6 oz. : 15.6 oz.
Oil tank: 9.5 oz. : 9 oz. : 9.8 oz.
Oil pump: adj. : adj. : non-adj./adj.
Chain pitch: .325" : .325" : .325" or 3/8"
Recommended bar: 13-20" : 16-20" : 16-20"
Weight (dry, no B&C): 10.6 lb : 11.2 lb : 10.6 lb

346XP new edition is 50cc and 3.7 or 3.8hp and closer to 11#

I have a lightly used 026(nice saw) Husqvarna 353(very similar in power and handling to 026), and the 346XP 50cc version which cuts like a larger displacement saw, but handles like the other two. The 346XP has the primer bulb, decompression button, and adjustable oiler. The MS260 Pro has decomp and adjustable oiler, while the regular 260 lacks both.

The last time I looked at a 260 pro, it was $529, and the regular 260 was $469 or so.

I've not run a Dolmar 5100S, but have the Makita DCS401 and DCS540. One is larger and one is smaller, but both are well made, good running saws.

 

[windthrown]

Geez, now you guys have me going back to thinking I should just get a second 361 instead of the 260!

 

[windthrown]

346XP new edition is 50cc and 3.7 or 3.8hp and closer to 11#

Yah, the Troll corrected me on this. Old XP, new XP...

The last time I looked at a 260 pro, it was $529, and the regular 260 was $469 or so.

I used Amicks online "list prices". The Husky and Dolmar seem to be cheaper if you shop around, and if you can find them. My PNW Stihl price list is out of date.

 

[04ultra]

I like the 5100's .......Very good value....

 

[StihltheOne]

I have a new 5100, I have to say that I really like it. Starts and runs perfect, as it should. Feels good to me, I can cut for hours with it and still feel good. I would say that any of the saws mentioned are darn good, whichever one you run, you will like it. The 5100 sounds cool though. +1 on the squeeze bottle, I have used that ol syrup bottle for years. There is a dealer in Billings, I can find out who/where if ya need info. I have a dealer here in Wy that sources his out of Billings, usually 1-2 days.

 

[103scooter]

I like the 5100's .......Very good value....

Thats a fact.

But a 6 pack at a time???

 

[ciscoguy01]

Yip

Small felling/bucking>5100

Limbing>260 or 346

If you want something like your 036, go with the 5100.

I don't think I coulda said it better than my brotha from NC...

If you can wait a day for part should something go wrong, 5100 is your poison dude. I put prolly 30 cord through mine last year, it's still running like a champ this year w/out a hitch. Matter of fact, I put about 6 cord through it the last 2 days and mannnnnnnnn, I just love that little friggin saw...

opcorn:


yes yes... I know... I been slackin a bit. Moved 3 times and am finally settled in my new place. hehehehehe

 

[litefoot]

Nope, that is the old 45cc 346xp, and the early somewhat inflated Dolmar numbers........:jawdrop:

Troll,
You have both the 5100 and the 346NE. What's are the actual weights of the two. This seems to be one of the major issues of the OP.

 

[Big Neb]

There is a Dolmar dealer here in Billings. PM me if you want the address. They don't have a shop but the Ace Hardware in the Heights services Dolmar for them.

As far as the NE346xp, Where did you find one? I know of a lot of the older 346xp's sitting on shelves but have yet to see a new edition here in Billings.