MS 170 vs PS 341

Wesspur
Rugged made
shop deals on amazon
Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Fastcast

Fastcast

Addicted to ArboristSite
Joined
Feb 16, 2006
Messages
1,635
Reaction score
164
Location
Ohio
Ok, now don't laugh..... Just looking for a small, inexpensive, saw to replace a dead 2300/CVA that I used occasionally to cut myself out of a bind and for crappy little jobs.

Choices are Stihl MS170 or Dolmar PS341......170 is only $189.00.....341 is $225.00 but Dolmar dealer has been sitting on it for a while and can probably get it for $200 so price will probably be just about the same.

The 341 is a little more powerful and I believe has H&L carb adjustments. The 170 has only an idol screw. Always hated that on my Stihl FS55 weed wip. I'm thrilled with my 5100s and wondering if the 341 would serve me as well.

Don't know much about either of these saws so which way do you guys think I should go?

http://www.dolmarpowerproducts.com/productcatalog/product/5132/index.html

http://www.stihlusa.com/chainsaws/MS170.html
 
How much does the Stihl guy want for a 180? It is supposed to have noticeably more power than the 170. I have used a 170 and it has a rough time with 4" logs
 
Trouble with 4" logs :dizzy:

The 180 is $229 but the Stihl dealers never seem to want to deal. I'd be very lucky to get them to trade out the safety chain for a good chain. I know I'm being cheap here but just had to replace the FS55 weed wip and the new one (not a FS55) cost me $360....ouch!
 
341 or 401, without question. Apples and oranges between those two and the 170/180. Slap a 12" or 14" bar on the Dolmar and you'll be set!

The 401 I ran a while back (albeit woods ported) was a nice, nimble little saw. Its build quality was nice, and it has a magnesium case and bolt-on cylinder, just like the big boys. The 180 I ran was a nice enough saw, but didn't really send me. If I didn't already have a 34cc Echo and a 38cc Husqvarna to fill the under-45cc end of my collection, I'd have a ported 401.
 
Every dealing I have had with the idle only adjustment on the Stihl carbs has been bad. I vote for the Dolmar.
 
Huh, surprised the Dolmar ran away with this one. Not hearing any rebuttals from the Stihl guys so I guess the Dolmar is it, for these little saws.

A buddy has a Husky 141 that's even a tad bigger than these two. He bought that new for $200 but I'm not real impressed with it so I had kind of ruled it out but it has no problem cutting 4" logs:D

My Dolmar dealer had a 401 but I believe it's gone/sold....I think it was pushing $300 so that's a little more than I'm wanting to spend. I should be heading his way in a couple of days and I'll see if I can swing a deal on the 341........ Thanks for the help:cheers:
 
Fastcast said:
Huh, surprised the Dolmar ran away with this one. Not hearing any rebuttals from the Stihl guys so I guess the Dolmar is it, for these little saws.

A buddy has a Husky 141 that's even a tad bigger than these two. He bought that new for $200 but I'm not real impressed with it so I had kind of ruled it out but it has no problem cutting 4" logs:D

My Dolmar dealer had a 401 but I believe it's gone/sold....I think it was pushing $300 so that's a little more than I'm wanting to spend. I should be heading his way in a couple of days and I'll see if I can swing a deal on the 341........ Thanks for the help:cheers:
Click to expand...


Neither of your options will cut like a 141 that is in order, probably not even close - a lot more hp in that one, but also heavier.
 
Last edited:
Let us know how it turns out. I actually have a stable Dolmar dealer here in Lawrence, and he is a good guy. Now I'm not normally in favor of miscegenation,:D (mixing of saw brands) but I might wanna find a hot little lightweight saw for bangin' around in the back yard and such......

15 Stihl saws.......have they yet reached critical mass, where they reproduce on their own?:ices_rofl:

04Ultra, what is critical mass on a saw collection?
 
Fastcast said:
Huh, surprised the Dolmar ran away with this one. Not hearing any rebuttals from the Stihl guys so I guess the Dolmar is it, for these little saws.

A buddy has a Husky 141 that's even a tad bigger than these two. He bought that new for $200 but I'm not real impressed with it so I had kind of ruled it out but it has no problem cutting 4" logs:D

My Dolmar dealer had a 401 but I believe it's gone/sold....I think it was pushing $300 so that's a little more than I'm wanting to spend. I should be heading his way in a couple of days and I'll see if I can swing a deal on the 341........ Thanks for the help:cheers:
Click to expand...

You'll find the Makita DCS401 on Ebay for $225 or so plus shipping. It is the Dolmar in Makita blue.:chainsaw:

Others to consider would be the Echo CS-400(40cc), CS-370(36cc), or the 345/3450/346(34cc) variety. The CS-400s have been selling for around $200 plus shipping, CS-370s about $180, and new CS-346s (7.5#)from $150-$200.

My CS-3450 bought used on Ebay is my favorite limbing saw with 14" bar. :chainsaw: The Makita DCS401 is intended to be the 'tweener before resorting to the Stihl MS290, McCulloch PM610, or Stihl 066 Magnum.:greenchainsaw:
 
Go for the Dolmar. I bought my mom a 401, great saw. Take a look at weight/hp between the saws you're looking at. The 401 weighs as much as the 180, but puts out power between a 210 & 230. Hmm... Factor in a mag crankcase and a fully adjustable carb and my even my Stihl loving brain can't stay on track.
 
Mikita 401

I was wondering if anyone would know if Mikita/Dolmar was going to discontinue the 401 since they are introducing the 420. I want to get a 401 to replace my Husky 41. I wouldn't wait but I have already bought three saws this year. Husky 65l(1970) 41(1991) Dolmar 5100 7900 (2008) Stihl 460 (2008)
 
i bought a ps 401 from my dolmar dealer for 219.00 great saw for the money
 
Termite said:
I was wondering if anyone would know if Mikita/Dolmar was going to discontinue the 401 since they are introducing the 420. I want to get a 401 to replace my Husky 41. I wouldn't wait but I have already bought three saws this year. Husky 65l(1970) 41(1991) Dolmar 5100 7900 (2008) Stihl 460 (2008)
Click to expand...

Yes, they are discontinuing the 401 & 341 but who knows when they'll dry up. I just went with the 341 and it runs real well for a little saw. Definitely not a slug so I imagine the 401 would be sweet!
 
Termite said:
I was wondering if anyone would know if Mikita/Dolmar was going to discontinue the 401 since they are introducing the 420. I want to get a 401 to replace my Husky 41. I wouldn't wait but I have already bought three saws this year. Husky 65l(1970) 41(1991) Dolmar 5100 7900 (2008) Stihl 460 (2008)
Click to expand...


The 41 should outcut the 401 with some margin, but the quality is another story.....
:)
 
Fastcast said:
Yes, they are discontinuing the 401 & 341 but who knows when they'll dry up. I just went with the 341 and it runs real well for a little saw. Definitely not a slug so I imagine the 401 would be sweet!
Click to expand...

I also heard that, but the 350/420 weight too close th a 50cc saw to be a real replacement, imo.....:censored:
 

Similar threads

blsnelling
MS180 vs PS-401 vs G3800AVS
7 8 9
Replies
162
Views
19K
blsnelling
blsnelling

Latest posts

Back
Top