I am told that the Dolmar is a good mid range saw for between the 30 cc and 50cc plus groups, and that its quality is pretty much up there with the Husky and the Stihl. What is the word in the bush?
Dolmar has two pro models which have proven themselves to be right up there comparable to the pro Husky and Stihl models. They are the 5100 and the 7900. I have no opinion on any older, earlier models. I would buy one of these two models without hesitation but I would not buy any other Dolmar model.
If running a 5100 I would say they are pretty good and are quite tough and as far as the 6400/7300/7900 goes as they all use the same crankcase just a different jug and piston . The 7900 is a good saw as I have cut quite a while with them , the 6400 is good to but why carry the same weight as a 7900 with less power . Dolmar builds good stuff and one thing that is important is one person builds that saw so if something goes wrong with saw it comes back on the guy that built it so alot less warrantry claims now
Dolmar are a German company, although now owned by Makita. (Japanese). Makita are a quality tool manufacturer in their own right, and I believe they aquired Dolmar to expand their range of tools into OPE in one hit, instead of developing their own lines. Makita chainsaws are now just Dolmars with a different colour plastic.
The 5100 and 7900 are the stand out models, but the 6400 & 7400 perfectly OK, just slightly less power. A lot of people buy the Makita version (6401?) as ex rental saws. Good reliable saw for the right price, and can be upgraded to a 7900 for a sensible cost.
The other various models are just in the 'OK' class, like a lot of the Stihl and Husky models.
Ian
I think in the 30 to 50 cc range Stihl and Husky only make a couple of models that are built as good as the smaller Dolmars, the 346xp and the Stihl MS260 and 200t are built well. Most other Stihl and Husky saws in that range don't have near the quality of the better pro saws. Steve
I imagine in time to come that Dolmar/Makita could turn into a major player in the chainsaw and gasoline powered lawn and garden tools on the market .
As it appears to be at this time somewhat lacking in dealer support but that could be a regional thing .
From my own perspective what few Dolmars I have operated seemed to preform quite nicely .How they do over extended periods of use I can't answer .
Looking at the big picture long term ,Caterpillar and John -Deere have made their reputation from sturdy built machinery .In addtion to that their best asset is parts and dealer support .Unlike Stihl for example both companies unless things have changed will ship parts to customers rather than only placing orders in person .
Customer and parts support is what will either make or break Dolmar in coming years .Provided of course they continue to make a quality product .
Yah Dolmar regional support here in the PNW is next to non-existant. Mainly because of the PNW distributor near here. I have been looking for Dolmar saws for years here, and never found any 5100s or 7900s for sale. I have seen very few in action, and most of those were at a chainsaw GTG in the PNW last May. The 7900 dominates the class for power to weight ratio. The 5100s is nice, but there have been issues with air leaks. Also there were issues with them being set to run too lean from the factory and/or at dealers. I know a dealer in Idaho that had all the 5100s saws that they sold go bad on them. BTW: the 5100s has been replaced with the 5105 model, which has a CAT in the muffler. Slightly less power than the 5100s had.
you hit the nail on the head, the biggest problem with dolmar is their marketing of their produces , I think their saws are as good as the rest but I like the 5100 and the 7900 the best, I have more than a few 3410's out there and they seem to work well , are they as good as the stihl 200 top handle and I would have to say no but for the price their pretty good