Help me pick a 60cc saw!
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At that price then to me it's a no brainer. The stock 6400 will outperform any 60cc saw by a good amount. More power and more torque. Those extra 4 or 5 cc do make a difference.
It's a bigger chassis saw though so more weight. You can put the big bore kit on it and make it a 7900 later on if you need it or just want it. What's that 90cc ?
KenLockett
Minister of Fire
Oh yeah! Thinking about the 6400 for myself. Checked dealers today for warranty work if needed and there are 4-5 listed on the Dolmar website in the vicinity of the Capital Region where I am located.
Many good suggestions already. My advice is not to neglect overall weight and power-to-weight. Get to some dealers to feel the different saws in your hands.
For example, That 555 has higher power than some in the 60cc class, yet one of the lowest weights (12.3 lbs if I recall correctly).
The Dolmar/Makita 6400/6401/6421 is powerful for a 60cc saw but it's heavy and BULKY compared to the other saws you've mentioned. Now if you drop a 79cc P&C into it, it makes a nice saw for the weight.
For example, That 555 has higher power than some in the 60cc class, yet one of the lowest weights (12.3 lbs if I recall correctly).
The Dolmar/Makita 6400/6401/6421 is powerful for a 60cc saw but it's heavy and BULKY compared to the other saws you've mentioned. Now if you drop a 79cc P&C into it, it makes a nice saw for the weight.
I've been checking owners manuals if the specs do not say. The Jonesered 2258 manual (page 30) doesn't say either way, but it does say "If your saw is equipped with Intellicarb"...
The 2258 spec sheet and the Web site's product page don't mention Intellicarb, so I figured it didn't have it.
Intellicarb, Autotune, M-Tronic... pick a name, guys!
Jetsam after hearing the online prices of the Dolmar 6400 you should really think hard about that one. The price is in the same range as the Husky and even Dolmars own 6100
But it's a big saw. Ya it splits the difference between a 60cc and a 70cc but the chassis is a big saw. I consider the 60cc more of a medium saw. Unless your looking for lighter weight, the 6400 will out cut any of the saws you have listed. The horsepower may be close to the Stihl 362 but it's got more torque and will be a faster cutting saw if that's what your after
But it's a big saw. Ya it splits the difference between a 60cc and a 70cc but the chassis is a big saw. I consider the 60cc more of a medium saw. Unless your looking for lighter weight, the 6400 will out cut any of the saws you have listed. The horsepower may be close to the Stihl 362 but it's got more torque and will be a faster cutting saw if that's what your after
This is a prime example ( one example among many) of why companies like Stihl sell so many saws because they have accurate and good information available.
If the Jonsered website doesn't list accurate info they are losing sales! Heck some of the pictures of the saws on their website don't match the saw ! Isn't that crazy. Look at a 2253 or something and their showing the previous version of that saw in a picture. ?!? Just have to laugh. Poor marketing for an otherwise great product.
And I didn't know they called it intellicarb I just call it autotune. Poor marketing
Jon1270
Minister of Fire
I don't know how Jonsered uses the term, but "intellicarb" was what Stihl called their compensating carburetors probably 15 years ago. Those had nothing to do with the current electronic autotune variants.
Mike M.
Feeling the Heat
If you have to use ethanol, make sure to use fresh fuel. Anything over 30 days I would dump in the truck or car, not the saw. Also, never store the saw for long periods with ethanol fuel. If cutting in warm weather, pay attention to saw temperature as it will run hot with ethanol.
I have a 555 and have run a 24in bar in hardwoods, not the ideal setup but it works. I usually run a 20in bar. One thing about the 555 saw it just runs awesome, starts easy idles great with super low fuel consumption. I often need a break before running out of fuel.
I have a 555 and have run a 24in bar in hardwoods, not the ideal setup but it works. I usually run a 20in bar. One thing about the 555 saw it just runs awesome, starts easy idles great with super low fuel consumption. I often need a break before running out of fuel.
That does sound great. I was trying to stay well clear of that size range so @Ashful didn't quote any recent posts of mine back at me... but it looks like he may get his chance! Going to sit down and compare it to the others after work tonight.
I saw this when I was shopping Stihls. They still use it, and their pro line mostly has both M-tronic and Intellicarb. I wasn't able to figure out what exactly the Intellicarb means as Stihl uses it. Jonesered's intellicarb means the same as Stihl's M-tronic.
I pulled the trigger on the Dolmar 6400, after reading some reviews from people who had that saw and the Husky 555. The Husky actually has a lot of points in its favor in that fight, and would win hands down for cutting smaller stuff, but the bigger Dolmar seems like the clear winner when the bar's buried in hardwood. I didn't get a magic autotune carb 
, but I still have my tach and screwdrivers, so that'll be OK. I read a few threads where 6400 owners said they went years between carb adjustments, which seems unlikely in my case, but we'll see.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in, I'll post some pictures of it getting dirty when it shows. Got it from chainsawsdirect with a 20" bar, also have a chisel chain coming from Amazon (chainsawsdirect didn't have the 72LGX072G, they only stock the LPX). Will just pick up some 7/32 files from home depot since they're cheaper than amazon on that, and I'll be ready to go!
, but I still have my tach and screwdrivers, so that'll be OK. I read a few threads where 6400 owners said they went years between carb adjustments, which seems unlikely in my case, but we'll see.Thanks to everyone who weighed in, I'll post some pictures of it getting dirty when it shows. Got it from chainsawsdirect with a 20" bar, also have a chisel chain coming from Amazon (chainsawsdirect didn't have the 72LGX072G, they only stock the LPX). Will just pick up some 7/32 files from home depot since they're cheaper than amazon on that, and I'll be ready to go!
KenLockett
Minister of Fire
Let us know how it works out and what your impression of the 6400 is after you get it.I pulled the trigger on the Dolmar 6400, after reading some reviews from people who had that saw and the Husky 555. The Husky actually has a lot of points in its favor in that fight, and would win hands down for cutting smaller stuff, but the bigger Dolmar seems like the clear winner when the bar's buried in hardwood. I didn't get a magic autotune carb
Thanks to everyone who weighed in, I'll post some pictures of it getting dirty when it shows. Got it from chainsawsdirect with a 20" bar, also have a chisel chain coming from Amazon (chainsawsdirect didn't have the 72LGX072G, they only stock the LPX). Will just pick up some 7/32 files from home depot since they're cheaper than amazon on that, and I'll be ready to go!
Wildo
Minister of Fire
You will need this for the high speed.http://www.amazon.com/E-accexpert-C...56684312&sr=8-5&keywords=Double+D+screwdriver
I love my 6400.
Gut the muffler or get a NOS non cat muffler for it you will be happy you did.
This saw has amazing torque. When sharp it barely bogs with the bar buried.
I love my 6400.
Gut the muffler or get a NOS non cat muffler for it you will be happy you did.
This saw has amazing torque. When sharp it barely bogs with the bar buried.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
Dolmar seems to put in a lot of pro features at a competitive price. Let us know what you think.
Nice. I fix up the airway on all my small engines after break-in.
What does that screwdriver do that a standard screwdriver can't? It looks like I could grind down an old screwdriver to that shape if I really needed one.
Related question: Does the saw have limiter caps on the H and L screws? I am able to pop my Echo limiter caps in and out with a wood screw- is the Dolmar similar?
Will do. I'll post a review with some photos when I get the saw, and update it later after I break it in and mod the muffler. I know my little Echo felt like a different saw after its muffler surgery.
Wildo
Minister of Fire
Instead of a limiter cap The HS. screw is shaped like two D flat to flat, some of the saws had epoxy poured in to prevent adjustments. The screwdriver is hollowed out in that shape, so it would be hard to fabricate.
Humans will always find a way around limits required by the fun police.
Humans will always find a way around limits required by the fun police.
For the sort of use you're considering, the 620 Echo has me the most interested. It appears to be a bit of step up from the 590/600 in terms of carb (bigger), coil (unlimited), and handlebar (aluminum). You can also get it with a 3/4 wrap handle, if you wish. I think that one of those, with the muffler opened up and the carb limiters trimmed off, would be a solid, reliable machine capable of doing what you want to do. A 16" bar for everyday use and a 27" with skip chain for the big logs, and you'll be set.
Never been impressed with the 362 platform. Don't like the feel of it, or the price tag. Or the fact you can't get parts online.
The 555 seems like a solid contender, but not so much so when you get a goodly bit more HP out of the 562; the 555 is also less appealing for the use you describe in that it uses a small-mount bar, which leaves you with very limited options over 20". It would be a great 16" firewood or felling saw, though, where the reduced weight (compared to the 562) of the smaller bar mount design would be advantageous.
Never been impressed with the 362 platform. Don't like the feel of it, or the price tag. Or the fact you can't get parts online.
The 555 seems like a solid contender, but not so much so when you get a goodly bit more HP out of the 562; the 555 is also less appealing for the use you describe in that it uses a small-mount bar, which leaves you with very limited options over 20". It would be a great 16" firewood or felling saw, though, where the reduced weight (compared to the 562) of the smaller bar mount design would be advantageous.
Got the saw today! Was dark and freezing by the time I got home, so playing with it will have to wait for another day.
Bar was in the box, threw the low kickback chain onto the 'emergency chains' nail, put on the yellow Oregon I got off amazon.
![[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/image-1585336879-webp.176042/ "[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!")
Things I noticed in the unboxing:
-No decompression valve on the 6400. Edit: And by "No decompression valve", I mean, "Decompression valve control was stealthily camouflaged as a big blue button on an orange background" Further edit: And by "orange", I mean "black". I need a drink.
- Comes with a 20" bar and a safety chain, both Dolmar branded. Also comes with a scrench, a torx wrench, a screwdriver, and a wierd very offset screwdriver that is billed as a "fin cleaner".
![[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/image43969122-webp.176045/ "[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!")
-Wormgear style bar tensioner, external access to the screw. Feels like a good mechanism, though it has a plastic housing :/
![[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/image-1632957526-webp.176043/ "[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!")
- Spring shock absorbers
- Chain grabber hook to snag broken chains (though whether that's good for the operator is debatable, I guess). Or maybe this is something else. You tell me.
![[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/image2075322861-webp.176044/ "[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!")
- Oiler adjustment is underneath the saw. Comes set to max.
![[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/image771777493-webp.176046/ "[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!")
I have some big oak waiting for it as soon as I get a daylight hour when I am not at work; will post some pics and thoughts then.
![[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/image1722034715-webp.176047/ "[Hearth.com] Help me pick a 60cc saw!")
Also, please do not notify my wife that I assembled a chainsaw in the living room. I haven't tried out "It's just light machine oil, not bar oil" as an excuse for anything yet but I feel that I am perhaps better off that way. Thank you.
Bar was in the box, threw the low kickback chain onto the 'emergency chains' nail, put on the yellow Oregon I got off amazon.
Things I noticed in the unboxing:
-No decompression valve on the 6400. Edit: And by "No decompression valve", I mean, "Decompression valve control was stealthily camouflaged as a big blue button on an orange background" Further edit: And by "orange", I mean "black". I need a drink.
- Comes with a 20" bar and a safety chain, both Dolmar branded. Also comes with a scrench, a torx wrench, a screwdriver, and a wierd very offset screwdriver that is billed as a "fin cleaner".
-Wormgear style bar tensioner, external access to the screw. Feels like a good mechanism, though it has a plastic housing :/
- Spring shock absorbers
- Chain grabber hook to snag broken chains (though whether that's good for the operator is debatable, I guess). Or maybe this is something else. You tell me.
- Oiler adjustment is underneath the saw. Comes set to max.
I have some big oak waiting for it as soon as I get a daylight hour when I am not at work; will post some pics and thoughts then.
Also, please do not notify my wife that I assembled a chainsaw in the living room. I haven't tried out "It's just light machine oil, not bar oil" as an excuse for anything yet but I feel that I am perhaps better off that way. Thank you.
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I'm pretty sure I see a blue decompression button in the first picture. No?
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KenLockett
Minister of Fire
I also believe the blue button is billed as the decompression valve on the dolmar and/or Chainsawdirect.com websites. Jetsam, please let me know your overall experience with Chainsawsdirect.com when you get a chance and of course your impression of the 6400 when you get a chance to run it. Have been waiting patiently for you to post. I am ready to pull the trigger on the 6400 from Chainsawsdirect.com but wanted to get your opinion of them (i.e. packaging good, good experience, customer service although I doubt you have much experience in that respect at this point, etc.) and the saw in general (i.e. is there a wow factor, power/weight ratio seem decent, good balance, vibration, ease of starting, and of course how does it do when the rubber hits the road, etc.). Thanks.
KenLockett
Minister of Fire
Also not sure if you are aware of it but Dolmar has extended their warranty from 1 to 2 years for both consumer and professional use. Not sure when they did it but I read that in the News section of the Dolmar website recently.
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