1.NOS Poulan S6000 (rebadged Dolmar 153S)6.1 cube/100cc. Produced 1978-81,not a lot were sold.A very clean one with almost new 36" Poulan branded Windsor sprocket nose bar/chipper chain on FB Marketplace in Roanoke,VA sold a few days ago for $200!! Someone got an incredible deal,they don't show up very often,not unusual for extra nice ones to bring $500-600+ most places. 2. Poulan Model 92 Gear Drive.6.1 cube/100cc torque monster produced 1967-70.In 20 some years I've only seen 3-4 of these out there & none were for sale.Collectors tend to hang on to them for obvious reasons.
A Stihl 500i. Seems the way of the future. But I like my MS461 just fine too. "The STIHL MS 500i is the world's first chainsaw to feature electronically controlled fuel injection, and is a fantastic tool for cutting timber."
Ran one, it was ok power wise, in all fairness it wasn't fully broke in yet. Anti vibe and light weight were area's it excelled.
Stihl 261 or 500i. I know the 500i cost more, but I’d use the 261 more. I’m really curious about trying out the new tech and auto tune
Probably a new ms880 with a 3' bar and chain. My dolkita already has the middleweight saw spot nailed down. If I need more juice from it, I'll put on a bigger p&c to make it 80-85cc. The smaller saws can be had for not a ton of money, but a ms880 with a 3' b&c is probably around $2k.
MS261. There are all kinds of bigger and higher dollar saws out there, but that one suits my needs the best.
Stihl is claiming that the MS 500i fuel injected chainsaw has the best power-to-weight ratio of any manufactured chainsaw. The fuel injected 80 cc (79.2) powerplant creates more than 6.8 horsepower. At only 13.7 lbs total weight, this saw is building 0.5 hp/lb. Flip that equation and you get 1 horsepower for every 2 pounds. My 461 power head weighs 14.6 Ibs. Power output 6 hp. Seems these are the facts: (???) Stihl 500i: Displacement: 79.2 cc Power output: 6.8 hp Weight: 13.7 lbs. Power-to-weight ratio: 0.5 hp/lbs.
If we’re looking at older saws, I’d have to say a Sachs-Dolmar 166 and a KMS-4 are high on my list. Others would be a Poulan Pro 655 BP, and the Yanmar Rotary saw. New saws would be a Solo 681, Stihl 500i or Husqvarna 572. I’m not big on the mainstream saws, though, to be honest.
If I could buy New I would get this all over again. As far as bucking firewood rounds this SP-125 still out cuts everything in the shed & then some.
Thinking out of the box, I would buy the most expensive saw available whether it be new or a highly coveted vintage saw. Then I would flip it, buy some land and put the rest in the rainy day fund.
