Shopping for another saw.. And

I believe he has them on the 6400.

 

I am pretty sure fordf150 and 166 can do both but if I remember correctly it is only a few modles. I think they have to order a crazy amount for each model. But don't quote me on that.

 

A 6400H. If you want you could do a conversion. The 6100 won't have heat from what I've read.

 

I do know that a heated wrap handle for the 6100 is a no go. I already asked. Oh well I don't mind gloves.

 

I got just what the OP needs! Lol. 20-24 in bar you won't be disappointed in a 6100. 24-32" bar the 7910 will make you smile!

 

5105, 6400, 7310, 7910 are available with heated handles.....there is a catch to that tho. As of last year we had to buy them by full skids. AFAIK i am the only one in the US stocking them and i only stock the 5105H and 6400H. 6100 currently is not coming into the US market with heated handles. Dolmar/Makita doesnt feel that there is enough demand to warrant the expense of the required safety testing to offer them.

Since Makita took over distribution of Dolmar things may have changed but i have not tried to order anything or asked about them. If i remember next time my rep is in i will ask if they are stocking them in the warehouses or if it is still a special order

 

If you can wait, going to the lumbermens field days is where deals can be had. I paid a little over $900 for the 461 with a 20 inch bar with an extra chain to boot.

 

Ive run most saws in the ought Stihl range from 017 on up to 066 for tree work. That 029 regular was a bit of a fat pig. The 029 super was a bit better. The pro saws in that range were a cut above and continue to be today. The 290 is a fine saw that lots of people like,

but once you go pro you never go back.

There is a good reason most here reccomended a 50cc/70cc saw plan for firewood, it just works best.

Now that I'm just a firewood hack I went with the ms241 for my small saw because it reminded me most of the old 026 that seemed fused to my hand at times. Plus it weighs in @ a few oz. Heavier than a ms170 for nearly twice the power.

For the big saw I eventually settled on a dolmar 7910 with muffler mod. For now I'm pretty happy with that line up.

I did have a echo 500p that I just sold and wish I hadn't. Great saw and fantastic power to weight after a 5 minute muffler mod and retune. In the 60cc range don't overlook the echo 620pw. Fantastic saw.

After all the rambling my point is this, touch, feel, run, fondle, ogle, and generally check out as many saws as you can to get a sense of what works best for you.

As others have mentioned, going with a 50cc pro saw first is excellent advice. Then when you figure out that the 50cc pro saw does everything the 290 will, sell it and pick your poison in the 70cc range.

Welcome to the CAD club. We are all perfectly happy to help you spend your money!

 

Check in with fordf150(Nate) on a heated Dolmar 5105H if heated handles are something you think you'll like. They really are great if you cut in colder temps!
The 5105 is a great little saw and although it's smaller than the MS290 it will outcut it by a significant margin and be much lighter and the AV is phenominal!
You'll use that 5105 for most of the cutting and have the 290 as backup and if you're still pining for a bigger saw you can always sell the 290 and look into something larger.

 

That total bar looks downright sexy on that saw!

 

They look nice and perform great, too! Excellent steel in a Total(Tsumura) bar.

 

I'm hoping to put a 24" on my 7910 after christmas. Hopefully santa will cooperate.