Author Topic: SOLO Chain Saws (Read 2130 times)

Captain · « **on:** October 04, 2005, 10:33:05 pm »

Does anybody have experience with them??

My Dolmar Franchise is now a bust with the Makita takeover, and my supplier is trying to get me exited about representing SOLO.

Any opinions??

Thanks!!

http://www.solousa.com/index.htm

Captain

sawguy21 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2005, 08:41:09 am »

Good product but you are going to need aggressive advertising to get the name accepted. Solo is not well known in North America and it will be tough to compete with the big two.

Larry · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2005, 09:33:35 am »

Our local guy is a smalltime dealer and has been having a hard time getting his Husky saws when he needs a few due to his small size. Started to carry Solo in addition to his Husky’s. Priced a lot cheaper but they weigh more. He is a very honest guy and other than the weight thinks they are a good value and a high quality saw.

jokers · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2005, 02:11:23 pm »

Captain,

Is your distributor Kimber`s? They went from Dolmar to Solo in the shakeup.

I agree that the Solo products are generally good quality , but I also agree that you are going to need some very agressive advertising to get any interest, and then when you get a prosepective customers attention, what are you going to offer to satisfy the customer?

Look at it this way. I`d say that Dolmar in the past has had about the same brand recognition as Solo, which is minimal. Dolmar has been steadily growing since the introduction of the 7900 and it`s related family of saws despite the best efforts of Dolmars former distributors.

Now with Dolmars alliance with Briggs and Stratton and their far reaching, well established North American distribution channel, Dolmar is poised for a big time break through on several of the issues which held them back from widespread recognition and market acceptance, number one being national cooperative advertising, two being a lack of a strong dealer network with good representation in all areas of the the continent, and three(but really tied in with #2) being an effective system for getting parts and product to the dealers and customers.

Now for the sake of comparison, where does Solo stand on the aforementioned issues? Far out in left field, I`d say. The best example that I could cite would be, try to find a Solo dealer who actually sells chainsaws. Granted, the distributors are trying to change that now in reaction to Dolmars withdrawal from the old distributors, but how long is it going to take and in the mean time, most Solo customers are forced to go back to the parent company and mail order parts directly with no local support.

Now if Solo had a really solid line up with blow out prices, they might be able to get away with this and still build their market share, but the reality is that according to your posted link to the factory website, Solo has a very weak line up with astronomical prices to boot. Let me give a few examples.

Solo offers the 650 in the 3 cubic inch firewooder class. The specs aren`t anything sensational and it`s list price of $399.95 is a solid hundred dollars higher than the selling price of it`s competitors from Husky and Stihl who also offer more ergonomic and functional features for the money. It`s easy enough for eveyone to compare the features of the Husky 350, Stihl ms250 so I won`t do that here.

When we look at their top handled climbing saw and compare it to the industry standard Stihl ms200T, sure it`s list is cheaper but it also is no where near the Stihl in performance. Most arbos either insist on spending the money for a 200T or use a cheap tophandle like the bulletproof Echos. The report that I`ve gotten form the few guys that I know of who have tried the 637 is that it is fairly light with good ergonomics, but is weak compared to the Stihl, and with a price about 40% higher than the Echo, has a hard time creating a niche, which brings me to the vaunted(by a few anyway) 651P.

With a retail price of $599 for a 3 cube pro saw, this saw should practically let you sit in the house while it goes to work for you. Well guess what. Despite it`s advertised 4hp, it is no match for the Husky 346xp or the Stihl ms260, both of which offer lower prices and additional features, not to mention widespread dealer support. With Dolmar introducing the new 5100 at Louisville in mid October with a retail price reputed to be around $400, the competion gets even tougher in this market. Solo needs to go back to the drawing board and update the design and features of this saw, and lower it`s price.

The big saw that Solo offers, isn`t it the same saw as the Dolmar 9010?

Solo apparently doesn`t offer a 60cc farm saw any longer, which is also a huge mistake. Many people who cut lots of firewood are served perfectly by a 60cc saw. Powerful enough for some serious felling but light enough to work for a reasonable period of time.

If I were in your shoes and I couldn`t get hooked up with Dolmar`s new distributor, I`d look at Shindaiwa. Shindaiwa has bulletproof saws and the trimmers and power brooms are very highly regarded by the landscapers. Another company with an excellent product is Redmax, their blowers and trimmers are standard with many pro landscapers. Their saws are just as good and the prices are reasonable.

I don`t think I`d take on Solo as my only line. If your distributor will offer you a good enough floor plan so that you can carry a few while focusing on a different brand, you should be alright, but then this is just my opinion. It might only be worth what you`ve paid for it.

Russ

pallis · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2005, 05:31:05 pm »

I don't know enough to give advice, but regardless of Solo's listed prices, the home owner's 650 generally goes for less than $300 and the 651p for about $400, which suggest that dealers are getting them for a lot less than the prices on the website. It does look like Solo is reducing their line up. Maybe they are getting out of the saw business.

Captain · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2005, 08:14:56 pm »

I'll argee from the pricing that I am seeing that the dealers are getting good rates, that should make them price competitive. I may just have to buy one and try it out for myself.

Russ, thanks for your input, as always it is appreciated. I may just chase my Briggs guy about their potential new relationship with Dolmar.

Captain.

Larry · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2005, 08:16:18 pm »

Russ, as far as pricing the dealer I was talking about had the 694 for about $200 less than anything else in the 90cc class. I thought that was a significant difference and would certainly consider the Solo with that kind of price advantage if I was in the market for a big saw.

Didn’t look at or price any of the smaller saws.

Guess I can speak good of Solo...bought one of their backpack sprayers maybe 10 years ago. Use it a lot and can’t manage to tear it up or wear it out.

rebocardo · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2005, 10:15:32 am »

I have heard of Solo and I thought all they made were string trimmers and such. I looked a the 694-28

(since the 651-20 does not compare at all to a Husky 365/570 for the price and features which cost $550 Northern)

and I think for less then $150 extra I would rather have the Husky 395.

I do not see weights and warranties listed. If they give a two year or longer warranty then they might be competitive in the small home market. Though I think given that you can pick up a Husky 359 at Lowes that they have to go some to be competitive.

I think if you sold SOLO the place to make some real money is on chains and sharpening since Solo chains are not readily available at Home Depot and such. For a small chainsaw home user, a Poulan Pro for $179, a 20" bar, with a carrying case at the Home Depot is a tough nut to beat for any line of small local chain saw dealer. From what I can see, my local Husky/Stihl dealer makes hardly anything from selling saws, it is mostly from service.

So, I would look at how much I can make from the service end servicing all makes of saws.

> I couldn`t get hooked up with Dolmar`s new distributor, I`d look at Shindaiwa.

So true, many of the local contractors use this brand and seem kind of proud of it too whenever they buy a new one. Might be worth looking into.

In the FWIW department. I went and bid on a job and the buy asked me what I used for saws. I told him (Husky and Stihl) and his response was "Good, I would never hire anyone that arrived using a Poulan or Home Depot saw". I used my Poulan Wildthing to cut down a 36" oak when my brand new Husky 365 blew its oil pump. I guess marketing and image is everything.

macpower · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2005, 09:24:18 pm »

Cap...
I'm in much the same boat as you are. I spent quite a bit of time, effort, and money trying to develop Dolmar sales in my area, only to have the rug pulled out from under me,(as did our distributor). I have tried for nearly three months to get some kind of response from Dolmar and their new distributor with no luck. I have gotten to the point that I'm not sure I want anything to do with them.
Solo has been around a while, and seems to have a fairly solid product. However, I'm not sure I want to put the effort into developing another line that may only be an "also ran". The distributor here has given me a lot of support over the years, but Solo still needs to prove itself to me.
Dolmar did nothing in this area to help develop any brand recognition, they left it to the dealers. Now it appears they don't care about small dealers. I'm willing to bet they will be in the discount stores and mail order within a year or two. I'm just going to sell off the few I have left at near cost and let the name go away.
If I was in your shoes I think I would think Jonsered or Stihl. They may have some stringent requirements, but I don't think they will back stab you. They also have proven parts distribution and support, known products, and quality second to none.

macpower

wiam · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2005, 10:36:46 pm »

Stihl dealer in White River has their mechanic (who really new his stuff, highly Stihl trained ) had to get done. I think it was health reasons. Stihl pulled their full line, told them they could not train another fast enough.

Will

macpower · « **Reply #10 on:** October 08, 2005, 09:30:21 am »

Will
I suspect there may be more to that story. Changing techs happens all the time. Why didn't the owner get certified?

macpower

sawguy21 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2005, 12:13:48 pm »

This is the first I have heard about Briggs getting involved with Dolmar as the brand has not been available for quite a few years in Canada. Is it an outright purchase or distribution? Makita here does not seem interested in gas chainsaws and only provides them as a service to their power tool customers.
I will really be interested to see what happens. Briggs has dealers everywhere and could do well offering a quality saw line in areas where the others are doing a mediocre job.

macpower · « **Reply #12 on:** October 08, 2005, 01:11:42 pm »

sawguy,
I'm not sure Briggs is involved with Dolmar, or that they are just using the distribution network.

ehp · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2005, 04:58:05 pm »

This is not forsure but think about it, Briggs must have something to do with Dolmar, I would think Briggs owns them now cause I cannot see why Makita would let someone else sell there saws in there market and you are dealing with Briggs now . The new 7900's and 510'a are showing up just not the 5100 yet but they phoned me again today and said next week I will have some. Their parts and stuff are to start going out next week also. I am having alot better luck with the new guys on whats going on compared to Makita, Makita hardly talked to anybody here but I have had 4 calls in the last 2 weeks from Briggs on what is going on with Dolmar

sawguy21 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:02:36 pm »

Verrry interesting. Please keep us posted if you hear more. I will be bending our Briggs rep's ear on this one

ehp · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2005, 10:08:45 pm »

If he is a briggs dealer then he is under the company of On Source, he can get dolmars now, they have 7900, 7300,6400 540, 510, and smaller saws now just not the new 5100 until next week, I am sure there are some 9010's there as well.

StihlDoc · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:22:47 pm »

Dolmar is being distributed by IDN which is a consortium of independent wholesale distribution centers contracted to distribute Briggs & Stratton products as well as products of other manufacturers.

ehp · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:30:46 pm »

In Canada it is Power Source

Bernhard · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:10:00 pm »

From my german point of view, and expereince with Solo: Not big dealernetwork in my County, too. But they offer a good Value for the price.

Dolmar_Tech_Mgr · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2005, 10:35:26 pm »

For more information about the Dolmar - IDN connection you can visit the Dolmar website www.dolmarusa.com. I am posting articles there as fast as I can. The PS-5100 S initial shipments went out this past week and more are on planes headed from Germany to the USA. The demand for the new saws has been better than we ever expected and we are working harder to get the pipeline filled.

EHP, I am very curious to hear what you think of the 5100S when you get one do let me know.

Briggs does NOT own Dolmar and Makita is stepping back a little from the Lawn and Garden side of the buisness to concentrate on the Construction Tool side of gas powered equipment. The construction tools better complement their power tools.

ehp · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2005, 08:53:14 am »

Terry I am to have some 5100s next week, Glen phoned and said they were on there way on Thursday, I will send you some pictures and video . I know for the GTG I will have one woodsported and a pipe for it

sawguy21 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:53:53 pm »

Thanks for the information. The Dolmar name is virtually unheard of here and with PSC behind it, you could become a serious competitor. Good luck with it, you have good products.

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Author Topic: SOLO Chain Saws (Read 2130 times)