Husqvarna and Diamond Products are the two brands we sell the most core drill rigs through — and they come up against each other constantly on bid sheets. The DMS 240 is Husqvarna's workhorse handheld rig; the CB748 is Diamond Products' answer in the same weight class. This is not a marketing comparison — it is a field breakdown based on specs, feedback from our contractor customers, and our own product knowledge.
Spec Sheet: Head to Head
| Specification | Husqvarna DMS 240 | Diamond Products CB748 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | 2.8 HP (2,100W) | 3.0 HP (2,200W) |
| Max Core Diameter (handheld) | 6" | 6" |
| Max Core Diameter (rig-mounted) | 10" | 12" |
| Speed Settings | 3-speed gearbox | 2-speed gearbox |
| No-Load RPM (low/high) | 580 / 1,020 / 2,280 | 700 / 1,800 |
| Weight (motor only) | 17.6 lbs | 19.2 lbs |
| Thread | 1¼"–7 UNC | 1¼"–7 UNC |
| Power Supply | 120V / 20A | 120V / 20A |
| GFCI Built-in | Yes | Yes |
Husqvarna DMS 240: Strengths
The three-speed gearbox is the DMS 240's main advantage. That low-end 580 RPM gives you serious torque for large-diameter bits in heavily reinforced concrete. When you hit rebar at 8" deep, you can drop to first gear and power through without stalling the motor. The two higher speeds handle smaller bits and softer material with good production rates.
Husqvarna's water-collection system is well-designed. The integrated swivel fitting keeps the hose out of your way during rig-mounted operation, and the slip clutch protects the motor if a bit jams — a real benefit when you are coring through post-tension slabs where hitting a tendon is possible.
Parts and service are widely available. Husqvarna has the deepest dealer network in the industry, and brushes, gears, and seals are stocked parts. For operations where downtime is money, that matters.
Diamond Products CB748: Strengths
The CB748 puts out 3.0 HP — a meaningful edge in raw cutting power for its weight class. On rig-mounted operation, it handles bits up to 12" vs the DMS 240's 10" limit. If your bread-and-butter work is mechanical and plumbing penetrations in the 8"–12" range, the CB748 covers more of your jobs with a single rig.
Diamond Products prices the CB748 below the DMS 240 — typically $200–$400 less depending on the package. For a multi-rig operation buying four or five motors, that spread adds up. The motor is built tough; the sealed bearings and reinforced housing hold up in wet, dusty conditions.
The two-speed gearbox is simpler — fewer moving parts, less that can go wrong in the field. Some operators prefer the simplicity: low for big bits, high for small bits, done.
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the DMS 240 if:
- You core mostly in reinforced concrete and need the low-speed torque
- You want the widest parts and service availability
- Your typical cores are under 10" and handheld versatility is important
- You are already on the Husqvarna ecosystem (stands, vacuum baseplates, accessories)
Buy the CB748 if:
- You need to core up to 12" on a rig without stepping up to a bigger motor
- Price per unit matters — especially if you are equipping multiple trucks
- You prefer a simpler gearbox with less maintenance
- Your jobs lean toward commercial plumbing and HVAC penetrations in the 6"–12" range
Both machines run on a standard 20-amp circuit, both use the same 1¼"–7 thread so your existing core bits work with either one, and both have built-in GFCI. You are not making a bad choice either way — it comes down to whether you value the three-speed versatility (Husqvarna) or the extra capacity and lower price (Diamond Products). We stock both rigs and all the compatible stands, vacuum baseplates, and core bits.