Hitachi Chainsaws?

[Steak]

Need a new chainsaw, and though I was looking at Stihl, this Hitachi saw keeps catching my eye. Hitachi CS51EAP 50.1CC 20" . Identical to Tanaka, as Tanaka is now owned by hitachi. Can buy for $290, which is a lot of bang for the buck. 7 year warranty also helps, and local Kubota dealer is also a Tanaka dealer, and will service any warranty issues. Has anyone used/owned one of these saws? It is the exact size I am looking for and has features I only find on high end Husky and Stihl saws at a much higher price tag. BTW, I have been through several string trimmers, and recently bought a hitachi gas trimmer, and it is the best I have ever owned by far. My Husky cannot touch it though it was 50% more in cost. I'm just hoping someone has experience with Hitachi/Tanaka Chainsaws, to make me feel better about the purchase, or give reasons to steer me away, since it is not one of the biggest brands in the US. Thanks

 

[Steak]

BTW, only cutting a couple cords per year, and helping my older neighbor cut a few more. Probably a bit more saw than I NEED, but I cannot see the future, and rarely hear anyone say 'I wish my tool had LESS power'.

 

[farmall 55a case]

My grandpa has a Tanaka its a smaller one id guess it would have to be from early 90s been around since I can Rember I've used it a few times seems like a good one. I know it hasn't had a easy life and I don't believe its ever been worked on! I don't know where to get them around my area. But I wouldn't rule it out for myself when its time for a new saw!

 

[kenmac]

BTW, only cutting a couple cords per year, and helping my older neighbor cut a few more. Probably a bit more saw than I NEED, but I cannot see the future, and rarely hear anyone say 'I wish my tool had LESS power'.

Well I have a husky 53cc saw with a 20' bar/chain. My 53cc saw and I feel it's under powered for a 20'' bar/chain. If I were to run a small 20'' bar with a smaller tooth chain ,it would have plenty of power

 

[kirkawilson]

Bought a new Tanaka TCS33EB/16 32cc 16-Inch 2-Stroke Gas Powered Rear Handle Chain Saw about 18 months ago for $250 on recommendation of a local chainsaw repair shop (just saw them priced and reviewed on Amazon as low as $150 + shipping []Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Tanaka TCS33EB/16 32cc 16-Inch 2-Stroke Gas Powered Rear Handle Chain Saw (CARB Compliant)). It is a light saw and has served me well clearing farm land, light firewood, and general home/farm use. The chain oiler leaks if you don't store it on its side. I replaced an older/smaller Craftsman with this Tanaka and the Tanaka seems to be as-good or better than the Craftsman. Have never owned a Stihl but always hear they are the best.

 

[dfkrug]

I'm just hoping someone has experience with Hitachi/Tanaka Chainsaws,
to make me feel better about the purchase, or give reasons to steer me away, since it is not one of
the biggest brands in the US.

Around here, you see pro tree-trimming contractors with Tanakas, Shindaiwas, Huskys, and Stihls.
I have a pro tophandle Tanaka, a TCS3401, made in Chiba, Japan. It has 2 piston rings, and
nice ergonomics for tree-climbing. Compares favorably to the pro Husky 335XPT (photo).

I got my saw to repair, and it still does not run quite right. I suspect an air leak in the rather
compicated air intake manifold, some parts of which I replaced.

 

[xyz123]

The new Tanakas Hitachis are made in China. http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/chainsaws-not-listed/hitachi-chainsaws/

I got in a clean stihl 031 traded in with 20" 3/8 for almost half the cost of OP's price post. If your prefer a known saw.

 

[s219]

The Tanaka made-in-Japan pro saws are top notch. Since Hitachi took over, they have been mixing junk saws into the product line. I would not buy one unless you know it's one of the made-in-Japan Tanakas. The Chinese Hitachis are junk and a waste of your money.

You would need to spend $400-600 to get a pro grade 50cc saw.

A nice and under-rated 50cc saw is the Echo CS-500p, which comes from the Shindaiwa merger with Echo. It's light and very snappy.

Stihl 261, Husky 346XP, and Husky 550XP are standouts as well. I have a 261 and it's been outstanding.

 

[dfkrug]

The Tanaka made-in-Japan pro saws are top notch. Since Hitachi took over, they have been mixing junk saws into the product line. I would not buy one unless you know it's one of the made-in-Japan Tanakas. The Chinese Hitachis are junk and a waste of your money.

You would need to spend $400-600 to get a pro grade 50cc saw.

A nice and under-rated 50cc saw is the Echo CS-500p, which comes from the Shindaiwa merger with Echo. It's light and very snappy.

It makes sense that some Tanaka-branded stuff is made in China, since they look identical to some
Hitachi products. Here is a current model Hitachi CS33ET 32cc tophandle saw, which is clearly marked,
"Made in China". I don't have any experience with using or fixing one.

Discerning pro-grade saws from consumer-grade saws from some makers is sure not easy. And why
doesn't Husky just make pro-grade saws with the Husky label, and relegate all their consumer-grade
stuff to their Poulan brand?

Anyway, I love my Shindaiwa 377 saw: it is my primary mid-size unit and do most of my cutting with it.
When Echo acquired them and killed the Shindaiwa brand for chainsaws, I was wondering if some Echo
saws would be made by Shindaiwa. Some consumer-grade Echoes are pretty cheap....one I recently fixed
used a plastic oil pump driven gear, which stripped out.

 

[kenmac]

I don't think all Husky labeled saws are pro grade. I don't believe the ones that they sell at the box stores are pro grade. They say that my rancher isn't pro grade even though, it does have a label that states made in Sweden. It has served me well. I just needed more saw. I can say I don't think I'd buy 1 made in China. I haven't been impressed with any of their small engines. The ones I've owned have not stayed together very long

 

[tlm720]

I bought one of the top handle Hitachi saws at Menards for $99. I have cut a lot of wood and used all the brands. I don't think the Hitachi saw is all that bad although I've probably only run 10 tanks or so through it. With a 7 year warranty how can you go wrong? Give it a try and let us know how it works. If not Hitachi then look at Efco. They can be a good bang for the buck as well. It's nice to have a professional grade Stihl or Husqvarna but sometimes these lesser known brands can be just as or more economical in the long run.

 

[dfkrug]

I don't think all Husky labeled saws are pro grade. I don't believe the ones that they sell at the
box stores are pro grade. They say that my rancher isn't pro grade even though, it does have a label that states made in
Sweden.

Of course Husky makes cheap homeowner saws, labeled "Husqvarna". Like this 136 model (photo), which I owned and
fixed. I bought a Rancher 455 new, and it still works great. Also a homeowner saw with one piston ring. Husky makes
it relatively easy by putting an "XP" in the model name if it is pro-grade. My point is that they should not cheapen
the Husky brand with ANY homeowner saws. The 136 I had seemed little, if any, better than a Poulan. And the Stihl
MS170 I had and fixed (a cheapo homeowner saw) was even less well-made, IMO.

I have no problem with most homeowner saws, and you can get many years of service out of them if you take care of
them. Many homeowners (and pros) do not.

"Made in China" is not ALL bad, and it IS the future for many products. Your Sony Blu-Ray DVD player is made there,
as well as your iPhone 5. Those companies monitor manufacturing closely, and give emphasis to outgoing QA. Some
other companies clearly do not. Caveat emptor.

BTW, I also have a brand new Efco 132S tophandle saw here, and it is very nice. Made in Italy.

 

[tlm720]

Of course Husky makes cheap homeowner saws, labeled "Husqvarna". Like this 136 model (photo), which I owned and
fixed. I bought a Rancher 455 new, and it still works great. Also a homeowner saw with one piston ring. Husky makes
it relatively easy by putting an "XP" in the model name if it is pro-grade. My point is that they should not cheapen
the Husky brand with ANY homeowner saws. The 136 I had seemed little, if any, better than a Poulan. And the Stihl
MS170 I had and fixed (a cheapo homeowner saw) was even less well-made, IMO.

I have no problem with most homeowner saws, and you can get many years of service out of them if you take care of
them. Many homeowners (and pros) do not.

"Made in China" is not ALL bad, and it IS the future for many products. Your Sony Blu-Ray DVD player is made there,
as well as your iPhone 5. Those companies monitor manufacturing closely, and give emphasis to outgoing QA. Some
other companies clearly do not. Caveat emptor.

BTW, I also have a brand new Efco 132S tophandle saw here, and it is very nice. Made in Italy.

Have you used the Efco or are you planning to sell it?

 

[dfkrug]

Have you used the Efco or are you planning to sell it?

I tried a couple of demo cuts, but have not put it into service. I thought I was going
to replace my Tanaka or Stihl tophandle saws, but now it looks like I will sell the Efco. PM
me if you want it for 1/2 of new price. I love the thumb support on the newest tophandles;
it makes one-handed use even easier.

 

[Steak]

Thank you for all the comments. I am still on the fence, but think I will bite on the hitachi soon. For $290, a saw with dual piston rings (yes, it has) a decompression valve, good weight, and a commercial grade engine, stihl or husky are asking roughly $600 for the same. If there was no service center nearby, i would not do it, but since there is, what have I got to lose with a 7 year warranty? Will not be buying until the autumn now, as the wood I need has already been buzzed while i was on the fence (lol) but I will definitely get back to you all on the results after it goes through its paces. We have real winters here, so that will be a good test as well for cold starts.

 

[Steak]

OK. Here is the review. I failed! lol. Hitachi saw review: Got the saw, oiled and gassed it up. Set tension. Fired on first pull, great! Let it idle, and worked it slow to break it in. Great! Then, cut about 1/4 cord of wood, thats all. Thing got ridiculously hot, first warning. After it was hot, shut it off to move some wood around. Would not start again, no matter how many pulls. Let it sit a few hours until cool, and starts again. This thing gives about 20 minutes service then turns into an un-startable hot coal. No good. Wished it was like my hitachi trimmer, but no go. Hitachi Saw has now been returned, and Dolmar on the way to replace it. A few extra dollars, but the german saw will last I'm sure (hope? lol) I tried to find a diamond in the rough, turns out it was just a lemon.

 

[xyz123]

China made saw set up to lean for epa standards. I would have least tried adjusting the carb first. Fatten it up a bit on L and checked H. Heck I have been seeing stihl, husky, poulan set up to lean for years now. I didnt say dolmar because only me, guy north, guy south around here have had them it seems. :laughing:

 

[Steak]

To completely turn my own thread around, the Dolmar/Makita saw has been WONDERFUL! I can just look at it sideways and it starts, hot or cold. Neighbor now going to replace his husky 350 with this smaller saw, he likes it so much, and he heats 100% by wood, and works at the local lumber mill. This Dolkita saw is a little tank, and the best saw I have ever used. I just got the fever Dolmar 64cc saw when economics make it wise Bummer, Hitachi makes some class A tools, seems they ruined a brand once known as Tanaka, though I save judgement on the higher level stuff, since thats not what I bought.