New cheap saw

[MossRoad]

That is an interesting metric for the newer saws, if you can find it out. I wonder what the rating is for this
new Makita DCS460 I have here.... I will check.

I have and work on many saws, and I find the sweet spot for years of manufacture to be in the 80s, due
to the adoption of electronic ignitions and plastic fuel tanks, but before the conversion to all-plastic or
nearly all-plastic bodies. The 87 Poulan 4000 I have here is 65cc of glory.

The biggest differentiator on longevity I have found is whether they use 2 or only one piston ring. Pro
saws seem to "all" have 2, tho it is not easy to find out. I imagine the pro saws or better-made saws
also use more durable cylinder metallurgy, too.

As for the current crop of Poulans, I would put them up against the low-end Stihl MS170 in terms of
quality and longevity. You can get a lot of work out of the Poulans if you take care of them. The
usual models you see in the stores are the 3314 and the 4018. That PP5020AV is not as easy to find
in the stores, but definitely a bargain.

Currently refurbishing an 83 Husky 2100. It has many 100s of hours on it.

Around here the PP5020V is advertised almost weekly at Rural King, Big R, Walmart, etc...

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Yeah its commonly advertised around here too.

 

[5030]

I think the point of this thread is that for occasional use or a second saw, these cheap Poulans are hard to beat for price. Sure, a Stihl would be nice, but I have no need for a saw that expensive. And if I drop a tree on it or run it over with my tractor I won't be out big bucks.

Moss... Been in the tree business as a sideline for a number of years and always had Stihl's Stihl is like JD, overpriiced but quality. Anyway, a friend told me to try a Tanaka. Tanaka is Hitachi but made in China (I belive Poulan is too). I'm always hesitant about Chinese stuff but my little Tanaka top handle arborist saw (looks just like a McCollugh Mini Mac but orange and grey and has anti-vibration handles) is a winner and cheap (around 200 new 150 recon on Amazon).

Come with an Oregon roller nose bar and Oregon chain, starts first pull hot or cold and is light as a feather.....and has balls too. Check 'em out. It don't say 'Stihl' on the engine but I don't care. I'm like you but I drop saws from trees instead of run over them.

I got a 14" bae and it will cut a full 14 in hardwood logs and not even slow down, but then I keep my chains sharp and rakers filed too.

 

[NativeSon]

Moss- I started using the non-ethanol gas about 2 years ago in all my gas equipment, because just like you I had a gas line on my tiller turn to mush. It was well worth the effort.

Charlie

 

[MossRoad]

I really don't think there's any non-ehtanol gas around here. Haven't seen it in many, many years. Oh well. Fuel line was a buck. And I got extra just in case.

 

[murphy1244]

I really don't think there's any non-ehtanol gas around here. Haven't seen it in many, many years. Oh well. Fuel line was a buck. And I got extra just in case.

Check this link out Moss and see. Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks!

My town's not on it.

Nearest one is about 24 mile round trip through two cities with about 30 stoplights between here and there. So it would cost me two gallons of gas just to get there and back, plus an hour and a half of my time. Grrrrr.... :laughing:

 

[roadhunter]

Ive owned most all brands of saws over the years, mostly mid to high priced ones, this poulan is the first Ive ever owned that cost under $200, i was very skeptical at first, 50cc engine, 20 inch bar plus a carrying case AND SO far after 4 tanks of gas of pretty hard use, im 100% happy with it, hope it stays that way, time will tell BUT worst case scenerio if it just lasts one season im not out much money. Either way i think im done with buying $500+ saws, after all im not a professional lumberjack, im just a working guy that uses it as needed on my 10 acres.

NOW my next question, instead of starting another thread, in years past Ive always had a guy at the mower place sharpen all my chains for $5.00, well he retired couple months ago, so how tough is it for someone to sharpen their chain themselves? Without spending a lot of money ($100+) on a sharpener, what do you all suggest as far as sharpening the chain?

I have a method where I use a cordless grinder and can sharpen a blade in less than 2 minutes. Just have to find the right thickness of grinding wheel that will fit, then use it a bit to round the edge off. It's not perfect but its' sharp and since chains are cheap I dont' worry about it.

 

[dfkrug]

.....always had Stihl's Stihl is like JD, overpriiced but quality. Anyway, a friend told me
to try a Tanaka. Tanaka is Hitachi but made in China (I belive Poulan is too).

Don't equate the pro Stihls to their low end models. They are worlds apart. Same
with Husky. Even my consumer-grade Makita was not the saw the Makita pro models are.

My Tanaka is clearly labeled, "Made in Japan", tho later versions of the same saw are made in
China as you say. Mine has 2 piston rings....I wonder if the Chinese ones do, too?

 

[caver]

Hijack: Anyone have an Echo Timberwolf? I see the local farm store has them in their weekly flyer. I had two Stihls stolen from my barn and the one replacement is a 251. My older homeowner Stihl 210?? would start easily but this new one is a royal pain. Looking for something to replace the Farm Boss that was stolen.

 

[s219]

Tanaka was a purely Japanese brand. Then they were bought by the parent company of Hitachi, and now some Tanaka-labeled saws are Chinese-made Hitachis. Not nearly as good as the originals, if you ask me. The little Tanaka tree saws made in Japan were real gems.

 

[s219]

Hijack: Anyone have an Echo Timberwolf? I see the local farm store has them in their weekly flyer. I had two Stihls stolen from my barn and the one replacement is a 251. My older homeowner Stihl 210?? would start easily but this new one is a royal pain. Looking for something to replace the Farm Boss that was stolen.

It's a budget version of the better CS-600 and CS-620 saws, with a little more plastic and little less power. Probably not a bad saw. Certainly no worse than a Farm Boss. If you want a pro saw though, get the 620.

The Echo CS-500P is also a great saw. Very light and powerful for the cc. It's only 50cc, but will likely out-cut your old Farm Boss.

 

[dfkrug]

The Echo CS-500P is also a great saw. Very light and powerful for the cc. It's only 50cc, but will likely out-cut your
old Farm Boss.

Echoes have a good rep, and 5y consumer-use warranties, vs the 2y from Stihl. They are made up to 81cc, but your
local HomeDepot won't usually stock them. (You can buy them at HD online, however....CS-620P is $650.)

The long-lived Stihl FarmBoss MS290 (57cc) has now been discontinued (replaced by MS291, 56cc). I have had
the MS290 and its predecessor, the 029, and both are OK, but don't have compression release, and cold start requires
full throttle-lock. I think the Husky Rancher 455 or 460 is superior in every way. Have not tried the new
Echoes.

But back to the OP's cheap saw requirement. I have just sent a friend off to Lowes to get the Poulan 4018, but
the 3314 is only $109 right now. They also carry Husky and Hitachi.

 

[ksluy]

My Echo Weed eater is The best i have had. I like my Stihl 361 pro saw, it is a great saw but what i have learned about a saw its all about the chain. With a sharp chain it will make the chips feel like water running down your leg.

 

[2458n]

TSC has a Poulan saw for black friday ad at < 100 dollars.

 

[MossRoad]

TSC has a Poulan saw for black friday ad at < 100 dollars.

Its probably a factory reconditioned 18" 42CC model. They run those every few months. But, you never know, it could be brand new.

 

[murphy1244]

Hijack: Anyone have an Echo Timberwolf? I see the local farm store has them in their weekly flyer. I had two Stihls stolen from my barn and the one replacement is a 251. My older homeowner Stihl 210?? would start easily but this new one is a royal pain. Looking for something to replace the Farm Boss that was stolen.

I bought one in June. Cut up 12 cords with it. Nice Saw for the price point just don't drop it.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Actually between only Stihl and Echo I preferred the Echo that got stolen and replaced by a Stihl. It has been a long time but I think it was better starting and running.

 

[s219]

Actually between only Stihl and Echo I preferred the Echo that got stolen and replaced by a Stihl. It has been a long time but I think it was better starting and running.

No question about that. My Echos start so reliably they are predictable. My Stihls are much more random and always harder to start.