Tanaka Chain Saws

burzynsr · Jan 28, 2016

Hope I am posting this in the correct place. I have the opportunity to get a Tanaka chain saw as a safety award gift. I have a Husqvarna that has been great and a mid size Poulan for lighter cutting. I have never seen or used a Tanaka but I have heard of the brand, the particular saw will be a 14 inch 1.6 hp, 32.2 cc. Lighter in weight than my other saws and it comes with a 7 year homeowners warranty. So are they any good? I can select another item if the feedback is negative but this saw if it is good would be the perfect size for trimming and cutting limbs out of trees. My Husqvarna is a 20" brute and the Poulan is an 18' model good but still a little large. Just what I need another engine to maintain Ha Ha.

davesl708 · Jan 28, 2016

I would go ahead and accept the saw. With a seven year warranty should not be a bad choice. Only question is where would you go for warranty work?
A small saw is always handy.

kenmac · Jan 28, 2016

A little tanaka
History

s219 · Jan 28, 2016

If it's a real Tanaka design, pre-merger, it would be an excellent saw -- light and powerful. If it's just a rebranded Hitachi, post-merger, meh....

I used to know what to look for to tell them apart, but I'd probably need to see the saw in person to say nowadays. The styling may be a giveaway if it's a Hitachi, as they kind of went crazy with the case design. Tanaka saws were more traditional no-nonsense designs.

burzynsr · Jan 28, 2016

I am going to search for a Tanaka dealer/supplier.

kenmac · Jan 28, 2016

If it has plastic housing (case) It would be no better than a walmart poulan

PILOON · Jan 28, 2016

IMO, Tanaka is superior to Poulin. Go for it!

burzynsr · Jan 29, 2016

I have a dealer at about the 25 mile mark. My Husqvarna and Poulan have plastic cases. The Husqvarna is a brute and twice the saw as the Poulan. I am sure the Tanaka is a plastic case saw. It is a safety gift, not designed to make a living with. Since a dealer is close I think I will get it. I'll keep you all posted as to how it does.

kenmac · Jan 29, 2016

the plastic case poulan and husky are owned by the same people.. Many yrs ago, owned a tanaka trimmer that I liked..

If I already had 2 saws.. I would pick something else.. You can do what you want,, it's your gift

I have a poulan that I use as just a junk saw.. I have yet to destroy it
sometimes it's better running it than my husky 372xp

Alien · Jan 30, 2016

I once had a trimmer of a well known brand. It used to badly burn my arm on the muffler shield every time I used it and took a bit to start it. I went in to a local place and told him the story and he showed me a Tanaka trimmer.
I was dubious of the name as I had never heard of it but he assured me they were great. To top it off I had to pay very little difference for the new Tanaka using the trade.
That was about 8 or 9 years ago.
I love that little Tanaka. Starts easily every time and is nicely balanced and doesn't burn me. It also just runs great and idles real sweet.
On that basis I recommend them.

ultrarunner · Jan 30, 2016

I have a Tanaka trimmer for years... keep it in the truck and zero issues... reliable, powerful and lightweight.

Wanted to get a Tanka saw and found they were at a premium so I didn't.

DFB · Jan 30, 2016

We have a Tanaka line trimmer at the orchard it holds it own.

Most Tanaka saws I've seen aren't all that cheap in price.

This are the only two I see listed that match the OP's description of 32cc 14 inch bar saw. :confused3:

Products

Tanaka TCS33EB-16S 32cc Gas 16 in.-14 in. Rear Handle Chainsaw

5030 · Jan 30, 2016

kenmac said:
A little tanaka
History

I happen to own an Aquabug (didn't know it was a Tanaka).... I bought it in the 70's for an auxillary outboard for my sailboat... Sold the boat, kept the motor. It still runs like a top btw. Someday I may get another small boat and the 'bug' will be on it...

Now to Tanaka saws. I also have one of the top handle arborist saws with a 14" bar. Come with a Tanaka branded Oregon roller nose greaseable sprocket bar. Bought it last year to replace an aging Stihl that needed a rebuild. It was cheap (less than 200 bucks on Amazon) but it's a runner, good on fuel and starts right up everytime and it's way light... Like 7 pounds with bar and chain. i really like it for an inexpensive saw. Even comes with a lanyard ring on the back for in tree work.

No complaints whatsoever. If I was OP, I'd take it.

If it lasts as long as my Aquabug. it will outlast me.....

5030 · Jan 30, 2016

ultrarunner said:
I have a Tanaka trimmer for years... keep it in the truck and zero issues... reliable, powerful and lightweight.

Wanted to get a Tanka saw and found they were at a premium so I didn't.

Try Amazon. Thats where I got mine. Was pretty cheap compared to a Stihl and it's got balls too.

5030 · Jan 30, 2016

burzynsr said:
I have a dealer at about the 25 mile mark. My Husqvarna and Poulan have plastic cases. The Husqvarna is a brute and twice the saw as the Poulan. I am sure the Tanaka is a plastic case saw. It is a safety gift, not designed to make a living with. Since a dealer is close I think I will get it. I'll keep you all posted as to how it does.

It's actually an aluminum case with high impact plastic shrouds. Mine is pretty indestructable. Considering it's half the price of a comparable Stihl (I have 3 Stihl's btw), it ain't all bad......

burzynsr · Feb 1, 2016

Thanks everyone for the input. Sounds like it is a good saw.

5030 · Feb 2, 2016

Little update, I used mine yesterday. been sitting since fall in the shop (it's heated). I gave the bar a couple squirts of grease (Tanaka saws all come with old style Oregon greaseable roller nose bars that I like better anyway), checked the bar oil (I use Stihl Bar oil in the gallon jugs) and pushed the primer bulb a couple times, set the choke and it started second pull. (I keep the fuel tanks full when I out them up) and went out and cut some limbs.

It's a good little saw far as I'm concerned.

The only drawback that irritates me is the chain brake is outboard in the side cover (Stihl's are inboard and much easier to deal with). The outboard chain brake makes removing the outer cover to remove the bar and clean it and the housing of chips and sawdust a PITA. Thats the only thing I don't like about it but I think the inboard brake is a Stihl patent. Husky is outboard too.

5030 · Feb 2, 2016

Little update, I used mine yesterday. been sitting since fall in the shop (it's heated). I gave the bar a couple squirts of grease (Tanaka saws all come with old style Oregon greaseable roller nose bars that I like better anyway), checked the bar oil (I use Stihl Bar oil in the gallon jugs) and pushed the primer bulb a couple times, set the choke and it started second pull. (I keep the fuel tanks full when I out them up) and went out and cut some limbs.

It's a good little saw far as I'm concerned.

The only drawback that irritates me is the chain brake is outboard in the side cover (Stihl's are inboard and much easier to deal with). The outboard chain brake makes removing the outer cover to remove the bar and clean it and the housing of chips and sawdust a PITA. Thats the only thing I don't like about it but I think the inboard brake is a Stihl patent. Husky is outboard too.