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.