Thoughts on McCulloch Chainsaws?

[Chris142]

I'm on a budget but need to replace a piece of junk Homelite chain saw. I been reading and the Stihl, Husky and Echo ones seem to be favorites but they are out of my price range.

Nobody likes Homelite or Poulan. I can't find any info on the McCulloch ones.

Harbor Freight has the McCulloch ones at a good price. Here in Ca they can only sell CARB approved ones. But in other states they sell others.

I'm wondering if the non Ca ones would be more dependable? I can easily drive to NV to get a better saw

 

[StevieC]

You get what you pay for... I don't know about McCulloch but I know we still own a 20 year old Stihl which is used before every winter and it's in excellent shape!

 

[Steve S]

I have a 345 or 350 Husky it is the homeowner model it is a POS in my opinion.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Some of the homeowner Huskys are Poulans in disguise since the same company owns both brands. That might be your issue...

 

[JTK]

Chris I don't think you'd find McCulloch to be any better than a Homelite saw. They are both intended to be cheap units. OTOH, for your average homeowner, keep a sharp well oiled chain on it, fresh, quality pre-mix and it will zip through all the wood you'll need it to.

Joel

 

[Slick 55]

They are in the same class as a Poulan. We used to have a saying at the lawn mower shop I worked at: You keep pullin' and pullin' and pullin.......and maybe it will start.

 

[Cmarti]

Homelite actually might be the best of the junk saws, but try this link/store on ebay. Selling out john Deere, (wich are EFCO a quality european saw)at closeout. Deere is dropping saws and will be a Stihl dealer in the Deere stores.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...3DLVI%26ps%3D54

Go to Arboristsite.com for info. They are chainsaw geeks like we are oil geeks.

 

[wavinwayne]

I have a 12 year old Craftsman that has been rode hard and put away wet. The only thing it's needed was a tune-up last year. I paid $89 for it in 1997. I'm sure it was probably made by one of the "junk-saw" companies, but I've had good luck with it. Based on my experience, I recommend that you give Craftsman saws a look.

 

[wavinwayne]

Just looked at that JD saw on eBay. If you can spare $194, it looks like a really good saw for the money.

 

[Allan_G]

TIME HAS CHANGED ALL SAWS and EQUIPMENT. About 10 years ago Mcculloch was bought and sold. I own several pieces of long lasting mcculloch as well as others.
Here are some questions to ask:
What are you using the saw for?
How often will you use it?
Will you perform at least general maintnance?

I have a Mcculloch Power Mac 6 14" an Eager Beaver 14" and a 3227 Weedeater from Mcculloch they all have performed flawless. I bought the 3227 in 1995 when when I was 16. I used it as a weekend machine getting 5-6 hours daily.

I also have switched to SHINDAIWA TRIMMERS and STIHL saws, only because of the company restructuring.

If you have any questions or need more help, just reply.

 

[tamadrummer]

Avoid Mac nowadays and if you can buy a national commercial brand saw.

Stihl/Echo/Husqvarna are all great saws.

I use only Stihl with the exception of a Poulan Pro 4620 that was given to me. Run Premium fuel and Stihl Ultra HP or Stihl Super HP 2 cycle @ 50:1 and don't look back!

Go to a pawn shop and buy a used Stihl if new is too expensive.

 

[Mkos1980]

I was in the market for a chainsaw and picked up a Used Stihl Woodboss 028 on ebay for about a 150 bucks shipped with new chain and Stihl 20in bar. It was in great shape, added gas and it fired right up and runs great. Used it for a few days non stop with no issues. My father owns a Stihl along with alot of other friends and relatives so I just went with what worked.

As for fuel I run the Opti 2 at 100:1 in both my Stihl saw, Stihl blower and 22 year old commercial Toro Trimmer.

 

[steve20]

McCullough was bought out a long time ago. Trying to find replacemnet parts for the weed wacker is next to impossible.

I wouldn't touch a Craftsman with a ten foot pole. In fact, if you want to pay shipping, I'll send you mine that is waiting tobe target practice one day.

My recommendation is the Husky 455 Rancher I purchased several years ago-works like a precision instrument and easy starting as well.
I ordered it from Norwalk Power Equipment Company in California. They have the best prices anywhere with free shipping. Call em up- they are real helpful as well

Steve

 

[Cujet]

I have a Husqvarna 345. It's a great engine, but a really junky chain and bar setup. I retrofitted it with a Stihl chain and it works far better, but the Stihl chain does not fit the bar perfectly, so it runs out of adjustment rather quickly. The end result was a saw that cost more, performs as well and goes through chains quickly (due to bar size) as a Stihl.

Spend the money, get the Stihl. They make the best chains that actually cut quickly and safely. They run great and are reliable.

 

[Crashbox]

I bought a McCulloch saw some years ago and it was a lemon to say the very least, it NEVER ran right- if at all. So I replaced it back in '92 or so with a Stihl 021, 16" bar and have been very much pleased with that particular chainsaw.

+1 for the Stihl.

 

[Warlord]

I'd get a used Husky/Stihl. I was given an old husky 262xp for free because it had issues running after it sat for 10 years. A ten dollar carb kit later and it is the best saw I've ever used.

 

[dave123]

You do not want to replace junk with more junk.

+1 for stihl also you pull the rope they run, and you can beat the living tar out of them and keep on going for years.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: dave123
You do not want to replace junk with more junk.



I looked at the MCCulloch saw at HF today. Made in China

I then looked at the Homelites just for kicks. The Homelite I threw away was Made in Tiawan, the new ones are Chinese.

The Echo is assembled in USA from imported and American made parts.

The Echo has a neet replacable air filter too

I'm leaning towards that one. Although it's not 100% American made but atleast an American had something to do with it.

Somebody asked if I was willing to do maintenance on it. Of course! Regular mainenance like Spark plugs, air filter, chain and cleaning the cooling fins I can deal with.

I don't expect to be replacing any internal engine parts on one for a long time.

And someone asked how much I will use it and what for. Just stuff around the house. I cut down a pretty big tree a few years ago and need to get it cut up and out of the yard too.

 

[cronk]

In my experience Stihl are the best saw.
The best cheap saw I have owned was a Poulan, I've worked it quite hard for 4 years and no major issues, just regular maintenance.
McCulloch used to be a good saw, but once the cheapened them up and started making them in china, the quality has been awful.

 

[Chris142]

I think I'm going to go with the Echo.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor...uctId=100614627