46cc, 20in Poulan vs. 80yo 24" Oak

So I had to wait for some concrete to set so I got out the Poulan and went after the oak that we'd pushed off the road. OK, the concrete thing was just an excuse. This is my 2775 with a MM and 20BPX chain. I'd used it some on Sunday when everything was wet and stuff was still coming down, but not too much. So I started in on cutting rounds off these big logs, buried past full bar, and it just wasn't cutting fast - took a look at the chain and realized I must have touched it down on something on Sunday. It wasn't awful but too dull to use.

So I went back to the barn and got a loop of 33SL that I modified by dropping the safety bumper ties way down, and had never run yet. I also got the Mac 3420 with its old Chinese no-name chain.

The modified 33SL was better than it used to be, but still seemed slow, so I switched to the Mac. It started right up and cut great just like it always does, crap chain and all. But then I got to wondering if the Poulan was just no match for the oak, or if it was the chain. So I gave the 20BPX a quick hand dressing and tried it again.

Zoom! Yes, a 46cc Poulan can pull a 20" bar full depth in fresh red oak. It was a bit faster than the Mac. With all the wood I've got down I'm thinking I'll get a 24" with some 72V chain for the Mac. It would be handy to be able to get through In one pass.

Here's some of it:

Good chain makes a difference! Lookin good.

Looks like some good firewood to me!

But...but...

This defies all conventional knowledge! By now the saw should have blown up (after first not starting for 158 pulls), then given you like dandruff and made the dog howl and the cat run for cover!

Hey, cool man, little poulans running right can get the job done!