I've had both for several years. I've used my 800-903-925 saws for most of my cutting...for years. (The Husqvarna 365 is a "Backup" saw...twisted insurance policy ie. if I bring it, I have NO problems with my hobby saws. If I don't..)
So I have for several years wondered WHY did Homelite kept the C-5 C-7 C-72....etc that entire line of saws during the same years those wonderfull XL800-thru S-XL925 series saws were being manufactured and sold. Obvious answer is someone was continuing to BUY those older designed C-series monsters...but WHY would anyone buy one of those C-7's type saws if for the same kind of money they could have a 903 or similar saw?
So I dusted off and ran my old C-7 for the last few days. And did the typical side by side analysis with my most favorite saw..theXL903...both cut well. Differently but both very effective. Some obvious differences include a 3/8 chain on my 903 vs. .404 on the C-7. The C-7 is a LOUD and heavy monster with tons of torque! The XL-903 is a sweet running saw that like to live at 7000 rpms. Big wood (Hard Maple) favors the C-7 a bit but not by much, small wood the 903....which is lighter and can generate greater chain speed.
Then the days end maintenance...and a little "tweak" tuning because I ran at temps ranging from 40 degrees to 10 degrees. Differences begin to show.
1) The C-7 has these large easy to work mixture adjustment screws...real easy to "tweak" for weather & Temperature changes, even with gloved hands. (It was 8 degrees this morning on my hill top so I fattened it up a bit..because I could with little hassle)
2) The C-7 is for some reason easier to start. Has always been that way vs. all my 800 thru 925 series saws. Especially when the temps are in the single digits and after a 45 minute ride on the tractor. I think the lower compression, milder state of tune, along with a heavier flywheel all add up to make this one of the easiest starting saws ever built.
3) The C-7 Has this big, easy to clean air filter...My bet is it can breath eazier as a result. Wonder if the starting is affected? Especially on the cold days when the oil in the filter might be..greese. Wonder if there is more power capability in those saws because of the larger airbox.?
4) The C-7 has an INBOARD clutch. MUCH easier to pull the bar and MUCH easier to clean things out around there.
5) The C-7 has the adjustment for bar/chain tension on the Cover side (Outside), again easier to work with.
SO all those little detail things do add up to make the older design a nice saw to live with day in day out. Especially on these really cold days.
The advantage of the XL903 is that its lighter and has more RPM capability. By a pound at least. It has a compression release to help offset its really high compression ratio. It revs higher and can generate higher chain speeds. The S-XL 925 can be tuned to sound almost like a modern saw..they RIP! (Ultimately the S-XL925 won the marketing war....over time I guess as it survived longer than the C series in the 80 cc displacement class...the performance gap was too great)
BUT I can see where a pro who uses those saws day in day out could rationalize the maintenance, ease of use, and torque of a C-7 series saw for hard wood or longer bars over the weight and greater chain speed of a XL800-903-923 series saw.
Maybe not the S-XL 925. My 925 is a two - three pull starter...with TONS of compression. Takes some raw strength to pull this one over..but once running its a very capable saw.
So I have for several years wondered WHY did Homelite kept the C-5 C-7 C-72....etc that entire line of saws during the same years those wonderfull XL800-thru S-XL925 series saws were being manufactured and sold. Obvious answer is someone was continuing to BUY those older designed C-series monsters...but WHY would anyone buy one of those C-7's type saws if for the same kind of money they could have a 903 or similar saw?
So I dusted off and ran my old C-7 for the last few days. And did the typical side by side analysis with my most favorite saw..theXL903...both cut well. Differently but both very effective. Some obvious differences include a 3/8 chain on my 903 vs. .404 on the C-7. The C-7 is a LOUD and heavy monster with tons of torque! The XL-903 is a sweet running saw that like to live at 7000 rpms. Big wood (Hard Maple) favors the C-7 a bit but not by much, small wood the 903....which is lighter and can generate greater chain speed.
Then the days end maintenance...and a little "tweak" tuning because I ran at temps ranging from 40 degrees to 10 degrees. Differences begin to show.
1) The C-7 has these large easy to work mixture adjustment screws...real easy to "tweak" for weather & Temperature changes, even with gloved hands. (It was 8 degrees this morning on my hill top so I fattened it up a bit..because I could with little hassle)
2) The C-7 is for some reason easier to start. Has always been that way vs. all my 800 thru 925 series saws. Especially when the temps are in the single digits and after a 45 minute ride on the tractor. I think the lower compression, milder state of tune, along with a heavier flywheel all add up to make this one of the easiest starting saws ever built.
3) The C-7 Has this big, easy to clean air filter...My bet is it can breath eazier as a result. Wonder if the starting is affected? Especially on the cold days when the oil in the filter might be..greese. Wonder if there is more power capability in those saws because of the larger airbox.?
4) The C-7 has an INBOARD clutch. MUCH easier to pull the bar and MUCH easier to clean things out around there.
5) The C-7 has the adjustment for bar/chain tension on the Cover side (Outside), again easier to work with.
SO all those little detail things do add up to make the older design a nice saw to live with day in day out. Especially on these really cold days.
The advantage of the XL903 is that its lighter and has more RPM capability. By a pound at least. It has a compression release to help offset its really high compression ratio. It revs higher and can generate higher chain speeds. The S-XL 925 can be tuned to sound almost like a modern saw..they RIP! (Ultimately the S-XL925 won the marketing war....over time I guess as it survived longer than the C series in the 80 cc displacement class...the performance gap was too great)
BUT I can see where a pro who uses those saws day in day out could rationalize the maintenance, ease of use, and torque of a C-7 series saw for hard wood or longer bars over the weight and greater chain speed of a XL800-903-923 series saw.
Maybe not the S-XL 925. My 925 is a two - three pull starter...with TONS of compression. Takes some raw strength to pull this one over..but once running its a very capable saw.
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