Cheap competition.

[KMB]

Here is a couple pics of my 970. My dealer has a new 980 on the shelf I was going to buy, but I think I might just put the 80cc p&c on this saw. Notice too that the saws were red until about '99 or 2000, then they went orange.

I have been thinking about doing that also (980/981 P&C), but according to my parts list, there's a few parts with different part numbers than the 970/971's and I don't know if it would be worth it. I might be interpreting the parts numbers wrong.

Kevin

 

[HUSKYMAN]

What parts were different? I dont have a parts list. Was it the carb? Did the saws have the same stroke? You might have to compare the 970 to the 980 and leave the 971/981 out. Maybe they changed part numbers when they went to the 971/981

 

[KMB]

What parts were different? I dont have a parts list. Was it the carb? Did the saws have the same stroke? You might have to compare the 970 to the 980 and leave the 971/981 out. Maybe they changed part numbers when they went to the 971/981

From my IPL (970/971/980/981):
Piston and cylinder assembly (obvoiusly )
Muffler
Crankshaft
Piston pin bearing
Cylinder cover
Air filterIntake adaptor assembly
Carburetor
Cylinder gasket

These are the items that specifically have different part numbers which usually start with "970-" and "980-".

If you want a copy of the IPL, PM me your mailing address and I'll photocopy my IPL and send it to you.

Kevin

 

[Four Paws]

Here is a couple pics of my 970. My dealer has a new 980 on the shelf I was going to buy, but I think I might just put the 80cc p&c on this saw. Notice too that the saws were red until about '99 or 2000, then they went orange.

Looks like Huskyman is selling his 970 on eBay - If any of you guys are looking for a new saw, or just want to try something different, at least you know where it is coming from.

Better yet, you ought to bid on it, Troll...then you can make an honest to goodness comparison to your 372 rather than your typical :spam: .

 

[Four Paws]

Been messing with the 981 looking for more power. Gutted the muffler, but haven't finished the outlet. Popped the top, swapped some pistons in and took some measurements. Things are looking good so far. I'll be grinding on it this week off and on after work.

 

[RiverRat2]

They look rather,,,,,

alot like a jonsered or husky type of lineage

to all you Chainsaw Disease afflictees who are wanting to tear into modding one of your saws,,, Note how clean everything is as you look down toward the crankcase cylinderbase mating surface,,,,

Nice shot of your squish solder there FP!!!!! rep coming!!!!

Ahhrrrggghhhh it wont let me!!!!!!!!! :-( :-( :-(

 

[joesawer]

I want to try one, but without a full wrap and decent dogs, it is virtually useless to me.

 

[gmax]

I have a "Oleo Mac 946" its been very reliable with no issues, probably the best
value for money saws on the market, i would not hesitate to buy another one.

 

[SawTroll]

Parts will always be available from Efco, they have been around a while

Emak is the parent company of Efco (earlier Olympyk etc), Oleo-Mac and more brands, and it is a fairly large operation.
I would not be worried about spare parts.
I know that lots of people love the 962 - I have never seen one in real life, but would have liked to try one......

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Four Paws what is the difference between the old piston and the new piston?

 

[teacherman]

Looks good. Oh, no. Another brand of saw to collect! Better getta second job to pay for alla the saws! Norhtern Tool has these in its catalog, prices look good.

Me got CAD BAD!!!!! :greenchainsaw: :chainsawguy: :hmm3grin2orange:

Beware of Chinese knock-offs: I think they are called "Orympik" or "Oreo-Mac." Kind of like the Stihr, Pouran, Homerite, Soro, and McCurroch.

 

[Four Paws]

Four Paws what is the difference between the old piston and the new piston?

The old piston was OEM. The (2) new pistons are from different saws. Higher compression height = one will be at .024" squish, the other will have around a .040" pop-up to boost compression. The later will have a much longer intake duration due to a shorter skirt...we'll see how that does for me.

 

[Four Paws]

Got some time to work over the muffler on the 981 this evening. Here is a picture of the stocker.

Took a while to gut it - limited access, and there is a sturdy baffle in there. I now have a big, hollow muffler - just how I like them. The next step was to remove the factory louvered outlet and modify it. A picture is worth a thousand words...

My Tig machine made quick work of the welding duties. Next step is weld the pipe on...I like to weld it on BEFORE I drill/cut the hole. This helps distribute the heat and prevents burning through.

Here is the finished product on the saw. Once I welded the pipe on, I used my die-grinder to open up the hole from the backside. Works like a charm every time!

 

[RiverRat2]

Took a while to gut it - A picture is worth a thousand words...


My Tig machine made quick work of the welding duties. Next step is weld the pipe on...I like to weld it on BEFORE I drill/cut the hole. This helps distribute the heat and prevents burning through.


Here is the finished product on the saw. Once I welded the pipe on, I used my die-grinder to open up the hole from the backside. Works like a charm every time!

looking Good!!!!!!!! LOLOL!!!!

 

[spike60]

The main selling point for me is build quality - right on par with Stihl and Shindaiwa...blows Husky right out of the water.

That last part is simply a ridiculous, ie biased, statement. We carried them for a while when Tilton had them. The build quality is no better than Husky/Jonsered, and on the smaller saws it is generally worse. Especially the plastic parts.

But, I still thought the bigger models were just great saws, so I'm with four paws on everything else. Priced right and they would just run and run and run. Air filter sealing was an issue with some of them, but overall reliability was top notch. The 962 had the 262XP/MS361 formula just right, and would stay right with either of those saws. The 970 just screamed, and was quicker than the 981 until the wood got bigger.

Long term presence in the US will in large part depend on how successful Efco is at gaining market share with their post-Tilton distribution set up. It cost a LOT of money to get each engine family EPA certified. I was told a few years ago by someone who would know the scoop, that there was some discussion as to whether or not such investment was justified, and that it was only the private labeling of the John Deere and Cub Cadet units that made the numbers work. I believe they are selling more saws in Deere and Cub colors than their own. (If Cub had the 962, I'd order one for myself.)

 

[SawTroll]

DLG have published test reports on both the Oleo-Mac and Efco versions of the 56cc saw (same as the 62cc one, with a smaller engine), and found the specs a bit optimistic on both power and weight - but not really bad.

The complaints I have seen about the Emak saws have mainly been about the anti-vibe, and a few about fit and finish.......

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

I handled the Deere saws a while back, seem like nice saws for the money!
My only concern it parts in the future.
But well built indeed!

I like mine. It's been worked hard for a 52 cc saw. Most of my firewood is 18" and bigger, and needs to be trimmed to length for my stove. That's a lot of oak and hickory to cut with an 18" bar.

I got this brand new, with a muffler mod, from an AS member, as a straight across trade for a burned out 039 that turned out to be a mis-marked 029. He was happy with the trade, and so am I.

I do need a bigger saw, but this will have to do for now.

 

[Four Paws]

The main selling point for me is build quality - right on par with Stihl and Shindaiwa...blows Husky right out of the water.

That last part is simply a ridiculous, ie biased, statement. We carried them for a while when Tilton had them. The build quality is no better than Husky/Jonsered, and on the smaller saws it is generally worse. Especially the plastic parts.

But, I still thought the bigger models were just great saws, so I'm with four paws on everything else. Priced right and they would just run and run and run. Air filter sealing was an issue with some of them, but overall reliability was top notch. The 962 had the 262XP/MS361 formula just right, and would stay right with either of those saws. The 970 just screamed, and was quicker than the 981 until the wood got bigger.

Long term presence in the US will in large part depend on how successful Efco is at gaining market share with their post-Tilton distribution set up. It cost a LOT of money to get each engine family EPA certified. I was told a few years ago by someone who would know the scoop, that there was some discussion as to whether or not such investment was justified, and that it was only the private labeling of the John Deere and Cub Cadet units that made the numbers work. I believe they are selling more saws in Deere and Cub colors than their own. (If Cub had the 962, I'd order one for myself.)

Biased...maybe...but all opinions are biased. I have no experience with the smaller Efco saws, and frankly I wouldn't due to the reasons you state - they just look cheaply made to me. The Husky saws I have handled and owned aren't stout enough for me...mufflers dent easier than a pop-can, and the carb and intake just kinda flop around, they don't feel solid in my hands...not saying they aren't good saws if they fit your needs. I'd take a pound more weight in return for a solid feel and construction...just me though.

The rest of your post is RIGHT ON, Spike. I'd encourage anyone out there to try a bigger Efco - for the money, you will be pleased! You can buy a 80cc Efco for the price of a 361 Stihl...Hmmmmm.

 

[Lakeside53]

I wonder if the larger Efcos even come close to the EPA limits of 72gms/kwhr... I'm bettting they don't (unless they use a CAT muffler, no conventional 2 stroke can meet this level), and they are using the 3200 unit per year exemption available for the next two years to bring them in.


Other than a short model life, none of this matters to the end users.

 

[mini kahuna]

got a 264 and a 950 super,both saws have been around since the 1989 or so when bought new.
the 264 munched a cylinder because of an air leak,put it back together all is good.
both saws also needed ignition coils,carb kits, filters,but that was about it.
they both get used once in a while just to start them up....they have earned a rest.
the 264 pulls a 20" bar in oak really strong,nice powerband.
to this day if my chain isn't really sharp on the 5100,the 950 super will beat it,it has the most torque of any 50c saw I have ever seen.