2lumbarleft
ArboristSite Operative
I just finished helping a friend muffler modify his Echo CS-310. We had a brand new Oregon 16” double guard bar and chain combo (consumer stuff) and decided to use that in the test run as well. The saw transformed into a little beast. We could bury the bar in maple, and unless you actually leaned on it, it would not bog. It was cutting plenty fast for a 30.5 cc engine.
Immediately thereafter, I had to test run several Poulan saws that I tuned for another friend. The saws were the Poulan Pro PP4218a and a Poulan P4018WT, the latter of which had a muffler mod. Both Poulan saws had a fresh WoodlandPro 16" bar and 30LP56 chain. Both saws could bury the bar if you were patient, and the Wild Thing did have more torque in the cut, probably due to the make shift muffler mod. However, unless you run the two Poulan’s side by side, you probably wouldn’t notice what a huge difference there is in AV. The PP4218A was very smooth running and did not transfer hardly any vibration up the left arm. The wild thing was more like a vibration machine with a wood cutting attachment. If any homeowner is considering buying one of these cheaper saws, pay the extra $20 for the Poulan PP4218A. You get a chromed cylinder and a much more likable machine, although the new Strato engine takes a minute longer to warm up before you can properly accelerate the saw.
Here is the point to all this. That little Echo CS-310 out cut both of the Poulans. The echo had exactly 150 psi compression. The wild Thing had 153 psi, and the Poulan Pro started brand new with 162 psi but was an even 150 psi after the test cuts (probably due to some oil in the engine falsely raising initial numbers). If anyone out there is worried that the little Echo CS-310 can’t pull a 16” bar, forget about it. The muffler mod seemed to increase power nearly 50%. I know that sounds crazy, but you have to try it yourself to believe it. I have also done this to the CS-352, CS-400, CS-450, and CS-500P. The CS-500P was helped the least. Perhaps barely a 10% increase in power (maybe less). While I have not run the CS-400 side by side with the CS-500P, I would guess there is not going to be much of a difference, and there is a 10cc difference between the two. In my opinion, If you want the most bang for your buck, the two saws to work on are the CS-310 and the CS-400. The CS-310 weighed in at 11.47 pounds with the 16” bar and chain, plus full load of fuel and oil. I’ll be using mine this summer for clearing out small ash, pine and maple along some right of ways with fence lines. That should save the back plenty of abuse. Cheers, hope this was of interest.
Immediately thereafter, I had to test run several Poulan saws that I tuned for another friend. The saws were the Poulan Pro PP4218a and a Poulan P4018WT, the latter of which had a muffler mod. Both Poulan saws had a fresh WoodlandPro 16" bar and 30LP56 chain. Both saws could bury the bar if you were patient, and the Wild Thing did have more torque in the cut, probably due to the make shift muffler mod. However, unless you run the two Poulan’s side by side, you probably wouldn’t notice what a huge difference there is in AV. The PP4218A was very smooth running and did not transfer hardly any vibration up the left arm. The wild thing was more like a vibration machine with a wood cutting attachment. If any homeowner is considering buying one of these cheaper saws, pay the extra $20 for the Poulan PP4218A. You get a chromed cylinder and a much more likable machine, although the new Strato engine takes a minute longer to warm up before you can properly accelerate the saw.
Here is the point to all this. That little Echo CS-310 out cut both of the Poulans. The echo had exactly 150 psi compression. The wild Thing had 153 psi, and the Poulan Pro started brand new with 162 psi but was an even 150 psi after the test cuts (probably due to some oil in the engine falsely raising initial numbers). If anyone out there is worried that the little Echo CS-310 can’t pull a 16” bar, forget about it. The muffler mod seemed to increase power nearly 50%. I know that sounds crazy, but you have to try it yourself to believe it. I have also done this to the CS-352, CS-400, CS-450, and CS-500P. The CS-500P was helped the least. Perhaps barely a 10% increase in power (maybe less). While I have not run the CS-400 side by side with the CS-500P, I would guess there is not going to be much of a difference, and there is a 10cc difference between the two. In my opinion, If you want the most bang for your buck, the two saws to work on are the CS-310 and the CS-400. The CS-310 weighed in at 11.47 pounds with the 16” bar and chain, plus full load of fuel and oil. I’ll be using mine this summer for clearing out small ash, pine and maple along some right of ways with fence lines. That should save the back plenty of abuse. Cheers, hope this was of interest.
