triktor4411
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi, I have a ~$200 20" 50cc Poulan Pro I use for work now and then, not often, but when I need it, it doesn't like to start or run well. I think the carb just needs to be cleaned (it'll eventually start and idle but needs the L and H about 3 turns out which is way too much and then I can't get any setting make it rev up and cut good) and will try cleaning the carb, but also I currently fell in a rabbit hole deciding which new more-reliable 20" saw to get, and keep the poulan as a back up. I think it's better to replace the $20 carb since I don't have an ultrasonic and sometimes small carbs you can't actually perfectly clean all the tunnels etc and it ends up still not running well after a rebuild kit and all that cleaning.
I have two makita 4 cycle backpack blowers and love them, many hours on them and not a single issue. I mostly got them because they're 4 cycle is cleaner, but I know now Makita stuff is excellent and reliable.
I'm considering Makita EA5600FRGG for around $450 because of this.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...V4DizAB0xAguSEAQYAyABEgL42vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I run canola oil for bar and must have something with adjustable oiler since veg oil runs thinner than normal. Makita has this. The only thing I don't like about the Makita is the handle is plastic. I just don't understand why manufacturers save ~$6 on production instead of using metal which is more durable, I can imagine people piling stuff on their saws in storage or something and weakening the handle, yes the saw should do the work but you do have to push on that handle sometimes so imagine if it snapped.
I can't really justify a pro saw with a metal bar for around $700.
There are some 20" Husqvarnas for around $575 with metal bar like the 545 Mark 2 and I get %10 off at Lowe's.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-...VMDizAB0RcAp0EAQYASABEgKYsvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Husqvarna 545 Mark 2 is considered professional and has an adjustable oiler and metal handle. Only thing I don't like is how complicated there new Auto Tune carb is. There's no option to L and H screws, it's supposed to auto compensate for cold, humidity, etc even debris in the carb and run well but I would hate to have to work on that carb considering how complex it is, I think it even has a generator, thermostat, and circuit board, and a new one is about $150 to just swap it out. I think chainsaws are so dusty that carb work is inevitable. The makita carb is also about $125 but less complex and maybe cleaning it would work. They both have screw down tight-fitting paper air filters which hopefully keep more debris out than these stupid spring clamp screen types like my Poulan has.
A lot of the new professional ~$750 Husqvarnas also have the Auto Tune carb. I'm sure it works great at first, just not sure about longevity and complexity of working on it.
I can get an older non-Mark 2 545 for around $550 new but is showing out of stock and can't find elsewhere, has metal handle, but unsure if oiler is adjustable. Manual doesn't say yes or no, it shows a screw for it but is a multi-model PDF and doesn't mention at all how to adjust it. I think it is adjustable but might not be able to find one for sale as new.
20" 46cc Remington RM4620 is only $199 including a case, adjustable oiler, and I'm pretty sure the handle is even metal.
Lowe's also has this Craftsman for $199 which is identical as the Remington, case and all.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-S205-20-in-46-cc-2-cycle-Gas-Chainsaw/1000601365I just doubt it'll start and run as well as a ~$550 Husqvarna or the Makita or be more reliable and the better saws are better at displacing chips vs feeding them into the sprocket area that plugs oil and reduces performance, plus I saw a video that the carb gets dusty as heck and he didn't have many hours on it and has a screen type filter.
On eBay or Craigslist/Facebook I can get a good used pro saw with metal handle and adjustable oiler for $550, but I'm done with buying anything used or even refurbished unless it's something more expensive like a lawn aerator or big mower worth the risk to save ~$1,500.
Even refurb I've had many problems with and you don't know if the person who returned it didn't even mix 2 cycle oil or something like that.
I guess my question is if I should trust the new Husqvarna Auto Tune carb. As much as I hate to play with the L and H and Throttle/Idle screws, not having them at all seems strange and now I understand they can be an advantage for cold weather possibly. For cold weather the Makita has a piece outside of the air filter you flip to let more/less air in to compensate for cold weather. But the Husqvarna also requires a ~$20 cold weather kit/cover.
Other than that, about the Auto Tune carbs, l'll take suggestions for something else with metal handle, adjustable oiler and is a great reliable saw.
Thanks.
take care.
EDIT, I mean yes, now checking youtube for Husqvarna Autotune, there's even a diagnosis software it needs, it seems way overkill, F all that.
I think I'll just get the Makita or something and I doubt the handle would snap but would be nice if was metal, might be able to swap it with the metal from their pro models.
I have two makita 4 cycle backpack blowers and love them, many hours on them and not a single issue. I mostly got them because they're 4 cycle is cleaner, but I know now Makita stuff is excellent and reliable.
I'm considering Makita EA5600FRGG for around $450 because of this.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...V4DizAB0xAguSEAQYAyABEgL42vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I run canola oil for bar and must have something with adjustable oiler since veg oil runs thinner than normal. Makita has this. The only thing I don't like about the Makita is the handle is plastic. I just don't understand why manufacturers save ~$6 on production instead of using metal which is more durable, I can imagine people piling stuff on their saws in storage or something and weakening the handle, yes the saw should do the work but you do have to push on that handle sometimes so imagine if it snapped.
I can't really justify a pro saw with a metal bar for around $700.
There are some 20" Husqvarnas for around $575 with metal bar like the 545 Mark 2 and I get %10 off at Lowe's.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-...VMDizAB0RcAp0EAQYASABEgKYsvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Husqvarna 545 Mark 2 is considered professional and has an adjustable oiler and metal handle. Only thing I don't like is how complicated there new Auto Tune carb is. There's no option to L and H screws, it's supposed to auto compensate for cold, humidity, etc even debris in the carb and run well but I would hate to have to work on that carb considering how complex it is, I think it even has a generator, thermostat, and circuit board, and a new one is about $150 to just swap it out. I think chainsaws are so dusty that carb work is inevitable. The makita carb is also about $125 but less complex and maybe cleaning it would work. They both have screw down tight-fitting paper air filters which hopefully keep more debris out than these stupid spring clamp screen types like my Poulan has.
A lot of the new professional ~$750 Husqvarnas also have the Auto Tune carb. I'm sure it works great at first, just not sure about longevity and complexity of working on it.
I can get an older non-Mark 2 545 for around $550 new but is showing out of stock and can't find elsewhere, has metal handle, but unsure if oiler is adjustable. Manual doesn't say yes or no, it shows a screw for it but is a multi-model PDF and doesn't mention at all how to adjust it. I think it is adjustable but might not be able to find one for sale as new.
20" 46cc Remington RM4620 is only $199 including a case, adjustable oiler, and I'm pretty sure the handle is even metal.
Lowe's also has this Craftsman for $199 which is identical as the Remington, case and all.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-S205-20-in-46-cc-2-cycle-Gas-Chainsaw/1000601365I just doubt it'll start and run as well as a ~$550 Husqvarna or the Makita or be more reliable and the better saws are better at displacing chips vs feeding them into the sprocket area that plugs oil and reduces performance, plus I saw a video that the carb gets dusty as heck and he didn't have many hours on it and has a screen type filter.
On eBay or Craigslist/Facebook I can get a good used pro saw with metal handle and adjustable oiler for $550, but I'm done with buying anything used or even refurbished unless it's something more expensive like a lawn aerator or big mower worth the risk to save ~$1,500.
Even refurb I've had many problems with and you don't know if the person who returned it didn't even mix 2 cycle oil or something like that.
I guess my question is if I should trust the new Husqvarna Auto Tune carb. As much as I hate to play with the L and H and Throttle/Idle screws, not having them at all seems strange and now I understand they can be an advantage for cold weather possibly. For cold weather the Makita has a piece outside of the air filter you flip to let more/less air in to compensate for cold weather. But the Husqvarna also requires a ~$20 cold weather kit/cover.
Other than that, about the Auto Tune carbs, l'll take suggestions for something else with metal handle, adjustable oiler and is a great reliable saw.
Thanks.
take care.
EDIT, I mean yes, now checking youtube for Husqvarna Autotune, there's even a diagnosis software it needs, it seems way overkill, F all that.
I think I'll just get the Makita or something and I doubt the handle would snap but would be nice if was metal, might be able to swap it with the metal from their pro models.