Chuck I understand exactly where your coming from and your correct.
Like I said in the other thread, much as I respect the Poulan S25's, they should never have even been brought up in that other thread to begin with.
No other top handle saw from that era would be even be thought of being used by a serious climber today. I'll go one farther and say probably none over 10 years old should even be considered for a man making his living with one.
Not that there are many that are more powerful or such over a good S25, but like you said they have improvements in safety features and such. They also have dealer support and parts available which is critical.
As far as the top handles being used on the ground that is just some pure bullshat that I never even heard about it till I found this place. That stuff is just from these so call tree pros and wannabe tree pros who want to feal superior to the rest and make themself feel better for taking such a high risk job and be so underpaid for doing it.
Especially the ones doing it for someone else and not there own business.
Like I have said before Poulan designed and marketed the Micro XXV's especially for homeowners, farmers and such. Do you think Poulan thought all those folks would only use them in a tree? Dont be silly, Homelite, McCulloch etc all had consumer saws in top handle configurations as well.
My first firewood saw was a S25CVA and we never had a clue we shouldnt use it on the ground and to tell the truth I still dont except when I come here.
