SawTroll
Information Collector
A plastic clutch cover is not an improvement, but a plastic gas tank and rear handle is!
Redmax G5000 First Impressions
- Thread starter clarksvilleal
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A plastic clutch cover is not an improvement, but a plastic gas tank and rear handle is!
SawTroll
Information Collector
You are the main source of the "good reputation" I posted about!
I can always trust you, even though we don't always agree!
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sunfish
Fish Head
I couldn't see how a plastic tensioner would work, good to hear it's steel.
I'm sure this saw will do you well, but if it doesn't, just take a look at the 346xp
I'm sure this saw will do you well, but if it doesn't, just take a look at the 346xp
Shargoth
ArboristSite Member
Haha I agree Sawtroll on the plastic clutch cover. I mean I have no problems using my old Homelites. I use my c-51 more than anything. Yes heavy...but ehh too much fun. But I'd much rather replace my 3800's 12 clutch cover than say...a 35$ clutch cover for my 281...just saying...
SawTroll
Information Collector
The Mag clutch cover on the 346xp etc is much heavier and sturdier than it really needs to be, can you guess why that is so?
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
The Mag clutch cover on the 346xp etc is much heavier and sturdier than it really needs to be, can you guess why that is so?
Cause it kicks arse lol
I've had a G5000 for several months now. I agree, I was disappointed in the plastic chainbrake cover. I bought this saw to replace my toasted pawn shop Husky 353. So far, I think the G5000 has more power, but I miss the heavier duty construction of the 353. I was really wanting a 346XP, but could not afford it. I still think the G5000 was the best new saw that I could find for $300. I guess time will tell if I am right...
clarksvilleal
ArboristSite Member
I've used mine for at least 8 hours so far and it looks like a keeper. Has plenty of power, starts right up every time, and is quite light compared to what I was used to. I was thinking someday I may want to buy a replacement cover assembly with all the stuff installed as a backup - but it costs almost $100 :jawdrop:. That plus the original $300 is getting it up close to the Husky 346xp price. So I think I won't do that and just replace individual parts when needed. The one thing I worry about, though, is long term parts availability.
Trigger Man
Addicted to ArboristSite
The Mag clutch cover on the 346xp etc is much heavier and sturdier than it really needs to be, can you guess why that is so?
SawTroll
Information Collector
That one wasn't "lying around", it was a fresh design.
Husky has been using the plastic clutch cover/chain brake/chain tensioner setup for quite some time. I have a 12+ year old Husky 36 that has had some VERY heavy use through it's life and it has held up very well. I wouldn't worry one bit about it.
Trigger Man
Addicted to ArboristSite
The Mag clutch cover on the 346xp etc is much heavier and sturdier than it really needs to be, can you guess why that is so?
Because its designed as a limbing saw?
SawTroll
Information Collector
Because its designed as a limbing saw?
Sort of - I believe it is to pull the centre of gravity towards the bar, as is the outboard clutch - nice for handling, but not for weight specs....
Btw, even the 339xp has a hefty piece of Mag as a clutch cover, and the "bottom" of the "clamshell" is a part of a hefty piece of Mag, at that side of the saw. Looks odd, but smart design, really!
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rbmopar
ArboristSite Operative
Sort of - I believe it is to pull the centre of gravity towards the bar, as is the outboard clutch - nice for handling, but not for weight specs....
Maybe it needs to be strong because it is always laying on the side cover.
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SawTroll
Information Collector
Stihl Crazy
ArboristSite.com Sponsor
For what it is worth (not much) here are my thoughts on the "other brands". I have used almost every brand out there. I sell Efco. The cheaper saws are cheaper for a reason.
As most know from reading the 346 post, saws up here in Canada are expensive. I am a pro east coast logger. For me a 346 or a 260 is worth the money. Over the course of a year of every day cutting the Husky/Stihl brands are cheaper to run. Most of the cheaper brands require replacement parts at a more frequent rate. By the end of a year the cheaper brands cost more than the equivalent Husky/Stihl. If you are a homeowner then the cheaper brands make a great option. I place Dolmar up there with Husky/Stihl.
The Redmax 5000 is a great saw, but I wore out 2 brake sides in a year. $100 each. Never had a brake issue with Husky/Stihl/Dolmar.
As most know from reading the 346 post, saws up here in Canada are expensive. I am a pro east coast logger. For me a 346 or a 260 is worth the money. Over the course of a year of every day cutting the Husky/Stihl brands are cheaper to run. Most of the cheaper brands require replacement parts at a more frequent rate. By the end of a year the cheaper brands cost more than the equivalent Husky/Stihl. If you are a homeowner then the cheaper brands make a great option. I place Dolmar up there with Husky/Stihl.
The Redmax 5000 is a great saw, but I wore out 2 brake sides in a year. $100 each. Never had a brake issue with Husky/Stihl/Dolmar.
clarksvilleal
ArboristSite Member
Stihl - Thanks for the feed back on the Redmax. I'm just a homeowner with some acreage, so maybe I won't wear them out so fast.
When you say you wore out the "brake side" at $100 a shot, are you referring to the entire chain cover assembly, P/N 848-c8d-5406, which includes the brake as well as the tensioner and guard? A company named Steven Willand Inc in NJ has the whole assembly listed at a price of $96.48. If you did replace the entire cover assembly, just wondering why you did rather than replacing the individual parts that were worn or broke?
Stihl Crazy
ArboristSite.com Sponsor
The plastic cover was never an issue or the band, but all of the small parts wore to the point that the brake would always trip on. Became so bad that I had to tie the brake handle to the front handle or the brake would always be on. Not a safe practice.
I tried replacing individual parts with no success. That route is expensive so I replaced whole unit.
You probably will never run into this problem. My saw was run for 10 tanks per day, so 200 per month. Used the saw for more than a year and sold it to one of my men who ran it for 2 more years. Toughest motor I ever used in a 50 cc saw.
I tried replacing individual parts with no success. That route is expensive so I replaced whole unit.
You probably will never run into this problem. My saw was run for 10 tanks per day, so 200 per month. Used the saw for more than a year and sold it to one of my men who ran it for 2 more years. Toughest motor I ever used in a 50 cc saw.
clarksvilleal
ArboristSite Member
OK, now I get it. That is interesting - what you describe about all the small parts is one of the things I was worried might happen when I saw how the cover assembly was made. And it also seemed that the plastic cover itself in which those small parts were mounted might wear to the point where the parts wouldn't stay in place correctly, possibly causing the kinds of problems you had.
I probably won't use more than 30-40 tanks per year, so maybe it will last me a lifetime, especially seeing as how I am no spring chicken. But I should probably consider buying a spare cover assembly at some point in case they stop carrying the parts.
On the other hand, my old Echo had no brake or brake handle, so it also occurred to me that I could just disable or even remove the brake if necessary and I would be no worse off than I was for so many years with the Echo.
Griner Bros.
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A builder in Penn. ported a 5000 & his boy won a few 50cc class times ...
It was still 4stroking at 17000+ .... It beat some 346's ....
5000's are good saws ....
It was still 4stroking at 17000+ .... It beat some 346's ....
5000's are good saws ....
