McCulloch Chain Saws

[rwoods]

Before I settled on the PM 800, I wanted to rebuild my SP81E as I liked the brace and short clutch cover. But after several variations of the 82cc MACs passed through my hands I noticed reinforcements that the later saws had to both covers and to the tank that the earlier models didn’t have. I assumed they were made to correct weak spots as they certainly added weight and would seem to make manufacturing costs higher. So I stuck with the newer models and got rid of the rest. I have so many 800s because nice ones used to be more plentiful and cheaper than the others. I still think the SPs are the best looking of the group.

Ron

 

[clint53]

Before I settled on the PM 800, I wanted to rebuild my SP81E as I liked the brace and short clutch cover. But after several variations of the 82cc MACs passed through my hands I noticed reinforcements that the later saws had to both covers and to the tank that the earlier models didn’t have. I assumed they were made to correct weak spots as they certainly added weight and would seem to make manufacturing costs higher. So I stuck with the newer models and got rid of the rest. I have so many 800s because nice ones used to be more plentiful and cheaper than the others. I still think the SPs are the best looking of the group.

Ron

Thanks Ron
I just spent about an hour looking for a SP81 for sale. I only found one on the net. It looked as if it was dragged behind a skidder.
I'm beginning to think I shouldn't be picky about what 82cc to look for.
Clint

 

[matt_lamb_160]

Gee, an hour isn't long. One will come up.

 

[clint53]

Gee, an hour isn't long. One will come up.

That was just tonight. I have been looking for a few weeks.
I just got really serious about one in the last few days and looking everyday.

 

[Jethro 2t sniffer]

That was just tonight. I have been looking for a few weeks.
I just got really serious about one in the last few days and looking everyday.

1 will show up. Give Mark a bell. He may have something in the pipeline. I looked and hunted for 2 years for an 81. Granted NZ is a small place but was also a very very strongly populated with Mac's country too with lots of forestry. Any 82 just grab it

 

[knightmax]

Have you tried carb cleaner? Seems to bubble up paint if it stays on there very long at all.

not for stripping, I haven't.

 

[clint53]

1 will show up. Give Mark a bell. He may have something in the pipeline. I looked and hunted for 2 years for an 81. Granted NZ is a small place but was also a very very strongly populated with Mac's country too with lots of forestry. Any 82 just grab it

Thanks Jethro.
I asked three friends to keep an eye out for 82cc Mac's tonight.
Any of the three may know where there is one.

 

[knightmax]

My 800 and 850 pull a 32 full comp in bluegum happily enough. Its a tough old wood to cut. It would pull a 36 full comp if the rakers were set just right. We don't really run skip here.

Skip whats a skip chain, I heard thats what they run on those little itty bitty saws LOL. Sorry I am having coffee and feeling cute. I don't run skip either. I grabbed one hanging by mistake last fall and mindlessly stuck in on an SP81. I was running it thinking WTH this saw isn't biting in good. stopped and looked, slapped my forehead and went back to shop lol.

 

[knightmax]

The 850 that I recently acquired from the flee bay market.first tank of gas through it was unimpressive. I checked for air leaks didn't find any. I did just put a kit in the carb, and only made one cut. Haven't had any play time yet. Here's a piston pic, maybe this has something to do with it?

Whats compression show? I have several 82cc Macs 155 plus they are healthy you get down in the 120-140 they run fine just dont show the guts of their youth so to speak. lots of times a set of rings will wake them up.

 

[knightmax]

And FWIW, I have a relatively fresh PM850 that I enjoy using. It is equipped with a 28" bar, I have several chain options but all are full comp chisel or semi-chisel. I find that works well for the hardwoods we have in this area.

I have bucked some bigger stuff with and SP80 and and SP81and they are a bit lighter in weight and more nimble with the smaller clutch cover but I wouldn't be quite as broken hearted if I had a problem with the 850.

In a head to head test a few years ago with most of the 82cc models the PM850 proved to be the fastest in 24" sycamore log. The PM8200 was also pretty good, the DE80 was lagging but it was lower on compression. The SP 80 and 81 were also right in there. At the end of the day, which ever saw is the freshest and has the sharpest chain will be the best.

Mark

Mark,

I have never seen a DE80 that will match the other 82cc saws. Fine saws the 80 they seem to have the torque but just don't make the RPMs. My best runner is an SP81, with an 850 block.But I have a US chromed jug, new crank, rod, piston, rings, bearings, seal the works in an 850 that hasn't had enough fuel through to be broke in yet that has potential lol. I have noticed that sometimes some saws just run better that others. I have went over some of them time and time again trying to figure out and apparent differences in them and I cant. Like you stated I believe (excluding the DE80) SP80-8200 all things being equal its a coin toss as to the best. They all bring a smile to my face when I bury them in wood. And them one day I picked up a 125. and the smile grew broader. The 82cc saws suddenly seems a bit slow for the first time in my life, and I said "Self, we got to get one of these!" and there in is another story lol

 

[knightmax]

Thanks Ron
I just spent about an hour looking for a SP81 for sale. I only found one on the net. It looked as if it was dragged behind a skidder.
I'm beginning to think I shouldn't be picky about what 82cc to look for.
Clint

Clint, we are not that far apart. I will keep my eyes open for ya. Lots of folks in my world know I am McCrazy and now I get calls from folks I grew up with that start with "Max, we were out going through Grandads old work shed and found an old Mcculloch. Figured you would want to look at it" One just never knows what the next yellow saw may be! Its like a treasure hunt! I have been know to ride around to farms and drive up and ask them if they have any old McCulloch saws. Lots of swings and misses but when you get that home run its worth it.

 

[matt_lamb_160]

One on eBay "mcculloch chainsaw sp81" getting plenty of bids.

 

[Syncop8r]

We don't really run skip here.

*discreetly removes skip tooth chain from shopping list*

 

[Ben79]

All this talk of 82cc Macs so I thought I'd better share the ProMac 800 I picked up over the weekend. I already have an 850, but have been on the hunt for one of these, that I could actually afford for quite some time.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[heimannm]

The black fuel tank makes it look more like a Double Eagle 80. Pull the AF cover off and let's have a look under the hood.

Mark

 

[clint53]

One on eBay "mcculloch chainsaw sp81" getting plenty of bids.

I only see one on Ebay and it's buy it now. It's in rough condition..

 

[clint53]

Clint, we are not that far apart. I will keep my eyes open for ya. Lots of folks in my world know I am McCrazy and now I get calls from folks I grew up with that start with "Max, we were out going through Grandads old work shed and found an old Mcculloch. Figured you would want to look at it" One just never knows what the next yellow saw may be! Its like a treasure hunt! I have been know to ride around to farms and drive up and ask them if they have any old McCulloch saws. Lots of swings and misses but when you get that home run its worth it.

Thanks Max.
I sent a message to a friend that is a logger. We talked on the phone this morning
He gave me two places to go and ask that are nearby.
So, we shall see.

 

[Xpropane]

I myself would like to aquire 1 more 82 cc saw. If anyone has any leads?

 

[rwoods]

I only have one running DE80 and it is almost pristine. The carb limits rpm to 10,000. But if used in big wood, few work saws will see higher speeds. In my experience, all of the 82cc MACs run about the same bucking larger logs. If tuned lean, they can really scream - if you want them to last you will default to slightly rich. There sweet spot per specs I have seen is around 9500. IIRC the Stihl 500i has the same spot though it may rev to 14,000 as opposed to 13,000 to 13,500 on a MAC 82cc.

Ron

ABOVE NO LOAD RPM NUMBERS ARE WRONG FOR THE MACs S/B 12,300 TO 12,500. SORRY, RON 9:16 PM

 

[Brian Thacker]

And FWIW, I have a relatively fresh PM850 that I enjoy using. It is equipped with a 28" bar, I have several chain options but all are full comp chisel or semi-chisel. I find that works well for the hardwoods we have in this area.

I have bucked some bigger stuff with and SP80 and and SP81and they are a bit lighter in weight and more nimble with the smaller clutch cover but I wouldn't be quite as broken hearted if I had a problem with the 850.

In a head to head test a few years ago with most of the 82cc models the PM850 proved to be the fastest in 24" sycamore log. The PM8200 was also pretty good, the DE80 was lagging but it was lower on compression. The SP 80 and 81 were also right in there. At the end of the day, which ever saw is the freshest and has the sharpest chain will be the best.

Mark

Mark & Clint

A few years ago Ron and I done a comparison on the 82cc saws that we owned. 2 PM800s, 1 PM805, 1 DE80 and a 1 PM850. Same log, Same bar and chain. We switched that bar and chain between saws. If you look back through post it had some very good information

Brian