I finally had a chance to cut with my Craftsman 3.4 (Poulan 3400) today.
What a monster! (Compared of course to my old Homelite and my Makita saws - Don't have experience with anything bigger, except an 028 I used a couple times).
This saw is definitely as good as any I've used. I am still running a lot of oil in the mix (14:1 with 89 Octane) but the thing still screams.
Once I run something like 20:1 and do that muffler mod, I'm sure it will be a real demon.
The only dumb thing about today: Trying to cut through a gnarly stump (Birch). Dulled the chain real quick. Didn't hit the ground or anything, but it was below where the tree was twinned.
Guessing this wasn't a smart idea, and that the sucker needs to be pulled.
This is why I am a greenhorn. Being a carpenter and woodworker doesn't mean I know much about felling trees apparently.
:jester:
In my 3700 and 4000 I run 50:1 ratio, use Tanaka one mix oil and never had a problem no matter what type of equipment I've used it in.