McCulloch M3414 / M3616 / M3816 / M4218 / M4620

Maybe I got lucky – Respect to other reviews but I seem to have got lucky. At times dont use it for a year but starts and runs fine. A possible advantage for me is that I dont use it for sustained periods. Just some trees when they fall and camp fire wood.

Stay away from thus chain saw – Petrol tank is very small good for 5 min of work, engine is very weak chain will stop when you cut. Chain itself is rubbish and constant problem with starts. To start engine sometimes will take 10 min ! Show details

Great tough little chainsaw , been great – Bloody tough midsized chainsaw , can’t fault it , I just changed the spark plug after 6 years ,cuts any timber you can throw at it , apart from going through some chains it handles some big logs Show details

Time waster – From day 1 just a problem 2 many to list. Loose chain, sucks air, chain oil blocks, returned 3 times to agent - fixed and lasted 5 min on average.Local repairer won't touch. Show details

A hidden gem of a chainsaw – I bought as a landowner to clear fire load and for wood collection, and I have fairly cained the guts out of it...but never had any problems at all The hidden jem with these is they are a cheap chainsaw however made by husky badged mculloch! If you have one the original chain is rubbish toss it! Get a decent Oregon chain chisel cut seriously… Read more

you wont look back.

For the price I paid , this bit of kit has more than earnt his keep and still keeps going.

Keep the spark plug in good nick and service regular. The chain tensioner sometimes gives me the craps but I also have to be honest the large old knurled ironbark or termite filled york gum..I'm cutting through has stopped sthil/echo chainsaws nothing to do with the chainsaws its just bloody hard. (So fair call on the chain tensioner )

At the moment I just cant fault it

Great cheap chainsaw ...they have been unfortunately discontinued. ....

Great little chainsaw – Got this saw second hand 2 years ago.. I had a brand new McCullough from Bunnings 36cc, which died in the first month.. This older model is a completely different machine.. I cut a lot of wood, 10 to 12 ton a season.. And this machine has run non stop since the dsy I got it .. I put a 16 inch bar and new chain on it and sharpen it every week.. I… Read more

run 25:1 oil petrol mix and it starts every time and cuts great, yes chain needs tightening every few days... The anti vibration Spring snapped today, which I will spend the $30 to replace. This is the only thing that's has gone wrong in 2 years.. I can't justify getting a new saw when this does everything I need, I run a wood fire for 5 months a year, 24 hr... If you can get your hands on a US MADE older McCulloch, you won't be disappointed. It's not a husky, but nor is the price..

Top Chainsaw – This chainsaw is easy to start and use .I have had mine or a few years and have had good service from this machine . I use it mainly for trimming trees both at home and for customers of my home and garden maintenance business. The machine is well balanced and performs all tasks with ease.  Show details

Excellent saw – Have been using the saw continually for 3 years now with no issues. I have had many saws, husky, stihl, solo and all including this one have been very good. I cut normally large hardwood trees but do full maintenance and chain service after each use. Sharp chain, clean saw, clean filters and flow starting procedure place less strain on the saw and… Read more

makes light work of large cutting jobs. I feel many comments made about this saw by some lacking experience are totally unjustified. Engine is made in the USA, bar and chain are made by Oregon and the rest of the saw made by husqvana the parent company.

Cheep and cheerfull – I've Given it a good going for 3 years now keeping my wood pile stacked after getting it second hand. Follow the starting procedure and it would start with no problems. Typical I would spend half a day each weekend through winter cutting through eucalypts of one sort or another. The chain tensioner is a bit dubious but never found any big… Read more ·  1

issues with it.

Loosen the knob and the spring would tension the chain up and re tighten the knob.

Relaxing the chain and refitting the cover was a bit tedious but - so is cutting firewood :-)

Unfortunately yesterday it decided it was going to be difficult to start and once it started it would not idle and lacked power. I'll pull it apart and give it a clean and see how it goes

For the hundred bucks I paid for it I can't complain - I've spent more on chains over the last 3 years.

No prpoblems with M4218 – I purchased a M4218 from Bunnings over 2 years ago. I have used to cut up a few quite large pine trees from my yard, some of which were stretching it a bit due to their girth, but it did a great job. I found it a great light weight little saw, with no problems starting and handling. The only maintenance has been having chain re-sharpened. I… Read more

regard it as a good little handyman saw. Using the correct starting technique and ensuring correct 40/1 fuel mix is something I am diligent about. From a value-for-money point of view I rate it highly from my experience.

works very well if treated well – my M4620 has served me well over 4 winters cutting hardwood all the time. sufficient power, starts quite easily providing you follow the simple instructions and idles/revs cleanly.Nothing has malfunctioned or broken so far. Only negative is chain adjuster, it's not nearly as user friendly/effective as the simple locknut/screw systems as on my… Read more

stihls but providing you check tension regularily is not a big deal, remember bar must be tensioned upwards when tightening and the tension will change as it is tightened so recheck before use.

the Husky involvement in this brand is I consider a positive, I think they now own McCullough.

I feel that some bad reviews for saws are attributed to the owners lack of experience or unduely high expectations of performance/reliability most especially with budget brands, you do to a large extent get what you pay for

These bad reviews are spot on! – I bought the M4218 second hand, near new condition. It worked for half a tank load of fuel and then stopped. Tried to start it again and the cord couldn't move the fly wheel. On closer inspection the piston had seized or stuck in the barrel. I took out the spark plug and squirted some WD40 into the chamber, left it for 15 mins and when I returned… Read more

I could move the fly wheel about an inch. I squirted some oil in there and eventually it came free. I switched to 25:1 fuel mix instead of the recommended 40:1 and it hasn't seized up since.

The reviewer who said the chain tightening mechanism is dangerous is right. Well I wouldn't say it's dangerous. I've had plenty of chains break or run off the bar. It's a million one shot it could harm you because of the triangular bit of metal on the bottom of the saw and the sprocket cover and chain brake. But there so called easy tensioning systems are rubbish. How are they quicker and easier to use? What's hard and time consuming about loosening two nuts slightly and turning a screw clockwise?

Anyway, despite the fact that the oil pump was working and oil was oozing out the side of the machine, it wasn't finding its way on to the bar. The hole on the bar is clean and it matches up with the outlet on the saw but the oil was just dripping through the machine, down to the ground.

It went for a tank load of fuel and then we I refueled it, I couldn't get it to go. I don't think the primer does anything. It would fire on full choke but once you begin to slowly push the choke back in it would die.

I cleaned the spark plug, air filter.

It is Chinese rubbish, stamped made in PRC. What happened to you Mcculloch you used to make great saws in the 60s, 70s and 80s every bit as good as Stihls and Husqvarnas. This is the third Chinese saw I've bought and they've all ended up being returned or in land fill. I just want a light saw for the smaller stuff because my lower back is getting sick of holding on to my heavy 65cc Stihl and Husky.

Steer clear of this Chinese rubbish and Baum-r AG and ROK and probably all Chinese saws for that matter. You'd be better of buying a second hand Stihl or Husky off Gumtree if you don't want to spend money on the ridiculous over-priced $1300 that Stihl and Husqvarna charge for their 60cc models. Echo, jonsered and partner are supposed to be great. I don't know why the chinese can't make a half decent saw, there's not a lot of complexity to a single pistoned engine like these. Perhaps if we insist that the poor workers get a decent wage and stop being exploited and we're prepared to pay more for these saws, the quality will improve dramatically. That I only lost $50 on the piece of junk Carburetor, ignition system, chain tensioning system, really everything about the saw is bad quality

Dangerous barchain tensioner – Bought from Masters returned it when the chain became loose immediately after tightening the chain tensioner time after time. Told me I had to contact a rep store to repair under warranty. In Queensland this is illegal! As they sell the product it is THEIR obligation to get the product repaired not me running around! However I was not aware of… Read more

this at the time and got it repaired under warranty. Bar was replaced with new chain. Just started cutting firewood and guess what? Every 2nd cut chain loose! Even with continual tensioning the chain came off twice. When undoing tensioner inspecting what was going on bar snapped back to the correct position. This unit in my view is the most unsafe chainsaw I have operated. Luckily the safety bar for the chain coming off stopped possible serious hand injuries. I've owned McCulloch chainsaws previous to this with no issues, but these were the basic chain tensioner units. I can see what they are trying to achieve but safety first! Good engine New dangerous bar tensioner

OK for a year or so. Then......... time for recycling – The unit started ok for the first few months then had problems starting when hot. Took to local repair shop, tuned etc. Was ok for a while then started having problems again. Got it tuned again! I ended up putting on a Sthil chain and wow did it cut nice. Again the saw would start ok then after running for a while would simply conk out. Managed to… Read more

get it going a few times. But alas the saw is no more.

Bought an EFCO instead. This is a world apart in quality and starting ease. Will never buy McCulloch chainsaw again. Great when new. Hard to start, harder to keep running,

M3616 no problems with mine – Have had this chainsaw for around five years and is running strong i have used it for mainly light odd jobs around the house but as of late it has been taking on some heavy fire wooding jobs. The only issue i have had is losing teeth from the chain but in saying that i am using it to cut 70 year old rail sleepers :). Was one of the more pricey… Read more ·  3

units but we are talking bunnings! so cheap really.

I did find i have to adjust chain tension more than i would like but no biggie .

Seems i got a good unit starts first pop and has never given any major problems. Price and has run without fault for me Will not hold chain tension well

The savings will cost you – Thought I'd go for the top of the range at Masters. Apparently McCulloch quality isn't what it used to be. Had trouble starting it by the third use. Struggled to cut gum for fire wood. Disappointed with the performance. I would not recommend any one buy this saw for what it is meant to do. Returned it to Masters. Value for money Performance. Trouble starting it.

Spent most of the warranty in repair – To use the words of their own warranty guy, cheap chinese junk that he wouldnt waste money on. Absolute rubbish. Got it at Bunnings, used it the second time and the motor ceased. Took a month for their repairer to get it back. A few uses later, ceased again. Repaired under warranty again, but they also charged me $100, as not all parts were under… Read more

warranty. Now it's out of warranty, spent 3.5 months being repaired, won't run much higher than idle, and parts are falling off as the repairer slapped it back together. It's a pretty yellow lol.

Great saw previous reviews obviously user error – Great saw cant fault it for the money, cuts through firewood , ghost gum with ease! Previous reviews sound like tyre kickers they sell these at bunnings still, I have used mine constantly for the last couple of months with no problems except chain to be sharpened. The double inertia brake is a great safety feature Powerful reliable well priced Spare chain would be nice Show reply

McCulloch M4218 - Useless 2 – I bought from Bunnings on special. I used it for 30 - 45 mins on 6 to 12 inch logs then it cut out. Allowed to cool overnight. Ran for 5 mins - did 10 cuts. Conked out. I took it back to Bunnings and they gave me a replacement. Second unit - I double checked fuel mix to the ml. Same thing happened. Exactly. This time I took it to the dealer… Read more

and they said "user error lean fuel mix". I looked at the websites some said 40:1 another 50:1. The manual said 40:1. There is an issue here. I went back to Bunnings - they have had issues with McCullochs - they have since stopped selling these units. They gave me my money back. Well done Bunnings Mount Barker - Poor show local dealer and McCulloch. Great for 10 mins A manufacture error for sure. Fuel mix issues.

Utterly Useless! – Had it 3 weeks , used it to cut through 5 inch logs.......decided to stop and then never started ever again! Cleaned it and cleaned it some more.....gave it fuel , gave it oil......checked the McCulloch website for support ....there was NONE! Only in USA.....[inappropriate language removed] useless! On the bright side I have a great video of me… Read more

and my trusty sledge hammer beating it into many pieces!!!! Soon to go on youtube! For those who have had some luck with this product....I challenge you to come over to my property and cut some timber with me, Im sure your review on the product will change. Colour. Dosent work.

Not the McCulloch of old – If your thinking this is a McCulloch chainsaw like Dad owned think again. Its made in China and like other products in this category it is made as cheaply as possible. However it works ok if you accept that it is not a high quality product. The big problem comes when its service time. Parts in Australia - if you can find them - are obscenely… Read more

expensive. I have to get them from the US. In addition, an consistent with the new fashion, the mixture screws require a special tool which is impossible to buy in Australia although it is available in the US. If you want a saw to trim bushes in your suburban backyard this machine is ok. Any more than that and you will need to check that it fits in your rubbish bin because thats where it will end up. Cheap, lightweight Parts inavailability, using the McCulloch name in a way that is a little misleading

dud? – 'bout 20 minutes work - stopped never to go again ?? seems hand saw's the go !!! took out a 3inch stump - 1/2 way through a foot one when she stopped and that was that ! local repairman mor euseful thankfully ....... fortunately I had it on newspaper in the shed so the leaking oil didn't do too much damage .. y won't it go ??

great chain saw – We have owned our M3616 now for two years. It still starts easily, as per the specified starting routiine, which for these sorts of motors is excellent. This chain saw has now done many many hours of work. The chain is now getting blunt after many hours of work. Value for dollar, it could not be bettered. Bravo for a sound product. reliable, excellent value, does the time every time.  Show 2 replies

Early days but great chainsaw so far – I bought the chainsaw only a week ago and have used it heaps to rough out wood sculptures and cut hardwood (building natural playgrounds) I am really impressed so far, starts really easy and has all the power I need for what I do with some to spare. Great instruction book. Could not be happier. If I could recommend anything to McCulloch though,… Read more

it would be to have "Caution: Use only 2 stroke petrol (with oil additive) only or your chainsaw will self-destruct in about 15 mins" in very big writing in red bold on the cover. Seems some people simply do not get it, as a friend who owns a machinery rental company will attest to. everything: inexpensive, great instructions, starts really easy ( For a small 2 stroke engine) Non yet but it is early days