One more shootout discussion: 288xp vs 390xp

[Cut4fun]

390 has a proprietary bearing on the clutch side. ...288 uses regular 6203s. Both sides....iirc.

Downside to the 288 is parts availability. ...but I'll bet the Chinese r gonna solve that issue.

Same bearing set up that the poulan used on pto side. then the 385 did and 390.

 

[Mattyo]

ya, and I think the poulan bearing has same part #, and is only $20 as opposed to $30-40. ...

 

[Cut4fun]

Suk part about that style of bearing set up. I have one with just a seal leaking on pto side. Bearings are good. Have to split it to fix.

 

[Mattyo]

you CAN change just the seal, supposedly it isn't super easy though

 

[huskyboy]

They are. Good running saws as well. I wish parts weren't so hard to come by

Ever compare the Johnny flywheel to other saws? I couldn't believe size of flywheel on this thing when I had it off, about twice the size of 372 flywheel. Bigger than 056 magnum and 394xp flywheels as well despite smaller displacement. That mass probably is why it's torquey saw.

 

[mdavlee]

Yeah I noticed that.

 

[Cut4fun]

you CAN change just the seal, supposedly it isn't super easy though

OK show me how to remove this seal and replace. Because I have failed trying in past.

 

[mdavlee]

OK show me how to remove this seal and replace. Because I have failed trying in past.


View attachment 65876

That the same as the 385?

 

[Cut4fun]

That the same as the 385?

Yep the one that came out before the 385

 

[mdavlee]

Yep the one that came out before the 385

I had one seal. I never tried to replace it.

 

[Cut4fun]

I had one seal. I never tried to replace it.

I've tried pulling just the seal and it just tears. I gave up.

It shows 2 piece set. But never been able to separate to do just seal.

 

[mdavlee]

I'm sure it's a pain to pull it.

 

[Cut4fun]

I have never seen or heard of anyone just doing a pto side seal on one. Like to see it to learn from.

 

[Mattyo]

Hence why I want nothing to do with these saws from now on. This type of bologna drives me nutso.

 

[mdavlee]

I'll take a few weird things over some of the other series of saws.

 

[dustinwilt68]

It's all about learning, makes you appreciate them that much more. I like the challenge.

 

[Mattyo]

My 385xp was one of the first saws I worked over heavily... port work etc. I put a lot of $$ into that saw to get it back up and running well, including a new PTO bearing. That PTO bearing has been a bone of contention since I got the saw. I just sold it... no more of that for me. If I need a big saw, gonna stick with the 394. its so much simpler in that regards. I can pop out either crank seal in seconds and have a new one in stupidly fast with no worries. My 372xp is like a 385xp that is smaller. ...and in reality the only thing that is different is smaller bearings (6202's vs 6203/proprietary) and a wonky pto seal/bushing setup. for now i'll put up with the 372 wonky seal setup rather than $40 proprietary bearings. but to each his own

 

[mdavlee]

I've only changed seals once without changing bearings anyway. I don't see the reason to dump a series of saws over a part that's changed once every 1k hours

 

[Jimmy in NC]

Just going to put this here...

I was leaning pretty hard. 3/8 skip with my square, 32". ....and I forgot to add oil and it ran out half way through the first cut...its got more left in it.

 

[Mattyo]

Very nice.