MCCULLOCH The official McCulloch thread

[heimannm]

I don't know if you saw any of the posts when Mike Jackson visited me last year. Mike's dad Bob worked at McCulloch as an electrical engineer involved with thing like the 10 Series "E" saws, primarily on the AC charger, the 170 welder, and even some of the electronic ignition development. We both lamented the fact that I never made it to Los Angeles to visit with his dad before he passed.











In the things that Mike gave me I have perhaps 17 or more copies of patents assigned to Robert V. Jackson and that was just a sample of the electrical/electronic things they were working on.


Mark

 

[Mastermind]

They were working in a wonderful time for this nation........

 

[exSW]

Did I see three BP399's and a drone engine in that one photo?

 

[heimannm]

How about some McCulloch innovations? I have just copied this list so there may be some disputed points...

1948 FIRST DIE CAST MAGNESIUM CHAIN SAW.
1948 FIRST 50 POUND CHAIN SAW.
1948 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A WATER PROOF, AIR COOLED COIL.
1948 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A SHORT STROKE, HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE.

1949 FIRST 25 POUND CHAIN SAW
1949 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH AN ALL POSITION CARBURETOR AND FUEL PUMP
1949 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A WICK FILTER TYPE FUEL PICKUP.
1949 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A RIGHT HAND STARTER

1951 FIRST BALANCED ENGINE CHAIN SAW TO REDUCE VIBRATION

1953 FIRST LIGHT WEIGHT GEAR DRIVE SAW UNDER 21 LBS.

1955 FIRST CHAIN SAW TO HAVE BEARINGS IN THE PISTON TO INCREASE SERVICE LIFE.

1956 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A CARBURETOR ENCLOSED IN FILTERED AIR.

1961 FIRST LIGHT WEIGHT GASOLINE DRIVEN AC-DC WELDER

1962 FIRST BALANCED PISTON ENGINE CHAIN SAW
1962 FIRST CHAIN SAW TO SELF SHARPEN CHAIN
1962 FIRST CHAIN SAW MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD TO MAKE OVER ONE MILLION SAWS.

1963 FIRST U.S. CHAIN SAW MANUFACTURER TO OPEN A PLANT IN EUROPE.
1963 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH AN IDLE SPEED GOVERNOR.
1963 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A SPARK ARRESTOR SCREEN

1965 FIRST 10 POUND CHAIN SAW

1966 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH AN ELECTRIC STARTER
1966 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH DSP. (DECOMPRESSION VALVE STARTING)
1966 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A REED-TYPE SOUND SILENCING MUFFLER

1967 FIRST CHAIN SAW MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD TO MAKE OVER TWO MILLION SAWS.

1968 FIRST 6 POUND CHAIN SAW

1970 FIRST 6 POUND CLASS CHAIN SAW DESIGNED AND BUILT EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OCCASIONAL USER.

I will add:
Innovative overrunning clutch on the starter (3-25 through 77 models) to prevent "snap back" of the starter rope
Innovative chain coupling system using a master link rather than spun/peened rivets
Innovative automatic chain lubrication using "crankcase residue", the Lubri-Mac system on early D30, D36, 1-40, and 1-50 saws
Innovative chain cutter design - Pintail chain
Innovative "single needle" carburetor on the 10 Series
Innovative fixe rim sprockets
Innovative chain oil directed through the bar to the nose
One of the first combination systems with the water pump kit for the 99
More combination systems with the 33/35/39 Series including several drill options, brush cutter, ice/earth auger, later on including the "Roto Pruner" as a alternative to the pole saw
Early entry to the kart engine craze
Amazing forethought in design, the same oil tank that works on the D-44 can be fit to the SP125 30 years later

Mark

 

[heimannm]

I had the drone engine and one BP399-T before Mike's visit...the air compressor, shop vac, and two BP399's were part of the package.

Mark

 

[bikemike]

I don't know if you saw any of the posts when Mike Jackson visited me last year. Mike's dad Bob worked at McCulloch as an electrical engineer involved with thing like the 10 Series "E" saws, primarily on the AC charger, the 170 welder, and even some of the electronic ignition development. We both lamented the fact that I never made it to Los Angeles to visit with his dad before he passed.

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In the things that Mike gave me I have perhaps 17 or more copies of patents assigned to Robert V. Jackson and that was just a sample of the electrical/electronic things they were working on.


Mark

I like that twin and the ww11 target engine

 

[fossil]

How about some McCulloch innovations? I have just copied this list so there may be some disputed points...

1948 FIRST DIE CAST MAGNESIUM CHAIN SAW.
1948 FIRST 50 POUND CHAIN SAW.
1948 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A WATER PROOF, AIR COOLED COIL.
1948 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A SHORT STROKE, HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE.

1949 FIRST 25 POUND CHAIN SAW
1949 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH AN ALL POSITION CARBURETOR AND FUEL PUMP
1949 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A WICK FILTER TYPE FUEL PICKUP.
1949 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A RIGHT HAND STARTER

1951 FIRST BALANCED ENGINE CHAIN SAW TO REDUCE VIBRATION

1953 FIRST LIGHT WEIGHT GEAR DRIVE SAW UNDER 21 LBS.

1955 FIRST CHAIN SAW TO HAVE BEARINGS IN THE PISTON TO INCREASE SERVICE LIFE.

1956 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A CARBURETOR ENCLOSED IN FILTERED AIR.

1961 FIRST LIGHT WEIGHT GASOLINE DRIVEN AC-DC WELDER

1962 FIRST BALANCED PISTON ENGINE CHAIN SAW
1962 FIRST CHAIN SAW TO SELF SHARPEN CHAIN
1962 FIRST CHAIN SAW MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD TO MAKE OVER ONE MILLION SAWS.

1963 FIRST U.S. CHAIN SAW MANUFACTURER TO OPEN A PLANT IN EUROPE.
1963 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH AN IDLE SPEED GOVERNOR.
1963 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A SPARK ARRESTOR SCREEN

1965 FIRST 10 POUND CHAIN SAW

1966 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH AN ELECTRIC STARTER
1966 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH DSP. (DECOMPRESSION VALVE STARTING)
1966 FIRST CHAIN SAW WITH A REED-TYPE SOUND SILENCING MUFFLER

1967 FIRST CHAIN SAW MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD TO MAKE OVER TWO MILLION SAWS.

1968 FIRST 6 POUND CHAIN SAW

1970 FIRST 6 POUND CLASS CHAIN SAW DESIGNED AND BUILT EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OCCASIONAL USER.

I will add:
Innovative overrunning clutch on the starter (3-25 through 77 models) to prevent "snap back" of the starter rope
Innovative chain coupling system using a master link rather than spun/peened rivets
Innovative automatic chain lubrication using "crankcase residue", the Lubri-Mac system on early D30, D36, 1-40, and 1-50 saws
Innovative chain cutter design - Pintail chain
Innovative "single needle" carburetor on the 10 Series
Innovative fixe rim sprockets
Innovative chain oil directed through the bar to the nose
One of the first combination systems with the water pump kit for the 99
More combination systems with the 33/35/39 Series including several drill options, brush cutter, ice/earth auger, later on including the "Roto Pruner" as a alternative to the pole saw
Early entry to the kart engine craze
Amazing forethought in design, the same oil tank that works on the D-44 can be fit to the SP125 30 years later

Mark

Reading all that info would make one think you're heavily into Mac's Mark.

 

[raumati01]

I just picked up a 2-10, are they orphans to find parts for or are there a few around?

 

[heimannm]

Most parts are easy to find, only a few are really expensive like the fuel tank gasket but there are workarounds for that. If you have one of the earlier models with the peculiar "bullfrog" carburetor you will have some learning ahead of you.



And in true McCulloch fashion, there are at least 5 variants to that carburetor.

Mark

 

[WOODS]

Mark,

Wasn't McCulloch first with the chain brake either by invention or standard application?

Some members may want to run me off for sharing this tidbit, but many years ago two of my partners brought the first product liability case in the South against Stihl for not adopting chain brakes. A McCulloch engineer testified as their expert witness against Stihl. Who knows how many deaths and serious injuries have since been prevented particularly in areas where bow saws were prevalent.

Ron

 

[fossil]

I don't see Mac in this one which means zip but some dates of patent filings for chain brakes by some companies.

https://www.google.com/patents/US8176643

Mac in this one

http://www.google.com/patents/US3934345

 

[WOODS]

Tim, I can't say I understand the patent you first list but it was filed in 2006. The MAC patent was filed in 1974. The lawsuit I mentioned was in 1977. Ron

 

[fossil]

Ron,

Scroll right to the bottom and it gives a list of similar patents and includes a bunch on chain brakes. I've subsequently found a US patent filed on April 11, 1972 by Partner AB. Patent application US3776331 A

There are lots of subsequent ones at a later date likely concerning inertia brakes.

All this info means is that someone filed at an earlier date but it certainly doesn't mean they had the first brake out on product in the market place. Mac may well have been the first to put it into production. From what I've seen, certainly one of the sturdiest and most durable designs out there.

I'm surprised Stihl didn't claim to be the first. Like they claim first side chain tension adjuster. Check the Homelite Super 650. And, the first one man chainsaw in 1951 I think. Check the IEL Beaver in 1946.

 

[WOODS]

Interesting stuff. Looks likes Jonsereds Fabrikers Ab started the application to chainsaws in 1971 with MAC, Homelite, Stihl and Husky quickly following - all seem complicated compared to where MAC finally landed.

Ron

 

[fossil]

If you look at the patent applications, the inventor is stated.

At Mac it was a gentleman by the name of Sidney Hirschkoff

If you google his name as inventor:"Sidney Hirschkoff" you can see what patents were in his name at McCulloch.

 

[heimannm]

Mike Jackson call tonight to let me know he put another box of memorabilia together.

I think McCulloch claimed to be the first to put chain brakes on all their saws, something like "safety is not an option".

Mark

 

[WOODS]

Mark, you are too kind. Thank you. Ron

 

[WOODS]

A little mayhem today. Just cut five trees with the PM800; the rest were cut today with some off-brand saw. Mostly poplar that were cut to make a road back to the better firewood. Only one weekend left before the Florida wood chunking crew arrives. Ron

 

[WOODS]

Mark,

The PM800 is not auto oiling. This particular saw has never oiled properly. I have changed/checked about everything on it except the pulse path. How does it route, and if not obvious, how do I check it for a blockage?

Ron

 

[heimannm]

When you remove the automatic oil pump, you will see the pulse path straight into the crankcase.



With the automatic oil pump off, check to make sure it is pumping by operating the piston manually. Oil will be drawn into the green circled port and discharged out of the red circled port.



If the manual oiler works but the automatic does not, chances are the piston is stuck. I found a few that had broken out the center of the phenolic disc.



Did you try adjusting the flow by backing out the screw in the top of the automatic pump?

Mark