Chainsaws Oleo-Mac | Reviews 2023

Chainsaws produced by the Italian company Oleo-Mac have been known to domestic users for more than two decades, at least. The company offers chainsaws for any purpose, differing in power, tire length and performance level. The full range includes dozens of models (including electric and battery varieties), here are also presented those that are new and the most popular types. We publish a description and reviews.

Table of Contents

Oleo-Mac GS 630

Chainsaw

ENGINE: 63.2 cm³
POWER: 3.5 kW (4.6 HP)
TIRE: 18-20 “(45-50 cm)
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 5.8 kg
FEATURES: “internal” leading sprocket; primer; fastening the brake shield to the cover; front tensioner, on the body; adjustable oil pump
NEW

Chainsaws Oleo-Mac GS series are designed for intensive use and professional use. This group includes a variety of saws, from fairly light all-rounders to “felling” saws. Moreover, the models in the series differ not only in engine power, but also in performance features.

Oleo-Mac GS 630 is a novelty, which is expected to appear on the Russian market in 2021. The saw is one of the most powerful in the entire range. In appearance and design features, it is quite close to the previously produced Oleo-Mac 962 chainsaw. The main external differences: the color scheme has been changed (on the new model, the air filter cover is made in the “corporate” orange color, while the “962” had it gray) and a new muffler was installed – with a catalytic converter. The inner difference is more significant. This saw is equipped with a new engine with a displacement of 63.2 cm3 (on the Oleo-Mac 962 – 61.2 cm3). As a result, the model complies with the European ecological standard Euro-5. The saw is designed to work with 18-20 “tires (many Oleo-Mac chainsaws have trim options that vary in bar length).

Oleo-Mac GSH40

Chainsaw

ENGINE: 38.9 cm³
POWER: 1.7 kW (2.3 HP)
TIRE: 16 “(40 cm)
CHAIN (pitch x link thickness): ³ / ₈ “x 1.3 mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 0.32 L
OIL TANK CAPACITY: 0.22 L
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 4.5 kg
FEATURES: “internal” leading sprocket; primer; fastening the brake shield to the cover; side tensioner (mechanism in the cover); damper “winter-summer”; toolless access to the filter; lightweight starting system (spring in the starter); adjustable oil pump
PRICE (Moscow, October 2020): 10,990 rubles.

The Oleo-Mac GSH series is a range of utility saws for periodic work. All models of the series are relatively inexpensive, but at the same time, the design uses solutions inherent in professional technology. The chainsaw has an original design, a rather high power density for its class, is equipped with an engine with a nickel-coated cylinder liner and two rings on the piston. The motors on all Oleo-Mac saws are classified as “high-speed” (the maximum speed averages 12,000-13,000 rpm, here 12,800). The most important user feature of this model is the use of a single selector lever to control the choke and engine shutdown. Technically, such a switch is more complicated than “separate control”, but it is more convenient to operate and, moreover, simplifies the process of starting the engine. Besides, The chainsaw is equipped with an oil pump in an aluminum housing with zero lubricant consumption at idle speed. The pump performance can be adjusted – for this, a hole is provided in the lower part of the saw, not far from the axis of the drive sprocket, inside which there is a special screw. Another rare feature found on many Oleo-Mac saws is the winter / summer flap located in the partition between the engine and the air filter. In the cold season (when the air temperature is below 5 ° C), it is opened in order to slightly “dilute” the cold outside air entering the carburetor with warm air from the engine. This measure reduces the likelihood of freezing of the air filter and carburetor during winter operation. At air temperatures above 10 ° C, the damper must be moved to the closed position.

Oleo-Mac GSH51 | GSH56

Chain Saws

ENGINE: 50.9 | 54.5 cm³
POWER: 2.2 | 2.6 kW (3.0 | 3.5 HP)
TIRE: 18 “(45 cm)
CHAIN (Pitch x Shank Thickness): 0.325 “x 1.3mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 0.55 L
OIL TANK CAPACITY: 0.26 L
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 5.3 | 5.4 kg
FEATURES: “internal” replaceable drive sprocket; primer; fastening the brake shield to the cover; side tensioner (mechanism in the cover); toolless access to the filter; adjustable oil pump
PRICE (Moscow, October 2020): 13 990 | RUB 15,990

Household class models with a fairly high power and light weight. The engines installed on them are more powerful and more economical than simple two-stroke analogs with the same displacement, provide higher torque and have a lower operating temperature, which contributes to an increase in resource. The saws are equipped with a Japanese Walbro carburetor and an Oregon headset with “high speed” chains. The swap button – primer makes it easier to start. The power of the motors is sufficient to work with tires of increased (in comparison with “medium”) length. The crankshafts on the saws of this series are forged, consist of three parts, the cylinder has a special nickel-based coating to increase wear resistance – this is usually used on some “expensive” saws, more often of a professional class. These two models are equipped with separate controls,

One of the essential features of chainsaws for some users is the relative position of the drive sprocket and the clutch mechanism. Most Oleo-Mac saws use an “outside” clutch – the sprocket is behind it, closer to the crankcase. One of the advantages of this arrangement is that the center of gravity is located closer to the plane of the tire than for saws with “internal” grip; during operation, such a saw tends to “turn” less about the plane of the cut. The chain tensioning system is structurally more complicated than the “ordinary” screw and nut-tensioner. The tensioning mechanism is assembled in the side cover of the saw; to carry out this adjustment, rotate the screw located perpendicular to the tire. Air filter and spark plug access is simplified. The cover that covers them is removed and installed without the use of tools – it is attached to one wing nut.

Oleo-Mac GS 371

Chainsaw

ENGINE: 35.2 cm³
POWER: 1.8 kW (2.4 HP)
TIRE: 14 “(35 cm)
CHAIN (pitch x shank thickness): ³ / ₈ “x 1.3 mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 0.32 L
OIL TANK CAPACITY: 0.22 L
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 4.3 kg
FEATURES: “internal” leading sprocket; primer; fastening the brake shield to the cover; side tensioner (mechanism in the cover); lightweight starting system (spring in the starter); damper “winter-summer”; toolless access to the filter; adjustable oil pump
PRICE (Moscow, October 2020): 20,990 rubles.

This and the following models of Oleo-Mac saws are representatives of the already mentioned Oleo-Mac GS series, of different power categories. They have long been known in the Russian market, used by both private users and professionals.

Oleo-Mac GS 371 – a new model in the line, refers to the “light”, but at the same time has a high power density. It is enough to compare its weight and power with similar parameters for saws of the “household” series, for example, the Oleo-Mac GSH40, also presented in this review. It differs from the previously offered Oleo-Mac GS 370 by the updated design of many elements, the gray color of the top cover (the air filter cover remained orange), the appearance of an easy start system, a primer, an adjustable oil pump and a transparent sight glass to control the fuel level in the design.

The model is suitable for operation at any time of the year – there is a winter-summer damper (Ice Device system). They control the start and stop of the engine with a single multifunctional lever.

Oleo-Mac GS 411

Chainsaw

ENGINE: 39.0 cm³
POWER: 1.9 kW (2.6 HP)
TIRE: 16 “(40 cm)
CHAIN (Pitch x Shank Thickness): 0.325 “x 1.3mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 0.32 L
OIL TANK CAPACITY: 0.22 L
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 4.4 kg
FEATURES: “internal” leading sprocket; primer; fastening the brake shield to the cover; side tensioner (mechanism in the cover); damper “winter-summer”; toolless access to the filter; lightweight starting system (spring in the starter); adjustable oil pump
PRICE (Moscow, October 2020): 22,990 rubles.

A versatile mid-range chainsaw suitable for felling and sawing small trees.

These saws are often called “farm” saws. The saw is equipped with an economical and powerful motor, it is distinguished by its ease of operation and the presence of systems and devices that facilitate operation and adjustment. The crankshaft is forged, the cylinder is nickel-coated. Magneto – electronically controlled, provides high power spark ignition at the optimum time. For the convenience of starting, a primer and a starting aid system are provided – an additional spring in the starter mechanism. This model is also equipped with a winter-summer damper (Ice Device system). The oil pump is automatic, aluminum, with zero flow at idle (as, indeed, on all modern Oleo-Mac saws), has the ability to adjust the flow. The chainsaw is equipped with a multifunction control lever, side chain tensioner, reusable mesh nylon air filter,

Oleo-Mac GS 451

Chainsaw

ENGINE: 42.9 cm³
POWER: 2.1 kW (2.9 HP)
TIRE: 18 “(45 cm)
CHAIN (Pitch x Shank Thickness): 0.325 “x 1.5mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 0.32 L
OIL TANK CAPACITY: 0.22 L
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 4.5 kg
FEATURES: “internal” leading sprocket; primer; fastening the brake shield to the cover; side tensioner (mechanism in the cover); damper “winter-summer”; toolless access to the filter; lightweight starting system (spring in the starter); adjustable oil pump
PRICE (Moscow, October 2020): 28 990 rubles.

The Oleo-Mac GS 451 chainsaw is very close in its basic characteristics to the Oleo-Mac GS 440 model, but at the same time it has a number of rather significant differences and features. First of all, this is an engine of a different design – with an exhaust gas recirculation system. However, this difference refers to “invisible”, especially since other features of the engine have not changed (forged crankshaft, nickel-plated cylinder, two piston rings). Of those differences that directly affect the user, it should be noted the Easy-On starting aid system – an additional spring in the starter mechanism (on the Oleo-Mac GS 440, starting is facilitated by a manually operated decompression valve). The anti-vibration system includes three spring and two rubber shock absorbers. Another original feature, which, in principle, is rarely found on gasoline saws,

Oleo-Mac GS 650

Chainsaw

ENGINE: 63.4 cm³
POWER: 3.5 kW (4.7 HP)
TIRE: 18 “(45 cm)
CHAIN (pitch x shank thickness): ³ / ₈ “x 1.5 mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 0.8 L
OIL TANK CAPACITY: 0.45 L
WEIGHT (without bar and chain): 6.5 kg
FEATURES: “outer” replaceable drive sprocket; fastening the brake shield at two points; side tensioner (mechanism in the cover); damper “winter-summer”; toolless access to the filter (snap-on cover); decompression valve; adjustable oil pump
PRICE (Moscow, October 2020): 39,990 rubles

Professional grade saw with high power density, designed for sawing large trees. The design of a number of units of this saw differs significantly from solutions used on less powerful models. Engine – with one piston ring, to reduce friction, cylinder liner walls – with nickel-plated coating. The drive sprocket is “outer”, easily removable, the clutch is “closer to the center”. The brake flap is not fixed on the side cover, but on the saw body, and at two points (less likely to damage the flap on impact). As standard, the saw is equipped with a tire 45 cm long, allows the installation of “felling” tires up to 70 cm long. In addition, the user can use a saw headset with a different pitch and shank width: the drive sprocket is made separately from the clutch basket. The engine crankcase is cast from an aluminum alloy. The anti-vibration system consists of four springs and two rubber dampers. The cover that covers the air filter and spark plug is fastened with special latches.