written by Urijah32 on 16/01/2015
I have had this saw for 3 years and use it to cut firewood from the Australian scrub. Timber such as Iron bark, Gidgi, and Mulga are the target each of which will test a chain saw. This inexpensive saw has dealt with all I have encountered. Spark plugs and chains are all that have been replaced although a new bar in now required. I do maintain it to a high degree of cleanliness and it is well lubed with high quality oils. It has surpassed my expectations. It is not expected to perform like a Stihl or a Husky. If I expected that I would have paid 5 times what I did and bought one.
written by on 03/12/2012
Worked first day for a half hour. started again after a short break but had a hard time getting it started, then keeping it running. Haven't used it since as it won't start. New gas, clean parts, check spark plug. Nothing. Lesson learned.
written by MrDIY on 16/11/2012
I bought my PCN-4545 some 6 years ago specifically for cutting down and cutting up a number of trees that we needed to clear from our garden. These varied in width that's why I chose an 18 inch model. I have to say that the chainsaw is very easy to use and it did a perfect job and has served me well since buying it. I have only had to replace the chain once, so that says something about it's quality, considering the use it has had. It starts without problem and seems to cope with anything. This is the first chainsaw I have ever owned and would not hesitate to buy another Ryobi. The brand is mid range but appears to be good quality. I have also had a Ryobi petrol strimmer for the same length of time, but it has had far more use and again without problem
written by on 10/06/2012
I bought a Ryobi chainsaw a view weeks ago to cut fire wood. Builders Warehouse ran a special for R 899 vs the Stilhl for R 4000. As I'm not going to use it to often, I thought that it was a good buy. I've battled 40 min to start it and exchange it. After the 3de one the shop helped me to start it, and it started everytime. But the next day it did not want to start from cold again. I've exchange it again, but also took the 4th one back for a refund. The manager said that they only get 4 out of 1000 returned, but the gent on the floor said that they are getting returns almost everyday for starting problems. PS: I bought a Robin edgetrimmer a few years ago. When I've asked him why its so expensive compare to Ryobi, he answered: " Sir, do you want to use te time to start the trimmer or rather use the time to cut your lawn?" Now I know why!
written by on 30/05/2012
Seen all the negative but ive had one for over 3 years and given it plenty of stick and its still going strong, one design fault is the oil feeder for the chain is hindered by a plate that fit over it , this stops the oil getting to the chain as some people have complained , i sorted this out easy by drilling a small hole in the plate were the oil outlet is , has worked great ever since
written by on 07/05/2012
I have had a wood burning stove for five years. This saw has kept me supplied with wood for the whole of that period and that includes a couple of very cold winters.Keep the chain sharp and don't overstress it and it wont let you down.
written by on 11/09/2011
I purchased the Ryobi PCN 4545 and wish I hadn't. With 15 hrs of use the oil pump to the chain stopped working, I thought it was a blockage at first then I stripped it down to see the parts had failed. After 20 hrs of use the Chain break would not release. the only way to use the saw was to remove the break band, this was now a very dangerious tool to use. I would NOT recommend this to anyone. The Pros to this Chainsaw are:- The colour is good.
Written on: 27/01/2012
I took 1 st personal loans when I was not very old and it aided my business very much. But, I need the car loan again.
Written on: 25/06/2012
Your doing better than I am! Still haven't gotten a chance to cut the first peice of wood with it. Dam thing is so hard to start! First it was a problem with the fuel line in the tank. Didn't have a filter on the end of it so it would float up out of the gas. Bought a filter and put on it. Next was a fuel line leaking air on the carb. What a bear to take apart! Shame on Ryobi!!! I have several Ryobi gas powered tools but this is cramp! Can't even get to the spark plug without taking the cover off. Try replcing those fuel lines!Just came in from putting it all back together and now it doesn't want to start. Just don't feel like taking it apart just to check the plug. Pulled out my old 35 year old McCaulic saw, put some fuel in it, pulled it three times and roar!
written by nanookotn on 27/08/2011
I bought 4545 with an 'oil line blockage'. Actually an oil pump failure. Replacement worm drive part ~ £10 inc delivery. Easy enough to fix. But by crikey it's a shoddy piece of kit. Hard to start sometimes for no apparent reason, cuts out if not kept within about 10 degrees of vertical and forget trying to fell anything with a horizontal cut. Did come with a nice plastic box though. So if you want a nice plastic box buy a Ryobi. If you want something that works buy a Makita, a Stihl, a Husqy etc. I do think Ryobi should adopt 'Cheap for a reason' as the company motto.
written by on 30/04/2011
This saw is a bit like a budget airline - the upfront price seems good but you'll keep paying and paying to get what you actually thought you paid for in the first place - in this case, a serviceable chainsaw!
I've had the 'chain brake binds on' problem, I fixed it using the hacksaw blade technique found at http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=101653
but now, more seriously the thing wont start - why? because theres no compression as the piston ring has failed (according to my service chap).
It is scrap after no more than 20 hours use :-(
A totally 'poor' piece of design. I have a Ryobi petrol strimmer too - can't wait for that to fail soon................will never buy this brand again.
written by on 29/03/2011
Mine is a sister machine - Homelite CSP4016. Same problem - brake locked up - sparks began to fly from the brake band. Had to disconnect the brake to use again. Cannot be safe using it this way. I notice that these machines appear to have CE stamped. I wonde if anybody seriously tested the units and still gave them certs of conformity?
written by on 12/03/2011
Ryobi PCN4545 - Works well apart from the fact that after about 20hrs the chain brake does not fully release and you have to hold it back manually to use the saw. Is it adjustable? Can it be removed? Apart from this fault the saw seems to be OK for DIY/occasinal use.
I would welcome any advice even if it is 'throw it in the bin'
Written on: 25/05/2011
i have had one and given it stick got smallholding , i sprayed wd in the clutch area and around handle bits and bobs your uncle,, I tend to dip blade in old engine oil as feed useless however it needs stripping down to clear dust near clutch everytime adjust chain but found it to be brilliant bit of kit
written by on 31/12/2010
totally agree with everyone one.useless dont buy it.i had mine from new was really impressed at first.after a couple of days off switch stopped working,so had to use up all the petrol to switch it off.then the recoil starter broke which i spent hours fixing as no parts were available anywhere.then the chain kepr coming loose whatever i did.now the flywheel has sheered off the shaft.again parts not available.i have given up going to buy a stihl or husqvana like i should have in the first place.should have read the reviews on here first and saved myself some money!
written by on 09/11/2010
This is a very cheaply built machine. It is a pig to start and the pull cord starter broke on mine after just a few hours use. Central shaft is a plastic extrusion and just seared. This machine is not fit for home DIY let alone professional use
written by on 29/09/2010
Had my Ryobi PCN4545 nearly 3 years, although it has hardly done much work. All was working well, then I lent it to my neighbour who has all the safety kit and experience for chainsawing safely. I also loaded the saw with the Ryobi 2 stroke mix etc. After 15 minutes work the engine died, then just refused to re-start. Took it off to an agricultural engineer who specialises in Sthil and Huskeys and he took the time to strip the exhaust box off after he checked the plug & spark etc. The inside of the cylinder is visible through the exhaust port and it was easy to see the piston rings had completley disintegrated and wrecked the cylider bore. It wouldn't start because there was no compression although it sounded fine when manually turned-over via the pull-start. Will take it up with Ryobi and threaten to return a brand new (two months old) Ryobi strimmer on the strength that this company make petrol engines to run for about 10 hours max. Buyer beware!! These machines look the business but they are a turkey in fancy looking casings, manufactured cheap for the likes of B&Q and Screw Fix. Read the other reviews here. BUY A STHIL OR A HUSQVARNA. Buy a professional machine that is built to outlive the first twelve months of it's life.
written by red archer on 11/08/2010
This is the most useless machine I have ever had the misfortune to own. The problems started when the cord pull broke,having fixed this the engine cut off broke and the only way to stop the machine was to flood it using the choke. During this time I spent most of my time putting the chain back on. It then came to the point where the oil feed gear to the blade broke. I had this all fixed at my own cost and on the next use the dammed thing broke again. I have learned my lesson the hard way, please read and learn.
written by on 24/04/2010
i bought this piece of junk 2 years ago. never had petrol in it untill today. tried to start it.....ran fine on half choke for ten seconds then cuts out. engine is warm so should run no problem. its brand new..never been used at all. out of warrenty now. TOTAL PIECE OF CR*P
the model is a pcn 3335.....avoid it.
written by on 06/02/2010
Same problem as other owners, the chain brake sticks and melts the casing.
Don't waste money buying something which seems too good to be true, buy a quality product.
written by on 05/10/2009
I bought the PCN-4545 just over 2 tears ago. All was well until recently when it suddenly started over-revving. I have visited my local garden machinery dealer who will not touch it as he says he can not get the spares.
I have tried to find a Ryobi service centre in Essex & failed. The Ryobi website is only for the US/Canada.
I would avoid Ryobi. I am now going to buy a proper brand (Stihl) to mach my strimmer.
written by on 29/09/2009
My 18 inch Ryobi PCN-4545 was sturdy enough for the first few months, but the chain oil supply slowly packed up by the third. No local service agents. Had to break my contract to fix oil supply, by employing non-registered service agent. Problem was fixed only for another few months. Over that time, the saw went through three chains. Within twelve months, power output started to plummet. Eventually the engine just packed up. I won't even bother fixing it. Can't afford a new one, so I'm replacing it with a Chinese clone for less than half the price of a new Ryobi. If it lasts me a year I'll have saved money.
written by on 03/07/2009
Chainsaw broke down after approximately 8 hours work (over 2 months) no spares available anywhere.
Overall, marvellous chainsaw, but no backup whatsoever from Ryobi, their website directs you to the USA when asking for midlands suppliers.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Gibcam's Comment
Written on: 17/02/2013
I bought one of these for periodic use and have used it half a dozen times or so over three years of ownersship...I always clean and lubricate tools befor eputting them away. I aslo do things like run down th efuel to less than 1/4 of a tank so that I can replenish with new next time. I went through usual checks today..chain running freely nicely adjusted etc. Imagine my horror ten minutes later when the thing emitted a load of smoke and 'siezed' up...It looks as though there is an aend bearing or 'brake' behind the drive sprocket which has completely melted it's plastic carrier. Not acceptable Ryobi and I shall not be buying or recommending another one of these. Spend a little more folks and steer well clear of what looks good but really isn't.