Ryobi PCN-4545 Reviews
Latest Reviews
“Piece of garbage”
Written 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. (read more)
“Never had any problems, great for non commercial use”
Written on: 16/11/2012 by MrDIY (1 review written)
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... (read more)
“Ryobi starting problems”
Written 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... (read more)
Chainsawman2012's Comment
Written on: 03/11/2012
I had the same issue. To fix it on the carb adjustment screws are two plastic caps. Take them off and then factory re set the carb. You will need to do it twice.
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“works fine”
Written 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 (read more)
“Good Kit”
Written 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. (read more)
“Keep away”
Written 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. (read more)
Guest's Comment
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.
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Guest's Comment
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!
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“Cheap for a reason”
Written on: 27/08/2011 by nanookotn
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... (read more)
“This saw is a bit like a budget airline - the upfront...”
Written 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...
(read more)
“Mine is a sister machine - Homelite CSP4016. Same...”
Written 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?
(read more)
“Ryobi PCN4545 - Works well apart from the fact that...”
Written 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'
(read more)
Guest's Comment
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
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See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 35 Reviews
“totally agree with everyone one.useless dont buy it.i...”
Written 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... (read more)
“This is a very cheaply built machine. It is a pig to...”
Written 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 (read more)
“Had my Ryobi PCN4545 nearly 3 years, although it has...”
Written on: 28/09/2010
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... (read more)
“This is the most useless machine I have ever had the...”
Written on: 11/08/2010 by red archer (1 review written)
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,... (read more)
“i bought this piece of junk 2 years ago. never had...”
Written 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.
(read more)
“Same problem as other owners, the chain brake sticks...”
Written 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.
(read more)
“I bought the PCN-4545 just over 2 tears ago. All was...”
Written 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.
(read more)
“My 18 inch Ryobi PCN-4545 was sturdy enough for the...”
Written 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... (read more)
“Chainsaw broke down after approximately 8 hours work...”
Written 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.
(read more)
“Major problems with binding /overheating chain brake...”
Written on: 04/05/2009
Major problems with binding /overheating chain brake after very little use. Spares impossible and no service agent will touch it. Have tried everything but saw is now scrap after just over a year. Advise against Ryobi PCN-4545 -get a Husqvarna or a Stihl (read more)
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Showing 11 - 20 of 35 Reviews
“I have had two Ryobi PCN-4545 and the general...”
Written on: 03/05/2009 by broom142
I have had two Ryobi PCN-4545 and the general consensous it is for diy only. The first one had a jammed chain break and melted the plastic housing. The secod one I am now having problems with and will proberably ditch soon to get another brand. (read more)
“The Ryobi PCN-4545 is cheap and good value for amateur...”
Written on: 21/04/2009
The Ryobi PCN-4545 is cheap and good value for amateur use. (read more)
“The Ryobi PCN-4545 is cheap. Worked well at first. ...”
Written on: 16/02/2009
The Ryobi PCN-4545 is cheap. Worked well at first. Appears to be quite well built, but has died horribly after very little (10 hrs?) use. My tame repairer has offered to fix it but will not warranty the repairs based on the number of failed machines he has seen. Ver poor - usual melted/binding chain brake issue, oiler failed etc. (read more)
“after a few hours work things started to go wrong with...”
Written on: 12/12/2008 by rotovater (1 review written)
after a few hours work things started to go wrong with my Ryobi PCN-4545.
the flywheel sheared off the keyway.[try and get parts?]
the clutch mechanism locked up against the crankcase.
(read more)
“This Ryobi PCN-4545 feels like a toy, but I have taken...”
Written on: 27/11/2008
This Ryobi PCN-4545 feels like a toy, but I have taken down 30ft birch trees with this saw. Ideal for keeping garden trees under control. (read more)
477479_Astoragriculturalngardeneqp's Comment
Written on: 12/08/2009
I found this review not helpful because... he is a fibber, the pcn-4545 is a chaninsaw that is so poor it is not even fit for scrapping...out of a fleet of seven i got [nearly all at the same time] I have 4 complete that are non-runners, one in bits that will never work, two that just barely run and one of those has a non working chain brake mechanism. This chainsaw model can not even cut a matchstick. In MY opinion I would avoid ALL ryobi products and I happen to be a professional garden machinery engineer
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“The Ryobi PCN-4545 is a good machine for its price....”
Written on: 08/11/2008 by stevewood (1 review written)
The Ryobi PCN-4545 is a good machine for its price. Mine was overreving at first this was because the carb cable
was too tight. I rerouted it (2 min) no problems since
Dont leave it full of fuel if not in use
(read more)
“Saw has always been a poor starter and has never run...”
Written on: 14/10/2008 by jgardener (1 review written)
Saw has always been a poor starter and has never run well, Ryobi seem to have very little spares backup and no reliable service agent in the whole of the midlands. would not buy another (read more)
“All seemed well with my Ryobi PCN-4545 at first but...”
Written on: 06/10/2008
All seemed well with my Ryobi PCN-4545 at first but then I noticed that the gears were slipping when I pulled the starter rope. Now, the gears seem to be totally stripped as they do not engage enough for the engine to turn over. (read more)
Rotovater's Comment
Written on: 11/12/2008
its not the gears that slip its the woodruff key that is pressed into the aluminium flywheel that shears off. spare parts are hard to source.you get what you pay for. try sthill or makita/dolmar.more expensive but quality.
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“I bought an Ryobi PCN-4545 chainsaw locally, it worked...”
Written on: 19/07/2008 by greenmachineky (2 reviews written)
I bought an Ryobi PCN-4545 chainsaw locally, it worked fine at the start, I didn't use it much about 3 times in a week, then I noticed the bolt holding the safety bar was missing and some other parts were loose!
I took it back and it was replaced with an 18 inch, the replacement worked fine until about a week after, I have tried everything to start it, I haven't had any problems starting other makes and the use it got was very light, I am going back to the retailer and looking for a full...
(read more)
“Repair parts reasonably priced and available on line...”
Written on: 23/06/2008 by SEJO (1 review written)
Repair parts reasonably priced and available on line from "Shoulders of Shoreham". (read more)
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Showing 21 - 30 of 35 Reviews
“Overall this Ryobi PCN-4545 is well worth the money,...”
Written on: 06/06/2008
Overall this Ryobi PCN-4545 is well worth the money, although I did have some trouble sourcing parts. The On/Off switch failed after one use, however, the machine was returned to Ryobi and this fault was repaired & the machine has been working well ever since.
Obtaining spare parts is almost impossible as Ryobi Direct pass the customer on to another company called augmented spares who in turn don't seem sure of the product as they appear to lack product knowledge.
Recently I endevoured to...
(read more)
“I have used this saw for a year now on oak, beech and...”
Written on: 26/02/2008 by Herdsman (1 review written)
I have used this saw for a year now on oak, beech and ashtree trunks and found it to be very reliable. (read more)
“Nice balanced machine. I have had 2 of these in the...”
Written on: 29/01/2008 by Large Jake (1 review written)
Nice balanced machine. I have had 2 of these in the last 6 months and each has started to over rev after about 3 hrs work in total.
The first one was changed by Ryobi for an updated model as the first one over revved which cause the chain bar to warp with heat, the brake to burn out and the oil pump to cease up! The second one has just started to over rev for no reason , so I am sending that back for repair. The second one has done 2 hrs work. Cheap for DIY use only. Nothing else to add
(read more)
“Performance worse than cheap electric chainsaw I've...”
Written on: 08/07/2007 by aaahpub (1 review written)
Performance worse than cheap electric chainsaw I've had for years. (read more)
Greenmachineky's Response to aaahpub's Review
Written on: 21/07/2008
I've had problems with this make too!
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“The Ryobi PCN-4545 chainsaw is as good as some of the...”
Written on: 20/06/2006 by Slip1in (1 review written)
The Ryobi PCN-4545 chainsaw is as good as some of the established names at a competitive price. It is lightweight. Has low vibration. It is very quiet for a petrol saw, and it feels secure. (read more)
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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.