Ford Eagle I and Eagle II Chainsaws from the 1970s

The Ford Eagle was a compact chainsaw sold in the early 1970s under the Ford brand.

Introduced in 1970 and discontinued around 1976, it was part of Ford’s brief line of power tools marketed through Ford tractor dealers. In fact, Ford contracted with Ohlsson & Rice (O&R, also known as Orline) to build the Eagle I and Eagle II models.

These saws – along with the smaller “Hawk” models – were essentially badge-engineered O&R machines (the Eagle corresponded to O&R’s “Challenger” series). The Eagle is notable today as a collectible vintage Ford product; it wears Ford’s distinctive blue-and-white color scheme and uses the same single-cylinder 2.0 cu. in. O&R engine that Ford advertised as about 1.6 horsepower.

The saw pictured here was listed on eBay in June 2025 by seller ‘stihlsawing’ and sold for US $650.00.

Ford Eagle Chainsaws

The eBay listing description on this saw:

Ford Chainsaw O & R Engine For Parts Or Repair! Collectible Ford Tractor

Pulls over good, don’t know much about it. Could use a good cleaning. More pictures upon request
No returns!

The Ford Eagle I and Eagle II chainsaws are mechanically identical in every way—same engine, carburetor, clutch, controls, and construction—with the only differences being the factory-installed bar length (14″ on the Eagle I, 16″ on the Eagle II) and the model decals.

Internally and functionally, they are the same saw, with no differences in powertrain, ergonomics, or components.

Specifications and features

Engine

Single-cylinder 2.0 cu in (32.8 cc) two-stroke engine (O&R “Series 20A”) rated around 1.6 HP.

The cylinder has a 1.437″ bore and 1.250″ stroke, with a chrome-plated aluminum cylinder.

The Eagle used a Walbro HDC series carburetor (service kit K10-HDC), and has a manual push-type oil pump for bar lubrication. An automatic recoil starter and a centrifugal clutch are fitted.

Powertrain

Direct drive through a centrifugal clutch and chain sprocket. The Eagle uses a small 6‑tooth sprocket and accepts a sprocket-tip guide bar.

The factory bar mount pattern is one of the O&R design patterns. Original documentation indicates no chain brake (neither band nor inertia type) was fitted, so safety relied on the operator alone.

Chain and bar

The Eagle II normally came with a 16‑inch guide bar. By contrast, the Eagle I shipped with a 14″ bar.

The pitch is a small .325″ (8.25 mm) gauge chain, common to lightweight saws of the era. Contemporary user reports confirm this: one owner specifically sought a replacement .325″ clutch drum/sprocket and Oregon tip-bar. The original factory bar was an Oregon Hardnose model (part #516‑R093).

Fuel and Lubrication

Fuel mix was 16:1 (SAE 30 two-stroke oil). The small fuel tank held roughly 6–8 oz (exact spec not listed in sources).

A centrifugal de-compression valve is noted on some examples, and spark is from a Champion CJ6 plug (0.6 mm gap) for normal use (CJ4 heavy-duty).

Dimensions and weight

The saw is a one-man, top-handle unit (no separate rear handle). Official weight isn’t specified in our sources, but similar O&R-built saws weigh in the 8–10 lb range.

Ford’s color scheme was “Ford Blue” with white accents (many surviving saws have been repainted).

Reviews and performance

Given its modest 1.6 HP rating, the Eagle was not a heavy-duty logger’s saw. User accounts from collector forums suggest it was viewed as a utilitarian farm/tractor accessory with adequate performance for small jobs.

For example, one owner reported high compression and a functional engine (“Piston and cylinder look great and it has loads of compression”), noting the saw ran up until a few years ago. In practice, the Eagle will cut typical firewood if well-tuned, but has limited power and no anti-kickback brake, so operators must be cautious.

History and background

Ford did not traditionally make chainsaws, but in 1970 it expanded its outdoor equipment offerings via partnerships.

A 1971 service bulletin (O&R S-E-083) confirms that Ford sold the Eagle I and II through its tractor dealers. Both models share the O&R “Series 20A” engine platform; the Eagle I and II simply had different bar lengths (14″ vs 16″) and minor housing differences.

The saws were often bundled with Ford tractors or given as dealer-promotional items, much like Ford’s earlier “generator under hood” accessories of the 1960s. Other Ford-branded power equipment of the era likewise came from outside manufacturers (e.g. the small “Hawk” saws used an O&R Mustang engine).

In short, the Eagle II is essentially an Orline Challenger Mark II chainsaw sold under the Ford name. After 1976 Ford exited the chainsaw market and these models disappeared from catalogs. The Eagle saws remain a curiosity of vintage chainsaw history, representing Ford’s one-off venture into the tool market.

Collectibility and value

Because they were produced only a few years and sold in limited channels, Ford Eagles are relatively rare today. Exact production numbers aren’t published.

Collector forums indicate that any complete Eagle (running or restorable) is fairly desirable to Ford enthusiasts. Modern auction listings suggest well-kept Eagles can bring on the order of a few hundred dollars, though exact prices vary with condition. For example, a used Eagle saw in good cosmetics was once listed around $494. The chainsaw pictured in this article sold for $650 in June 2025.

Parts machines or non-running examples sell for much less. The lack of modern safety features and small power mean they’re collected mostly for nostalgia or novelty rather than utility.

Other notable facts

Parts and Restoration

As an O&R-based saw, some engine parts (pistons, rings, bearings, etc.) interchange with other Ohlsson & Rice model 20A engines. Fuel/oil lines and filters may be substituted from common small saw parts.

The Eagle’s original Oregon tip sprocket (6‑tooth) and guide bar are no longer made by Ford; however, generic .325″ sprocket-tip bars of the same chain pitch can often be fitted. One owner noted using a Homelite foam filter element as a replacement. Mike Acres’ chainsaw collector site confirms a Walbro HDC carb rebuild kit (K10-HDC) fits this engine ( EAGLE I/EAGLE II).

Supplies

The required spark plug is Champion CJ6 (gap 0.6 mm). The factory gasoline mix was 16:1 (SAE30 two-stroke oil). For the chain and bar, use .325″-pitch chains and the corresponding small (6‑tooth) drive sprocket.

Restoration Tips

Many Eagles benefit from a fresh repaint. The Ford Blue (roughly RAL 5015 or similar) with white handles is the classic scheme. Replacement bars can be secured with the original bolts (one modified as an on/off stop). Decals for “Ford” and “Eagle” can be custom-printed if needed.

Collectively, these features make the Ford Eagle II an interesting vintage saw: a Ford-branded oddity built by O&R with lightweight .325″ chain, a 16″ bar, and simple controls. Collectors prize it for its rarity and Ford connection, even though it’s a modest performer by today’s standards.

Ford Eagle I and Eagle II Chainsaws

The Ford Eagle I and Eagle II chainsaws represent a brief, niche chapter in Ford’s history of agricultural equipment. Built by Ohlsson & Rice and rebranded by Ford for sale through its tractor dealerships in the 1970s, these saws were light-duty, direct-drive machines powered by a reliable 32.7cc 2-stroke engine.

Mechanically identical, the only real differences between the Eagle I and II are the bar length (14″ vs. 16″) and their respective decals. With no modern safety features and a manual oiler, they reflect the design norms of their era—simple, rugged, and made for occasional use around farms or homesteads.

Though never mass-marketed, their rarity, distinct Ford branding, and solid O&R internals have made them prized collectibles today. Whether owned for nostalgia, display, or light cutting work, the Ford Eagle chainsaws stand out as unique, durable examples of rebadged American-made tools from the golden age of small engines.

Another Ford Eagle example

The next 7 images are of another Ford Eagle Chainsaw from the same eBay seller, ‘stihlsawing’.

This saw was also listed and sold on eBay in June 2025, with this one selling a little cheaper than the earlier example. It’s not in as good condition.

This one sold for US $550.00, whereas our other example went for US $560.00.

The listing description on this one was similar (or the same):

Ford Chainsaw O & R Engine For Parts Or Repair! Collectible Ford Tractor

For parts or repair. Pulls over good, don’t know much else about it. Could use a cleaning, more pictures or info on request
No returns

See these other interesting vintage saws listed by seller ‘stihlsawing’:

• Poulan 306 A
• STIHL MS 290 Farm Boss
• ECHO CS-4400