The Homelite BUZ was introduced around 1959 as a low-cost, lightweight, direct-drive one-man chainsaw. Homelite advertised it at $153.50 complete, weighing 19 pounds less bar and chain, with claims that it could cut 16-inch trees in 16 seconds and fell trees up to 3 feet in diameter.
Marketed mainly to farmers, firewood cutters, and part-time pulpwood workers, the BUZ was promoted as a practical saw for earning extra money without buying a heavier professional model. Below are the key specs and period ads that show how Homelite sold this little green saw at the end of the 1950s.
Specifications
| Spec | Homelite BUZ |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Homelite-Textron, Port Chester, New York, USA |
| Series / assembly | EZ series |
| Years | Introduced Sept. 1959; discontinued 1961 |
| Type | One-man gasoline chainsaw |
| Market position | Low-cost consumer chain saw |
| Engine | Homelite two-cycle single-cylinder loop-scavenged engine |
| Displacement | 4.71 cu in / 77.6 cc |
| Bore | 2.00 in / 50.8 mm |
| Stroke | 1.50 in / 38 mm |
| Piston ring | 0.0625 in, part no. 55038 |
| Cylinder | Aluminum with chrome-plated bore |
| Intake | Reed valve |
| Advertised horsepower | 3.6 hp |
| Powerhead weight | 18 lb 8 oz; ad copy rounds it to 19 lb, less bar and chain |
| Construction | Die-cast magnesium |
| Drive type | Direct drive |
| Clutch | Centrifugal, 6 metal shoes |
| Handlebar system | Rigid |
| Chain brake | None |
| Magneto | Phelon |
| Carburetor | Tillotson HL-82 diaphragm type |
| Carb major repair kit | RK-114HL |
| Carb minor repair kit | DG-5HL |
| Air filter | Skinner Ribbon filter, exposed |
| Starter | Fairbanks Morse automatic rewind |
| Oiler | Manual |
| Max engine RPM | 6,000 rpm under load |
| Idle RPM | Not listed in the source I found |
| Ignition timing | Fixed |
| Breaker point setting | .015 in / 0.38 mm |
| Flywheel / coil air gap | Fixed position |
| Spark plug | Champion J-6-J |
| Spark plug gap | .025 in / 0.63 mm |
| Crankshaft main bearings | Ball and caged roller types |
| Fuel tank capacity | 40 oz / 1.18 L |
| Fuel-oil ratio | 10:1 |
| Recommended fuel octane | Regular |
| Mix oil spec | Homelite chain saw mix oil |
| Chain pitch | 7/16 in / .4375 in / 11.1 mm |
| Chain type | Oregon 62C |
| Bar lengths | 12 in to 21 in |
| Colour | Surf Green, described as light metallic green |
| Original advertised price | $153.50 complete, F.O.B. factory |
| Advertised finance | As little as $2.90 weekly after small down payment |
| Advertised chain speed | 3,000 ft/min, from your ad |
| Advertised performance claim | 16-inch trees in 16 seconds; fells trees up to 3 ft diameter |
| Notable feature | Affordable, direct-drive, one-man saw aimed at farm/consumer users rather than a big professional logging saw |
Homelite Buz ads
“$1,726 profit in 72 days with a Homelite Chain Saw”
Another user testimonial
NEW HOMELITE BUZ
ONLY $153.50
COMPLETE F.O.B. FACTORYAs little as $2.90 weekly after small down payment
PROVED BY R. H. SATHES
In Salway, Minnesota Raymond Sathes found out why a Homelite chain saw can mean extra money in your pocket. The new Homelite BUZ can do the same for you!
The new Homelite BUZ is the first direct-drive chain saw to deliver consistent, quality performance at the new low cost of only $153.50.
The Buz has the famous Homelite short-stroke engine that delivers a chain speed of 3,000 feet per minute. Its all-position diaphragm carburetor assures you full power in any cutting position. Flush-cut handle lets you cut level with the ground. Its light weight 19 pounds (less bar and chain) is easy to handle on the job, easy to carry to the job. Fast-cutting direct drive buzzes through 16″ trees in 16 seconds. Fells trees up to 3 feet in diameter with straight blades from 12″ to 21″.
For every woodcutting job on the farm you can’t beat the low-cost dependability of the new Homelite BUZ. Ask your Homelite dealer for a free demonstration.
HERE’S HOW RAYMOND SATHES DID IT —
In just 72 days of part time cutting, Mr. Sathes cut 300 cords of pulpwood and 6,500 feet of logs. After deducting his total costs he was left with a net profit of $1,726.68. Learn how a Homelite chain saw can help you earn extra money! Send 10¢ for your copy of the illustrated 16-page booklet “A Man’s Guide to Chain Saws.”
And be sure to see the full line of 8 Homelite Chain Saws.
TUNE IN! . . . Homelite Farm Round-Up on the air every Friday or Saturday. Consult your local paper for time and station.
HOMELITE
A DIVISION OF TEXTRON INC.
4512 RIVERDALE AVE., PORT CHESTER, NEW YORKFind Your Homelite Dealer in the “Yellow Pages”
THINK FIRST OF QUALITY… THINK FIRST OF HOMELITE
NEW HOMELITE BUZ
“$1539 in 3 Weeks with HOMELITE CHAIN SAW”
ROBERT L. THOMAS
ONLY $153.50
Complete F.O.B. Factory
Make extra cash with your Homelite chain saw as Mr. Thomas did. The new Homelite BUZ makes it simple because it cuts so fast, is so easy to handle. Find out yourself in a free demonstration.
• Cuts 16″ trees in 16 seconds
• Only 19 pounds, less bar and chain
• Fells trees up to 3 feet in diameter
• Cuts level with groundTHINK FIRST OF QUALITY … THINK FIRST OF HOMELITE
ANDERSON TRACTOR COMPANY
Jackson Highway • Phone 6110 • Covington, Georgia
Many more vintage Homelite ads here.
