Vintage John Deere 55EV Chainsaw History, Specs, Features, and Price

The John Deere 55EV was a mid-size rear-handle gas chainsaw introduced in the early 1980s.

Although sold under Deere’s green/yellow brand, it was actually built by Echo (Japan) as the Echo CS‑500EVL. With a CDI (electronic) ignition, Deere’s model number (“EV”) reflected this upgraded design over the earlier 55V.

The 55EV filled Deere’s lineup between the smaller 46EV (40cc Echo CS‑400EVL) and the larger 55SV (54.7cc Echo CS‑550EVL) saws. In fact, a chainsaw enthusiast’s catalog lists the JD 55EV (Echo CS‑500EVL) at 49.9 cc with a dry weight of about 12.8 lb (5.8 kg). Its successor in Deere’s range was the 51SV (Echo CS‑510EVL) introduced later in the 1980s.

The 55EV was built in Moline, Illinois under license (Deere did not make its own engines) and is now discontinued. The model pictured in this article was listed and sold on eBay for US $120.00 in May 2025 by seller ‘stihlsawing’ .

John Deere 55EV specs

The listing description that this saw sold with:

John Deere 55EV Chainsaw. Starts On Prime

Selling as parts or repair.
Starts on prime. Observe all pictures Powerhead only
No returns

The 55EV’s 49.9 cc two-stroke engine (3.05 cu.in.) was the same displacement used in Echo’s CS‑500EVL and roughly comparable to other 50cc-class pro saws of the era.

Its factory guide bar was typically 16″ long (with aftermarket bars up to 18″ or 20″ sometimes fitted). It used a standard .325″ chain pitch (though many listings and parts kits also note 3/8″ as compatible) and a .050″ gauge chain.

Fuel tank capacity was modest (around 15.2 fl.oz.) and it had an automatic chain-oiler. The saw’s dry weight was about 5.8 kg (12.8 lb), so it felt “heavy” compared to modern lightweight saws, but was typical for its mid-50cc class.

A German chainsaw reference lists the 55EV at 49.9 cc/5.5 kg, versus the larger 55SV at 54.7 cc/5.9 kg. (In Deere’s numbering, the 51SV was another Echo 49.9 cc model but a bit heavier at 6.0 kg.)

Design and features

John Deere marketed the 55EV with several user-friendly features.

It sported Echo’s “Vibe-Less” anti-vibration engine mounting to reduce operator fatigue. An inertia-activated chain brake was listed as a safety feature, and the saw used a side-mounted chain tensioning screw for easy adjustments.

The 55EV also used a multi-stage air cleaner (Echo introduced a heavy-duty 2-stage filter around 1984), an automatic centrifugal clutch, and an automatic oiler. The overall layout was a conventional rear-handle chainsaw (suitable for felling and limbing, not a top-handle arborist model).

Reviews note that the plastic top cover was typically Deere’s familiar off-white or “ivory” color, with the bar and chain either green or orange. In short, the 55EV combined Deere styling with Echo’s proven 50cc engine, and build quality was generally solid for the era.

Performance and user impressions

With roughly 50 cc of engine and a robust crankcase, the 55EV delivered plenty of power for medium-duty work. The Barrett Small Engine blog summarized it as a “55cc, lots of power” saw.

In practice, owners often called it a “workhorse”. One longtime owner reported it as “heavy” but reliable: “It was a work horse…heavy but I never had any issue with it.” Another user who ran a JD 55EV for over 25 years remarked that it was “a nice cutting saw”. A permaculture forum contributor similarly noted: “My old John Deere 55EV… is old reliable for me. It’s the big saw that always runs.”

In short, reviews emphasize reliability and cutting performance. The saw’s stability and power made it good for felling or bucking. Drawbacks were mainly its weight and occasional ignition module failures (the electronic ignition in older Echo-based models could be hard to find parts for).

Comparisons

The 55EV was essentially Echo’s 50cc professional saw under another badge. In Deere’s line, it was flanked by a slightly larger 55SV and a nearly identical 51SV.

The Echo CS‑550EVL (JD 55SV) had a 54.7 cc engine, giving it a bit more grunt (and a marginally heavier flywheel). By comparison, Stihl’s contemporary 044 Magnum (59cc) or Husqvarna’s 262 XP (61cc) were in the next higher class.

In reviews and forums, the 55EV’s power often drew favorable comparison to other 50cc saws, especially since Deere/Echo saws of that era were regarded as well-built. It never attained the fame of a Stihl or Husqvarna among professionals, but it competed well against similar Echo saws.

Notably, chains, bars and parts from Echo models often interchange with the 55EV (for example, the OEM carburetor was a Walbro HDB‑3A used on many Echo saws), so many maintenance items remain available even today.

Availability and collectibility

Today the John Deere 55EV is long out of production and can only be found on the used market or as a restored vintage piece. Because it shares parts with Echo saws, components like carburetors, filters, starter assemblies and even rebuild kits are still sold (often labeled for Echo CS‑500EVL).

Secondhand JD 55EV units do appear occasionally on eBay or tool forums, often in the $200–$300 range depending on condition. One online source advertises a used 55EV “in excellent condition, runs great” with bar and chain.

These saws have a modest collector following among vintage power tool enthusiasts, who appreciate them as functional relics of John Deere’s former chainsaw line. In general, the 55EV is not rare but is a recognized part of Deere/Echo history. For those interested in restoring one, its Echo underpinnings make it reasonably serviceable today.

Check out these other saws sold by seller ‘stihlsawing’ :

• Ford Eagle Chainsaws
• Poulan 3400 Chainsaw
• STIHL MS 290