The McCulloch Super 250 is one of the most sought-after yellow McCulloch chainsaws. Introduced in 1970, it built on the already successful McCulloch 250 to create a more powerful, torque-focused saw intended for serious timber cutting.
The standard, well-documented Super 250 used an 87 cc engine, up from the regular 250’s 80 cc. McCulloch retained the 2.125-inch bore but increased the stroke from 1.375 to 1.500 inches. With a listed maximum speed of only 6,000 rpm, this was not a high-revving saw. Its strength was pulling a large .404-inch chain through substantial timber.
It was also a heavy machine. The powerhead alone weighed approximately 18 pounds before adding the bar, chain, fuel and oil. Its magnesium construction, rigid handle system and complete lack of a chain brake make it a product of its era.
The saw pictured here, which we saw in a chainsaw display, is a less-common Canadian-market version. Its identification plate names McCulloch of Canada Limited at 77 Belfield Road in Rexdale, Ontario, and it has an all-yellow upper cover rather than the black perforated cover commonly associated with later 87 cc Super 250s.
These Canadian yellow-top saws introduce an important identification problem. Experienced collectors report that at least some were fitted with the earlier 80 cc engine, despite carrying Super 250 badging. Surviving information is inconsistent, and discussions among collectors document examples believed to exist in both configurations.
| Specification | McCulloch Super 250 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | McCulloch Motors Corporation |
| Manufacturer location | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Canadian identification | McCulloch of Canada Limited, Rexdale, Ontario |
| Model | Super 250 |
| Model/assembly number | 600100 |
| Serial prefixes | 12- and A12- |
| Introduced | May 1970 |
| Discontinued | July 1975 |
| Saw type | One-man, rear-handle gasoline chainsaw |
| Engine type | Air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder |
| Documented displacement | 5.3 cu in / 87 cc |
| Reported Canadian yellow-top displacement | Some examples reportedly 4.9 cu in / 80 cc |
| Bore | 2.125 in / 53.98 mm |
| Stroke, 87 cc version | 1.500 in / 38.1 mm |
| Stroke, 80 cc version | 1.375 in / 34.9 mm |
| Cylinder construction | Aluminum with cast-iron sleeve |
| Piston rings | Two |
| Induction | Reed valve |
| Porting | Third-port transfer system |
| Advertised horsepower | Not published |
| Listed maximum speed | 6,000 rpm |
| Idle speed | 2,500 rpm |
| Powerhead weight | 18 lb / 8.16 kg |
| Main construction | Die-cast magnesium |
| Handle system | Rigid, without anti-vibration mounts |
| Chain brake | None |
| Drive system | Direct drive |
| Clutch | Automatic centrifugal, four-shoe |
| Clutch engagement | Approximately 2,800 rpm |
| Carburetor | Tillotson HL series or McCulloch 84050 |
| Early carburetor listing | Assembly 66346, serials 10001–12601 |
| Later carburetor listing | Assembly 84050, serial 12602 onward |
| Tillotson repair kit | DG-5HL minor repair kit |
| Air filter | Flocked wire-screen element |
| Starter | Automatic rewind, left side |
| Chain-oiling system | Automatic pulse-operated pump |
| Manual oiling | Manual override fitted |
| Oil-tank capacity | Not reliably documented |
| Ignition | Flywheel magneto with breaker points |
| Ignition timing | 25 degrees before top dead center |
| Breaker-point gap | 0.019–0.020 in / 0.48–0.51 mm |
| Flywheel-to-coil gap | 0.011–0.015 in / 0.28–0.38 mm |
| Original spark plugs | Champion J8J, Autolite A7X or AC M45 |
| Spark-plug gap | 0.025 in / 0.64 mm |
| Crankshaft bearings | Ball main bearings |
| Connecting-rod bearings | Needle/roller bearings |
| Fuel capacity | 40 US fl oz / 1.18 L |
| Original fuel mixture | 40:1 with McCulloch two-stroke oil |
| Original fuel recommendation | Regular-grade gasoline |
| Standard chain pitch | .404 in |
| Chain gauge | Dependent on fitted guide bar; check the bar marking |
| Factory-listed guide bars | 12–24 in / 30–61 cm |
| Longer bars | Frequently fitted, although outside the commonly listed factory range |
| Bar mount | Large-frame McCulloch pattern |
| Optional spike | Five-tooth spike kit, part 61330 |
| Optional spark arrester | Kit 68240 |
| Standard color | McCulloch yellow with black details |
| Canadian yellow-top color | Predominantly all-yellow bodywork |
| Illustrated parts list | IPL 84268, May 1970 |
| Service manual | McCulloch publication 63829 |
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