The Pioneer RA (c.1957–58) is an iconic mid-century one-man chainsaw known for its bold yellow housing and streamlined body.
Its futuristic curves even earned it the nickname “the ’57 Chevy of saws”, with one collector calling it “the coolest-looking of all saws.”
Beneath that stylish shell is a 100.5 cc (6.1 cu in) single-cylinder two-stroke engine, combined with a centrifugal direct-drive clutch and a diaphragm carburetor. These advanced features – fast chain speed and any-angle fueling – set the RA apart technologically from its peers.
These Pioneer RA pictures were sent to us by Robin Eriksson of Sweden. Thank you for sharing, Robin!
Pioneer RA history
The Pioneer RA debuted in 1957, just after Industrial Engineering Ltd (IEL, the original maker) was acquired by Outboard Marine Corp. (OMC). It was produced only through 1958, making it effectively the last of the early Canadian-built IEL/Pioneer saws.
By one account, the RA was “the first saw ever to combine both a transmissionless direct clutch drive … and a diaphragm carburetor.” In practical terms, this meant a faster, simpler chain drive and reliable operation in any position – a breakthrough at the time.
The RA quickly proved itself as a workhorse of the era. As one enthusiast recalled, the RA of its day was the “044” of modern saws – essentially every professional logger owned one.
In addition to its mechanical innovations, the RA marked a turning point in Pioneer’s design evolution. It was the last Pioneer model built with sand-cast magnesium alloy cases; later Pioneer 600/650 models (in the early 1960s) switched to lighter die-cast construction.
After 1958 the company dropped the “IEL” branding and fully embraced the Pioneer name, eventually moving production to Ontario. The RA thus sits at the crossroads of two eras: it carries the heritage of Canadian IEL engineering yet foreshadows the OMC-era Pioneer saws that followed.
Collector appeal
Today the Pioneer RA enjoys a reputation as a prized collector’s piece. Only a few thousand were likely made, and few survive in good condition.
As one collector put it, the RA is “a piece of chainsaw history” – one of the earliest saws with the form and layout that modern chainsaws still follow. Its distinctive styling and rarity make complete RAs highly sought after.
Clean examples occasionally appear on auction sites or forums, often bringing several hundred dollars (or more) from vintage-tool enthusiasts. Yellow-scheme Pioneer saws, and the RA in particular, feature prominently in collector exhibitions and ads, reflecting the model’s enduring appeal.
Comparisons
Within the Pioneer lineup, the RA was essentially a forerunner to the later 600/650 series. For example, the Pioneer 650 (introduced in 1964) used a very similar bore and stroke (103 cc) but with a die-cast alloy crankcase.
The new models built on the RA’s layout (single-cylinder, direct drive, diaphragm carb) but were lighter and updated. Earlier Pioneer/IEL models (like the two-man “Super Pioneer” of 1951 or the mid-50s 400/500-series farm saws) had different drivetrains or multiple cylinders, so the RA’s one-man direct-drive design was relatively unique.
Looking beyond Pioneer, several contemporary saw manufacturers fielded big saws in the same class. In the late 1950s, Homelite offered heavy-duty one-man saws (models like the XL-924/070/090 series), McCulloch was at the forefront with its diaphragm-carbed saws, and even British saws like the Clinton D-series (94 cc) competed in this segment.
However, few rivals combined the RA’s exact feature set or aesthetics. For example, some Homelite and Clinton saws required more complex gearing or had utilitarian sheet-metal covers; by contrast the RA’s integrated plastic shroud, rigid bar and simple centrifugal clutch were very modern.
The RA stands out among its era’s saws for blending power and innovation in a package that looks as good today as it worked seventy years ago.
Specifications
| Specification | Pioneer RA (1957–58) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Industrial Engineering Ltd. (IEL), Vancouver, Canada |
| Production Years | 1957–1958 |
| Displacement | 100.5 cc (6.1 cu in) single-cylinder, two-stroke |
| Bore × Stroke | 2.250 in (57 mm) × 1.5625 in (40 mm) |
| Carburetor | Tillotson HL-22A diaphragm type |
| Clutch/Drive | Direct-drive centrifugal clutch (3-shoe) |
| Guide Bar | 16–32 in (40–81 cm) supplied |
| Chain Pitch | .404″ (.4″) |
| Weight | (not advertised; 25 lb with short bar) |
| Oil Pump | Manual pump; no chain brake present |
| Special Features | Sand-cast mag-alloy case; rigid handles; Champion J8J spark plug |
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