How many CCs in Homelite XL?

Hillbilly Rick · January 01, 2014, 05:36:53 PM

I have a Homelite XL that was given to me in '05. It was about 20 years old or so at that time. The friend that gave it to me bought it new, used it one weekend and never used it again due to disabilities (not from or to the saw).
It has an 18" bar, which I feel is it's max, no chain brake, but is an auto oiler. It's an excellent limb saw up to about 4"-6" diameter, after that I get the bigger saws out. The saw wouldn't start at first, I had the carb rebuilt, and it runs like a champ.
Anyway, I was wonderin' if anyone out there could tell me what size this engine is?
The model # is 10656A
I think I'll go to a 14" bar, it should help since I don't cut bigger stuff with it anyway.
Any help is greatly appreciated,
Rick

Jim H · January 01, 2014, 06:48:13 PM

I had one of those many years ago. I believe they were 1.8 cu in which is about 30cc. Mine came with a 14" bar, I also had a super2. It was 2 cu in and came with a 16" bar. For a cheap saw they lasted pretty good.

drumbum · January 01, 2014, 06:54:10 PM

I think the smallest in that series was 26cc.

chet · January 01, 2014, 07:11:58 PM

I climbed many a tree with a Super 2 hanging on my side. Pretty tuff saw for such a cheapy, always picked up used and never for more than $10. ;D I referred ta them as my through away saws. Whenever one would give up da ghost, another one would fall in my lap.

Al_Smith · January 01, 2014, 08:07:59 PM

They were Homelites answer to a Mini Mac and some model of Skil of about the same displacement which was sold under various brand names and in every color of the rainbow .

I've got one of the double triggered models in the shed ,freebie .Seems to me it's 1.8-1.9 cubic inch.They sold new for under 100 dollars.

I'd well imagine most of them died on a shelf full of stale gasoline with the original chains on them .

JohnG28 · January 01, 2014, 08:20:13 PM

I have one I picked up from CL a few years back. Haven't really even run it but I have many memories of my grandfather, dad and uncles running a pair of them at our camp years ago. Couldn't pass up having one of my own just for nostalgia. Seem to remember them not running more than running. ??? Think that little XL may have been the start of my chainsaw affliction. ;D

sawguy21 · January 01, 2014, 10:11:25 PM

I had an XL with a 14" which was a good camping saw until somebody decided they needed it worse than I did. I serviced so many of those things I could do it in my sleep. ;D A bit time consuming to get out of the case but overall not bad to work on. Now have a Super 2, 1.9ci which I have yet to get running.

Hillbilly Rick · January 01, 2014, 10:38:34 PM

Sawguy, I hate it when that happens, karma from stealing a chainsaw could be real bad :laugh: If I'm cuttin' wood that's already down (tops and blow downs) this is the first saw I use. Often I gotta cut a lot of crap outta the way.
Thanks guys for the replies, this has been a great little saw.
Rick

turnkey · January 02, 2014, 01:52:26 AM

I got a freebie xl2 from a friend. He got it at a garage sale for $10. I sharped the chain for him and gave him a quick chainsaw lesson years ago. This year I needed a top handle to dosome tree pruning around the house and he gae it to me non-running. I decided not to fool with it and bought a Stihl 192t...actually I bought two. The second one after I ran over the first one with the truck :(. Dealer wouldn't even give me a "volume discount".

Harry K

CTYank · January 02, 2014, 02:00:07 AM

Which "XL"? Someone counted once how many models Homelite called "XL"-somethng or other. Many, many models, once Homelite had a winner in the XL-12.

petefrom bearswamp · January 02, 2014, 09:35:46 AM

Right CT,
My super xl12 was bought new in 1973.
had it at my camp for the last 10 yrs or so so it didn't get much use.
Ethanol gas and all it starts in 5 or 6 pulls.
I,m going to put it on ebay soon.

Hillbilly Rick · January 08, 2014, 03:13:47 PM

Which XL? not really sure, all I have is the model #10656A.

mad murdock · January 08, 2014, 03:55:16 PM

Look on mike acres website and see if you can match up what you have to his data. I have a superXL that has a 58cc engine. A lot of the XL's that I have seen are 58 or around there, but Homelite had a lot of different models with the XL on them. XL2's were about like a mini Mac. Super XL and super XLAO were the bigger ones (58cc).

John R · January 10, 2014, 05:09:29 PM

I have a Homelite XL, I keep it around for a lending out saw. It runs and cuts good.

beenthere · January 10, 2014, 05:40:35 PM

I'd NEVER lend out a saw. Let alone a running Homelite XL ;)

John R · January 10, 2014, 05:46:26 PM

Quote from: beenthere on January 10, 2014, 05:40:35 PM
I'd NEVER lend out a saw. Let alone a running Homelite XL ;)

Why?

If something happens to it, I'm not out much.

beenthere · January 10, 2014, 06:13:34 PM

I can only answer why I wouldn't do it. ;)

I kept our company saw sharp and in running condition with multiple users for several years, and it never came back in usable condition. Each seemed to have their own idea how the carb should be adjusted, no regard for dulling the chain by hitting dirt, or when to put a sharp chain on the bar, nor how to adjust the chain for correct tightness. Throw a chain or have to put a sharp one on, then it is on backwards and the complaint that the sharp chain won't cut.
Ad infinitum the different scenarios that had to be tackled each time.

But a non-owner usually just doesn't know what can happen so treats the saw like a rental.

Now if you loan out your saw, that is ok with me.

I wouldn't recommend it for anyone tho. I'd encourage them to get their own saw and learn how to take care of it.

But if me, I'd covet a good running Homelite XL if I had one. ;D

thecfarm · January 10, 2014, 07:16:17 PM

If someone puts a chain on backwards AND than trys to cut with it AND than don't know why it's not cutting. :

Than they should not even be using a chainsaw.

beenthere · January 10, 2014, 07:32:45 PM

thecfarm
I agree but with the company saw, it was there to use for anyone wanting to use it.
Can't tell the boss that he can't have it when ya know full well he is letting his 14 yr old son use it over at his buddy's house cutting up a yard tree. ;)

The other side of the coin is how the borrower will feel if the saw stops running and it is then more expensive to fix than to replace with new. Makes for ill feelings between friends sometimes.

Or if he/she takes a patch of skin off because they didn't use the saw safely (again due to lack of knowledge).
Is there liability there? If the user is incapacitated, they might not have any recourse other than to sue.

Lots of reasons, most will not happen but could.

John R · January 11, 2014, 10:44:06 PM

Quote from: beenthere on January 10, 2014, 07:32:45 PM
thecfarm
I agree but with the company saw, it was there to use for anyone wanting to use it.
Can't tell the boss that he can't have it when ya know full well he is letting his 14 yr old son use it over at his buddy's house cutting up a yard tree. ;)

The other side of the coin is how the borrower will feel if the saw stops running and it is then more expensive to fix than to replace with new. Makes for ill feelings between friends sometimes.

Or if he/she takes a patch of skin off because they didn't use the saw safely (again due to lack of knowledge).
Is there liability there? If the user is incapacitated, they might not have any recourse other than to sue. Lots of reasons, most will not happen but could.

That is what is wrong in this country today, no one wants to except responsibly for their own actions.
It's easier to blame someone else.

HolmenTree · January 12, 2014, 07:41:32 PM

Many XL models introduced since 1964, from 26cc to 82cc. Probably the most saws ever sold around the world.
If I remember correct the 1964 XL-12 consumer saw set the industry on its ear, 50 plus c.c. and 12.5 lbs.
Textron sold Homelite out to John Deere in 1994.

Hillbilly Rick · January 13, 2014, 03:38:22 PM

It's not a super XL.
I never loan a chainsaw unless I go with it. My Wife was asked by a neighbor, if he could borrow one, she called me, and I told her that he had three saws that weren't running. Why would I trust him with mine?

Kevin jones046 · October 22, 2023, 07:21:07 PM

Im very selective when it comes to lending out a saw. I've got my 046 mag 32in bar .404 chain Noone runs but me, But I just let my best friend borrow my super xl12 to finish his 11 cord firewood order. His saws were in the shop for routine maintenance. I've Cut trees with this man many times, so I know how he treats his stuff. But I get why you shouldn't lend out saws to people that have no buisness touching one 😆 🤣 😂 hence "the chain on backwards" comment that I noticed. 😆 🤣 😂

mooleycow · October 22, 2023, 07:41:59 PM

house of homelite forum and youtube Leons chainsaw parts & repair. I hope this helps you understand more about Homelite chainsaws. Enjoy and stay happy.

Al_Smith · October 23, 2023, 03:37:51 PM

In those old days there were two brands always trying to out do each other .Homelite and McCulloch .It was a Ford /Chevy -John Deere
Farmall thing .
I forgot the name of the "house of Homelite " forum was but if I recall he was a tool and die maker by trade .As for the brand I only have a couple but they are the smallest plus the largest and a few in between .At one time xl-12's were like road apples,every where and McCulloch 10-10's where on the other side of the road .Most of them by now have sat on the shelf the last 20 years .