Chain Bar Oiler - any saws left with auto and manual oiler

[Spanky100]

Do any new current production chain saws have automatic bar oiler with a manual push button oiler. Some of the older saws had both systems. We have a older small Mac that has both.

Looked at the Sthil line this week and all had automatic oilers. The smaller size saws did not have any ajustment for oil flow. The midsize higher end saws auto oilers had an adjustment for oil flow.


Thanks

 

[samandmax]

the way it was told to me from a dealer- the EPA is the reason for the automatic oiler and the new ones dont put out the oil like the old ones. It seems the chains dont last as long on my new saw compared to my old one that the flow can be adjusted.

 

[Sterff]

I have an Echo CS-8000 (2011) which has an automatic oiler as well as a manual push button. You can also adjust the oil flow too. I run it with a 27" bar and it oils it quite well.

 

[xyz123]

My Echo 8000 and I think the 3120 husky might still have both too.

My 084's and 166's had them. I had 2 3120 and cant remember for sure but think they had them.

 

[Gator6x4]

the way it was told to me from a dealer- the EPA is the reason for the automatic oiler and the new ones dont put out the oil like the old ones. It seems the chains dont last as long on my new saw compared to my old one that the flow can be adjusted.

Urban Legend about the EPA and automatic chain oilers. I think it had more to do with owners who had never used a chainsaw before, not oiling the chain and then demanding warranty replacement for the bar and chain when the bar and chain was damaged from lack of oil. Automatic oilers also increased the cost of the saw but reduced warranty repair cost.

Some users are also using old car/truck engine oil which also shortens the use life of the chain and bar.

 

[Turbys_1700]

To my knowledge very few new saws have both manual and automatic oilers...
I think that Homelite just kept the manual oiler when they added the auto oiler on the XL series...
I always thought it kind of peculiar that they would have that but no option for adjusting the flow...
Never been an issue with me...
Guess it's what you are used to...

 

[s219]

I don't think the EPA is the reason for automatic oilers. But they sure are the reason many modern saws put out significantly less bar oil. I really prefer the older saws that slung a lot of oil, since you could always tell when something went wrong by the lack of oil. My new Stihl 261 uses so little oil, you really can't tell one way or another. It does go through a tank of oil just about like you'd expect though, so it's getting it out onto the bar.

 

[cqaigy2]

I don't think the EPA is the reason for automatic oilers. But they sure are the reason many modern saws put out significantly less bar oil. I really prefer the older saws that slung a lot of oil, since you could always tell when something went wrong by the lack of oil. My new Stihl 261 uses so little oil, you really can't tell one way or another. It does go through a tank of oil just about like you'd expect though, so it's getting it out onto the bar.

I'd be interested in seeing some source sited as to your assertion about the epa controlling the amount of oil your saw uses.

It's been a long time since i've seen a saw with manual oiler.

 

[Spanky100]

Thanks all for the information on bar chain oil auto oilers. I can hopefully find a adjustable auto oiler that will keep the chain wear down in all operating conditions.

Starting to look for a new saw to use for bucking firewood in the 8 to 14 inch diameter range. Past years have used my Grandfather's older saws that seem to last forever (couple old Homelite? with the big bow bar that were designed to cut on front bow when bucking, and Stihl Farm Boss likely from the mid 1980s). Not much plastic on those saws.

Don't laugh too loud at the next part of the story but on Black Friday retail marketing day after Thanksgiving, saw an add for a Poulen "Wild Thing" at a low price. Thought for the three hours a year I plan to use it at this one location, the Wild Thing would OK. No Stock left on the Wild Thing but they did offer a raincheck that I could purchase when stock comes in. Got to thinking I should spend a little more and get a better saw as I like well built products and I usually pride myself making things last for a long time. Went to Stihl dealer. I am sure they are good saws but did not expect to see that much plastic on even there high end saws. So still looking for a better saw then the Wild Thing with out as much plastic. So next question - who makes saws with aluminum or magnesium engine housings and covers? I need to look at the Dolmar/Makita offerings but not finding any close local dealers. Any low cost internet dealers.

Just looking for some help to select the right saw. Wonder if Sthil would make a 1980s re-make classic of the Farm Boss. I would even pay a little more for metal housings and covers. Sorry dreaming. I am sure the "engineered plastic" is lighter and more durable and the old engine would not meet the emission requirements.

Thanks

 

[xyz123]

You have to get in the high end pro stihl saws to get mag case and mag clutch and recoil covers. Quit looking at the cheap stihl plastic homeowner saws. But be prepared to dish out $500 for a MS260 or MS261 , $700 MS361 MS362, $800 MS440 MS441, $900 MS460 and higher for MS660 MS880. :laughing:

 

[Spanky100]

You have to get in the high end pro stihl saws to get mag case and mag clutch and recoil covers. Quit looking at the cheap stihl plastic homeowner saws. But be prepared to dish out $500 for a MS260 or MS261 , $700 MS361 MS362, $800 MS440 MS441, $900 MS460 and higher for MS660 MS880. :laughing:

xyz

Your right I need to keep to the right side of the Sthil display. The saw at the right end of the display was called a Magnum and looked a little to big for me to buck 8 to 14 inch firewood. You do get what you pay for. Will start in the middle next time and see if they have any Mag case/clutch/cover for something with a 3/8th 18 inch long bar.

The benefit is that if I get a high end pro saw in 50 years if the EPA lets us have a wood fire my kids can be using it to cut wood. The campfire talk will go something like this - Dad sure purchased a great saw. He did like good durable equipment.

Thanks

 

[buck12]

I don't think the EPA is the reason for automatic oilers. But they sure are the reason many modern saws put out significantly less bar oil. I really prefer the older saws that slung a lot of oil, since you could always tell when something went wrong by the lack of oil. My new Stihl 261 uses so little oil, you really can't tell one way or another. It does go through a tank of oil just about like you'd expect though, so it's getting it out onto the bar.

Does the 261 have an adjustable oiler? I have a 260 which has the adjustable oiler and just wondering if Stihl carried the feature over to the new model.

 

[TBX500]

I just bought an echo 680 and it has a manual overide oiler. Many people dislike the echo but from my experience they will run or out run the big doggs. i tried stihl ,good but im not a logger so i dont use it every day so i cant justify the price. Besides if it runs under my tractor tire and hides (bad day) it wont matter where it was made.


cory

 

[crazyal]

It may be more than you want to spend but my Husky 357xp has 3 setting for oil flow.

 

[Spanky100]

Looked at the Sthil saws again today. My thoughts. Help welcome.

The "Mid-Range Use Saws" The nice priced saw here was a Farm Boss MS 290 with a 18 inch bar and free saw storage case promotion. It was priced at 369 USD. This saw would be a good powerful saw and likely last a long time for me. But sure had a lot of plastic for what I like/want. Just too bad I remember when most if not all Stihl saws did not have much plastic. (the "Wild Thing" has Plastic in the same areas)

The "Professional Use Saw" The MS 261 with 18 inch bar and no free promotional chain saw storage case was 559 USD. One sweet saw with a lot of Magnesium for clutch case and chain cover. Both saws were close in Hp at 3.8 versus 3.75. MS 261 was 0.9 lbs lighter. Sure a nice saw but overkill for what I need. The MS 261 was the smallest Stihl "Professional Use saw" that did not include alot of plastic (except for the much smaller special use arbor saw). So I can not step down in the Stihl line to a less expensive "Professional Use Saw" unless someone has a Last year Model of the MS 260

So still looking for options for a 2 to 4 BHP (likely want to run a 16 to 18 inch bar) saw with more Magnesium (clutch case and cover) at a little better price point than the MS 261. I understand the plastic midrange saws would work good and meet my needs but not what I want.

So possibly the Dolmar/Makita or Echo lines needs to be compared. Not as easy to find a full service dealer for those brands.

Thanks all