How to keep chain saw running good?

[turnkey4099]

There is some discusstions on arboristsite.com about hard starting Stihls. I had a problem last spring with my MS310. Many pulls before it would fire. Discovered it was my technique. I was only getting the 'all-in-one' lever into the half choke, vice full choke position.

IMO both that combined function lever and the new flip top fuel/oil caps were solutions to problems that didn't exist. In other words I don't like 'em. I do love Stihl saws though.

Harry K

 

[escavader]

Im really suprised no one mentioned fogging oil[OR I MISSED IT] .I use them on all my 2 strokes.One poster was exactly correct when he said never run it out of gas to store it.With out a good internal coating of oil on the internal crank seals,they dry out and you suck air by them and your two stroke wont start for crap .Anything two stroke should be either started once a month or even better spray fogging oil in a running machines carb until she up and dies.Then dump some in the plug hole and slowly pull it over to coat the cylindar walls]This coats all the internal parts with a good storage oil,prevents seal failure,and rust etc.I use it on all my saws,snowmobiles etc...[along with stabil] and they always start right back up like the day you shut it off.Did i mention my 028 has always started easy after storage since 1987 You can buy this at most two stroke dealers or a boat moter shop.
ALAN

 

[WayneB]

I agree with EGON, having driven over one in the past.

I keep my saws inside where they are warm (in the cellar) and never seem to have a problem starting them. Rule of thumb is use good gas, stabil, and recommended 2 cycle oil.

 

[LBrown59]

Chains are sorta a generic issue and really have nothing to do with the sevicability of the power head.

Best way to keep them running is frequent use and don't drive over them!

I don't know anybody that ran over one ,
Do You?

 

[midlf]

re: drive over. I have a friend that bought a "farm tough" chain saw (I don't remember the brand). It fell off his big tractor and he drove over it with the weighted rear tire, twice. It wasn't "farm tough" after all. He did not attempt a warranty claim like I told him he should.

 

[JimR]

I don't know anybody that ran over one ,
Do You?

I've come real close and stopped just before I ran over the saw body. It was a case of too many things going on and not enough attention being given to the immediate situation. Sounds good right. Actually it was lodging a tree into another one and using the tractor to pull the lodged tree down. Not putting the saw out of the way was the reason it almost got crushed. Shiit happens sometimes. We ALL make mistakes sooner or later or sometimes too often :`).

 

[LBrown59]

Afternoon Stumpfield,
One other thing comes to mind on gas operated equipment.
1*All my two stroke stuff is the same mix to begin with, and on top of that I only mix a gallon at a time. That way the gas mix never really gets old. This might not work for some guys using two stroke equipment more frequently but for the amount of chainsawing, weedwacking, and backpack blowing it works for me !

BTW, Stabil would accomplish the same thing, albeit slightly more money

1*I'm in the same situation you are and do the same thing which works great for me too.
All I have is a Stihl chain saw and a Stihl trimmer.Both use the same oil mix.
PS:
I need to check and see if they both use the same spark plug.

 

[LBrown59]

1*The exhaust on a chainsaw can also become clogged making the saw sluggish.
2*Always mix to the proper ratio and keep the fuel in a clean-air tight tank.

1*This happened on a trimmer i had one time.I just removed the screen from the muffler problem solved pernmantly.

 

[LBrown59]

You need a new mechanic. It should never take 40 pulls to start a chainsaw even if it is completely out of gas. I have four chainsaws that I use constantly. Three Husky's which consist of two 55 Ranchers and a 262XP. The other is a Stihl 210. None of them require more than 4 pulls to start and possibly six or seven if they run out of gas. Sta-Bil is the cure for your carb gummy problems in any two cycle or four piece of equipment. I have fixed quite a few carbs for friends that have had this same gumming problem.
1*I've also picked up many lawnmowers including this 18hp hydro unit for free because the carbs were plugged up and wouldn't run.

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1*Don't suppose that could be the problem with the 18 HP B&S on my Wards PowerCraft do you?
If so what's the fix ? ? ? ?

 

[LBrown59]

The info shared here would also apply to string trimmers would it not?