Stihl Farm Boss

[NoTrespassing]

Hi All,

I was given a used Stihl Farm Boss by a friend who's moving into the city (SCORE!). He says it starts hard but runs well. It's well used by outward appearance. I'm tempted to take it to a Stihl dealer to have it serviced but I'd like to know what they would do to it. Maybe I should just service it myself? I'm assuming they'd change the sparkplug if needed. Change the air filter. Would they clean the carb and adjust it if necessary? I haven't even looked at it yet, it's still sitting in the back of my truck where I put it while helping him move.

Kevin

 

[4570Man]

Depending on what the definition of hard starting is id probably do nothing except a new chain. If it’s 10 pulls I’d say that’s normal.

 

[rekees4300]

I'm tempted to take it to a Stihl dealer to have it serviced but I'd like to know what they would do to it.

Call the dealer and ask. The Farm Boss has been around for a long time. Stihl has new state-of-the-art models that are more powerful but weight less. Maybe the dealer would accept your Farm Boss as a trade in?

 

[ruffdog]

Starts hard?...first thing to do is a pressure/vacuum test. That will tell you the crankcase is tight...seals, gaskets, etc. Then, rebuild the carb with new diaphragms etc.

 

[Budweiser John]

Wow, you’ve got a classic saw. Is it an 029 model?
My 029 dates from 1992 and despite buying a new Stihl Saw last year, the ole 029 is still mt go to machine.
I recently had the dealer replace the fuel pick up hose, replace the carberator, and install a new spark plug,
The only major service required in it’s 25 year life other than routine chain and bar maintance.
At about 10 face cord per year, that equates to about 250 face cords to date so the $150.00 service cost equates to somewhere around 60 cents per year.

B. John

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My 029 has always been hard to start.

 

[AchingBack]

Mine was always hard starting, too.
The biggest improvement I made was to enlarge the muffler openings.
The best day I had with the saw was when I sold it, and bought an EGO 16" 56 volt chainsaw.

 

[xyz123]

Just had a 026 come in hard starting was complaint. Pull over forever. Just the L out of adjustment. Something you can do yourself.

Learn chainsaw repair https://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/

Also wasnt oiling was another complaint. Checked everything down to worm gear. Works great. Adjusted oiler and had clean bar groove and holes out. Something you can do too.

 

[xyz123]

I wonder which farm boss myself. They keep changing them. 041 and then a 290 If I recall right. Think it is down to a plastic 271 now. :confused2: Any others?

 

[NoTrespassing]

Here are a couple pics:



I haven't attempted to start it yet. I'm sure it hasn't been started in at least a year. I threw my back out yesterday and I don't want to aggrivate it. At the very least I'll be replacing the fuel/oil with fresh when I get around to starting it.

Kevin

 

[JohnBuffaloMN]

don't neglect giving it a 2 stroke tune up = new spark plug

 

[airbiscuit]

New Fuel
New Oil
New Sparkplug
New Fuel Line

If you're lucky, that might be all you need to do.

 

[JimRB]

My 310 is no more than 5 pulls to get started. That chain is quite loose.

 

[atsah]

I haven’t owned any Stihl that isn’t hard starting. I had a 361, 028 and 200T, all hard starting saws, Only Stihl I kept was the 200T, bought a 372XP and a 550XP husqvarna, they start like a dream.

 

[xyz123]

That would be a easy one to do yourself. 290

This series really reponds to a muffler mod and carb retune. The muffler are very restricted.
About 30mins to do and retune for a easy 18%-23% free

 

[NoTrespassing]

That would be a easy one to do yourself. 290

This series really reponds to a muffler mod and carb retune. The muffler are very restricted.
About 30mins to do and retune for a easy 18%-23% free

Thanks, A coworker just modified the muffler on his cheap Poulon Pro and it made a HUGE difference on how it starts and runs. I will be making a modification to the Farm Boss also. What adjustment will be needed to the carb? More fuel I assume.

Kevin

 

[Beltzington]

New Fuel
New Oil
New Sparkplug
New Fuel Line

If you're lucky, that might be all you need to do.

Good start before you pay someone else.

I have a 310 I bought at a pawn shop for $160 many years ago because they couldn't get it to start. I thought it was the worst starting chainsaw I ever had owned or used. Found out that was not the case, these chainsaws get flooded very easy when using the choke. Unlike cold starting most 2-stokes where you leave the choke on until they fire if you do this you will likely flood the Stihl and then you will be pulling the cord until you are winded.

This works for me and my 310 will almost always start on the third or fourth pull.

Choke on, two pulls on the rope. Choke off it should start right up. Good luck.

 

[CobyRupert]

With a lot of 2 cycles the first 2-3 pulls don't count (i.e. I don't count them, then it always starts "on the first pull!"). That is, it just seems that the first couple pulls you're priming the fuel line, or getting gas back into the carb or cyclinder, so no need to pull hard and throw out your back.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Thanks, A coworker just modified the muffler on his cheap Poulon Pro and it made a HUGE difference on how it starts and runs. I will be making a modification to the Farm Boss also. What adjustment will be needed to the carb? More fuel I assume.

Kevin

OK, I found this muffler mod/carb tune video. Can anyone add anything to this or is it pretty much the way you'd do it?

How to: Stihl MS29 Chainsaw Muffler Mod, Carb Tuning & Speed Test - YouTube

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[xyz123]

OK, I found this muffler mod/carb tune video. Can anyone add anything to this or is it pretty much they way you'd do it?

How to: Stihl MS29 Chainsaw Muffler Mod, Carb Tuning & Speed Test - YouTube

Thanks,
Kevin

I just use bigger hole or 2 holes in center. Also open edge of deflector to allow to flow too.