Author Topic: New saw questions (Read 2324 times)

knowslittle · « **on:** February 18, 2010, 12:46:26 PM »

Another newbie here with some new saw questions. Haven't bought a new saw in 28 years, and hope someone can help. Intend to get a MS260 Pro and kinda lost.
1) Break in procedure. . .go by the manual?
2) pre-soak the chain?
3) adjust the oiler to maximum?
4) Richen up the mixture?
5) Does a chisel chain cut the cleanest for a cross-cut in lodgepole?

Thanks in advance for your time and expertise.
Bob

Rocky_J · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:05:02 PM »

You can start by reading a couple other similar threads. Here's a current one that will answer several of your questions.

http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,42232.0.html

And for your specific questions:
1) Pretend there is no such thing as 'break in'. Just run the saw normally.
2) No, just use the chain normally.
3) yes, especially Stihls. They have reduced oiler output over the years to 'burn up your bar and chain' levels.
4) Yes, most saws are set too lean from the dealer in order to meet EPA standards.
5) Completely unrelated topic, and I have no idea what a lodgepole is.

Sprucegum · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:08:30 PM »

When I bought my Echo the dealer filled it with gas and oil and showed me exactly how to start it and warm it up.

Ask your dealer to do the same - it will set your mind at ease about a lot of things

Cut4fun · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:42:54 PM »

I thought stihl dealers were required to fuel up and set saw up for customer. Has this customary service faded away too?

But then again when I go to my husky dealer I ask for un-fueled PHO or bar of my choosing.
I would do the same with my stihl or dolmar dealer also.

01crewcab · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2010, 03:08:31 PM »

#7. By Lodgepole I'm going to assume you Lodgepole pine? If so, yes chisel would work great for felling or bucking. If the wood is dirty then no, not so good.

JohnG28 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:29:14 PM »

Cut4fun, i purchased a new stihl about a month ago, and the dealer did set it up for me, as well as fuel and demo it for me, so no, i dont believe that their customer service has gone by the wayside

ladylake · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:42:46 PM »

I'd try and stay away from long hard cuts for at least a couple of tanks. Steve

windthrown · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2010, 02:57:01 AM »

If you want to richen up a Stihl, you have to pull the limiter caps and cut off the tabs, and put them back in place (to keep the crab jets from turning out of tune). If you leave the limiters as they are from the factory, you are just barely past the point of beaing too lean. I presume that limiter mods void the Stihl warantee. I suppose you could get some limiter caps and pop them in before taking a saw in for warantee work. I have heard that some dealers will not sell them. Also with a 260 drill out the muffler cover; add one hole above and below the single factory muffler port the same size, and reset the tab trimmed H screw out to set the WOT RPM to 14.5k RPM. I have a late model 026 (same as a 260) like that and it runs great.

As others have said, no need to 'break in' the saw, or soak the chain. Though the saw will take about 10 tanks of gas to break in, seat the rings and get full power. The 260 has a good oiler, and you can set the oiler on high or 1/4 toward the midpoint with a 16 inch bar. The oiler on high will oil a 20 inch bar. Not all Stihl oil pumps are stingey (but some are). Chisel is faster cutting, pine, fir or hardwood. You need clean wood though; full chisel chains will dull fast in any kind of grit or dirt. You can also rock them a lot easier. Semi-chisel is slower cutting, but will stay sharp a lot longer in cruddy wood and cutting conditions.

ihookem · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:13:46 PM »

Windthrown, you need to get a video to show us what your talking about. I don't know what a WOT is. I'm new to tuning chainsaws. I also just bought a Stihl 441 and am a little nervous about running it too lean.

Rocky_J · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:32:15 PM »

Wide Open Throttle = WOT

Here's the carb tuning instruction page again.

http://www.madsens1.com/saw%20carb%20tune.htm

knowslittle · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2010, 10:55:59 PM »

Rocky- sorry, #5 refers to Lodgepole Pine. The link you gave for tuning was great, starting to remember how it all comes together finally.

Windthrown- You must have been reading my mind regarding opening up the muffler. All the info you gave was well received and very useful. Thank you.

This forum has been a great resource for me, been reading the posts for a few months in anticipation of a hopefully upcoming job. Great help, great people.

Thanks again!

Good luck to all in these tough economic times!

Bob

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