How often do you run your saws?

[groundup]

As a firewood cutter, during the fall and winter I run my saw weekly. Usually a few tanks each weekend. In the summer once or twice a month to cut up the odd log here or there.

I run it often enough to not require any long term storage measures.

However, if I got another saw it would essentailly cut my running time in half for both saws and I worry that won't be enough.

Thoughts? Do you do anything if you think a saw will be sitting for a month or two?

 

[Mac88]

As a firewood cutter, during the fall and winter I run my saw weekly. Usually a few tanks each weekend. In the summer once or twice a month to cut up the odd log here or there.

I run it often enough to not require any long term storage measures.

However, if I got another saw it would essentailly cut my running time in half for both saws and I worry that won't be enough.

Thoughts? Do you do anything if you think a saw will be sitting for a month or two?

Sometimes mine sit for a month or two. I clean them up and touch up the chains when I'm done sawing.
More than that I would drain the fuel and run the carb dry. Never had a problem with them.

 

[Fred Wright]

We're usually done with the majority of saw work by spring or early summer. The saw is pretty much in storage after that.

I drain the fuel, run the saw dry and drain the bar oil tank. Do the maintenence... pull the bar and clean it and grease the tip roller. Grease the clutch bearing, clean everything up. Inspect air and fuel filters, replace or clean as needed. Inspect the chain and give it a final sharpening before putting it to bed for the duration.

 

[sachsmo]

The 50cc and 60cc get taken every time.

Then there are the dozen plus 5-6 cubers that get in the mix at least twice a year.

 

[howard270]

I mostly run my saws during the fall and winter. I try to blow them off, including air filters, and sharpen the chain every time I get done with cutting for the day. If I know they will be setting for a month or more I will drain the fuel and run it dry and drain the bar oil as well.

I do not like to run a saw during the summer, mainly due to the bugs of the stinging variety, so my saw usually set from late May to late August with a very occasional use in there for a downed limb or clearing a roadway/path.

I just make sure each saw is fully serviced and sharpened so when I need it all I have to do is add fuel mix and bar oil and I can get after it.

 

[ponyexpress976]

While I'll say the above advice is all sound, I can't say I'm as good with storage procedures. I got lucky the other day when I pulled out the 372...it's been sitting for almost 6 months and I pulled it out just for funzies. Had gas and bar oil already in it,bout a half tank of each. The beast coughed on the third pull and came to life on the 4th. Best bet is to stop cutting before you're pooped so you have no excuse not to do the proper storage tasks. Last timeI used it, I got lazy.

 

[McCulloch1-52]

I Try to start them every chance I have, the problem is I have a lot of saws and I don't want the fuel pump to dry up.

 

[Chris-PA]

I run them at least every weekend, but it's hardly consistent for me, neither how often or how long or what kind of cutting. There are jobs requiring a saw just about all around me any time, but their not always very high on the priority list. Sometimes it's just trimming small stuff, sometimes after something big comes down it's more intense. After the Halloween storm last year I've had lots and lots of major cutting to do - and there is still more of it farther out in the woods - but I have to do some other things besides firewood gathering, and lately I've needed to spend that time on splitting or I won't be able to burn it.

Also, when I started on AS I had 2 saws that rarely both worked properly (sometimes neither), and had just gotten my Dad's old Mac for a 3rd. Now I have 6 that all run very well, and that's just more than I need. I try to get them all out regularly, but it's almost a PITA. I've considered selling or giving some away, but my saws are not worth much in terms of $, and the only ones I'd consider giving away have some issues that make that a poor idea. For example, a friend of ours is doing a landscape work and could use a small saw, and I'd giver her the Mac 2012s but it has no A/V, and she already has problems with her hands. Besides that, all my saws are modified and/or I have a lot of work to them and don't really want to part with them. But I'm done buying saws now.

 

[stihly dan]

I use the stihl synthetic mix, has additive in it. The saws can sit for 3-4 mo with no issues, although I do try and run them dry, it doesn't happen often.

 

[ShaneLogs]

I cut about every few days, Try not to keep them sitting for a long period of time with the gas in the saw because the gas varnishes and isn't good!

 

[zogger]

Varies too much and have a lot of saws now. I rotate them around, run them dry sometimes but not all the time. The echo powerblend plus no E fuel seems to hang in there OK.. I guess, on an average, a few times a week, sometimes several tanks a session, sometimes only like ten cuts. then I try out new rebuilds and tuning in the scrap log/bummer round pile.

If I am not planning on using this or that particlar saw anytime soon, I drain it back into the jug, because I need it for some other thirsty machine! hahahaha.

I am actually right now hovering-thinking about it seriously- on switching from mixing two gallon batches to a full five gallon can. I cut a lot more than I did before I joined this site....

And I just got another project saw that I can combine with another similar and make one good one (started on that one already, few more afternoons spare time it should be a runner), and another even larger wood chewer coming soon, big boys...I *can't wait* ....I'll be burning some mix.... (pics when it happens of course)

 

[ShaneLogs]

I use the stihl synthetic mix, has additive in it. The saws can sit for 3-4 mo with no issues, although I do try and run them dry, it doesn't happen often.

I run the Amsoil Mix at 40:1 in my saws. It is good oil!

 

[BarkBuster20]

iv put over 5 gallons through my 026 in the last 4 weeks... that thing sips gas, cant wait till i get another 70cc saw :msp_biggrin:

 

[ShaneLogs]

iv put over 5 gallons through my 026 in the last 4 weeks... that thing sips gas, cant wait till i get another 70cc saw :msp_biggrin:[/QUO

Gas Hog! :msp_smile:

 

[groundup]

What's the low down on running your saw dry? I thought it was bad because it ran your cylinders lean.

 

[howellhandmade]

What's the low down on running your saw dry? I thought it was bad because it ran your cylinders lean.

Yes, if you run it out WOT. There's some debate on that one, too, but if I know I'm putting a saw away I'll either run until I can tell it's about to run out, or empty the tank back in the jug, then let it idle dry.

 

[RAMROD48]

Just about every day, normally....

 

[Bob95065]

Not often enough...

 

[Coldfront]

I like to keep the gas tank full, from when I was in the 2 cycle outboard motor repair business they always said its better to keep it full of gas than run it dry, it drys out the gaskets and fuel pump diaphram plus you get more varnish from the last bit of gas evaporating dry and leaving the oil because the 2 cycle oil does not evaporate and leaves bad varnish. I guess if I was planing to leave it sit for a year or more maybe I would drain the tank but I think adding some stabilizer and keeping it full is better than dry. Anyway i always seem to find a way to run them every month or so.

 

[groundup]

I like to keep the gas tank full, from when I was in the 2 cycle outboard motor repair business they always said its better to keep it full of gas than run it dry, it drys out the gaskets and fuel pump diaphram plus you get more varnish from the last bit of gas evaporating dry and leaving the oil because the 2 cycle oil does not evaporate and leaves bad varnish. I guess if I was planing to leave it sit for a year or more maybe I would drain the tank but I think adding some stabilizer and keeping it full is better than dry. Anyway i always seem to find a way to run them every month or so.

I guess this is my dilemna, at what point should I run dry and which point leave them full.