I'm asking for a friend

2dogs · Dec 19, 2017

My buddy called me today to tell me he seized his 090 milling. He has a Stihl mill, 5' bar, 4' cut, 404 chains both ripping and crosscut. He runs 50:1, probably Stihl Ultra with pump gas. He said the saw started to "bog down" but he kept cutting until the saw stopped. He pulled the muffler at home and said it looked like the piston was welded to the jug. He has a MS660 with a 42" bar on an Alaskan mill that he is taking to the jobsite to finish milling. Yeah, I know.

So... What mix should he run for milling? I run 40:1 for falling these days but I have no experience with a richer mix this century. I am also a firm believer in tuning the saw as often as it needs it cleaning with compressed air and Simple Green.

Just so you guys know, I hate oil threads.

Cease232 · Dec 19, 2017

I just run 40:1 in all saws. Pay attention and retune frequently.

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2dogs · Dec 19, 2017

Cease232 said:
I just run 40:1 in all saws. Pay attention and retune frequently.

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Thank you.

rarefish383 · Dec 20, 2017

I used to run my Homelite Super 1050 with 36" bar at 32, but the last couple years I used it, I changed to Stihl synthetic at 50. It was still running strong when I retired it and got my 660. I run it with Stihl synthetic at 50. I just don't lean on it. If your chains are sharp and you don't lean on it, it's not getting stressed as much as a dull chain. If you have to lean on it to cut, your chains are not sharp and you are putting a LOT of stress on the power head. 090's are not exactly new saws, maybe it was a case of years of hard work finally got it. My Super 1050 was used by my Dad for 20 years commercially, and then by me for 20 more cutting firewood, then milling for several years. Like I said, it was running strong, and still does. But, every time I took it out I was thinking this might be the last time. Those bearings and moving parts have to wear out sooner or later. If folks like Bob say go to 40, then go to 40. I don't do that much milling, a couple times a year I'll mill up 3-4 30" Oak logs. The rest of the year the 660 is a garage queen, Joe.

rarefish383 · Dec 20, 2017

You know, now that I'm thinking about it, I may have changed to 40. I buy my mix in gallons and pour it into a marked container to mix, I just fill it to the mark and then add to the fuel. I'm going to check today. I need to mix 5 gallons anyway, my wife was mad because there was no mix left to blow leaves while I was gone hunting, Joe.