Is the Stihl HD2 filter a downgrade from the standard Stihl HD filter? Hmm....

[SkippyKtm]

otstir:otstir:otstir:

I've seen this twice from 2 different users so far, so I'm starting to think that the HD2 isn't exactly what its cracked up to be. Although it may provide better filtration of the smallest particles, it appears to not last nearly as long as the original HD filter.

This filter came from a logger's MS660 which is about 11 months old and has quite a few hours on it. The saw is in good enough shape that I think it will last him for another year assuming he takes better care of it. The milling marks on the exhaust side of the piston are still there, but on the intake side they are gone. The nikasil on the cylinder has a mottled appearance on the intake side as well, I didn't get photos of that though. I believe we caught it in time, and I educated him to always check the spitback cage and look down the carb throat to check for fines.

Its important to remember that most loggers look at a chainsaw like its a tool rather than a toy. All they expect from it is to get as much work done possible with the least cost. So that the fact the HD2 has better filtration doesn't matter if they have to replace it all the time.

We installed a new Standard HD filter and the HD2 will go in the trash. I wonder if Stihl had designed the HD2 filter so that you must change them more often, that way the can fatten up their bottom line. I'm sure the HD2 filter is big bucks, but are they worth it? I think not, not a least if you're a logger or someone who racks up the hours anyway.

 

[Saw Dr.]

I'm sure the HD2 filter is big bucks, but are they worth it?

Ya got that right. I ordered 5 of them for stock the other day. Price was not listed on Stihl SE. I figured it is an air filter, how much could it be? YEEEOOOOW! The bill took my breath away. Good thing I already had 2 of them sold for customer saws. We are selling them for $44.99, and I understand we are less than anyone else in the area.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

Ill be another guy youve heard it from..i bought one for my 440 and it did exactly the same thing in probably 15 to 20 hours use..i think theyre junk !

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

After 11 months a loggers saw is usually completely worn out anyway.

 

[SkippyKtm]

After 11 months a loggers saw is usually completely worn out anyway.

Actually its still in decent shape. This particular logger isn't the most ambitious one out there, I don't think he's put on as much hours on it as some could of.

 

[blsnelling]

After 11 months a loggers saw is usually completely worn out anyway.

:taped:

 

[albert]

Ill be another guy youve heard it from..i bought one for my 440 and it did exactly the same thing in probably 15 to 20 hours use..i think theyre junk !

Will the dealer replace it n/c? Unless it was abused they should. How are they recomending to clean these with wrecking them? For that money theres no excuse for it.

 

[Andyshine77]

Looks to me the filters didn't get enough adhesive, just like some of the Dolmar HD filters. Honestly if you can get 11 months out of a filter under those conditions, I'd say these filter don't have any issues. The filter should have been replaced at least a few times in 11 months anyway.

Now the price of the filter is outrageous!! it seems like Stihl want's to price themselves out of the very market they helped create.:beat_brick:

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

:taped:

Must not meet many loggers, the damn Amish kids are lucky to get 6 months out a saw before they
toast their 660's.

Most never do any maintenance, gas, oil and file chains.

The saws only get any attention when they stop running.

 

[Andyshine77]

The saws only get any attention when they stop running.

Seems to be a common trend among most these days.

 

[Log slayer]

Must not meet many loggers, the damn Amish kids are lucky to get 6 months out a saw before they
toast their 660's.

Most never do any maintenance, gas, oil and file chains.

The saws only get any attention when they stop running.

:msp_scared:??? I want to hear this. I'll trade you a story.

 

[Rudolf73]

Must not meet many loggers, the damn Amish kids are lucky to get 6 months out a saw before they
toast their 660's.

Most never do any maintenance, gas, oil and file chains.

The saws only get any attention when they stop running.

I didn't know the Amish used chainsaws... that's interesting.

 

[blsnelling]

Must not meet many loggers, the damn Amish kids are lucky to get 6 months out a saw before they
toast their 660's.

Most never do any maintenance, gas, oil and file chains.

The saws only get any attention when they stop running.

And that is so disgusting to me. You don't have to treat it like a hobby, as many of us do, but they could significantly increase the life of their equipment.

 

[Anthony_Va.]

run the crap out of my saws, but I do all maintenance to them. Also set them down easy and never drop them I run them like tools but treat them like a toy I guess.

My HD2 filter on the 441 has been very nice so far. Seems to be holding up well after a couple months use. Prolly only 30 tanks on it. I know that if you beat them against a log to clean them that any of them will eventually break. Maybe some of these broken filters are from mistreatment?

 

[Slamm]

I switched to the HD filters on all my saws and just blow them out with air and none are broken. I'll bet its from the yahoos that beat them against the skidder tires or a stump, as "maintenance" or cleaning. This barely works on the wire mesh covered filters, but its still dumb.

Sam

 

[wigglesworth]

I switched to the HD filters on all my saws and just blow them out with air and none are broken. I'll bet its from the yahoos that beat them against the skidder tires or a stump, as "maintenance" or cleaning. This barely works on the wire mesh covered filters, but its still dumb.

Sam

Hi Sam!!

Most loggers I know don't clean the air filters. Takes too much time. They figure when the truck bed fills up with water, the filters get clean enough...

 

[Slamm]

And that is so disgusting to me. You don't have to treat it like a hobby, as many of us do, but they could significantly increase the life of their equipment.

I agree, I've had saws that are still running great after years of logging, in fact, other than smashing two with trees, I've never lost a saw to wearing out. Use synthetic mix and clean the filters and keep them tuned properly and don't throw them around like a stick of wood.

I have known English and Amish loggers that abuse the crap out of a saw. I also know a tree trimming company that when they are still about 10' above the ground dropping out of a tree they will just drop there saws on the ground ......... I saw this all day, one day .......... needless to say, they found that only Stihl saws would hold up to their treatment, and they still had to buy several per year and always had saws in the shop on a repair cycle. I just couldn't grasp the money lost due to treating the saws like sticks of firewood, but that is just how some people view small engine "tools" or machines they just beat them do death and then complain that they cost too much.

Sam

 

[BloodOnTheIce]

I didn't know the Amish used chainsaws... that's interesting.

Yup there's a couple local Amish logging companies.

The father drives the team of draft horses hauling the logs, and his teenage sons
do all of the falling.

They run MS660's with 20" or 24" bars.

You can always tell an Amish run saw by the following traits
-Broken chain adjuster, and only one bar nut
-The filter cover is packed tight with wood saw dust
-The sprocket is almost cut in half, and bar sprocket nearly blown out
-Atleast 1 broken av buffer.

They use horses to haul the logs mostly buy Walnut for furniture/cabinet making.

They have a "english" guy drive the truck and trailer with the horses to the
job site.

People like it because they don't tear up the woods with a skidder or dozer.

They buy 2-4 new saws every year no matter what so they don't feel the need to take good care of them.
That's what they've told me when I've asked them about doing maintenance.

 

[Slamm]

I know of one 660 that lived its whole life never in a barn or shed or covering of any sort, just out in the grass next to either the house, barn or shed. When we stopped in to pick up the Amish cutter he would have to take and axe and hack the ice and earth around the saw to get it unstuck from the ground during the winter. Finally after it warmed up for an hour the earth and ice would melt off of it and it would loose about 5 pounds of weight. If it sleeted or rained and froze he would hit the saw with the axe until the trigger and choke would move enough to get it started. It was an amazing thing to watch and you couldn't convince him of anything otherwise.

I absolutely hate it when things fail me, therefore I try to take care of them so they can perform at their best when working hard. I use them hard when cutting for cutting, but I don't use them as projectiles.

Sam

 

[gcdible1]

Must not meet many loggers, the damn Amish kids are lucky to get 6 months out a saw before they
toast their 660's.

Most never do any maintenance, gas, oil and file chains.

The saws only get any attention when they stop running.

The Amish quote cracks me up because my inlaws befriended some young Amish. Reasoning was they hoped for great deals on their new building and siding, etc on the house. Therefore since my Father in law befriended them I ended up cutting them some firewood since they were "short on wood". He said he doesnt run a saw. Once the coast was clear he dropped the axe he had and grabbed the saw from my wife. It was a scary thing watching him use it.

Point is many Amish, like many others; take the advantage when they can. Its just funny how they act so coy and honest about things and will deliberately go against their beliefs when nobody is watching. I was just glad he didnt break anything or cut himself since I wouldnt know how to explain that one! And of course, it would only be "gods will" if my saw was broken.