Re: Oil ratios - Do not forget the recommended ratios are influenced by the EPA, not just what is "good for your saw", and (unfortunately) they have no common sense. If they can reduce emissions, even if it will kill your saw in 5 years, they will do it!
For example, the EPA restricts emissions based on the SIZE of the saw, even if meeting those emission targets kills performance (performance is not a consideration). So, if you reduce performance by 50% to get a 5% reduction in emissions, they are in favor of that! Nothing short of "STUPID".
Also, the old gas had lead in it, which was a lubricant, that is gone now, so IMO, the higher oil mix ratios make sense.
That said, I agree that often failures are related to operator error, like pushing a dull chain. But who (that does a lot of it) has not been in the situation where the chain hits something, and it still cuts, and you are almost done, and you just get it done! (Especially if time is tight). For those times, I like a little bit of insurance, so I run Saber at 40:1 with 93 octane fuel (high octane runs cooler).
Just because I ran 50:1 for years with leaded fuel w/o any problems does not mean I could get away with it with the unleaded fuel. IMO, you have to recognize change and adjust accordingly.
The 1/2 cord delivery went OK, they have 15 acres and I was hoping for hunting permission, but that got nixed because the wife "feeds them". Oh well!
Deer hunted with Mechanic Matt and Rich (Summer NY GTG a few years back), did not see any deer but had a little Bear run right by my stand, was pretty cool!