Stihl questions and answers

[eyolf]

I ain't pickin' a fight, Fish...please understand, but it almost sounds as if there's two conversations going on here:

One: Stihl makes a couple of models for the low-end market. The product is what it it is.

Two: there are a few less scrupulous sellers out there that allow(?) the buyer to believe that the Stihl name means best quality.

Is the argument that Stihl shouldn't produce the lower-end stuff, so that a few salesmen can't oversell it and eventually wreck Stihl's reputation? I suppose that's a valid argument, but perhaps Stihl could fight that directly, too...unless they are giving a wink and a nod to those who oversell the consumer saws.

How about that; Stihl guys: is it you guys' opinion that Stihl is playing this for short term gain, and will suffer in the long run?

 

[Fish]

Not really 2 different discussion and not really much
to argue about. But calling it "consumer" and
"low hour" is another way of saying it is not made as
well and/or lacking the quality that Stihl boasts.
Stihl no longer wants a saw to last the consumer
as long as before, they want to sell them a new one
every few years. It pays off for now in high sales,
but how long can they expect to ride on the
coattails of their image? Everyone that sells Stihl,
unless they happen to sell other brands, boasts
that Stihl is the best. Stihl usually shuns a dealer
that sells other brands, but larger dealerships get
away with it.
The ms310 looks like an 029 with a 3/8 chain on it,
so I'll bet it will be about the same, maybe worse
with the bigger chain on it. Everyone thinks I am
a Stihl fan here, but I just love picking on the
Electrolux nuts. I have worked at Stihl dealers for
more years than Husky dealers, so I know their line
better. Currently I have my own shop out in the middle of
nowhere and am a dealer of none. The Stihl dealer
here is very poor, and Husky dealers are impossible to
find. But of all of my dealings with all of the dealers,
the Stihl dealers claim that Stihl is the best. It is
not immoral, it is selling.

 

[WRW]

So, the consumer plays no part in the sale? What the man behind the counter puts in front of them, they buy? Do they keep coming back and buying these same products? Do they ever figure that it's time to move up to a more professionally oriented saw?
There is a market for consumer quality saws. Why shouldn't any manufacturer tap into that market, as long as the professional saws maintain their own standards. If, indeed, the consumer grade saws will cut 20 cords per year, won't that satisfy the needs of most consumers?
What other brand dealer doesn't call his saw "the best"? Have we got one out there calling his saws "second best", or "third in line behind so & so and such & such"? If so, do they get many sales?

 

[Fish]

I doubt that the average consumer is aware that
there is a big difference in quality unless a sales
person tells him, which they won't. So it is the
unwary and uneducated buyer's fault that he was
duped into buying a "consumer" saw, because his
dad's 30 year old saw is running strong.
You are right. Stihl should take advantage of the
market of "consumer" grade equipment. Then
after a few years they can just throw the saw away,
and go look for another. What brand will they look for
then? Is the question.

 

[WRW]

John,
We gotta keep postin' or they'll think we got our shorts in a knot (panties in a bundle).
So, have you been seeing problems with the MS310 already?

 

[rosshuber43]

Made it over to the saw shop in the black hills a couple wks ago,the owner/mechanic is very knowledgable. Ryan was asking about saws as his old 048 is 23 lbs plus and would like to use it to mill and buy a lighter saw. The guy sells both stihl and husky,says each saw has its good points. He has a post that seperates his saws, left side is home owner models, right side are pro. pro almost being twice as much. He told us the pro saws were ment to run 8 hrs. a day,5 days a week, as aposed to weekends. Again, he wouldn't be pinned down to which brand was best and I'll agree with him. It's just like having one saw
that does it all, I don't think there is such a thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Having fun cuz I don't have to get up and do it

 

[stihltech]

consumer saws

My god what did I start here. OK, the dealer shoud be up front about the line. I sell them for what they are. I explain the difference. And , in the end , They buy the one that fits their usage. Then they tell me the came for our reputation and service.Good saws without good service IS junk.
NOW LET US MOVE ON!
Thank you

 

[confused]

Stihltech,

The nature of this forum is TANGENTS. Glad to have another knowledgeable person to bounce questions off though glad to have you here.

 

[Fish]

Dang Stihltech, you are wound a little tight! Or are you
angry that the members here did not inundate you
with questions and seek advice? That is the good thing
about this forum, it is loaded with drunken rednecks that
seek no stinkin' advice from anyone because everyone
here has opinions that are fairly firm. I use the redneck
analogy keeping in mind that they are called something else
in their own geographical location, and this forum covers a wide
area.
It is refreshing to have a place where people can vent and
speak their mind. You started the topic, but you do not control
the discussion.
Working at a Stihl dealership for 20 years means little here.
The members even rolled out a red carpet for you. I think it
is great you are here too, as you can add to the discussion.
But if you say something, pose a question, or start a thread,
don't get mad if you get posts that disagree, as I promise
that it will happen.
Drunken Redneck
So was the fs36 a good trimmer?

 

[stihltech]

FS36

No, it was low end and I sold it as such. However, there are still alot of them going strong. It filled a niche. Just like minimacs and small poulans. Would not own one, but sold alot and some people thought they were great.

 

[WRW]

Yep, Yep, Yep. Dr Frankenstein couldn't kill his creation either.

 

[Billie]

Fish, very well said.

 

[DDM]

I like the 026, had 2 before but never modified either. Besides throwing away the scr

I like the 026, had 2 before but never modified either. Besides throwing away the screen, is there anything in particular I should know before opening up the muffler?

I'm still waiting for a answer to Brians question because i Have a 026 as well.:alien:

 

[ccicora]

I modified my wife's 026 pro. I removed the front plate, then the screen. You will see a rectangle section with the exhaust port in it. I cut out the rectangle but left the front gard, replaced the screen and opened up the carb a little...... it out cut my 036 pro

So far the saw has run great. I have about 2 tanks through it. I'm waiting to see what happens in the long run.

Later,
chris

 

[builder]

that's no joke,I did about the same thing to my 026,I drilled two holes,one above and one below the original,in the rectangular area behind the screen.Now it's like a whole new saw,but quite loud! try one 3/8" hole ABOVE the one that's already there,or make the stock hole 1/2-5/8".

 

[Fish]

Looking through the Stihl Power Tool and Accessories
booklet, they have the saws divided into 3
groups. The first group has no title, but reading on in
the description you see the term "occasional user".
It has the 009,017,018,021,025.
The next page is Titled "Farm and PROFFESSIONAL
saws". It lists the 026,029,ms310,036, and 039.
The last page is titled "Pro Saws". 019,020,044
046,066,088.
I wonder why the customer might think he
was buying a professional grade saw when he bought an
029?

 

[WRW]

Fish,
'Cause that's one of the FARM models.
How's your 029 holding up, by the way?

 

[Fish]

It started cutting out on me this past weekend,
but it will be a while before I look at it, as spring is
almost here, and the mowers are rolling in fast.
The booklet says Farm and Proffessional use, and
makes no distinction between the two. The only saw in
the bunch called the "Farm Boss" is the 029, but
they all are called "Farm and Proffessional saws".
Fairly deceptive if someone is wanting a proffessional
grade saw.

 

[WRW]

OK. My literature is dated, but the 036 is the only one described under its picture as being designed for the professional pulpwood and firewood cutter in that group. No MS numbers...no 031.

 

[stihltech]

farm saws

The 026 and 036 are the pro saws. The others are farm saws.
By the way, I have 2 guys selling firewood and using an 039.
2 years and still going strong. I thought it might be a good test.