deploy
New Member
Hello my friends. You know it sucks because this saw was/is hardly used. I always use a clean filter and fresh 50:1 fuel ratios. Yes I measure the ratios with devices designed for measuring ml.'s and even do only quarter of a gallon gas fills when I get gas because I know a whole gallon will not even be close to being used. It has been cutting like a butter knife trying to cut a plastic zip tie kinda.. [ Jumping out of the cut line, like the ???? wood is too hard almost for it.... ] The trunks I am testing on are pieces of the old huge tree that was cut about a year and a half or two ago.... ARE chainsaws supposed to be used for cutting old dried tree like this or are they only for soft, wet, fresh tree slicing??? Perhaps when dried these trunks are supposed to be splited only with a wedge or something??
Ok the only thing I can think of that me be related to the problem is that the saw, when I first ever ran it and used it [of course after breaking it in], unfortunately was pinched in a major way. I was trying to do a top to bottom slice on a fallen tree limb 12" or so in dia. It most likely wont happen ever again. [ A floor jack and a stack of two by fours was the only way to lift the load and remove the saw.] Yes and when it got stuck I have to admit I tried to gas it hard once, thinking it would somehow, you know, cut through I guess, lol.
On top of that, new chains and even a new 14" bar and chain combo, of the correct specification, was installed. Yeah the new chains would work ok at first but then start to do nothing 2 tankfuls later, cutting the same type of wood. [Maybe its the wood again, ahh I know you guys will let me know.]
How can I know if the sprocket needs replacment?? Is there any play allowed in regards to the fit of the clutch drum on the bearing on the shaft?? Are stihl chainsaw sprocket bearings plastic or rubber with metal races also?? I couldnt beleive this bearing was a rubber flexible type. It slides left to right about a mm or two at the most, and wiggles a bit. Is this normal? I would imagine that this isnt supposed to be that loose but then again the dude I brought it too said that the drum or sprocket was perfectly normal.. However this sprocket drum part has deep marks where the chain would ride on it. Are the saw chains drive teeth, which ride in the bars groove and allow the chain to be moved by the turning sprocket, supposed to be sharp to the touch??? Im thinking maybe that this could be the reason why the sprocket looks so worn like this. I also should say that I installed a brand new sprocket yesterday but havent tried it yet.
How tight is everyones chain? Mine is one of those low kick back types. And I always used to keep it just a bit loose, nothing that would derrail the chain, but something that can be turned by hand effortlessly..
I could shure use some answers here. This thing used to slice nicely like a warm knife through butter, but ever since the pinch it hasnt cut like it used too. The motor starts on the first pulls and still runs sweet... Doesnt die out or anything. I also try and let the saw do the cutting and dont force it into the cut. But it doesnt do any cutting like I said. I remember I was frustrated and even tried to push a little bit into the cut because it was just sliding in the groove, wide open throttle. Pushing and forcing didnt help one bit.
How do these echo 3450 run for everyone else? Does anyone experience similar problems like this? How do these compare to a stihl ms 180 or even 170?? Seriously, just for occasional use and reliability and effortless cutting. I dislike the way this saw is working for me right now and dislike airfilter setup on this saw.
One last thought. Now last time I tried to cut using a newly sharpened chain, I did observe that as the bar and chain was starting to sink into the cut the bar would start vibrating left to right slightly and quickly but noticeably, like jumping left to right, trying to avoid cutting the line any deeper. Is this significant or normal?
Its nice being here again. Be happy and positive everyone. :angel:
Ok the only thing I can think of that me be related to the problem is that the saw, when I first ever ran it and used it [of course after breaking it in], unfortunately was pinched in a major way. I was trying to do a top to bottom slice on a fallen tree limb 12" or so in dia. It most likely wont happen ever again. [ A floor jack and a stack of two by fours was the only way to lift the load and remove the saw.] Yes and when it got stuck I have to admit I tried to gas it hard once, thinking it would somehow, you know, cut through I guess, lol.
On top of that, new chains and even a new 14" bar and chain combo, of the correct specification, was installed. Yeah the new chains would work ok at first but then start to do nothing 2 tankfuls later, cutting the same type of wood. [Maybe its the wood again, ahh I know you guys will let me know.]
How can I know if the sprocket needs replacment?? Is there any play allowed in regards to the fit of the clutch drum on the bearing on the shaft?? Are stihl chainsaw sprocket bearings plastic or rubber with metal races also?? I couldnt beleive this bearing was a rubber flexible type. It slides left to right about a mm or two at the most, and wiggles a bit. Is this normal? I would imagine that this isnt supposed to be that loose but then again the dude I brought it too said that the drum or sprocket was perfectly normal.. However this sprocket drum part has deep marks where the chain would ride on it. Are the saw chains drive teeth, which ride in the bars groove and allow the chain to be moved by the turning sprocket, supposed to be sharp to the touch??? Im thinking maybe that this could be the reason why the sprocket looks so worn like this. I also should say that I installed a brand new sprocket yesterday but havent tried it yet.
How tight is everyones chain? Mine is one of those low kick back types. And I always used to keep it just a bit loose, nothing that would derrail the chain, but something that can be turned by hand effortlessly..
I could shure use some answers here. This thing used to slice nicely like a warm knife through butter, but ever since the pinch it hasnt cut like it used too. The motor starts on the first pulls and still runs sweet... Doesnt die out or anything. I also try and let the saw do the cutting and dont force it into the cut. But it doesnt do any cutting like I said. I remember I was frustrated and even tried to push a little bit into the cut because it was just sliding in the groove, wide open throttle. Pushing and forcing didnt help one bit.
How do these echo 3450 run for everyone else? Does anyone experience similar problems like this? How do these compare to a stihl ms 180 or even 170?? Seriously, just for occasional use and reliability and effortless cutting. I dislike the way this saw is working for me right now and dislike airfilter setup on this saw.
One last thought. Now last time I tried to cut using a newly sharpened chain, I did observe that as the bar and chain was starting to sink into the cut the bar would start vibrating left to right slightly and quickly but noticeably, like jumping left to right, trying to avoid cutting the line any deeper. Is this significant or normal?
Its nice being here again. Be happy and positive everyone. :angel:
