GardenKit

welcome to the 4-mix NON appreciation society:001_huh:

But it seems that the 1137 120 0600 is no longer available as a complete carb from Stihl according to my info (happy to be corrected). Possibly available from ZAMA, but would still like the designation number to be sure. It probably will be an S103 or S134 as 18 stoner says.

Sorry to confuse you Swampy, but according to the Stihl Mediacat dealer system there are are possible 5 carbs for the 192T All Zama C1Q, but types S125, S103 (replaced by S134), and S104 (replaced by S135). These type numbers are etched into the carb. With these numbers it will be possible to identify both the original Stihl part number and price/availability, or a genuine Zama carb from a Zama dealer. The genuine Zama carb, if available, will likely be around 2/3 the cost of one in a Stihl box.

There may be a carb available. What make, model and type? There are some small stamped, or etched numbers on a side face.

Theocus, if those prices include VAT then they are VERY good. Go get some, and take all your friends and buy his complete stock. Maybe the dealer has a particular need to shift stock, but to be honest that price is hardly above dealer cost and leaves what in my opinion is a totally unworkable margin. I only say this because other Arbtalkers should not expect to buy at those prices. It will seldom, if ever, happen. If however those prices don,t include VAT then they are very poor prices. RRP on 2T 5litres is £18.16 inc vat.

Sorry Commando, we are a little further away, in East Devon.

As I understand it, alkylate fuel is produced from the gases found at the top of the distillation tower, and those from the 'cracker' . As all the other petroleum products have been produced lower down the tower , the quantity at the top is limited. For this reason the production capacity for this purest of petroleums is limited. Insuffiicient can be produced for road vehicle use.

Maybe if the volume of water sales was not so high, the price would not be as cheap?

I do agree Andy, that as well as the price the availablity issue is a problem. Without a comprehensive dealer network it is impossible for many potential users to get hold of it. I you can't get it, you can't use it. What I cannot understand is why other dealers are so reluctant to get into it, it must be pure ignorance of the product. As I said before, the stuff flys off my shelves, we have new supplies every 2-3 weeks at the moment. It increases footfall in the shop, which in turn leads the aspen user to have a greater awareness of my other products. And its making me tidy money.

I was responding to reasons for the cost and stated that my belief is that the only significant reduction in price may be if the government were to remove the Excise Duty. This would obviously apply to alkylate fuels in general, not just to Aspen, but the thread is entitled 'ASPEN fuel, why so expensive' I never mentioned bringing ASPEN down to pump petrol prices, they were your words, but surely a price reduction of 58p per litre would be significant. This would mean bringing the pre vat price down from £3.02 to £2.45, I for one, would welcome that. Of course I agree that reducing the price would make it easier to sell, that applies to everthing in my shop, I would love it to be much cheaper. But the price of anything can only be reduced if the profit margins remain viable, so assuming that no one is making a killing from this stuff, the logical way to reduce cost other than a possible (dont hold your breath) tax reduction will be to reduce costs. This will be best achieved by increasing sales volume, something Anglo American have been striving to achieve in the UK for years. The last year has seen the largest growth in sales yet, so they are at last getting somewhere. I understand that Aspen is a very small part of their overall business in the UK. So for those who want to use Aspen the best thing will be to bite the bullet and buy some. Those who have used it see beyond the price. For those who dont want to pay the price, thats OK. Its your choice.

I think you have got it spot on. The production process is more expensive than petrol, and on a much smaller scale. Its then packaged in a stout can, the cans are sleeved, palletised, containerised and shipped to the UK, to be transported from the docks to Anglo in Dorset. The containers are then broken down to be transported from Anglo to the dealer in 54 can pallets. The dealer stores it then sells it. Its not difficult to see why it costs what it does, even if the base cost of the liquid were reduced, the other costs could not be. So unless you guys get behind it and significantly increase UK volume I doubt you will see a reduction in price. ( unless the government can be persuaded to reduce the fuel tax, they are being lobied)

It currently has an RRP of £17.95 inc vat for 5l of 4t, and £18.15 for 2t.

Sorry Andy, just can't agree with this statement. I am only a small dealer, working from a 1500 sq ft unit in a small devon village. There are only 2 staff, thats me and my wife. We took on Aspen last Sept and have so far shifted 18 pallets, thats around a 1000 cans. There is not a great margin in it, but even a small margin on 1000 cans is worth having. There is nothing special about us, if we can shift it anyone can. So it does sell, and there is a demand for it. We only get raised eyebrows about the price from the first time users. They all then see beyond the price and come back time and time again for more.

I have one of those in a box somewhere. I have never used it. Don't you have to take the blades off the machine to sharpen them with this?

I must be going soft or stupid. I very seldom offer to do work whilst a customer waits as often I will be interrupted by the phone or another visitor. But today a new customer came in to collect 3 saws and brought in his KM90 which would not start and appeared to have no compression. He desperately needed to use it his afternoon. Anyway, I decided to have a look at it quickly, whipped off the cowl and rocker cover to find the inlet valve jammed open by a misplaced rocker arm. Sprung it back into place, adjusted valves and put covers back. Started first time and ran like a good un. Al in under 10 minutes. I,ll never get rich at this rate, but its good to be of service.

Yes TCD, I do agree that a synthetic multigrade is probably better, but its alright for you, who knows a lot about oils to deveate from the the advised path, and indeed for me to, as I know a little about oils. But anyone who has not benefited from an education in oils would be better to stick to the recomendations, surely? I advise my customers in accordance with the manufacurers for obvious professional reasons. Maybe I should not have butted in to this thread.

Rich, I dont think its a case of recommending the oil they sell, but rather selling the oil they recomend. After all they don't make oil, just buy it in in their own packaging. And, yes I know there are other oils of the same grade which is why I sell neither Briggs or Honda. I sell, and use, the appropriate grades from Rock.

I agree with you on Tanaka, Andy, but of course I am a bit biased, as I sell them! On the economy issue, it also helps to keep them well oiled with a 30 grade oil or similar (engine oil). This increases blade speed, lowers power (and fuel) consumption and saves on the wear between the blades (that pedroski mentioned)

I agree with you on Tanaka, Andy, but of course I am a bit biased, as I sell them! On the economy issue, it also helps to keep them well oiled with a 30 grade oil or similar (engine oil). This increases blade speed, lowers power (and fuel) consumption and saves on the wear between the blades (that pedroski mentioned)

Simply because thats what the manufacturers state in their manuals:confused1: And the SAE 30 in Briggs engines statement is supported by the fact that their own brand oil is SAE30. And the 10w30 statement is supported by the fact that Honda's own brand is 10W30. Is this wrong?

Simply because thats what the manufacturers state in their manuals:confused1: And the SAE 30 in Briggs engines statement is supported by the fact that their own brand oil is SAE30. And the 10w30 statement is supported by the fact that Honda's own brand is 10W30. Is this wrong?

I really hate to say this, but some of the hardest steel blades I have sharpened were on a cheapy B&Q type machine. Cant remember which one, but it took ages to sharpen.

I really hate to say this, but some of the hardest steel blades I have sharpened were on a cheapy B&Q type machine. Cant remember which one, but it took ages to sharpen.