GardenKit

I wont have one in stock, so get the numbers off the carb and let me know. Got a very nice, pre-owned, Mantis with Honda 4 stroke for sale though!

Where is the "unfriend" button? Seriously though Steve, that looks good.

Hahaha, Make them only run on Aspen. Sorted!

TBH, I don't think this was your problem, as the purge bulb is redundant once the machine has started. It actually works by creating a vacuum in the metering chamber which is then filled by fuel being pushed by air pressure through the carb. Any further pumping merely pumps fuel back to the tank via the return pipe. So your problem would cause poor starting, but once started it should run fine. Maybe you partly cleared something else when you stripped the carb.

I am pretty flexible, but have yet to check with the family (mine, not the local mafia) for prior events. Would sort of like to make it again this year though. edit, to OP, sorry for the derail!

Do you hate heights too then Eggs? Is there a date for Tuckers yet?

Thats a common problem, and one that often gets the better of me too. Everything looks ok, but the pawls pop out again when you try to start it. Its best to fit a complete unit if you can get hold of one, but they are not easy to source now.

Come on Eggs, read the first post properly, and stop looking for a conspiracy theory:big grin: No mention of any complaints from dealers. Just a reminder to dealers. I simply posted it because I thought it may be of interest and let members know where the issue of providing proof of training came from in the first place.

Hence the wording of the AEA press release in my OP The AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) recently repeated its advice to manufacturers and distributors of chainsaws asking them to remind their dealers that top handle saws must only be supplied to bona-fide tree surgeons or operators trained (with proof of training) in their use.

I don't believe that this particular threat is coming from the HSE, but from the Market Surveillance Authorities, whoever they may be. They have noticed a growing trend for sales of top handle saws via distance and internet sales. They can only assume by the nature of the saws sold (i.e brands) that these are going straight to the domestic market, without proof of competency, which goes against the code of practice. They have flagged this up for attention. Also, I would not write the threat off as 'hollow', the ban has been made in some countries already. The biggest problem lies with the dealers however. Most dealers toe the line, but there are also a few who think the rules do not apply to them, or are oblivious to the rules anyway (They do not all read the trade press). The largest numbers of saws sold without proof of training are sold 'online' though, and these are the sales that will have an impact on the debate which may eventually lead to a ban.

The AEA is not the bad guy here Steve, They are the association to which many manufacturers, dealers and distributors belong. They fight the corner of the industry with the government bodies, they fight the corner of the government with the industry, They fight for change where needed and against it where not. The AEA do not have the power or authority to bring about a ban and they would not wish to, its not in the interest of their members, the industry who make and sell the saws. All they are doing in this announcement in the trade press is reminding the industry of an old code of self regulation that has worked well for years but is slipping now and this slip has been noticed by the MSA's and flagged up for attention in government circles. The AEA are being the good guys. As ADW says, the sale of top handles in some countries has been banned already, I believe the Netherlands are one such country, we do not want to follow suit. This announcement is a warning to dealers and distributors to change their ways and stop the decline in self regulation. But the customers also need to appreciate the threat and change their ways if we want this matter to drop below the radar again. It will be noticed that truly professional arborists have absolutely no problem with this, they all have the training certs to produce. The ones who moan loudest are the 'smaller guys', the 'Jack of all trades" who does a bit of mowing, a bit of strimming and a bit of tree work. They mostly do a wonderful job, but many are working on a tight budget and although they want the saw, they are not prepared to do the tickets. They are the ones who shout that this is not fair.

There has been much debate on this forum in the past with regards to the need to provide your CS39 when buying a top handle. The dealer trade magazine "Service Dealer' has just published this article on the subject may which may be of interest. The AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) recently repeated its advice to manufacturers and distributors of chainsaws asking them to remind their dealers that top handle saws must only be supplied to bona-fide tree surgeons or operators trained (with proof of training) in their use. They say "The reason for this is because we are aware that some dealers are offering these products via distance or internet sales for general sale and supply to members of the public, instead of restricting the sale to trained professionals." "This has resulted in a growing concern from several market surveillance authorise (MSA's)in the EU, including the UK. As a direct consequence of this intelligence the MSA's placed an item on the agenda of the Machine Directive Working Group to discuss the banning of such products, and this remains the case today." "Until recently the UK has been portrayed as a shining example of how the industry self regulates in this area, although some holes are beginning to appear in the UK, which need to plugged or we're likely to receive special attention from the authorities" I am not about to argue the rights or wrongs of this, but it is obviously causing current concern, so I would urge all prospective purchasers to willing and gladly produce their certificates, and those who want a top handle but do not have the training to get the training before putting their dealer on the spot. The last thing the industry need is a ban on these saws.

The top one is a good base to improve on, the bottom one would be best deleted IMO. The top one makes it look like your landscaping will be very 'hard' and modernistic, all concrete and sleepers stuff, I would not call you. My thoughts would be to replace the image of the house with something more appealing, like a thatched cottage. The hard, straight lines of the 'garden' need some curves and hints of growing shapes, but not the scribble of the second design. By all means keep it abstract, and the fonts are great. But what do I know?

I still cannot get over the difference using and selling Aspen has made to our business in the last 4 years. The workshop and shop smell better. The staff feel better, less headaches, more energy, less breathing (congestion) issues. The customers who use it love it and can hardly believe the difference it has made to their kit. Aspen customers are always a happy bunch, no moans, and always happy to tell others how good Aspen is. Around 50% of the machines we service now use Aspen and servicing is a doddle. No fuel line or carb issues, clean oil and clean plugs. The oil and plug still get changed of course, but the engines insides are fantastically clean, No loss of service work at all though, as was first feared. Just less stale fuel repairs, but we did not like those anyway! Much greater footfall through the door, which is good for customer contact. And last, but not least, a healthy profit contribution into the accounts, despite the low margin. (We do sell a considerable volume) Win, Win situation. Our health an safety policy is now to never use pump petrol in service work, I think this will become the norm across the industry in the fairly near future.

We are pleased to have been appointed as one of the first 'Aspen Authorised Service Centres' in the UK If you see this sign appear at your local dealer you will know that he has a full understanding of the Aspen Product and can offer you any support you may require.

Don't forget we can deliver to your door! Sure, there is a £24.00 delivery charge, but if you buy several cans it does dilute it a little, even then, its still cheaper than driving 45 minutes each way to collect.

I think Eddie is underplaying it a little there. In reality Aspen boils up much less than petrol although it is still advisable to 'burp' the can in hot weather if using the 'Fill Partner' spout. But the really great bonus is that if you are unfortunate enough to spill some on your clothes you will not stink of petrol for the rest of the day. There is virtually no smell to Aspen, so if, like me, you don't get on too well with Stihl 'flip lids' you will have a much nicer day. And, the wife will not moan about the stink in the car, the house and the washing machine.

This view is only 100yards from where I live, yet I have only stopped to admire it about a dozen times in the 25 years I have lived here. Its the first time I have photographed it. Shame on me! Soggy leaves make a change to the normal crisp dry ones, but can have as much colour.

Well, you have now Steve:big grin: Good luck with this Steve, I know we have talked about this before, but its great to see it actually happening for you. The shorter commute will tai a bit of getting used to!

Sorry for the delay in my reply Steve, but I could not find my dictionary. Now I know the meaning of 'Lambasting' I can reply properly:001_tongue: I agree totally that we all have different ways of working and adopt methods that suit our business model. Over the years I have become maybe a little too fussy and tend to only offer repairs that I am 100% happy with. This usually involves the use of only genuine parts as I have often found pattern parts to be inferior, and I mean parts across the whole spectrum of my business, not just saws. The brands that we are direct dealers for insist on the use of genuine parts in service and repair work on all their kit, so this ties in nicely with my ethics. I am quite aware that this approach to work can make some of my repairs more costly than those done by some others, and I am more than happy to let jobs go if the customer wants a cheaper option. But my way works for me as proven by the constantly busy workshop. I certainly intend no slur on those who offer this alternative service as long as they do the job properly, and I know that you do a great job. I have even contemplated putting some of my work your way when the customer wants a cheaper job done than I offer. If you ever take this up as your day job you may find packages from me on your doorstep! Keep up the good work and keep an eye out for the TNT lorry. There is room for us all!

Good Man! You will appreciate the difference. Do you have a local supply? If not we can deliver direct.

I agree Steve, but after all the little 22cc strimmer was running flat out, with no respite for that time, but not under load. Still amazing though. But it does prove the need to identify the cause of seizure. There are some people who would just whack on a Pot and Piston. This may be fine in the case of a lean seize where we know the correct mix has been used (as long as the cause of the lean running is fixed). The lower end should be fine as it has always had lube. But in the case of a 'straight fuel' seize, the crank and bearings have been denied oil and so will have significant wear. Sticking a P&P on this may well be a false economy as the lower end is likely to fail soon after. I personally will never repair a 'straight fuel' seize without doing the bottom end too, but this is seldom economic.

I thought just the same Rich, and still tell my customers the same now when telling them how to fuel their machine.

You are correct Teepeat, Huskie have been marketing, and endorsing, Aspen for years, although not every market (country) takes it. They do not even rebrand it, just add their logo to the wrap. I believe its still the case that all Huskies are tested in the factory on Aspen. And, an interesting fact is that all Volvo cars leave the factory with Aspen in the tank and have done so since the late 80's. A photo of page 109 Huskie 2015 UK catalogue

A few years ago I had a customer who seized his new Tanaka brush cutter. I diagnosed lack of oil in his fuel, but he said he had used the same fuel for the last three or four times he had used it, in fact it was from new some 4 months before. But we checked his can and found neat petrol. He admitted he had put no oil in as he thought it did not need it. So, in short he had straight fuelled it from new and it survived 3 or 4 cuts of around 20 minutes each. I found this hard to believe (although I trusted his word) so I straight fuelled a secondhand strummer I had around, taped the throttle wide open and ran it. It just kept going, using up a full tank of fuel before stopping, but restarted after refuelling with more straight petrol, after which it ran for another 20 minutes before seizing. A run time of over an hour on straight fuel. So in fact, although I had always believed a straight fuelled engine would die within minutes, I was way off the truth. A strip down revealed a piston scored all round and a bone dry and rattly crankcase.