codlasher

Thanks for the replies so far. I have been reading older posts dated 2009 & 2011 re these saws. There is mention of the Stihl being in need of improvements from 09 and the 11 Husky being released but not yet available. Who's has actually fallen apart? I have had issues with the Stihl fuel caps and note these are still fitted, perhaps they have also had some improvements? So five years and three years since these were written. The MS201T seems to be top dog......still? codlasher

I am in the market for a new top handle chainsaw. I have three manufacturers on my list and need guidance from all the experts out there please. I'm really sorry to bring this old chestnut up again but I honestly can't make my mind up which saw to buy. I loved my 020AV but it is dead now and must be replaced. The reason for a top handle is manyfold, from pruning to cutting tennon joints on timber framing. A back handled saw just won't do this job as the handle gets too far away. So, my list is; (no particular order...) Stihl MS201T Echo CS360TES Husqvarna T540XP My difficulty is I am out of the loop in respect of every day use of these saws so would like to hear others experiences. Who has used all three more recently or changed from S to H or vice versa. There has been the occasional mention of E being much in the running. I could wait for the APF to try them, but that's still three months away! I have no issue with Stihl's selling policy being a recognised contractor so postage is not a problem. codlasher.

On a 200 engine. Don't forget your datum settings on the pump screw and the diaphragm. Remember where the dot is on said diaphragm BEFORE turning the required 1/4 turn! On heavy loads you will be running much higher exhaust temperatures when 'tweaked'. If these are too high rapid damage will certainly occur. Care is needed to ensure your fuel air mixture is not erring on the weak side. There are exhaust temperature sensors to tell you when the system is running in the correct temperature range. You can put in the tapping for one if you are removing the manifold and first section of your exhaust. codlasher.

Why waste your money? Tweaking the pump simply to pull more load only results in black smoke so adding expensive intercoolers and bigger turbos just seems like a waste of effort too. I'd hazard that there are very few 200 series LR's under 100k miles now and if you want to keep it reliable just keep it well serviced with nice clean oil and less wear on the clutch/brakes and ultimately the transmission......Sailsbury rear axles need half shafts and the drives replacing around 100k for starters as the splines wear out. More strain on this too so more £'s! codlasher

Here's a couple of pics of my old machines. These pictures were taken ten years ago. The Wartsila crane is now a Botex and it had a little bit extra reach but in all honesty the Wartsila was a superb piece of machinery, only written off by the engineer as Chieftain Forge no longer carried the spares. The other machine was originally Jim Crawford's and was fitted with a Cooks ten ton winch and Bomford loader. This was a 1960's County, with a chequered history but still did a days work. codlasher

openspaceman. The base 5000 Ford was a superb simple piece of engineering! The men at County were well ahead of their time too. codlasher

I hope your hand recovers without any problems. I have been working out side for nearly 40 years and I have had my fair share of accidents with the related time off. My most recent is skin cancer from the sun on my nose. I have just been to the specialist who deals with this type of thing and he has insisted that I have six to eight weeks of 'time off' to ensure the operation and skin graft works. Having had an earlier injury in the place where the surgeon would have taken the best skin graft from, I only have one other place where there is a possibility of success. So I really have to heed his words and take the time off to mend......The operation involves a procedure which Archibald McIndoe pioneered during WW2 with live skin tubes, so quite interesting. It took me a little time to digest this though when told. Go careful out there and cover up......It gets you in ways you'd never imagine:big grin: I am lucky that I have lots of hair, else I'd look like frankensteins cousin..... codlasher

peatff. A county tractor will turn in its own length. No other machine will do this (that I know of). Some will say this is hard on the brakes......Well, I ran a County 764 for 25 years, my dad bought it from new in 1974 and it is still going ( I know the present owner) and it has had one set of brakes in this time, one engine rebuild, two clutches.....and it's on it's second crane. The first was a Wartsila the second is a Botex from Wilsons. It's nice to see these in the show ring but I feel that the mollycoddling is a little extreme and they really should be working still.....That is what they were meant for! codlasher

Take a trip on the ferry to Devonport then South to Hobart, you'll not regret the journey. Many folk go to Oz and forget the jewel in the crown that is Tasmania! Not forgetting the trip along the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne.... codlasher

My wife & I have managed 400 each year we have occupied our little plot. So roughly 1600 so far and I think we're about half way. This winter we only planted for colour and shape (Repton style) In my past forestry life I planted thousands as a young fellow (forty years ago) and they are now the perfect size for mechanical harvesting. I still like stealth planting unusual specimens, a couple of Sequoia in a softwood stand....Wild Service in a hardwood stand and the odd fern leaved beech too. I'm attempting to grow Douglas here in small blocks, they're all still alive so far.... East Anglia needs more trees as the farming community are not great tree lovers! Some farm planting has been done, by more enlightened souls, but in my opinion not nearly enough. codlasher

I'm sorry Marc Lewis I should have put a picture up:blushing: I've found that using these quickly gives you a good guide on your file work! You don't have to take too long with them but if each tooth on one side needs one or two more rubs it certainly pays dividends. codlasher

Similar situation here with lateness and a considerable number not looking very healthy. Of the 1500 trees that my wife and I have planted in the last four/five years there's not an Ash amongst them except for the natural regen ones so we will play the waiting game with those. We have about 1500 to plant before our plan is completed so there are still gaps to fill. codlasher

It may have been mentioned but I haven't seen it. Equal length of cutting tooth is important, if your teeth are longer on one side than the other, the bar will cut in a curve. Left handers sharpen one side better. Right handers similar. I found that an old set of verniers were useful in this case....Anal but it saves time in the end! codlasher

This is a problem that has also been highlighted within the wooden boat building world. Folk who have worked with certain types of timber have developed some nasty reactions from long term exposure. Often leaving them unable to work with specific timbers. A late friend of mine who had worked in the furniture industry all his life developed cancer at 64 in his cranium, starting in his nasal passage and the roof of his mouth. Surgeons operated and removed large areas in and around the affected areas, including a 5'' section of his skull. As you can imagine, the results were not pleasant to look at and sadly only a short term fix as it all came back and he died about three years later..... Makes me think when I'm sanding. codlasher

Sorry, too far from East Anglia. I'd do a couple for you otherwise just for the fun of it..... codlasher

Signed! codlasher

I have just had a 24'' Webb cylinder mower (Like an Atco) through my workshop. I was pleased with its build quality and enjoyed doing the fiddly repair needed. Happy client too as he thought it was destined for the scrap pile but has years left in it and it only went wrong due to lack of grease in the right place! V similar to this;Webb 24" cut cylinder lawnmover | eBay codlasher

I had an old pro Stihl and a much newer but smaller version (horrible it was too). Sold them both on ebay and bought a brand new Honda. Love it! Quiet, light, has a very comfy harness, starts easy and sips fuel AND no messing with two stroke ever..... I might take a look at the Echo in the future as I'm a long time fan with my 10 year old Echo chain saw but for now the Honda suits all the jobs that I get to do with it and that includes brambles. codlasher

I doubt it! On the other hand I will be visiting the APF to have a chat to Stihl about their policy and if a considerable number of other folk do too perhaps they may.... codlasher

Dear Stihl dealer in Scotland. It is my belief Stihl is behaving in an antediluvian way and their sales will suffer as a result. I for one am glad I do not have to deal with this policy in my now much quieter life but I really don't envy anyone who is a busy professional as this must make an already life so much harder. I am still well connected within certain sides of the 'trade' and if I needed a Stihl product I would request it to be sent to me on a 'phone call or via an email, I know for certain that the long standing and respected agent, whom I have dealt with for 35 years+, would still send my my request. To be honest I don't really care about your so called price of the machine you mention and to be perfectly honest I don't even know what this model is. What I would like on the other hand is an agent who stocks the right spares and has them in when I want them...Right now....Try that! Yours, codlasher

They were lovely saws. I hope you get it up and running! There were companies who refaced the wheels on site. Southern Counties Saws may be able to help with information if there are still about. Unfortunately all the important information I had is now lost. We were advised to disregard the tension meter on our old Guilliet and it cut much better......Tighter band. In all honesty they run so slowly compared to modern machinery, just a good 'set up' will ensure good milling. codlasher

CHEERS JON:biggrin: codlasher

I fitted a number of this companies stoves, the 3Kw & 5Kw. Their spares back up is good and they are a UK built product.Dunsleyheat - Multifuel stoves, Woodburning stoves and open fires I have a Morso 3610 to heat my house. codlasher

When the first round of Tree safety issues came out I went to the APF that year (about 10 years ago) and looked hard at the machines on display. I opted for the Teupen TP 30 and arranged for a days demonstration in the near future. The dealers were fantastic and so was the machine and I had been authorised the spending money by the Trustees, which at that time was in the region of £30k. The machine turned up and we set to work trying its various plusses and minuses in a range of situations. For lower work it was a good tool but even with its 30 metre height it was limited and if you needed to go just that little bit higher you had to resort to alternative methods, i.e. A climber. In the end I opted for keeping a climber rather than the machine and in my situation at that time it was the right decision. codlasher

@the village idiot, I know the story! Yes a good one that. I like doing things with trees be they planting, thinning or felling so I'm still 'doing' just this. Been planting and been felling, or at least the lads I have employed to do the chain-saw work have been doing the 'doing' bit. I have been organising and working the machinery....and the paying....:big grin: codlasher