arborlicious

Assuming the piston and cylinder look fine is it okay to replace only the rings?

It is not yet the winter of despair but I'm worried for my second born MS200T. I fear that one day it'll no longer be the powerful slayer of hardwood timber as it has been for nigh on five or so years. My first born MS200T (2009 vintage) tests at 135psi cold and 120psi warm (Gunson Hi-Gauge) while the aforementioned second MS200T tested at 150psi cold–and it kicks arse. The older MS200T starts and runs fine but bogs down when in the cut. Based on the above mentioned compression tests I'm thinking time for new rings? I want to get my old MS200T back in the game before the newer one gets tired. Any ideas. As usual wishing spud was nearby or at least in the same country...

http://theschultzeffect.com Got my money's worth already...at least I'll find out on Monday when I try a couple of new techniques.

Two kids now so no more hobbies or spare time. Have to get up at 4am so I can get some arbtalk time. Steve

Great news Ben on starting Astons Arborists. I still remember the epic Mega Pine movie from years ago. Hopefully you'll still have time to put up the occasional video when you're hard at it running a business full time. Where did the 'Astons' part of your business name come from? Somewhere in SA?

Or pollard to a single pole and hang the telephone wire from that to see if anyone notices. What are you guys in the UK painting your stumps with this year?

But then I'd have to run a telephone line through the middle.

We don't do many reductions in these parts – unless reducing to ground level... I have a client with a small London Plane. It's young (~5-6m tall), in good shape but within 4m of the house. They like the tree but know it will turn into a giant so I suggested a reduction. I'm assuming the best time to do this is autumn/winter right? The climate is humid subtropical – we've just had 150mm in the last three days and I'm expecting several 40ºC+ days before the end of summer. I reckon it'd be back to the same size in 12 months after a 20-25% reduction so they might opt for complete removal within a few years anyway. Steve

I used the tiniest bit of Permatex Steel Weld Epoxy. so hopefully not enough to get into the HS check valve. I'd definitely use your repair services if we weren't separated by an ocean or two.

Damn, I was looking for a silver bullet...thanks for all the info Steve. I've never replaced the accelerator pump before but found a good description (with pics) of the process on arboristsite. I've already blocked off the accelerator pump circuit on the S61A (via the welch plug inlet side) so will pull out the pump for a gander. Also, managed to find an apparently genuine Zama C1Q-S126A on ebay for $60 (~£30) new. I'll wait and see how it runs. That's cheaper than the time and money it'd cost to replace the accelerator pump.

In Lieu of not having a 'Spud' downunder or someone similar that I know of... Looking to rebuild some MS200T carbs (S61A and S126A) using the Zama kit (RB-69) but will give them an ultrasonic clean first. Assuming I can get way without having to remove any jets or welsh plugs? Just take off the gaskets and diaphragms and also remove the inlet needle. Steve

My doctor sent me for a cholesterol test which came back very high - in the danger area. I've been cutting down on cholesterol tests ever since...

Have you tried it with a regular throw ball? Throw pods are longer so very sensitive to placement in the pouch.

Great tip. This is my second week with the rope runner and this made a big difference. Feels like I have total control now. You're the man Kevin.

Nice one. Smooth, green and holey (or holy if you worship the SRT gods) I'll try that out today...no more Maillon.

Almost magic – the crane was hardly to be seen...

I've also heard rents are high in Christchurch due to high demand after earthquakes (aftershocks) caused havoc 4 years ago. Hopefully you're up with the lingo from your last visit - here's a refresher: sweet as choice bro kai cuz jandals kumara L&P tiki tour gum-boots chilly bin hunky dory wop wops I was out in the wop wops with my cuz on a tiki tour. Forgot me gum-boots so had to wear jandals. Nothing to drink but warm L&P since I left the chilly bin at home too. Choice eh. Yeah Bro. Sweet as.

How do you find untying those triple fishermans on the ring? I usually just do a Figure 8 Follow Through. You know it's a really tall tree when the ring connection ends up near the top!

Leave a line in tree quite often - especially for removals where I can isolate rope at the top of the tree using Maillon Quick Link and the non-working end is well out of reach. It's more to do with work planning. I.e. sometimes if I have a larger crew on, say 4-5 then two of us will go ahead and prep for tomorrows job while the rest of the crew clean up and finish todays' last job, e.g. Install high line for SRT access. Ascend and clean up small stuff on the way. Install rigging and tie off first large limb ready for cutting and lowering in the morning. That way, when we turn up on site the next day we're straight into the real work without having crew on the ground twiddling their thumbs. Also, my skills with the Big Shot are inversely proportional to the number of people watching! Of course we do work in areas where you can leave your keys in vehicles and doors unlocked (overnight even.) I really pity you guys in the UK where everything must be chained up and locked up with guard dog at the ready. I've returned to a tree the next day to find chattering of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in the tree with several hanging off and biting my rope. The birds disappeared in a cloud of white feathers when I started the 200T and the rope was fine - no damage.

You can smash fences, squash plants and leave piles of debris BUT you must NEVER mess with the customers internet connection.

Get the Stihl if you like cleaning the air filter every day. Go with the 395 if you only clean the filter once a year because you happened to have the cover off.

Thanks Adam. Maybe I'll give the Distel a go too. The main issue I'm having is with the hitch (3x3 VT) becoming too tight after descending so I have to fiddle with the wraps to loosen it up again for optimal ascending/slack tending. Could also try caressing the hitch with my tongue to see if it responds to a good licking

Perhaps an hour or two in the oven on low should bring it back to normal...

I had to pull out my backup 200t the other day after breaking a clutch spring on the main saw. The backup had been sitting around unused for about 18 months (empty fuel tank of course.) Started fine but then noticed the pull cord had not recoiled properly and had been damaged by the flywheel. The rope rotor was not rotating freely on the shaft so the spring could not recoil the rope. I bought a new rope rotor thinking that was the problem but it's still sticking. Seems that the plastic on the shaft needs a bit of sand paper to loosen things up a bit. Just wondering why it happened with the saw sitting in storage?

Great helmet and weighs about the same as Vertex Vent with Peltor nylon mesh visor and H10P3E muffs. Unlike the Vertex Vent though the head strap doesn't loosen and the mesh visor is integrated so doesn't get caught and ripped off. I changed to the fine mesh visor from the standard that came as default. Makes you feel like a Top Gun pilot...Iceman or Maverick