Mark_Skyland

Yes, the rim is the same so as long as you have the small spline rim there is no issue. In regards to using a 3/8 chain we did that with our 560 on a 20" bar. It had more than enough power to run it and its easier to sharpen IMO. Main advantage is that a bigger chain can take more abuse, in the arb world that can make more of a difference than in the forestry side of things imo. Think of it this way, if your stihl ms150 chain hits a nail its more or less written off, do that with a 660/395 and a quick brush with a file and you're good to go. There were always plenty of nails, stones and soil in domestic trees than I cared to like for.

Those bar studs look different, can you check as they should be the same? Never had that issue before so I'm thinking the bar is moving up and down causing the screw to snap.

That about sums it up. It looks the same but more or less everything has been improved or strengthened.

It's the same setup as the original 550

Looks like we are finally getting some in today! I would imagine by next week that most dealers should have received some stock.

We have had this issue a couple of times and the details are thus. Basically the main difference is the chin strap and the side impact rating the climbing helmets have. Ground (EN397) and climbing helmets (EN 12492) have the same rating for impacts to the crown of the helmet but climbing helmets are also rated for side impact therefore it offers better protection. The chin strap on climbing helmets are designed to keep the helmet on your head and not snap, the chin strap on a ground helmet must be break to prevent strangulation for cases where there is a possibility the helmet can be caught in something and possibly strangle the wearer. There are other differences like the peak on a lot of forestry helmets, whether molten metal or electrical hazards are an issue( affects vented helmets) and if there is a chance of small drop hazards piecing through the vents that most climbing helmets have. But, unless there are helmet grabbing machines on site that have a tendency to try and strangle you then the risks of wearing a climbing helmet on the ground at most arb or forestry sites of work are usually fairly low. On top of that some helmets will have far better levels of protection than EN397 and EN12492 require. A received the above info from Lyon equipment who are not only UK Petzl representatives ( the Petzl vertex vent being the helmet most people ask for advice on) but also specialise in safety training, product training and they also manufacture PPE. It was taught to me and worded far better than I have just described but hopefully the important points came accross.

Had a try out of a few different crabs today and it does look like its the new shaped Petzl OK or AMD only unfortunately. As you say though Rupe it is to rigidly hold the carabiner and stop it flopping about. Looks like we will have to update the web site description to make it clear that it is the latest design of carabiner only.

Bad news Mark, if your stuck for anything just give us a call mate and im sure we can sort you out............ and bill you the next day as I have you card details embedded in my phone. Hope you get it sorted mate as I have been there a few times before and its a horrible situation/feeling to be in. On a positive note its good to hear the old bill are on the ball (hear all too often of how poor they are) and its BIG heads up on everyone to check their insurance policy. It's no good paying £1000's a year to find they pay you out what you need it the most.

I always thought it quite simple that the higher the oil ratio the cooler the machine will run. Ive seen many a poor running saw that has a fuel tank full of ribena, it has zero chance of seizing. Just run your saws at 50:1 with a good synthetic oil and dont worry about it. It doesn't cost much more than a cheap mineral oil, 70p ish per 5 litre of fuel is the real cost. It doesnt stink like mineral oil and it certainly doesnt coke up the engines as much.

TBH I saw Rupes post and I did mean to check it out today but I didnt. Just been a really busy day, anyway I do know that Petzl updated their crabs about 12-18 months ago and they now have an I beam construction as shown below (selfless plug to web site) https://www.skylandequipment.com/petzl-ok-triact-oval-carabiner-karabiner.html I presume your crab is more rounded like this one In which case there is probably not much room for manoeuvre, I guess the dmm ultra O will fit (will check it out next week) but probably not much else.

That was a question we put to the Petzl rep last year but I forgot to follow it up. I would have to check out the instructions for the original but I think it does mention single rope use and the addition of a friction device, if that is the case then I dont see why not.

We only had a quick look at a demo unit last year so I couldn't say ATM. We should be getting some zigzags in next week so we can compare them. TBH, I dont think there has been one issue with the mk3 links at all.

I have never came across any ball bearings in the handle! Could possibly be from the inside of the on/off switch but they are fairly well sealed. Unless they fall out and I just don't notice, I will check the floor of the workshop tomorrow. Mick, have a look at the fuel pipe as I have seen a few split right where it attaches to the filter in the tank, which then causes then filter in the carb to get blocked.

Did you get an answer? I would be interested into how the forestry people run in their new saws. As an arb I just ran it flat out but with arb its not like it was flat out constant all day. So I advise to run as you normally would but if its for extended periods then let it cool down now and the until you have at least 5 ish tank fulls of fuel.

If the ear muff is popping out of the holder then get it replaced under warranty. The Technical helmet is extremely good, very popular and there are a few nice features. The visor can be a bit fragile, just dont throw it in the back of the van with the rest of the kit. Boots, call into your nearest dealer no matter how far away they are, there is no better advice than to try them on. Goes for trousers and harnesses. No offence to all but the conflicting advice on what is the best PPE is astounding, you need to experience it first hand.

Spud summed it up spot on. Get a few tanks of fuel through it first before some prolonged milling as it will run hotter than normal. I've always ran new machines in at full throttle under load but let them cool down a bit, in other words not flat out, re fuel run flat out again etc.

Sounds like you have checked the drive but if the saw was worse after changing the clutch I would look at removing the clutch, sprocket, worm drive and pump then try starting it. Have had a few saws where the worm has melted/deformed causing the same issue.

The police do know about arbsafe though and have checked it when they recover stolen goods. Doesn't take long to register and it's free! Most thefts I hear of are when people have left gear in their truck, whether it's because they have just nipped to the shop, left them in the truck while in a rear garden or it's been a long day in work and they forgot to unload the truck when they got home. Too many opportunist thieves about, try not to give them that opportunity.

It isnt all about emissions and how long the saw will last though is it? Ive used a lot of saws of the years, I would hate to use some of the old ones day in day out compared to the latest machines. A lot more ergonomic, powerful, lighter and with less vibrations. We used to replace top handle saws every 18-24 months as they were the most used machines, they had more than made there money by then and there is nothing like using a new saw. I think all fossil fuel powered machines are being targeted so its not like they are aiming solely at us, diesel is their main target ATM.

If you do look at the husky top handle dont get the bli300 battery as it is just way too heavy for that saw.

I thought a 404 would zap the power a bit too much? We usually fit an oregon 3/8 36" bar. I was reading through a few comments in the thread and I think it best to retract my statement that there wont be any replacements available for a couple of years as I can see someone posting a pic of a shelf load of 595XP and 5120XP'S in their local tool and BBQ store before next week is out quoting "WTF is the big deal, Ive had my 595XP for the last month!" Plus since the 572XP fiasco where we were explicitly told there will be no more 572xp's in 2018 and there would be a new big relaunch in Jan 2019 once all the dealers had full stock I think I will take everything im told with a large pinch of salt. I passed that info onto my customers who were asking when it was available. Two weeks later I was then told by one of said former customers that a couple of dealers did receive them late 2018, made me out to be a right useless cunt for sure. Anyway, what about that 500I, that looks a good saw.

I know exactly what the answer is but since your not buying from me im not telling OK im not that mean, the only true answer is to measure your old chain as it can vary between 114-116 depending on the sprocket.

Sorry I haven't. I did have a look awhile ago but didn't find anything.

That was my fault for using the term banned. No problem using them or selling them, they just can't be produced anymore.

They must have something planned but it looks like it's not for awhile. IIRC correctly it's around 5 years from the drawing board to production and I guess with the big saws the production volumes aren't anywhere near that of the the 50/60cc machines hence the big delays in any major changes. 395 and 3120 have hardly changed for years. Maybe they are going to go down the fuel injection route like stihl with their 500I. At least husky might look into providing the 395 equivalent with bigger bar options rather than a max of 28in which is how it is atm!