Lillywhite Timber

Have to get in on this thread , without a doubt quality is gone through the floor . Ive a 441 after getting 2 sets of anti-vib on warranty , a 261 got half way through 2nd tank and wont run (also shocked at how spongy it feels) , a 15 month old 357 on its way to spud for a rebuild , all well minded saws . When Dutch elm was at its peak here in the Late 80s some years cut 400 ton over winter with a pair of 038s and an 051 . The 038s would have been on 20 inch bars for hardwood in winter, and summer would have seen them on 16 inch bars in softwood . They lasted at least 3 years each and we replaced them with 044s which lasted the same . A neighbouring farmer boutght one f the 038s of us and it ran up until a few years ago , a mate of mine also a farmer bought one of the 044s and was running it until last year . Likewise 028s and even husqy 61s , getting far more use than any of the individual saws i have now lasted treble the time . Im really considering Dolmar or Echo , there are oleo macs in my Local Husqy dealers and im tempted .

Good question Stihl dealer , id always run every saw at 50 : 1 but not so long ago a 576 i had went the very same route as this on 50 : 1(lost compression) so i was naturally looking to avoid a future scenario and decided to richen everything to 45: 1 . When i was doing my ticket ihad the 357 new . The instructor whos around husqys over 30 years told me to run it at 40 : 1 , this guy was absolutely certain , he said hed seen numerous 357s last no longer than 3 weeks flat out at thininngs when run at 50: 1 . As i say He was absolutely certain about this and had followed it up as far as the importer . I hasten to add he was also a major Husqy fan waxing lyrical about 254s and reckoning a 346 was best saw he ever had . The more i think about this , and reading spud , bandit ,stubby etc i think this saw always had an air leak somewhere from new . It explains inability to get a proper tune on it from the off .

Well looks like i can change the name of this thread to Definate 357 problem !!. Brought it into the dealer other day . Dropped around this morning to see how it was going , out came one of the workshop guys with the exhaust removed . As one of the posters here had said , dry , white with vertical scores an ive a problem and thats exactly the way it was . The guy said mix had to be the cause , im religous about consistant 40: 1 genuine husqy mix but had put 2 tanks of 45: 1 stihl in it when it met its waterloo . The saw was always a bit finnicky it has to be said and was back in the dealers 3 times before it was running right . Early problems waere over - revving and sounding as if it was "hunting" for fuel . (usually id expect XP saws to have great throttle response) . Ironically i had it at a little bit of softwood the day before the problem and i thought to myself it was going like a rocket finally . This all points to the change in mix being the problem logically but i still find it hard to credit it would be so finely balanced ?. As it stands a 251 Stihl (which im pretty sure id a semi - pro saw has comfortably outlasted it at much the same work ) P.S. it was always exceptionally easy on fuel , something i never thought was quite right either .

Thanks again Lads , it was relatively busy i suppose but the number of chains had more to do with dirty windblown hedgerow timber than outright production . Also find the oregon / husqy chains need far more regular rubbing than stihl chains .

Thanks very much for all the feedback Guys , it was tuned to take a 15 inch bar by the dealers and no adjustment made when i put the 13 inch bar . Is it possible it would have done permanent damage in the space of the time it takes to wear a single chain ? . It looks like i may take off the exhaust , dreading it cos id a 576 which everyone else loves but only did me around 15 months . At that id actually take pride in minding my saws !!! . Would the slight change in mix have done harm 40 : 1 to 45:1 ? .

Hi , was using my 357 on Friday when it cut out . Seemed to be hot at the fill . Now it wont run properly . Im also hoping im wrong but seems to be low on compression . Its less than a year old from new and on its 4th chain to illustrate how much use it has got . Ive always run it at 40 to 1 husqvarnas own 2 stroke . But 1 used 45 to 1 Stihl mix on Friday . Theres a 13 inch bar on it and i always felt it was screaming . Any insights ? Thanks

Hi , id be very grateful if anyone can help me on the following. We used to have a decent sized firewood operation ,400 Ton P.A. plus up to around 15 years ago with all insurance in place . Then the Boom over here sent me a different direction , now im back at the firewood game working off my brothers insurance . I have the basic city and guilds course done and am booked in for the CS 34 . Is there anyway , without forming a company that i can insure myself independantly to indemnify landowners where im working to risks to myself and the public . The contributors here seem to be generally well informed so if anyone can point me in the right direction id appreciate it ,. Thanks

Reading all the threads here and especially Spud it looks like i may have prematurely gotten rid of a few decent saws in the last while based on the words "not worth repairing " from guys looking at them dealers and otherwise . Its impossible to get someone you can have real faith in i find . Although having been educated here spud may be in line for the rebuild of a 365 thats a little low on compression depending on postage costs from ROI !! .

Well..... after those storms something should be stirring !! 086 2226015

Bump !

Have a 130 TD5 , 2004 for sale in Republic of Ireland .121 k miles ,clean and tested 2 wks ago . I know its a bit cheeky putting it up here but i cant get it up on the Trader section . PM me for pics and details .

Ive heard that too ,mind you weve a canter , 272 Kms , 06 . Trouble free but thirsty , would some of those Isuzus not have the 3.1 in them ?. Id imagine they must be fairly bombproof . Anyone have a dyna to let us know , and mpg too pls ?

Bump !

Many moons ago My father ran the following 3 saws 028 ,038 and what we always as youngsters thought was an 090 . As i got a bit older i used it occassionally and clearly remember it had an original 090 badge on the filter cover . Later on we picked up a couple of 051s and am definite about this it was exactly the same chassis . Now i know what a conventional 090 looks like (bigger saw altogether , wrap around type handle), some of the bigger timber contractors had them locdal to us at the time . My question is , was this any variation on an 090 or was it simply an 090 cover after finding its way onto an 051 . I remember it from pretty much new always being like this .

We deliver bulk bags only .A discovery TD5 and trailer , or a Mitsubishi 3.5 ton tipper . The jeep and trailer is majorly unmanouverable in housing estates wheras the mitsubishi is the very good in yhis respect but thirsty . To my mind a VW transporter 1.9tdi pickup would be perfect and easy on diesel too .

I have very specific knowledge of both , to my detriment . I was a massive husqy fan until i purchased that very saw , 15 months later (with probably only 3 months of hard use ) im around 1400 euro poorer as the 576 is F...ed . Bought a 441 around 4 months ago , cant understand the negative comments at all its a beast . And im running a 25 inch bar at that .

Even as a recent convert back to Stihl after an unbroken run of probably 15 Husqys theres still no question , the 365 Any day . As the lads mentioned be careful though , there are exceptionally good copies doing the rounds .

+ 1 , Brilliant show alright .

Bang on Peter , Talk then .

Hi all . I have been reading this whole forum with great interest for the last few months . Its incredibly interesting , and noticeable how much in common people in the timber game have whether in the UK or Ireland . Just lately ive noticed a couple of posters in the Leinster area so i said id risk a new thread . Im interested in all quantities , from a tri axle Ifor to artic loads of timber lengths (mainly hardwood) . I will pay a fair rate depending on the quality /quantity / location . Thanks Patrick

Hi My first post on this incredibly interesting forum . I hadnt seen anyone operating in the leinster / Dublin area so far until i saw Grass hopper . Im in Kildare and would be very interested in purchasing any firewood you have from your operation PM me if youre interested . Thanks . Patrick P.S. to the rest of the lads ,keep the amazing pics and informed posts coming im nearly addicted at this stage .