About the Landscape Juice Network

Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.

LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry

LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.

For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.

Chainsaw dropping power when cutting


Treated myself to a new slightly bigger chainsaw about 6 months ago from one that 12 years old and a bit small. 
it's the Stihl MS 181. 

I've been processing some trees for firewood and it's started just completing dropping power when cutting. It might be worth mentioning it's pretty hard wood (sorry can't remember what species but the grains very fiberous when split) and was felled at the start of summer. 

iver tried new chain, keeping the teeth sharp, filing. Still seems to drop power. Before a take it back to the dealer and potentially make myself look silly has anyone got any advice?

 

cheers

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • PRO

    Could be your fuel mix perhaps . I have started adding fuel stabiliser to every 5 litres of fuel , my Stihl winter leaf blower kept cutting out ,my fuel was around 2 months old In my mixer bottle .

    Dealer told me they are seeing more fuel related breakdowns and advised the fuel stabiliser , He wasn't trying to sell me a bottle as he gave me a bottle for free but early days . 

    I have heard also that factory settings can cause machinery to be underpowered due to emissions legislation  but your dealer should be able to  advise you .

    In any case take it back if it's new or it could invalidate your guarantee if you tamper with it but you could attempt a fresh fuel change just to check and rule it out .

     

    • Great thanks for the advice. 

       

      • We always use the stihl synthetic 2 stroke oil which hss fuel stabiliser already in it. It is a greeny/blue colour as opposed to normal 2 stroke oil which is usually red. It is expensive !  the price has just increased from £15 to £22 per lt . We bought it initially as we run Echo pb 8010 blowers which specify that particular spec of oil but it did us a favour as we have had zero fuel issues with our 2 stroke kit since we started using it 2 years ago

        • I did use to run the stihl 2 stroke with it but recently only had some red stuff in which could be a problem. Thing is it will still run flat out when not cutting, it's just when it's got to do some work 

  • check the air filter also clean the area where the chain goes onto the engin and the groove on the bar where the chain runs try a new spark plug as well

  • Check its oiling ok by running it out of wood and looking for a line of oil on the floor/timber etc.Some of the stihl homeowner saws are poor oilers-at best.Sounds a bit like clutch slip/wear-but that shouldnt be the case if its newish/hasnt been pushed too hard+chain kept sharp.Bear in mind its only a 30 odd cc saw,so it should cut say 10" hardwoods ok,but very much at ITS pace not yours! I'm assuming its got no more than a 14" bar on?If bigger than that,I would totally expect it to struggle/bog down on say 12" hardwood rounds.Hope that helps.

    • I find the best way to check the oiling is start it up without the bar/chain on................ you can then look directly at the oil output hole/channel and you should see the oil dripping out. 

      • That method doesn't necessarily mean the oil is being transferred to where its needed tho,blocked oil feed channel on the bar etc.Good idea to feel the bar after attempting a longish cut-if its bloody hot!-its not getting oil,then the chain sharply contracts and the powerhead can't drive it as the tension becomes excessively extreme.

        • True but I aways make sure the hole in the bar is clear.though strangely enough, have never found it blocked.................... I've a compressor and use the dusting/blowing attachment to clear any debris.......... its great for clearing all the junk that collects under the casing too + externally cleaning the carb before you remove it for any maintenance.   In reality, it's pretty obvious there's an oiling problem when the oil in the tank doesn't go down as much as usual/if at all!! 

  • Fair point about oiling the chain but i would of thought that if the chain is lacking in oil it would get very tight and not move on the the bar, what you are discribing is leaning to a dirty fuel filter in the tank but as it's new this shoudn't be sounds like it needs tunnig take it back and see what they say

This reply was deleted.

Trade green waste centres

<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-WQ68WVXQ8K"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-WQ68WVXQ8K'); </script>

LJN Sponsor

Advertising