5030
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 24,342
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
Just got my Echo. Man is it light, must be less than 5 pounds.
So very true, 2-stroke engines don’t have the “bad” fuel worry because of the oil mixed with the gas. An extended period of time, say a year, might be a problem. They can even run upside down for ever, a 4 stroke can’t.Contrarian that I am I never drain the fuel out of my 2 cycle equipment. The three saws can sit on the shelf for 6 months. Starts up just fine. Saws work a hard day or two, or a light day depending on what has fallen on the trails. I used to just use premium gas for my mix. Now I just use non-ethanol gas for the mix.
I do have a fuel cutoff on one 4 cycle generator. I like to turn that off and let the engine burn up what is left in the carb. I did not set a calendar on that generator but it had fuel that was older than 5 years. It would start right up after sitting a year or two. That said I have had a few 4 cycle tools that got gummed up jets but none since I started using non-ethanol gas.
I would say no to your last line. Also I have never had a problem running reg unleaded in anything I own. I had a Stihl 044 that I had for almost 30 years and it never ate anything but reg gas and I never once drained the tank or let it run until it ran out of gas. The same with all my lawn mowers, tractors or any of my boats. In fact, my 044 in all those years never had the carb taken off. I am a firm believer in a good fuel stabilizer and using a good brand of oil, not penns oil or any of the stuff you get at walmart and keeping it in a clean container. I ran only Stihl oil in my saws or other two cycle engines. Well that is accept my boat motors which were always Mercurys, which I ran their premium plus oil they had to offer.I usually clean out clutch area and be sure oiler ports are clear and turn over bar every time I remove chain for sharpening, remove air filter and blow it out whenever I happen to think about it.... Always put away saw with touched up chain, full of fuel and oil.... Always ready for "next" days work.... Alway a negative to have to deal with saw problem at start of days work....Never have any issues leaving fuel and oil in my chainsaws, lawnmowers, generator, log splitter... It you go with the concept of draining fuel and running dry, do you do it with your tractor or pickup truck or wifes flashy car when it gets parked....
Also does the $50 a gallon custom fuel blend make you saw run any better and give longer life than the gallon of pump gas and small bottle of oil (50:1) fuel mix...
My maintenance is, keep air filter clean, make sure chain is tight after every fill up of gas/oil. You can tell when chain needs sharpening.I'm curious whether the level of cleaning and maintenance. I'm also wondering whether too much cleaning and maintenance can be bad for a lawnmower(constantly disassembling the powerhead, using compressed air on the air filter, exposing the carburetor mouth, constantly greasing the needle bearing, daily use of cleaning agents like Citrol or Simple Green, etc.)
After a normal day of cutting, what daily cleaning and maintenance tasks are you doing for your saw?
After a week of work what deep cleaning and maintenance tasks are you doing for your saw?
What are your once or twice or three times a year cleaning and maintenance tasks?
Something I never use (brake). In fact, I usually remove the brake band entirely. My older saws don't have brakes and I see no need for them and never have. To me, just another gimmick brought to you by the gummit.To reiterate that saw chain covers, plus the bars chain groove and oil ports etc, etc, really do need to be cleaned out on a regular bases. This helps your chains and bars to last longer, and gives you an opportunity to check the brake.
Kick-back puts about 30,000 people in ER per year. I'm not that smart, but still smart enought to make sure the chain brake works.Something I never use (brake). In fact, I usually remove the brake band entirely. My older saws don't have brakes and I see no need for them and never have. To me, just another gimmick brought to you by the gummit.