Tilton Equipment--does someone there know something?

[mikefunaro]

I guess I did speak to the office girls. But presumably they would pass the call along to someone who knew?

I guess I'm glad to hear from these responses that there are people who know things.

A lot of the time I know I'm being picky/perhaps a bit excessive so I feel guilty asking a dealer to go chasing information for me, when we're dealing with a sub $10 purchase. That's why I'd rather have the info available from Tilton. The girl kinda told me to speak to the dealer, but the dealer made it clear that he wasn't about to go crazy looking for info...and I cannot blame him...

 

[Cantdog]

I guess I did speak to the office girls. But presumably they would pass the call along to someone who knew?

I guess I'm glad to hear from these responses that there are people who know things.

A lot of the time I know I'm being picky/perhaps a bit excessive so I feel guilty asking a dealer to go chasing information for me, when we're dealing with a sub $10 purchase. That's why I'd rather have the info available from Tilton. The girl kinda told me to speak to the dealer, but the dealer made it clear that he wasn't about to go crazy looking for info...and I cannot blame him...

Hey Mike If you have dealer questions ask spike60. He has a real interest in this stuff and not all dealers do. It may take him a little time to come up with the answers as he also has to run a business and deal with daily issues, but I've always found him to bend over backwards to find answers even on NLA parts and willing to discuss anything Jred. I bet he can find who at Tiltons to talk to on just about any Jred issue.

 

[sweetjetskier]

i can say that Jonsered own website is pretty poor, click on disributor link, eastern states, and i did get a response to CT dealers within 24 hrs, and all the dealers were current dealers, not many stock all models though, as the website states.

 

[Saw Dr.]

Since we're on a J-red roll here, anyone have an IPL for a 111s? I'm missing a few parts on one a acquired, namely a clutch and clutch cover.

 

[duane4y]

I've been a dealer with Tilton for about a dozen years. They have top notch service and I'm sure all there dealers will agree. I will say the web sites need improvement and the dealers secured site is like breaking into fort Knox (silly multi step process).

 

[arborjockey]

When it comes to oil.... come on boys jump on the band wagon were heading out of the saw world in which funds are limited. yes limited what kind of R&d can Tilton have. Sorry reps. Were heading to the high road nothing but the true texas tea. belRay
AMSOIL
bel-ray
silkolene
maxima
The only differnce in the 2-stroke is some are injector type which is slightly thinner. these guys make the big $. and their reseach is proven through big $ dealers like Honda Suzuki ect...

 

[spike60]

the dealers secured site is like breaking into fort Knox (silly multi step process).

I'll second that. Ridiculous process. It's probably easier for a sub captain to launch Trident missiles.

 

[arborjockey]

No one sticking up for Tilton huh. Ok next thread:bang::newbie:

 

[eyolf]

Does Tilton need defending? Hasn't that been done on this thread?

I don't know them personally, but I'll bet their business model is like any number of other distribution businesses: they invest in product, warehouse it, and administrate service and warranty for it, supplying dealers with that product. The dealers enjoy some limited market protection and product support.

We have seen, over the last few years, a reduction in the number and kinds of products available mail-order (over the internet): a way to "muscle" the consumer back into the dealership/local outlet. Your opinion about this might vary from mine, but in the grand view I don't see this as a huge deal.

Granted, there are some dealers/outlets that don't serve their customers very well. Wouldn't it be nice if we could show up at the shop, fondle the merchandise and talk about next-year's product improvements? Not much profit in that for the dealers!

 

[frankyslog]

I've been a dealer with Tilton for about a dozen years. They have top notch service and I'm sure all there dealers will agree. I will say the web sites need improvement and the dealers secured site is like breaking into fort Knox (silly multi step process).

yeah go get em duane !

 

[arborjockey]

I think the web sites ok but how big are the factories. Is it a stack of cards company. 20 factories and 6,000 dealers. Maybe i could become a dealer by applying on line. how much product does this company crank out? Its probably hard to get info because their not that big anymore. Or maybe their going under:greenchainsaw: I know a guy who could be the largest poulon dealer in the N.W. doesn't mean anything. Theirs just not much poulon stuff out their and he has a HUGE pile of it. Im not brand bashing Im looking at buying a johnsred

 

[nhlogga]

I agree with you Mike that they should know, but oil and chain is not Tilton's bread and butter. They don't manufacture the chain or oil so I can't expect them to know everything about it other than it is a good product. Total chain is basically the same thing as Woodland Pro, Laser or any other re-branded chain. They buy what is cheapest and package it in their own box. Total chain isn't anything exceptional, last I bought was rebadged Windsor chain that is based on the OLD Oregon cutter design. Good chain, just nothing special. As for the oil, I use it a lot and don't have any problems with it. The only place I can usually find it is smaller outfits that only carry a handful of saws. The Jonsered, Stihl, Echo, Husqvarna dealer up in Lincoln only sells Stihl oil primarily.

They probably only carry oil and chains for small shops so they don't have to open accounts at several places to get everything they need. I have had many experiences with Tilton and have nothing but good things to say about them. I spent 20 minutes talking old Jonsereds to Dan Tilton at the expo last year. He knew his #### and what his dealers were carrying. He was able to rattle off half dozen dealers that specialized in old Jonny parts.

I am willing to bet that you are the first person to ask someone at Tilton what is in their oil.

I agree. I spoke with Dan a this year's expo. He is extremely knowlegeable and a great guy. I have had new saws that had issues and they were fixed or replaced without a problem. As far as what is in Jred oil who cares? I buy it and never had a problem with it.

 

[Cowboy59]

Tilton Equipment

Jonsered is owned by Electrolux, and Jonsered is now being sold by TSC.

I wanted to vent just a little bit. If they are a site sponsor I don't really mean anything bad by this, but perhaps they will take notice.

It seems very hard to get any information out of them, about anything, even current products. It takes multiple phone calls and emails often to get answers to simple questions. It's great that they supply dealers, and if dealers are happy I guess that's what really counts but...

1. Trying to find out which of their dealers sells which of their products is impossible. I tried to find out where I could get some total brand chain to try...complete failure. They just gave me lists of participating tilton dealers and told me to call around...I got tired after about 10 calls. Some of their "dealers" were actually former dealers from several years ago who were pissed that I called.

2. Trying to find out details about the total chain was even harder, good thing I couldnt get my hands on any. After several phone calls and emails, I was told that it was made by oregon but was better because it was made to tilton's "stringent" standards--but couldn't get any answers about this either.

Fast forward to this past week. I was at the local dealer, who is a combi stihl/jred dealer, picking up some new chain. He asks if I need to re-stock on two stroke oil. I see some new jonsered mix on the shelf (wasn't there a month or so ago). I ask if its synthetic, semi synthetic, etc, since the bottle says nothing. He says they didn't say anything, so it's probably straight dino. They're also like $8 for 6 one gal bottles, so the price is pretty cheap.

Get home, try to find info online. Product isnt listed on the website. Try to call tilton. They have no idea about the oil. I ask them who their blender is. Person who answered the phone has no idea, she asks around, nobody knows. Finally I ask for an MSDS. They say what's that? I explain...the person pokes around...says she doesnt think they have those. I remind her that I think they are required to be available by law. Finally she finds one. I say ok, now who prepared the MSDS for you. She tells me. I call them, turns out the product is a synthetic blend oil....

I call them back. They are wowed to learn that it is...

Is there some brain of the whole operation there who is behind 3 feet of lead???

Otherwise they're doing pretty damn good for a company that knows very very little about their products...

 

[Mike from Maine]

In related news

Jonsered is owned by Electrolux, and Jonsered is now being sold by TSC.

1. the sun came up today
2. the sky is blue.