Tzed250
Addicted to ArboristSite
Belgian, I see your point, but saying that the rod is weak does not make it weak. Stihl probably sells more 180s than some companies total production. More units in the field yields more chances at a rod being bent during maintenance.
People, especially homeowners, want lightweight saws. That weight loss has to come from somewhere. If the rods are failing in use then maybe it is a bad design. If the rods are failing during maintenance, but only some of the time, then it points to incorrect method. Some might say "Stihl should make the rod so it will never bend", and that is fine, but then the weight penalty must be fine too.
Brad is not a proffesional OPE tech, nor a mechanical engineer. It is his opinion the MS180 rod is weak until hard data is shown to back up the claim.
People, especially homeowners, want lightweight saws. That weight loss has to come from somewhere. If the rods are failing in use then maybe it is a bad design. If the rods are failing during maintenance, but only some of the time, then it points to incorrect method. Some might say "Stihl should make the rod so it will never bend", and that is fine, but then the weight penalty must be fine too.
Brad is not a proffesional OPE tech, nor a mechanical engineer. It is his opinion the MS180 rod is weak until hard data is shown to back up the claim.