IMSkywalker
ArboristSite Lurker
A derecho storm on 8/10 has left countless downed & damaged trees in my area. Last week I purchased a MS 661 to add to my Stihl collection to speed the processing. I'm running a 25" bar with Stihl RS chain cutting oak up to 32" dia. thus far, I only cut wood weekends and evenings. Starting with full tanks of fuel and oil, the saw ran & cut great on the first cuts then started having trouble cutting straight. Checked chain tension OK and chain still sharp, oil in tank. I noticed the bar paint was wearing at the bottom after going through 1 tank of fuel, blamed it on hard wood and maybe poor quality paint finish. The next evening checked chain, tension, topped off oil ran a partial tank, still not cutting straight, blamed it on the wood grain issues. On the third day, I did my pre-cut checks and discovered the chain was able to pivot dramatically side-to-side in bar on the bottom side. It would pivot further away from the power unit (the saw was cutting to the right). I also noticed a large metal burr where the chain rides on the bar bottom opposite the power unit. The top of the bar seemed fine (chain side play near normal), so I flipped the bar and the saw cuts straight again, at least temporarily, I've only run a partial tank of fuel since. I've run less than 3 tanks or fuel through the saw total.
This is dumbfounding, I've never had any trouble with my many Stihl products. Also, this saw and bar were made in Germany, should be very high quality standards. The bar look like sh** already.
In question:
Oiler: Bad or inconsistent Ematic oiler system? Oil sling test seems to show system in functioning, at least at times. Also, since I am adding oil to the tank consistently the oil must be going somewhere. The bar & chain adjusting screw is set to E (Ematic)(rotated against the Oil Adjuster Limiter pin). I performed a oil sling test pointing the bar nose at sheet of paper for 10 seconds at full throttle and compared to my 1994 026 Pro saw. See image.
Bar: Bad bar from the factory? Did the bar get assembled incorrectly? Did on side plate miss a heat treat hardening process? Currently the chain tooth can move laterally 5/32" on the bad side and 2/32" on the good (10" from the power unit).
Chain: Doesn't seem like this could cause premature bar wear.
I use the same Echo premium bar & chain lube in my 026 Pro saw (I purchased new in '94 and has run around 60 tanks of fuel and has the original bar). See pictures for comparison.
Though not the case, the dealer will likely say the saw was run out of oil. Even if I install a new $80 bar I'm not confident the problem will be solved. I'm posting for advice prior to contacting the dealer from which the saw was purchased.
A lot of saw experience on this site. I'd very much appreciate any advice.
Mark
This is dumbfounding, I've never had any trouble with my many Stihl products. Also, this saw and bar were made in Germany, should be very high quality standards. The bar look like sh** already.
In question:
Oiler: Bad or inconsistent Ematic oiler system? Oil sling test seems to show system in functioning, at least at times. Also, since I am adding oil to the tank consistently the oil must be going somewhere. The bar & chain adjusting screw is set to E (Ematic)(rotated against the Oil Adjuster Limiter pin). I performed a oil sling test pointing the bar nose at sheet of paper for 10 seconds at full throttle and compared to my 1994 026 Pro saw. See image.
Bar: Bad bar from the factory? Did the bar get assembled incorrectly? Did on side plate miss a heat treat hardening process? Currently the chain tooth can move laterally 5/32" on the bad side and 2/32" on the good (10" from the power unit).
Chain: Doesn't seem like this could cause premature bar wear.
I use the same Echo premium bar & chain lube in my 026 Pro saw (I purchased new in '94 and has run around 60 tanks of fuel and has the original bar). See pictures for comparison.
Though not the case, the dealer will likely say the saw was run out of oil. Even if I install a new $80 bar I'm not confident the problem will be solved. I'm posting for advice prior to contacting the dealer from which the saw was purchased.
A lot of saw experience on this site. I'd very much appreciate any advice.
Mark