This will be a pretty short summary of my conversion.. I wish I would have taken more photos of specific issues that I wish to address after I was done with it, but I'll try to make up for it later..
Jo.
Converting / Conversion of STIHL MS200T (top-handle) to MS200 (rear-handle)
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This will be a pretty short summary of my conversion.. I wish I would have taken more photos of specific issues that I wish to address after I was done with it, but I'll try to make up for it later..
Jo.
So - here you can see all the parts I marked to be ordered from the local STIHL dealer after an in-depth review of my 'inventory' of parts I have obtained over about a couple of years now..
Amongst them are: STIHL 020T (in case I'll need to swap carburettors due to H / L needle screws positioning..) , STIHL MS200T (not the latest edition.. hoping it's carb will fit....) , and a BEAUTIFUL rear-handle assembly from overseas that made this day of the conversion come sooner than I expected!!
Amongst them are: STIHL 020T (in case I'll need to swap carburettors due to H / L needle screws positioning..) , STIHL MS200T (not the latest edition.. hoping it's carb will fit....) , and a BEAUTIFUL rear-handle assembly from overseas that made this day of the conversion come sooner than I expected!!
very excited with the fact that it's actually happening and I will soon have one of my favorite chainsaws in the ground-work configuration!! That will cut my back a little slack, plus doing light work in class, PLUS carving with JOY!!
here I start to digest everything visually, right before I step on it - full on!
very important detail: for those who still don't know - the intake manifold / boot on the MS200 is upright! therefore it's a different part (and part number..) , so it's better to prepare the right one! I got a good used one from either eBay, or chainsawr.com .. can't remember..
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yet another difference you should know about for this conversion - is the need to remove the lanyard ring for the climbing attachment/s and replace with a rear bumper which becomes a part of the anti-vibration / isolation mounts system. After all, it takes just a brief observation to understand why it's there.. makes sense, and the location is nice how it can use for either the ring or the buffer
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next would be plugging the wires while mounting the handlebar the right way so I won't wear or damage a wire. fastening the upper-front AV buffer was tricky because of the wire that goes tight against it.. I really didn't wanna end up with a complete project - not knowing this wire is torn underneath there, while I have no idea (since it's hidden inside the front of the handlebar housing)
- notice the gas tank breather from when it was a "T"! ..yes - it originally has a nipple for the hose!
- notice the gas tank breather from when it was a "T"! ..yes - it originally has a nipple for the hose!
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What I did find - is that the L/H tuning screws on the MS200T's carb' are spaced wider than in the MS200! I guessed right.
So - good that I've prepared to this.. so I pulled the 'non-accelerator-pump' Walbro carb' to use on my newborn.. BUT - an unfortunate discovery came up! ..the 'ear' on the edge of the accelerator shaft of the 020T has just one single hole..... on the WRONG (upper) side :/ AAAARRRRGH.... Now I need to switch the accelerator shafts!! D*mn.. - Here we go................. - that - I didn't take photos of , but I was impatient and too concentrated on the process.. oh well..
But it worked successfully, and the other patient (020T) lives, now with the 'other-person's' heart (with an accelerator-pump LOL!!)
now, out of all the tricky-parts', here comes the 'ugliest' tricky part......... some will get pissed at me, but I had to mod this time. I did think this over, and this mod is reversible, in a way..
The original breather on this specific MS200T fuel tank had a built in breather, where the fuel-line is single -unlike the later edition MS200T where the breather hose is integrated in the mold with the fuel hose.. which is good for our conversion! Right?? But NO! - unlike the 020T that has an outer 'spongy' button-looking thingy that keeps dirt out of reaching into the tank through the breather - this tank had (still has..) a nipple!! like other common saws that have those, instead of just a hole..
Why!? No idea! I tested the valve of this breather, and it was NO GOOD without an external breather
So what I did - this picture says it all.. took a universal breather, drilled a hole right above the breather nipple that's built onto the tank, and created the external/auxiliry breather.. call it how you wanna call it..
The original breather on this specific MS200T fuel tank had a built in breather, where the fuel-line is single -unlike the later edition MS200T where the breather hose is integrated in the mold with the fuel hose.. which is good for our conversion! Right?? But NO! - unlike the 020T that has an outer 'spongy' button-looking thingy that keeps dirt out of reaching into the tank through the breather - this tank had (still has..) a nipple!! like other common saws that have those, instead of just a hole..
Why!? No idea! I tested the valve of this breather, and it was NO GOOD without an external breather
So what I did - this picture says it all.. took a universal breather, drilled a hole right above the breather nipple that's built onto the tank, and created the external/auxiliry breather.. call it how you wanna call it..
the rest was nothing but joy - since the hard/wicked parts are all behind me!
Now I have a frrrriggin' MS200!!!! AT LAAAAST!!
..and as we speak, with a 14" PS3 full-chisel
I'm a happier C.A.D. patient!
Now I have a frrrriggin' MS200!!!! AT LAAAAST!!
..and as we speak, with a 14" PS3 full-chisel
I'm a happier C.A.D. patient!
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mark360T
ArboristSite Guru
Great job on the conversion! Can't wait too hear how it runs
Thanks guys! What shall I upload more? The site can't handle *.3gp files, but maybe I'll try something soon.. any requests? Maybe a closer look on any part in the saw that I missed? I know I missed some meaningful tweaks in between phases of the process, so just let me know.
Jo.
What shall I upload more? The site can't handle *.3gp files, but maybe I'll try something soon.. any requests? Maybe a closer look on any part in the saw that I missed? I know I missed some meaningful tweaks in between phases of the process, so just let me know. Jo.
Awesome! Well worth the effort making a thread out of this modd. They are great little hotrod saw that punch above their wieght. l got a 200t & 201rear handle. Very useful/capable saws. Accelerator pump carb is their biggest fault IMO but you can get around that. No elastoplasto start either! Good idea & well done!
Nice work but I would have kept it as a top handle.
Anything less than 50cc is too wimpy unless you are in a tree.
Anything less than 50cc is too wimpy unless you are in a tree.
XSKIER
Addicted to ArboristSite
Furthermore, stumping with a side exit exhaust saw is asking for trouble. Too much heat concentrated against the ground and saw. Well, at least your ppe is in the pic.
However, I do appreciate your sharing the conversion process with the board. Thanks.
However, I do appreciate your sharing the conversion process with the board. Thanks.
CR888 said it all and said it quite right. This saw fits many of our landscaping needs, and in matters of power-2-weight ratio, you DO feel it. Look at my rig, I think I have enough saws to pick from when it comes to falling and/or bucking.. AND tried enough saws before to understand something. I did spend time to sit my a** down to read and listen about how to use them, maintain in general, sharpen, and proper sawing as much as possible. I listen to the experts, while I take it to practice in order to have my own 'dip' in the wood to feel stuff myself. I also was on the R&D of the GS461.
When an MS200 is in an ideal condition (even with just small tweaks/mods) and is used right - it's a reeeeeeeally fine lil' limbing machine and/or e very useful and productive saw to carry in the back of our small Gator CX as a handy small alternative all-rounder.. My problematic back forgives me even when I use it for prolonged periods.
I have NO problems with it whatsoever.
I do have McCulloch E.B. (610) 3.7ci so I know how it sucks sometimes to stump with those bastards.. but it was just a coincidence because I don't stump with them. like you said XSKIER - trouble. The Mac though didn't give a d*mn and made a HOLE(!) in the ground.. it was somewhat funny..
In the MS200's case - it was just a test. Did great.
When an MS200 is in an ideal condition (even with just small tweaks/mods) and is used right - it's a reeeeeeeally fine lil' limbing machine and/or e very useful and productive saw to carry in the back of our small Gator CX as a handy small alternative all-rounder.. My problematic back forgives me even when I use it for prolonged periods.
I have NO problems with it whatsoever.
I do have McCulloch E.B. (610) 3.7ci so I know how it sucks sometimes to stump with those bastards.. but it was just a coincidence because I don't stump with them. like you said XSKIER - trouble. The Mac though didn't give a d*mn and made a HOLE(!) in the ground.. it was somewhat funny..
In the MS200's case - it was just a test. Did great.
tallguys
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yup, bang on.
