Interesting thread regarding top handled saws and muffler mods. I've owned and used 338xp's and several models of echos, 3400, 341, 330t and 360t. I've also used the stihls from the old all metal models (their most powerful) to the 200t's. Of all these saws, the echo cs330's and 360's are my favorites. I've been using the pair i have now for over 5 years and i've never had a problem. The powerful husky's have a front mounted carb which moves the handle back two inches and wrecks the balance. They are more hazardous because when you saw thru a limb, one handed, the weight of the bar makes it impossible to release the throttle. They also tire the wrist because of the awkward balance. My experience with the stihls has been a lack of longevity. I've had problems with the mufflers coming loose, but what do you expect for $600?
on a job i usually have one top handle for climbing and another by the chipper and often one for limbing on the ground. For all these applications, especially the climbing saw, the most important things are sure starting on the first pull and a sharp chain. If i have limbs larger than eight inches, send up the 272.
anyway, last week i decided to try the muffler mod on the cs 330t. I removed the catalyst honeycomb from the can and opened the outlet port with a 9/32 drill, but didn't open the muffler body since i have no mig welder. I put it back together and tried to get the mixtures, lo and hi, adjusted correctly. The users manual says to adjust the mixtures so that the saw will run between 13,500 and 14,500 rpm. I could get mine up to about 12,500 rpm, but it ran poorly between 8000 and 10,000 rpm, no matter what i did. It seems to me that particular rpm range is the most important since it is the band used when cutting. I took the muffler apart again and realized that i had neglected the plate and gasket beneath the spark arrestor screen. I drilled another 9/32” hole thru those and used a file to smooth them into the existing aperture. after that i was able to get the saw running well from 8000 to 11,500 rpm, cut some cookies off of 6” balsam poplar, fast and easy. These results may be different from others since i live at 6000 feet altitude and 2strokes work differently up here.
Was it worth the trouble? Hard to say. The saw cut well before. It may take some time at the show to tell for sure. A sharp chain seems to be more significant. i didn't notice any change in sound level.
opcorn:
