Here are a few items that have annoyed me, I'm sure some of you can add more.
CLUTCHES: You should not have to remove a clutch to change a sprocket. I like the Stihl design with the clutch drum on the outside, held on with a simple E-clip. Of course it would be difficult to have the oil pump driven by the clutch drum with this layout, has anyone been able to do this? If the clutch has to be removed to change the sprocket, it would be nice to at least have it mounted on the crankshaft with splines like Pioneer did. Just a simple easy to remove nut to get the whole thing apart. Some of the screw-on clutches can be a real PIA to get off.
STIHL FLIPPY CAPS: Enough has been said about this exercise in unnecessary complexity so I just want to badmouth them about the stupid string and ball tether that holds the cap to the saw. When I drain a fuel tank, I want to get the cap off the saw to make it easier to drain without splashing fuel all over and this tether makes an easy job harder. Might be me just being too picky.
RUBBER CARB BOOTS: This is the rubber boot that connects the carb to the cylinder on some saws. I know these items aren't something that has to replaced very often, but I swear you have to practically dismantle some of the saws to replace them.
IGNITION/CHOKE LEVER: Remember the old saws that had an ignition switch, a choke lever that would let you run part choke if necessary, and a button on the handle to hold the throttle partly open? The manufacturers have gone too far in their efforts to make things simple. So many owners don't read their manuals and without the throttle button, they don't understand how to achieve the "partially open throttle without choke" function on modern saws. Stihl has gone even further with their one control lever, it has to be the only saw on the face of the earth that requires you to hold the throttle open before you can move the lever to full choke. Put that saw in the hands of some ham-fisted operator who isn't familiar with Stihl and you know what he's going to break when he tries to force the choke on.
CRIMPED MUFFLERS: Many saws now have mufflers that are crimped together and if you take them apart, you need a tig welder to put them back together. Is this an effort to stop us from modifying them or is it just cheaper to build them this way? I would really like to see what's inside a muffler before I start making changes.
CLUTCHES: You should not have to remove a clutch to change a sprocket. I like the Stihl design with the clutch drum on the outside, held on with a simple E-clip. Of course it would be difficult to have the oil pump driven by the clutch drum with this layout, has anyone been able to do this? If the clutch has to be removed to change the sprocket, it would be nice to at least have it mounted on the crankshaft with splines like Pioneer did. Just a simple easy to remove nut to get the whole thing apart. Some of the screw-on clutches can be a real PIA to get off.
STIHL FLIPPY CAPS: Enough has been said about this exercise in unnecessary complexity so I just want to badmouth them about the stupid string and ball tether that holds the cap to the saw. When I drain a fuel tank, I want to get the cap off the saw to make it easier to drain without splashing fuel all over and this tether makes an easy job harder. Might be me just being too picky.
RUBBER CARB BOOTS: This is the rubber boot that connects the carb to the cylinder on some saws. I know these items aren't something that has to replaced very often, but I swear you have to practically dismantle some of the saws to replace them.
IGNITION/CHOKE LEVER: Remember the old saws that had an ignition switch, a choke lever that would let you run part choke if necessary, and a button on the handle to hold the throttle partly open? The manufacturers have gone too far in their efforts to make things simple. So many owners don't read their manuals and without the throttle button, they don't understand how to achieve the "partially open throttle without choke" function on modern saws. Stihl has gone even further with their one control lever, it has to be the only saw on the face of the earth that requires you to hold the throttle open before you can move the lever to full choke. Put that saw in the hands of some ham-fisted operator who isn't familiar with Stihl and you know what he's going to break when he tries to force the choke on.
CRIMPED MUFFLERS: Many saws now have mufflers that are crimped together and if you take them apart, you need a tig welder to put them back together. Is this an effort to stop us from modifying them or is it just cheaper to build them this way? I would really like to see what's inside a muffler before I start making changes.
