Have read a few complaints about the newer saws using less bar oil. Any truth to the rumor that the EPA has pushed saw manufacturer's to use less bar oil ? Or is it better engineered bar oil needs less to be effective ? I know they pushed heavy for the 2-cycle fuel mix to go to 50:1 They pushed real hard for 100:1 on outboards, (now pushing 4 stroke only on many rivers & lakes) A good thing for the water & aquatic critters.
I've wondered how long it'll be before there's a 4 stroke chainsaw that we ALL like. Must be possible with the advances made in 4 stroke stuff.
But it's a weight thing, not power. Just too much metal in a 4-stroke for it to EVER compete with a two-stroke in the power-to-weight department. There would be a few engineering challenges too. The best mini 4-strokes around top out at about 11,000 RPM and can't hold a candle to similar sized two-strokes for throttle response. It would have to make MORE power than a two-stroke of equivalent size-weight to take a larger sprocket in order to stay competitive. Nothing's impossible but good luck with that one. Stratocharged two-strokes are becoming the norm and have lowered emissions enough that even Stihl appears to be walking away from the mini 4-strokes. I'll give it some more time but I doubt very much that we will see much more development (new models) on the 4-mix.
I don't think the EPA officially pushed the bar oil thing but newer saws do not use as much oil as their predecessors for sure. I think that came from professional users looking to lower the cost of running the saw and perhaps a voluntary drive to waste less oil.
if it's a bar oil vs. fuel tank comparison then yes - these m-tronic saws will run out of fuel before bar oil. I guess they did a bit of timing to size the oiler a touch larger under normal/max conditions, keeps weight/size down and gives a consistent cut
Dont the cheaper chains basically look like chains did 30 years ago. I know stihl has the oilomatic chain. If the EPA was that concerned they would just require to go to something harmless like canola or peanut or something. Not much more money maybe less.
