'Easy start' chainsaws from various mfg's

It seems like quite a few companies offer some type of 'easy start' (not always called that) mechanism on a variety of their saws. My question is are the basically the same as the Stihl Easy-2-Start system? The Stihl uses a pair of springs and sprags (one- way mechanical clutches) that basically disconnects the user and the pull starter from the actual turning of the engine.

I have seen various systems on Husqvarnas, Dolmars, Jonsereds (up to 70 cc engines at that) and several other brands but nothing I can find describes the way they actually work. Do the others allow the pull start to be used as slowly as one wants, as the Stihl does?

Not talking in any way about compression releases here, just the actual pull starter mechanism.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

 

I think stihl has two different ones. I have seen the ones you pull loading up the spring until it releases turning over the motor. My 192 does not do this however it is spring assisted.
My dolmar is simular to the 192 but even less obvious. In fact if you did not know it was spring assisted you probably wouldn't know other then it pulls easier.

 

My Echo's are both easy to start, but I don't think springs are involved.

 

I don't like them - hard to get an accurate feel of piston moving in cylinder. I'd call them a marketing gimmick.

 

Yeah, it has done that to me; at the end of a pull, letting the rope re-wind and the saw starts. First couple or three times it is just amazingly weird. But overall, I think it works really well and is quite effective.

I have one Echo and it is fairly easy to start but the compression release will not stay open until the engine fires so basically, it is useless; the compression release resets each time the saw is pulled over even when it does not fire. While not a hard- to- start saw, it does take at least half a dozen fairly sharp and fast pulls to get it going even in mind weather- I think it is because there is no primer bulb. My Stihl starts in three pulls under any conditions it seems. And my Echo has no recoil starter assist either, just the compression release.

Brian

 

That does sound useless. If it's like a Husky decomp valve - you push a plunger open, pull recoil, saw starts and runs a little rough for a second, then pressure slams plunger shut. Maybe your plunger is weak or wallowed out in the valve = not enough resistance.

 

Agreed but not about the limited audience of women and old people. Easier is easier all the time and for everyone, and with the exception of trying to prove how big and tough we all are, we usually take the easiest way out of any situation as long as the cost of that ease is not greater than the ease itself. I cannot remember the last time I saw anyone crank start a car by hand.... even the young, strong, tough guys.

I like the Easy- 2 Start system that Stihl has. In fact, I like just about everything about the saw (a small, 35 cc saw) and would stick with the brand if the pricing were not simply ridiculous IMO for the larger saws. But my specific question is about the various recoil starting 'systems' that other manufacturers us and how they compare to the Stihl.

There is a TSC not too far down the road with some 70 cc Jonsereds that have their version on them- I will probably stop by the store and 'test- pull' (Easy boys!) one of the display models.

Brian

 

My cs590 decomp shuts if I pull sharply, I found the trick is to pop the decomp, pull it through slowly a few times to prime the gas, then give it a sharp pull to start, if the decomp shuts without starting, pop it in and yank again.
My cs400 was always a two pull starter.

 

Yes, I have had that thought too- mine might be broken (brand new saw) or I guess it is possible that the Echo decomp valves are a bit weak. I wonder if another brand, such as Husky or Stihl will fit an Echo saw?

I have gone so far as to pull the saw over with the ignition switch in the off position and the decomp valve is always open again so it does seem faulty.

Brian

 

Husky decomp valves are 10mm x 1.0 pitch. An odd pitch - most bolts are 1.25 or 1.5.

 

Great- that was the information I was looking for, thanks! (the info. about no other mfg. offering a similar system)

Brian

 

Now, I do, too. LOL. Had to tap a Mahle cylinder for decomp valve because I broke 2 recoils trying to start it. Took me 5 stores to find it!

 

I think there is too. 2 different ones for stihl.

I had a 250 in you could pull rope 1" at a time till wound up then it would spin it to start.

The 180 I just took in for dad is just easier to pull. No wind up like that 250 did. Then I got the 211 in and it was like the 180 easy to pull but no wind up.
I wish the 180 I took on trade was like the 250 one I worked on.

 

The other Stihl system is called 'ElastoStart', and I really do not know exactly what that is but I <believe> it is just a damper in the rope grip to soften the peak of compression felt while using the starter. The two- spring system that can be pulled as slowly as one wants is called 'Easy- 2- Start'. If a particular Stihl saw has Easy 2 Start, it has a -E in its part number. For example, a model 211 and a model 211 C-BE differ in that the -BE saw has Easy 2 Start and the 'no tool' chain adjuster while the 211 is the identical saw without those [features or detriments, depending on your point of view].

Elastostart is standard on almost all Stihl chainsaws while Easy 2 Start is an option on small to medium saws only; the last saw that has it available is a 291, which is a 55 cc saw.

Brian