Hey...you know what? I think someone else mentioned that in the other thread I had started, but I forgot about it already, so thanks for the reminder. Let me ask you this: Would you be more apt to buy the new comparable Redmax over the left over Jred? I’m asking from the standpoint of specifically if they’ve updated or added features, or fixed any bearing issue that a model may have had. If they’re the same, going Redmax shouldn’t be an issue I wouldn’t think. Us old Stihl diehards are a hard sell. LOL!!!
A lot of the bearing issues was from not using enough oil. The strato saws have heavier pistons, and use less gas/oil to cut the same amount of wood, so less oil gets to the bottom end. Run 40 or 32:1 and the bearings are happier.
The saws are identical. A 2172 is exactly the same saw in every aspect as a redmax G7100. Only the stickers are different. So if you wanted it to say Jonsered , but that one. Or if you wanted it to say redmax, buy that one LOL. They are both made by husky. It’s my understanding that husky changed the label to redmax in order to get into the landscaping crews a little bit better since their blowers, trimmers, and edgers were all very popular with landscaping companies. And they generally like to keep their equipment all the same brand
Like Bud said above, the biggest internal issue with most strato saws is accelerated bearing failure. 32:1 with good oil probably triples the life of the bearings
Ok...great info that I would not have known had I not asked. That said, I’m not so sure I want to mess with all that...having different mixes and such. Everything I have is 50:1. Strato saws? New term for me. Never heard that one before. Edit: 50:1 for new Stihl blowers, weed eaters that I have. If I’m not mistaken new Stihl saws are 50:1 and have been for a long time I think. I even use it on occasion when I fire up the old 041, but I’m thinking dad used to run 40:1 in it ... and it could be that is what the old manual called for, but my memory isn’t what it used to be either.
Yep 041 called for a 40:1 mix. https://www.stihlusa.com/WebContent...ls/STIHL-041-Farm-Boss-Instruction-Manual.pdf Now I’m questioning what my mix is for my new weed eater and blower. I’ll have to double check, but I could swear they are 50:1. Edit: You know you’re getting old when you can remember old numbers for old saws, but heck, I can’t even remember what model weed eater and blowers I bought to look them up. LOL!
I run 40:1 in everything I own. 50:1 is so they can meet emissions standards, not to make an engine run or last longer.
I am a lefty also. One reason I wanted a full wrap and it does help on falling, sometimes. Without the full wrap, I will often end up back-baring a cut, if I need to be on that side of the tree. Actually, being a lefty, I back-bar more then most people, I suspect, but the full wrap helps to reduce that, some. One safety thing to remember, though, is keep in mind that when you move your hand off of the top of the handlebar, and go to the side bar, you no longer have your hand in the correct position where the chain brake would be activated, in the event of a kickback.
I have watched a ton of falling videos, which has really taught me a lot about how to safety fall trees, wedgemanship, etc. Watching them is no substitute for actually working side by side with a pro faller, but I feel like it has taught me enough to at least move out of the rank novice class, and I feel like I am least capable of safely falling the average trees that I need to cut down, and keeping me from making really dangerous stupid mistakes.
