how do you store a chainsaw
 

it does not have to be a chainsaw, any 2 stroke will do.

I bought a craftsman CS a few years ago, yea don't put it down, my last one lasted 20 years+ and I abused the HECK out of it. I have been starting it every now and then to run it so the carb wont gum up.
a very large tree limb fell in my neighbors yard the other day so I was going to cut it up for her. the saw started but ran like crap. after cleaning up the carb, it looked good but I suspect a sticking needle valve, I thought it was good.
so after banging it against the tree a few times I went bought another saw, an echo.

so how do you store it after use.
do you drain the gas and run it til it stops? do you still run them every few months?
I have a weed eater and blower I would like to keep running.

I am going to start using non ethanol gas in them.

Just don't use ethanol content gas and you can leave it fueled, that's my experience.

I have my Stihl in its carrying case, clean. I leave the fuel in it. Which BTW is their brand, has a shelf life of 2-3 years and 93 octane. Pricey @$25/gallon but they will extend their warranty an additional year if U use it.

Stihl, fuel topped off with 91 non-ethanol, sitting on a shelf in my basement (climate controlled). I often let it go 2-3 years without using it and it always starts right up.

Quick hit & run....too many 2-strokes to count. Non-ethanol from a pump (90 or 93....lowers over time, higher the better) and I never drain or do anything special. At least two of them are kept year-round in my truck tool box...

I have mostly Stihls and a couple of Echos....been doing it that way for years...no issus...chainsaws, trimmers, blowers, etc.

I've always had access to non-ethanol at the pump, but a few years ago could only get 87...I won't buy that luxurious stuff...no need. Some of my stuff might go a long time between starts too.

http://www.amsoil.com/
Better answers here.... and more appropriate blog. LOL

I'll put the collective expertise of this board up against any troll's blog....any day of the week ;)

I store all of my gas tools dry. Ethanol is a nightmare but I won't even let non ethanol fuel sit in a carb for more than two weeks.

Startron in the mix container............ every time.

Nuthin' wrong with storing them dry or adding....I just never have. I did notice the last pack of Echo 2-cycle oil (Red something) I purchased contains a stabilizer (2 yrs)...don't know if the Stihl oil does (think not)....used that for decades. I've just never had an issue ever...none....if it ain't broke ;)

I do think I will continue to buy the Echo oil though....can't hurt.

Gas stabilizer is a must if you don't use it regularly.

I drain my Husqvarna completely when not in use. I only run gas with Stabil for ethanol when using it. Have never had a problem with the saw and its about 12 years old now.

I use seafoam in everything around the house, saws, mowers.. havent had a fuel/carb issue since I started a few years ago. No choice of ethanol free around here and I'm not spending the $$ on the canned fuel.

I don't drain the gas in my 20year old + Husqvarna. I use it intermittently and once forgot to add 2 stroke oil to the gas. Still runs just fine. I don't use Stabil.

I end up running about 3-4 gallons of fuel through my Stihl MS310 every year cutting 5-6 cords of firewood, so no problems keeping fresh fuel in it. If I knew I wouldn't be running it for awhile, I would turn the saw over, and drain the tank, and then turn right side up, start it to run any remaining fuel out.

dry. that was what the shop told me when i bought it.

BTW, thanks California for making all the new saws cal compliant.

thanks.
going to switch to no eht gas. but still leaving fuel in the carb causes it to gum up.
no concerns about that.

What do you use all that equipment for? Just your own property? Fell a lot of trees? :)

Mother Nature makes messes....and she don't exactly clean up after herself either :(. Several properties to maintain, a couple with acreage, and one thing leads to another....how many hammers do you have :)?

I've just never drained fuel out of my 2-cycles....easy peasy on a chainsaw, but not on a backpack blower. I might use two tanks on my line trimmer going around a pond, or 2 ounces on my driveway....and I always need a chainsaw (or two) in my truck....ready to go.

I've just never had any issues ever...except for that other thread ;)

This is what my local Sthil dealer recommends to use in all small engines.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1531330536.jpg

It's $8.95 a quart. + taxes.

A buddy says use #1 gas and put a cap full of the Aspen in the tank. Hmmmm

I used to just run #1 gas with Stabil but I had 12 gallons of it go bad in my black car. Only $600 damages from that adventure.

Mercury Outboards used to sell a fogging storage agent. You expose the carbs and spray the carbs with the fogging agent till the motor stalls. This coats the internal parts from corrosion over winter.

I'm running #1 gas in everything. What I can drain completely I will and then put a little of the Aspen in (weed whackers , or other small engines). Larger gas tanks like the cars I'll treat with Stabil and hope for the best. If I can get the fogging agent I'll try it also.

We cannot get pure gasoline here, unfortunately.

No airport close by? I think the gas they sell is ethanol free.

It used to be you could find some turd out in a field somewhere. Put a battery in it, squirt some gas into the carb and it would start and run. Now, if it sits for 3 months the carb needs to be rebuilt and the fuel lines have started to rust......

I have five chain saws (two older hand held and three pole saws of varying length, weight and stupidity), two weed whips (one with the plastic blades and one with the metal cutters) and associated blowers, etc.

I use the 93 Stihl blend only. I get it at dealer price since the local Mennonite Stihl dealer and I are friends. I started doing this a decade ago after years of buying plastic bits (from primer bulbs to fuel lines), over and over.

I still have my bag of parts.

If I am not planning on using the tool for the next week or so I drain/pour the gas into a clean bucket and return the fuel to the gas can. I have a large funnel with a fuel screen, worth every penny.

I then start the tool and run it dry. For long term storage I'll remove the spark plug and fog the cylinder.

The oldest chainsaw, a Stihl Wood Boss, predates me on the farm...over thirty years old and runs perfectly. One of the weed whips I bought the year before we bought this place decades ago.

I want things to run when I need them to. The 93 octane Stihl has made it work.

Use that or some other version.

I just clean it and put it away together with my leatherface mask and apron.
Nothing fancy.

Did you always use non-ethanol before? I have no doubt the high $ canned gas works....but....

I too have the same criteria...don't we all ;)?

Between my uncle & I....bet we have 25 2-cycles...my oldest is over 25, his even older...
I've just never pampered them...but don't abuse them with ethanol either. I just have never had an issue, nor my older relatives....doing what we've always done....YMMV.

If I'd ever had any issues with mine...then I would reconsider....but not until then.

Or Marinas....though I haven't fueled at one in years, they used to have it too.

Use it or lose it …..

I used regular gas (10% ethanol) and added 2 stroke oil to the mix. I mixed by the gallon depending on the mixture required.

I did not dump gas tanks and run dry in those days. From what I have read, it may, and I emphasize may, not have mattered. They would sit for weeks with gas in the lines.

If I did not have an avenue to Sthil gas reasonably priced, I would hit the local marinas and buy non-ethanol gas and mix.

Works for me. I burn maybe five gallons of gas a year in my 2 strokes, twice that in trimming years. That is a lot more time on the saw than you guys think.

I'd bet the 10% ethanol caused all of your issues...that's what it does :(. The additives might help mitigate, but pure is better.
I just mix a gal at a time, from non-E pumps that move a lot of gas....never kept track, but 4-5 a year...

Did I mention that Ethanol sucks :(

Since there is some chainsaw knowledge here
 

What would you guys recommend for an occasional use CS for limbing trees, cutting up large branches, etc.? I know nothing about them other than brand names and even though I may not use it much, I still like quality tools.

Are used CSs always a fool's economy? TIA. :cool:

Honestly, Denis, in your circumstance it is as much about chains being sharp as it is about the brand of saw.

I have a sharpening jig in my workshop. I actually asked the Mennonites to teach me how best to sharpen chains. I know, but dull blades are the real fool's economy.

I really like pole saws but that may not work for you.

Buy a good brand of chainsaw, new or used, have at least three sharpened chains ready (I have tons) and you should be good to go.

Mine starts up fine, even if I haven't used it for a year. Mind you it is a Husqvarna ;)

An interesting thing with my Honda motor bike. It can be an arse to start if I haven't used it for a month or two. But if I drain the fuel from the carb if starts almost immediately. I'd say the same applies to most small engines.

Is your gas sober Bill....I 'spect so. This ethanol crap sucks...on so many levels it isn't funny. I don't think the ROW is as stupid as we are :(.

Yes it's sober gas.

We do have ethanol gas here but we know when we are buying it as the fuel companies brag that it contains 3% (or whatever) as if it's a good thing.

I have a Stihl 029 that I fuel with truFuel. It’s expense stuff on a relative basis but my use (limited) mitigates the cost. The saw has always been put away wet. It’s had a neglected life but I’m fix’n to get her a spa day at my local Stihl dealer.

This year I put new carbs, fuel lines, plugs and filters on everything. Chain saw, blower, power washer, and trimmer. Kits on amazon were $10 - $15. All good so far, I will run dry in the fall.

For around $300....you would not go wrong with an Echo CS400 (40cc) that Baz mentioned in that other thread, or a Stihl MS250 (45cc) with a 16" bar. Stick with a rear handle (not top handle) and an anti-kickback chain (Stihl green code) unless you have ample experience imo. Husqvarna makes great stuff too...no one sells or services them around here though...I've asked why....parts & support. Redmax is supposedly Husqvarna design but with quality Japanese parts....

....but in reality, as Paul says....any ol' saw with a sharp chain will suffice for casual use....just like a meh-car ;).

Used saws are fine imo, if they are in good shape....older saws are fine too...evaluate like you would an old car.

As you see, key is a good fuel. And / or dry store it. Personally as I have mentioned here in similar threads, I buy the Stihl gas premix. I have very little usage and it pays for itself by keeping the tools (chainsaw and hedge trimmer) always ready. They are stored in my garage that gets pretty hot in the summer. No issues, even after a year of dormancy.

On my lawn mower and dirt bike (both 4 stroke) I use seafoam.

G

Avgas + non-synthetic oil, leave it in the saw/can.

Don't underestimate the use of a small electric chainsaw.

I grew up cutting wood and thought electrics were for wusses.

Having bought a small electric that can be used on the supplied pole, it is the cat's meow.

Light and non stinky it's great for 10 minute jobs with small trees/branches.