Sharp History...
By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.
One of the first chainsaw sharpening tools I used, besides just a file and handle, was a tool introduced by STIHL in the introduction of their saw chain. The Picco Micro saw chain was introduced in the early 80's and one of the accessory items was a file contraption that had a round file and a flat file in it. The tool was marked with a STIHL logo but I later found out it was manufactured by another company in Germany- PFERD.
I was digging through some old boxes three or four weeks ago and found my old Picco Micro tool I used for many sharpening's during my early sawdust days. That sparked the thought process for this article.
Several years later, a friend from Husqvarna (at the time) Mike Marshall, left and became sales manager for PFERD USA. Mike called one day and suggested he send me samples of their ChainSharp tool. I received them, used them and found them to do an excellent job on my chains. I remembered the Picco Micro STIHL tool after I saw the ChainSharp and learned the history of the tool. I began showing the tool and found it easy to sell because it met a huge need of the saw operator. Sharp saw chain and proper depth gauge settings in one pass.
I've practiced using and explaining the benefits of the tool over the last several years and up to this day have found nothing that performs any better job sharpening my saw chains.
This year STIHL introduced a version of PFERD's CSx tool to their accessory line. The tool holds two round files and a depth gauge file. You can easily reverse the tool in your hand to sharpen the left and right cutters. The features of this tool make it even faster to properly sharpen your chainsaw.
PFERD is responsible for a lot of Sharpening History with their round files, flat files and chainsaw tools. Their products are branded by STIHL, Husqvarna and other companies worldwide as well as their own PFERD brand.
Check them out at your local chainsaw dealer or on line www.PFERDUSA.com
If you are interested, www.ForestApps.com has several articles on the site about the PFERD sharpening tools. Also, Forest Applications Training, Inc. offers hands on training programs on saw chain sharpening, maintenance and adjustments using the PFERD tools. Contact us today at info@ForestApps.com or call 770.543.9862.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Fast Idling...
Fast Idling...
By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.
Starting a chainsaw can be challenging sometimes, especially in the late summer, hot temperatures. Today it's over 90 degrees here in Georgia. I practiced a starting process I was shown that has been working well for me in these hot summer sawing situations.
Most saws I'm familiar with have a fast idle position for starting. Placing the controls in this position, when the saw is flooded or just hard to start, will clear most hot starting problems.
When starting Husqvarna units simply pull out the choke lever and push it back in to place the linkage in the fast idle position. On STIHL saws, depress the throttle trigger, push the lever down to the choke position. Release the trigger and pull the lever up one notch from choke position. This places the linkage in the fast idle position.
Remember - when the saw starts it will be at an elevated rpm. Having the chain brake locked will keep your chain from turning. Then simply tap the throttle trigger to bring the RPM back to idle. Make sure you do this or the centrifugal clutch system could be damaged.
I see operators trying to start saws in class that this system always works on. If you forget to take the choke off after the first fire of the cylinder it will usually flood and require pull after pull to clear the situation. If the saw has been running and you choke it, it will require many pulls to clear and start. Using this fast idle technique will usually solve the problem quickly and save many worn starter ropes.
Good Sawing!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
By Tim Ard, Forest Applications Training, Inc.
Starting a chainsaw can be challenging sometimes, especially in the late summer, hot temperatures. Today it's over 90 degrees here in Georgia. I practiced a starting process I was shown that has been working well for me in these hot summer sawing situations.
Most saws I'm familiar with have a fast idle position for starting. Placing the controls in this position, when the saw is flooded or just hard to start, will clear most hot starting problems.
When starting Husqvarna units simply pull out the choke lever and push it back in to place the linkage in the fast idle position. On STIHL saws, depress the throttle trigger, push the lever down to the choke position. Release the trigger and pull the lever up one notch from choke position. This places the linkage in the fast idle position.
Remember - when the saw starts it will be at an elevated rpm. Having the chain brake locked will keep your chain from turning. Then simply tap the throttle trigger to bring the RPM back to idle. Make sure you do this or the centrifugal clutch system could be damaged.
I see operators trying to start saws in class that this system always works on. If you forget to take the choke off after the first fire of the cylinder it will usually flood and require pull after pull to clear the situation. If the saw has been running and you choke it, it will require many pulls to clear and start. Using this fast idle technique will usually solve the problem quickly and save many worn starter ropes.
Good Sawing!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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