Weekend equipment maintenece

[NIsaacs]

We had a nice winter day, 56 degrees, so we trimmed the fruit trees, overdue. Chipper, sure does make a small pile out of a large mess.

My new little Mighty Mouse, Milwaukee M12, 6" chain saw is awesome for trimming limbs, especially at the chipper.

 

[bcbender]

yeah I've been thinking about getting one of those M12 trimmers.. . they also have a M12 lopper that'll do up to 1.25"

 

[AH64ID]

I picked up a Dewalt 12” saw this fall and love it. It’s got plenty of power for its size and is so handy to use for quick limbing, even small firewood gathering, or quick road clearing.

 

[bcbender]

Yes DC saws are quite handy... I've had a Makita for years, picked up a small Stihl DC a few months ago.. On/Off with ease, I keep the Makita on the tractor when working in the yard as I can grab / cut / go in less time than it takes to start and warm my gas saws.

 

[CVR222NV]

Yes DC saws are quite handy... I've had a Makita for years, picked up a small Stihl DC a few months ago.. On/Off with ease, I keep the Makita on the tractor when working in the yard as I can grab / cut / go in less time than it takes to start and warm my gas saws.

Why did you go with the Stihl over the other brands? I'm looking to purchase one of these small saws soon.

 

[bcbender]

Why did you go with the Stihl over the other brands? I'm looking to purchase one of these small saws soon.

To be completely honest I got a really really good deal on a used set. I have the saw below and a blower,...
I have all Stihl gas products and I am pleased with the cost / value. The DC stuff is epensive so I have not steped in yet, (sans this one) so time will tell, but their stuff seems to be good. I demo'ed the KMA 130R with string trimmer and backpack battery ( Commercial use) and it is unstoppable. My Dad has the Stihl DC saw and loves it (not sure if its AK homeowner series like mine or AP series) both are good units just pricey. My saw as the 10 (or 12" bar), my Makita is a 16" bar, both are good for what I use them for... Key point is easy to use and but back for the small jobs...

You will be happy with the Stihl saw(s) if you chose to dive in,.. just hit your wallet hard up front. I have then Makita cause I already had batteries, but now I have Stihl, Makita, Milwakee, batteries so now Im shopping for tools,, not batteries.. .(LOL)

 

[AH64ID]

Why did you go with the Stihl over the other brands? I'm looking to purchase one of these small saws soon.

Buy the one you already have batteries for.

I bought a skill saw this summer that came with a 8AH 20V Dewalt battery, and I already had a 5AH 20V battery with my 1/2” impact.

Stick with a single battery type, as quality is pretty similar across the board.

 

[NIsaacs]

Buy the one you already have batteries for.

I bought a skill saw this summer that came with a 8AH 20V Dewalt battery, and I already had a 5AH 20V battery with my 1/2” impact.

Stick with a single battery type, as quality is pretty similar across the board.

I agree, batteries are expensive. I have the M12 tools, so I was kinda stuck with the small 6" saw. My brother has M18 stuff so he has the 14" saw, loves it and why he sent me the little guy. Not going to look a gift horse in the mouth

I am going to watch for battery sales and get a 6 amp, big difference in performance between 3 amp or 4 amp, the biggest ones I have.

 

[bcbender]

Also I've found on the M12 stuff they perform better on the top 1/2 of the battery, once the battery reaches a lower SoC the performance drops off, must be current limited for the small batteries, a place where the larger 18V or 20V or 40V will have more available wattage at the same current.

 

[bcbender]

Buy the one you already have batteries for.

This is why I have the Makita Saw, and Makita mower... Makita mower is not the best one, but I have about 15 batteries so made sense and the kids can trim for me with it. Same with the saw, it works good, not the lightest or best performer, but works. Like I said the Stihl saws are well balanced, and works good, but will put another battery circle under your roof...

 

[CVR222NV]

I was actually looking at this one:

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/g.../gta26/?aqid=cbf30604bc27da88171f3d1beeb5a736

I have DeWalt tools and batteries so this would be the DeWalt version:

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dccs...-pruning-chainsaw-kit-3-ah-battery?tid=577536

I just wonder how they perform?

 

[AH64ID]

I was actually looking at this one:

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/g.../gta26/?aqid=cbf30604bc27da88171f3d1beeb5a736

I have DeWalt tools and batteries so this would be the DeWalt version:

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dccs...-pruning-chainsaw-kit-3-ah-battery?tid=577536

I just wonder how they perform?

I thought about the little one, but went 12” as it can do everything that will do and more.

 

[Ozymandias]

I agree, batteries are expensive. I have the M12 tools, so I was kinda stuck with the small 6" saw. My brother has M18 stuff so he has the 14" saw, loves it and why he sent me the little guy. Not going to look a gift horse in the mouth

I am going to watch for battery sales and get a 6 amp, big difference in performance between 3 amp or 4 amp, the biggest ones I have.

Take care to get the HO battery's from Milwaukee if you are going to use it with demanding machines. Huge difference in performance. Took me some money till I figured that out

 

[CVR222NV]

I thought about the little one, but went 12” as it can do everything that will do and more.

The Stihl is really small with a 4" bar. Weighs just 2.7 lbs. I believe it would handle all the heavier pruning in my yard and easily fit in a back pack or even my saddle bags on my horse/mule to use to brush in blinds on remote springs hunting deer or elk. Might justify getting a couple of Stihl batteries.

 

[bcbender]

For the size, the Stihl and Milwaukee are hard to beat. Just gives you another battery and charger to deal with,. Albeit I think the Stihl is the most compact.

 

[NIsaacs]

Take care to get the HO battery's from Milwaukee if you are going to use it with demanding machines. Huge difference in performance. Took me some money till I figured that out

Thats only for the M18, I have the M12 tools. But yes, I get the XC over the CP when I can. Some on sale tool combos don't give you the choice.

 

[NIsaacs]

https://carlisletyrfil.com/products/tyrfil-flatproofing/

Anyone ever use this stuff? How do you replace the tires when it is time? I can see some pro's and con's. My biggest con, is it adds weight. I bought a compact wheel loader and my requirement was 11-11.5k operating weight, to keep it legal when I haul it. It appears to have this stuff in the tires. On a 365/70Rx18, it adds about 250-300 lbs, depending on wheel style. So now, my 11.5k loader weighs 12.5k darn it.

 

[bcbender]

Interesting stuff,.. sounds good until you need to replace the tire? Id assume it'll deflect enough, since it acts like air, to remove the tire on a machine but would stay with the tire. I've never seen it, I have Rim Gaurd liquid in mine but I do get flat spots if it sits in the cold for awhile and have to warm them up for a smooth ride..

 

[Topzide]

@NIsaacs, If you go that route, you'd have to cut off the tire and wire brush the rim to get new tire. Have seen some that put a tube in to help with replacement. They fill through the valve stem and have a hole in the tire to let air escape. Yes, weight is the biggest and helpful problem at the same time. It'll give you ballast and almost air type ride for comfort, but does push the weights for a loaded trailer.
The biggest tire I've dealt with that was filled was a 24x12x12 on a zero turn mower. Hope this helps you with making a choice.

 

[NIsaacs]

Warning...don't buy Case, the parts dealers will rob you blind

Dang! A set of two brake pads are $175.25, shipping for the lowest cost is $25.77 for a delivery date of 5-10 days! It goes up from there. Then I decided to change the brake fluid since I was right there, big mistake, it is special and I can't cross it over to Napa. So now I get hosed again and have to wait to finish the job. It is a mineral oil with a mat spec of 3630 and iso 7308, so CNH only.

The rotor is wavy from the worn out pads but I will reuse it. It is a single caliper with pistons on both sides mounted to the drive shaft. Opposite from the hydraulic foot brake is a mechanical disk parking brake, same rotor.