Buddy
Treehouser
I pulled the screen out tonight and it is probably half plugged. I think I will leave it out...
Stihl 201 spark arrester plugged
- Thread starter Buddy
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Jed
TreeHouser
Of course, my brother... hog a hole in the muffler while yer at it.
Burnham
Woods walker
You need that screen if you're operating the saw in a jurisdiction that requires spark arresting...the US Forest Service being one example. Many other gov't units from state to county to municipal contracts require the same. But having said that, none of my saws have screens, but all can have them re-inserted if need be.
Cutting firewood on the USFS permit, I run screenless, most importantly without the screw that holds the screen in place. That screw and the screen are in my service kit...if I get busted, I can claim "lost while in use, but I can replace it right now"...never expect to have a serious issue with an LEO or permit inspector...I know from experience how that side of the equation works
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Of course, the other way to deal with the issue is to include removing the screen and wire brushing it clean at each air filter cleaning cycle. Keep a spare on hand and you can deal with it in your shop. Screens are cheap.
Cutting firewood on the USFS permit, I run screenless, most importantly without the screw that holds the screen in place. That screw and the screen are in my service kit...if I get busted, I can claim "lost while in use, but I can replace it right now"...never expect to have a serious issue with an LEO or permit inspector...I know from experience how that side of the equation works
.Of course, the other way to deal with the issue is to include removing the screen and wire brushing it clean at each air filter cleaning cycle. Keep a spare on hand and you can deal with it in your shop. Screens are cheap.
SkwerI
Treehouser
You might consider a cleaner burning synthetic mix oil. If the screen looks like that then what does the inside of the exhaust port look like? A better mix oil will leave less deposits. Echo and Stihl silver bottle are two that I've used extensively. The Stihl orange bottle oil is actually pretty bad.
You also might want to consider doing some large cookie cuts with the saw now and again to get it properly hot.
I've never run anything with a screen, like I've said befor the only way to start a forst fire here is to call in a napalm strike.
But, back in my pulp cutting days, the saws used solely for limbing gummed up something terrible in the mufflers.
So every other day or once a week we'd cut a stump the wrong way and get then hot.
Fireworks would come out the muffler and they'd be good to go again.
Today, running only alkylate, I never have any trouble with that, even on the saws that never really get to run all out.
I've never run anything with a screen, like I've said befor the only way to start a forst fire here is to call in a napalm strike.
But, back in my pulp cutting days, the saws used solely for limbing gummed up something terrible in the mufflers.
So every other day or once a week we'd cut a stump the wrong way and get then hot.
Fireworks would come out the muffler and they'd be good to go again.
Today, running only alkylate, I never have any trouble with that, even on the saws that never really get to run all out.
SeanKroll
Treehouser
My 193t plugged the SA more than once. More continuous, hot, run time, as Stig said.
Buddy
Treehouser
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
I’ve never had an issue with my big saws but they get run hot and hard. The forest service is good about inspections before we start any work on their jobs so it’s easier to leave them in. Besides, that way if there is a fire I’m covered for the most part. I had never seen one plug like this before so I was surprised but it doesn’t get run very hard so it shouldn’t surprise me.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
I'd always carry one in my pocket. 
SeanKroll
Treehouser
I was told, a propane torch will burn the carbon off, glowing red SA. gtg.
Remember, remove from saw first.
Remember, remove from saw first.
Giles
TreeHouser
If you modified the muffler before your screen got partially plugged, My bet would be that there was not enough exhaust flow through the screen to keep it clean.
Magnus
TreeHouser
Last two big fires here was caused by forwarder chains sparking.
Merle Nelson
TreeHouser
I think of that type of thing pretty often when the 'take out the screen' topic comes up. Fine enough if you work in a wet area or time of year but, how would you like to be the guy that started some big fire?
I have heard of fires from mowers hitting rocks in my area in the hot low humidity summer months.
I have heard of fires from mowers hitting rocks in my area in the hot low humidity summer months.
SkwerI
Treehouser
Pretty much all my work is usually within 150' of a water spigot so that isn't quite the same as working out in the woods miles from any source of pressurized water. But the Federal government tends to enact Federal rules for local issues.
Mick!
TreeHouser
I have taken all mine out, prolly pointless but I’m like that.
The best way to improve your saws performance is of course a really sharp chain.
The best way to improve your saws performance is of course a really sharp chain.
Giles
TreeHouser
If you drilled a sizeable hole =7/16 somewhere on the muffler, exhaust flow through the screen would have been less.
Giles
TreeHouser
Not quite sure how you increased the size of the exhaust port or what good that would do.
Most are the same size as the muffler inlet.
Either way, disregard my opinion.
Buddy
Treehouser
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #22
I like to think of it like breathing through a straw. The harder you work the more difficult it gets to breath. The picture shows the round exhaust port as it is now and it’s probably almost twice as large as it was from the factory. Compared to the cylinder exhaust port it’s still smaller.
Giles
TreeHouser
Buddy--I might could help more if you send me a Private Message.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
But that's no fun!
As long as he didn't drill a hole in the side of the muffler, the airflow would be increased due to reduced restrictions as the exhaust gases move through the muffler. If he did poke a hole, the saw would breathe better, but the airflow through the screen would be greatly reduced.
