Is or isn't?

[woodworkingboy]

I'm scoping this saw out at a Japanese auction, a little over a hundred bucks now with a couple days left. They only say it's an "020", but show 35.2ccs for it, I believe the same as the 200. Is this the same as the 200T that you guys like so much? I'd like to get one for sure. Was it ever called an 020? The manufacturers sometimes mess with model numbers in Asian countries it seems, possibly they don't want to have similar numbers for different makes. Lots of makes here....

Thanks for the help!

 

[SkwerI]

The T is for the top handle, the 020 is a rear handle like that one. Is that a real Stihl or a knockoff made in China?

 

[MasterBlaster]

That looks like a rear handled 200, to me.

 

[sotc]

Side cover looks like a stihl.

 

[woodworkingboy]

I should have mentioned that another photo clearly shows the Stihl name on the starter cover. I don't think it's a Chinese job. T for top, that is good info.

 

[TreeDimensional]

The "black" rear handle seems odd. The side muffler is just like the MS200.

*Edit* I stand corrected, the MS200 does have a black rear handle and the Stihl site says it's a 35.2cc saw!

 

[Al Smith]

Here ya go,the evolution of now what is the 200T .Left to right 020Av top handle,020t ,Ms 200t

 

[Ax-Man]

I thought the side cover looked a little off. I was wrong. Looks like you are bidding on the real deal. I posted a pic of mine I had up awhile ago, the MS 200 is on the right, forget about that antique 020AVP on the left.

 

[vharrison]

Nice find. Go for it!

 

[woodworkingboy]

Thanks for the thoughts... I'm going to assume that it is the same as a MS 200. Not many of those seemed to have ever made it over here. Though I have never seen one in use, a guy did bring me one that was malfunctioning. The only indication of the model was a small sticker on the brake that did say MS200. Although the metering diaphragm was just a little bit stiff, a new one put the saw back into good shape. It registered that a soft diaphragm was important on those, at least for the Walbro carb that was in that particular one. I was so impressed with the saw, I ended up cutting up a whole mess of firewood with it, so I only charged twenty bucks for the repair. Always have kept my eyes out for one after that, and the one I'm looking at just popped up. Wish me luck!

 

[Al Smith]

The carbs everybody has a fit about are the Zama C-1Q's .The Walbro WT 326 model doesn't seem to have the problems as the Zama from feedback I've heard .

I think I may have only seen perhaps one or two rear handled 020's ever .This model is more popular in the top handled version .They claim the rear handled is better as a light duty ground saw as opposed to the top handle because of a safety factor .That, like anything else is debatable .

 

[woodworkingboy]

For a ground saw, I find a rear handled version is easier on my wrist. I like the reach too. The vast majority of above ground work is Pines getting the tops taken out aided by a crane, when the crane can't handle the weight of the total tree getting removed. Rear handles seem fine for that too, generally cutting at head level or so.

The guy who brought in the 200, said that he had purchased it about eight years ago. Have they been out that long? The diaphragm is the first carb trouble that required attention, he informed. The Walbros do seem like the preference.

 

[Al Smith]

I'm not real sure if the Walbro was offered much past the number change from 020 to 200 .
Might have had something to do with the advent of the so called "intela carb " system .Hard to say where that idea came from .Could have been a Stihl inovation or perhaps EPA mandated .Then too perhaps different carbs where used in different parts of the world ????

 

[woodworkingboy]

We have no EPA type thing here, so saws sometimes get designed a bit different for the market. No ethanol either.

The saw in question has the old style gas and oil caps, so probably it's an early model. Al, are you saying that the model saw was once called an 020...not referring to it's predecessors?

Still 2 days left on the auction. Little movement.

 

[Tree Reb]

Grab it if you can Jay, you'll love it.

You could be extra lucky and it might have the older carb. My 200 ran out of fuel today and I grabbed my new 020T, http://www.masterblasterhome.com/showthread.php?t=15156

It's a little screamer, so is my old 020T.

Ax Man had a thread about rear handles. The second pic is his. Good luck.
http://www.masterblasterhome.com/showthread.php?t=12275

 

[Al Smith]

The saw in question has the old style gas and oil caps, so probably it's an early model. Al, are you saying that the model saw was once called an 020...not referring to it's predecessors?

Yes ,the 020 T and the MS 200T are virtually the same .The oldie 020AV -top handle is built entirely different in design .

Whenever Stihl changed the numbers to three numerals I don't think the actual saw design actually changed much .Perhaps things like plastic shrouding, flip caps etc .

Fact is I have an 034 with an 036 top end and an MS 360 tank .Looks wierd, flip cap for the gas and a screw cap for the oil .

 

[woodworkingboy]

Thanks Steve, Al, really helpful posts. Good to read Larry's thread again too, I had forgotten about it.

Interesting to follow that change of models from the 020 something to the 020 to the MS200. The 020 or 020T is really the transition point I've learned here. I'm going to try and pick up that saw. The brief experience with the 200 did tell me that it is really a great saw. I thought I knew what 35ccs was about until using the one that I repaired. It really zips through wood. It had a funny air filter on it, a hard plastic round tube like thing. Is that still standard?

 

[Al Smith]

For some reason the rear handle model differs from the T model .

The T uses a molded filter that attaches right to the carb whereas the rear model uses a 90 degree fitting and the tubular filter . Might have something to do with the way the throttle linkage hooks up .

I've got some model of little rear handled tiny Stihl in the shed about the size of a 200 .If I get a moment I'll take a look see if it has one of that type filter .

 

[woodworkingboy]

Good call, Al. The one I repaired was a rear handle and had the tube filter attached to that fitting that is held on the carb through the attachment bolts. Never saw a filter like that.

 

[Cobleskill]

I have an old Sthil that had a round screen type filter. i can't remember the model. late '60s.

 

[Al Smith]

Some of the older saw models used a type of cylindrical filter .I imagine the idea was to provide more surface area in the area provided because of design . I would also imagine it was a design critera with the saw in question although more than likely a better filter than those on a 50 year old antique .

 

[woodworkingboy]

The auction price has edged up there close to $200 and ends in a few hours. I'm going to check it out, but if it goes much higher I think I'll hold off for another one ending tomorrow, very good condition appearing 020 (MS200) that the seller says runs great but the oil pump is bad. Likely go for a fair amount cheaper. You guys ever experience any oil pump problems with your MS200s?

 

[SkwerI]

Nope, never had an oiler problem in that saw. If the oiler is actually non functional for whatever reason, then you could use the oiler out of any dead parts saw with confidence that it will work.

 

[Tree Reb]

It might just be clogged up, but an oil pump is no big deal.

Used 200's go for about $500 here on ebay, always a late bidder. If someone there knows their saws it might go for well over $200.

Usually when one is on auction a few turn up later, keeps the price up. I've done that a few times.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Yes, I figured that finding another pump wouldn't be such a problem, a few at ebay right now. There has been three of those saws up for auction. The first one looked pretty clean, but the seller said no spark. That didn't bother me, but it looked like some painting treatment was done to make it look pretty...went for a bit over $100. The ones ending tonight and tomorrow look better. Some guys know their saws here, generally not competition like in the states though. New, an MS200 will sell for about a grand.