New pull start handles

[Burnham]

In another thread elsewhere on the site I lamented my increasing difficulty at times starting my 064. Due mostly to arthritic hands and decreased hand strength coupled with the lack of compression release on an 85cc saw. I have my bad days and my better days. The kickback can hurt, besides just having a hard time getting the beast to start .

Anyway, I recalled that @Al Smith long ago recommended replacing standard T shaped handles with large D shaped ones in similar situations. Better grip using all fingers and opposing thumb rather than just three fingers.

I ordered a pair of Stihl OEM D handles from an Ebay supplier. Cost about $10 each including shipping. The best price per came as a two pack, so I decided to put one on the 044 as well. No comp release there either, and it can give me some trouble too, though usually much less than the 064.

The Stihl ElastoStart handles are a non-serviceable part...if the cord wears out you have to replace the whole handle and cord assembly. I decided to remove the ElastoStart handle/cord complete and save them for later use if need be. New pull cord, new D handles. No surprise really, but I found that the 064 uses a larger diameter cord than the 044. Easy job on both.

I'm happy with these handles. I will report back after some more experience with actually using them.

Pics. The last one shows the big difference in size and grip area.

 

[BlackSmith]

I can still feel the pain learning how NOT to start the 090 and that was 20 years ago.

 

[SeanKroll]

If you need more pull than your hands allow and/ or are trying to reduce finger strain, a weight lifting strap might help for starting. They choke on a lifter's wrist with a girth hitch, then are wrapped around the bar so the lifter's fingers pinch the strap to the bar, transferring some force to the wrist and also fighting the fingers from rolling off the bar (d-handle in this case).

Some texture on the handle might help, like plasti-dip or something if wearing smooth gloves.

 

[cory]

For texture I've used grip tape on 201 handles, worked well

 

[BlackSmith]

I’ve never had a problem pulling the 090 it was the fact that it pulled back with a vengeance. Like kicking an old Harley with the distributor advanced. Not a welcome surprise.

 

[Burnham]

Yup. The 088 we had at my FS station was ever willing to bite you hard like that. Over 120cc's will do that . Little wonder I pretty much had sole use of it...not too many were willing to give it a go, at least more than once .

I never had any trouble pulling over my 064 until the last couple of years, as my infirmities have grown worse. Seldom would I get a kickback. But it could, even when I was younger and stronger .

 

[Burnham]

My last post reminded me that some years ago I had a fight with this same saw, and the chainsaw won that battle hands down .
15 years ago! Wow, time flies. And I thought I was old then...

https://www.masterblasterhome.com/threads/damaged-goods.13543/

 

[friedrich]

i have been meaning to order a couple of those for my larger saws (all have decompression and i am 31 years old

 

[Burnham]

I got mine here, but of course this is a US located seller, so shipping may well be too high for you @friedrich.

These OEM units are a perfect fit, with the end that seats into the case molded just as the ElastoStart handles are, with a couple of flats...this keeps the handle oriented correctly to the body when rewound.

2 Pack Stihl OEM "D" Pull Handle MS 460 660 880 084 064 1128-195-3401 #GM-H2A2 | eBay

This is a Stihl OEM. "D" Pull Starter Handle / Grip. Every part is in solid, usable condition. Will fit on a 044, 440, 046, 460, 064, 066, 660, 084, 088, 880, many others.

www.ebay.com

 

[friedrich]

thank you, i will try to source them locally first.

 

[Burnham]

Stihl part # 1128-195-3401

 

[friedrich]

thank you!

 

[Burnham]

I can report that after using the 044 several times on my cottonwood clean-up project, the D handle has been great. Very easy starting with this 70cc saw that is without comp release. The larger handle did not get in my way in use at all...that was one point I was a little uncertain about.

I have started the 064 only a few times, just to try the new handle out; that too seems like it will be an improvement, if not a complete solution...it can still kick back of course, and yank on you hard, but having my whole hand hanging on to the pull handle has so far allowed me to control that without losing grip. Pre-pulling to get the piston in the best position to spin helps with bigger displacement saws a great deal, as we know. Or compression releases .

I call it a success and would recommend these D handles for large saws...there seems no downside and the cost is minimal.

 

[SeanKroll]

Nice.

Are you roll starting?

 

[Burnham]

I don't, and never have really liked that method. In my experience, it works pretty well if the saw is already warmed up, but on a cold saw I find it tiresome. For me, it only works at all with big enough saws to have serious mass.

I prefer standing on the rear handle base with my right foot, holding the saw down with my right hand/arm and pulling with my left. I feel like I have a lot more control of the whole process this way. You just have to make sure you select a spot to put the saw down so that there is plenty of clearance between the bar and the ground, or anything else for that matter .

 

[Mick!]

Good to hear the handles work.
As for starting, 3 or so attempts in the traditional ’one hand on the handle, one hand on the pull starter’
Then I’ll drop start the bastard.

 

[friedrich]

dropstart with the chainbrake on, i don‘t see the problem safetywise and it feels less taxing on my body.

 

[Kaveman]

Drop start, no brake, no fear. Regardless of saw, after five pulls, I'm edging on pissed. Much more than that, and the saw has attempted to ruin my day, and I have the urge to return the favor.

 

[Raj]

I stuck a D handle on one of my 088s, cold start kick backs are painfull, but since I only mill with my 088s I strap the saw and mill on my tailgate and I can put my whole body into cold starting it, a real bonus, making chainsaw milling suck 10% less.

 

[Burnham]

Drop start, no brake, no fear. Regardless of saw, after five pulls, I'm edging on pissed. Much more than that, and the saw has attempted to ruin my day, and I have the urge to return the favor.

I often drop start the smaller saws, up to and including the 361. Warmed up, I'll drop start the 044...at least I would a few years ago. Not so much these days . Never the 064. I don't lock the chain brake either.

I remember seeing a contract fireline faller I was riding herd on as contract inspector totally loose it on some variety of Husky, back a lifetime ago. After about 20 unsuccessful tries at restarting after shutting down to refuel and oil, he grabbed it by the end of the bar in both leather gloved hands and swung the motor body full tilt against a standing tree...twice. I doubt that saw ever frustrated him again. I'm pretty sure it never ran again either. Might be he had some anger management issues .

 

[friedrich]

ouch

 

[Mick!]

I often drop start the smaller saws, up to and including the 361. Warmed up, I'll drop start the 044...at least I would a few years ago. Not so much these days . Never the 064. I don't lock the chain brake either.

I remember seeing a contract fireline faller I was riding herd on as contract inspector totally loose it on some variety of Husky, back a lifetime ago. After about 20 unsuccessful tries at restarting after shutting down to refuel and oil, he grabbed it by the end of the bar in both leather gloved hands and swung the motor body full tilt against a standing tree...twice. I doubt that saw ever frustrated him again. I'm pretty sure it never ran again either. Might be he had some anger management issues .

When I started in this gig in 95 I worked for a bit of a ragtag company, saws in those days were a bit less reliable (or so it seemed to me)

I remember a climber throwing a non-starting 020t out of the tree onto the ground where it broke apart a bit, rendering it useless.
I could not understand what I saw as an act of performative anger.
You certainly wouldn’t do it if you’d paid for it.

 

[Kaveman]

Upon a time ago, a significantly younger Kaveman was working on his jeep in Grandad's garage. Frustrated with some task I can't remember, for reasons that will soon be obvious, I threw a rubber mallet towards the work bench at the back of the shop. With substantial vigor. At the rear of the shop, the concrete made a four inch step up. The hammer caught the step perfectly and rebounded back. With substantial vigor. Grandma woke me up, fetching me for supper... I do not throw tools in anger anymore.