Hoping D'Animal might see this ... -- I want to put a circular saw blade on my FS 450 ...I understand that I need a different rider plate than the one normally used for the grass cutting blades (so now I have both)... but can I use the guard ring for mowing applications with the saw blade or must I use the smaller guard ring shown in the manual for saw blades ?? Also the Manual is a little unclear about whether the guard washer stays on when converting to a saw blade or is omitted...I presume it is omitted when converting ...iff you use the smaller guard ring?? Thanks!!
(ps - I have the correct limit stop installed for the saw blade fwiw) - with a steadily growing arsenal of Stihl's...I am finding that walking into a well equipped Stihl dealership is like walking into a good gun shop ... very relaxing!!
I bought a FS350 on Dan's advice and immediately converted it from the poly cut head to a chisel bit blade. Did you see pages 23-25 in the manual? Page 25 specifies using the larger rider plate for sawing, and using the smaller rider plate for mowing applications.
Thanks .. yes - I got that part (the smaller rider plate for saws) ... but according to pg 23 they also advise to remove and replace the "guard ring (7) for mowing" and "Fit the guard ring (10) for saw blades" ... 10 is smaller in diameter than 7 ... also they seem to advise that the guard washer is not used with the smaller guard ring when fitting the saw blade..(?) ... Was wondering if the smaller "guard ring" is a "must" ... cause I am not sure which of the two sizes is currently fitted as the machine is at the farm and I am hoping to get cutting pretty heavy brush at "0 dark 30" when I get there Saturday am. Do you recall which "guard ring" you are using with your saw blade (btw - was reading your thread on the FS 350 ... very helpful!! One of the reasons I went searching for a larger FS myself right after buying the KM130)
It's on p 24/98 in the pdf (actually numbered 23 in the manual).
Page 26/98 in the pdf shows the thrust washer used in both applications. Honestly, I think I used the same one and it's working just fine.
Edit, I think I see your confusion. When using the string trimmer head, the thrust washer goes concave up and with the grass/brush blades, it goes flat part on top of the blade to pinch it.
Thanks..we are looking at the same manual - looking at page numbered 23 shows a "guard washer" (part number "8" in the drawing) ... was wondering if that is used with the saw blade ... I am sure you are correct that the "thrust washer" must be used in all cases. .. It is the guard washer (and the silly smaller guard ring eg part #10 on pg 23 manual) I am curious about.
Man, I want to use a saw blade on my brushwacker so bad at least once and chop some trees down...
Can't cuz there are rocks everywhere out here and it's too dry...
Thanks..we are looking at the same manual - looking at page numbered 23 shows a "guard washer" (part number "8" in the drawing) ... was wondering if that is used with the saw blade ... I am sure you are correct that the "thrust washer" must be used in all cases. .. It is the guard washer (and the silly smaller guard ring eg part #10 on pg 23 manual) I am curious about.
Yep, the way I read it, that guard washer should be saved in case you want to reinstall the string trimmer, but isn't used with the circular blade applications.
... well big enough to use a decompression valve ... which is VERY helpful ... as for size I think it looks pretty much as bgndn's fs350.
I think the FS550 's are a little "more" in every direction though -- I have not been able to compare side by side. I have also have one of the first 4stroke Honda's and between the two .. the difference in size isn't that dramatic. That is to say .. it is certainly manageable
How big is that thing?
