Original Post on bradsblog earlier this year:
Last month I purchased the 20″ Troy bilt chainsaw, which I found as I was browsing through my Tool Crib catalog. I ordered it from Amazon.com and received a $25 promotional discount, plus no shipping charges or tax. The sale prce itself was under MSRP so I felt good about the price.(about 205 bucks) After I received it, I was impressed with how easy it started and powerful 49cc engine. I would strongly recommend this chainsaw for anyone in the market.
Update:
Well, I thought I would update on my Troybilt Chainsaw. After an entire season of use, I have decided that this was the best purchase I made this year. I have put this chainsaw through some rugged use, and after I winterized it, I am still impressed with it. There are a couple of things I did have problems with and thought I would share.
There is a small piece of auminum on the underside of the chainsaw, near the sprocket assemply. The purpose of this is unclear to me, and has been all bent up and mangled due to the chain coming off (for reasons caused by me).
Another problem I encountered was there is a metal tube-like piece that is mounted inside the intake manifold. This piece somehow broke loose and caused an interesting rattling sound during operation. I ended up taking it apart and removing the piece altogether. This piece seemed to serve no purpose.
I have been so impressed with the Troybilt chainsaw, I am considering purchasing a 4 cycle Troybilt weed eater next year. If I do, I will be sure to post about it.
5/26/07
OK, time for another update. Several months ago, I was ripping through some skids with my chainsaw, and hit a nail. The chain came off, and soon thereafter I noticed a fuel leak. I’ve been quite busy until recently I was able to pinpoint the leak.
The fuel tank is comprised of two sections that are bonded together. WHere this bonding agent is, is where the gas is leaking. I have taken pictures to illustrate. I was pondering what I could do to fill in and stop the leak, so I decided to contact Troybilt via their website. I sent a few pictures, and expect a reply in a few days.
Since I contacted support, I figured I might as well continue to post on the gas tank leak issue. Here is a summary of the exchange between me and Troy Bilt technical support.
Customer (Brad) 05/25/2007 08:25 PM
It seems I am leaking fuel from the bonding agent that keeps the tank together. What can I use to reinforce this caulk like material?
Response (Jeff M.) 05/30/2007 09:28 AM
Fuel delivery systems require that a local authorized service center evaluate the failure and determine the best course of repair. Fuel tanks should not be repaired but replaced. For further assistance with this issue, please contact one of our authorized service centers in your area.
Customer (Brad) 05/30/2007 09:45 AM
If the tank is replaced, the entire housing needs to be replaced. I intend to fix this myself and would like to know a suitable compound to use and not just referred to a service center. Thanks.
Response (Jeff M.) 05/30/2007 10:32 AM
Liabilities exist with repairing a fuel tank. There is no technical information available for repair methods/compounds of fuel tanks.
So, since i have no desire to take the chainsaw in for repair, I plan to look into different compounds that might work. I’ll post what I find out here.
UPDATE 1/17/08
Last month I decided to break down and take it in for repair. I tried a couple different compounds in an effort to patch the leak around the tank. Arts repair called me back yesterday, they said it will cost $115 to repair it with a new part. That’s cheaper than buying a new chainsaw, and I have been otherwise pleased with the chainsaw so I told them to go ahead and repair it. I also plan to buy a new chain for it when I get it back.
9/24/08
After I dropped the chainsaw off at Arts, they took several months to finally get it back. Their lack of mechanics resulted in extremely long repair times, and lost a customer because of it.
Anyway, I decided to hold off on getting a new chain, I just sharpened it up really good. Last wee, when Hurricane Ike came through there were trees down everywhere. My freshly repaired chainsaw worked many hours this week, and the only problems I had with it were the connector for the stop switch came disconnected, so I had to shut off the chainsaw by choking the engine.
Now that all my wood cutting is done, I will be dismantling it and giving it a thorough cleaning.
6/20/09
Well for some reason I can’t keep the chain tight and it is now coming off so frequently I am ready to throw the thing away. I probably need a new chain and bar but really don’t want to spend the money on anything like that. Right now I am very disgusted and really could use a chainsaw that will last.
Glad to read such good comments regarding the TroyBuilt Chainsaw, as I am concidering purchasing one from the local Canadian Tire Store in my area. I was wondering if it would last, and now I know.
Thanx
Hey;
I bought one too about a year ago and I’ve had many problems.. Don’t get me wrong it chews through hard wood like nothing, but I’ve had just about everything fall off.. Including the kill switch wires. I too have the fuel tank leak and have looked into purchasing a new tank.. It’s only $35 from MTD. I would suggest you just replace it.. There’s nothing more crazy than slashing and burning with gas on the front of your cloths from a leaky chain saw..
Just my thoughts,
I need the tool that adjusts the carburetor high and low speed jets.
Neil, is there a tool for it or do you just adjust the screw on the carburator?
Thanks for sharing
It sounds like there is a defect in the fuel tanks on this saw. Someone should report it to the comsumer product safety commission. It only took two people to report the handle breakage to get the recall on that problem. I think they would take a fuel leak be more serious than the handle. I have two of these saws with no problems.
I purchased the 35cc/18″bar troybilt last fall as a refurbished unit from a liquidator and like everyone else find it starts very easily and cuts well.After 1 tree (using about a tank of gas) it was stored un-winterized in its case. In the future I’ll drain the chain oil, as it all leaked out over the winter leaving the chainsaw sitting in a puddle of oil that pooled in the bottom of the case. After refilling the oil tank the saw worked fine, taking down an 18″ hemlock although it doesn’t seem to spray as much oil as my 25 year old Homelight used to. I’ll be contacting Troybilt / MTD to find out what’s going on. I’d rather not have to store it upside down to stop it from seeping out.
In spite of this problem, the advantages of this saw far outweigh its oil problem. The 16″Homelite didn’t leak at all but it lasted 25 years because it was such a pain to start I rarely used it.
I have the same saw, its great for the money, but I am having difficulty with the spring assist pullcord. I pulled it out, and have had no luck re-winding. any suggestions?
I have the 16″ saw. I have been happy with it, especially its starting ease and reliability. Last week it stopped running after a few balky st arts. I hope it is just the plug, but considering how quicly it went from easy start to no start I suspect a clogged fuel line. Can anyone tell me what spark plug to use? I forgot to bring the manual home with me. The saw is at my cabin 70 miles away. I hope to avoid a 80 mile round trip to get a plug at the nearest town.
I am a member. It is true that you can save a lot of money. I just have one directbuy complaint. i wish their store was closer to my place.
I have the 49cc/20″ and have had the chain come off several times with org bar, but has been good with new bar.have bit of tbl with carb adjustment. other than that, works fine.
I have found the chain has comes off often. Much to often. At first I thought it was due to me not adjusting the tension often enough, but after installing the second bar and chain, I now know it is the saw.
My adjustment is in the bar, has anyone contacted Troy-Bilt to see if the saw can be moded to have the adjustment in the saw itself.
It appears like the orginal design may have intended this. (after comparing to a Skil and Husky)