Chainsaw Repair

660 nailed it in post #3. And not only isn't it the clutch, I don't think it's the chain unless as suggested, it's filed way too aggressive.

It might just need more fuel. These saws come out of the box much too lean. (as far too many do these days) When I'm setting these up for customers, the RPM's actually go UP as I'm opening the hi speed jet.

I have a tree company that uses these things all day long. (both 445's and 450's) I'm actually surprised at how well they hold up in that role. They started buying them when I had the refurb units because of the price, and stuck with them for the last several years. The only one that actually fried was straight gassed. They are all set up with 18" Total super bars and 21LPX chain.

The 30 degrees is cool, but it's the filing of the rakers that could cause it to be grabby like that. It's easier to over do it with .325, while 3/8 is more forgiving. Just taking some guesses here, cause I agree that it should be performing better for you.

The shop wouldn't adjust the saw cause it would void the warranty? They probably get a LOT of warranty issues if they won't adjust them properly. Which way did you go when you adjusted it? Out on the hi I hope. Try opening it up until you hear the RPM's drop off, and then go back in just enough to bring it back up. Might make a difference.

that is exactly how i did the adjustment...they dont like to open them up for us "home owners" because they think we may blow them up...well i cut a fair amount of wood every year to heat my house and to sell that im a bit above a home owner..lol..(approx 20-30 tri-axels worth)and also used to work in a stihl shop part time for a number of years..

and as far as the rakers they have not been touched on this new chain or the non safety chain i had on it before hand..because i wanted to see if i did take too much off them on my first chain..but it dosent seem to cut any better with the non touched chain..it just acts like the clutch is too weak to support the RPM's..you can cut into a pine log thats 10 inches across back the saw off and wind it wide open to max RPM's and the chain will stop almost instantly if you dig the saw in to get a meaty bite...now if you let the saw cut by its own weight sort speaking it will cut but still if you apply any good amount of down pressure the chain stops..like i said it may not be the saw but in my mind it should do better than its doing.