Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
I have worked on thousands of pieces of equipment, many of those handheld, many of those Stihl. I make mistakes occasionally like any other human being. When I need to figure something out, I look it up online. Which, if you think about it, many of the people on this site could do as well. Anyway, the specific concern was handled. Glad last year was good and optimistic about a strong 2026. Attitude is everything in life.
StarTech
Lawn Royalty
Well all I can says then is you should have know. But of course a Stihl dealer here keep selling my customer drive shaft rods when the root cause was a worn out clutch drum. I replace that drum and drive shaft as he had screwed another drive shaft, and the customer haven't had another worn out drive shaft in three years and he uses it commercially.
Now replacing the clutch drum does require a special snap tool as it is deeply recessed. You also can the replace the replaceable bearings but you need the same tool. Just note some bearings are not replaceable due to clutch design changes. Those that held with screws or large snap rings are replaceable; those that held held in place with plastic welding are not.
I work on anything from handhelds to vehicles. Matter of fact I just repaired a 1997 GMC C1500 yesterday. Now the customer wants me to replace headlamps and LH interior door handle. Good thing I brought those door panel tools when he swiped the side of a house trailer last year on a two lane road. I asked couldn't you see something as big as a house trailer? He said he thought he had enough clearance, well apparently not. But of course he run over stumps and concrete blocks with his mowers too. Basically his brain must be in neutral.
He also wanting me to repair his 1960 Massey TO35 tractor. The other mechanic couldn't tell that distributor cap and rotor button was worn out. Must have been sleep repairing things.
As for this and the next two years I will be operating at non profit level as I don't support dictators. At this level even my state will get reduce sales tax revenue as I will be only collecting sales taxes on the purchase amounts because no increase in resale prices.
StarTech
Lawn Royalty
And it comes to the Stihl handheld string trimmers and brush cutters. Starting at the FS62 is the where these clutch drum system appears, most these are commercial units. FS36 - FS56 (Consumer Grade) usually have the screw mounted clutch drum.The FS25 also has the commercial setup.
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
Your knowledge and ability to research equipment for specific issues for people is appreciated. How much longer are you going to work and do repairs for people? I plan on 3 more years and then officially retire on my business. At that point I will still work on projects for profit to sell on my time, but no more for the general public.
StarTech
Lawn Royalty
At 66 I don't know, its how idiot local customers I have. I had to bar three this last year. The last one for constantly lying to my face. As I putting his half way repaired equipment in his truck bed he just had to tell another lie. He said he works 24/7 which I know is impossible. Got to eat, take nature breaks, and sleep.
Right now it keeps me from being bored; although, my heart may cause me to give it up. I was in the horsepital twice last year. After 47 yrs of dealing with public, it seems to be getting to be more jerks than in the past.
As a tension release I have shot my pond water so much that just cringes to see me coming with the gun.
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
I fire about 3 customers every year, and it does get worse every year. Focus on the good customers (lots of them), and be more selective on the questionable ones. Not worth your health or the headaches of dealing with bad customers.At 66 I don't know, its how idiot local customers I have. I had to bar three this last year. The last one for constantly lying to my face. As I putting his half way repaired equipment in his truck bed he just had to tell another lie. He said he works 24/7 which I know is impossible. Got to eat, take nature breaks, and sleep.
Right now it keeps me from being bored; although, my heart may cause me to give it up. I was in the horsepital twice last year. After 47 yrs of dealing with public, it seems to be getting to be more jerks than in the past.
As a tension release I have shot my pond water so much that just cringes to see me coming with the gun.
StarTech
Lawn Royalty
My main probably this off season is that I got two idiots distributors that can't get their acts together. Lately its been they have screwed up the once good pricing pricing files. These are how with the latest prices, supersedes, and NLA parts. There is no way to quickly go thru over 2.8 million part numbers to look for all the changes. And complaining is getting no results.
An example is the HERO file that I needed to update from last year. The distributor didn't have it available for downloads. I contacted then they sent one from 2013 when the last update I did was in the Spring 2025. Totally useless. Then there are those files with double entries with two different prices. Or ones with part numbers only but no descriptions, pricing, or bar codes. So those files creates blank records when imported.
I don't need this type of aggravation when I trying to do inventory and catch up on repair projects of my own. But I got keep my temper in check because of the Afib; just don't want get my heart locked into racing at 200+ / min. I did that twice last year and I hate horsepital stays.
An example is the HERO file that I needed to update from last year. The distributor didn't have it available for downloads. I contacted then they sent one from 2013 when the last update I did was in the Spring 2025. Totally useless. Then there are those files with double entries with two different prices. Or ones with part numbers only but no descriptions, pricing, or bar codes. So those files creates blank records when imported.
I don't need this type of aggravation when I trying to do inventory and catch up on repair projects of my own. But I got keep my temper in check because of the Afib; just don't want get my heart locked into racing at 200+ / min. I did that twice last year and I hate horsepital stays.