Picked up another MSAA Craftsman line trimmer recently ,they are just a cheaper version of the Echo line trimmer , don't see that many around now so thought I would add some pics to the forum.
This old MSAA was quite easy Norm as it effectively was a scaled down mower carby -although it has a sliding barrel throttle. No diaphragm and tiny one way valves
Had points though - no great hassle though
Newer ones are not so easy
I started it up yesterday arvo - 6-8 months dormant and went 3rd go
The choke plate is the rod ,it has flat sections machined into the rod so when the choke is off the intake is less restricted but yes they are not the normal type of choke butterfly.
Yes that should make them start quicker Tyler , that green Ryobi in the pic had a smaller hole in the filter housing but I was missing the filter cover so I installed an older housing with a larger hole and it now runs a little rough down low.
I have 2 of the green model and one has always started first or second pull - which is nice - the other 3 or 4
Have had issues of the spark shorting out within the plug boot - fixed with some insulation tape
Also have a brand new one in box - got it for about $100 on clearance a couple months ago - its the one bunnings sell with the chainsaw and long pole attachment. Effectively, for the price, I bought the chainsaw attachment and got the engine and extension pole thrown in
I agree Max - those ones don't have a choke plate in the carby - just the rod and another enrichment method
The later ones have a too large hole in the choke plate - I cover half with epoxy and they start easy - otherwise 5-10 pulls
Or get a replacement where the hole is way too small and the trimmer floods on the very first pull. Been there once. Should had to modify a new carburetor but I did to get it work right.
I had a funny experience a few years ago when I was at the local mower shop getting a belt for an Ariens self propelled. Andrew was looking through the book for the belt and out of the corner of his eye he spotted a bloke coming through the door with a Ryobi, he just looked at the bloke and, said "don't bring that thing in here" and went back to looking at the book. He was still looking in the book when a second bloke walked in with another Ryobi and he just repeated the processs. That was 2 in the space of a few minutes, I wonder how many of those he gets in a day. They are not worth his time even looking at the things. I remember taking a McCulloch chain saw to him to him in 1984 and the reply then was similar, "just take it back to where you got it from" Hi attitude has not hurt his business and has obviously saved him from wasting half his life working on this rubbish
Yes if a shop repairs and services a line trimmer you could be looking at spending $120 on an old line trimmer so it would be worth replacing it with a new one.
MF, I guess you are right to a degree, when Andrew told me to take my chainsaw back to where I got it, he did loose out on a sale because I went and bought my Stihl farm boss elswhere
I had a grumpy snobby older woman serve me at a coffee shop today even after giving her plenty of business. Sick of arrogant Aussies and I'm not alone. I find ethnics generally more pleasant and easy going and ABOVE ALL more genuine.
There are a few diamonds among the stones though.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Took my last trip to bunnings for a while - limiting travel where I can
They had the store display models on clearance - got a homelite half crank split shaft for $40, and a Ryobi FC split straight shaft for $45. And it had a extension pole and chainsaw attachment ziptied to it - thats $120+$46 alone, so they paid for themselves really. A few parts were picked off by customers (mainly fuel line, primer, one missing carby bits) but I have most parts needed - and there isn't a mark on them
So I'm happy for the day
Almost bought the makita 4 stroke trimmer for $75, but I figured it was missing a few too many parts
