Problem with Stihl 550

[golftman]

Bought a 550 at the end of November and recently I noticed that it did not want to shut down, and now there is an incredilbe amount of noise @ the muffler. I took it apart and did not notice anything advers. Anyone have any ideas or had a similar problem?

[buster57]

Botom line-it should be under warranty so have the dealer look at it. I have a small hand held BG-55 that has the same problem and Stihl told me that they had to redesign the kill switch because of the exact sympton. I found this out way after the warranty period is over.

I understand that your BR-550 is more closely related to the BR-600s that I own (use the same manual...) but Stihl does not always tell you when they have a problem so take it back.

[Jack D.]

the problem is that the 550 is Weak compared to the 600 or RM 8000.

The 550 is a Glorified 400 Series.

Stihl Sucks.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

It should be still under warranty bring it in and don't tell them that you already took it apart.

[buster57]

Jack D. you so wonderfully avoid addressing the problem.

It is obvious that you have a problem with Stihl-but you and your problem are not what golftman asked about.

BTW-if you have such a big problem with Stihl-all the crews around here do not share your indigestion so you are basically insulting their intelligence with your snotty comments. Well done Jack D.!

I really do not like Echo, based upon my ownership experience with prior equipment, but I would not say Echo Sucks. I will say that I like RedMax, Stihl and Shindawa better and explain why if some one asks.

[pnplawncare]

I will say that I like RedMax, Stihl and Shindawa better and explain why if some one asks.

Right On, I like Redmax also. Thats is what I have. And Its never let me down. Starts second time I pull . And also warms up very fast Ive even sat it down upside down still sits there runs like it was upright.

[buster57]

Biggest problem with my Stihls...

Biggest problem with my Stihls...most all of them, is that they are a pain to start.

The Chain saws are terrible(MS 440 and MS 460s) the FS-250 is a nightmare,the SH-55 is the worse of all and the HT-100 is a b!tch.

The BR-600 are great, but they are new...

For starting Honda is a dream...but I still love my Stihls! Great equipment !

[golftman]

The crankshaft was cracked. They fixed it in a day. Bought a 600 while I was there. I run all stihl equipment and haven't had any major problems, and the service has been good. The 600 does a better job than the 550, which I was told after I got the 550. Thanks for the replies.

[buster57]

The 600 is a great piece of equipment. The 550 is fine also-about 10 to 15% stronger then the 420 Magnums and a heck of a lot quieter. If you do not need the noise reduction you will always get more power out of the no-sound reduction units. That is the trade off.

Quieter means that they have to reduce engine speed and change the impeller design. That is the physics behind the acoustical problem. BTW, the same is also true for computer fans. Slower fans with a slightly different blade design=less power and a lot more quite.

I hope your 600 is as good as mine-I love them! I standardized on Stihl and, not including my complaints about starting…,have no problems at all!