Dear Tinman: I rebuilt a first Gen 288xp (top up only; crank and seals looked good and the case was dry as a bone-no oil dirt debris). I originally rebuilt it for me but now with an excess of saws I need some money: I’ve got the original jug which I cross hatched following your video, but because I couldn’t get the carbon or dirt off the fins I put a Nikasil Hyway on there with Red barn pop up. All new oem tank with internals; all new everything except the crankcase really; mostly oem parts. Question is: I have the original clutch cover with metal inertia brake although I just bought an oem assembly with plastic handle. New flywheel, cool, high top AND low top new filters and covers. All new ignition switches, choke, carburetor (I have the original ). Thing runs great. I don’t run it as a low top. I also have a ton of spare oem parts which were duplicates I mistakenly bought. Should I sell this saw as is in current configuration or offer buyers the parts suite that is taking to space? Took me four months of messing around with it. I’m no expert like you but I’m mechanically inclined. I usually only buy best components. Couldn’t find a Meteor pop up. Other question is what would a saw of this description go for? eBay is no help. Prices all over the place. Could use your help. I figure if someone wants to slap the oem cylinder back on it they can do it in their own time. Also comes with expensive Husqvarna lite bar 28”. Help? Thanks. Dan
Hey Tinman, first time commenter. I bought a farmertec base for my ms250, while not a 288, my oiler would do the same thing you describe until it finally stopped oiling. I pulled the plug out of the oiler passage under the muffler and found it was full of plastic chips that never got cleaned out after being manufactured. I’m not sure of the oiling system on a 288, but maybe take it back apart and see if you have obstruction. Great video and good luck.
God blessed you with patience! that saw would have been 100yrds out in the woods with me!! and I'd be looking for it with the skidder! thanks for a great vid!! God bless!
Hi Tinman, I'm just a hobbyist when it comes to the farmertec saws. I have developed a system to make these things fairly reliable and that is, replace ALL rubber components with Hyway or OEM this includes crank seals. Replace carbs with OEM and use OEM base gaskets if used in build. Also replace coil with quality unit. Install new pull rope, all the supplied ropes break ask me how I know! These saws are not ready for prime time as supplied weather prebuilt or from a kit. They are fun for me to play with but it comes at a cost that most are probably not willing to endure.
there's close to nothing left of the farmertec , your a patient man and the channel is about learning thanks for that , but if that were mine it would have been in the parts bin long ago
When they work saws are a wonderfull invention. But, when you have spark, fuel, air, compression, no air leaks and they won't start it can drive you bonkers.😂 Nice video. TC Mahalo Tinman 🤙🤙🤙
I am enjoying (even in reruns occasionally) the 288xp mystery kit saga immensely and am tempted to play with a 288xp myself, but my tentative conclusion at this point is that the 288xp aftermarket clone (kit or assembled) is not the best basis for a plain work saw, much less a hopped up work saw. It seems like the 288xp is simply too old and was not widespread enough even in its day to have developed a huge, competitive, and lasting aftermarket base of support. On the other hand in a similar class of saw, I wouldn't be surprised to see the quality of aftermarket parts and assemblies of the (more recently cloned) 395xp get markedly better rather quickly relative to the 288xp. I am basing that on the analogy of the 372xp clones, which seem to be quite good in their latest generation, though many (most?) of the early aftermarket parts and first generations' assemblies had a host of problems. Of course, I doubt there is as much demand for 395xp aftermarket parts or clone assemblies as for even 372xp, which is not exactly in everybody's garden shed, so it may take a bit more time, but I think the 395xp's current production status and continued use will make it more appealing to most than the 288xp, so it will enjoy more of what seems to be the Chinese generational, long-term view of "development", "testing", and "quality control", which is to let the customer find the problems with the current product and fix them when inventory runs out :). Of course, I could be wrong or just cynical. Whatever you do, don't stop until you solve all the mysteries of that 288xp! I'm sure Caleb will be thrilled to get it when you get it all sorted out one way or the other.
Thanks for all good information, but tinman, good you have time and money, you'll find a better saw than that. Had the same problem with my 372xp knock off. I'm done with framtec also. Oem carburetor, cylinder and piston, crank, oil pump. Still having problems after a other just like you. Now she sitting on the back end. Saving up for oem 372xp or 390xp. But always thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts bubby. Be safe and my wife and I kiss the little girl for us.
Cool saw, sounds like an old dirt bike. Mine ended up with an OEM oil pump, Ignition, and intake block/carb. Gave it away to my TH-cam cohort and its both appreciated and run. Turned out to be pretty good....just not like my g395 :) Blocking a rev limited carb would be a good video. Maybe...if I get back to "Red" saws that will happen
So patient… I’ve been skeptical of these kit saws for a bit and I’ve seen enough to tell me to stick with oem. To much time and money spent to fix a cheap kit
Apparently patience is a virtue one must have to enjoy these "clone" saws. It seems personal now You'll get it ironed out! I've no experience with any Husqvarna clone saws yet but have heard that holzfforma has the Stihl clones much more refined. My only "clones" are a G660 and 2 zenoah copies. The 660 needed an oil pump mod and fuel line from plastic elbow to carb. The wemars ws-6220 had a poorly molded oil pump drive and my craftsman s145 (made by painier) has been trouble free even now that it's ported! Guess the copies that get another brand names sticker on them have better quality control lol
I bought a holzforma 372 n haven’t had any problems w it , actually like the saw a lot , depending how long ago you bought one ,I think before they started getting so much attention the QC wasn’t as good ?? 🤷🏼♂️ I could be wrong n just got a good one?
Assembled 372 farmertech tech. Used oem pto crank seal o ring. Still leaks with vacuum test. Ordered another o ring. Any ideas? Thinking of using suction and some silicone to pull into gap around crank and pto bearing.
I had big ideas like my Farmertec was somehow going to be different because I put it together myself but I am having the same issues. It's crazy how sensitive the carb is to tuning especially on the Low jet, as most saws have a decently forgivable sweet spot. Not this one, if you don't get it dead nuts it won't start or idle at all. The even weirder part is I got a Walbro carb with my 272 Kit saw, and it only behaves on a 1/4 turn out from the limiter spring. I think the best thing to do with certain Farmertec parts is to marry it to mostly OEM saws that you want to resurrect and mess around with, but if you're doing any kind of serious paid work might want to go with something a little better. Other than that, still fun A F to put a saw together from parts.
Hello, what's your opinion on the Farmertec crankcases? I've got 2 OEM 372xp that were hit by tree's and need them. At $42 US, they don't seem like a bad deal. Thanks
Hello tinman, other than what I've been watching you do on the 288 , how are you? I have a question about the farmertec saws, not the kits, the pre built. I have the 372 pro, can't complain a lot about it other than some vapor locking but I think it might be taken care of. Anyway, starting to get into much bigger timber and don't want to run the 372 any harder than necessary, I see what you have been going through with that saw. Are the 395 any better? In your opinion. I had a Husqvarna 394 years ago and had a lot of problems with it, probably just got the bad one that year. I know how you really feel about the farmertec and without a doubt, if I had the money I would have one of my favorites, the 385, loved the one I had and the others I ran. Anyway, just a question from someone that could use a little bigger saw but those are really the only ones in my budget. If you get a minute, I'll be here. Thank you
Spend the extra money on the FT pro saw they only have 372 and 660. Worth the extra 100$ plz take my word. Honestly Tinman those kits are the parts that the assembly plant set aside. IMO I fried a few coils pinching the wires it happens brother. !!☀️🧬 Are you running a rubber diaphragm
Yep. The more im watching you swap coils in and out, as now your into the part under the starter, the more we both, as in us and you, need to know how to check them with the meter.
I must be luck my buddy built my 372xp holzforma/farmtech kit saw and i havent had any issues i geind stumps so use it hard cut bases down n some big ones
I personally never had good experience with farmertec parts or maybe parts quality available in let's say USA is different than what we get in Europe as I see many guys mainly in USA not only using parts extensively but porting and taking the farmertec chainsaws to extreme. Thank you once again for 153 tips. Regards Dorin.
Hey Tinman! A local chainsaw artist has a 2012 Stihl MS461 that he worked hard. It has lost all compression. He's a great guy and a talented artist and has done pieces for me. After watching your videos, I had enough confidence to ask if he wanted me to break it down and troubleshoot the problem, though I'm thinking I'll most likely need to put new crank bearings and seals in it. I'm doing it for the experience. I only asked him to cover the cost of the parts. What size torx do I need to pull the plastics off? Thanks!
I have had much better luck with farmertec’s clones of the 660 and 440 and 880, almost no problems. 2 of their 372’s both are headaches carb wouldn’t hold tubes
I need to know where u got that pipe from. I need some custom pipes for my 288’s and 281’s I really like the exhaust note and I’m pretty sure tht style is what I want. Yeah I know it’s not all about looks but hey. U have to be attracted to her first before u decide to buy it lmao. Hook a brother up @ Tinman
Buddy did you just say that you look at your truck like a new truck because when you were growing up it was new? You can edit stuff like that out, and you probably should…😅
It’s either that oil line or you might have to open up the inlet on the bar. Every bar I have has been modified and highly recommend all my customers to do the same thing.
Hello tinman, other than what I've been watching you do on the 288 , how are you? I have a question about the farmertec saws, not the kits, the pre built. I have the 372 pro, can't complain a lot about it other than some vapor locking but I think it might be taken care of. Anyway, starting to get into much bigger timber and don't want to run the 372 any harder than necessary, I see what you have been going through with that saw. Are the 395 any better? In your opinion. I had a Husqvarna 394 years ago and had a lot of problems with it, probably just got the bad one that year. I know how you really feel about the farmertec and without a doubt, if I had the money I would have one of my favorites, the 385, loved the one I had and the others I ran. Anyway, just a question from someone that could use a little bigger saw but those are really the only ones in my budget. If you get a minute, I'll be here. Thank you
Very patient man, surprised you didn’t throw it. Lol
Love watching the videos you make on fault finding, basic repairs and you working through the process of elimination.
288 saws were one of the best ever here on the wet coast but all oem bro 🪵👍
"If you have an unlimited budget, and nothing but time"!....You nailed it!
Morning buddy
Dear Tinman: I rebuilt a first Gen 288xp (top up only; crank and seals looked good and the case was dry as a bone-no oil dirt debris). I originally rebuilt it for me but now with an excess of saws I need some money: I’ve got the original jug which I cross hatched following your video, but because I couldn’t get the carbon or dirt off the fins I put a Nikasil Hyway on there with Red barn pop up. All new oem tank with internals; all new everything except the crankcase really; mostly oem parts. Question is: I have the original clutch cover with metal inertia brake although I just bought an oem assembly with plastic handle. New flywheel, cool, high top AND low top new filters and covers. All new ignition switches, choke, carburetor (I have the original ). Thing runs great. I don’t run it as a low top. I also have a ton of spare oem parts which were duplicates I mistakenly bought. Should I sell this saw as is in current configuration or offer buyers the parts suite that is taking to space? Took me four months of messing around with it. I’m no expert like you but I’m mechanically inclined. I usually only buy best components. Couldn’t find a Meteor pop up. Other question is what would a saw of this description go for? eBay is no help. Prices all over the place. Could use your help. I figure if someone wants to slap the oem cylinder back on it they can do it in their own time. Also comes with expensive Husqvarna lite bar 28”. Help? Thanks. Dan
Hey Tinman, first time commenter. I bought a farmertec base for my ms250, while not a 288, my oiler would do the same thing you describe until it finally stopped oiling. I pulled the plug out of the oiler passage under the muffler and found it was full of plastic chips that never got cleaned out after being manufactured. I’m not sure of the oiling system on a 288, but maybe take it back apart and see if you have obstruction. Great video and good luck.
God blessed you with patience! that saw would have been 100yrds out in the woods with me!! and I'd be looking for it with the skidder! thanks for a great vid!! God bless!
Hi Tinman, I'm just a hobbyist when it comes to the farmertec saws. I have developed a system to make these things fairly reliable and that is, replace ALL rubber components with Hyway or OEM this includes crank seals. Replace carbs with OEM and use OEM base gaskets if used in build. Also replace coil with quality unit. Install new pull rope, all the supplied ropes break ask me how I know! These saws are not ready for prime time as supplied weather prebuilt or from a kit. They are fun for me to play with but it comes at a cost that most are probably not willing to endure.
there's close to nothing left of the farmertec , your a patient man and the channel is about learning thanks for that , but if that were mine it would have been in the parts bin long ago
When they work saws are a wonderfull invention. But, when you have spark, fuel, air, compression, no air leaks and they won't start it can drive you bonkers.😂 Nice video. TC Mahalo Tinman 🤙🤙🤙
Sounds like a dirt bike. Very cool!
I am enjoying (even in reruns occasionally) the 288xp mystery kit saga immensely and am tempted to play with a 288xp myself, but my tentative conclusion at this point is that the 288xp aftermarket clone (kit or assembled) is not the best basis for a plain work saw, much less a hopped up work saw. It seems like the 288xp is simply too old and was not widespread enough even in its day to have developed a huge, competitive, and lasting aftermarket base of support. On the other hand in a similar class of saw, I wouldn't be surprised to see the quality of aftermarket parts and assemblies of the (more recently cloned) 395xp get markedly better rather quickly relative to the 288xp. I am basing that on the analogy of the 372xp clones, which seem to be quite good in their latest generation, though many (most?) of the early aftermarket parts and first generations' assemblies had a host of problems. Of course, I doubt there is as much demand for 395xp aftermarket parts or clone assemblies as for even 372xp, which is not exactly in everybody's garden shed, so it may take a bit more time, but I think the 395xp's current production status and continued use will make it more appealing to most than the 288xp, so it will enjoy more of what seems to be the Chinese generational, long-term view of "development", "testing", and "quality control", which is to let the customer find the problems with the current product and fix them when inventory runs out :). Of course, I could be wrong or just cynical.
Whatever you do, don't stop until you solve all the mysteries of that 288xp! I'm sure Caleb will be thrilled to get it when you get it all sorted out one way or the other.
That farmertec looks like a perfect wheel chock for the wood weasel
Too funny
Thanks for all good information, but tinman, good you have time and money, you'll find a better saw than that. Had the same problem with my 372xp knock off. I'm done with framtec also. Oem carburetor, cylinder and piston, crank, oil pump. Still having problems after a other just like you. Now she sitting on the back end. Saving up for oem 372xp or 390xp. But always thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts bubby. Be safe and my wife and I kiss the little girl for us.
Well at least it sounds cool that pipe is pretty trick dude 👍
Keep up great work Tinman! 😊
Cool saw, sounds like an old dirt bike. Mine ended up with an OEM oil pump, Ignition, and intake block/carb. Gave it away to my TH-cam cohort and its both appreciated and run. Turned out to be pretty good....just not like my g395 :) Blocking a rev limited carb would be a good video. Maybe...if I get back to "Red" saws that will happen
I’m glad you got it figured out, this was a really good video for troubleshooting
She sounds great 👍
So patient… I’ve been skeptical of these kit saws for a bit and I’ve seen enough to tell me to stick with oem. To much time and money spent to fix a cheap kit
Apparently patience is a virtue one must have to enjoy these "clone" saws. It seems personal now You'll get it ironed out!
I've no experience with any Husqvarna clone saws yet but have heard that holzfforma has the Stihl clones much more refined. My only "clones" are a G660 and 2 zenoah copies. The 660 needed an oil pump mod and fuel line from plastic elbow to carb. The wemars ws-6220 had a poorly molded oil pump drive and my craftsman s145 (made by painier) has been trouble free even now that it's ported! Guess the copies that get another brand names sticker on them have better quality control lol
If I had to guess there are more Husky parts than Holtz at this point!! Nice video Tinman ✊️
Thanks buddy.
There's 33% Holtz, 33% husky, 33% nwp/meteor/hyway
I bought a holzforma 372 n haven’t had any problems w it , actually like the saw a lot , depending how long ago you bought one ,I think before they started getting so much attention the QC wasn’t as good ?? 🤷🏼♂️ I could be wrong n just got a good one?
I really hope you try and 066 kit. Would love to see you with a big stihl ( copy of course) cc build
Assembled 372 farmertech tech. Used oem pto crank seal o ring. Still leaks with vacuum test. Ordered another o ring. Any ideas?
Thinking of using suction and some silicone to pull into gap around crank and pto bearing.
I had big ideas like my Farmertec was somehow going to be different because I put it together myself but I am having the same issues. It's crazy how sensitive the carb is to tuning especially on the Low jet, as most saws have a decently forgivable sweet spot. Not this one, if you don't get it dead nuts it won't start or idle at all. The even weirder part is I got a Walbro carb with my 272 Kit saw, and it only behaves on a 1/4 turn out from the limiter spring. I think the best thing to do with certain Farmertec parts is to marry it to mostly OEM saws that you want to resurrect and mess around with, but if you're doing any kind of serious paid work might want to go with something a little better. Other than that, still fun A F to put a saw together from parts.
Hello, what's your opinion on the Farmertec crankcases? I've got 2 OEM 372xp that were hit by tree's and need them. At $42 US, they don't seem like a bad deal. Thanks
SEHR GUTE SÄGE !!!!!!!!!!!
GRUß AUS GERMANY
PETER
Good morning
😎👍
Nice video tinman good work ❤❤❤
i bought one of these kits because im a glutton for punishment and love tinkering
Hello tinman, other than what I've been watching you do on the 288 , how are you? I have a question about the farmertec saws, not the kits, the pre built. I have the 372 pro, can't complain a lot about it other than some vapor locking but I think it might be taken care of. Anyway, starting to get into much bigger timber and don't want to run the 372 any harder than necessary, I see what you have been going through with that saw. Are the 395 any better? In your opinion. I had a Husqvarna 394 years ago and had a lot of problems with it, probably just got the bad one that year. I know how you really feel about the farmertec and without a doubt, if I had the money I would have one of my favorites, the 385, loved the one I had and the others I ran. Anyway, just a question from someone that could use a little bigger saw but those are really the only ones in my budget. If you get a minute, I'll be here. Thank you
Great content 👌
Spend the extra money on the FT pro saw they only have 372 and 660. Worth the extra 100$ plz take my word. Honestly Tinman those kits are the parts that the assembly plant set aside. IMO I fried a few coils pinching the wires it happens brother. !!☀️🧬
Are you running a rubber diaphragm
Fixing chainsaws and fishing requires a lot of patience.
I love doing both
Tinman we need a video on how to check coils for good or bad with a multimeter!!
Yep. The more im watching you swap coils in and out, as now your into the part under the starter, the more we both, as in us and you, need to know how to check them with the meter.
When you moved the shield at 618 look what the wire dose I’m sure it gets repaired while your changing parts
Wow mantap 👍 saya sangat suka dengan mesin husqvarna.tapi. Suku cadang nya mahal
I have a tote full of basket case 288/181 saws. Are these kit saws good for parts?
Yes the cases and plastic seem fine.
I must be luck my buddy built my 372xp holzforma/farmtech kit saw and i havent had any issues i geind stumps so use it hard cut bases down n some big ones
Everybody needs a hobby. LOL !!!
Good job, runs perfect. I think you'll end up changing most parts with original.
I pretty much already have done that
I personally never had good experience with farmertec parts or maybe parts quality available in let's say USA is different than what we get in Europe as I see many guys mainly in USA not only using parts extensively but porting and taking the farmertec chainsaws to extreme. Thank you once again for 153 tips. Regards Dorin.
Some have said the hole in the bar for oil sometimes doesn’t line up with the saw. Try drilling the oil hole in the bar a little bigger.
I do that on all of my bars, works great
Hey bud, when you going to build a Hotrod Homelite XL-12?
Red wire on the coil was pretty loose (at 6:16). At 7:35 the red wire wasn't even connected to the coil.
😊
I'd run it over with the log skidder lol
Hey Tinman! A local chainsaw artist has a 2012 Stihl MS461 that he worked hard. It has lost all compression. He's a great guy and a talented artist and has done pieces for me. After watching your videos, I had enough confidence to ask if he wanted me to break it down and troubleshoot the problem, though I'm thinking I'll most likely need to put new crank bearings and seals in it. I'm doing it for the experience. I only asked him to cover the cost of the parts. What size torx do I need to pull the plastics off? Thanks!
T-27..do not use a t-25..good luck
Got to be joking..
I sure hope you are if you can't figure that out you shouldn't touch anyone's saw learn on your own saw first
Haven’t figured out why it isn’t oiling?😊
Check the red wire to coil
🍋
The 288xp clone ignitions are trash. The rest of them are fine.
You might need to change the module.
I have had much better luck with farmertec’s clones of the 660 and 440 and 880, almost no problems. 2 of their 372’s both are headaches carb wouldn’t hold tubes
I need to know where u got that pipe from. I need some custom pipes for my 288’s and 281’s I really like the exhaust note and I’m pretty sure tht style is what I want. Yeah I know it’s not all about looks but hey. U have to be attracted to her first before u decide to buy it lmao. Hook a brother up @ Tinman
I built that pipe from junk laying around.
She's a one off.
Buddy did you just say that you look at your truck like a new truck because when you were growing up it was new? You can edit stuff like that out, and you probably should…😅
great trouble shooting video . people wonder why it costs and arm and leg to repair saws or anything for that matter .
Hi, anyone heard from Harvey ironhorse????
coffee
Moral of the story, stay away from Farmertec parts lol. They're junk.
It’s either that oil line or you might have to open up the inlet on the bar. Every bar I have has been modified and highly recommend all my customers to do the same thing.
How do you modify them?
Hello tinman, other than what I've been watching you do on the 288 , how are you? I have a question about the farmertec saws, not the kits, the pre built. I have the 372 pro, can't complain a lot about it other than some vapor locking but I think it might be taken care of. Anyway, starting to get into much bigger timber and don't want to run the 372 any harder than necessary, I see what you have been going through with that saw. Are the 395 any better? In your opinion. I had a Husqvarna 394 years ago and had a lot of problems with it, probably just got the bad one that year. I know how you really feel about the farmertec and without a doubt, if I had the money I would have one of my favorites, the 385, loved the one I had and the others I ran. Anyway, just a question from someone that could use a little bigger saw but those are really the only ones in my budget. If you get a minute, I'll be here. Thank you