Planned Obsolescence?! Why Would STIHL and ECHO Do This?!

[@Chickanic]

Thanks for Watching! Find a link to all of my "Must Have", Favorite Tools HERE!! www.amazon.com/shop/chickanic?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfchickanic_9ERPFPBNGQ924P8NS63B

[@Lewis-kf2pj]

I CAN TELL YOU!! Grease technology has skyrocketed recently with everyone looking for greener alternatives etc. The petrol fellow and oil men have had their minions working on things and supposedly, they can have sealed gearboxes with lubricant that lasts as long as the tool. Now, I don’t trust that any more than you do…. In fairness though, my dads Merc has a fully-sealed gearbox that one cannot add or subtract the ATF from (it’s possible for severe cases but they have their own, complicated machines to complete the process - no user serviceable parts yada yada) I thought it was an awful idea when he bought it but it has held up really well. If it’s sealed (hypothetically!!) nothing can get in or out, so the grease lasts… but what happens to all the micro shavings of gear teeth from heavy use…..? No, I’m with you here, it’s an awful idea.

[@ComfortablyNumb1969]

Can almost guarantee it was not the Engineers that wanted this change, it was the bean counters. My experience in the auto industry, is that the bean counters win more than the Engineers.

[@billymcclanahan1794]

If the company is asking for it they prob have to fo it, I'm n guessing at this though.

[@Ubotit_Unaymit]

High! 😊

[@WisconsinEric]

American consumers are demanding manufactures build cheap tools so they can stay comfortably blind to the devaluation of the US Dollar

[@dennislaws5187]

Bean counters cost companies more money than they save.

[@ComfortablyNumb1969]

@@dennislaws5187 Especially when it ends up costing them a fortune in warranty work.

[@billbranneky5355]

No grease hole is needed. Remove the gear head and add grease through the hole used by the drive shaft. In addition, pull out the drive shaft remove the old grease and grease it up real good too.

[@randyday3278]

When I get one of those without the grease plug, I simply drill a hole and install a typical grease zerk. Keep up the good work, I really enjoy most videos.

[@davidkraft3690]

Exactly what I was thinking! That sounds like a simple fix.

[@philliphall5198]

That’s what I had to do on my own Now I started drilling every one that comes in shop and zert installed I really see our American companies are totally against US American people 😢

[@knighthawk86855]

Same here.

[@skysurfer9655]

Never mind, coffee just kicked in and realized they must be pipe thread tap. At least that's what the zerks look like that I have laying around.

[@WisconsinEric]

Buying the units without the grease plugs only tells manufactures to keep building more of them. Vote with your Dollar and stop buying those units, and manufactures will stop building them without the plugs.

[@jonvon2044]

Planed obsolescence started hundreds of years ago with lightbulbs.

[@stevenv2190]

Experience that with a Canon Pixma printer - print head mismatch error - can't even scan - becomes paper weight. Got a $45 dollar check and used that to get paper for my newly acquired HP color laser printer.

[@donjackson9608]

I am a retired small engine technician.I sometimes work on equipment from my friends and when I run into something I have not seen I check your site for an update. You are a straight shooter and I appreciate it.

[@jmatt2636]

So that they throw it away and buy a new one

[@MrGnsurfn]

Good video, I removed the grease plug on my two Shinduawa trimmers, drilled and tapped them for zerk fittings. One or two pumps from the grease gun periodically has worked well. They are about 20 years old and still going strong. I’m working on 5 acres which has to be cleared each season. Keep your great videos coming. Randy

[@d.e.b.b5788]

I like that idea; sounds pretty simple to do, so I'm going to try it with the trimmer I bought last year. What's the worst that can happen? I'll need to buy a new lower shaft like she says? Worth a try. Thanks!

[@JamieTransNyc]

@@d.e.b.b5788 The worst that can happen: You blow out the seals on your hub. Mechanisms that have zerk fittings to allow you to pump grease in must also have a vent to let the old grease out on the other side. A hub like these does not have the vent, so when you pump grease in under pressure, it will have to find a way to let the old grease out.... thus damaging your seals. That is why these hubs do not have zerk fittings, you are supposed to just press the grease in with your fingers or a spoon, not under pressure.

[@rcnelson]

Then why did older trimmers have zerks which worked without problem? If a missing vent hole is the problem (did the old trimmers have vents?) then it seems simple to drill a small hole in the appropriate area. None of my lawn equipment's zerks have vents--you pump grease into them until a little peeps out the seal. Presumably that's where the old grease eventually escapes anyway.@@JamieTransNyc

[@--_DJ_--]

@@rcnelson Bushing (what I assume you are talking about greasing) and gearboxes are a bit different. You could do like you said and drill a vent hole, but you might still end up with too much grease in there and have it come out the seals once things heat up, or in a worst case, push a seal out of its bore. I have never seen a trimmer with a zerk, just a plug you remove and stuff grease inside manually.

[@--_DJ_--]

@@JamieTransNyc I assume they use lip seals to seal the shaft, they will work like a vent most of the time. Not ideal though.

[@franksprecisionguesswork501]

I bought a pole saw and was so impressed with it that I bought 2 more for other properties I maintain. Basically I used the heck out of them until one jammed and made a horrible grinding sound. I took the unit apart and found the clearance between the ring and pinion of the drive gear was really large. Then ring and pinion was now dis engaging under load. This was mainly because the housing where the bearing seated was shaved so thin (possibly to save 1cc of plastic) that the hole eventually wore out. So I cut a piece of tin can to fit the hole an zeroed out the slop. Been using it for a year. Take that you bean counters!

[@papageo5]

While I am just a home owner, I weed eat at least an hour a week, sometimes more. I have a Stihl trimmer from1998. Still runs, same head, never been greased. The only service was adjusting the carb maybe 3 times. I just don't see an issue. I have never greased my chainsaw bar either. I have ruined a couple bars getting pinched, but never replaced a sprocket. I grease my equipment, just not those parts.

[@williammouri1096]

Greed never goes out of style. Take care of all your equipment. Don't give these companies a dime more than you have to.

[@rodneycaupp5962]

Most of my equipment is more than 30 years Old, so when things break, I use my other Good Old Tools to repair everything I own. My craftsman tools were given to me in that gray Box, 50 years ago for Christmas. Kathy gave them to me. LOL and big smiles....

[@bradw1n]

Except when you need new parts. Don't trust the knockoffs.

[@johnnycab8986]

If these companies don't continue to chase pennies like this they go out of business. Free market IE globalist crapitalism for you.

[@fredflintstone6163]

I got an antique sythe sickle with two foot blade still works and sharpen when needed 😜🤔

[@fredflintstone6163]

Large land tracts no lawn mower 🤔

[@steadfastlawncare]

Simple preventative maintenance goes a long way on any piece of equipment. Thanks for sharing all the information you do.

[@wallebo]

You should be very proud of yourself for always keeping it real! Great content.

[@kens.3729]

I use my Stihl Trimmer and Blower at one (1) Residence Only and had a Variety of Issues over the past 12-15 years with both. Some were Replaced Under Warranty. 🤔

[@billyrayband]

Probably a reason was they found out almost no one was greasing it, so they got rid of it to save a nickel.

[@krabysniper]

Everything nowadays IS DESIGNED TO FAIL so they can FORCE YOU to buy a brand new one and keep their profits rolling in. If you want to know when an item will fail, look at the warranty, they have tested to the point they KNOW within a couple months the exact failure date and so they warranty up to just before that point. They were teaching designed obsolescence in the 80's in all colleges, this is not news.

[@Rotorhead1651]

And how, pray tell, do you believe they managed to determine this? It's not as if they are surveying customers or repair shops with questions about maintenance of their products.

[@Leonardokite]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@WJCTechyman]

@@Rotorhead1651 Well, the two units she showed were residential units. If it's an X Series it may be a different story.

[@daveradke1656]

Warranty claims go back to the manufacturer for tracking. No claims, no need for the grease plug.

[@TLOaks_]

My 2.5yo Stihl doesn't have a grease plug either, it was $275.00, the grease plug model was $350.00, I was cheap, but I have at least 1K hours on it and it is doing fine. I have replaced the string head 3 times. I assumed it is a sealed unit just like my $6k zero turn has sealed spindles. I do appreciate the video, the manufacturers obviously don't want you passing down your power tools to your kids in your will, it's a different world now of disposal things....like laptops and cellphones. Very frustrating!! BTW, I did replace the oil in my B&S after your video.

[@piggyspiddles]

I figured out planned obsolescence years ago. Went to tech school for computer engineering and electronics. Doing all the different maths required it didnt take me long to figure out that you can literally design flaws into EVERYTHING. This is why things seem to start falling apart AFTER the warranties expire. Through math you can determine how long different materials will last under certain conditions. Doing this allows them to get folks to just replace an item when that time comes cause many will see the cost of trying to get parts and figure it just saves TIME as well as many just to buy new. Creating more sales in the long run. Vicious cycle for the consumer, a laugh all the way to the bank for the manufacturers.

[@kossgroupllc9196]

Our society is built on the belief that there must be constant growth but now it's all crashing down. Whether it outdoor power equipment or car and trucks or human population growth, it's not going as planned. Companies will eventually not be able to have increased sells each year and company stocks won't always grow next year!!!

[@fastinradfordable]

Why I became mechanic and fabricater

[@jakebredthauer5100]

​@@fastinradfordable Old houses were built in the best manner possible. We can no longer be wasteful so quality will become more important again. Could Chickanic punch a hole to add lube?

[@em4703]

Consumerism was a mistake.

[@dissimulii]

i've never bought a single thing based on the warranty, if your shit lets me down i'm just not buying it anymore. i don't need another garbage product to replace the garbage that just fell apart on me.

[@fascistpedant758]

My experience with universal joints is that the well sealed, non greaseable, OG, factory joints last 10 years. When people insist on greaseable replacement joints, they're never greased and they're back for new joints 2-3 years later. Introducing dirt and the wrong type of grease doesn't help the gear set.

[@ronfox5519]

A great point. I've seen this on my own vehicles even though they did get greased.

[@davehudson4607]

Had my Toyota Tundra for 12 years, 390,000 Km’s Greasable U-Joints. Never touched one, other than to grease them! New truck has them all sealed. I don’t want sealed U-Joints

[@drummer0864]

One of the reasons for NOT using greaseable U-joints is, Non greaseable u-joints are much stronger! As much as twice as strong, because of the hole that runs through the middle of them. I worked in race car prep shops when I was young and was told by factory reps., and an engineer. I asked, it seemed to make sense. In this application where there is no void in the metal of the gears, it doesn't make sense to not have a way to conveniently grease the gears inside.

[@davehudson4607]

@@drummer0864 Your story makes no sense. 1 - How many broken U-Joints have you seen? It’s a very rare occurrence, normally damaged from lack of lubricant. 2 - Have you ever seen a gear in a U-Joint? If you have, please send us a picture.

[@drummer0864]

@@davehudson4607 Greaseable u-joints are cross drilled for the grease to get to the bearing caps. There for, they are not as strong as solids u-joints are. You can still grease them just have to take the out and put them back in. If gears were cross drilled they would not be as strong for the same reason. You brought up u-joints and I did not intend to confuse anyone making that comparison. Back in the 60's and 70's, I saw a lot of broken u-joints, as I worked in a speed shop that repaired and built drag cars. lots of muscle cars back then. I also worked in a repair/ gas station right on an interstate and saw a few there too. Those were mostly from lack of maintenance. Having a gearset that is not readily service with some kind of lubricant is defiantly a set up for failure. Just so you don't think I'm some nut job, all you have to do is be able to get the lub in the case and the gears will distribute the grease where it needs to go. They don't have to be drilled. Are we ok now?

[@scottmckenna9164]

Words can't express how much heart ache you saved me with my mower.

[@msclecarcrzy]

That reminds me i need to grease mine! Already have the stihl grease just haven't done it! Thanks Chickanic

[@doozowings4672]

One of my professors in a econ class was a lead engineer for GE ... I remember the lecture vividly . He talked about how GE designed refrigerators ... As an engineer they would start with a cardboard box, then they would ask themselves, what is the bare minimum that it would take to make this cardboard box into a refrigerator . He said, they would slowly add the bare minimum to the cardboard box in order to make it into something that resembled a refrigerator . He openly admitted that it was that absolute minimum at the least cost to GE . I think the same thing still happens today. Granted, I listened to this lecture 30 plus years ago .

[@libsrdum]

Jack Welch who ran GE starting in the late 60's early 70's invented the MBA program to keep his many middle management people busy so they wouldn't think about the zero chance of getting promoted. I worked with several Ex GE managers who worked with Welch and none had anything good to say about him.

[@elultimo102]

"Ben" the appliance guy, also on U-tube, said he met an engineer, whose job it was to deliberately skimp on quality, so the appliances would die. (I'm surprised he didn't belt him------I would have the impulse).

[@ryelor123]

Every engineer wants to make that one awesome thing they can brag about. As a result, if they're not held in line, they'll make really neat things that no one will buy due to price and that will have lots of problems due to the complexity.

[@sonnyc3826]

interesting.this probably applies to all products tbh sadly

[@stinkycheese804]

Except that's not true, refrigerators made over 30 years ago when he worked there, lasted a lot longer than what you buy today, so they were not actually doing what he claimed, not very well/badly yet anyway. However, even that is nonsense. He didn't "openly admit" as if you interrogated him, rather you are fabricating part of the story. Further, no, "start with a cardboard box" is a concept for high school kids. Engineers designing appliances don't ever need to devolve that low in concept because they've already had experience working on appliances, so the more I think about your post, the more I think there's little if any truth to it at all. For example, using the chassis as the frame to mount everything is a key design parameter, not at all like thinking in terms of a cardboard box. Maybe he wasn't really a lead engineer, or whatever the case, your account is implausible.

[@mitchs323]

Many years ago I was working a summer job at North American Rockwell, one of the guys I worked with, his wife was a secretary for one of the higher ups at Ford told me that the reason that Ford stopped putting grease plugs in u-joints was that they saved $0.15 per car, over the many cars they produced was a substantial savings for them. I'd say that the grease plugs were eliminated 1 for savings and 2 to sell more gearheads.

[@anthonybullard849]

Master Tech w/Cat and Yale heavy equip, trucks ,industrial. Engineers at plants do get bonuses off saving money off the bottom line. I've heard of them taking peoples ideas from the floor and claiming for themselves also. I drilled and tapped several of my "heads" and use a very good grade of grease. Running cooler also. As homeowner and they have lasted 20yrs. A couple of pieces, took apart, drilled, installed a very short threaded zerk. Bre's correct, maintenance is key!

[@michaelfoster2563]

As a manufacturing engineer, that is what is required of almost everything made. It's called: designed obsolescence. In college we had an entire course on designing for obsolescence after a specific time.

[@DieLuftwaffel]

That's some immoral garbage to waste money and fill the world with more garbage...

[@tuggyboat]

@@DieLuftwaffel world is a business

[@Rotorhead1651]

​@@DieLuftwaffel It's not immoral, it's unethical. It's also been going on for many decades. My father taught me about the concept one day when we were out looking at new cars. That was back in the 70s, and manufacturers have been utilizing this since well before then. It's how they ensure that, sooner rather than later, folks will need to replace their product.

[@bruceadams3687]

People should be ashamed for some of the junk they design now. Lubed for life stuff is a joke. Who's life, what life are they talking about. I recently bought a new pickup, I still have my old Ford. If I would of had the time I would much rather had my old truck totally refurbished than had a new one. The quality was much better .

[@WJCTechyman]

@@Rotorhead1651 Designed obsolescence (or planned obsolescence, which is the more familiar term) to me is something engineers should not be taught. This is one of many reasons companies like Apple, Samsung and John Deere are getting a push back from customers for the right to repair the devices they bought.

[@in4chandru]

On the SRM 225, there are two T27 screws next to each other. The top one is the grease plug-simply unscrew it to grease the shaft and gear. The bottom T27 screw holds the gear head to the pole.

[@rogerwiley7269]

I discovered the Stihl trimmer head pricing trick several years ago. I figured they would have figured that out by now and closed the loophole. Great videos.

[@tsl7881]

Charging more than $150 for the combi's attachment would scare buyers away. Besides, the replacement head is through the parts system and more people are adding on markup.

[@smitty4912]

Yep, It's always been the Philosophy of the Manufactures that the Parts supply division is the Money Maker of the industry!! Bre, I'm still looking for a Huskvarna BT-125 Backpack blower Carburetor.

[@davebeyer1708]

The grease plug was probably eliminated for all the reasons everyone is citing. However, the gear head is still removable and can be re-greased once removed...Maybe a little more cumbersome, but for those who do take care of their equipment, it shouldn't be a big deal. To be totally transparent, I've owned an Echo Trimmer for 20 years and never once greased the thing, but after watching these videos, I'll be getting at that task this weekend for sure!

[@stinkycheese804]

Clearly you did not put many hours on it, BUT time by itself causes the grease to loose the oil base and become too thick. Now that the grease is 20 years old, you'd be best off taking the whole gearhead off, flushing out the old hardened grease with gasoline soak and a toothbrush, then doing a fresh fill.

[@Bryan-109]

I assume it happens quicker to commercial users.

[@andrewmiller3834]

I can smell your store. Really! I was a customer service guy for the local small engine shop. The shelves, the inventory, the machines... What awesome memories and a beautiful video. Thank you very much for sharing this with me! Always, Andy

[@timcarr4673]

Great tip regarding the grease head, I’ll be sure to look out for them. Also a great tip on just replacing the whole shaft

[@OldsmobileCutlassSupremeConver]

Drill a hole. Tap a thread. Put a Zerk fitting or plug after greasing.

[@mike.4277]

I grease and oil my shaft on my Echo every season. Never have problems. It's now 17 years old. Great video 👍

[@andybecker2693]

I’ve been greasing my shaft for most of 52 years and you better believe it still works😂.

[@shadwell749]

@@andybecker2693 you'll go blind from what I was told lol

[@mikelemoine4267]

@@andybecker2693 You beat me to it (no pun intended). I was going to say the same thing, even have the age right!

[@SingleStacked]

Guess I'd better try to grease mine this year. When I tried 5 years ago it was still full of grease. Nowhere for it to go. The trimmer is 12 years old.

[@geoffcollier8736]

Interesting about grease points. As you say grease points are good for long life of gears etc. For strimmers I have found that grease can be too solid to keep flowing between surfaces so I use the grease type that is supplied for constant velocity joints on cars. This grease is much more liquid and has a moly content to minimise friction. Only a small amount is needed.

[@NoristheCat]

I just got a new Stihl FS131R trimmer. It has a grease plug where you take out the screw and screw on the grease, like a toothpaste tube which is very convenient. My old trimmer was a straight shaft Bannerman BW-3 trimmer powered by a Kawasaki KT12 engine. I worked that trimmer like a dog, even clearing brush and trees up to 2-3 inches. I took regular care and greased the head with a screw in nipple to attach the grease gun. The Bannerman trimmer served me well as it lasted 40 YEARS! Your advice to grease the gear head is critical!!! Sadly, I needed parts that were extremely hard to come by so I made the decision to get a 4 mix that is better for the environment and quiter. The old trimmer needed a fuel mix that was 16:1. Thank you so much for your excellent channel and the candid advice that you promote!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@helmutkueres1719]

Have a Fs55 and could not find any grease plug, so after about 2 years, i took the gear down to grease it in the old way. Little bit of work, but i do that every 2 years. It took me like 15 min or so. Thanks for teaching, greetings from Germany 👍😘

[@brandonstclair6530]

I like my old Green Machine that has a grease fitting in the gear head. Not just a grease plug a actual grease fitting. The whole trimmer is made by Zenoah in Japan. They sure don’t make them like they used too. Over 30 years old and still runs like new.

[@papageo5]

My Dad had a Green Machine. I used that thing WAY more than I wanted as a kid. Throttle on the handle, and gas primer sent gas straight in the ground.

[@robertlantz2206]

Engineers are good people and have to fallow orders too. I worcked for McCullough before the shut down and I knew most of them and it's all about money. They would tell me about the crap they had to take into account for thier designs.

[@warrenosborne6044]

I love your honesty and practical approach to companies efforts to stick it to the customer. Myself, I have had to fab grease fittings where they didn't exist. A lot of folks may not want to drill and tap, or have a shop of their own. I usually buy used, and go from there. Thank you for helping people deal with "The Man" .

[@jonschaefer1463]

I am 62. And still in the fight( Thanks To You) You are awesome

[@thomasgilbert4131]

I would try installing a zerk fitting like some of the others have suggested, With that done and adding a speed feed head it should be smooth operating from then on.

[@zeeb696]

In my local parts store I asked for grease zerk, He looked at me like I was crazy! I then said a grease fitting …. He could understand that.

[@RyderSontaig]

I've got a Stihl, never greased it, never had a problem.

[@steve.roadcap]

I'm not a subscriber - yet, but I appreciate everyone of your videos that I watch as a former US Navy Seabee heavy equipment operator.

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

STIHL, and echo are not in business to sell parts they want to sell whole goods, Stihl Vowed to never sell out to box stores yet. I see it every day now.

[@philliphall5198]

Any thing they say is just like Putin word

[@feliciasbeard]

Never seen Stihl in a box store and you can't buy them from their websites so not sure what you're talking about. If no one sells, them except speciality stores, how did they "sell out"?

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

@@feliciasbeard just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean that it’s not happening. Do some research before you start bumping your gums.

[@Chickanic]

😂 I literally pulled the ad for Stihl for this video from the Ace Hardware web site. Guess I shouldn’t had cut out the edges. 😂

[@Chickanic]

Or was it Atwoods? 😆

[@jamesworsen1421]

IKR? It wouldn't be the first time I've tapped and installed my own zert in something.

[@billm6294]

(love your channel) Cynical question...have they cheapened up the engines to the point their expected lifetime is equal to an unmaintained gear head?

[@christocambetes3074]

Thanks. I have an echo srm2501. I just cleaned the echo. It does have a grease plug. I cleaned around the plug and added grease. I took off the speed head and also got out all that old stringy grass. Thanks again.

[@edk3167]

Agree on the Speed Feed head. I fit them to all of my trimmers, not just the Echos.

[@lorettacarroll6015]

What about a 40v ryobi? I bought one a month ago so it is the electric battery carbon fabric.

[@WJCTechyman]

I replaced the problematic OEM trimmer head on my late Uncle's Honda trimmer. I liked the idea of these heads that I had a smaller copy variation on my MTD and other similar trimmers.

[@markclark1605]

I had a budget weedeater that had no grease fitting as well. The unit had sealed permanent bearings in the drive assembly. When I seen the unit was wearing out I took the unit a part and replaced the bearings. If the sellers of the product don't choose using a grease plug they need giving the option of replacing the bearings. It's kinda like the bearings in the idler pulleys used on the drive train of riding mowers etc. If they start making a noise, replace them before they fail. Bottom line is keeping maintenance regularly on the equipment. All my weed trimmers have grease fittings on the end and I grease them regularly, but soon of later they will fail. I agree they need grease fittings. The operators needs a owners manual with very good information.

[@tsl7881]

If they leave basic info out of the manual, they usually want you to take it to the dealer so they can overcharge you or sell you a new one.

[@Ritalie]

Really good information. Something important, there are new greases being used. Electric motors are used in high dirt, dust environments and they last for decades. They use a special grease in all electric motors now, called "Polyurea" waterproof grease, not lithium grease. Polyurea grease lasts forever, it basically doesn't separate and dry out like lithium grease, so it's considered a permanent grease. If you combine Polyurea grease with proper Nitrile seals or some other really durable rubber seal, it would probably last forever, provided you're not in the desert with dry rock dust.

[@heyallenify]

The Stihl Kombi I bought last year also has a grease plug, and the local dealer also had the grease for it in stock. It didn't seem to be adequately serviced when I bough it, but a little grease was easily added.

[@jimbrewer2893]

Bubba was going to the local convenience store for a 12 pack of Miller Lite, on his mower. As was mentioned in another comment, planned obsolescence = more new equipment sales and parts sales. Like the grease points on chainsaws, most owners don't know about the grease point on the trimmers. Or greasing the drive shaft.

[@maddierosemusic]

Grease point on a Stihl chainsaw? Do tell!!!

[@dyer2cycle]

Bubba probably was going for a 12 pack of Miller Lite..probably used to drink Bud Light, but not now!...😅

[@markmauldin5867]

Glad you covered this I wondered why I could not find grease plug on my Stihl. Now I know. Wondering if you can drill and tap for grease plug. Great video.

[@mihais7183]

Greetings from Europe!🙋 I used to work for a STIHL dealership for 7 years and we were told that the lower range home trimmers (FS 55/56/70) should be serviced every year or so. Our workshop greased the gearheads by extracting one bearing. I think STIHL used the removal of the grease plugs on the lower range of trimmers either to promote their semi-pro (FS 89 onwards) range or to make more cash for their dealerships.

[@gorgon9786]

Could you/we not just install a service grease nipple?.. Anywhere in the housing,.. And we would be back in the good servicing track for these equipments?.

[@mihais7183]

@@gorgon9786 technically, yeah sure, it's possible, but the regular Joe who's gonna buy the cheapest tool in the range usually lacks the knowledge, motivation and funds to improve it; at best they'll maintain it by the book (in most cases not).

[@jeffreybrock1642]

A fellow Arkansan here, from Russelleville area. Really glad to find your channel. I’ll be going back and watching all your videos. Great stuff!

[@littlewingpilot]

I recently tried finding a fuel tank for an FS 108 brush saw, needless to say it's obsolete. I'll admit it is an older brush saw but hey she still runs like a champ. (no more air filters available either so I just made one out of a cheap sponge made from similar material)

[@dyer2cycle]

I think they started this MANY years ago, now that you mention the fuel tank..ALL the manufacturers, from WAYY back when, decided to make the fuel tanks on trimmers from a material that CANNOT be repaired satisfactory with ANYTHING when they crack or a hole wears in them..nope, nothing works for long..JB weld, epoxy, even plastic welder, nothing..they always leak...then they charge you out the ears for a new one(I remember a new tank for a Green Machine was over $50 WAY BACK IN THE 1980's!)..then, when they become obsolete, you can't get a new tank, can't really repair the old one, and a used one off another model won't fit-not even close..so...time for a new trimmer!....

[@thinking6307]

@@dyer2cycle You might try plastic welders again. I've repaired many small engine "plastic" gas tanks with a $12 Harbor Freight plastic welder...in just a few minutes. Granted...you need to learn how to use the plastic welder...there is a learning curve. Have used this plastic welder on MANY other plastic projects too. Oh..remember to wear gloves while using the HOT welder.

[@dyer2cycle]

Haven't tried a HF plastic welder..might have to try that...used to try plastic welding with soldering irons, etc...I think most of those older tanks were nylon, seemed nothing would bond with them. I will say, glues, epoxies, JB Welds, etc., etc. are a complete wasted effort..they will NOT hold leak-free long term...@@thinking6307

[@stevenwilkinson8373]

@@thinking6307 good tip

[@stevenwilkinson8373]

@@dyer2cycle Have you tried Seal All? It is intended to be used on plastic fuel tanks

[@Barbarra63297]

I have a TEXAS electric string trimmer that I've had for 18 years and no problems. I'm a transplant from Ohio to Danmark and here TEXAS lawn equipment has a great reputation for longevity and durability of all their products electric and gas powered.

[@johnw1178]

I watched the video on the speed feed head and bought one for my Stihl FS55. Wow it’s the best! I’ve cut 12’ lengths from a larger spool and have them ready for the reloads. It has to be one of the best improvements anyone can do for a string trimmer! After over a year of use it works perfectly. Thanks for that great tip! ❤

[@bennieharrison9965]

I did not know those were grease plugs. I learn from you! I appreciate you! I have phillips heads on my Ryobi equipment. I am going to try to grease it now. Thanks to you. I live and learn daily.

[@andybecker2693]

It’s like with the Briggs “Just Add Oil”. The reason they do this is that 90% of people do zero maintenance so the bean counters saved $0.35 per unit. This also ensures that 100% will be dead within 5 years and don’t expect to get it covered under warranty. More planned obsolescence. I understand Stihl doing this but Come on Echo!

[@ryelor123]

They saved more money than that. The biggest cost was probably due to having to scrap hundreds of parts every time the tapping machine's got out of adjustment(yeah, pipe threads are awesome until you're putting them into castings). A lot of money was lost due to having to recycle parts that passed QA after being cast but were ruined by the tapping machines. Another thing is that just-in-time manufacturing really doesn't like it when there's a random chance that thousands of parts that were supposed to be made in one day end up being delayed due to problems with a tappper.

[@leadnsteel1428]

I change my lawnmower oil every season and i put in husqvarna premium fuel for winter storage..... I've had it for 9 years now and it still runs like new.

[@keithammleter3824]

@@ryelor123 : Production thread tapping is very different to hand tapping a one-off job. Factories use spiral flute taps that self-clear, and the machines are more consistent in speed and force than any human. There's not much QA done in mass production factories now. Human process workers have been replaced by robots, so there's a lot less variation. In the 1960's and 1970's factories did a lot of check measurements at every step, and employed an army of QA chaps and their statistical tables of Acceptable Defect Rates and whatnot. If they were supplying to the military, the checking cost more than the making. But when Japan lost the War and the USA had to move in and run Japan for a while for humanitarian reasons (and keep the communists out), they saw that Japanese factories were 40 years out of date and were making crap. So they brought in experts, and one of them taught the Japanese that it is better to design a production process that makes no defects, rather than use a process that has some randomness and you waste money on scrapping and fixing. The Japanese really took that onboard and by the 1970's were outcompeting the West by low cost defect-free manufacturing, even though their wage rates had got pretty high. This thinking has now spread throughout the West. You may have heard an old story that did the rounds in the late 1970's. An American company decided to contract a Japanese firm to make a large quantity of widgets. The Americans in accordance with normal US practice wrote into the contract a clause that said that the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) was a 0.05% defect rate. When the first shipment of 10.000 widgets arrived, the Americans found that 5 widgets had been packed separately, with a little note ""These are the 5 defective items that you requested."

[@rvalens2]

@@keithammleter3824 Thanks for the stories about Japanese manufacturing after WWII. My favorite was the last one about the 0.05% defect rate. 🤣

[@terrymckinch8587]

Great Video. One of the items we cover when we sold our string trimmers was to show the customer the grease plug. When a string trimmer came in, we would grease the heads, just to help keep our customers. How unfortunate that Stihl and Echo have changed their gear head.

[@lumberjaxe8910]

Cant you just run the power head in a drum of grease once a month? Easy fix.

[@billcruikshank7884]

My Stihl dealer/mechanic explained to me that the reason they went to non-serviceable gear heads was because people were over greasing the gearbox. They would try to squeeze in an entire tube when only a small amount is required. For lack of a better term, the gearbox would hydro lock and then grease would ooze out around the bearing seals which would lead to warranty repairs. That’s why they went with “lubed for life” design.

[@markcompall5501]

I was in industrial maintenance. Over greasing (over packing) bearings can easily shorten their life.

[@dissimulii]

your stihl dealer/mechanic is just towing the company line. most people don't grease anything.

[@ponchovanillabean8074]

I would guess that part of the reason for eliminating the grease plugs is that the majority of people never use them. Love the gray, by the way.

[@noahmercy-mann4323]

My first thought, too. Manufacturers do polls of both consumers and service techs. When they find that a feature is not being used, they eliminate it, especially if it saves them money. And if eliminating it results in more parts sales down the line, more's the better.

[@Handleyman]

So I just learnt something new today. That little bolt on the head of my Husqarne line trimmer is a grease plug. Thanks!

[@DoRC]

My guess is that the vast majority of people don't grease them anyway so they may have improved the seals and removed the grease plug so that people don't mess with it. There are plenty of other applications where geared devices aren't readily greasable. Off the top of my head angle grinders are the most similar that I can think of. As long as they're properly sealed there's no place for the grease to go. This is kind of like sealed wheel bearings. Unless a seal fails the grease will stay in there for the life of the bearing. And if the seal fails then filling it with more grease isn't really into you much good because the grease that's in there is likely contaminated and whatever you put in is just going to go back out through the failed seal.

[@dougaustintx]

Angle grinders fling the grease to the outside of the grease cavity unless the cavity is fully filled with grease.... and they never are. Always pays to open the gear box on the grinder and add grease.

[@jumpinjack1]

Good vids :) Just bought a 56 Rc Stihl weed wacker and of course no grease fitting, found you can drill a hole in the middle of the triangle that's cast on the head, tap it to the size of your choice and squeeze some of that echo red dragon queen grease ( no grease gun required) , seal it with a short screw and your off to the races.

[@patthesoundguy]

Time to drill a hole where the grease plug is supposed to be and add either a short bolt for a plug or toss a grease zerk on there 😉

[@WaterPig98]

Thank you so much for bringing that to the attention of the viewers! I bought two Echo weed eaters and one can be separated in the center of the shaft to interchange attachments and it has the grease plug. The other one doesn’t have it just as you pointed out. When I called Echo they seemed to act like I didn’t know what I was talking about, even the location where I purchased the non grease plug unit couldn’t give me a legitimate answer! Those gears get very hot while in use and they need grease periodically! I had even went above and beyond by purchasing the Echo Red grease in the tube which isn’t very cheap! It seems like only the more expensive “X Series” Echo units come with the grease plug. Your videos are very informative and helpful for us, I only wish that your shop was located near me in Texas. Thank you again 😊

[@robertcochran7103]

I am extremely impressed with your discussion of the missing grease plugs on new gear heads. I think if I ever really work with small engines your site will be a must-watch for my own education and understanding of current practices. I did watch this video to the end and it looks like you had some really scary moments. My suggestion is to never work alone and after dark in your place of business. Always have one or two others in the shop with you. I know you have to pay them, and perhaps as overtime compensation, but having others with you is really best. Never answer the door to a stranger after closing hours as well. Perhaps by appointment with someone you know, and with some helpers also in the shop with you, it is okay. But never alone. Never with a stranger. I once saw a sign on the back door of a Starbucks warning the reader to never, ever open that door during the hours of darkness for anyone knocking on it. I think that is good advice for any shop employee. There is much safety in a group. I apologize for seeming so lecturing.

[@Encourageable]

That’s not even lecturing, that’s projecting your fears.

[@omgpickle]

She's probably got a shooty thing anyway

[@jeffbecker9809]

That's what I love about this channel. She tells it like it is.

[@timothyvotaw7517]

OH YEAH! She hits nail on head - the industry, industries, are constantly busy looking for ways to "save costs"; only NOT necessarily for customers, but for the companies' bottom line, the CEO's, the management, and stock holders' pockets. We oughta be mighty grateful for your advice on these matters, Chickanic. A little bit of "Uff da!" to the manufacturers for their shortcuts, too. You made the old consumers' crusader Ralph Nader smile, on this one. 😉👍

[@kentworch]

They're not only cutting costs for them, but making more money at the expense of the consumer by making us have to keep replacing the crap we buy. They win twice and we lose because of it. Not only that, but all those shitty broken products end up in a land fill somewhere. It's bad for the consumer and the planet, yet they have the audacity to call themselves eco friendly, and feed everyone the lie that their new redesigns are improvements and helping the planet. It's bullshit and they're making things worse for the planet just because they want to make more money from us consumers. The sad part is that the masses of people are complete suckers dumb enough to believe whatever those greedy corporations tell them in their endless ads while they're in the process of ripping you off and destroying the planet. And yes our taxpayer dollars are also being handed over to them constantly. That's how dumb and clueless everyone is. It's absolutely absurd what our society has come to these days. Nobody seems to be able to pull their head out of their ass enough to wake up and smell the bullshit. Everyone is too distracted and divided by all the shit in the news and media that seems to repeat everyday. Nobody is focusing on the real and bigger issues while the greedy find more ways of milking us.

[@williamscoggin1509]

This is not done to save costs especially for the consumer, it is done to make more money off of parts sales, over and over and over. They are unashamedly screwing everybody for every penny they can get.

[@NotALot-xm6gz]

My FS55 I purchased in France in 2018 doesn’t have a grease plug on the gear head. Mine doesn’t get heavy use, but I remove the gear head every spring, clean out the old grease and pack it full of fresh bearing grease.

[@pdevonport7266]

I use CV Joint Grease (molybdenum disulphide and graphite boundary lubricants) on my STIHL FS 85, 20 years old, and the gearbox and bearings are like new.

[@alphaguy54]

I just found your channel last night and I have learned so much in watching a few of your videos. Love how you describe what and how you repair equipment. You know your stuff. I do have a question but I want to make sure you get this message before asking it. Ty for posting and I love your channel

[@fenceman95]

Smart young lady. Thanks for the truth so freely.

[@justina3049]

Been working on Stihl 20+years. To answer your question why the km-fs kombi shaft is cheaper then the gearhead it's self. There is a lot less mark up from manufacturing to dealer on Stihl accessories vs replacement parts. As for the no more grease fitting. The gear head usually outlasts the rest of the unit anyway, and it's cheaper to manufacture one without the threaded hole and adding a bolt. So financially I just makes better sense

[@jamesburns8247]

Way back in 74 when I got out of the Navy I worked for an appliance repair shop where the owner and head tech explained to me that refrigerators were designed to only last for 7years and I have been watching everything with a callus eye since then.

[@countstoneula]

I’m still push mowing the trim in my yard with a Honda from the early 80’s. It was freely given to me 15 years ago when a relative bought a new one. I’ve spent about $30 on it over the years. It is slightly older than I am, runs like a champ, has almost no rust where it matters. My relative has purchased 2 more mowers since I received it and I have at least double the grass to cut.

[@JSMCPN]

For what it's worth, I just bought a new Echo SRM-2620T a few days ago, haven't unboxed it yet. I watched this video, thought I was gonna be taking the machine back to Home Depot... but I checked and it does have a grease plug.

[@leonardbartley5670]

I have 2 Stihl's one is a string trimmer which has a grease plug the other is a stick edger it doesn't have a plug. I believe they are both FS-90 models bought both new about 4 or 5 years ago, No problems with either one but always wondered about the no grease plug but so far works like a champ. I do grease the trimmer once a year, but I actually read the owners manual.

[@Chainsnsprockets402]

I threw my string trimmer away 25 years ago. Been using a defoliant like Roundup on all of my areas that I use to trim. It lasts of over a month and there’s no maintenance, mixing of fuel or brake downs. 😅

[@testtesting2868]

My 2022 SRM-225 gear head (without grease fitting) has started running extremely hot and makes a low growl sound after a few minutes of use. I am taking in in for a new gear head next week under warranty. We want our grease fitting back!

[@hansandersolsen5540]

The world quickly falls off its hinges when the sales people start running the company and the engineers are let go...

[@dlkline27]

Never visited this site without learning something. Great work and... Thanks!

[@PursueAndObtainKnowledge]

You already answered your question. Most people don't know there's a plug the manufacturer's probably noticed this and decided to annex the cost of drilling and tapping the gear head

[@jerryhendrickson8308]

Had to go out an check my Echo after watching this. I have the split shaft with the edger and brush cutter. The line trimmer does not have a grease plug, but the brush cutter and edger does. That makes even less sense. Thank you for all your tips, I already bought the speed feed trimmer head!👏👍

[@DB-oz2ki]

My kid says I modify everything, its true. If their is no grease head, drill a hole and add a zert. I have added zerts to many things. Just last week the brakes on a older quad did not work, brake pedal was frozen up, no grease. The only way to add grease is remove panels, foot pegs and such, then remove brake pedal clean and grease. Simple fix, drill tap and add a grease zert. I have done this to several dirt bikes swing arms as well.

[@philliplee1193]

Years ago I discovered the tracks and trail markings of an entity I’ll call Mister Q. He has the authority to visit upon any manufacturer’s design department and to go deeply into the schematics, where he deposits his form of scat.

[@stevea6722]

If you ask you'll probably get the "party line", it's to prevent anyone adding an incompatible type of grease. Auto manufacturers did that years ago, eliminating grease zerks on ball joints, u-joints, etc. but a lot more work comes in to replace those parts when they wear out from not being able to be lubricated periodically.

[@ArtVanAuggie]

Have your mechanic (or Chickanic) drill and tap a hole and put a plug or a zerk in it. Commercial guys should have been all over that.

[@michaelmaier2113]

The echo srm 225 non grease fitting head also only has two bearings. The head with the grease fitting like on the older 225’s has three bearings. So they skimped on the bearings also. Money ahead to spend an extra 75 dollars and get the 2320 T. It has a two to one ratio greasable high torque gearhead, a two-stage air filter, and a chrome lined cylinder!

[@workingcountry1776]

Commercial user. I put a zerk on my gear heads. Once or twice a season it gets a attention. My Sthil got 10+ years commercial use before it was retired and upgraded to Echo PAS. Yes, speed feed is great. Always tossed away tap heads til 3 years ago when I switched from Sthil to echo. Not looking back either

[@privatedata665]

Cool content . My brother had an Echo trimmer and that thing was a friggin beast ! It was a great trimmer .

[@peadenl]

Great info! This is why I watch every one of your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@StumpkillerCP]

This video ran me down to my cellar. My straight-shaft Husqvarna 128LD has the grease bolt (whew), but the Lowe's off-brand 4-edge metal bladed lower unit TrimmerPlus BC720 did not. So I did some poking (after greasing the Husqvarna). I found a little 3-16" hole in the shield that lined up with the collet cover of the blade (this is to lock the rotation to remove trhe blade. a 3-16" drill base works great to lock it from turning) . . . but my pencil grease attachment (for the notorious drive shaft "impossible Zirk" under the John Deere 1025R. That was too large. So I started backing out Torx screws and found the lower shaft pulls out, then the flexible shaft pulls out. And that leaves a square hole down into the gear hear that you can see the inner spaces. So I pumped 10 squirts into that hole and it quieted the rotation of the blade/gears when reassembled. A pain, but at least an access method. As far as Stihl and Echo? I wonder if they are using a Nylon or Polyamide gear (or gears) and figuring it doesn't need greasing? Take one apart.

[@tsl7881]

I used to see plastic gears grease all the time, they had a light white lithium grease.

[@obbiebeal3060]

My Sthil 360 brush cutter came without a grease adapter on the head. I scratched my head and tail because I beleave there should have been one on it. I am so far in the bush I hate a 3 hour drive to get to the repair shop, so I purchased a 2nd head just in-case the original went out and decide I will very carefully put a grease nippel on both. Later saw a grease fitting on the same brush cutter at the same shop. It is a ..... good machine using the steel 3 blade as I clear my land in Africa.

[@ED-ti5tc]

I just bought my first weed eater that has a grease plug. Redmax. My dealer says since I'm using it residential, I don't need to grease. Is that true or not? Great video as usual!

[@HOWNDOG66]

You said it. For most users they don’t know what a grease nipple is for even if it had one. A good many consumers buy small equipment, use for a season, and when it runs out of gas and won’t start, they buy a new one.

[@elephantwalkersmith1533]

I bought a Stihl 170 chainsaw one month ago. Has constantly had starting problems. They exchanged it the same day of purchase, and finally one month later I took it back for warranty work. I got a bill for $235. Stihl and the dealers do not back their products.

[@paulsharman-r8b]

I noticed the lack of grease plugs on stihl strimmer gear heads a few years back, when i started in small equipment back in 1988 we always told customers to regularly grease the gear heads or they would scrap their machine, repairs would out cost the value of the machine.

[@jasonvargas798]

I've been working with trimmers for years and I had absolutely no idea there was a grease plug on these heads. Tyvm