Quieter performance

[Farmchuck]

I know this is probably going to sound like a stupid question but are there any ways to improve chainsaw performance or modify mufflers without making them significantly louder? I had a 550 modified & love the way it performs but don't enjoy the added volume. From time to time I'm fortunate enough to have my teenage daughter help me with firewood & hate to subject her to those sound levels. We both wear ear plugs but they don't seem to offer adequate protection. For long term work earmuffs are too hot & because I wear glasses they are uncomfortable . I have tried several different styles but the results are always the same, to hot in summer/ fall plus I always seem to wind up with a headache from them. Anyone have any insight, suggestions? Thanks !

 

[CoreyB]

Electric? Husqvarna 536li? Won't cut like a 550 but quieter

 

[Moparmyway]

Are you getting the plugs in correctly ?

 

[tickbitintn]

I keep being told if it's too loud you are too old.....
Guess i'm too old cause i don't like too loud...
I try to add second outlets after a "modified" baffle...
My theory being added outlet size/volume and baffle flow area BUT still not a wide open path for sound waves...
The more turns angles the sound waves take the more they are "muffled"....
That's the way i see it... could be way off but we have all heard the sound of a straight piped harley....

 

[Duce]

Macks ear plugs.

 

[Farmchuck]

Are you getting the plugs in correctly ?

I think so. I just follow the directions that come with them.

 

[Farmchuck]

Macks ear plugs.

I don't think I've ever heard of those.

 

[jmssaws]

I scaled down my muffler mods a lot,they idle better but mainly there quieter.

A oem screen helps a bunch.

I'm very tired of loud saws

 

[jmssaws]

The higher end stihl muffs are the best I've found.
I loose earplugs

 

[Farmchuck]

Electric? Husqvarna 536li? Won't cut like a 550 but quieter

I suppose that's true.

 

[Farmchuck]

I scaled down my muffler mods a lot,they idle better but mainly there quieter.

A oem screen helps a bunch.

I'm very tired of loud saws

I was hoping I wasn't alone.

 

[Cigmaker]

I thought ever 10db you got it added 1 horsepower

 

[Al Smith]

Depending on the saw you can actually over run the carb .In other words basically short circuiting the fuel out the exhaust port which will hinder the amount left in the cylinder .Most modern saws use a pressure can type of muffler which acts in a way like a check valve .By design most saws don't have a large enough carb to be able to sustain a huge enough volume to over come this condition on a totally open exhaust system.

Now I've got an antique McCulloch 650 gear drive with a large enough carb to do that on open exhaust but it blows black smoke at idle and loads the saw up so much it takes about 5 seconds to clean out on a throttle up .It will wind up to over 9000 RPM once it clears out . So to cut to the chase you have to use some discretion if you get to carving a big hole in a pressure can muffler .Bigger,like huge is not always better .

 

[Al Smith]

Now,to the above .At Chardon I saw one of the guys saw,Stihl with the whole center,about 1" wide cut out of the muffler front so I tried it on my souped 038 Mag which normally does pretty good .It over ran the Bing carb .I mean like you shut the gas off,bad plan .Back went the already modified cover and once again it did fine .

 

[Farmchuck]

Depending on the saw you can actually over run the carb .In other words basically short circuiting the fuel out the exhaust port which will hinder the amount left in the cylinder .Most modern saws use a pressure can type of muffler which acts in a way like a check valve .By design most saws don't have a large enough carb to be able to sustain a huge enough volume to over come this condition on a totally open exhaust system.

Now I've got an antique McCulloch 650 gear drive with a large enough carb to do that on open exhaust but it blows black smoke at idle and loads the saw up so much it takes about 5 seconds to clean out on a throttle up .It will wind up to over 9000 RPM once it clears out . So to cut to the chase you have to use some discretion if you get to carving a big hole in a pressure can muffler .Bigger,like huge is not always better .

So is there a happy medium between factory mufflers & fully gutted ones that allow for increased power without having to be quite as loud?

 

[spencerpaving]

this would be out of the question then?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Moparmyway]

I think so. I just follow the directions that come with them.

If you get them rolled tight, they should go in just about all of the way and pop when you pull them out

 

[Chris Zautner]

If you get them rolled tight, they should go in just about all of the way and pop when you pull them out

Roll the ear pug tight and if you pull on the top of your ear it will open the ear canal up and will let you get the ear plug in good

 

[ABarrick]

A friend of mine decided to muffler mod his 460 rancher without any guidance from myself but he may have stumbled upon something that works. Rather than one 1/2" or so additional exit, he took the bird shot approach and drilled no less than 20 1/8" holes in the front cover. Kinds reminded me of an old round Briggs muffler look. The saw definitely was peppier and really had a pleasant sound. Louder than stock but not really "loud". Very muffled tone. He quit cutting wood and sold it so unfortunately no chance of a pic.

 

[jmssaws]

The way I Port the muffler outlet can't be very big or it starts to slow down.

The average mm is to big for one of my saws.

This is all outlet on David Youngs 044 hybrid.