Online Engine Maintenance School

2011 - Volume #35, Issue #5, Page #39

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Got a chainsaw that just won’t run right? Or a push mower that needs a tune up?
If you’re not an expert at that kind of small engine work, you might want to check out a new “service school” online that walks members step-by-step through preventative maintenance and small engine diagnostics.
“We film professional mechanics who work on chainsaws and other small engine tools every day,” says Roger Simons, founder, ATTN (Advanced Technical Training Network). “They will walk through a repair scenario on all the things likely to be repaired through the life cycle of a product.”
The preventative maintenance section of the website – which costs members $9.95 a month – covers trimmers, edgers, commercial mowers, trailers and chainsaws. Chainsaw maintenance is broken into 13 segments, including Chainsaw Bar, Fuel Line, Oiler, Air Filter, Sprocket and Recoil. Overviews included “Clean, Inspect and Torque,” covering basic tips such as not using excessive air pressure, especially on seals and gaskets.
Individual segments are easy to understand. Illustrations clearly define worn sprockets and other problems, using well-worn and damaged components. Even for an experienced chainsaw owner, the sessions offer a worthwhile refresher.
The diagnostics section covers identifying problems with both two-stroke and four-stroke engines. It uses “first glance” evaluations to identify generally what a problem might be. Related documents offer specific diagnostic steps for problems such as no spark, compression or fuel delivery.
“Our goal is to show people who want to do their own maintenance or diagnostics how to do it,” says Simons. “If repairs are needed, they may well decide to take it to the repair shop. However, now they’ll understand the problem or its complexity and feel better about paying for the repair.
“If you understand the maintenance that needs to be done, you are more likely to notice if you can access this or that part easily,” says Simons. “Something as simple as draining oil is important. Do you want to have to turn the motor on its side to drain oil out of the refill hole or do you want an engine with a drain plug?”
Simons understands how important the simple things are when it comes to maintenance. His background includes starting a technical training program for Stihl chainsaws in the U.S. He then did the same for Husqvarna and also supervised their call center.
“After years of talking to end users, there were a lot of simple things that people wanted to do, but didn’t know how to do,” he says. “We have the mechanic describe what he is doing as he does it. An important tip can be as simple as avoiding screw failure by cleaning out the slot first so you don’t strip it.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Advanced Technical Training Network, (info@advancedttn.com; www.advancedttn.com).

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Online Engine Maintenance School ENGINES Got a chainsaw that just won’t run right? Or a push mower that needs a tune up? If you’re not an expert at that kind of small engine work you might want to check out a new “service school” online that walks members step-by-step through preventative maintenance and small engine diagnostics “We film professional mechanics who work on chainsaws and other small engine tools every day ” says Roger Simons founder ATTN Advanced Technical Training Network “They will walk through a repair scenario on all the things likely to be repaired through the life cycle of a product ” The preventative maintenance section of the website – which costs members $9 95 a month – covers trimmers edgers commercial mowers trailers and chainsaws Chainsaw maintenance is broken into 13 segments including Chainsaw Bar Fuel Line Oiler Air Filter Sprocket and Recoil Overviews included “Clean Inspect and Torque ” covering basic tips such as not using excessive air pressure especially on seals and gaskets Individual segments are easy to understand Illustrations clearly define worn sprockets and other problems using well-worn and damaged components Even for an experienced chainsaw owner the sessions offer a worthwhile refresher The diagnostics section covers identifying problems with both two-stroke and four-stroke engines It uses “first glance” evaluations to identify generally what a problem might be Related documents offer specific diagnostic steps for problems such as no spark compression or fuel delivery “Our goal is to show people who want to do their own maintenance or diagnostics how to do it ” says Simons “If repairs are needed they may well decide to take it to the repair shop However now they’ll understand the problem or its complexity and feel better about paying for the repair “If you understand the maintenance that needs to be done you are more likely to notice if you can access this or that part easily ” says Simons “Something as simple as draining oil is important Do you want to have to turn the motor on its side to drain oil out of the refill hole or do you want an engine with a drain plug?” Simons understands how important the simple things are when it comes to maintenance His background includes starting a technical training program for Stihl chainsaws in the U S He then did the same for Husqvarna and also supervised their call center “After years of talking to end users there were a lot of simple things that people wanted to do but didn’t know how to do ” he says “We have the mechanic describe what he is doing as he does it An important tip can be as simple as avoiding screw failure by cleaning out the slot first so you don’t strip it ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Advanced Technical Training Network info@advancedttn com; www advancedttn com

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