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OP
DFB5.0
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- #152
Tool Cleaning Day………………………………
Surprise, surprise, I like clean tools. Considering my line of work, that isn’t always possible, so it ends up being an occasional attempt. It doesn’t help when someone returns a borrowed tool in dirty condition……………………
Kranzle K1152 –
This was actually on the to-do list waaaay back in September last year. Someone borrowed my beloved pressure washer without asking, then returned it covered in mud…………..and no apology. That same person also borrowed my new MS271 chainsaw, then returned it filthy and covered in sap. Anyway, the day I was going to return the pressure washer to DFB-spec, my Dad decided he would borrow it as well……………………………. I only got it back on Monday, 9-months later! My neighbour once told me that “you can lend your wife, but not your chainsaw”. Not a very PC thing to say these days, but the notion of not lending good tools I can certainly appreciate, thus I don’t recommend lending your $2000 pressure washer or near-new chainsaw.
Ironically, the best way to clean a pressure washer is..............with another pressure washer. But first, the hose was dragged all the way out, then Brake Buster applied to it and the machine itself. A little light agitation with a soft brush, then everything was rinsed. Following that, some Hydr02 to assist with drying, then Shine Supply Decked Out to add some lustre to the plastics.
I feel so much better now!
Husqvarna 522L -
I bought this trimmer back in November 2018, and I have to say, it’s been one of the most reliable pieces of machinery I’ve ever owned. At the time, it was the first non-Stihl branded tool I had bought, so a leap of faith on my part. And it was a leap that’s paid off.
And over the 6.5-years it’s been in service, I’ve done very little to it. Service items include 1 air filter, 1 fuel filter, and 1 spark plug. The OE-fit cutting head was replaced by a Speed feed head, which had its bump cap replaced last year. The muffler spark arrestor has been removed and inspected probably three times, but this thing burns so clean that I’ve never needed to clean it. And finally, regular greasing of the gearbox. Other than that, I’ve not had it break down or require repair.
Out of curiosity, I recently yanked the muffler off to inspect the bore and piston, both look almost new. Other than the initial fill from the dealer when I bought it, this unit has been run exclusively on Stihl HP Ultra. Just a word of warning, when shopping, there are two "HP" oils. The regular red HP is mineral based, and despite claims otherwise, I've found this stuff plugs up exhaust screens and exhaust ports in no time. The HP Ultra is fully synthetic and a murky green/brown colour.
Being a fully synthetic 2-stroke oil, it's said to burn cleaner, which means less carbon deposits both inside and out of the engine. The lack of carbon keeps the muffler screen and exhaust port cleaner for longer, which means less maintenance and more performance. Stihl also suggests HP Ultra can clean the piston, crankcase and cylinder of engines ran on mineral based oil and fuel mixes. I have seen where it did indeed lightly remove carbon from an older engine, but it's probably better to start using it from the beginning of the engine's life. It's expensive, but that is balanced by reduced maintenance and longer machine life. There is a certain subset who don't like this oil, some even calling it muddy-water-fuel. But as far as I'm concerned, the proof is in the pudding.
I'm very much a numbers man, so this is a basic run down of what the 522L has cost me over the years, excluding fuel.
Purchase Price 2018 - $424.00 (in 2025, these retail for $679!!)
Air Filter – $19.50 (Filter and pre-filter)
Fuel Filter – $17.95 (OEM)
NGK BPMR8Y Spark Plug – $7.95
Speed Feed Head – $59.95
Head Bump Cap - $25.00
Grease - $3.00 (approx.)
TOTAL: $557.35 (AUD)
Considering the number of lawns it has been used on over the last 7 years, that total is miniscule. In addition to its reliability, I specifically love how light this machine is compared to every other straight-shaft trimmer on the market, just 4.2 kg where most start at 5.0 kg. The 522L also has an excellent anti-vibration system that cured the jitters I would get from previous trimmers. In both cases, I'd happily pay a premium for those benefits.
Anyway, I was looking at the 522 the other day and thought it was about time to remove the years' worth of grime that had accumulated.
Another thing to admire with the 522L is how the majority of the exterior components can be removed independently. This is especially noticed on the starter, which can be removed for service via three T27's and without other pieces needing to come off the machine.
Each piece was pre-soaked with Surfex HD at 1:1, then scrubbed in the parts washer, which has Surfex mixed at 4:1. The exception being the starter, which in an attempt to avoid oversaturating the recoil parts, I used compressed air first to remove the bulk of the grime. After each piece was scrubbed, I rinsed using clean water and applied Meg's Hyper Dressing.
From there, I used compressed air, Surfex and the pressure washer to clean the engine assembly, shaft, gearbox and debris guard. The air filer on a trimmer never really need attention due to how the engine operates above the dust zone, so I just gave them a quick blow out.
It was then time to reassemble.........................
Back to spec! Here's hoping I get another 7-years out of it.
Surprise, surprise, I like clean tools. Considering my line of work, that isn’t always possible, so it ends up being an occasional attempt. It doesn’t help when someone returns a borrowed tool in dirty condition……………………
Kranzle K1152 –
This was actually on the to-do list waaaay back in September last year. Someone borrowed my beloved pressure washer without asking, then returned it covered in mud…………..and no apology. That same person also borrowed my new MS271 chainsaw, then returned it filthy and covered in sap. Anyway, the day I was going to return the pressure washer to DFB-spec, my Dad decided he would borrow it as well……………………………. I only got it back on Monday, 9-months later! My neighbour once told me that “you can lend your wife, but not your chainsaw”. Not a very PC thing to say these days, but the notion of not lending good tools I can certainly appreciate, thus I don’t recommend lending your $2000 pressure washer or near-new chainsaw.
Ironically, the best way to clean a pressure washer is..............with another pressure washer. But first, the hose was dragged all the way out, then Brake Buster applied to it and the machine itself. A little light agitation with a soft brush, then everything was rinsed. Following that, some Hydr02 to assist with drying, then Shine Supply Decked Out to add some lustre to the plastics.
I feel so much better now!
Husqvarna 522L -
I bought this trimmer back in November 2018, and I have to say, it’s been one of the most reliable pieces of machinery I’ve ever owned. At the time, it was the first non-Stihl branded tool I had bought, so a leap of faith on my part. And it was a leap that’s paid off.
And over the 6.5-years it’s been in service, I’ve done very little to it. Service items include 1 air filter, 1 fuel filter, and 1 spark plug. The OE-fit cutting head was replaced by a Speed feed head, which had its bump cap replaced last year. The muffler spark arrestor has been removed and inspected probably three times, but this thing burns so clean that I’ve never needed to clean it. And finally, regular greasing of the gearbox. Other than that, I’ve not had it break down or require repair.
Out of curiosity, I recently yanked the muffler off to inspect the bore and piston, both look almost new. Other than the initial fill from the dealer when I bought it, this unit has been run exclusively on Stihl HP Ultra. Just a word of warning, when shopping, there are two "HP" oils. The regular red HP is mineral based, and despite claims otherwise, I've found this stuff plugs up exhaust screens and exhaust ports in no time. The HP Ultra is fully synthetic and a murky green/brown colour.
Being a fully synthetic 2-stroke oil, it's said to burn cleaner, which means less carbon deposits both inside and out of the engine. The lack of carbon keeps the muffler screen and exhaust port cleaner for longer, which means less maintenance and more performance. Stihl also suggests HP Ultra can clean the piston, crankcase and cylinder of engines ran on mineral based oil and fuel mixes. I have seen where it did indeed lightly remove carbon from an older engine, but it's probably better to start using it from the beginning of the engine's life. It's expensive, but that is balanced by reduced maintenance and longer machine life. There is a certain subset who don't like this oil, some even calling it muddy-water-fuel. But as far as I'm concerned, the proof is in the pudding.
I'm very much a numbers man, so this is a basic run down of what the 522L has cost me over the years, excluding fuel.
Purchase Price 2018 - $424.00 (in 2025, these retail for $679!!)
Air Filter – $19.50 (Filter and pre-filter)
Fuel Filter – $17.95 (OEM)
NGK BPMR8Y Spark Plug – $7.95
Speed Feed Head – $59.95
Head Bump Cap - $25.00
Grease - $3.00 (approx.)
TOTAL: $557.35 (AUD)
Considering the number of lawns it has been used on over the last 7 years, that total is miniscule. In addition to its reliability, I specifically love how light this machine is compared to every other straight-shaft trimmer on the market, just 4.2 kg where most start at 5.0 kg. The 522L also has an excellent anti-vibration system that cured the jitters I would get from previous trimmers. In both cases, I'd happily pay a premium for those benefits.
Anyway, I was looking at the 522 the other day and thought it was about time to remove the years' worth of grime that had accumulated.
Another thing to admire with the 522L is how the majority of the exterior components can be removed independently. This is especially noticed on the starter, which can be removed for service via three T27's and without other pieces needing to come off the machine.
Each piece was pre-soaked with Surfex HD at 1:1, then scrubbed in the parts washer, which has Surfex mixed at 4:1. The exception being the starter, which in an attempt to avoid oversaturating the recoil parts, I used compressed air first to remove the bulk of the grime. After each piece was scrubbed, I rinsed using clean water and applied Meg's Hyper Dressing.
From there, I used compressed air, Surfex and the pressure washer to clean the engine assembly, shaft, gearbox and debris guard. The air filer on a trimmer never really need attention due to how the engine operates above the dust zone, so I just gave them a quick blow out.
It was then time to reassemble.........................
Back to spec! Here's hoping I get another 7-years out of it.
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