b-20 struggling to cut cedar poles

[jerry71]

My b20 is stalling out while I'm cutting western red cedar poles. Blade is brand new speed is set at 2 or less . my tach is not working but I have it reved up pretty good, lubricating blade with soapy water , motor sounds fine , wood is dry any ideas? Should I do a compression check? Any help much appreciated

[AlaskaLes]

Our Mighty Mite (used) was having similar problems when we first got it.
Turned out that the blade drive belts were worn out and at full power it was running the hyd. pump just fine, but the blade just couldn't
keep turning in a heavy cut.  Took me a little bit to figure it out as the belts never squeeled or smoked.  The blade would just stop moving.
Maybe this is the trouble with your mill.
Probably not a bad idea to check the compression too, can't hurt.

[sandsawmill14]

if it has the same valve as my 2000 model b20  setting 2  may be to fast if it is a very wide cut  when im sawing i set it wide open and control speed with the lever but my daughter (13yo) wanted to saw last friday and she killed the motor and it set at 1 sawing a 18" gum log.  i wondered if my flow valve was working right but i think it was just me .

[dchiapin]

have you checked the deflection of the drive belt from the engine? It is possible it needs adjusting. Another possibility is the drive wheel belts. Are they worn down too low? Also I have found if you use too much soap in your water mix, it can cause the belts to slip.
I went through this a few weeks ago on my B-20 and it was just a simple adjusting of the engine drive belt.

[ladylake]

If your motor is stalling out I'd check the gas supply first, clogged filter, cracked line, bad coupler, dirty carb, blocked tank vent. If just blade is stalling then a loose belt.  Western cedar poles cut easy.    Steve