Buck,
All 1270's have the same problem and it has been like that since it was introduced. Unlike the 1236 where the silencer works well, on the 1270 just leave the thing turned off. Fortunately it is not as noisy in iron or on other partially disced out items as other 1200 series machines.
Far be it for me to second guess them for putting something on a machine that is unuseable as otherwise it is a great machine.
Have heard good reports on it from areas in Virginia with tough ground conditions. As far as you dirt (volcanic?) goes its hard to say, only experience will tell what it will do. In my mild ground I had to adjust the internal trimmer to achieve a good ground balance which improved performance dramatically. It seems set at the factory to handle "hotter" ground.
HH, Tom
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